Elden Ring: How to Defeat Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
Beyond loot, Darriwil also plays an important role in Blaidd's questline, tying this optional battle into the game's larger narrative. This guide covers everything you need to know about locating Darriwil, understanding his mechanics, and using the best strategies to overcome him.
Where to Find Bloodhound Knight Darriwil
Darriwil resides in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol, one of the many Evergaols scattered across the Lands Between. The nearest Site of Grace is Agheel Lake South, from which you can travel northeast to reach the Evergaol's circular stone arena.
Key details to note before entering the fight:
Optional Boss: Defeating Darriwil is not required for story progression.
Single-Player Only: Co-op multiplayer is disabled in this Evergaol.
No Spirit Ashes: Spirit Summons cannot be used here.
NPC Help Available: You can summon Blaidd for this fight if you've progressed Kalé's questline and spoken to Blaidd beforehand.
This limitation on summons makes the encounter more personal, forcing players to rely on their own timing and skill.
Preparing for the Fight
Success against Darriwil depends as much on preparation as on execution. Here are some essentials:
Staunching Boluses: Darriwil inflicts Hemorrhage (Bleed), which can deplete huge chunks of health. Boluses are excellent for countering this.
Defensive Setup: A shield with solid Guard Boost helps block his quick slashes, though over-reliance can lead to stamina drain.
Offensive Tools: The Glintblade Phalanx sorcery and certain Ashes of War can keep pressure on him, punishing his fast but predictable movements.
Leveling Up: Spending Elden Ring Runes wisely before entering the Evergaol makes a huge difference. Upgrading your weapon at the blacksmith and raising Vigor or Endurance gives you survivability against his bleed-heavy attacks.
Bloodhound Knight Darriwil's Moveset
Darriwil is an agile opponent with a unique mix of sword strikes, claw swipes, and teleport-like lunges. His fighting style is relentless, and many of his attacks cause Hemorrhage buildup. Understanding his moves is key:
Quick Slashes: A flurry of sword strikes that can stagger careless players.
Teleport Dash: Darriwil vanishes briefly, then reappears with a devastating lunge.
Leaping Claw Attack: A high-damage move with wide reach, best avoided by dodging to the side.
Hemorrhage Combos: Multiple attacks in succession that rapidly build Bleed.
Because his combos are chained together unpredictably, players must remain patient. Blocking works against single hits, but repeated strikes will break guards quickly.
Best Strategies to Defeat Darriwil
Use Guard Counters Carefully
Guard Counters are effective since Darriwil frequently bounces off a strong block. However, many of his attacks include quick follow-ups, so don't counter recklessly.
Time Your Dodges
Most of Darriwil's dangerous moves can be sidestepped with precise dodge rolls. Rolling toward him often works better than rolling away, minimizing the chance of being clipped by his lunges.
Punish His Recovery
After Darriwil completes a teleport dash or heavy claw attack, there's a brief opening. Use this moment to unleash charged attacks, sorceries, or weapon skills.
Blaidd's Assistance
Summoning Blaidd can make the battle significantly easier, drawing aggro away and letting you heal or reposition. If you're invested in his questline, this is also the canonical way to face Darriwil.
Rewards for Victory
Defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil provides both immediate and long-term benefits:
Bloodhound's Fang (Unique Weapon): A curved greatsword that scales with Strength and Dexterity, boasting strong Bleed buildup.
Elden Ring Runes: A solid sum of Runes to help with leveling or purchases.
Progression in Blaidd's Questline: Moving the story forward, with Blaidd acknowledging your victory.
These rewards make the encounter worthwhile, especially since Bloodhound's Fang is one of the more powerful early-game weapons, easily carried well into mid-game content.
Final Thoughts
Bloodhound Knight Darriwil exemplifies what makes Elden Ring's optional content so compelling. The fight isn't mandatory, yet it delivers narrative weight, challenging mechanics, and valuable rewards. With careful preparation, stocking up on the right Elden Ring Items and spending your Elden Ring Runes wisely, you'll be ready to take down this agile, bleed-inducing foe.
Whether you're chasing the power of Bloodhound's Fang, progressing Blaidd's questline, or simply aiming to conquer every boss in the Lands Between, Darriwil is a worthy challenge that will sharpen your skills for the battles ahead.