Elden Ring Black Knife Catacombs Walkthrough

THE Black Knife Catacombs in Elden Ring is an optional dungeon north of Liurnia.

These Elden Ring catacombs are filled with skeletons, some of which are controlled by powerful necromancers, which you must defeat to advance safely. However, the dungeon is also full of plenty of loot to get your hands on, so the risk is worth the reward.

When you’re ready to dive in, here’s our Elden Ring Black Knife Catacombs Walkthrough.

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Black Knife Catacombs location in Elden Ring

The Black Knife Catacombs are located northeast of Liurnia’s Minor Erdtree, which is clearly visible on the map, and Frenzied Flame Village, just off the Bellum Highway.

Besides, a headless knight stands in front of the entrance. Here is the location on the world map:

Elden Ring Black Knife Catacombs Entry Card Location — Image credit: Eurogamer/FromSoftware

Explore the Black Knife Catacombs in Elden Ring

From the grace site behind the entrance, go down the stairs. The main enemies here are skeletons, who will get back up after collapsing unless you shatter their shimmering remains.

In the room with the boss’s door you can find Root resin And 1x Funeral Glovewort (2) then head left deeper into the walls.

Elden Ring Player faces skeletal remains in the Black Knife Catacombs — The first skeletons will rise again until you have broken their remains. The others with the shiny chest are linked to a summoner. | Image credit: Eurogamer/FromSoftware

The two skeletons behind the next area will get back up until you kill the necromancer in the hallway.

On the left side, you can use a Stone Sword Key on the Imp Statue, but be careful: inside are two skeletons. Take them out, then collect Rosus’ Ax next to the coffin and continue into the adjoining passage.

Elden Ring Player collects an ax in the Black Knife Catacombs — Image credit: Eurogamer/FromSoftware

To the left there is 1x Funeral Glovewort (2)while the room on the right is rather disturbing, thanks to its three guillotine-shaped blade traps.

You can ignore the two skeleton archers (they’re tied to a necromancer anyway) and rush in as soon as the blades briefly disappear into the ground. The element in the center is 1x Anti-spell Dried Liver.

Elden Ring Player standing in hall with skeleton enemies in Black Knife Catacombs — Image credit: Eurogamer/FromSoftware

In the next room there is 1x Funeral Glovewort (3) and a skeleton guarding a ladder at the bottom. This leads to a flooded area full of crabs.

Pick up nearby resources and carefully move forward into the larger room on the right, where you’ll find a corpse with a Runebow

above. Two giant crabs will dig their way to the surface and grab you in their claws when you attempt to do so, so approach with caution.

Hopefully you can get them to battle each other, but if not you’ll have to battle them both together. Here you can’t go any lower because a portal blocks access to the lever.

Now what? Return to the room with the guillotines and wait for the central one to sink into the ground. Stand on it and you will reach the ledge with a Skeleton Archer and the Necromancer. You will also find 1x Funeral Glovewort (4) growing up here.

Elden Ring Player collects plants in the Black Knife Catacombs — Stand on the trap and you will climb. | Image credit: Eurogamer/FromSoftware

After eliminating a few more enemies, you will come to a hidden wall (watch out for online messages), which you can break with a swing of your sword. Behind there is another 1x Funeral Glovewort (4) and a fog boss fight against the Black Knight Assassin.

Defeat the Black Knife assassin boss in Elden Ring

You can summon D, Hunter of the Dead for this boss fight if you have progressed enough in Rogier’s quest. So we recommend researching these characters and completing their side quests before attempting this boss.

For more combat tips to help you win this tricky fight, read our guide on how to defeat the Black Knife assassin.

Elden Ring Player fights a black knife assassin in the catacombs — Image credit: Eurogamer/FromSoftware

Your rewards for defeating the Black Knife Assassin are 3150 runesTHE Cerulean Assassin’s Dagger and the Black knife print.

But that’s not all. The Black Knife Assassin is not actually the “real” boss of this dungeon. To do this, you must go to the right alcove to land in the room behind the mesh gate.

You will find Ghost Glove (3) and two levers. One for the boss door in the upper part and one for the grille.

Defeat the Graveyard Shadow Boss in Elden Ring

The Cemetery Shade is an optional boss, but the rewards for defeating it are worth it. You will find a Root of Death you can trade with Gurranq in the Beast Sanctuary, as well as with 3500 runes and the Twinsage Wizard Ashes.

However, Cemetery Shade is not alone, as he is also accompanied by three skeletons. For more tips on how to beat this boss battle, read our guide on how to beat Cemetery Shade.

Once you have defeated the Graveyard Shadow, you can safely exit this cave and continue your journey.

That’s all for the moment! If you’re looking for more content, check out our Nokron Eternal City walkthrough, Lake of Rot walkthrough, or our Siofra River walkthrough.