Elden Ring Nightreign level cap explained – what is the max level?

If you take a look at the trophy list for Elden Ring Nightreign, you’ll spot an achievement called Mastery that tasks you with attaining the maximum level. As is customary for FromSoft’s unique brand of opaque game design, nowhere does Nightreign actually specify what this cap is and what level you need to hit to unlock that achievement.

Aside from that trophy, attaining the level cap is one of the best ways you can prepare to take on the Nightlords and give you the best chance of defeating them, especially tough variants like those encountered in the Fissure in the Fog and Night Aspect Expeditions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the level cap and provide some quick tips on how to attain it.

What’s the max level in Elden Ring Nightreign?

The max level in Elden Ring Nightreign is level 15. When you start an Expedition, you’ll be a level 1 and you’ll need to earn enough Runes to upgrade through to level 15 to hit the level cap, at which point you won’t be able to level up any more. It’s low compared to the original Elden Ring’s 713 level cap but exists to cater for the sessions-based play of Nightreign as a co-op spin-off.

How to reach level 15 in Elden Ring Nightreign

As you’ve probably experienced first hand, reaching level 15 by the time you fight the Nightlord at the end of any given Expedition is no small feat. However, there are a few steps you can take to up your chances of hitting it.

First and foremost, you’ll want to concentrate on taking out location bosses, raid bosses, and field bosses, who tend to reward you with the most Runes when defeated. A strong and reliable team is key here to get through as many locations and bosses as possible during Day 1 and Day 2. Don’t neglect mobs either, 5 seconds to clear out a small cluster is well worth it. You’ll also want to avoid dying during the daytime farming period and losing a level as a penalty. If you do, always make sure to retrieve the Runes for that lost level from the enemy that killed you and to spend them as soon as possible.

Additionally, you can increase the number of Runes by using a Gold-Pickled Fowl Foot item just before a big fight guaranteed to earn you lots of Runes like the end of day boss fights in Day 1 and Day 2. You’ll also find small glowing trees throughout Limveld you can interact with to temporarily boosts Rune acquisition. It’s also worth checking your Relics for any that boost Rune acquisition, such as the Cracked Sealing Wax Relic, which lets you earn extra Runes for critical hits, or the Grand Tranquil Scene that increases Rune acquisition for you and allies.

Though level 15 can feel a little unattainable during your first few seassions, stick with it and you’ll eventually reach the cap. For more Nightreign help, check out how to upgrade weapons, how to two-hand weapons, and how to sell Relics for Murk.