Prepare to face one of the earliest and most formidable challenges in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. The Blackgaol Knight, an optional boss wielding a deadly combination of greatsword and crossbow, awaits to test your skills. With his punishing attacks and relentless assault, this knight stands as a grim reminder that the Lands Between still hold terrors untold. But fear not, Tarnished – arm yourself with the right strategy, and even this fearsome foe shall fall.
Reward for defeating
Defeating the Blackgaol Knight rewards players with significant loot, making the challenging fight worthwhile. Upon victory, players receive 70,000 Runes, the Greatsword of Solitude, and the complete Solitude armor set, which includes the helm, armor, gauntlets, and greaves. The Greatsword of Solitude is a powerful B-scale Strength weapon requiring 27 Strength and 13 Dexterity to wield effectively. Additionally, the armor set offers excellent physical damage protection, enhancing survivability in future battles.
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For defeating the boss, you will receive 70,000 runes, Greatsword of Solitude and a complete set of Solitude heavy armor.
Blackgaol Knight in a nutshell
The Blackgaol Knight is a formidable sub-boss encountered early in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Found in the Western Nameless Mausoleum in Gravesite Plain, this knight wields a Greatsword of Solitude and a Repeating Crossbow, making him a challenging foe. With two distinct attack phases—ranged crossbow strikes in phase one and devastating two-handed sword attacks in phase two—players must carefully time their counters and exploit openings during his ranged phase. Adding to the difficulty, Spirit Ash summons are disabled, requiring solo combat or multiplayer assistance. Defeating him rewards players with the Solitude Armor set and the Greatsword of Solitude, essential tools for progressing deeper into the DLC’s Shadow Realm.
- Blackgaol Knight is a humanoid boss that fights very much like you do. He is armed with a great sword and an automatic crossbow.
- The boss seamlessly switches between three fighting styles – crossbow, crossbow and sword, sword.
- The enemy is most susceptible to your attacks when he is using both the crossbow and the sword – he cannot shoot the crossbow then and it is easier to stagger him. If you are playing aggressively, this is the best time to go on the offensive.
- When the boss only holds the crossbow and fires at you, block the bolts with a shield or sprint to the side to avoid the attack.
- Be very careful when the boss holds the sword with both hands – his posture increases dramatically, so you cannot stagger him or interrupt his attacks.
- Play carefully – the boss’s attacks are slow, but they deal huge damage.
- A shockwave attack is always followed by a powerful pirouette. Both of these attacks take a lot of stamina to block and will almost always knock you off balance if you block both – try to dodge both attacks or block the shockwave and then dodge the pirouette.
- The boss has one healing potion, which he will drink when he loses about half of his health. Later he will try to drink from the empty bottle again – this is a good moment to attack.
How to fight the Blackgaol Knight?
To defeat the Blackgaol Knight in Shadow of the Erdtree, patience and strategy are key. This challenging sub-boss wields a Greatsword and a Repeating Crossbow, with distinct attack phases. In phase one, he uses his crossbow for rapid-fire attacks, leaving brief openings when reloading—ideal for magic users or quick melee strikes. Phase two sees him two-handing his Greatsword for devastating attacks, requiring precise dodging and defensive play. Avoid Spirit Ash reliance, as they are unavailable in this fight. Focus on exploiting his vulnerability during phase one, maintain pressure to prevent him from healing, and stay defensive during his heavy attacks. Victory rewards include the powerful Greatsword of Solitude and Solitude Armor set.
The Blackgaol Knight fights very much like you and the invaders you’ve probably encountered several times before. The boss is armed with a greatsword and an automatic crossbow. During combat, he switches between three styles:
- holds the crossbow with both hands,
- holds the crossbow and the sword,
- holds the sword with both hands.
The boss usually uses the crossbow when you move away from him. His only attack is an automatic burst, followed by a quite long reload animation. You can block the bolts with a shield or sprint to the side – when the enemy starts reloading his weapon, you have a moment to get closer and land a few blows.
