Elden Ring Nightreign Relic guide: Effects, Vessels and more
Discover how to obtain Relics in Elden Ring: Nightreign, what they’re used for, and explore the complete Relic list along with other useful tips in this detailed guide.
Table of Contents
Key takeaways:
- Relics are permanent upgrades that grant passive bonuses to Nightfarers.
- Each Relic has a color and quality level, which affects where and how it can be equipped.
- You can get Relics from Expeditions, Remembrance quests, or by purchasing them at the Small Jar Bazaar.
- Vessels have color-coded slots that limit which Relics can be used with each Nightfarer.
- Relic effects are diverse and we have a full Relic effects list down below.
Relics are one of the most important progression systems in Elden Ring: Nightreign. These powerful items grant passive bonuses to your characters, grow stronger as you advance through Expeditions, and offer endless ways to customize your playstyle. Understanding how Relics work, how to collect them, equip them, and maximize their effects is key to surviving the challenges ahead.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Relics, from the basics to advanced mechanics, and includes a full list of effects categorized for easy reference.
What are Relics in ER Nightreign
Relics are permanent upgrades for Nightfarers in Elden Ring: Nightreign. You earn them after both successful and failed Expedition runs. Relics give passive bonuses when equipped.
Each Relic has a color:
- Red (Burning Scene)
- Green (Tranquil Scene)
- Blue (Drizzly Scene)
- Yellow (Luminous Scene).
Every Nightfarer has three Relic slots. You can only use Relics that match the slot’s color.
Relics also have different quality levels:
- Delicate Relics have 1 bonus effect
- Polished ones have 2
- Grand Relics offer 3
There are three types of Relics:
- Common Relics — comes from regular runs or from Scenic Flatstones at the Small Jar Bazaar.
- Character exclusive Relics — earned from completing a Nightfarer’s Remembrance Quest. These are unique and give powerful effects.
- Special Relics — comes from defeating Night Lords and also gives fixed bonuses.
All Relics have color-coded slots. Some abilities only work with certain characters or gear. Incompatible effects are shown as dimmed or with a warning icon. Try different combinations to find your favorite playstyle. Some Relics can be sold, but quest or boss ones cannot.
Where are Relic Rites
To use Vessels and Relics, you need to perform something called Relic Rites. At the Roundtable Hold, this is done at a special altar marked by blue-flamed candles. You can also access the Relic Rites from the main menu by selecting the Relic Rites option.
How to get Relics in ER Nightreign
To get Relics in Elden Ring Nightreign, you can do the following:
- Play Expeditions with any progress.
- Visit the Small Jar Bazaar and buy Relics.
- Complete Remembrance quests.
After every Expedition, you earn Relics, whether you win or lose. The farther you go, the better the rewards. Your first Nightlord kill always grants a unique Nightlord Relic. Check our ER Nightreign Expedition guide to learn more.
You can buy Relics at the Small Jar Bazaar. Stronger ones unlock as you defeat Nightlords. After finishing the game, you can buy character-specific Relics. You can also buy a Scenic Flatstone for 600 Murk (reward for Expedition runs). It gives a random Relic with random effects. Look for it at the bottom of the Bazaar menu.
Most Remembrance quests reward a special Relic that boosts your character’s abilities. To find Remembrance quests, check the Journal between the Study (Gideon Ofnir’s room) and the Library (Dung Eater’s room).
Nightreign Relic Vessels
Each Nightfarer starts with a single Vessel, that has three color-coded slots for Relics. Each slot only accepts a Relic of the same color. For example, Raider’s starting Vessel has one red and two green slots.
Default class Vessel colors:
| Class | Vessel | Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Wylder | Wylder’s Urn | Red, Red, Blue |
| Guardian | Guardian’s Urn | Red, Yellow, Yellow |
| Duchess | Duchess’s Urn | Red, Blue, Blue |
| Recluse | Recluse’s Urn | Blue, Blue, Green |
| Ironeye | Ironeye’s Urn | Yellow, Green, Green |
| Raider | Raider’s Urn | Red, Green, Green |
| Executor | Executor’s Urn | Red, Yellow, Yellow |
| Revenant | Revenant’s Urn | Blue, Blue, Yellow |
As you play, you can unlock more Vessels with different color setups by defeating Nightlords or completing Remembrance quests. Some Vessels are tied to specific characters, while others are universal. This allows for more flexibility when equipping Relics with useful passive effects, which are often color-associated (e.g., red for physical, blue for magic).
To equip a Relic, use the Relic Rites menu in the Roundtable Hold. Swapping Vessels changes the color layout and can improve your build options. Chalices, Goblets, and Urns all serve as different types of Vessels, and changing them alters which Relics a Nightfarer can use. Some powerful Relics can benefit multiple characters and can be equipped on more than one Vessel without being unequipped from others, making loadout management easier as you progress.
Learn more about the Vessels on this Elden Ring Nightreign Wiki page.
