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Elden Ring

How to Beat Black Knife Assassin: Boss Fight Guide

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Elden Ring - Black Knife AssassinThis is a guide on how to beat Black Knife Assassin, an optional boss in Elden Ring. Read on to learn more about Black Knife Assassin's strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and lore!

List of Contents

Black Knife Assassin General Info

Stats and Rewards

Black Knife Assassin
Elden Ring - Black Knife Assassin Image
Weakness Resistance Immune
━ Holy
Thrust
 Bleed
Scarlet Rot
Sleep
Poison
Madness
HP 1001 (NG)
Affected By Frost
Spirit Ashes Available? Yes
Rune Rewards 1600 (NG)
Summonable NPCs ・D, Hunter of the Dead
Location
・Black Knife Catacombs, Liurnia of the Lakes
・Deathtouched Catacombs, Limgrave
Item Drops ・Black Knife
・Assassin's Cerulean Dagger
・Assassin's Crimson Dagger
・Black Knifeprint

Black Knife Assassin Location

Where to Find

Black Knife Assassin Location

Black Knife Assassin can be found in Deathtouched Catacombs, in the northernmost part of Limgrave.

How to Beat Black Knife Assassin

Tips for Beating Black Knife Assassin
Check IconSummon Spirit Ashes
Check IconUse light attacks
Check IconKeep your shield up
Check IconFor invisible enemies: Equip the Sentry's Torch
How to Beat Strategies
Ranged Strategy Melee Strategy

Click a link above to take you to that section.

Ranged Strategy

Black Knife Assassin Boss Tips
Check IconSummon Spirit Ashes Right Away
Check IconKeep Your Distance

Summon Spirit Ashes Right Away

Summoning Spirit Ashes when you enter the room can help keep you safe while casting spells. Summoning Lone Wolf Ashes can tank damage while you safely deal damage. Because Black Knife Assassin only has single-target attacks, the wolves will overwhelm the boss.

Keep Your Distance

As a Sorcerer, utilize the spells in your kit to keep a good distance while dealing damage. The room is fairly large, so use that to your advantage. Black Knife Assassin's strength is in its speed, so don't let it use the dark to sneek up on you.

Melee Strategy

Black Knife Assassin Boss Tips
Check IconUse Light Weapons
Check IconKeep Your Shield Up

Use Light Weapons

Black Knife Assassin has a very fast movement speed, so you will likely struggle to land your attacks using a heavy hammer or strong attack. You don't need to go in for hard attacks anyway, as Black Knife Assassin has fairly low defense and health.

You don't want to leave yourself open when Black Knife Assassin gets close, as it can be very aggressive once the gap is closed.

Keep Your Shield Up

Black Knife Assassin's dagger isn't very strong, so its stabs and slashes can mostly be deflected with a well-timed block. You should still parry when it lunges with its dagger, but Black Knife Assassin tends to dash away after a few swipes, allowing you to recover stamina.

Black Knife Assassin Attack Patterns

Knife Stab

Black Knife Assassin - Knife Stab
Black Knife Assassin pulls back quickly, then dashes forward with a stab. Easily avoided by dodging back or to the side.

Double Slash

Black Knife Assassin - Double Slash
A medium speed attack, the Black Knife Assassin does this move with only a little range of motion. If you've been keeping your distance, this attack likely won't land a hit.

Low Sweeping Slash

Black Knife Assassin - Low Sweeping Slash
Black Knife Assassin drags its blade on the ground, spinning around once, then sweeping low to high. This is the most aggressive move in its arsenal, so watch for the telltale sparks on the ground.

Dashing Stab

Black Knife Assassin - Dashing Stab
A move where Black Knife Assassin shoots forward with its blade. Although one of its fastest moves, it leaves Black Knife Assassin open to back strikes.

Retreat

Black Knife Assassin - Retreat
This move occurs frequently in between other moves, as Black Knife Assassin's style is to go in for a few quick attacks, then dash back. This move is extremely quick, so don't leave yourself open by using strong attacks or heavy weapons.

