Death Knight is a recurring optional boss in the Elden Ring DLC Shadow of the Erdtree. See Death Knight's weakness and locations, rewards, and general tips for Death Knight here.

Death Knight Weakness

Weak to Holy

Death Knight takes increased damage from Holy compared to the other elements. Focus on Sacred affinity weapons using the Sanctified Whetblade and weapons with innate Holy damage, or use Holy Grease if you don't have those kinds of armaments.

For weapons, Siluria's Tree and any weapon with the Sacred Blade Ash of War are great Holy weapons that also deal huge amounts of Holy damage. Meanwhile, Discus of Light and Black Blade are reliable spells for casters to target the Knight's weakness to Holy.

List of All Holy Weapons

Death Knight General Tips

Tips for Beating Death Knights
Prepare Lightning Resistance Utilize Parries Focus on Avoiding its Drain Attack at 50% HP Use Poison, Frost and Bleed Scorpion River: Watch for Ranged Attacks

Prepare Lightning Resistance

The Death Knights both buff their attacks with lightning infusion to boost their damage. Equip talismans like the Boltdrake Talisman +3 in order to negate some of their heavier attacks.

Utilize Parries

The Death Knight has predictable attack patterns if you are fighting it in melee range. Utilize parries and capitalize on these moves to deal huge amounts of damage to the Death Knight.

Focus on Avoiding its Drain Attack at 50% HP

Once the Death Knight drops down to half of its HP, it will start using its lightning attacks more often. Not only that, it also gets a lifesteal grab attack that can reset any progress you made pre-Phase 2. Avoid the grab at all costs and try to end the fight as soon as you can.

Use Poison, Frost and Bleed for Burst Damage

Due to the Death Knight's high HP pool, using Bleed and Frost to chunk its HP, as well as Poison to apply damage-over-time, will greatly speed up the battle. If you have weapons, spells, or incantations that can deal these status effects, be sure to utilize them during this fight.

Scorpion River Catacombs Fight: Watch for Ranged Attacks

The Death Knight in Scorpion River Catacombs has two unique attacks that can hit you from a longer range than you may anticipate. Be on guard for these moves, especially if the Death Knight aggressively pushes you with melee attacks right after.

Knight's Lightning Spear Incantation

The Death Knight in Scorpion River can use the Knight's Lightning Spear incantation, usually throwing it at the start of the fight. A well-timed side roll is enough to dodge this and the rest of the projectiles.

AoE Ground Lightning

After a delay, the Death Knight will swing its violently sparking hammer twice before triggering lightning explosions in an AoE just outside its melee range.

You can either roll into the small safe zone in the Knight's immediate proximity, or distance yourself and focus on dodging the explosions by rolling or jumping.

Death Knight Locations

Boss	Location and Rec. Level
Death Knight (Fog Rift Catacombs)	Rec. Lvl.: 150+ Location: Fog Rift Catacombs Where to Find: Optional boss at the end of Fog Rift Catacombs in Gravesite Plain.
Death Knight (Scorpion River Catacombs)	Rec. Lvl.: 160+ Location: Scorpion River Catacombs Where to Find: Optional boss at the end of Scorpion River Catacombs in Rauh Base. You can reach the catacombs by heading west from the Ancient Ruins Base site of grace then turn right on the narrow path and follow the river.

There are two optional boss versions of the Death Knight, each with unique drops. One is located in Fog Rift Catacombs in Gravesite Plain, while the other is in Scorpion River Catacombs in Rauh Base.

Death Knight Rewards

Elden Ring Related Guides

List of All Bosses

DLC Bosses

Main Bosses

Optional Bosses

Mini-Bosses

Hostile NPCs and Invaders