All Relic effects in ER Nightreign
There are many Relic effects in Elden Ring: Nightreign, which can be divided into six categories. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
Offensive Relic effects
Here is the list of all Offensive Relic effects in Elden Ring Nightreign:
- Attack power increases after using grease items
- Attack power up when facing frostbite-afflicted enemy
- Attack power up when facing poison-afflicted enemy
- Attack power up when facing scarlet rot-afflicted enemy
- Boosts Attack Power of Added Affinity Attacks
- Defeating enemies fills more of the Art gauge
- Fire Attack Power Up
- Fire Attack Power Up +1
- Fire Attack Power Up +2
- Fire Damage Negation Up
- Holy Attack Power Up
- Holy Attack Power Up +1
- Holy Attack Power Up +2
- Holy Damage Negation Up
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Colossal Weapons Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Curved Swords Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Greataxes Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Greatswords Equipment
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Great Spears Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Halberds Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Katanas Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Reapers Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Spears Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Thrusting Swords Equipped
- Improved Attack Power with 3+ Twinblades Equipped
- Improved Bestial Incantations
- Improved Bow Attack Power
- Improved Carian Sword Sorcery
- Improved Critical Hits
- Improved Critical Hits +1
- Improved Crystalian sorcery
- Improved Curved Sword Attack Power
- Improved Dagger Attack Power
- Improved Dragon Communion Incantations
- Improved Dragon Cult Incantations
- Improved Frenzied Flame Incanations
- Improved Fundamentalist Incantations
- Improved Giants’ Flame Incantations
- Improved Glintblade Sorcery
- Improved Godslayer Incantations
- Improved Gravity Sorcery
- Improved Greatsword Attack Power
- Improved Great Hammer Attack Power
- Improved Initial Standard Attack
- Improved Invisibility Sorcery
- Improved Perfuming Arts
- Improved Roar & Breath Attacks
- Improved Stance-Breaking when Two-Handing
- Improved Stonedigger Sorcery
- Improved Straight Sword Attack Power
- Improved Thorn Sorcery
- Magic Attack Power Up
- Magic Attack Power Up +1
- Magic Attack Power Up +2
- Physical Attack Up
- Physical Attack Up +1
- Physical Attack Up +2
- Standard attacks 1 level stronger
- Starting armament deals fire damage
- Starting armament deals holy damage
- Starting armament deals magic damage
- Switching Weapons Adds an Affinity Attack
- Switching Weapons Boosts Attack Power
- Taking attacks improves attack power
- Ultimate Art Gauge +1
- Ultimate Art Gauge +2
- Ultimate Art Gauge +3
Defensive Relic effects
Here is the list of all Defensive Relic effects in Elden Ring Nightreign:
- Continuous HP Recovery
- Defeating enemies near Totem Stela restores HP
- Defeating enemies restores HP for allies but not for self
- Draw enemy attention while guarding
- Flask Also Heals Allies
- Guard counter is given a boost based on current HP
- HP Recovery From Successful Guarding
- HP restored when using cured meats, medicinal boluses, etc.
- HP Restoration upon Claw Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Curved Sword Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Greataxe Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Greatsword Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Halberd Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Katana Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Spear Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Thrusting Counterattack
- HP Restoration upon Thrusting Sword Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Twinblade Attacks
- HP Restoration upon Whip Attacks
- Improved Guard Counters
- Items confer effect to all nearby allies
- Magic Damage Negation Up
- Nearby Frostbite Conceals Self
- Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks
- Shield Greases in possession at the start of expedition
- Slowly restore HP for self and nearby allies when HP is low
- Starting armament deals fire damage
Attribute Relic effects
Here is the list of all Attribute Relic effects in Elden Ring Nightreign:
- Arcane +1
- Arcane +2
- Arcane +3
- Critical Hit Boosts Stamina Recovery Speed
- Dexterity +1
- Dexterity +2
- Dexterity +3
- Endurance +1
- Endurance +2
- Endurance +3
- Faith +1
- Faith +2
- Faith +3
- FP Restoration upon Claw Attacks
- FP Restoration upon Curved Greatsword Attacks
- FP Restoration upon Greataxe Attacks
- FP Restoration upon Successive Attacks
- Improved Poise Near Totem Stela
- Improved Poise & Damage Negation When Knocked Back by Damage
- Increased Maximum FP
- Increased Maximum HP
- Increased Maximum Stamina
- Intelligence +1
- Intelligence +2
- Intelligence +3
- Madness Continually Recovers FP
- Max FP permanently increased after releasing Sorcerer’s Rise mechanism
- Max FP Up with 3+ Sacred Seals Equipped
- Max FP Up with 3+ Staves Equipped
- Max HP increased by a portion when guard counter is used
- Max HP Up with 3+ Greatshields Equipped
- Max HP Up with 3+ Small Shields
- Mind +1
- Mind +2
- Mind +3
- Poise +1
- Poise +2
- Poise +3
