Ongbal, a renowned challenge runner in the Soulsborne community, has recently shared a video showcasing his solo completion of Elden Ring’s Nightreign at its maximum difficulty, Depth Five. Despite his impressive feat, he candidly admits that the experience was less than enjoyable.
Depth Five: A New Challenge
Depth Five was introduced in the latest Deep of Night update, requiring players to gradually level up through the earlier depths. These initial levels present increasingly formidable enemies and random Nightlords, yet they also offer powerful new weapon and relic effects that enhance the game’s buildcrafting potential.
In his video description, Ongbal reflected on his journey, stating, “I grinded up to depth five this past week, and well… honestly it’s not enjoyable at higher depths.” His solo run was executed as the character Wylder, known for his agility and high skill ceiling, making him a popular choice among dedicated Soulsborne enthusiasts.
Interestingly, Ongbal’s Depth Five run was marked by its lack of dramatic moments. There were no unexpected drops, earth-shattering events, or nail-biting encounters; instead, it was a straightforward experience characterized by tanky enemies capable of delivering lethal blows with a single hit.
From a build perspective, Ongbal utilized the Wylder grapple and blood loss upgrade from relics, along with a bleed-infused starter greatsword that he maintained throughout the run. He complemented this setup with an offhand Flamberge, which allowed him to execute jump attacks that inflicted additional bleed damage. His gameplay was executed with remarkable precision, culminating in a confrontation with a non-Everdark Fulghur for the Nightlord encounter.
While Ongbal’s run may have lacked excitement, the true allure of the Deep of Night update lies in the innovative weapon effects available for players to experiment with. Some of the most intriguing options include bows that unleash powerful effects when aiming with the trigger rather than locking on, such as casting the Swarm of Flies spell or inflicting Scarlet Rot.
