Unveiling the Secrets of the Black Knife Assassins: Their Weapon of Choice
The Black Knife Assassins of Elden Ring are shrouded in mystery and infamous for their role in the tragic Night of the Black Knives. A crucial element of their deadly reputation is their signature weapon, the Black Knife, and the unique power it wields. The Black Knife is more than just a blade; it’s a conduit for a devastating death rite.
The Deadly Black Knife: More Than Just Steel
The Black Knife is a dagger of unique make and terrifying power. While its physical form is that of a slender, easily concealed blade, its true strength lies in the arcane power imbued within it. These assassins are not merely skilled warriors; they are wielders of a forbidden magic.
The Description of the Black Knife
In Elden Ring, the weapon’s description provides key insights: “Ceremonial daggers used by the assassins who murdered Godwyn the Golden. Infused with the power of the Rune of Death stolen on the Night of the Black Knives, the blade is slightly chipped.” This clearly indicates the dagger’s profound connection to the Rune of Death and the events surrounding Godwyn’s assassination. The “chipped” nature likely reflects the fragmented state of the Rune of Death itself.
Deathflame: The Heart of the Black Knife’s Power
The Black Knife’s true potential is unleashed through its Weapon Skill: Blade of Death. This skill allows the user to imbue the blade with Deathflame, a spectral fire that deals both physical and holy damage. More importantly, it inflicts the Black Flame debuff, which drains a percentage of the target’s maximum health over time. This makes the Black Knife exceptionally effective against even the most heavily armored and high-health enemies, including bosses. It’s the Black Flame’s percentage-based damage that makes it such a potent weapon.
Why is the Black Knife So Effective?
The Black Knife is effective for several reasons:
- Percentage-based damage: The Black Flame debuff ignores defenses and deals damage based on the target’s maximum health, making it effective against all enemies, regardless of their armor or resistances.
- Holy damage: The dagger deals holy damage in addition to physical, allowing it to exploit the weaknesses of certain enemies.
- Speed and mobility: Daggers are generally quick weapons, allowing for rapid strikes and dodges, which is ideal for an assassin’s playstyle.
- Concealment: The dagger’s small size allows it to be easily concealed, making it perfect for ambushes and stealth attacks.
- Deathblight Connection: While it doesn’t directly inflict Deathblight, the dagger is intrinsically linked to the Rune of Death, which is the source of Deathblight. This thematic connection adds to its mystique and reinforces its role in the Night of the Black Knives.
The Legacy of the Black Knife Assassins
The Black Knife Assassins were directly responsible for the Night of the Black Knives, an event that shattered the Golden Order and plunged the Lands Between into chaos. They stole a fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh the Black Blade, Marika’s shadowbound beast, and used it to assassinate Godwyn the Golden, a demigod son of Marika. This act had profound consequences:
- Shattering of the Elden Ring: Godwyn’s death triggered a series of events that ultimately led to the Shattering of the Elden Ring.
- The emergence of the Tarnished: The Shattering prompted Marika to summon the Tarnished, exiled warriors, back to the Lands Between to compete for the shards of the Elden Ring.
- The rise of the demigods: The demigods, empowered by their Great Runes, waged war against each other, further destabilizing the Lands Between.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Night of the Black Knives?
The Night of the Black Knives was a pivotal event in Elden Ring lore where the Black Knife Assassins assassinated Godwyn the Golden, a demigod son of Queen Marika. This event triggered the chain of events leading to the Shattering of the Elden Ring and the current state of the Lands Between.
2. Who were the Black Knife Assassins?
The Black Knife Assassins were a group of assassins, all women, who served a currently unknown master and were responsible for the assassination of Godwyn the Golden. They used daggers imbued with the power of the Rune of Death.
3. What is the Rune of Death?
The Rune of Death is a fragment of the Elden Ring that governs the concept of destined death. It was originally held by Maliketh the Black Blade, who served as Marika’s shadowbound beast, but a portion of it was stolen.
4. How did the Black Knife Assassins steal the Rune of Death?
The exact details are not fully revealed in the game, but it is implied that they somehow managed to steal a fragment of the Rune of Death from Maliketh. The circumstances surrounding this theft remain one of the game’s greatest mysteries.
5. What is Deathflame?
Deathflame is a spectral fire imbued within the Black Knife through its Weapon Skill, Blade of Death. It deals both physical and holy damage and inflicts the Black Flame debuff, which drains a percentage of the target’s maximum health.
6. Does the Black Knife inflict Death Blight?
No, the Black Knife does not directly inflict Death Blight. However, it is associated with the Rune of Death, which is the source of Death Blight.
7. Where can I find the Black Knife in Elden Ring?
The Black Knife can be found in the Sainted Hero’s Grave, located in the Altus Plateau. You’ll need to navigate the dungeon and defeat the boss at the end to claim the dagger.
8. What stats do I need to wield the Black Knife effectively?
The Black Knife requires 12 Strength, 18 Dexterity, and 20 Faith to wield. Scaling is mostly based on Dexterity and Faith.
9. Is the Black Knife good for PvP?
Yes, the Black Knife can be effective in PvP, particularly against opponents who rely on high health pools. The percentage-based damage of Black Flame is a powerful tool. However, opponents can heal to counter the effect, so it requires skilled timing and aggression.
10. Can the Black Knife be upgraded?
Yes, the Black Knife can be upgraded using Somber Smithing Stones. It can be upgraded to +10.
11. What is the best Talisman setup for using the Black Knife?
Effective talismans include the Ritual Sword Talisman (for increased attack power at full health), the Sacred Scorpion Charm (to boost holy damage), the Green Turtle Talisman (to increase stamina recovery), and the Shard of Alexander (to boost the damage of the Blade of Death skill).
12. What is the lore significance of the Black Knife Assassins being all women?
The game doesn’t explicitly state the reason, but theories suggest a connection to Queen Marika, who may have orchestrated the Night of the Black Knives. Their gender could symbolize their subservience to a female figure or represent a disruption of the patriarchal Golden Order.
13. Can I parry with the Black Knife?
No, daggers, including the Black Knife, cannot parry. However, their speed and weapon skills offer alternative defensive options.
14. Does the Black Knife scale with any stats besides Strength, Dexterity and Faith?
While its primary scaling is with Dexterity and Faith, there’s also a slight scaling with Strength. However, investing heavily in Strength for the Black Knife is generally not recommended.
15. What is the FP cost of the Blade of Death skill?
The Blade of Death weapon skill costs 25 FP per use. Manage your FP carefully when utilizing this powerful skill.