Mastering the Hunt: Defeating Blackgaol Knight in Elden Ring

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The Blackgaol Knight, a fierce warrior devoted to combat and the vanquishing of enemies, serves as a significant field boss in Elden Ring. Confined to a life of solitary imprisonment, this adversary stands as the first boss players will encounter during their expedition through the Shadow Lands.

This guide will walk you through locating this optional boss and strategies to overcome it in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Since he’s one of the initial bosses you’ll face, you might not feel fully equipped to handle him alone. Let us assist you step by step.

Locating the Blackgaol Knight

You can find the Blackgaol Knight within the Western Nameless Mausoleum, located in the starting region of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. He’s likely the first significant boss you will encounter in this journey.

To get to the Nameless Western Mausoleum, Begin at the Scorched Ruins site of grace, the first site you’ll access in this DLC. Head west until you spot some snake-like creatures rising from the ground.

These enemies are passive and won’t attack unless provoked. Simply bypass them until you see a small building with a stake of Marika in front. Descend the stairs, push through the door, and you will be met by the Blackgaol Knight.

Blackgaol Knight’s Stats and Resistances

The Blackgaol Knight possesses 14,129 HP and is particularly vulnerable to Lightning attacks. He boasts complete resistance to Sleep and Madness. However, he can be staggered like a tarnished foe, allowing for critical hits.

Backstabbing the Blackgaol Knight is also a viable option. He carries a Crimson Flask and will use it to regain health when his HP drops below 50%.

He has substantial resistance to Hemorrhage, Poison, Scarlet Rot, and Frostbite. Additionally, he can absorb a considerable amount of elemental damage without flinching.

Optimal Stats for Encountering the Blackgaol Knight

As this is one of your initial challenges in the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, you’ll likely feel underpowered for this encounter. A single hit could be fatal.

We recommend exploring a bit more until you collect some Scadutree Fragments. A few can be found inside and around the Scorched Ruins.

Take out the enemies with pots on their heads in the scorched ruins.

Before attempting the battle, upgrade your Scadutree Blessings to at least level 2. Character level is somewhat irrelevant at this stage, but being above level 150 is advisable for this fight.

Before entering the boss arena, cast spells like Flame, Grant Me Strength, and Golden Vow. Avoid using magic attacks against the Blackgaol Knight. The most effective approach here is using a Greatsword. Our top picks for this battle are the Grafted Blade Greatsword and Malekith’s Black Blade.

Keep your armor weight low to enhance your dodging ability.

Effective Strategy to Conquer the Blackgaol Knight

As soon as the battle begins, the Blackgaol Knight will unleash a flurry of explosive bolts. This attack is lethal, so instead of dodging or blocking, move diagonally to the side.

Avoid a direct assault on the boss, as he will counterattack. Instead, wait for him to execute his overhead sword slam followed by a half-swipe. Once he does, jump and perform a heavy attack to stun him.

Maintain distance and try to lure him into attacking. His sword features an extraordinary reach and can hit from afar. During his stabbing attack, be careful, as it can lead to staggering and result in an instant defeat.

This matchup requires composure and determination. When his health reaches 50%, the Blackgaol Knight will use a Crimson Flask to restore some health. Don’t panic; let him heal while you keep your distance and continue your jump attacks.

Though the battle may feel long and tense, mastering the mechanics and timing will ultimately simplify the fight. Stick to this approach until you successfully bring the Blackgaol Knight down.