Unlock 19 Elden Ring Items That Only Drop at Night
One of the lesser-known but fascinating mechanics in Elden Ring is how the in-game time of day can affect enemy spawns, item drops, and even boss encounters. While many players focus purely on location-based farming, nightfall brings a unique set of opportunities. Certain enemies and mini-bosses only appear after sunset, and defeating them can earn you rare or exclusive loot. If you're hunting for powerful gear or looking to flesh out your collection, here are 19 items that only drop at night—and how to find them.
1. Deathbird Drops (Multiple Locations)
Deathbirds only appear at night in specific locations and drop powerful Death-related items. Examples include the Twinbird Kite Shield and Death’s Poker, both ideal for thematic or status-effect builds.
2. Death Rite Bird Weapons
A stronger cousin of the regular Deathbird, this mini-boss only spawns at night and drops unique weapons like the Death Ritual Spear or Explosive Ghostflame, depending on location.
3. Night’s Cavalry Weapons
Night’s Cavalry bosses roam the roads after dark. Each region offers a different variant and reward, such as the Nightrider Glaive, Ash of War: Phantom Slash, or the coveted Night’s Cavalry Armor Set in Consecrated Snowfield.
4. Bell Bearing Hunters
Replacing merchants at night in certain locations, Bell Bearing Hunters drop bell bearings that unlock new items in Roundtable Hold. These nighttime-only encounters are intense but rewarding.
5. Ash of War: Barricade Shield
Dropped by the Night’s Cavalry in Weeping Peninsula. This ash enhances shield defense, great for tank-focused builds.
6. Ash of War: Repeating Thrust
Dropped by the Night’s Cavalry in Liurnia of the Lakes. Perfect for dexterity builds using spears or rapiers.
7. Ash of War: Giant Hunt
Earned by defeating the Night’s Cavalry in Altus Plateau. A staple for strength builds, especially those wielding colossal weapons.
8. Bloodhound’s Step
One of the best mobility Ashes in the game, dropped by a Night’s Cavalry in Caelid. Its nighttime-only nature makes it an easy-to-miss upgrade for PvP and boss fights.
9. Ancient Death Rancor (Sorcery)
Dropped by the Death Rite Bird in Liurnia. Excellent for Intelligence builds focused on dealing death-type magic damage.
10. Ghostflame Torch
Dropped by certain spectral enemies near the Mountaintops of the Giants during nighttime. Adds flair and firepower to any setup.
11. Somber Smithing Stones
While not unique to night, spectral enemies that only appear in the dark often drop these stones more reliably—helpful if you’re avoiding cheap Elden Ring items and upgrading manually.
12. Ghostflame Fortification
This incantation is dropped by Death Rite Birds and boosts resistance to Frost and Magic—situational but highly valuable.
13. Nightrider Flail
Dropped by the Night’s Cavalry in Limgrave. Bleed-focused and excellent when paired with Arcane stats.
14. Nightrider’s Glaive
One of the best halberds in the game, dropped by the Night’s Cavalry in Altus Plateau. Strong scaling and great moveset.
15. Night Comet (Sorcery)
Only found by exploring Sellia, Town of Sorcery at night and solving a puzzle. Not a drop, but gated behind the time mechanic.
16. Ritual Shield Talisman
Can be found at night with lower resistance from guarding enemies in the Altus region, making night exploration more efficient.
17. Deathbird's Claw Talisman
Some players have reported this rare talisman as a drop after defeating certain Deathbirds post-patch—worth checking if you’re farming with extra elden ring runes for sale.
18. Lost Ashes of War
Occasionally found more easily at night in chests guarded by sleeping or absent enemies, especially in outposts or ruins.
19. Unique Crafting Materials
Some wildlife and spectral animals only appear at night and drop rare crafting ingredients that don’t respawn during the day.
If you’re grinding through Elden Ring and feel like you’ve seen it all, switching to night mode opens up a whole new side of the world. From hidden bosses to rare Ashes of War, these time-sensitive drops offer both functional upgrades and flavor. Whether you're stocking up organically or complementing your setup with elden ring runes for sale, exploring at night is one of the most rewarding and atmospheric ways to experience the Lands Between.