Elden Ring Black Knife Assassin Guide
The assassins were responsible for one of the most pivotal moments in history: the Night of the Black Knives, during which they murdered Godwyn the Golden. Wielding blades infused with fragments of the Rune of Death stolen from Maliketh, their betrayal altered the fate of the demigods forever. They are believed to be Numen, beings closely tied to Queen Marika, and their presence haunts players throughout the game.
While the Black Knife Assassins are optional bosses, defeating them offers rich lore, valuable Elden Ring Items, and a reliable source of Elden Ring Runes for players seeking power. Below, we'll cover their locations, strategies for melee and magic users, and the rewards you'll earn for surviving these terrifying duels.
Where to Find Black Knife Assassins
The Black Knife Assassins appear in multiple locations across the Lands Between. Though they share similar move sets, each fight has its own quirks and challenges:
Deathtouched Catacombs (Limgrave)
Black Knife Catacombs (Liurnia of the Lakes)
Sage's Cave (Altus Plateau): features an invisible assassin
Sainted Hero's Grave (Altus Plateau)
In addition to these encounters, you'll also find a unique variant, Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader, who serves as a more powerful version of the assassin.
Lesser Black Knife Assassins can also appear as normal enemies, making their presence a recurring threat even outside of boss encounters.
Rewards and Loot
The rewards for defeating these assassins are worth the effort. Depending on the location and variant, players may receive unique talismans, weapons, or quest items. Drops include:
Assassin's Crimson Dagger: Restores HP on critical hits
Assassin's Cerulean Dagger: Restores FP on critical hits
Black Knifeprint: A key item tied to Rogier and Fia's questline
Concealing Veil: A talisman that makes you invisible while crouching
Black Knife: A legendary dagger infused with the Rune of Death
Each of these Elden Ring Items enhances your arsenal, while the Rune payouts from the battles provide a strong incentive to farm the assassins. For players hunting both lore and power, these bosses are invaluable encounters.
Combat Information
The Black Knife Assassins are defined by their agility and aggression. They rely on fast combos, sudden lunges, and evasive maneuvers that punish reckless players. Here's what you need to know:
Speed: They strike quickly and move unpredictably.
Health: Generally lower than many bosses, but their agility makes them hard to pin down.
Stagger: They can be staggered fairly easily with fast weapons or heavy Spirit Ash support.
Variants: The Sage's Cave assassin is invisible, requiring special tactics to locate.
Although difficult at first glance, their weakness to staggers and low overall durability make them manageable with preparation.
Best Strategies to Defeat the Black Knife Assassin
General Tips
Use Spirit Ashes: Summons like Lone Wolves or Godrick Soldiers distract the assassin, opening safe opportunities for damage.
Capitalize on Recovery: After her signature Helmsplitter attack, she lingers long enough to line up a backstab.
Avoid Parrying Attempts: While possible, her speed and erratic movements make parries unreliable for most players.
Strategies for Melee Users
Melee builds can excel against the Black Knife Assassin because of her low poise. Use fast weapons, katanas, curved swords, or twinblades, to repeatedly stagger her. Trading damage often works in your favor since her health pool is modest compared to her aggression.
Spirit Ash Combo: Let Lone Wolves swarm her, then strike while she's distracted.
Fast Weapons: Keep pressure with repeated hits to stunlock her before she retaliates.
Backstab Windows: Wait for her Helmsplitter slam, then punish with a critical.
Strategies for Magic and Ranged Users
Intelligence Builds:
Carian Slicer: A quick, high-damage melee spell that can chain-stagger her.
Magic Glintblade: Effective since she dodges at cast time but not the delayed projectile itself.
Faith Builds:
Catch Flame: Works similarly to Carian Slicer, fast and devastating at close range.
Flame Sling: Useful situationally, though her dodges can negate slower casts.
Maintaining distance is key, but even if she closes in, fast-casting spells can break her rhythm and keep you in control.
Special Case: Invisible Assassin in Sage's Cave
The most unique Black Knife Assassin fight occurs in the Sage's Cave, where the boss is invisible. This variant can be frustrating without preparation. The best counter is the Sentry's Torch, an item that reveals invisible enemies. If you don't have it, you can track her by watching the disturbance of water, sound cues, or Spirit Ash attacks. With visibility restored, the fight plays out like the others, exploit her stagger weakness and short recovery windows.
Black Knife Tiche Spirit Ash
One of the most powerful Spirit Ashes in the game, Black Knife Tiche, allows you to summon the spirit of a Black Knife Assassin to fight alongside you. She's a faithful and deadly ally, dealing significant damage and providing distractions in difficult battles. Obtaining her requires defeating Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader, but the reward is well worth the effort.
Final Thoughts
The Black Knife Assassins embody everything that makes Elden Ring compelling: lore-rich storytelling, challenging combat, and rewarding loot. Their speed and unpredictability demand patience, but their vulnerability to staggers and Spirit Ash distractions make them approachable with the right strategy.
Whether you're farming Elden Ring Runes, collecting powerful Elden Ring Items, or chasing the deeper mysteries of the Night of the Black Knives, these shadowy killers are some of the most memorable encounters in the Lands Between.