Elden Ring Related Guides

Elden Ring List Of Bosses Partial Banner

List of All Bosses

Main Bosses

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Elden Ring - Red Wolf of RadagonRed Wolf of Radagon Elden Ring - Rennala, Queen of the Full MoonRennala, Queen of the Full Moon
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Elden Ring - Malenia, Blade of MiquellaMalenia, Blade of Miquella Elden Ring - Mohg Lord of BloodMohg Lord of Blood
Elden Ring - Regal Ancestor SpiritRegal Ancestor Spirit Elden Ring - Astel, Naturalborn of the VoidAstel, Naturalborn of the Void
Elden Ring - Lichdragon FortissaxLichdragon Fortissax Elden Ring - Godskin DuoGodskin Duo
Elden Ring - Dragonlord PlacidusaxDragonlord Placidusax Elden Ring - Maliketh, The Black BladeMaliketh, the Black Blade
Elden Ring - Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-KnowingSir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing Elden Ring - Hoarah Loux, WarriorHoarah Loux, Warrior
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Optional Bosses

Limgrave Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Beastman of Farum AzulaBeastman of Farum Azula Elden Ring - Bloodhound Knight DarriwilBloodhound Knight Darriwil
Elden Ring - Demi-Human ChiefsDemi-Human Chiefs Elden Ring - Flying Dragon AgheelFlying Dragon Agheel
Elden Ring - Guardian GolemGuardian Golem Elden Ring - Leonine MisbegottenLeonine Misbegotten
Elden Ring - Mad Pumpkin HeadMad Pumpkin Head Elden Ring - Miranda the Blighted BloomMiranda the Blighted Bloom
Patches .pngPatches Elden Ring - RunebearRunebear
Elden Ring - Scaly MisbegottenScaly Misbegotten Elden Ring - Soldier of GodrickSoldier of Godrick
Elden Ring - Stonedigger TrollStonedigger Troll Elden Ring - Tree SentinelTree Sentinel
Liurnia of the Lakes Optional Bosses
Adan.pngAdan, Thief of Fire Elden Ring - Alabaster LordAlabaster Lord
Elden Ring - Alecto, Black Knife RingleaderAlecto, Black Knife Ringleader Elden Ring - Bols, Carian KnightBols, Carian Knight
Elden Ring - Bloodhound KnightBloodhound Knight Elden Ring - Glintstone Dragon SmaragGlintstone Dragon Smarag
Elden Ring - Glintstone Dragon Adula partial.pngGlintstone Dragon Adula Elden Ring - Magma Wyrm MakarMagma Wyrm Makar
Elden Ring - Royal RevenantRoyal Revenant Elden Ring - Spirit-Caller SnailSpirit-Caller Snail
Caelid Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Battlemage Hugues Partial ImageBattlemage Hugues Elden Ring - Black Blade KindredBlack Blade Kindred (Caelid)
Elden Ring - Commander OCommander O'Neil Elden Ring - Decaying Ekzykes Partial ImageDecaying Ekzykes
Elden Ring - Fallingstar Beast Partial Image.pngFallingstar Beast Elden Ring - Flying Dragon Greyll Partial ImageFlying Dragon Greyll
Elden Ring - Frenzied DuelistFrenzied Duelist Elden Ring - Magma WyrmMagma Wyrm
Elden Ring - Nox Swordstress & Nox Priest.pngNox Swordstress & Nox Priest Elden Ring - Putrid Tree SpiritPutrid Tree Spirit
Altus Plateau Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Ancient Dragon Lansseax Partial ImageAncient Dragon Lansseax Elden Ring - Crucible Knight Odovis.pngCrucible Knight Ordovis
Elden Ring - Demi-Human Queen GilikaDemi-Human Queen Gilika Elden Ring - Demi-Human Queen MaggieDemi-Human Queen Maggie
Elden Ring - Demi-Human Queen MargotDemi-Human Queen Margot Elden Ring - Draconic Tree SentinelDraconic Tree Sentinel
Elden Ring - Elemer of the BriarElemer of the Briar Elden Ring - Esgar, Priest of Blood Partial ImageEsgar, Priest of Blood
Elden Ring - Fell TwinsFell Twins Elden Ring - Full-Grown Fallingstar BeastFull-Grown Fallingstar Beast
Elden Ring - Godefroy the GraftedGodefroy the Grafted Elden Ring - Kindred of Rot.pngKindred of Rot
Elden Ring - Mohg, The OmenMohg, The Omen Elden Ring - Necromancer Garris Partial ImageNecromancer Garris
Elden Ring -Onyx LordOnyx Lord Elden Ring - Perfumer Tricia Partial ImagePerfumer Tricia
Elden Ring - Red Wolf of the ChampionRed Wolf of the Champion Elden Ring - Sanguine Noble Partial ImageSanguine Noble
Elden Ring - Virgin Abductors BossVirgin Abductors Elden Ring - Wormface Partial ImageWormface
Mountaintops of the Giants Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Astel, Stars of Darkness Close UpAstel, Stars of Darkness Elden Ring - Beat Black Blade Kindred (Mountaintops of the Giants)Black Blade Kindred (Mountaintops of the Giants)
Elden Ring - Borealis the Freezing FogBorealis the Freezing Fog Elden Ring - Commander NiallCommander Niall
Elden Ring - Misbegotten CrusaderMisbegotten Crusader Elden Ring - Putrid Grave Warden DuelistPutrid Grave Warden Duelist
Elden Ring - Great Wyrm TheodorixGreat Wyrm Theodorix Elden Ring - Vyke, Knight of the Roundtable Partial ImageVyke, Knight of the Roundtable
Siofra River Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Ancestor SpiritAncestor Spirit Elden Ring - Valiant Gargoyles Boss FightValiant Gargoyles
Elden Ring - Mimic Tear Bordered Image.pngMimic Tear
Ainsel River Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Dragonkin Soldier of Nokstella Image Partial.pngDragonkin Soldier of Nokstella -
Deeproot Depths Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Crucible Knight SiluriaCrucible Knight Siluria -
Multiple Location Optional Bosses
Elden Ring - Ancient Hero of ZamorAncient Hero of Zamor Elden Ring - Black Knife AssassinBlack Knife Assassin
Elden Ring - Bell Bearing HunterBell Bearing Hunter Elden Ring - Cemetery ShadeCemetery Shade
Elden Ring - Cleanrot KnightsCleanrot Knights Elden Ring - Crucible KnightCrucible Knight
Elden Ring - CrystalianCrystalian Elden Ring - Death Rite BirdDeath Rite Bird
Elden Ring - DeathbirdDeathbird Elden Ring - Erdtree AvatarErdtree Avatar
Elden Ring - Erdtree Burial WatchdogErdtree Burial Watchdog Elden Ring - Godskin ApostleGodskin Apostle
Elden Ring - Godskin NobleGodskin Noble Elden Ring - Grafted ScionGrafted Scion
Elden Ring - Grave Warden DuelistGrave Warden Duelist Elden Ring - Mad Pumpkin HeadMad Pumpkin Head
Elden Ring - Misbegotten WarriorMisbegotten Warrior NightNight's Cavalry
Elden Ring - OmenkillerOmenkiller Elden Ring - Tibia MarinerTibia Mariner
Elden Ring - Dragonkin Soldier Partial ImageDragonkin Soldier -

