The Death Knight is one of the most intimidating Field Bosses players will encounter in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Cloaked in heavy armor and wielding devastating weapons imbued with lightning, this towering adversary stands as a powerful test of both skill and patience. Found lurking in dark catacombs beneath the Land of Shadow, the Death Knight is an optional challenge, but those who dare to face it will be rewarded with valuable Elden Ring Runes, unique Elden Ring Items, and the satisfaction of besting one of the game's fiercest knights.

 

Where to Find the Death Knight in Elden Ring

 

The Death Knight appears as a Field Boss in multiple catacomb locations throughout the expansion. Each encounter features similar mechanics but may vary slightly depending on the setting. The two confirmed locations where players can face this formidable foe are:

 

Fog Rift Catacombs

Scorpion River Catacombs

 

Both areas are tucked away within the labyrinthine depths of the Shadow of the Erdtree's new regions. As with other catacombs in Elden Ring, expect traps, tight corridors, and enemy ambushes on your way to the boss chamber. Because the Death Knight is a repeating boss, you may encounter it more than once across different dungeons, each time with a chance to collect extra Runes and rare items.

 

Understanding the Death Knight's Combat Style

 

The Death Knight fights with a relentless blend of brute force and magical prowess. It typically wields a massive twinaxe that can summon lightning attacks, striking down players who underestimate its range or power. The boss alternates between quick melee combos and thunderous AOE (area of effect) lightning blasts, forcing players to stay alert and maintain proper spacing.

 

One of the Death Knight's signature moves is a leaping lightning strike, where it charges its weapon with electricity before slamming it into the ground, creating a deadly shockwave. Dodging this attack is crucial, roll just as the weapon connects with the floor to avoid the lightning burst.

 

Another common ability involves lightning-imbued slashes that track the player's movement. Using a shield with high lightning resistance or equipping certain Elden Ring Items that boost lightning defense will greatly increase survivability.

 

Recommended Build and Preparation

 

Before entering the Death Knight's lair, preparation is key. Like most bosses in Elden Ring, this fight rewards careful planning and adaptability. Here are some of the best recommendations to give yourself the upper hand:

 

Recommended Skills

 

Sacred Blade: Adds Holy damage to your weapon, exploiting the Death Knight's slight weakness to sacred power.

 

Braggart's Roar: Enhances your attack power while also giving a minor defense boost, allowing you to trade blows more effectively.

 

Consumables

 

Lightningproof Dried Liver: This consumable is one of the most effective Elden Ring Items for the fight, significantly reducing lightning damage intake for a limited time.

 

Flask of Wondrous Physick: Mix a Lightning-Shrouding Cracked Tear to enhance lightning resistance or a Strength-knot Tear for increased damage output.

 

Recommended Talismans

 

Boltdrake Talisman (+3 if available): Offers strong lightning damage negation, a must-have for this fight.

 

Dagger Talisman: Boosts critical hit damage, useful if you manage to parry the Death Knight's attacks.

 

Roar Medallion: Increases the effectiveness of roar-based skills like Braggart's Roar, making it ideal for melee builds.

 

How to Defeat the Death Knight

 

The Death Knight's strength lies in its aggression. It rarely gives players breathing room, so you'll need to manage stamina carefully and avoid getting cornered. Here's a breakdown of tactics to help you triumph:

 

Maintain Mid-Range Distance

Stay just outside of melee range to bait the Death Knight into lunging attacks, which you can then punish with quick counterstrikes.

 

Capitalize on Parry Opportunities

When facing the twinaxe variant, the Death Knight becomes susceptible to parrying. Time your parries carefully after its predictable heavy swings, and you'll create openings for devastating ripostes.

 

Use Spirit Ashes Effectively

Summoning Banished Knight Oleg is particularly effective. Oleg's aggressive fighting style keeps the Death Knight occupied, giving you chances to heal, buff, or strike from behind. His high poise can even stagger the boss occasionally, interrupting its attack patterns.

 

Exploit Elemental Weaknesses

Sacred and Holy damage deal slightly more harm to the Death Knight than regular physical attacks. Using weapons infused with Sacred affinity or spells like Lightning Strike and Black Flame Blade can further tilt the battle in your favor.

 

Rewards

 

Defeating the Death Knight yields a generous sum of Elden Ring Runes, which can be used to level up your attributes or purchase supplies. The exact Rune count varies depending on location, but each victory brings a satisfying boost to your progression.

 

In addition to Runes, players may receive unique Elden Ring Items, including rare crafting materials, upgrade stones, or talismans tied to lightning and strength builds. These drops make the Death Knight well worth hunting down multiple times across different catacombs, especially for completionists and collectors.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The Death Knight encapsulates what makes Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree so rewarding, challenging combat, intricate design, and the thrill of discovery. While this boss is technically optional, it offers some of the most satisfying mid-game encounters in the DLC. Whether you're after precious Elden Ring Runes, valuable Elden Ring Items, or simply the thrill of mastering one of the expansion's toughest duels, the Death Knight is a foe that will test every ounce of your skill and strategy.

 

Approach with preparation, patience, and precision, and you'll soon prove yourself the true champion of the Land of Shadow.