2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
What is the Grief stat in Elden Ring Nightreign, and how does it work?
Image via FromSoftware
Elden Ring: Nightreign has added a brand-new twist to its already rich RPG mechanics with the introduction of Grief stat bonuses. If you've been wandering through The Fade, looting red phantoms, and wondering why your stats are jumping unexpectedly, this is for you.
Let's break down how Grief stat bonuses actually work, why they're worth paying attention to, and how to use them to your advantage.
What Is 'Grief' in Elden Ring Nightreign?
When players die in other Nightreign runs, their weapons can drop into your world as
phantom loot
. These aren't just cool cosmetics or spare blades—they're imbued with 'Grief,' a passive that grants bonus attribute points (like Strength, Dex, Intelligence, etc.).
Here's the twist: the Grief bonus isn't random. It mirrors the build of the player who originally owned the weapon. Found a katana from a fallen assassin-type character? You're likely getting Dex and Arcane bonuses just by holding it. You don't even need to equip it;
just having it in your active weapon slot is enough
.
How Does Grief Work in Elden Ring Nightreign?
Image via FromSoftware
Each Grief-infused weapon channels the top two stats of its original wielder into your build. If a Nightfarer had maxed out Strength and Vigor, those are the stats you'll receive boosts for. It's all passive. No animation. No activation. No downside. But there
is
a catch.
Not All Grief Is Useful
Grief bonuses can either
amplify
your build or just sit there doing nothing. A mage picking up a strength-heavy Grief weapon won't benefit much. Why? Because the stat boost might go toward something they don't scale with.
In short:
Right match
= free power.
Wrong match
= dead weight.
To make the most of it, align Grief drops with your character's build style. If you're running a high-Dex Nightfarer like Wylder, look for Grief-infused daggers or rapiers that belonged to similar builds. If you're a caster, seek out relics left behind by other Intelligence-based mages.
How To Check Grief Bonuses in Elden Ring Nightreign?
Want to know exactly what your Grief weapon is doing? Head to your Status screen and tap R3. You'll see the bonus stats highlighted clearly.
No guesswork needed. If you're hunting for optimal Grief drops, patrol near Day Boss spawns. Red phantom corpses show up there often, and they carry the best loot.
In
Elden Ring: Nightreign
, power doesn't just come from bosses or builds. Sometimes, it comes from the dead.
Grief
is passive, invisible, and easy to ignore; but once you understand how it works, it might just be your secret to dominating the Shadowlands. Keep an eye on the fallen. They might just be the reason you rise.