Facing the Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau is a daunting challenge that can leave even the most seasoned Tarnished players feeling overwhelmed. This elusive foe, known for its agility and stealth, strikes from the shadows, making it seem almost invincible. However, with the right strategies and tools, you can turn the tide in this intense battle. Equip the Sentry’s Torch to unveil the assassin’s hidden form, summon powerful allies to distract it, and utilize area-of-effect attacks to land hits despite its agility. Prepare yourself for a thrilling encounter where every moment counts, and victory will reward you with the coveted Concealing Veil talisman.
You’ll first encounter the boss in Limgrave, more specifically in the Deathtouched Catacombs.
Black Knife Assassin in Liurnia of the Lakes:
The second version of the boss is in Liurnia of the Lakes, more specifically in the Black Knife Catacombs.
Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau:
The third version of the boss is located in the Altus Plateau, more specifically in the Sage’s Cave.
Reward for defeating
Defeating the Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau rewards players with significant loot, making the challenging encounter worthwhile. Upon victory, players will receive 11,339 Runes and the Black Knife, a weapon that enhances stealth gameplay. Additionally, players earn the Concealing Veil talisman, which grants increased stealth capabilities, allowing for more strategic approaches in future encounters. This boss fight is not only a test of skill but also a valuable opportunity to enhance your character’s arsenal and survivability in the treacherous world of Elden Ring.
Black Knife Assassin in Limgrave:
For defeating the Black Knife Assassin, you will receive the Assassin’s Crimson Dagger and 1600 Runes.
Black Knife Assassin in Liurnia of the Lakes:
For defeating the second version of the boss, located in Liurnia of the Lakes, you will receive the Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger, the Black Knifeprint and 1600 Runes.
Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau:
For defeating the final version of the boss, which is located in the Altus Plateau, you will receive the Concealing Veil talisman and 9000 Runes.
General tips
To effectively defeat the Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau, players should consider several strategic tips. First, equip the Sentry’s Torch to make the invisible assassin visible, allowing for easier targeting. Utilizing Spirit Summons can also provide significant advantages, as these allies can detect the assassin’s location even when the player cannot. It’s advisable to focus on fast weapons to exploit the assassin’s low balance and agility, enabling critical hits during openings. Additionally, maintaining high stamina is crucial for dodging the assassin’s swift attacks. Players may also benefit from using area-of-effect spells or abilities to damage the assassin without direct line of sight. Finally, patience and careful observation of the environment can help anticipate the assassin’s movements and attacks, making this challenging encounter more manageable.
- This battle against Black Knife Assassin is similar to the first one that took place in Limgrave. So if you’ve had the “pleasure” of meeting him earlier (in Deathtouched Catacombs), you know what to expect.
- The Black Knife ASsassin is immune to almost all negative statuses . The only status we can impose on him is frostbite.
- The Black Knife Assassin is easy to throw off-balance . Make use of this to get opportunities to land critical hits.
- You can use your mount in this fight , but this may make the encounter more difficult.
- The opponent is very agile and immediately jumps away after each hit . As a result, avoid using your shield and instead avoid incoming attacks by dodging. This way you’ll get more opportunities to strike.
- Due to the low balance and agility of Black Knife Assassin, consider equipping fast weapons. .
- You can always make the battle easier by utilizing Ashes or other players’ help.
How to defeat?
To defeat the Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau, players should employ a combination of strategic tools and tactics. First, equip the Sentry’s Torch, which reveals the assassin’s location by negating her invisibility, making it easier to land hits. Second, consider using Spirit Summons to distract her; these allies can pinpoint her position even when she is cloaked. Third, utilize area-of-effect attacks like Hoarfrost Stomp to deal damage without needing direct line of sight. Additionally, maintaining agility is crucial; players should focus on dodging her attacks and countering during her recovery periods after heavy strikes. Finally, summoning allies or utilizing Ashes can significantly tilt the odds in your favor, making this challenging encounter more manageable.
The opponent is encountered at the very entrance to Sainted Hero’s Tomb. Before you get closer and initiate the encounter, use the opportunity to summon allies or use items that will make the battle easier. You can also consider using items that increase durability. The battle involves a lot of dodges, so make sure your stamina is up to the task
Fighting on a mount may prove to be more difficult than on foot. Although your mount can dodge (through short dashes) but this is not nearly as much compared to what your character can do. Mounted combat carries the risk of being desaddled which will be followed by being temporarily exposed to attacks.
The opponent usually attacks with his dagger, but sometimes he also uses a magic attack. One of them is a rapid projectile that deals fire damage when it hits. You will avoid it by dodging in any direction. You will recognize the attack by the fact that the enemy starts to swing with a fiery dagger.
