Elden Ring features numerous optional bosses that provide players with additional challenges beyond the venerable Demigods and other capable adversaries. These heightened foes range in difficulty, with some offering a fair challenge and others rivaling the main bosses themselves. Of the numerous optional bosses in Elden Ring, the Cleanrot Knight is among the most powerful.
The Cleanrot Knight was once an esteemed warrior of Malenia the Severed, a Demigod, cursed with the affliction known as Scarlet Rot. Those that encounter this venerable foe will experience a fraction of this accursed Demigod's power. With its phenomenal speed and devastating attacks, the Cleanrot Knight proves to be a challenging opponent. This optional boss is an undoubtedly capable adversary, but with some additional aid, defeating it becomes much less of a challenge.
Updated January 8th, 2023 by Russ Boswell: The Cleanrot Knight in Elden Ring can be a difficult fight for those that are not sure how to handle their flurry of attacks or dispel their buildup of Scarlet Rot. Thankfully, it's not too difficult to overcome the for if players are prepared for their specific attacks and can dodge or cleanse the Scarlet Rot that builds up when dealing with the enemies. To better showcase how to defeat the Cleanrot Knight in Elden Ring, the following guide has been updated to include a companion video.
Where To Find The Cleanrot Knight
There are three Cleanrot Knights sprawled throughout the Lands Between, two of which fight alongside each other. The duo of optional bosses appears in a different location than the lone one.
The lone Cleanrot Knight resides in the Stillwater Cave in Liurnia of the Lakes. This cavern is directly northwest of Stormveil Castle, lying at the base of a cliff. Players can easily access the Stillwater Cave on foot or horseback, following the defeat of Godrick the Grafted. This variant of the Cleanrot Knight is weaker than the duo, but it still presents a demanding challenge for players. In addition, the cavern it resides in is brimming with poisonous liquid, which poses another threat.
The duo of Cleanrot Knights appears in the depths of the Abandoned Cave in Caelid. This cavern is directly southeast of the Caelem Ruins. Players can only reach the Abandoned Cavern by crossing the canyon dividing Caelid on the branch of a grand tree. This duo of Cleanrot Knights fight alongside one another and boast better statistics than the previous variant. Fortunately, players do not need to face this pair in a poisonous cave which would prove exceedingly difficult.
Cleanrot Knight's Moveset And Weaknesses
The Cleanrot Knight possesses phenomenal speed and utilizes a devastating moveset. These strengths make evasion nearly impossible, as this optional boss can quickly reach players and unleash a flurry of attacks. Attempting to roll away and avoid the Cleanrot Knight's assault proves to be risky as it will likely prove ineffective against most attacks.
In addition, the Cleanrot Knight utilizes Scarlet Rot to debilitate players even further. These combined dangers can quickly eat away at a player's health, resulting in a quick and untimely demise. The Cleanrot Knight is not without moments of weakness, opportunities that players can capitalize on so long as they are observant and cautious.
Cleanrot Knight Moveset - Spear
Attack | Description |
One-Handed Flurry | The Cleanrot Knight swipes upward with its sword and performs three thrusts in rapid succession. This attack deals significant damage. |
Sidewinder | The Cleanrot Knight charges at players and slashes sideways with its sword. This attack deals moderate damage. |
Double Thrust | The Cleanrot Knight ducks down before thrusting both its sword and spear forward. This attack deals significant damage and usually follows a Sidewinder attack. |
Golden Spears | The Cleanrot Knight strikes its spear across the floor and upward, conjuring a row of golden spectral spears from the ground. This attack deals significant damage and may occur as the Cleanrot Knight dodges. |
Charged Spear Thrust | The Cleanrot Knight imbues its spear with golden energy then charges at players. If the attack hits, the spear impales players, raises them in the air, and inflicts them with Scarlet Rot. This attack deals significant damage. |
Scarlet Bile | The Cleanrot Knight lurches forward and projects a sickly liquid from its mouth. This fluid covers a wide area and inflicts Scarlet Rot. The bile remains on the ground for a short period, inflicting Scarlet Rot on those who walk on it. |
Counter Shove | The Cleanrot Knight crosses its sword and spear across its chest, defending against attacks. After a short period, the Cleanrot Knight bashes its weapons forward, stunning players if it hits. Alternatively, the Cleanrot Knight may follow with a One-Handed Flurry or Sidewinder attack. While blocking, the Cleanrot Knight is susceptible to having its Poise broken. |
Cleanrot Knight Moveset - Sickle
Attack | Description |
One-Handed Flurry | The Cleanrot Knight swipes upward with its sword and performs three thrusts in rapid succession. This attack deals significant damage. |
Lateral Swipe | The Cleanrot Knight swipes horizontally with its sword. Moreover, the Cleanrot Knight may lunge before doing so. This attack deals significant damage. |
Fading Slash | The Cleanrot Knight swipes horizontally with its sword and hops backward. This attack deals moderate damage. |
Fast Sweep | The Cleanrot Knight swipes horizontally with its scythe, covering a wide area. This attack deals moderate damage and follows most other attacks. |
Golden Rings | The Cleanrot Knight swipes its scythe upwards two times, launching two golden rings from the blade. This attack deals moderate damage and usually follows a Fading Slash attack. |
Scarlet Bile | The Cleanrot Knight lurches forward and projects a sickly liquid from its mouth. This fluid covers a wide area and inflicts Scarlet Rot. The bile remains on the ground for a short period, inflicting Scarlet Rot on those who walk on it. |
Cleanrot Knight Weaknesses
The Cleanrot Knight is highly susceptible to Fire damage and somewhat weak against Lightning damage. Thus, players should implement one or both when facing this optional boss. Doing so is possible through weapon skills, spells, and items capable of inflicting Fire or Lightning damage. The most readily available means of inflicting this damage involves Fire/Lightning Grease or Fire/Lightning Pots, which are easy to craft with the use of a Crafting Pouch. By using Fire or Lightning damage, players can make the fight against the Cleanrot Knight much more manageable.
