The Putrescent Knight is a difficult optional boss in the Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. This boss fight comprises two semi-distinct phases and involves going up against a large skeleton with a powerful weapon — and its horse that just won't let you breathe.

However, by taking advantage of its weakness, learning its attack patterns, and preparing properly, players can completely annihilate this seemingly difficult boss. There are no wrong strategies, just suboptimal ones.

A grid of three different spells in Elden Ring
Elden Ring: Best Spells to Use Against Bosses

The following Elden Ring spells are effective against any boss in the base game and DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

By 

Where To Find Putrescent Knight In Shadow Of The Erdtree

shadow-of-the-erdtree-elden-ring-dlc-reach-stone-coffin-fissure-location-walkthrough-sote

The Putrescent Knight is found at the bottom of a pit in Stone Coffin Fissure. Players can access this location after they've broken Miquella's seal, which will unlock the path to the Fissure. Travel to the southern edge of the Cerulean Coast. From there, find the large rift in the middle of the peninsula. Run around this rift to find a path going down, and follow it to the Fissure site of grace.

From there, it's a matter of following the road, ignoring a number of annoying sniper enemies, and reaching the last sight of grace of the region. From there, go forward and jump off the ledge where a spirit NPC is kneeling next to a monster's head, reaching the Putrescent Knight once you hit the bottom.

How To Beat The Putrescent Knight In The Elden Ring DLC

Putrescent Knight in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

Faith users rejoice because the Putrescent Knight is extremely weak to Holy and slightly less weak to fire. Either way, he's an easy kill once you have the right equipment and take advantage of his weakness. His attacks look flashy, but there isn't a lot to be afraid of once you get the dodge timing down.

You'll want around 8 Scadutree upgrades before facing the boss for consistent damage and defense.

Jumping on Horse in Elden Ring
How to Jump Farther in Elden Ring

Learn how to master Elden Ring by jumping further through the sprint jump technique.

By 

Best Loadout Against Putrescent Knight

Talisman

Sacred Scorpion Charm

Carian Filigreed Crest

Shard of Alexander

Two-Headed Turtle Talisman

Flask of Wondrous Physick

Holy-Shrouding Cracked Tear

Cerulean-Sapping Cracked Tear

Weapons

Sacred Relic Sword/Any Holy Damage Dealing Weapon

Armor

Highest resistance with Medium Roll

Putrescent Knight Moveset

Putrescent Knight in Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
  • Swing Attacks: The boss will rush towards the player and swing its cleaver down at you once. It can be easily dodged by rolling into the boss. The boss can sometimes continue the combo by taking two more swings at the player. Only try to punish if you're sure more swings aren't on their way.
  • Double Cleaver Smash: The Putrescent Knight slams the cleaver down on the ground directly in front of him, then slams it down again after a short delay. Players can strafe behind him during this move and get off a swing of their own.
  • Cleaver Spin Attack: The boss will jump off of its horse, slamming into the ground in the process. Then, the horse will reappear, charging at the player. Right after, the boss will start to spin, upside down, heading straight toward the player. You'll need to dodge twice to avoid this attack, both times away from the enemy. After the attack ends, the boss will remount its horse, giving you a fairly large punish window.
  • Boomerang Throw: The boss makes some distance between itself and the player and throws its cleaver like a boomerang. The trajectory changes for the boomerang, so you'll only have to dodge it once.
  • Purple Flame Barrage: The boss rises up alongside his horse and starts raining down frostbite-inflicting flame on the arena. This attack can be dodged by jumping up at the appropriate time. Dodging works as well, but the timing is less forgiving.
  • Purple Flame Circle: The boss will spew out flames in a circular pattern, with the flames constricting back toward the boss and catching players from the back. You should turn away from the boss and look at the flames to dodge them accurately.
  • Purple Flame Breath: The boss "breathes" out a purple flame in a straight line. Jumping or dodging to the side is the perfect response. He will typically come towards the player right after this attack, giving no punish opportunity.
Shadow of the Erdtree - Spirit Ashes
Elden Ring - Every New Spirit Ash In Shadow of the Erdtree

Here's a guide to finding all the new Spirit Ashes in Elden Ring's Shadow of the Erdtree.

By 

Putrescent Knight Boss Rewards In Shadow Of The Erdtree

featured image, how to use remembrance of putrescence in elden ring shadow of the erdtree

Killing the Putrescent Knights nets you a nice 220,000 Runes and the Remembrance of Putrescence, which can be exchanged for items with Finger Reader Enia. You can either get the Putrescent Cleaver or the Vortex of Putrescence. With the Cleaver building up frost and the Vortex having a ridiculously small range with a long casting time, the choice is obvious.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Tag Page Cover Art
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget
Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget
Released
June 21, 2024
Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

Base Game
Elden Ring
Developer(s)
FromSoftware