How To Cheese Black Knight Elden Ring

Okay, so picture this: I’m brand new to Elden Ring. I’ve heard the legends, the whispers of difficulty that make Dark Souls look like a walk in the park (with really, really angry dogs). I’m feeling confident. I’ve watched a few YouTube videos. I know what I'm doing… or so I thought. Then I stumble into Limgrave, feeling all mighty and powerful, and BOOM. Black Knight. Well, technically it's Night's Cavalry, but "Black Knight" just sounds cooler, doesn't it? Anyway, this dude proceeds to absolutely demolish me. Like, pulverize. Flatten. Turn me into a Tarnished pancake. After about the tenth humiliating defeat, I realized, "Okay, maybe brute force isn't the answer here." And that, my friends, is where the cheese comes in.

We've all been there, right? Facing a boss or enemy that just feels…unfair. Like they’re specifically designed to mock your skill level. And sometimes, just sometimes, you gotta embrace the slightly less honorable path to victory. You gotta get that sweet, sweet, stinky cheese.

What is “Cheesing” Anyway?

Before we dive into the Black Knight-specific stratagems, let’s define our terms. “Cheesing” in gaming, especially in Souls-like games, refers to exploiting a game mechanic, AI weakness, or environmental element to defeat an enemy in a way that bypasses the intended challenge. It’s not necessarily “cheating” – you’re still playing within the game’s rules – but it's definitely not the most noble approach. Think of it as…creative problem-solving. Or, you know, being a sneaky little Tarnished.

Personally, I’m all for it. Look, Elden Ring is hard enough. If the game gives you an opening to exploit something, why wouldn’t you? Don't let anyone gatekeep your fun. Unless you're cheesing in PvP. Then, maybe reconsider. Just kidding (mostly).

The Black Knight of Limgrave (and Beyond): A Cheeser's Paradise?

The Night's Cavalry, those dark riders that appear at night in various locations, are prime candidates for cheese for a few reasons:

• They're on horseback: Horses are notoriously prone to falling off cliffs, getting stuck on objects, and generally being… not the smartest. This is the foundation of many cheese strategies.
• They appear at night: This limits visibility, which can be used to your advantage (we'll get to that later).
• Their attack patterns are somewhat predictable: Once you've been pulverized a few times (like I was), you start to notice patterns. Predictability is key to exploitation.

So, with that in mind, let's explore some of the most effective, shall we say, efficient methods for dealing with these equestrian nightmares.

Cheese Strat #1: The Cliffhanger (Literally)

This is the classic, the OG, the granddaddy of Black Knight cheeses. It relies on the Night's Cavalry's… let’s just say, less-than-stellar navigation skills. The idea is simple: lure them near a cliff or steep drop and then trick them into falling off.

Here's how it works:

1. Find a cliff: Obvious, right? The bridge in Limgrave is a popular choice, but any area with a significant drop-off will do. Just make sure you have some room to maneuver.
2. Provoke the Knight: Get its attention by getting close enough so that it aggros on you. A ranged attack (spell, arrow, throwing knife) can help.
3. Lead it to the edge: This is the tricky part. You need to position yourself so that the Knight charges towards you, hopefully getting close to the cliff edge.
4. Dodge and pray: Just before the Knight reaches you, dodge to the side. With a bit of luck (and maybe a gentle shove from your weapon), the Knight will charge right off the cliff.
5. Profit! The Knight will plummet to its doom, and you'll be rewarded with its loot.

Pro-Tips for Cliff Cheese:

• Use Torrent: Your spectral steed is your best friend for maneuvering and dodging.
• Patience is key: Don't get greedy. Wait for the right moment to dodge.
• Be aware of your surroundings: Don't fall off the cliff yourself! That would be…awkward.

This method is particularly effective early in the game because it requires minimal stats or equipment. All you need is a cliff and a willingness to be a little…devious. Don't worry, the Elden Ring gods will forgive you. Probably.

Cheese Strat #2: The Stuck-in-a-Ruin Ruse

Sometimes, the environment provides natural cheese opportunities. In several locations, there are ruined buildings or structures with narrow openings that the Night's Cavalry just can't seem to navigate. Exploit this to your advantage!

