Elden Ring: How to Defeat Blackgaol Knight Boss and get the Greatsword of Solitude

Sep-12-2024

 

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC has brought many new bosses and new weapons, Greatsword of Solitude is one of them. To obtain this greatsword, you need to defeat the formidable Blackgaol Knight Boss, located in the Western Nameless Mausoleum in the Gravesite Plain. The boss can be challenging, but with the right strategy, you can claim the Greatsword of Solitude and its devastating potential.

 

 

Location of the Blackgaol Knight Boss

You can find the Blackgaol Knight Boss inside the Western Nameless Mausoleum, a remote and eerie structure in the northwest section of the Gravesite Plain. There are two main routes to reach the mausoleum.

 

The first route you need to start from the spawn point in the DLC, head northwest, navigating through Gravebird-infested and gravestone-covered areas. Alternatively, you can start at the Three-Path Cross Site of Grace and go southwest. Locate a tunnel near the Tower Settlement Belurat, and by riding Torrent, your exploration will be much faster.

 

Upon reaching the mausoleum's entrance, you'll find a staircase leading downward. At the bottom of these stairs lies the arena door where you will face the Blackgaol Knight. Be prepared, as the battle begins once you step inside.

 

If you are unfortunate enough to die during the battle, you will not respawn at the original Site of Grace, but at the entrance to the arena. When you’re ready, you can re-enter the arena.

 

But please note that if you fail the battle, you will not be rewarded with Elden Ring Runes. So before you challenge again, please make your build more powerful. The most important thing is survivability and damage ability.

 

 

Pre-Battle Preparation

Before challenging the Blackgaol Knight, it's crucial to adjust your build and strategy. First of all, you need to avoid using Melee builds. The Blackgaol Knight's armor is incredibly thick, making melee attacks less effective. It's recommended to focus on builds that rely on sorcery or incantations to exploit its weaknesses.

  

Secondly, the Blackgaol Knight has high resistance to Bleed, Frostbite, and Scarlet Rot, so avoid weapons or spells that rely on these effects. However, it is vulnerable to Magic and Lightning damage, making those your best options. Spells like Greatblade Phalanx are especially useful for dealing magic damage.

 

Finally, you’d better to prepare enough healing items. Given the boss's ability to deal massive damage, ensure that you have an ample supply of healing flasks to survive through the fight.

 

 

Understanding Blackgaol Knight's Moves

The Blackgaol Knight Boss utilizes a variety of moves with its Greatsword and crossbow. Knowing his moves will allow you to effectively counter him.

 

Greatsword Attacks: The Knight will swing its Greatsword in a four-hit combo. You can avoid these swings by jumping and then counter with a heavy attack. Be mindful of consecutive combos and find opportunities to strike after dodging.

 

Storm Blast and Follow-Up: After swinging its Greatsword, the Knight may raise it and fire a wave of physical damage followed by a sprint attack. Dodge the wave and retreat or continue dodging the sprint attack. This move is difficult to avoid entirely, so keep healing items on hand.

 

Crossbow Barrage: At medium or long distance, the Knight will fire rapidly from its crossbow. The firing speed increases over time, so it's best to move along the side of the arena to avoid getting hit. Do not roll or dodge while under fire, as the crossbow bolts can hit you during your recovery.

 

Dash Slash: When wielding the Greatsword with both hands, the Knight may dash forward for a slashing attack. Dodge to avoid damage and then counter.

 

 

Battle Strategy

To defeat the Blackgaol Knight, your strategy should revolve around patience, evasion, and finding the right chances to strike.

 

Take advantage of the knight's crossbow reloading time, as it is highly vulnerable during this period. Use this opportunity to close the distance and land a series of attacks.

 

Staying mobile is crucial, as the knight's crossbow barrage can be avoided by continuously walking forward. This prevents you from being caught in the barrage. Additionally, be aware of the boss's physical explosion attacks, which are similar to Blasphemous Blade weapon skills. These attacks often follow greatsword slashes, so be ready to dodge both the explosion and the follow-up charge.

 

 

Rewards: The Greatsword of Solitude and Armor Set

Once you defeat the Blackgaol Knight, you will be rewarded with the coveted Greatsword of Solitude and the Blackgaol Knight Armor Set. The armor set offers a stylish and highly defensive outfit for your character. The Greatsword of Solitude is a slow yet powerful weapon, with the ability to perform devastating cleaving slashes.

 

Its unique weapon skill, Solitary Moon Slash, allows you to shoot an arc of light forward, hitting enemies from a distance. This skill can be followed up with a strong advancing attack, making it a versatile weapon for both long-range and close-range combat.

 

 

Conclusion

Defeating the Blackgaol Knight Boss in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree DLC can be challenging but immensely rewarding. With the Greatsword of Solitude and Blackgaol Knight Armor Set in hand, you'll gain not only powerful gear but also the satisfaction of overcoming one of the toughest bosses in the DLC.