How to beat Blackgaol Knight in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Want to know how to beat the Blackgaol Knight in Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree? Although a tricky first mini-boss in Elden Ring, you'll be glad to know that there are Blackgaol Knight weaknesses to manipulate.

While he might be accessible immediately after entering the Lands Of Shadow, the Blackgaol Knight hits like a tank, with a Greatsword and Repeating Crossbow combo that'll keep you on your toes. In this guide, we'll explain exactly what you need to do to beat him.

In this guide:

• How to beat Blackgaol Knight
• Blackgaol Knight weaknesses
• Blackgaol Knight location
• Blackgaol Knight rewards

How to beat Blackgaol Knight in Shadow Of The Erdtree

To defeat the Blackgaol Knight, you'll need to rely on your own tactics, as Spirit Ash summons aren't available during the fight. Abide by the following tips for an eventual victory:

1. Immediately dash towards the Blackgaol Knight to get off a few hits before he can load up his Repeating Crossbow.



The Blackgaol Knight can be interruped with multiple strikes from heavy weapons. If you have a Greatsword (or the Carian Greatsword Sorcery, which is what I used), you should be able to interrupt his attack and get five or six strikes on him before he can react, taking off about a third of his health bar.

2. Once you're out of stamina, roll to dodge the strikes from the Blackgaol Knight's Greatsword, which has tremendous range.

The Blackgaol Knight usually strikes in three swift arcs which you can disrupt if you get behind him and attack or parry his blows. Occasionally, he'll unleash a jumping Greatsword slash. If you manage to hit him while he's in air, he'll be knocked onto his back. Otherwise, it's tough to stagger the Blackgaol Knight, as his poise is very high.

3. When the Blackgaol Knight raises his Greatsword in the air above his helm and glows white, roll out of the way immediately.

It's very important to recognise this telegraph, as the Blackgaol Knight will unleash a vertical wave of energy directly at your last location. It's easy to avoid if you know it's coming, but get hit once, and a huge section of your health bar will be in shambles instantly.

4. If the Blackgaol Knight ever loads his Repeating Crossbow, try to get close and attack. If not, dodge.



The Blackgaol Knight's Crossbow loading time marks the best chance to attack him. Of course, if it's impossible to approach him before he begins shooting, strafe around him and you'll easily avoid his line of fire. The Blackgaol Knight shoots both regular bolts and exploding flame blots, and typically switches to the Crossbow whenever you're a good distance away from him or when you're resorting to heals.

5. The Blackgaol Knight will heal himself when more than half of his health is gone.

You can keep him from doing this by continuously applying pressure, but if you don't manage to hit him in time, no worries. He only has one heal.

6. If you're an Incantation or Sorcery user, be aware that the Blackgaol Knight will roll around many long-range attacks.

Targeting the Blackgaol Knight will be an effort, and AoE spells like Meteorite will be too slow in this fight. Rely on faster magics like Black Flame or Comet, and try to catch him when his back is turned or he's in mid-attack animation. Your best option is to use a magical weapon if you've got one, however. The Royal Greatsword from Blaidd's quest in the base game scales with Intelligence and is a good choice; alternately, the previously-mention Carian Greatsword Sorcerery works great.

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Blackgaol Knight weaknesses

The Blackgaol Knight is weak against Lightning and strong against Sleep and Madness status effects. He is also parryable, which leaves him vulnerable to critical hits and backstabs.

There are plenty of Lightning Weapon Skills and Incantations you can use in Elden Ring. You can also infuse Lightning damage to a regular non-magic weapon if you have acquired the Sanctified Whetblade and chosen the option via the Ashes of War menu at a Site Of Grace. The Sanctified Whetblade can infuse either Holy or Lightning damage to a regular weapon and can be picked up from the Fortified Manor in Leyndell, Royal Capital (must be retrieved before defeating Maliketh).

Lightning spells tend to be Incantations within the Dragon Cult category. This features options like Ancient Dragon's Lightning Spear, Dragonbolt of Florrissax and Death Lightning. These spells can then be further buffed by 20% with the Priestess Heart item. This item can only be obtained from completing the Dragon Communion Priestess quest, however, but it can be worth using if you have any Dragon Cult Incantations equipped. Don't forget that you can also use Lightning Pots, Arrows and Grease.

There are also plenty of Ashes of War that utilise Lightning attacks such as the Lightning Ram, Storm Kick, Ice Lightning Sword and Thunderbolt.

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Blackgaol Knight location in Shadow Of The Erdtree

If you're wondering where you can find the Blackgaol Knight, head to the Western Nameless Mausoleum, which is located in the northwest of your starting point at the Gravesite Plain Site of Grace. You can also find the mausoleum by heading east from the Scorched Ruin Site of Grace.

There's no dungeon to confront in the Western Nameless Mausoleum - get ready for a boss fight (and Crossbow bolts to the face) as soon as you enter its door.

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Blackgaol Knight rewards

After you've killed the Blackgaol Knight, you'll receive the following:

• Greatsword of Solitude:
• Helm of Solitude:
• Armor of Solitude:
• Gauntlets of Solitude:
• Greaves of Solitude:
• 70,000 Runes

The Greatsword of Solitude requires Strength 27 (scaling B) and Dexterity 13 (scaling E). It has the Solitary Moon Slash Weapon Skill which emits a downward heavy attack (with a light projectile that inflicts stance damage). It then produces a follow-up whirl of slashes.

Aside from looking cool, all of these pieces of Solitude armour constitute an excellent set for taking on the challenges of the Land of Shadow, and the physical protection they offer is an immediate cut above the vast majority of armour sets from the Lands Between. A fitting reward for a tough boss right at the onset of Shadow Of The Erdtree!

That's all we've got on beating the Blackgaol Knight, who's just the start of the bosses available in Elden Ring's expansive DLC. If you need more assistance, we have a guide on the locations of all 78 bosses in the Land of Shadow for your perusal, as well as a guide on the best order to fight these bosses. Good luck!