Wuthering Waves, the action-packed open-world RPG, offers players a variety of challenges and rewards. Among these is the Nightmare variant of the Crownless Echo, a formidable adversary that, once defeated, provides valuable enhancements for your characters. Unlocking Nightmare Crownless requires completing specific quests and exploration tasks. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this.

Understanding Nightmare Echoes

Nightmare Echoes are special variants of standard Echoes in Wuthering Waves. They possess unique Sonata Effects and Echo Skills, differing from their original counterparts. These Echoes also exhibit slight visual differences, making them stand out. Acquiring Nightmare Echoes can significantly boost your team’s performance, offering bonuses like increased damage or enhanced abilities.

Prerequisites for Unlocking Nightmare Crownless

To encounter Nightmare Crownless, you must focus on the Penitent’s End region in Rinascita. The process involves two main steps: completing the “Ruins Where Shadows Roam” quest and discovering all Dream Patrol challenges in the area.

Step 1: Completing ‘Ruins Where Shadows Roam’

Unlike typical quests initiated by NPCs, “Ruins Where Shadows Roam” is accessed through the Exploration Progress menu:

• Access the Exploration Progress Menu:
  • Open your map and click on the compass icon located at the upper-left corner, adjacent to your current location’s name.
  • Navigate to Penitent’s End using the directional arrows.
  • Select “Ruins Where Shadows Roam” and choose the “Track” option to mark the objectives on your map.
• Initiate the Quest:
  • Proceed to the Resonance Beacon across the broken bridge in Wailing Ascent.
  • Near the circular arena adjacent to the beacon, interact with the prompt to commence the quest.
• Defeat the Questless Knight:
  • Engage in battle with the Questless Knight.
  • To weaken the knight, lure it near a lit Macabre Torch within the arena.
  • Reignite extinguished torches by baiting Fae Ignis enemies into attacking them.
  • Avoid using powerful skills near the torches to prevent accidentally extinguishing them.

Successfully completing this quest is crucial, as it unlocks subsequent challenges necessary for encountering Nightmare Crownless.

Step 2: Discovering Dream Patrol Challenges

After completing “Ruins Where Shadows Roam,” the next objective is to locate all Dream Patrol challenges in Penitent’s End:

• Locate Dream Patrols:
  • Four Dream Patrol challenges are scattered throughout Penitent’s End.
  • Their locations can be identified on your map once the previous quest is completed.
• Encounter the Challenges:
  • Approach each marked location to encounter the Dream Patrols.
  • While it’s beneficial to complete these challenges for additional resources and Monnaie, it’s not mandatory for unlocking Nightmare Crownless.

Discovering all Dream Patrols is essential, as it makes Nightmare Crownless appear on your map.

Encountering Nightmare Crownless

With the prerequisites fulfilled, Nightmare Crownless will become visible:

• Locate Nightmare Crownless:
  • Find Nightmare Crownless in the ruins north of Penitent’s End.
  • Its exact position will be marked on your map after discovering all Dream Patrols.
• Prepare for Battle:
  • Nightmare Crownless is a formidable foe with enhanced abilities.
  • Ensure your team is adequately leveled and equipped with appropriate gear.
  • Consider crafting potions and cooking dishes to boost your stats before the encounter.
• Defeat and Acquire the Echo:
  • Engage in combat and defeat Nightmare Crownless.
  • Upon victory, you’ll obtain the Nightmare: Crownless Echo, which offers bonuses like increased Havoc Damage and Basic Attack Damage, making it a valuable asset for certain characters.

Additional Tips

• Enhanced Absorption Charges: Nightmare Echoes utilize Enhanced Absorption charges to increase the drop rate of Echoes. Players receive 15 of these charges per week. Allocate them wisely, especially if you’re planning to build multiple characters.
• Team Composition: Nightmare Crownless has increased resistance to Havoc damage. Avoid bringing Havoc characters for the damage-dealing roles in your team. Opt for characters that can exploit its weaknesses effectively.
• Consumables: Utilize dishes and medicines to boost your team’s performance. Offensive dishes can increase your attack and critical stats, while defensive ones can enhance your defense and maximum HP. Medicines can provide elemental damage bonuses or resistance, depending on your needs.