In addition, the Cleanrot Knight possesses a lackluster Poise, the Stat that dictates the ability to resist collapsing from attacks. As such, players can easily break the defenses of this optional boss, allowing for a Backstab or another devastating attack.
Strategies For Beating The Cleanrot Knight
There are some promising strategies for defeating the Cleanrot Knight. Summoning other Tarnished for aid or using Spirit Ashes is exceptionally beneficial. Doing so will deviate the Cleanrot Knight's attention, allowing players to unleash devastating attacks with little risk. Players will mitigate the challenges of this fight significantly by using the Skeletal Militiaman Spirit Ashes. This pair of undead spirits will continue fighting, even upon being stricken down, offering aid throughout the optional boss fight.
Another means of mitigating the difficulty of the Cleanrot Knight is by utilizing cures and deterrents for Scarlet Rot. As with every Status Effect in Elden Ring, players can alleviate the effects of Scarlet Rot in various ways. The most readily available method is using Preserving Boluses, consumable items that can be purchased or crafted. Alternatively, magically inclined players can use the Incantation Spell called Flame, Cleanse Me. Having some means of relieving Scarlet Rot is vital for the fight against the Cleanrot Knight.
Spellcasting/Ranged
Those that use magic — whether Incantations or Sorceries — or ranged weapons will find the battle against the Cleanrot Knight to be challenging. This optional boss possesses far-reaching attacks and leaves few opportunities for assaults, leaving ranged attackers at a disadvantage. While readying a spell or ranged attack, players are left open to the Cleanrot Knight's assault.
Players should maintain distance and keep moving, only attacking when the Cleanrot Knight is susceptible. However, these moments are scarce, meaning that a player's attacks must count. To make the battle far easier, players should utilize Spirit Ashes that last long periods or summon multiple allies. Doing this will allow players to attack the Cleanrot Knight largely unhindered. Even so, players should prepare as their Spirit Ashes may fall quickly.
Melee
Players that are melee-oriented will find the fight against the Cleanrot Knight to be less demanding. This optional boss suffers from a negligible Poise Stat and is susceptible to Parrying. As such, players can take advantage of these shortcomings and avoid otherwise devastating attacks. Doing so does require players to be somewhat patient, as learning the Cleanrot Knight's movements will take time.
Once players understand the Cleanrot Knight's moveset, they can better exploit its weaknesses. Players can break this optional boss's defenses by wailing on it during its Counter Shove attack. This will allow players to unleash catastrophic attacks on the Cleanrot Knight. Many of this optional boss's attacks are easily Parried, allowing players to effectively counterattack. However, players should be careful when doing so, as a failed Parry will likely result in their death.
Rewards
Defeating the lone Cleanrot Knight at Stillwater Cave will reward players with 3,300 Runes and the Winged Sword Insignia Talisman. These drops are beneficial to players that are barely beginning their journey across the Lands Between. The hefty sum of Runes can be used for buying items, upgrading items, or leveling up. The Winged Sword Insignia Talisman is beneficial to most character builds, especially those with high Endurance and Dexterity.
Defeating the duo of Cleanrot Knights at Abandoned Cave will reward players with 7,000 Runes and the Gold Scarab Talisman. These drops will aid players as they venture across the unforgiving lands of Caelid. The Runes have various uses but will likely go towards leveling up. The Gold Scarab Talisman is a worthwhile item for any player, as it increases the number of Runes obtained from defeated enemies.
Elden Ring is now available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.
