Exploring the vast and mysterious world of Elden Ring in the new DLC Shadow of the Erdtree, players will encounter many new and challenging enemies, each designed to test your skills and patience. Among them stands out a particularly infamous boss, the Putrescent Knight.

This powerful opponent has likely troubled you enough to seek out this guide, or you are proactively seeking tips to defeat the Putrescent Knight. If so, we will provide you with everything you need to defeat the Putrescent Knight so that you can continue your journey through the dangerous lands of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.

Putrescent Knight location

Before defeating the Putrescent Knight, you first need to find it. Start your journey from the Shadow Keep location, where you should receive the message: "Somewhere, a Great Rune has broken." This message is crucial as it opens the path to the Stone Coffin Fissure, where the Putrescent Knight resides.

From Shadow Keep, head to the Ellac River. Near the Site of Grace at Ellac River Cave, head outside and mount your steed, Torrent, for faster travel. Move left, avoiding the rocks and using Torrent's agility. This path will lead you to Ellac River Downstream, eventually reaching the Cerulean Coast. Here, you need to pick up a map fragment located south of the flying dragon encounter.

Continue moving southwest, crossing the jungle, where a giant throws pots filled with a sleeping mixture. Ignore the giant and keep moving until you reach the ruins. Cross the ruins to reach another blue field, where the fissure is located. Jump into this chasm to enter the Stone Coffin Fissure, where the Putrescent Knight awaits at the bottom.

Preparation for the Putrescent Knight Battle

The Putrescent Knight is not an opponent to be taken lightly, especially if you are playing as a melee hero. The continuous movement of this boss around the arena leaves very few opportunities for close-range attacks, making ranged abilities, such as sorcery and spells, more effective. Additionally, the Putrescent Knight has certain weakness that you can exploit to make the fight easier.

Holy-type damage is particularly effective against the Putrescent Knight, making it an ideal choice for players with a faith-based build. If you don't have a holy damage build, you can still use the boss's vulnerability to bleed effects, which will simplify your battle strategy and reduce its survivability. Although fire damage is not entirely ineffective, it does not have the same impact as it does against other enemies in the game.

Equipment for the Battle with Putrescent Knight

Elden Ring offers a variety of weapons that deal holy-type damage. The right weapon choice for the upcoming battle with the Putrescent Knight depends on your playstyle. Weapons imbued with Sacred Blade Ash of War are a great choice, offering medium attack range and the ability to temporarily imbue your weapon with holy damage. Two other interesting options are Maliketh’s Black Blade, which deals periodic damage over time, and the Sacred Relic Sword, whose abilities can cover the entire arena.

For players building a bleed-based build, it is recommended to use weapons capable of fast attacks, such as katanas or dual blades. Given the short windows for dealing damage to the Putrescent Knight, it is important to quickly and timely trigger bleed effects on the boss to increase your combat effectiveness.

If you prefer a more defensive playstyle, it is worth using the Flamedrake Talisman. This item reduces damage from the Putrescent Knight’s fire attacks, increasing your survivability. Increasing endurance will also help you resist the frostbite effects that the boss inflicts with his attacks.

Facing the Putrescent Knight may seem daunting, but understanding its weaknesses, studying its moveset, and adapting to the fight will make it easier to combat, though the first few attempts may be unsuccessful. Its vulnerability to bleed, and physical damage gives players using dexterity, arcane, or heavy weapon builds, such as giant swords, the best chance to shine in this battle.

Equipment Tips

During the fight against the Putrescent Knight, you can use the following equipment types: Rivers of Blood +10, Messmer Soldier Shield, and Leda’s Sword +10, complemented by armor such as the Winged Serpent Helm, Leda’s Armor, Rellana’s Gloves, and Oathseeker Knight Greaves.

Among talismans, you can consider the Crimson Seed Talisman, Erdtree’s Favor +2, Dragoncrest Shield Talisman +2, and the Scarab. And, of course, don’t forget about the Mimic Tear +10 level, which will greatly help in battle.

