Each new FromSoftware game brings with it the anticipation of a new gauntlet of challenging boss encounters, andElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtreeis no exception. Building on the already strong foundation present in the base game,Shadow of the Erdtreeintroduces a whopping total of 78 new bosses, 11 of whom are official Main Boss encounters that reward the player with a Remembrance and advance them along the DLC’s critical path. Though it’s an optional boss, one of the more significant encounters in the DLC comes courtesy of the Putrescent Knight, with itsBloodborne-inspired appearance, setting, and movements calling to mind the notorious Orphan of Kos.
The final boss ofBloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC, Orphan of Kos is an incredibly challenging fight for many simply because of how erratic his movements appear at first. FromSoftware games practically require players to observe enemy movements and learn their attack patterns to dodge and attack accordingly, but Orphan of Kos' seemingly random movements and hyper-aggression make him one of the most challenging FromSoftware bosses ever devised. Combined with his unsettling appearance and visually striking boss arena,the Orphan of Kos fightis a highlight of the FromSoftware rogues gallery that receives a fitting nod in Shadow of the Erdtree’s Putrescent Knight fight.
Shadow of the Erdtree’s Trek to the Putrescent Knight is a Clear Homage to Bloodborne
Before players can even get to the Putrescent Knight, they’ll need to progress through Shadow of the Erdtree until they receive the somewhat alarming “Somewhere a Great Rune has broken” message. This is the player’s indication that the sealed door at the southernmost tip of the Cerulean Coast has vanished, granting players access to one of the DLC’s largest non-Legacy Dungeons:the Stone Coffin Fissure. Between its oppressive atmosphere and numerous unsettling enemy types, the Stone Coffin Fissure is as close as players get to a horror-themed dungeon in Shadow of the Erdtree, and its boss encounter is just as unnerving.
Entering the final room of the Stone Coffin Fissure and the Putrescent Knight’s arena, the Garden of Deep Purple, requires players to make a daring leap of faith into a seemingly bottomless chasm, only to arrive in an eerie underground cavern awash in a purple glow. The Putrescent Knight wastes no time rushing players, charging headlong on its undead horse utilizing fast movements, rarely giving the player time to react. LikeOrphan of Kos inBloodborne, timing the Putrescent Knight’s movements is paramount, making sure not to dodge too soon and dodge into the boss when possible instead of away. Both bosses hit incredibly hard but have a limited health pool, making proper timing key to surviving each fight.
The Putrescent Knight’s Optional Status Belies the Lore it Guards
Unlike Orphan of Kos, who serves as the official final boss ofBloodborne’s The Old Hunters DLC and arguably the true “final” boss ofBloodborne, the Putrescent Knight is an entirely optional encounter that players might miss if they forego exploring the Stone Coffin Fissure. However, to do so would be a shame and a disservice to Shadow of the Erdtree’s more direct narrative, as defeating the Putrescent Knight allows the player to come face to face with an essential character in theElden Ringlore – St. Trina. Not only does interacting with St. Trina impact two of Shadow of the Erdtree’s more prominent questlines, but it also gives the player insight into the search for Miquella.
Orphan of Kos is a fitting challenge that seesBloodborneculminate in a bang, delivering one of the most intense and unpredictable boss fights with a true Great Old One and breaking the curse of the Hunter’s Nightmare. Surprisingly, the Putrescent Knight is one of Shadow of the Erdtree’s more satisfying boss encounters both in terms of its mechanics and its narrative payoff. Though it’s entirely optional, the fight against the Putrescent Knight is similarly challenging, and emerging triumphant rewards the player with the knowledge ofwhat must be done to stop Miquella.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
WHERE TO PLAY
Shadow of the Erdtree is the first and only DLC expansion for FromSoftware’s groundbreaking Elden Ring. It takes players to a whole new region, the Land of Shadow, where a new story awaits the Tarnished.
