Elden Ring DLC Release Date: Complete Timeline (2024-2025)

Few games have commanded the attention of the gaming world quite like Elden Ring, and its growing family of expansions and editions can feel like a lot to track. Whether you’re waiting for the next DLC drop or trying to sort out what Nightreign actually is, the timeline has only gotten richer since Shadow of the Erdtree launched in June 2024. Here is every confirmed Elden Ring DLC release date, clarified and sourced.

Shadow of the Erdtree release date: June 21, 2024 ·
Nightreign release date: May 30, 2025 ·
The Forsaken Hollows DLC release date: December 4, 2025 ·
Tarnished Edition status: Announced, no release date

Five confirmed releases, one pattern: Elden Ring’s expansion strategy has shifted from a single big DLC (Shadow of the Erdtree) to a standalone sequel with its own DLC (Nightreign + Forsaken Hollows), while a definitive “Tarnished Edition” remains in limbo.

This table compares the key attributes across all four major Elden Ring releases.

The pattern: FromSoftware has split Elden Ring into two tracks, forcing players to choose between the original saga and the roguelike offshoot.

Is the Elden Ring DLC confirmed?

Which Elden Ring DLCs have been officially announced?

• Shadow of the Erdtree — announced February 2023, released June 21, 2024 (Bandai Namco (official publisher))
• Nightreign — revealed December 2024, released May 30, 2025 (Wikipedia (game reference))
• The Forsaken Hollows — DLC for Nightreign, announced for December 4, 2025 (Overgear (gaming guide))
• Tarnished Edition — announced April 2, 2025 during Nintendo Direct (Fextralife (community wiki))

What is the status of Shadow of the Erdtree?

Shadow of the Erdtree is fully released and playable across all platforms. It launched globally on June 21, 2024, with PC players getting early access in some regions on June 20. The DLC adds the massive Land of Shadow region, dozens of new weapons, and a storyline rooted in the mythos created by George R. R. Martin (Elden Ring Wiki (fan reference)).

Has Nightreign been confirmed as DLC or standalone?

Nightreign is not DLC — it is a standalone roguelike action RPG released on May 30, 2025. It is a full game requiring its own purchase, though it shares the Elden Ring universe and some assets. It has its own DLC, The Forsaken Hollows, coming December 4, 2025 (Wikipedia (game reference)).

The implication: FromSoftware is building a franchise with sequels, not just DLC.

What day does Elden Ring DLC come out?

Shadow of the Erdtree release date

• Date: June 21, 2024
• PC unlock: 5:00 PM Thu Jun 20, 2024 (some time zones)
• Console unlock: Midnight local time Jun 21, 2024 (Bandai Namco Official)

Nightreign release date

• Date: May 30, 2025
• Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Wikipedia)

The Forsaken Hollows DLC release date

• Date: December 4, 2025
• Content: Two new Nightfarers (Scholar, Undertaker), new bosses including Divine Beast Dancing Lion and Artorias, new Shifting Earth event (Wikipedia (game reference))

Tarnished Edition release status

• Announced: April 2, 2025
• Delayed: Originally expected 2025, now moved to 2026
• No official date or price yet (AOEAH (gaming commerce))

The catch: if you want to play the latest content right now, buy Nightreign and wait for Forsaken Hollows on December 4. If you prefer a single full-collection disc, the Tarnished Edition is still a waiting game.

Will ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN be DLC?

What is Elden Ring Nightreign?

Nightreign is a standalone roguelike ARPG set in an alternate version of the Lands Between. It features cooperative play, procedurally generated runs, and a roster of playable “Nightfarers.” It is not an expansion of the original Elden Ring (Wikipedia (game reference)).

Nightreign as a standalone expansion

• It requires its own purchase — owners of the original Elden Ring do not get it for free.
• It does not install into Elden Ring; it is a separate title on your platform.
• It shares the art style, lore foundation, and some enemy types, but the gameplay loop is fundamentally different (roguelike vs. open-world RPG).

Does Nightreign have its own DLC?

Yes. Nightreign has an announced DLC called The Forsaken Hollows releasing on December 4, 2025. It adds two new Nightfarers, new bosses, and a new Shifting Earth event (Wikipedia (game reference)).

The pattern: FromSoftware is treating Elden Ring as a franchise with sequels, not just DLC.