The enemy also likes to point his dagger to the ground and run around the area. Avoiding this attack gives you an opportunity to land a few attacks of your own (provided you are using a fast weapon) If, on the other hand, the enemy manages to catch you during this attack, you’ll be knocked down. It may also happen that the enemy will attack with an additional combo while you’re down.
There is also a possibility that the enemy manages to grab you during the fight. You can recognize that a grab is coming as you’ll see that the enemy raises his arm and makes a quick step toward you. If he manages to land the attack, fortunately he will only deal a single hit. However, you cannot break the grip so you need to wait until you’re free again. Remember that an ally cannot deal damage to the boss during the grab. To avoid being grabbed, dodge away as you see him reaching out.
When the opponent jumps high up, holding the dagger with both hands, it means he is about to perform a death from above. In order to avoid this attack, it is best to dodge towards the enemy (as the strike is about to land). After the enemy performs the attack, he needs some time to recover – this a good opportunity to strike.
What are the best strategies to use against the Black Knife Assassin in Altus Plateau
To effectively defeat the Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau, players should employ a combination of agility, strategic attacks, and the right equipment. Here are the best strategies:
Key Strategies
- Utilize Fast Weapons: Equip quick weapons to take advantage of the assassin’s low balance and agility. This allows you to stagger the enemy and land critical hits more easily after dodging its attacks.
- Dodge and Avoid: The Black Knife Assassin is highly mobile, often jumping away after attacks. Rely on dodging rather than blocking to avoid damage, as this will create openings for counterattacks.
- Summon Allies: Use Spirit Summons or co-op players to distract the assassin. Allies can draw its attention, giving you opportunities to strike without being targeted.
- Watch for Attack Patterns: The assassin has specific attack animations, such as plunging its dagger into the ground or performing a jumping slam. Rolling towards it during these moves can allow you to evade damage and counterattack during its recovery phase.
- Exploit Weaknesses: The Black Knife Assassin is resistant to most status effects but vulnerable to frostbite. Using frost-infused weapons or spells can give you an edge in battle.
- Use Environment Wisely: Engage the assassin at a distance initially to gauge its attack patterns, then close in when you see an opening. Staying aware of your surroundings can help you avoid being cornered.
Additional Tips
- Maintain Stamina: Since dodging is crucial, ensure your stamina is sufficiently high to allow for continuous movement and evasion during the fight.
- Avoid Mounted Combat: While you can use your mount, fighting on foot allows for better maneuverability and dodging capabilities against this agile foe.
By following these strategies, players can increase their chances of overcoming the Black Knife Assassin and claim valuable rewards, including the Concealing Veil talisman and a significant amount of runes.
How can I use frostbite to my advantage against the Black Knife Assassin
Using frostbite to your advantage against the Black Knife Assassin in the Altus Plateau can significantly enhance your chances of victory, as this boss is uniquely vulnerable to frost damage. Here are some effective strategies:
Strategies for Using Frostbite
- Equip Frost Weapons: Choose weapons that inflict frost damage or have frostbite buildup, such as the Cold-infused weapons or specific spells like Ice Spear. These can help build up frostbite quickly, leading to a substantial damage increase when the effect triggers.
- Utilize Fast Attacks: The Black Knife Assassin is agile and often dodges attacks. Using fast weapons allows you to land multiple hits in quick succession, which can rapidly build up frostbite. Weapons like twin blades or daggers are particularly effective for this purpose.
- Jump Attacks: Execute jump attacks to maximize your hits. Each jump attack can deal multiple hits, increasing the chances of triggering frostbite. This is especially useful since the assassin has low balance and can be staggered easily after taking consistent damage.
- Maintain Distance Initially: Start the encounter from a distance to gauge the assassin’s movements and attack patterns. You can begin applying frost damage with ranged spells before engaging in melee combat. This strategy allows you to build up frostbite without risking immediate counterattacks.
- Break Frostbite for Extra Damage: Once you’ve applied frostbite, you can use fire-infused attacks (like those from Eleanora’s Poleblade) to break the frost effect, dealing additional burst damage. This combination of ice and fire can keep your damage output high while managing the assassin’s health effectively1.
- Dodge and Counter: The Black Knife Assassin relies on quick strikes and mobility. Focus on dodging its attacks rather than blocking, then counterattack immediately after it finishes a combo. This opens opportunities for applying more frost damage during its recovery time.
Additional Tips
- Use Spirit Summons: Summoning allies can distract the assassin, allowing you to focus on building up frost damage without being targeted constantly.
- Monitor Stamina: Since dodging is crucial, keep an eye on your stamina. Ensure you have enough stamina to evade attacks and continue applying pressure with your own.
By leveraging these strategies, players can effectively exploit the Black Knife Assassin’s weakness to frostbite, making this challenging encounter more manageable and rewarding.
