Ultimate Nightreign Raider Build Guide for Elden Ring – Dominate Solo & Co-Op

After putting in over 50 hours testing different builds in Elden Ring Nightreign-including a lot of painful trial and error-I finally landed on the Raider as my go-to class for both solo runs and co-op. I struggled for ages to find a build that could carry my team through brutal Nightlord fights without constantly going down, but the breakthrough came when I started focusing on high Strength and HP, paired with the right Relics and skills. In this guide, I’ll break down my best Raider build: what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost me hours of frustration.

Why the Raider? Strength in Every Scenario

Early on, I tried every flashy build possible-nimble duelists, ranged spellcasters, even the odd glass cannon. But time and again, high-mobility classes left me flattened in boss fights or overwhelmed by mobs. The Raider, with its S-tier Strength and A-rank Stamina and HP, finally gave me the control and raw power to turn the tide, especially in team play where soaking up aggro is critical.

If you want a build that can both protect your team and crush enemies with giant weapons, this setup is for you. Expect to:

• Soak up massive damage with high HP and strong defensive skills
• Stagger bosses and mobs with colossal weapon swings
• Buff and heal allies using the right relics and abilities
• Control the battlefield in both offensive and defensive roles

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Building Raider

• Unlock Raider class: Available from the start in Nightreign mode
• Minimum Level: Level 10+ recommended (for enough attribute points)
• Colossal weapon access: Greatsword or Greataxe preferred
• 3 Key Relics: Polished Burning Scene, Night of the Beast, Polished Tranquil Scene
• Familiarity with basic melee combos and timing

Pro-tip: Don’t start this build if you prefer fast, evasive playstyles. Raider is all about holding the line and taking hits head-on.

Step-by-Step: Building the Ultimate Raider

1. Optimize Your Attributes

Early on, I wasted points on Dexterity and Faith—don’t do this. Raider shines with a focus on:

• Strength (S): Main stat. Go all-in. At least 30 by level 25.
• HP/Stamina (A): Balance between the two. Prioritize HP for survivability; Stamina for more swings.
• Dexterity/Arcane: Only add if you want to experiment with alternate weapons. Not core for this build.

Common mistake: Don’t try to make a “jack of all trades” Raider. Specialize for best results.

2. Gear and Weapon Selection

I tested both axes and swords; I consistently found colossal greatswords to offer better range and poise breaks. that said, the Greataxe still shines for raw damage. Whichever you choose:

• Main Weapon: Colossal Greatsword (or Greataxe) with high Strength scaling
• Secondary (optional): Heavy shield for emergencies (I rarely needed it due to Retaliate)
• Talismans: Anything boosting attack power or damage negation

Pro-tip: Upgrade weapon early. +3 or higher drastically increases survivability and damage output, especially in midgame.

3. Relic Choices – Don’t Skip These

• Polished Burning Scene [Red]: Boosts critical hit damage. Every time you land a crit (which happens a lot with heavy weapons), your party gets healed—just not you. This is huge for co-op runs.
• Night of the Beast [Green]: Stamina recovers on hit, and you get fire damage on your main weapon. Stamina regen is essential for repeated attacks and combos, especially when managing crowds.
• Polished Tranquil Scene [Green]: While less versatile, this relic increases your attack and stamina when you’re taking damage during skills. The synergy with Retaliate is immense; you become a true damage sponge and punish enemies for hitting you.

Don’t make my mistake: I used generic relics for hours before realizing how much these three amplify Raider’s strengths. Prioritize them as soon as possible.

4. Ability Mastery & When to Use Them

• Fighter’s Resolve (Passive): Makes you uninterruptible during Retaliate and lets you survive one fatal blow. Play aggressively—knowing you have a “safety net” is a game-changer for clutch moments.
• Retaliate (Character Skill): Absorb damage for a window, then smash back harder. Use against slow, heavy-hitting bosses or mobs. Don’t activate when you’re already at 1 HP—if you get hit again, you’re gone.
• Totem Stela (Ultimate Art): Summons a huge tombstone that buffs nearby allies, blocks arrows, and creates an area for protection and crowd damage. Use it to turn chaotic fights in your favor—especially during resurrections or when overwhelmed.

You’ll know it worked when: after absorbing a big hit with Retaliate, you stagger a boss or wipe a chunk of mobs, and your party’s HP ticks up from your relic procs.

Troubleshooting: Common Raider Pitfalls (And How to Fix Them)

• Pitfall: Wasting Retaliate when you’re low HP.
  Fix: Always check your health before popping Retaliate—use a flask or hold off if you’re under 20% HP.
• Pitfall: Overextending away from your team.
  Fix: Stick close, especially in co-op. Your relics and totem benefit the group most when you’re together.
• Pitfall: Ignoring mobility weaknesses.
  Fix: Don’t chase fast bosses alone. Let them come to you, control chokepoints with Totem Stela, and force enemies into your range.

If you’re dying a lot on mobile bosses, consider swapping to a different class for those fights or asking your team for help with crowd control.

Advanced Tips for Raider Optimization

• Plunging Attacks: Use Totem Stela’s platform to leap and land devastating plunges, especially when paired with Ironeye’s battlefield vision.
• Synergy Builds: Pair with Recluse for fire synergy or Ironeye for field control. Communication maximizes your relic and ability effects.
• Weapon Swap (Co-op): Keep a backup heavy blunt weapon for shielded enemies. Have one party member focus on status effects while you tank/damage.
• Time Management: Most boss fights with this build last 5-10 minutes; longer if you’re solo. Don’t get impatient—slow and steady wins.

TL;DR – Raider Build Checklist

• Attributes: Max Strength & HP, good Stamina
• Weapons: Colossal greatsword or greataxe, upgraded
• Relics: Polished Burning Scene, Night of the Beast, Polished Tranquil Scene
• Abilities: Master Retaliate timing, use Totem Stela for team buffs
• Playstyle: Aggressive, tanky frontliner – protect allies and punish enemies

If you build your Raider like this, you’ll be the backbone of any Nightreign party—able to carry solo or bail out teammates when things go sideways. Expect to take some hits, but you’ll be dishing out even more punishment in return.

Stick with it—this build only gets stronger as you get used to the timing and flow of big weapon combat. Good luck, and see you out on the field!