Elden Ring Nightreign has launched, plunging players into its ever-shifting landscapes to battle the formidable Nightlord. Those who warmed up with the original Elden Ring, however, might notice subtle control adjustments throwing them off balance.

Though Nightreign largely retains Elden Ring's core mechanics, key changes accommodate fresh abilities and repositioned functions. Some modifications enhance familiar movesets or introduce upgraded gear. One alteration in particular—the flask mechanic—has proven surprisingly disorienting.

In FromSoftware's Soulsborne titles and Elden Ring, the flask serves as your lifeline—a replenishable healing item crucial for survival. Traditionally accessed via quick-select menus, Nightreign now locks it to the left face button (X/Square), repurposing the D-Pad's Up input for general item use.

I keep pressing 'X' to use items.
byu/The_Mudddler inNightreign

This muscle-memory hiccup entertainingly reveals how veteran players must reprogram instincts honed across hundreds of hours. The irony isn't lost on those who recently revisited the base game anticipating Nightreign's challenges.

Another significant shift replaces Torrent with an L3-activated super-sprint. However, retaining the original dodge-button sprint creates accidental overlap—as noted by players instinctively reverting to old habits.

That was just rude of them
byu/Justanotherkiwi21 inNightreign

Perhaps the most puzzling omission is crouching—now absent without rebinding options. Our hands-on testing confirmed its removal from control schemes, suggesting Nightreign prioritizes aggressive mobility over stealth tactics.

Keyboard/mouse players report similar disorientation, though control scheme evolution isn't unprecedented for FromSoftware. Each Soulsborne iteration—particularly genre-departing titles like Bloodborne—historically introduces deliberate mechanical divergences.

Thankfully, customizable bindings allow personal optimization. Consider this your reminder to review Nightreign's control layout thoroughly before facing its horrors—though spare empathy for those accidentally gulping flasks mid-parry. We've all suffered such mishaps.

For Nightreign mastery, explore our guides covering all eight Nightlord encounters and unlocking elusive Nightfarer Classes like the Revenant and Duchess, plus character-swapping mechanics.