Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has been very clear that Elden Band isn't a sequel or prequel to Nighttime Souls, but instead takes place within its own separate universe. As with almost games by Miyazaki, however, at that place are nods to his previous projects and recurring elements from other games.

Some of these, like the NPC Patches appearing in the game, or the latest iteration of the Moonlight Greatsword, accept been widely-noted and appreciated by players. Alongside references to other FromSoftware games and Berserk, notwithstanding, there are more subtle nods and references to Dark Souls in the game, that even some fans of the series might miss.

7 Iron Fist Alexander Calls Familiar NPCs To Mind

elden ring alexander in hole

One of the more popular NPCs in Elden Ring is Atomic number 26 Fist Alexander, a Warrior Jar that the histrion graphic symbol encounters numerous times throughout their quest. His popularity is well-founded, because his warrior nature, polite, exuberant, and comedic way of speaking, and trend to be caught in amusing predicaments all ring truthful for two popular Night Souls NPCs.

Siegmeyer and Siegward of Catarina, nicknamed the "Onion Knights" by fans, are NPCs who appear in Dark Souls I and Dark Souls III. Strangely-armored knights from the Land of Catarina, they are jovial and friendly NPCs with hefty strings of bad luck, who fight aslope their protagonists numerous times. All of this likens them to Alexander, even if he is not a directly copy.

vi The Omenkiller References A Notorious Boss

The Omenkiller boss of the Albinauric village in Elden Ring

Ane of the nearly hated bosses in Dark Souls is the Capra Demon. A tall, bull-headed demon wielding a pair of butcher blades, the Capra Demon isn't so much hated for his abilities, simply for the fact that the actor fights information technology in a tightly enclosed infinite, aslope a pair of dogs who split the actor'due south attention and overwhelm them with relentless aggression.

To the relief of many, the Capra Demon itself doesn't appear in Elden Band, but a similar boss does. The Omenkiller, fought in the Albinauric Village, wears a horned captain, wields a pair of cleavers, and has a pair of hunting dogs alongside him. Mercifully, this fourth dimension he is fought in a wide-open up space, allowing players to get some semblance of revenge.

v Caelid Contains References To The Serial' Finale Boss

Fort Gael dungeon in Caelid Elden Ring

The Ringed City is the last DLC for Night Souls III, and consequently the final piece of content for the entire series. Its climactic boss fight confronting the player'southward once-ally Slave Knight Gael is considered 1 for the ages by fans, warmly recognized as a fitting and epic determination to 1 of gaming'southward more iconic franchises.

Every bit such, Gael gets a couple of references in Elden Ring, primarily in the Caelid surface area. In the most obvious, the castle Fort Gael and its nearby cave are both named for him. More subtly, other NPCs and enemies tied to the region wear hooded helmets that hearken back to the distinctive headwear the Slave Knight wore, gently evoking his retention in players of Dark Souls Three.

four Dragons Weaponize Their Nighttime Souls Weakness

A Dragon using a lightning incantation in Elden Ring

The lore regarding the Everlasting Stone Dragons had some variations and retcons across the Dark Souls serial – not least with the supposedly extinct race having a great many surviving members – simply one thing always remained consistent: they were heavily vulnerable to Lightning damage.

Dragons are different in Elden Band. For one, they are a fully alive species and powerful allies of Marika's empire and the Aureate Order. In some other twist, a reversal that serves every bit a nod to Dark Souls, they really often brand apply of Lightning damage confronting their enemies, no longer vulnerable to it.

3 Rogier Gives A Nod To Opening Cutscenes

Sorcerer Rogier location Stormveil Castle Elden Ring

One of the more than subtle and inconsequential references to the Dark Souls serial comes from a simple, two-word phrase that the Sorcerer Rogier says in passing. "Yes, indeed," is a phrase that has become a meme in the Dark Souls community subsequently being used in the opening cutscene for two of the games, deliberately included in Dark Souls Iii as a reference to the outset game in the series.

It is easy to miss, but the NPC Sorcerer Rogier can utter the phrase in conversation if asked about his friendship with D, Hunter of the Dead. Despite being a throwaway line in an optional conversation, fans of the previous series were quick to selection up on its inclusion.

two The Valiant Gargoyles Echo An Iconic Dark Souls Boss

The Valiant Gargoyles boss Siofra River Aqueduct Elden Ring

I of the almost fondly-remembered boss encounters in Nighttime Souls is the clash with a pair of Bong Gargoyles atop the church in the Undead Parish. Serving as one of the hardest initial dominate encounters, many players discover it to be a thrilling and tense boxing that signposts how epic the series can get.

In the Siofra River Channel in Elden Ring'southward underground, there is a similar boss fight. The actor engages 1 Valiant Gargoyle, and once they do enough damage to it, some other shows upwards to come to its marry's aid. All the same, this come across is not looked upon equally fondly, existence viewed past some as unfair for their large wellness pools, high harm, and punishing movesets.

1 A Bullheaded NPC Named Irina Appears In Both

Irina NPC location Weeping Peninsula Elden Ring

Irina of Carim is an NPC from Dark Souls III, a blind woman seeking to become a Firekeeper who the player can assist, and who tin can become one of the best teachers of Miracles in the entire game. In Elden Band, a cursory questline in the Weeping Peninsula introduces Irina of Morne.

Elden Ring'southward Irina is a blind adult female with unclear ties to the NPC Hyetta, who is attempting to become a Finger Maiden. Although Elden Band'due south Irina is much less pregnant than the one in Nighttime Souls Iii, the similarity is clear. Another subtle tie indicates that the resemblance is intentional: in Dark Souls III, Irina's protector wears the Morne armor set, the same proper name as Irina's dwelling in Elden Ring.