Elden Ring: Black Knife Catacombs Dungeon Guide
Welcome to your guide on navigating the Black Knife Catacombs in Elden Ring. This dungeon is tucked away in the Liurnia region and offers a mix of challenges and treasures. Let us talk about a step-by-step guide to help you conquer this area.
How to get Black Knife Catacombs?
Head to northern Liurnia, just northeast of the Erdtree, to start your adventure. Look for a path on the eastern side that leads into a small canyon. You will be greeted by Lhutel the Headless, a spectral enemy. Riding around them with your trusty steed, Torrent makes this encounter much easier.
Once you have dealt with Lhutel, you will find double doors leading down to a Site of Grace, your starting point.
How to find the Dungeon?
Descend the steps from the Site of Grace to encounter your first Skeleton. Remember, these bony foes will return unless you strike them as they are downed. You will soon find locked doors and a Summoning Pool. Look for Root Resin in the left corner and Grave Glovewort plants along the way.
As you progress, you will face more skeletons and a necromancer. Defeating the necromancer is key to preventing the skeletons from resurrecting. You will also come across an Imp Seal, which, when unlocked, reveals a room with more skeletons and an archer. Clear them out to claim Rosus’ Axe.
How to clear Black Knife Catacombs & defeat the Cemetery Shade?
Clearing the Black Knife Catacombs and defeating the Cemetery Shade boss in Elden Ring involves some steps. Here is a detailed guide to help you through:
- Equip items that prevent Hemorrhage, as the Cemetery Shade can cause this status effect
- Use the Opaline Bubbletear to have a protective bubble when entering the boss arena
- Make your way to the catacombs from the Ruined Labyrinth Site of Grace near Liurnia of the Lakes
- Clear out skeletons and ensure they do not resurrect by attacking them after they are down
- Use a Stonesword Key to break the Imp Seal and loot items like Rosus’ Axe
- The boss is accompanied by three skeletons; two warriors and one archer
- Use Spirit Ashes like the Lone Wolves to draw aggro off of you
- Focus on defeating the skeletons first to make the fight against the Shade easier
- Dodge the Shade’s slashing combo and overhead strike
- Watch out for the green oozing sphere attack that immobilizes you
- Keep a pillar between you and the Shade to avoid its immobilizing spit
- Be aggressive with your attacks, as the Shade has a relatively low health pool
Tricky Traps
The dungeon has its fair share of traps, like dropping blades that require precise timing to avoid. Watch out for skeleton archers who will try to make your journey harder. Sprint past them when they’re down and prepare for a surprise attack from a skeleton hiding near a coffin.
How is the depth of water?
After descending a ladder, you will find yourself in a large sewer room filled with small crabs. These creatures are easy to defeat and offer runes when defeated. There are also more Grave Violet and Glovewort plants to collect here.
How to do Boss Encounters?
The Black Knife Catacombs house two bosses: the Cemetery Shade and the Black Knife Assassin. The Cemetery Shade is the main boss, while the Black Knife Assassin is optional. To reach them, you will need to navigate through the dungeon, find levers, and uncover illusory walls.
Boss #1: Black Knife Assassin
In the Black Knife Catacombs of Elden Ring, you will encounter an initial boss reminiscent of the adversary from Deathtouched Catacombs in Limgrave. Anticipate its swift onslaughts, particularly the vexing twirls culminating in a capture-and-impale sequence.
Boss #2: Cemetery Shade
After defeating the first boss, leave the boss room and return to the corridor. You might notice a Ghost Glovewort; behind it is a space to descend.
Dropping through this gap brings you to the sewer section behind a gate. Proceed to operate the lever, granting you access to the second boss’s domain. Nearby, another lever awaits to unlock the metal barrier.
Look for valuable items like the Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger and Twinsage Sorcerer Spirit Ashes. These will help strengthen your character and give you an edge in your journey through the Lands Between.
Some Questions
What are the Black Knife Catacombs?
The Black Knife Catacombs is a spooky dungeon in the northeast part of Liurnia of the Lakes. It is filled with skeletons that keep returning until you defeat them correctly.
How do I stop the skeletons from coming back to life?
When you knock down a skeleton, hit them again as they try to get up. If they keep getting up no matter what, look around for a Necromancer and defeat them first.
Is there anything special in the Black Knife Catacombs?
Yes, you can find cool items like the Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger and Rosus’ Axe. There is also a special item called the Black Knifeprint, which is important for a quest.
