Recluse Build Guide – Elden Ring: Nightreign
Welcome to our Recluse Build Guide for Elden Ring: Nightreign.
This guide explains how to play Recluse in Nightreign, and provides tips and a general direction for building her. Due to the RNG nature of loot and buffs in each run of Nightreign, we won’t provide a precise blueprint. We’ll instead explain the most optimal things to prioritise when choosing your loot.
Please note that this guide is based on pre-release information, much of it from the network test. As such, it is still a work in progress that we aim to update in the run-up to and immediately after the release of Elden Ring: Nightreign. See also: Nightreign Nightfarers List.
Table of Contents:
Recluse Overview – Nightreign
Recluse is a witch who uses ancient sorcery. She can create magical cocktails that combine various elemental effects.
- Starting Stats:
- HP: 140
- FP: 70
- Stamina: 54
- Starting Gear:
- Recluse’s Staff
- Glintstone Pebble
- Glintstone Arc
- Elemental Defence – Allows you to see the Affinity Residues left behind by enemies, so that you can use Magic Cocktail after damaging them to add the element to your Magic Cocktail. Collecting Affinity Residues also restores some FP (mana).
- Magic Cocktail – This complex skill allows you to combine three elements (you can have the same element several times) to trigger various bonus effects. Each time you use Magic Cocktail, it will pull one element from the target – either Magic, Fire, Lightning or Holy. Every fourth use of Magic Cocktail will consume the elements to activate a special magical effect, depending on which elements you’ve stored. See our Magic Cocktail section for more info about the different combos you can create.
- Soulblood Song – Mark all nearby enemies with Blood Sigils for 10 seconds. When they hit the marked enemies, you and your allies regain HP and FP.
Recluse has low base HP, making this a tricky Nightfarer for some players to start with. Managing your FP (mana) is also very important – you don’t want to run out just when you planned to activate your Magic Cocktail.
If you can overcome the initial challenge, you can have lots of fun with Recluse, combining different elemental effects and seeing how the various Magic Cocktails can help you in different situations. Her Soulblood Song ultimate on its own can make her a massive asset to any team.
Recluse Magic Cocktail Combos
The table below shows the results of all possible combos for Recluse’s Magic Cocktail in Elden Ring: Nightreign. Please note that it doesn’t matter which order you gather elements. For example: Fire, Magic, Holy will produce the same result as Holy, Fire, Magic.
| Element 1 | Element 2 | Element 3 | Resulting Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magic | Magic | Magic | Summons a Wisp that homes in on an enemy and damage them on contact |
| Fire | Fire | Fire | Creates a fire AoE |
| Lightning | Lightning | Lightning | Bloodhound’s Step – Become temporarily invisible and dodge at high speed. |
| Holy | Holy | Holy | Divine Shield – helps you to defend against attacks |
| Magic | Magic | Fire | Summon a fire wisp that attacks a target and explodes on impact |
| Magic | Magic | Lightning | Carian Slice – slices the target with a magical sword |
| Magic | Magic | Holy | You have infinite FP for a few seconds |
| Magic | Fire | Lightning | AoE Gravity Explosion |
| Magic | Fire | Holy | Fire Breath |
| Magic | Holy | Lightning | AoE ice spell and become encased in ice, granting brief damage resistance |
| Fire | Holy | Holy | Warming Stone – Heal nearby allies |
| Fire | Fire | Holy | AoE Healing |
| Fire | Holy | Lightning | AoE Lightning Explosion |
| Holy | Holy | Lightning | Automatic Parry |
| Holy | Lightning | Lightning | Automatic Parry |
| Lightning | Holy | Magic | Ice Shield |
Recluse Build Guide – Nightreign
In this section, we will outline the best strategy for building Recluse in Elden Ring: Nightreign. While no two runs are exactly the same, there are strategies you can utilize that tend to result in the most optimal improvements for Recluse.
Early-Game Loot Strategy
At the start of the game, prioritise farming the following locations, if possible:
- Mage Towers – Aim for the Spell Speed and FP (mana) upgrades as soon as possible, improving your spellcasting efficiency.
- Lightning Camp – Farm runes and look out for magic-related loot.
- Church of Marika – Boost your Flask Count.
- Fight and loot mini-bosses – In between the above locations, defeat mini-bosses and look out for spell relics that boost your damage output.
Mid and Late-Game Strategy
As you progress through the game, shift to the following priorities:
- Use relics that reduce your FP costs, making spellcasting easier to sustain
- Target spells and effects that boost your ability to farm with AoE spells. Stars of Ruin and Lightning Spear are good examples of this. Focusing on AoE damage allows you to farm more easily, levelling up and getting plenty of loot. It also makes it easier to pull your weight in boss fights.
Recluse Best Spells
The following spells are generally the strongest options for Recluse in Elden Ring: Nightreign:
- Stars of Ruin – Tracks enemies, making it easy to use. Great for quickly dealing with mobs, and also has decent boss damage.
- Lightning Spear – An excellent source of burst damage that shocks enemies. It is quick to cast, which makes it easier to use.
- Elden Stars – A large AoE that staggers enemies.
- Blade of Death – Debuffs the target, reducing their max HP and dealing damage over time. A great supportive spell that also adds to your DPS.
- Magma Shot – Staggers the target and does plenty of burning damage.
Recluse Best Relics
Look out for the Relics that provide the following effects:
- Reduced spellcasting time
- Reduced FP cost
- Increased Max HP
- Increased Damage
Recluse Best Equipment
Look out for the following items when looting as Recluse in Elden Ring: Nightreign:
- Lusat’s Staff – Buffs your Stars of Ruin spell.
- Gravelstone Seal – Increases the damage of Lightning and Holy spells.
- Crimson Repulse Talisman – Heals you when you attack enemies, a very useful effect especially in tough fights.
- Cloud Talisman – Reduces the FP cost of your spells, allowing you to sustain spellcasting for longer.
How to Play Recluse – Nightreign
Recluse is one of the most challenging Nightfarers to play in Elden Ring: Nightreign. This is due to her low base HP which makes her very squishy. While managing this, players also have to ensure they do not run out of FP. Getting the most out of Recluse requires careful manipulation of the Magic Cocktail ability, which is not always an easy feat especially if you’re struggling just to stay alive. Therefore, try not to worry too much about finding the optimal Magic Cocktail until you’re comfortable with the basics of combat.
Positioning is very important on Recluse. If you’re used to a melee character, you must get used to playing in the backline. Allow tanky characters like Guardian to take the aggro of enemies while you stay behind them, casting your spells from relative safety.
Your AoE spells are one of your greatest assets with Recluse. They make it easier for your team to farm loot, and can turn the tide in difficult battles with multiple enemies.
Recluse works best when you take your allies into account. She synergises especially well with Guardian and Duchess. Guardian is great for protecting Recluse, allowing her to cast spells without being constantly interrupted by enemies. Duchess can give you stealth, allowing you breathing room. She can also use her Restage ultimate to repeat your damage just after a burst of spellcasting.
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