- Stamina recovers with each successful attack
- Stamina recovers with each successful attack +1
- Strength +1
- Strength +2
- Strength +3
- Vigor +1
- Vigor +2
- Vigor +3
Status Relic effects
Here is the list of all Status Relic effects in Elden Ring Nightreign:
- Attacks Inflict Blood Loss
- Attacks Inflict Blood Loss +2
- Attacks Inflict Frost
- Attacks Inflict Frost +1
- Attacks Inflict Frost +2
- Attacks Inflict Scarlet Rot
- Attacks Inflict Sleep +1
- Attacks Inflict Sleep +2
- Blood Loss Resistance Up
- Gesture “Crossed Legs” Builds Up Madness
- Improved Blood Loss Resistance
- Improved Death Blight Resistance
- Improved Frost Resistance
- Improved Madness Resistance
- Improved Poison Resistance
- Improved Rot Resistance
- Improved Sleep Resistance
- Lightning Attack Power Up
- Lightning Attack Power Up +1
- Lightning Attack Power Up +2
- Lightning Damage Negation Up
- Madness Resistance Up
- Poison & Rot in Vicinity Increases Attack Power
- Sleep Resistance Up
- Starting armament inflicts Poison
Utility Relic effects
Here is the list of all Utility Relic effects in Elden Ring Nightreign:
- Art gauge charged from successful guarding
- Art gauge fills moderately upon critical hit
- Attack power permanently increased when unlocking an evergaol
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Chilling Mist at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Determination at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Glintblade Phalanx at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Gravitas at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Hoarfrost Stomp at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Lightning Slash at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Sacred Blade at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Seppuku at start of expedition
- Changes compatible armament’s skill to Storm Stomp at start of expedition
- Character Skill Cooldown Reduction +1
- Character Skill Cooldown Reduction +2
- Character Skill Cooldown Reduction +3
- Critical hits earn runes
- Defeating enemies fills more of the Arts gauge
- Fire Grease in possession at start of expedition
- Fire Pots in possession at start of expedition
- Gravity Stone Chunks in possession at start of expedition
- Holy Grease in possession at start of expedition
- Huge rune discount for shop purchases while on expedition (20% Cheaper)
- Improved Throwing Knife Damage (+15% Damage)
- Improved Throwing Stone Damage
- Improved Throwing Pot Damage
- Increased rune acquisition for self and allies (+3.5% Runes, Stackable)
- Lightning Grease in possession at start of expedition
- Purchasing this item randomly generates a random Delicate, Polished, or Grand relic
- Rune discount for shop purchases while on expedition
- Small Pouch in possession at start of expedition
- Starlight Shards in possession at start of expedition
- Stonesword Key in possession at start of expedition
- Treasure marked upon map
- Ultimate Arts Gauge +1
- Ultimate Arts Gauge +2
- Wraith Calling Bell in possession at start of expedition
Character-Specific Relic effect
Here is the list of all Character-Specific Relic effects in Elden Ring Nightreign:
- Wylder: Follow-up attacks possible when using Character Skill (greatsword only)
- Wylder: Art gauge greatly filled when ability is activated
- Wylder: Art activation spreads fire in area
- Wylder: +1 additional Character Skill use
- Revenant: Trigger ghostflame explosion during Ultimate Art activation
- Revenant: Strengthens family and allies when Ultimate Art is activate
- Revenant: Power up while fighting alongside family
- Revenant: Expend own HP to fully heal nearby allies when activating Art
- Recluse: Suffer blood loss and increase attack power upon Art activation
- Recluse: Collecting affinity residue activates Terra Magica
- Recluse: Activating Ultimate Art raises Max HP
- Raider: Damage taken while using Character Skill improves attack power and stamina
- Ironeye: Extends duration of weak point
- Ironeye: Boosts thrusting counterattacks after executing Art
- Guardian: Slowly restores nearby allies’ HP while Art is active
- Guardian: Reflect a portion of damage received when ability is activated
- Guardian: Increased duration for Character Skill
- Guardian: Damage negation for allies improved when using Character Skills
- Guardian: Creates whirlwind when charging halberd attacks
- Executor: While Character Skill is active, unlocking use of cursed sword restores HP
- Executor: Roaring restores HP while Art is active
- Executor: Character Skill Boosts Attack but Attacking Drains HP
- Duchess: Last hit of chain attack reprises upon nearby enemies
- Duchess: Improved Character Skill Attack Power
- Duchess: Defeating enemies while Art is active ups attack power
- Duchess: Dagger chain attack reprises event upon enemies
- Duchess: Becomes difficult to spot and silenced footsteps after landing critical from behind
Conclusion
Relics are more than just upgrades. They shape your journey through Nightreign. With the right combination of Vessels, effects, and strategy, you can turn any Nightfarer into a force to be reckoned with. Keep exploring, experiment with builds, and don’t forget to check our ER Nightreign boost, if you need any help.
Good luck out there, Nightfarer.
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