Elden Ring: How to beat Cleanrot Knight? Elden Ring guide, walkthrough

On this page of the Elden Ring guide you will learn how to defeat the Cleanrot Knight. He is an optional boss that you will find in Liurnia of the Lakes and Caelid.

Last update: 05 March 2024

This page of the Elden Ring guide contains advice on how to fight the Cleanrot Knight boss. This opponent is completely optional - you can skip him and still see the ending.

• Location
• Reward for defeating
• General tips
• How to defeat?

Location

The Cleanrot Knight appears in two places. The first time you meet him in Liurnia of the Lakes, and the second in Caelid.

1. At first, Cleanrot Knight is in the Stillwater Cave. It is marked with 2 on our map.
2. You can fight the second battle with the Cleanrot Knight in the Abandoned Cave. On this map, it will be the Site of Grace number 22.

In addition, you can meet him as a regular opponent in various parts of the world.

Reward for defeating

For defeating the Cleanrot Knight in Liurnia of the Lakes, you will receive Runes (3,300) and Winged Sword Insignia. This accessory will increase the power of each subsequent attack.

For defeating Cleanrot Knight in Caelid, you will receive runes (7,000) and the Gold Scarab talisman. Thanks to it, you will receive more runes from defeated enemies.

General tips

1. You can use Spirit ashes or summon other players for help in both fights. Doing so is especially useful when fighting two at once in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid.
2. When it comes to debuffs, bleeding and frostbite are the easiest to impose on Cleanrot Knights. However, they are also affected by poison and scarlet rot.
3. In terms of magic, fire works best against the Cleanrot Knights. Lightning works quite well as well.
4. To fight the Cleanrot Knights, wear armor that protects against physical attacks and holy magic.
5. Cleanrot Knights can impose scarlet rot status on your character. For this reason, it is a good idea to have Preserving Boluses with you. They are especially useful in Caelid, where just entering the location inflicts the status.
6. It is worth trying to attack the Cleanrot Knights from behind. Their fighting style gives you plenty of opportunity for a critical hit to their backs.
7. When a Cleanrot Knight prepares to charge and his spear is glowing gold, it means that he will try to skewer you. This attack will inflict the scarlet rot status on you.
8. In a fight with two Cleanrot Knights, it can be easier if you take out the one with the scythe first because he can attack from a distance.
9. Both fights take place in swamps that impose negative statuses. In the Stillwater Cave, it is poisoning, and in the Abandoned Cave, it is scarlet rot.

How to defeat?

After entering the arena, you will notice that it is almost completely filled with poisonous water. Fortunately, poison is not particularly dangerous, but the HP will drop faster than usual. You will have to remember about healing and do it more often.

The opponent might try to stab you if you get too close to him. When his spear starts glowing gold, the Cleanrot Knight will charge. If you expose yourself to this attack, you will get the scarlet rot status. A dodge performed at the right moment will save you.

The Cleanrot Knights will make areas from which will "grow" magic spears. You will recognize this attack when the enemy starts dragging his spear on the ground.

The area where the spears are to spawn will be lighted up, and you'll have plenty of time to dodge the incoming attack.

If you keep attacking the enemy from the front, he will cross his two weapons and push you away. After that, you will be exposed to his attack for a while. That is why it is worth trying to attack the Knight's back. This way, you can get a chance to get a critical hit.

In Caelid, you will have to face two Cleanrot Knights simultaneously. The second one will appear a little later when you deplete a considerable amount of HP of the first one.

The Cleanrot Knights with a scythe will be the more troublesome opponent in this duo. Mainly because he shoots holy discs over long distances. Thus, he will interrupt almost your every move. That's why we advise you to take care of him first.