Elden Ring Nightreign players struggle with control changes

Elden Ring Nightreign has arrived, plunging players into its ever-changing landscapes to battle the fearsome Nightlord. While veterans may have revisited the original Elden Ring as preparation, several control adjustments are currently causing disorientation among the community.

Redefined Controls Create Learning Curve

Nightreign maintains most of Elden Ring's core control scheme but introduces modifications to accommodate new abilities and reposition existing functions. While some changes simply add new actions, one adjustment in particular is causing widespread confusion - the flask system.

The sacred flask, a series staple across FromSoftware's Souls games, traditionally served as your primary healing source. Previously one of several cyclable consumables, Nightreign makes it a static function. Now players activate it with the left face button (X/Square), while the D-Pad Up becomes the general "use item" command.

I keep pressing 'X' to use items. by u/The_Mudddler in Nightreign

This change is proving particularly jarring for those who recently revisited the original Elden Ring, forcing players to retrain deeply ingrained muscle memory.

Key Movement Changes

The expansion introduces a Nightreign-exclusive super-sprint mapped to L3. Without access to Torrent, players now benefit from an exceptionally quick sprint option. However, this coexists with the traditional sprint activated by holding the dodge button, creating dual movement systems that some players are struggling to differentiate.

That was just rude of them by u/Justanotherkiwi21 in Nightreign

Perhaps the most surprising alteration is the complete removal of the crouch function. Despite thorough searches through controller settings, players confirm this mechanic has vanished entirely from Nightreign - a deliberate design choice likely reflecting the expansion's emphasis on aggressive, fast-paced combat over stealth.

Continued Control Evolution

Keyboard and mouse users report similar adjustment periods with altered default bindings. This control scheme evolution follows FromSoftware's tradition of refining inputs between titles, particularly in mechanically distinct entries like Bloodborne.

All control mappings remain fully customizable, allowing players to tailor their setup. We recommend spending time familiarizing yourself with Nightreign's adjusted scheme before facing the Nightlord's forces - and spare a thought for those warriors still accidentally chugging flasks mid-battle.

For those venturing into Nightreign's challenges, we've compiled essential guides including strategies for defeating all eight Nightlord Bosses and unlocking the exclusive Revenant and Duchess classes.