Revelations from Gamescom 2019

[Crushnight]

My interpretation of it is that it wasn't so much that he was uniquely powerful, in the way Zenos or Emet-Selch might be, but that he was able to blind side us somewhat. In a sense there is a bit of borrowed power involved, due to the bond with the serpent, but certainly nothing Sin Eater.

Given Ran'jit's appearance and who he associates with it wouldn't have been a stretch to think he may have been given a boost by something not his own, his serpent is made from his aether so the serpent is his own power so when he fused with it he was just putting all his aether back into his body. So Ran'jit straight only used his strength when we fight him which was good to find out.

[Lauront]

Given Ran'jit's appearance and who he associates with it wouldn't have been a stretch to think he may have been given a boost by something not his own, his serpent is made from his aether so the serpent is his own power so when he fused with it he was just putting all his aether back into his body. So Ran'jit straight only used his strength when we fight him which was good to find out.

On that point, was it confirmed that it is made of his own aether, or is this an inference from it being a familiar (unless that in turn confirms it)?

It's also worth recalling that whilst fragmented, some souls on the First do still possess the Echo, which could be the case with him. That, plus an unfamiliar fighting style, may have proved enough to temporarily allow him to hold off the WoL... until it wasn't enough.

He is an interesting character and I am glad they avoided going down the "part Sin Eater" route for him, because I feel it'd cheapen it somewhat as a plot angle, given that it had already been used for Vauthry.