Elden Ring enthusiasts who revel in the thrill of wielding massive weapons and dominating foes with strength-based attacks will find a kindred spirit in Nightreign's Raider class. If you enjoy crushing enemies with posture-breaking jumping attacks and charged-up heavy strikes, then the Raider is tailored for you (check out the video below for a glimpse).

In contrast to the Guardian, another robust class known for its high health and affinity for large weapons, the Guardian leans more towards defense. It starts with a shield and boasts an ultimate ability that can mitigate damage for the entire party over a sustained period. On the other hand, the Raider is crafted as an offensive juggernaut, designed to unleash devastating blows on your adversaries.

The cornerstone of the Raider's arsenal is the Retaliate ability. At first glance, it might seem modest—just two stomps that inflict moderate physical and poise damage. However, the true power lies in the Raider's passive ability, which prevents knockback during Retaliate. This essentially grants you a damage-soaking technique that allows you to plow through enemy and boss attacks unscathed. Moreover, if you absorb a significant hit, the second stomp transforms into a formidable punch capable of staggering even the mightiest foes.

The Raider's ultimate, Totem Stela, is a game-changer. Upon activation, the Raider slams the ground, summoning a large totem that erupts, dealing substantial damage to nearby enemies. As with all Ultimates in Nightreign, this move can decisively shift the momentum of a battle. The totem also serves as a climbable structure, offering a safe haven or a strategic vantage point for you and your teammates. Additionally, it provides a damage buff to the entire team, making it a crucial ability to coordinate for maximum impact.

Among all the classes in Nightreign, the Raider has been my most enjoyable experience. Starting with the Raider’s Greataxe, which inflicts fire damage and comes equipped with the "Endure" skill, you get another tool to absorb and power through enemy attacks when Retaliate is on cooldown. However, as you progress, you'll want to upgrade to stronger strength-scaling weapons, which are ideally suited to the Raider's playstyle.

The Raider excels in one-on-one combat, fitting perfectly with its Remembrances, which we'll delve into later this month. These challenges place you in gladiatorial arenas, offering a refreshing twist to your gameplay.

That concludes our initial impressions of Nightreign's classes. Stay tuned throughout the month for in-depth explorations of Nightreign's mechanics, developer interviews, and more as IGN First continues its coverage.