Elden Ring Fan's Epic Endurance: A Hitless Messmer Marathon Until Nightreign
An Elden Ring enthusiast has embarked on an ambitious, arguably impossible, feat: daily hitless victories against the notoriously difficult Messmer boss, a challenge that will continue until the release of the upcoming co-op spin-off, Elden Ring: Nightreign. This self-imposed trial began on December 16, 2024.
The surprise announcement of Nightreign at The Game Awards 2024, following previous developer statements ruling out further Elden Ring content beyond Shadow of the Erdtree, has generated significant excitement. This player's undertaking serves as both a personal testament to the game's enduring appeal and a unique way to build anticipation for the new title, slated for release in 2025.
Elden Ring, celebrating its third anniversary, remains a cultural phenomenon. Its intricate world and demanding yet rewarding combat system redefined FromSoftware's success, extending its reach beyond previous hits. The open-world design of Elden Ring, while retaining the series' signature combat and exploration, presented a uniquely unforgiving yet liberating experience.
YouTuber chickensandwich420 is documenting their progress. The challenge's difficulty stems not just from the consistent daily requirement but also from the "hitless" condition. Messmer, a boss from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, is renowned for its difficulty, making a hitless run a significant undertaking. While hitless runs are common within the FromSoftware community, the sheer repetition of this challenge transforms it into a test of endurance.
A Testament to FromSoftware's Enduring Appeal
Challenging playthroughs are integral to the FromSoftware experience. Fans consistently devise incredibly difficult self-imposed rules, ranging from hitless boss fights to entire game completions without taking damage. One player even achieved a flawless, damage-free run through the entire FromSoftware catalog. The creativity of Elden Ring's world and boss design fuels this trend, promising a surge of new challenges upon Nightreign's arrival.
The unexpected reveal of Nightreign at The Game Awards 2024 marked a significant shift. Previous assurances that Shadow of the Erdtree concluded Elden Ring's content development have been overturned. Nightreign offers a novel approach, extending the life of the Elden Ring universe and its characters with a focus on cooperative gameplay. While a precise release date remains unannounced, a 2025 launch is anticipated.
