Summary
For players just getting started inElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, one of the first optional bosses in the DLC can give very useful rewards - but not everyone might be able to beat it right away. Adding new weapons, armor, spells, and talismans,Shadow of the Erdtreegives players plenty of new tools to use in their journey through the Land of Shadow, expanding heavily on the base game’s already-expansive arsenal. And, considering theDLC’s crushing difficulty, making good use of these tools may turn out to be vital for most players to find success.
[Warning: Spoilers for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.]
AlthoughShadow of the Erdtreehas only been out for a short time, its difficulty has already become a point of contention, with even some longtime fans of theSoulsseries finding that, for them, the difficulty ofElden Ring’sShadow of the ErdtreeDLCcrosses the line into unfair territory. Even bosses that can be found early in the DLC have been compared to some of the hardest enemies that the base game has to offer, up to even the likes of Malenia. But for players willing to stick it out, some bosses can give extremely valuable rewards.
Shadow Of The Erdtree’s Blackgaol Knight Drops Good Equipment
An Early Optional Boss, But A Very Tough Challenge
An early, optional boss, the Blackgaol Knight, gives players some of the best armor in the game, and for many players, will probably be the first boss they encounter. The Blackgaol Knight can be found in the Western Nameless Mausoleum at the west end of the Gravesite Plain, making it easily accessible right at the start of the DLC, anddrops the Solitude armor set as well as theGreatsword of Solitude. The armor, in particular, boasts some of the highest damage negation stats in the game - but beating the boss to get it is easier said than done.
The Blackgaol Knight and the equipment that it drops are very likely to be a reference to Guts fromBerserk, a manga which has often been cited as a heavy inspiration for theSoulsseries, and which many of the games, including baseElden Ring, also indirectly reference.
The Blackgaol Knight Has Earned Its Reputation As A Difficult Boss
An Early Roadblock For Many Shadow Of The Erdtree Players
Although the Blackgaol Knight is completely optional, many players, likeArron_TKon X (formerly Twitter), are still finding it to be a tough roadblock, asthe boss’s high health, poise, and damage make it hard to contend withat close range, and its crossbow and greatsword weapon skills mean ranged players aren’t safe either. Combined with the fact that the Blackgaol Knight is one of the few bosses that players can’t use Spirit Ashes for, the boss can be a significant challenge for players who choose to take it on early.
For those who find the Blackgaol Knight right off the bat, the boss can be one of the clearest indicators of the DLC’s overall difficulty - and those that can beat it are rewarded with equipment that can help them throughout the rest of the Land of Shadow. While the boss can be challenging, most players should be able to beat it with enough patience (and maybe a cheesy strategy), but exploring more of whatElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreehas to offer, andfinding some Scadutree Fragments, before taking the boss on can also be a good choice.
Source:Arron_TK/X
Players venture into the shadowed realm of the Land of Shadow to confront new biomes, dungeons, and formidable bosses. Guided by the enigmatic Miquella, they face the terrifying Messmer the Impaler and uncover the dark secrets shrouded beneath the Erdtree’s influence, featuring new weapons, magic, and challenges.
