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Bosses at the end of most video games are generally harder than bosses fought up until that point. Towards the end of Ranni's questline in Elden Ring, after progressing through several underground areas, players reach the Moonlight Altar. Here, they can enter an Evergaol to fight Alecto, the leader of the Black Knife Assassins responsible for killing Godwyn.
She lives up to her name as the ultimate Black Knife Assassin, with a moveset as fast as her attacks are strong. With responsive movements and by experimenting with some of Elden Ring's huge variety of equipment, you'll kill Alecto in no time and suddenly cut short her eternal imprisonment in the Evergaol.
Alecto Can Be Fought In The Ringleader's Evergaol
Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader is the head of the Black Knives, a group of female-only assassins who were responsible for the death of Godwyn. There are a few major players in Elden Ring who care tied to the Black Knife Assassins, most prominently including Lunar Princess Ranni. Revealed at the start of her questline, Ranni ordered the Night of Black Knives so she could slay her body and remove the influence of the Greater Will.
Alecto is the leader of the Black Knife Assassins, and although the lore is murky, it appears they turned against Ranni at some point. Black Knife Assassins can be found around Ranni's Rise late into her quest, particularly around the bodies of her War Councilor and Preceptor. Because of this treason against Ranni, or perhaps for the greater treason in slaying Godwyn, Alecto was locked in an Evergaol. The appropriately named Ringleader's Evergaol can be found in the northwest of the Moonlight Altar, a zone accessed near the end of Ranni's questline.
Strategies To Beat Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader
Alecto, Black Knife Ringleader is one of Elden Ring's toughest bosses. As with most high-level enemies, it's best to dodge into her attacks as she is less likely to hit your hitbox or be in the right range for a follow-up, leaving a few seconds for a strike. Her attacks hit hard and even sap health away, and she can close distances to perform grab attacks faster than players can dodge out of the way.
Just like with every Evergaol fight, you can time a Charged Attack or powerful Charged Spell to hit right as the boss enters the arena. Just walk to the edge of the paved area next to the rift it spawns at, and slowly walk forwards to trigger Alecto to appear. If you begin your attack right as the musical trill ends, your attack should connect for no Stamina cost with plenty of time to get away before Alecto starts attacking.
Melee Strategies
Fighting Alecto as a melee player is easier than being a caster as melee weapons can stagger and break Alecto's Poise much faster than Spells. Powerstance two heavy weapons for maximum Poise damage, or again swap the shield out in favor of two-handing your primary weapon to increase its damage and staggering potential.
The Blasphemous Blade (and other weapon skills that launch enemies on contact) is incredibly useful against Alecto. Though she may dodge some uses of the Blasphemous Blade's Ash of War, she gets launched and knocked prone for a few seconds when she is hit. It works better from a range, as it gives her less room to dodge the incoming flame pillar.
Ranged and Caster Strategies
Because Alecto is so mobile, plan to use spells that don't require you to hold down the attack button. Comet Azur is only so useful, and Alecto will dodge out of the way of a similar beam or charged attack.
Opt for spells like Carian Phalanx or Glintblade Phalanx, and try using melee spells like Carian Piercer or Carian Greatsword at the same time to really maximize your ability to break Alecto's Poise. No matter your playstyle, the best way to take out Alecto is to reliably stagger and Stun her for Critical Hits.
What Do You Get For Beating Alecto?
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For defeating Alecto in the Ringleader's Evergaol, players get a base 80,000 Runes and the Black Knife Tiche Spirit Ash. This Spirit Ash is considered by many to be one of the best in the game, on par with the Mimic Tear and outright better than it for certain bosses. It is one of six Legendary Spirit Ashes that must be collected in a single playthrough to unlock the associated achievement.
The strength of Black Knife Tiche is in her mobility on the battlefield. Many Spirit Ashes get stuck in one spot or don't move out of the way of attacks to make them useful over a long fight. Black Knife Tiche, on the other hand, deftly dances around Bosses and avoids damage exceptionally well. Though she has a steep FP cost of 132 and relatively weak individual attacks, she lives longer than others thanks to her mobility, and her constant attacks make Bosses prioritize her more often than not.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.