Elden Ring Nightreign Players Struggle with Muscle Memory, Accidentally Use Original Controls

If you're diving into the enigmatic world of Elden Ring Nightreign, you'll soon discover that while much remains familiar, a few tweaks to the controls might leave you scratching your head. Fans of the original Elden Ring will notice that some mechanics have shifted slightly, either to introduce new abilities or streamline existing ones. While most of these changes are intuitive, a few stand out as potential stumbling blocks for seasoned players.

One of the most noticeable adjustments is the handling of the flask system. In previous Elden Ring titles, the flask served as a versatile consumable, cycling through various healing options during combat. In Elden Ring Nightreign, however, the flask takes center stage as a dedicated healing tool. By default, you press the left-most face button (X or Square) to consume it, while the "use item" function is reassigned to Up on the D-Pad. For players accustomed to the older system, this change can lead to some awkward moments as muscle memory kicks in at the wrong times.

"I keep pressing 'X' to use items."
— byu/The_Mudddler in Nightreign

Another adjustment worth noting is the introduction of the Nightreign-specific super-sprint, mapped to L3. This swift movement mechanic is designed to replace the absence of Torrent, the loyal steed from the original game. However, players must now choose between this new sprint or the traditional dodge-based sprint, leading to occasional confusion as habits clash.

A particularly curious omission is the lack of a crouch mechanic. Unlike the original, Elden Ring Nightreign seems to favor speed and aggression over stealth, leaving the crouch option entirely absent from the controller settings. While this decision aligns with the game's focus on combat efficiency, it might catch some players off guard.

For those opting for mouse-and-keyboard setups, the default controls feel slightly alien compared to the original. This isn't the first time FromSoftware has experimented with control schemes, as seen in titles like Bloodborne. Fortunately, all controls are customizable, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preferences.

Before embarking on your journey, consider spending time adjusting your control settings to avoid frustration. Who knows, you might even empathize with those who find themselves guzzling Estus mid-battle—a universal plight among gamers everywhere.

For additional guidance, check out our Nightreign tips and tricks to conquer the eight Nightlord Bosses. If you're eager to unlock the two locked Nightfarer Classes, explore guides on How to Unlock the Revenant and How to Unlock the Duchess, along with How to Change Characters.