Hey everyone! As a fellow Tarnished who's been exploring the Lands Between since launch, I was super hyped when the first major expansion for Elden Ring Nightreign dropped back in December 2025. The Forsaken Hollows DLC isn't just some small add-on—it's a massive expansion with new Nightfarers, brutal bosses, and progression systems that connect directly to your main game save. But here's the thing that had me scratching my head at first: you can't just boot it up immediately! There are specific prerequisites you need to complete before you can dive into the haunting new areas. Let me walk you through exactly how to unlock everything, step by step.

📦 First Things First: The Basic Requirements

Before we get into the in-game steps, let's cover the absolute essentials. This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people miss this!

• You MUST own the base game, Elden Ring Nightreign. The Forsaken Hollows is a DLC expansion, not a standalone game. No base game = no DLC access.

• Check your edition! If you splurged on the Deluxe Edition or Collector’s Edition back in the day, you're in luck! The DLC was automatically added to your account at launch on December 4, 2025. Don't buy it again!

• Standard Edition owners need to purchase the DLC separately from your platform's store (PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Steam).

• Make sure your game is updated to at least Patch 1.03. The DLC launched right after this patch went live.

Installing the DLC is just the beginning. The real journey to unlocking its content happens inside the game world. The progression is beautifully (and frustratingly) tied to your main story accomplishments.

🗝️ Step 1: Unlocking the New Nightfarers

This is your gateway to the DLC. The new Nightfarer characters are essentially your ticket into the Forsaken Hollows. You can't proceed without making them playable first.

Here’s my recommended path, based on my own playthrough:

1. Defeat Tricephalos in the main story. This multi-headed beast is a key milestone. If you haven't beaten it yet, time to gear up!

2. Return to the Roundtable Hold. After your victory, fast travel back to this safe haven.

3. Find the Iron Menial. Look for this NPC in the Hold. Speaking to them triggers a crucial dialogue.

4. Listen for the Message. The Iron Menial will inform you that the Small Jar Merchant has a message for you. This interaction officially starts the DLC unlock questline.

Think of these Nightfarers as special keys. You need to "forge" them through this quest before the doors to the Forsaken Hollows even appear on your map. It's classic FromSoftware design—making you earn your progress.

⚔️ Step 2: Gaining Access to the DLC Bosses

Ah, the main event—the bosses! The Forsaken Hollows is famous for some of the most challenging and visually spectacular fights in the game. But they're locked behind a serious set of conditions. Simply owning the DLC and unlocking the Nightfarers isn't enough. You need to prove your worth.

Here are the non-negotiable boss requirements:

Requirement Type	Specific Boss Needed	Notes
Mandatory	Tricephalos	You should already have this from Step 1!
Second Boss	Scholar OR Undertaker	You must defeat at least one of these two main-game bosses.

So, your boss-kill checklist looks like this:

• ✅ Tricephalos (Defeated)

• ✅ EITHER Scholar OR Undertaker (Defeated)

Once you've checked off both requirements (Tricephalos + one other), you need to take one final step.

Return to the Small Jar Merchant. Find them in their usual spot. If you meet all the conditions, your dialogue with them will be different. They'll acknowledge your strength and grant you passage. This conversation is what finally flips the switch and makes the Forsaken Hollows boss arenas accessible in your world.

💡 Pro Tips & Things I Wish I Knew Earlier

Having played through the DLC multiple times since 2025, here are some insights to save you time and frustration:

• Character Level Matters: I'd recommend being at least Level 120+ before attempting the DLC content. The difficulty spike is real! 🚀

• Explore Thoroughly: After unlocking the Nightfarers, don't just rush to the bosses. The new areas are filled with unique weapons, spells, and lore items that are easy to miss.

• The DLC Integrates Seamlessly: New items and upgrade materials from the Forsaken Hollows can be used to power up your main-game character. It doesn't feel like a separate bubble.

• Multiplayer is Active: As of 2026, the DLC areas are still buzzing with cooperative and PvP activity. Need help with a boss? You'll likely find summon signs!

🎯 Final Checklist Before You Dive In

Let's recap everything you need to do:

1. Own Elden Ring Nightreign + The Forsaken Hollows DLC.

2. Update game to latest patch.

3. Defeat Tricephalos in the main story.

4. Talk to the Iron Menial at Roundtable Hold.

5. Defeat EITHER the Scholar OR the Undertaker boss.

6. Speak to the Small Jar Merchant with all conditions met.

It might seem like a lot of hoops to jump through, but trust me, it makes finally stepping into the Forsaken Hollows that much more rewarding. The sense of progression and accomplishment is what makes these games so special. The expansion builds perfectly on the foundation of the base game, offering veteran players a fresh, punishing, and incredibly rich experience.

So, what are you waiting for, Tarnished? Go out there, defeat those bosses, and claim your right to explore the Forsaken Hollows! See you in the fog. 👊