The plan:

1. Locate a ruin: Find a ruined building with doorways or openings that are too small for the Night's Cavalry to pass through easily. There are a few good spots in Limgrave and Weeping Peninsula.
2. Lure the Knight: Again, provoke it with a ranged attack or simply get close enough to trigger its aggression.
3. Position yourself inside the ruin: Run inside the ruin, making sure the Knight is following you. Position yourself so that the Knight is on the outside, unable to fully enter.
4. Pelt it with ranged attacks: Now, the fun begins! From the safety of your ruin fortress, you can freely pelt the Night's Cavalry with spells, arrows, or throwing knives. It might occasionally get a hit in with a long reaching weapon, so be careful to dodge.
5. Enjoy the easy victory: Keep chipping away at its health until it finally falls.

Cheese Refinements:

• Use Spirit Ashes: Summoning Spirit Ashes inside the ruin can provide a distraction and absorb some damage. The Lone Wolves are a good early-game option.
• Upgrade your ranged weapon: The more damage you can deal, the faster the fight will be.
• Watch your stamina: Dodging is crucial, even in a relatively safe location. Don't let your stamina run out.

This strategy requires a bit more setup than the cliff cheese, but it's generally safer and more reliable. It's also a good way to practice your ranged combat skills. Remember, even cheesing requires some level of skill! (Just kidding... mostly.)

Cheese Strat #3: The Moonlight Sonata of Status Effects

This strategy relies on exploiting the Night's Cavalry's vulnerability to certain status effects, such as frostbite, bleed, and poison. While not a complete "cheese" in the traditional sense, it definitely makes the fight significantly easier.

The symphony of suffering:

1. Choose your ailment: Frostbite is generally considered the most effective against the Night's Cavalry, but bleed and poison can also work.
2. Acquire the necessary tools: For frostbite, you'll need a weapon that inflicts frost buildup, such as the Hoarfrost Stomp Ash of War (available relatively early in the game). For bleed, try weapons like the Uchigatana or Reduvia. For poison, look for poison-infused arrows or the Poison Mist Ash of War.
3. Apply the status effect: Use your chosen weapon or item to inflict the status effect on the Night's Cavalry. Frostbite will cause a burst of damage and reduce its movement speed; bleed will cause a large chunk of damage when the buildup is complete; and poison will inflict damage over time.
4. Rinse and repeat: Continue applying the status effect until the Knight's health is depleted.

Adding cheese to the Sonata:

• Combine with other strategies: This method works well in conjunction with the ruin cheese or even the cliff cheese. Inflict the status effect while the Knight is stuck in the ruin or near the cliff edge.
• Use consumables: Items like Freezing Grease can add frost buildup to your weapon, even if it doesn't normally have it.
• Upgrade your weapon: As always, a stronger weapon will make the fight easier.

This method requires a bit more investment in your build, but it's a reliable way to deal consistent damage to the Night's Cavalry. Plus, watching those status effects tick away at its health is oh-so-satisfying. (Don't judge me!)

Is Cheesing "Wrong"?

This is the age-old question. Is it morally reprehensible to exploit game mechanics to overcome a challenge? My answer? Absolutely not! (Within reason, of course. Exploiting game-breaking glitches in PvP is generally frowned upon.)

Elden Ring is a single-player game (mostly). You're not hurting anyone by cheesing. In fact, you might even be doing yourself a favor. These games are designed to be challenging, and sometimes, you just need a little…assistance. Plus, let's be honest, it's fun! There’s something inherently satisfying about outsmarting a seemingly unbeatable enemy.

So, go forth, Tarnished, and embrace the cheese. Don't let anyone tell you how to play the game. Experiment, discover new strategies, and most importantly, have fun. And if anyone gives you grief about cheesing, just tell them you're practicing your "strategic thinking."

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the many ways to cheese the Black Knight in Elden Ring. The community is constantly discovering new and creative exploits, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Remember, the goal is to have fun and enjoy the game. Whether you choose to fight the Black Knight head-on with raw skill and determination, or you prefer to lure it off a cliff with a cunning strategy, the choice is yours. Now go forth and get some loot, Tarnished!

Happy Cheesing!