Forsaken Hollows DLC — Worth It? Scholar, Undertaker & Unlock Guide (2026)
Forsaken Hollows is Elden Ring Nightreign’s paid DLC. It adds two new Nightfarers (Scholar and Undertaker) and a new vertically-stacked area, the Great Hollow.
The two new Nightfarers
Section titled “The two new Nightfarers”| Nightfarer | Role | Why pick them | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undertaker | Hybrid / revive specialist (S-tier) | The most accessible DLC pick. Mass-revive Ultimate (“Last Rites”) raises the whole team — a game-changer against Heolstor’s one-shots. Carries random matchmaking. | Undertaker guide |
| Scholar | Utility caster (buff/debuff) | Highest pre-made trio impact. The “Analyze” skill buffs allies or debuffs enemies; a Holy debuff melts the final boss’s defense. Demanding, timing-critical. | Scholar guide |
If you mostly play random matchmaking, Undertaker is the easy recommendation. If you run a coordinated trio, Scholar edges ahead. Plan their relics in the Relic Build Simulator.
How to unlock Scholar & Undertaker
Section titled “How to unlock Scholar & Undertaker”- Own the Forsaken Hollows DLC. Both classes are DLC-exclusive — base-game players can’t access them.
- Progress the DLC story to its specific unlock trigger.
Exact step-by-step triggers are covered on each character page (Undertaker · Scholar); the short version is “buy the DLC, then play through its content until each Nightfarer unlocks.”
The Great Hollow map controversy
Section titled “The Great Hollow map controversy”The DLC’s new area is a vertically-stacked cavern, and it has been the single biggest complaint. Players report disorientation across its layered levels and fall deaths into bottomless pits that cost Runes and run time. The reception reflects it: on Steam the DLC has sat in “Mostly Negative” territory (roughly 46–48% positive over a recent review window) — among FromSoftware’s lowest-rated releases on the platform.
A common criticism is that the DLC adds no new weapons, spells, or Ashes of War, so for some it feels closer to a character pack plus one area than a full expansion.
Is Forsaken Hollows worth it?
Section titled “Is Forsaken Hollows worth it?”A balanced read, based on community reception:
Buy it if:
- You want the new Nightfarers — Undertaker is one of the best matchmaking picks in the game, and Scholar is a top pre-made-trio support.
- You enjoy fresh challenge content and don’t mind vertical platforming.
Skip / wait for a sale if:
- You mainly wanted new weapons, spells, or Ashes of War — the DLC doesn’t add them.
- You dislike vertical, fall-death-heavy map design (the Great Hollow is the main draw and the main complaint).
Bottom line: it’s a character-and-area pack. The two Nightfarers are genuinely strong and change how teams play; the new map is divisive. If Undertaker/Scholar appeal to you, it’s worth it — if you wanted a gear expansion, temper expectations.
Related
Section titled “Related”- Undertaker — Complete Guide · Scholar — Complete Guide
- Class Tier List · Relic Build Simulator · Team Comp Recommender
Sources
Section titled “Sources”- Scholar and Undertaker character guides (this site)
- Steam DLC review standing and community map feedback (TheGamer coverage of the “Mostly Negative” reception)