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As you begin your adventure inElden Ring’s official DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, you might come across a nameless mausoleum holding a dangerous opponent. The Blackgaol Knight, nameless but not without skill, is set to humble greedy players excited to encounter one of the nearest bosses to the DLC’s starting line.
However, many players will struggle to defeat a boss meant to teach you that the enemies of this DLC are no laughing matter. Whatever ease you may have experienced or tricks you might have concocted will be quickly humbled by this expansion’s bosses. If you want to win, you’ll have to “get good.” And maybe also use this guide.
How To Prepare For The Blackgaol Knight
The Blackgaol Knight islocated on the western side of the Gravesite Plain. You can view it clearly from the Sites of Grace in the central area around the Scorched Ruins, thanks to the many surrounding stone archways in the west.
You’ll know you’re close when you can see the friendly blue worms sticking out from the ground.
Beware the Grave Birdssitting up top on the archways. You can run past them if you like, but don’t let them catch you unawares.
Before venturing to theWestern Nameless Mausoleum, we recommendmaking these precautionary assurances:
Additionally, you’ll want toensure that you are not fat-rollingwith a Heavy loadout, as one of the knight’s attacks will require sprinting to avoid catastrophic damage.
If you are just beginning your Shadow of the Erdtree adventure, a Scardurtree Fragment is an item that will bolster your damage output and resistance.
You can find them scattered across the Gravesite Plain and beyond.
Blackgaol Knight Attacks And Combos
TheBlackgaol Knight has two weaponsthat he can wield with either one hand or both. This means that he hasthree separate movesets.
Most importantly, there aretwo key attacks that only appear when the knight is wielding a weapon with both hands:
For a full combo-list and their counters, refer to the chart below.
Two-Handed
Repeating Fan Fire
The knight loads his crossbow and steadies himself before firing several rounds of bolts in a fanning pattern that follows the player. These shots explode on impact.
Once you hear the sound of a loaded crossbow or see the knight holding himself steady with the crossbow in both hands, begin sprinting in one direction.
Do not pauseor attempt to roll. Ideally, continue running while slowly closing the distance to prepare to counter with an attack of your own at the end.
Single Shot
The knight fires a single rapid shot with the crossbow.
This is typically a fast-shot that appears only when the knight isholding the crossbow with one hand.
It is difficult to avoid due to its speed but can be avoided by a simple left or right dodge.
Solitary Moon Slash Attack And Combo
The knight holds his greatsword over his head as light gathers around the blade. He then releases it in a quick vertical slash that crosses great distances.
This attack can end here or combo into the next attack. It can only be done while the knight is wielding the Greatsword with both hands.
Roll to the left or right.Do not roll forward, but rolling back is acceptable (though not optimal).
The knight then crouches and holds his sword aside as he takes a few steps forward and then releases a weapon-art attack in a spiraling motion that can cross a small distance.
Avoid rolling forward, as his forward steps at the beginning of this follow-up attack can cause problems with tripping or staggering the player and leave them wide open to punishment from the weapon art.
Instead,rolling left or right will avoid this attackwhile leaving an opening for a follow-up from the player. This final move can be narrowly parried.
Appears In One-Handed Or Two-Handed
Dashing Spin Slice
The knight dashes forward and slices in a counterclockwise spin maneuovre.
Roll forward to the knight’s backside. This move can also be effectively parried.
Overhead Swing
The knight holds his sword over his head and brings it down in a chopping maneuovre.
There is a variation of this attack in both hands that is much faster but follows the same principle.
Roll left or right.
Jump Attack
Holding the sword over his shoulders horizontally, the knight jumps into the air and after brings his sword down in a vertical downward chop.
The one-handed slice is more diagonal than the two-handed variation, cutting from the player’s left to the right. This variation also covers less forward distance than the other.
Roll left or forward. Can be parried (window is narrow).
Slicing Combo
The knight performs a broken set of combos that can be interrupted at any point. The full combo includes first a horizontal swipe from the player’s left to the right, a returning horizontal slice in the opposite direction, and a third, final slice from the player’s right in a forward diagonal. This combo can chain into other attacks, so be cautious.
Roll left, roll right, and roll forward.Potential opening for backstab; tread carefully for possible bleeds into other combos. If possible, parry final slicing attack.
N/A
Dodge
The Blackgoal Knight has a dodging mechanic as with any Tarnished-based enemy model.
Attempt toavoid long-distance combatwith single-hit or focused attacks.
Yes
Special Notes
Blackgaol Knight has a single healing flask that can be used at any point past midway in the fight.
Blackgaol Knight is asimple but effective bosswith several attacking moves that punish players who might try to use the old tried-and-true strategies from the base game.
This is most apparent in hislarge sweeping attacks and ability to turn on a dime, punishing players who try to fish for backstabs.
He punishes so often, in fact, that it is unlikely that you will see more than one backstab in a run.
It is not recommended to run Critical Hit builds against Blackgaol Knight, as this has been tested by our staff and deemed mostly unreliable.
Thebest strategyfor Blackgaol Knight is tobe patient.His quick moveset, despite his weapon’s size, means that you can easily find yourself becoming overly greedy.
His damage output, especially at the start of the game, means that even a single attack can be devastating.
If you’re having issues with his damage output and can’t stand his attacks, we recommend chewing on the Boiled Prawn item.
This can help negate a significant portion of his damage. Additionally, you can mix special Wondrous Physicks to lower his damage even further or wear talismans such as theDragoncrest Greatshield Talisman.
As you run into the room,the Blackgaol Knight willalways favor his Repeating Fan Fire attack. However,if you rush inand close the distance,he will swap away from his crossbow and forgo that attack.
You do not want him to stop his crossbow attack.
Instead,rush in, but only halfway into the room,andwait for him to prepare to fire. When he begins,sprint to the left or rightandclose the distance slowlyso that you can attack right as he finishes.
ThisRepeating Fire Fan attack is the best attack for creating openings,so never jeopardize it by getting too close when he prepares to fire.
Hismost dangerous attackis easily his weapon-art,Solitary Moon Slash.
Themost important things to noteabout this attack are:
With all this in mind, learning how to effectively dodge this attack chain will be the determiner of success for your run.
With his two main attacks handled, the rest of Blackgaol Knight’s fight depends onthe player understanding these factors:
Additionally, the knighthas a single healing flaskthat will replenish his health bar by 25 percent (roughly).
He will attempt to use it at least one other time, giving you a large opening to punish.
Once all his big openings have been accounted for, you’ll find your way to victory eventually.
If you find yourself struggling against him, remember thatthere is no shame in returning later.Grab a few bolstering items to increase your strength in this new realm, or visit our favorite Boiled Prawn vendor,Blackguard Big Boggart.
Should you overcome the knight,you’ll receive his armor set (including theArmor of Solitude) and theGreatsword of Solitude.
