Elden Ring Nightreign Guide | How To Beat Gladius, Beast of Night (Tricephalos)

Here's a detailed guide on how to beat the first Nightlord in Elden Ring Nightreign

Game Guide by Ornstein on Jun 07, 2025

Gladius, Beast of Night is one of the first trials in Elden Ring Nightreign, and it might be the biggest hurdle you encounter early on. If you think the heaviest challenge is simply eating through Gladius' hefty health bar, you're in for a surprise.

One second, you're up against a dog with three heads, and the next, you're up against three dogs with only one head. The fight gets more chaotic over time, so it's essential to be as ready as you can. This book will help you.

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Choosing Your Character

Before you step into the arena, you need to decide which character to use and what advantages they bring against Gladius. Raider Wilder and Guardian are your safest bets since both excel in melee combat and can get up close for those vital hits.

However, you might feel more comfortable keeping your distance with Ironeye's Arrows. Once you've settled on who you're throwing into the fray, it's time to meet the enemy.

Understanding Gladius's Attacks

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Gladius has three primary attacks you should be ready to watch for. First, his sword swings are wide-ranging; learning the ideal dodge timing for these right away will save your health bar from taking consistent chunks of damage. Second, if you see Gladius' mouth glow purple, he's preparing a grab attack.

These are easy to avoid since they don't have much range—keep your distance or slip behind him to dodge it. Finally, his fire breath is incredibly sudden and relatively unpredictable. As soon as his mouth begins to flame, move out of the way to avoid that devastating burst.

Be warned, though: any of the smaller dogs can use the same fire-breathing move, so stay alert no matter which head is targeting you. Outside of those three attacks, expect plenty of the standard biting you see from wolf bosses.

Elden Ring Nightreign, PC, Gameplay, How To Beat Gladius, Beast of Night (Tricephalos), Screenshot, NoobFeed

Phase Transition and Targeting

Occasionally, Gladius will shift from his three-headed dog form into three fireballs that roam the map until they morph into three smaller dogs—each with only one head.

When this transformation occurs, one player will be marked with a red circle, and the Nightlord will focus solely on them. If you're not the marked player, seize this opportunity to attack the dogs while they're distracted and rack up as much damage as you can.

Utilizing Holy Damage

Elden Ring Nightreign, PC, Gameplay, How To Beat Gladius, Beast of Night (Tricephalos), Screenshot, NoobFeed

If you need a little extra help with any of Gladius' forms, applying holy damage can flinch him and even stun the three dogs he morphs into, giving you a larger window to rush in and land critical hits.

You'll know you've hit with holy damage when you hear a crack sound; Gladius will be temporarily flinched and begin glowing with golden rays. Keep whacking away with your holy weapon for additional stuns. That extra time is often all you need to take down this formidable Nightlord.

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