Mini-Bosses

All Bosses in Elden Ring
Elden Ring - Elder Dragon GreyollElder Dragon Greyoll Elden Ring - Lion GuardianLion Guardian
Elden Ring - Valiant Gargoyle (Leyndell)Valiant Gargoyle (Leyndell) -

Hostile NPCs and Invaders

Limgrave Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Bloody Finger Nerijus.pngBloody Finger Nerijus Elden Ring - Old Knight IstvanOld Knight Istvan
Elden Ring - Recusant HenricusRecusant Henricus -
Liurnia of the Lakes Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Elden Ring - Great Horned Tragoth Close UpGreat Horned Tragoth Festering Fingerprint Vyke .pngFestering Fingerprint Vyke
Altus Plateau Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Elden Ring - Eleonora, Violet Bloody FingerEleonora, Violet Bloody Finger Elden Ring - Inquisitor GhizaInquisitor Ghiza
Elden Ring - Maleigh Marais, Shaded Castle Castellan Partial ImageMaleigh Marais, Shaded Castle Castellan Elden Ring - Rileigh the Idle Close UpRileigh the Idle
Elden Ring - Vargram the Raging Wolf & Errant Sorcerer WilhelmVargram the Raging Wolf & Errant Sorcerer Wilhelm Magnus the Beast Claw Partial.png Magnus the Beast Claw
Mountaintops of the Giants Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Elden Ring - Juno HoslowlJuno Hoslow, Knight of Blood -
The Roundtable Hold Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Elden Ring - Mad Tongue Alberich Partial ImageMad Tongue Alberich -
Multiple Location Invaders and Hostile NPCs
Anastasia, Tarnished-Eater.pngAnastasia, Tarnished-Eater -

These sections are currently under construction. Check back later for updates!

Comment

9 Anonymousabout 1 year

yes spirit ashes doesnt work, g f urselves

See more comments (9 Comments)

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