Elden Ring Boss Says Duos Were Overlooked for Trios

Elden Ring Nightreign will soon allow players to venture into the ever-changing realm of Limveld, where they can explore and battle for survival alone or in three-player squads. However, for those hoping to team up as a duo, it appears you'll need to welcome a third member into your group.

During IGN's conversation with Elden Ring Nightreign director Junya Ishizaki, the project lead explained the decision to focus on solo and three-player experiences as the main options. When asked why there's no dedicated mode for two players to join without a matchmade third, Ishizaki admitted it was an oversight.

"The straightforward answer is that we simply overlooked including a two-player-only option during development, and for that, we sincerely apologize," Ishizaki stated. "As mentioned previously, our goal was to create a multiplayer co-op game designed for three players, balanced around that number—it's the core foundation of Nightreign.

"Of course, as a player myself, I understand that desire and often prefer playing solo, so we considered that from the beginning," Ishizaki continued. "We dedicated significant effort to crafting a solo experience that works within the game's rules and mechanics. In focusing so heavily on that and the three-player setup, we unfortunately neglected the duo aspect. Still, it's something we're evaluating for possible post-launch updates."

So if you plan on playing with just one trusted partner, be prepared to team up with a random third player. You never know—you might end up matched with someone highly skilled.

For solo players, Elden Ring Nightreign does account for your choice. According to Ishizaki, the game's parameters "adjust dynamically based on the number of players in each session," ensuring lone wolves aren't overwhelmed.

You'll need to seek out self-revive items, which are included specifically for those playing alone. And if you're in a trio, you're experiencing Nightreign as intended—designed and balanced for three. Whether duo support is added later or not, having an extra teammate can only help when facing the terrifying bosses that await.

Elden Ring Nightreign launches on May 30, 2025, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.