The Recluse makes a bunch of cocktails in Elden Ring’s Nightreign, but not the type you’d like to drink. She transforms the typical playstyle of a Soulslike spellcaster and flips it on its head by allowing you access to 14 extra spells through her character skill, Magic Cocktail.
Recluse is the perfect character for you if you want to dedicate many hours to mastering a character. In comparison to the other classes, Recluse demands constant management of stamina, FP, and your character skill on top of all the other requirements Nightreign demands of you.
If you’re an aspiring Recluse main who wants to get the best out of the character in your future expeditions, this Elden Ring Nightreign guide will show you how to play as Recluse, with a focus on recommendations for her best relics, best teammates, and best weapons, alongside other miscellaneous tips.
How to make a great Recluse build in Elden Ring Nightreign
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As a mage, you want your Recluse build to involve staves and whatever melee weapon you’re most comfortable with. The most challenging part of learning Recluse’s quirks isn’t strictly about managing her character skill but also about keeping your FP high. It’s easy to disregard it and spam the spells of your weapons, but once you run out of FP, you’re out of luck; there is no azure flask to lean on.
The only way to restore this vital resource is by using your character skill. This is why a good melee weapon you’re comfortable with matters as you begin to learn. Once you have a good grasp on weaving your skill in between spells, you can prioritize weapons and relics that boost intelligence and improve spellcasting.
Best relics for Recluse in Elden Ring Nightreign
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For Recluse, Intelligence is king! There are many relics to choose from in Elden Ring Nightreign, but as long as your relic has some boost to spellcasting, FP cost, or intelligence, you are in good shape. While playing the game, you’ll unlock some relics that have passives unique to Recluse. As you can probably assume, these are some of her best options.
Some of the Recluse’s best options are relics with the following effects:
- [Recluse] Activating ultimate art raises max HP
- [Recluse] Collecting affinity residue activates Terra Magica
- [Recluse] Suffer blood loss and increase attack power upon art activation
- Magic attack power up +
- Ultimate art gauge +
- FP restoration upon successive attacks
- Improved resistance relics are also grand if you’re able to match them up with the damage type of your chosen expedition’s Nightlord
- Other miscellaneous relics to prioritize are those that increase vigor, mind, intelligence, faith, or endurance. Recluse is a frail character, so more survivability is always good.
Best teammates for Recluse in Elden Ring Nightreign
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Similar to other less tanky options like Duchess, Ironeye, and Revenant, Recluse thrives in a team composition that can take enemy pressure off of her as she applies high magic damage through her spells and skills. The following classes are great for Recluse, and you shouldn’t pick her unless one of your teammates is hovering them.
- Guardian — Guardian’s ultimate art provides a useful damage negation buff to teammates in its radius, helping Recluse stay alive longer.
- Raider — Raider easily absorbs enemy attention, allowing for Recluse to damage her targets safely.
- Wylder — Wylder’s character skill allows him to grapple enemies to him, relieving pressure off of Recluse. His Ultimate Art also deals fire damage, which you can provide fire essence for your character skill.
Best Magic Cocktail Combinations in Elden Ring Nightreign
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Recluse’s character skill is the meat and potatoes of her playstyle. There is no way around it; you have to get comfortable with all 14 of the possible spell combinations. When an enemy or ally takes elemental damage from any source, you can use this skill to siphon the residue of that damage and bank it. Once you’ve banked three element residues, your next cast will cast a unique spell. Every single one has its uses, but some are more practical and usable in nearly every situation.
- Pure Holy — Enwreathe oneself in holy light, bordering poise and increasing damage negation. Requires 3 Holy residues.
- Magic & Holy — Cover nearby area with a magic veil, fully conserving FP for self and allies for a short time. Can be used with any combination of Magic and Holy residue.
- Magic, Fire, & Lightning — Conjure frontwards exploding gravity orb. Gravity orb pulls enemies inward, expands, and explodes, inflicting heavy damage. Requires Magic, Fire, and Lightning residue.
Best talismans for Recluse in Elden Ring Nightreign
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Talismans are some of the rarest gear in Elden Ring Nightreign, but they can be found if you know where to look. They can drop in fortresses and from scarabs, so if you spot one of these, it’s good to prioritize them. The best talismans for the Recluse are the following:
- Ancestral Spirit’s Horn — Defeating Enemies Restores FP
- Taker’s Cameo — Defeating Enemies Restores HP
- Ritual Shield Talisman — Improved Damage Negation at Full HP
- Blessed Dew Talisman — Continous HP Recovery +2
- Viridian Amber Medallion — Increased Maximum Stamina +12%
Any talisman that offers FP restoration, HP restoration, damage negation, and stamina recovery is good, as they allow Recluse players some individuality and choice regarding whether they should instead play defensively or offensively. Recluse in Elden Ring Nightreign requires a specific type of player, and with some practice, adaptability, and a good loadout, mastering the mage will be a piece of cake.
For more Elden Ring Nightreign guides, here’s a list of all classes, the best class to pick first, how to unlock the Duchess and Revenant, and the best early Duchess build.