The Putrescent Knight is characterized by unpredictable movements, making it challenging to land consecutive hits. The arena is spacious, but you cannot summon Torrent, which can complicate mobility, which would be very useful here. While the boss is vulnerable to bleed, don’t expect to trigger it many times during the fight, but this effect will still be useful.

The Battle Against Putrescent Knight

The battle against the Putrescent Knight can be described as quite prolonged, as the boss's individual movement animations are quite slow and long themselves, requiring good timing for dodging from a practical point of view. Healing and buffing opportunities are limited, as the boss has several moves aimed at interrupting you during these moments.

First Phase of the Putrescent Knight Battle

In the first phase, it is very important to understand the basic moves of the Putrescent Knight and learn to avoid them. The battle can begin in two ways: with a jumping attack where the boss strikes with a cleaver, or a series of consecutive sweeping attacks. The first is often followed by the boss's signature spinning attack in combination with his horse.

This combo attack consists of three spins of the Putrescent Knight, followed by a horse attack, repeated twice more. To dodge this combo, roll towards the boss during the spin and towards the horse during its attack. After this sequence, the boss will mount the horse again, giving a short window for one strong attack or two light ones.

Another common attack is a series of delayed sweeping attacks performed by the boss, raising the axe with one or both hands. The one-handed variation can lead to two or three swings, sometimes followed by a double strike. To avoid this, roll towards the flying weapon and take advantage of the short pause after the attack sequence to counterattack.

Proximity to the boss can provoke a stomp or roar attack. These can be avoided by rolling at the right moment. Running to avoid these attacks is usually futile, so focus on precise timing to avoid damage.

Sometimes the Putrescent Knight will retreat and launch a boomerang-like attack with his cleaver. Stay in place to dodge the cleaver's strike.

Second Phase of the Putrescent Knight Battle

When the boss's health drops below a certain level, he will start using frost-fire attacks that deal significant damage and inflict a frostbite status. The first type of attack involves the boss rising and launching projectiles of black, slimy liquid that create lines of blue fire on the ground. To avoid this flame, roll, or jump forward.

The second type of fire attack often follows the first, where the boss opens frontal fire. Avoid this with the same rolling or jumping strategy as before.

The third option is when the boss stands still, and his horse rears up, throwing projectiles that create a closed circle of fire. Both rolling and jumping are good options to avoid this attack, but it is important to react in time and catch the right timing.

During these fire attacks, focus only on survival, as you have no opportunities for counterattacks. Wait for the boss to return to first-phase attacks before continuing your offense.

Defeating the Putrescent Knight will earn you the Remembrance of Putrescence and 220,000 runes.

Additional Tips for Fighting the Putrescent Knight

Facing the Putrescent Knight requires patience and persistence, as well as some specific tactics. Here are a few additional tips to help you in this difficult battle.

• Summon a Spirit: This boss is designed with Ashen Spirit support in mind. Although it can be defeated solo, having a companion in the form of a spirit can significantly ease the task.

• Use Wondrous Physick mix: Combine Ice Resistance and Damage Negation Crystal Tears to reduce physical damage and the frostbite effect from the boss's attacks.

• Watch the Horse: The Putrescent Knight’s horse can unexpectedly hit you from various angles. Stay alert and roll when necessary to avoid hits.

• Master Rolling: The boss's blade spin attack can be avoided by rolling towards him. Practice the timing to effectively dodge this attack.

• Beware of the Frost Flame: The Putrescent Knight’s frost flame deals frostbite damage as it spreads on the ground. To avoid damage from the spreading flame, jump, catching the right timing.

• Avoid the Boomerang Blade: Occasionally, the boss throws his blade like a boomerang. Roll to the side of the blade to use invulnerability frames (IFrames) and avoid damage.

By following these strategies and keeping a cool head, you can defeat the Putrescent Knight in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree. Remember, patience and observation are your greatest allies in this challenging encounter.