How to Defeat Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in Elden Ring: A Tactical Guide

[Nyxtharion]

Facing Bloodhound Knight Darriwil in Elden Ring is a rite of passage for many Tarnished seeking to test their reflexes and punish overconfidence. This agile and relentless foe isn’t part of the main story path, but taking him down rewards you with valuable loot and an early sense of accomplishment. If you're ready to face the heat, here’s a breakdown of where to find him, how to survive the fight, and why this encounter is worth your time.

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Who Is Bloodhound Knight Darriwil?

Bloodhound Knight Darriwil is an optional boss found in the Forlorn Hound Evergaol in Limgrave. He’s a former knight turned exile, wielding a curved greatsword with terrifying speed and a distinct teleportation-like movement style. While not the most durable enemy, his offense is brutal and punishing for those unprepared.

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Where to Find Him

To encounter Bloodhound Knight Darriwil, head south of Agheel Lake, just past the bridge toward the Mistwood. You’ll spot the glowing Evergaol, a circular platform that acts as a one-on-one boss arena. Interact with it to be transported into the fight.

If you've progressed Blaidd’s questline, you can summon him to assist you here—his help is invaluable, especially for melee players.

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Recommended Level and Gear

While players have defeated Darriwil at low levels, a safe recommendation is to be around level 20–25 with upgraded weapons. Quick weapons and light armor work well, since dodging is far more important than blocking in this duel.

Magic users can attempt to kite him, but his teleport-style lunges make ranged casting risky unless well-timed.

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Attack Patterns and Moveset

Bloodhound Knight Darriwil excels in speed and unpredictability. His moveset includes:

• Bloodhound Step Dash: A teleporting slash that often follows a feint or a backstep.

• Double Slash Combo: A two-hit spinning attack that closes distance rapidly.

• Overhead Slam: Slower but hits hard—punishable if you dodge it cleanly.

Darriwil's moves often delay just long enough to punish early dodges. Patience and timing are crucial.

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Strategy to Win

1. Keep Your Distance Until You Learn the Patterns

Rushing in will get you killed quickly. Spend the first few attempts observing his combos and rhythm. Once you're familiar, start weaving in safe hits.

2. Dodge, Don’t Block

His fast swings and high stamina damage make shields unreliable unless heavily upgraded. Instead, equip light gear and rely on invincibility frames.

3. Use Summons If Needed

While you can't use Spirit Ashes inside Evergaols, Blaidd can be summoned during his questline to help. His aggression draws Darriwil’s attention and gives you ample chances to punish.

4. Backstab Windows

After Darriwil finishes a heavy combo or overhead slam, there’s often a brief moment for a backstab. Use this to deal massive damage if you're confident in your positioning.

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Rewards for Victory

Defeating Bloodhound Knight Darriwil rewards you with the Bloodhound’s Fang, a curved greatsword with high dexterity scaling and built-in bleed damage. It's one of the best early-game weapons and remains viable well into mid-game builds.

If Blaidd is summoned, you’ll also advance his questline, unlocking further lore and rewards later.

The battle with Bloodhound Knight Darriwil encapsulates what makes Elden Ring memorable—intense one-on-one duels, learning through failure, and the thrill of mastering a powerful enemy. While optional, this fight is a great benchmark for players honing their reflexes and patience.

So take up your blade, polish your dodge timing, and face Darriwil with courage. You’ll come out a stronger Tarnished for it.

[Mitch]

pretty good

[Barbus12]

gl