The Blackgaol Knight is most vulnerable to your attacks when he wields the crossbow in one hand and the sword in the other. Contrary to what you may think, he cannot use the crossbow in this stance, relying only on melee attacks. His swings are slow, but they deal a lot of damage. Fortunately, since he holds a heavy weapon in one hand, it is very easy to knock him off balance and interrupt his long attack animations with yours. His slashes can also bounce off your shield when blocking, interrupting his combos early and temporarily leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks. You can play carefully, blocking and avoiding the enemy’s attacks, attacking after his slow animations end – but if you prefer to play aggressively, this is the best moment, because by attacking him you can prevent him from counterattacking.
When the boss sheathes his crossbow and grabs his sword with both hands, you should immediately stop attacking. Blackgaol Knight’s fighting style does not change much, but his posture increases significantly and his attacks become stronger. This means that it is much more difficult to interrupt his attacks with your own – and since his attacks are devastating, you are asking for a quick death. Retreat and focus on defense, blocking and dodging his attacks, counterattacking with single blows or short combos when the opponent stops his offensive to catch a breath.
The boss’s most dangerous attack is a short combo, which he can only use when holding the sword with both hands. The Blackgaol Knight raises his weapon above his head and slashes downwards, firing a vertical wave of wind at you. Immediately after that, he attacks with a powerful swing. Both of these moves take a lot of stamina away from a successful block and will likely get you off balance even if you block them, leaving you vulnerable to a counterattack. Avoid this combo with two well-timed dodges or block the wind wave and then dodge the pirouette.
Since the boss fights similarly to the player, he also has access to healing potions. Blackgaol Knight will heal when he loses about half his health. He only has one potion – when you lower his health to a certain level again, he will try to heal himself, but his bottle will be empty. This is the perfect moment to deal a lot of damage, because he will be completely defenseless.
What are the best weapons to use against the Blackgaol Knight
The best weapons to use against the Blackgaol Knight in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree are those that exploit his weaknesses and deal consistent damage while disrupting his attacks. Here are the top recommendations:
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Black Flame and Destined Death Weapons: Weapons like Malekith’s Black Blade or the Black Knife are highly effective due to their ability to deal damage over time with effects like Black Flame or Destined Death, which bypass his immunity to poison and Scarlet Rot1.
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Heavy Strength Weapons: Greatswords and colossal weapons, such as the Royal Greatsword from Blaidd’s questline, are excellent for staggering the Blackgaol Knight. These weapons deal significant poise damage, allowing you to interrupt his attacks during openings.
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Magical Weapons or Sorceries: If you’re a magic user, fast-casting spells like Comet or Carian Greatsword are effective. These allow you to maintain pressure while avoiding his high poise and mobility.
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Ranged Weapons: Utilizing ranged attacks, like bows or crossbows, can make the fight easier, especially during moments when he loads his own crossbow. This strategy helps keep distance and avoid his devastating melee combos1.
Focus on timing your attacks during his crossbow reloads or after dodging his heavy sword swings for maximum effectiveness.
What are the best strategies to interrupt the Blackgaol Knight’s attacks
To effectively interrupt the Blackgaol Knight’s attacks in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, consider the following strategies:
1. Use Heavy Weapons
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Greatswords, Hammers, Colossal Weapons, Great Katana, and Greataxes are ideal for interrupting his attacks. These weapons can stagger him, providing a window for counterattacks.
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Bloodhound’s Fang is particularly useful due to its skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse, which allows for a dash forward with invincibility and a strike before leaping back.
2. Magical Interruptions
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Carian Greatsword Sorcery can be used to interrupt his attacks, allowing for multiple strikes before he recovers.
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Fast-casting spells like Black Flame or Comet are effective for catching him off guard during his attack animations.
3. Parrying and Countering
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Parrying his attacks can be a reliable method, especially with a buckler or regular shield. Timing is crucial, so practice his attack patterns4.
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Counterattacking immediately after blocking his initial strike can be effective if you have enough poise.
4. Hit-and-Run Tactics
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Employ a “hit-and-run” strategy by striking him quickly and retreating before he can counterattack. This is particularly effective when using heavy weapons.
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Be cautious not to create too much distance, as he may switch to his crossbow.
5. Exploit Crossbow Reloads
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When he uses his crossbow, strafe sideways to avoid the bolts and then quickly close the distance to interrupt his reload animation with a strike.
By combining these strategies, you can effectively interrupt the Blackgaol Knight’s attacks and manage the fight more safely.