Does Elden Ring have another DLC coming out?

Upcoming Elden Ring DLC in 2025

• The Forsaken Hollows — December 4, 2025, DLC for Nightreign.
• No additional DLC has been announced for the original Elden Ring after Shadow of the Erdtree.

The Forsaken Hollows DLC details

According to the official announcement by Bandai Namco (publisher), the DLC will add two Nightfarers — the Scholar and the Undertaker — along with new bosses including the Divine Beast Dancing Lion and a version of Artorias. The Shifting Earth event introduces dynamic map changes (Overgear (guide)).

Tarnished Edition content

• Includes the base game (February 2022), Shadow of the Erdtree (June 2024), new armor sets, Dark Souls weapon references, three Torrent customizations, and new questlines (FromSoftware (official developer)).
• Confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

What this means: 2025 is the year of Nightreign. Fans of the original game should not expect another Shadow of the Erdtree-sized drop.

What is the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition?

Tarnished Edition content

The Tarnished Edition is an all-in-one bundle that packages the original Elden Ring, the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, and new exclusive items: four new armor sets, weapons inspired by Dark Souls, three Torrent customizations, and additional questlines. It was announced on April 2, 2025 during a Nintendo Direct showcase (Fextralife (community wiki)).

Release date and price

• Originally expected in 2025, the edition has been delayed to 2026.
• No official price has been announced.
• It is not exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 — it will also release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Why it is called final DLC

The Tarnished Edition is described as the “final” version of the original Elden Ring experience — a complete collection with all content in one package. It does not include Nightreign or its DLC. Some sources refer to it as the final DLC because it wraps up the post-launch content for the 2022 base game (AOEAH (gaming commerce)).

The implication: FromSoftware is deliberately separating the “classic” Elden Ring experience from its experimental spin-off.

How to unlock DLC in Elden Ring Nightreign

1. Purchase Nightreign — available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC since May 30, 2025.
2. Install and launch the game — Nightreign is a standalone title, not an add-on for original Elden Ring.
3. Purchase The Forsaken Hollows DLC — available from December 4, 2025 on digital storefronts.
4. Access new content — after installing the DLC, new options for Nightfarers (Scholar, Undertaker), bosses, and the Shifting Earth event become available from the main menu.
5. No additional progression required — the DLC content is accessible immediately upon installation.

Elden Ring DLC timeline

• February 2023 — Shadow of the Erdtree announced.
• June 21, 2024 — Shadow of the Erdtree released.
• December 2024 — Nightreign revealed at The Game Awards (Wikipedia).
• May 30, 2025 — Nightreign released.
• June 19, 2025 — Everdark Sovereigns update begins phased boss releases (Wikipedia).
• December 4, 2025 — The Forsaken Hollows DLC for Nightreign releases.
• 2025 (delayed to 2026) — Tarnished Edition announced but postponed.

What’s clear, what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Shadow of the Erdtree launched June 21, 2024 on all platforms (Bandai Namco Official).
• Nightreign released May 30, 2025 as a standalone game (Wikipedia).
• The Forsaken Hollows DLC releases December 4, 2025 (Wikipedia).
• Tarnished Edition announced April 2, 2025 during Nintendo Direct (Fextralife Wiki).

What’s unclear

• Exact release date and price of Tarnished Edition — reportedly delayed to 2026 (Fextralife Wiki).
• Whether there will be any more DLC for the original Elden Ring after Shadow of the Erdtree.
• Whether Nightreign will receive additional DLC beyond Forsaken Hollows.

What players and critics are saying

“The DLC ‘The Forsaken Hollows’ — releasing on December 4th 2025 — will add two Nightfarers, two new bosses, and one new Shifting Earth.”

— Bandai Namco official announcement

“Originally planned to launch last year before being delayed, the Tarnished Edition does not yet have a release date, or even a price tag.”

— Screen Rant (editorial)

For players waiting for a definitive all-in-one edition, the choice is clear: buy Shadow of the Erdtree and Nightreign separately now, or wait indefinitely for the Tarnished Edition that may never include the latest Nightreign content.

Related reading: Return to Silent Hill: 2026 Release, Trailer & Reviews

For a detailed breakdown of every expansion, check out the complete DLC release timeline covering Shadow of the Erdtree, Nightreign, and the upcoming Forsaken Hollows.

Frequently asked questions