Elden Ring’s Putrescent Knight is a Big Contrast to the DLCs Final Boss

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Elden Ring's Putrescent Knight is a Big Contrast to the DLCs Final Boss

As a seasoned Elden Ring gamer with countless hours spent navigating the labyrinthine world of the Lands Between, I must say that the Putrescent Knight stands as one of the most intriguing and challenging boss encounters I’ve ever faced. This rotting knight guarding St. Trina’s Affection is a stark contrast to the radiant Promised Consort Radahn, but it’s not just their locations or lore that sets them apart – it’s their combat styles.

The Putrescent Knight is an odd encounter waiting at the deepest point of the Shadow Lands, guarding one of the biggest lore reveals that Shadow of the Erdtree has to offer. However, this position is only the first of many hints that the Putrescent Knight stands in stark contrast against the elevated Promised Consort Radahn, who waits at the highest point of the Shadow Lands.

The rivalry between Putrescent Knight and Shadow of the Erdtree’s Radahn extends beyond geographical distinctions, as their history and gameplay dynamics also provide insights into their relationship. Unlike the final boss who delivers a rapid barrage of attacks, Putrescent Knight employs a more strategic approach with unpredictable telegraphs and unusual movement patterns that often catch players off guard.

Putrescent Knight Guards St. Trina’s Affection

Putrescent Knight Pushes the Challenge Without Aggression

The most challenging bosses in both Elden Ring and Shadow of the Erdtree, notably Godfrey and Messmer, have a recurring feature – aggressive behavior that puts the player on the defensive. However, FromSoftware doesn’t rely solely on this tactic to make these encounters difficult; the Putrescent Knight serves as an illustration of varying strategies, using a distinct moveset that is initially hard to predict and requires multiple attempts before players can adapt to the rhythm of the battle.

This uniqueness comes from the awkward way that Putrescent Knight moves, twisting and spinning in inhuman ways that makes each attack difficult to read at first glance. Combine the boss bending its spine around to charge across the arena with a large-chested body shape that more closely resembles a gorilla than a human knight, and this fight quickly sets itself apart from the ordinary “large enemy with sword” archetype. Then there is the Putrescent Knight’s horse to consider, a mount that adds a lot more to the fight than giving the boss enhanced speed and a drifting stride like in the original Radahn fight as he mounts his trusty steed Leonard.

All of these design aspects that capitalize on the Putrescent Knight’s unique visuals are what sets the fight apart from the hyper-aggressive Promised Consort Radahn. This isn’t to say that one is a better design than the other, but rather that these two bosses express the extremes of how FromSoftware designs these types of encounters. However, considering that the unique design of the Putrescent Knight introduces the boss’ multi-charge alongside their horse and the volcano of blue fire to the boss roster of Elden Ring, there is definitely an argument to be made for more of these types of bosses.

Putrescent Knight and Promised Consort Radahn Resonate with the Ludonarrative

The contrast between Putrescent Knight and Radahn runs much deeper than just their physical designs; their backstories highlight this divide as well. Radahn, in essence, embodies the new order Miquella envisioned, while Putrescent Knight symbolizes the discarded compassion that accompanied Saint Trina. Notably, Radahn is devoid of his loyal companion Leonard, a reflection of both him and Miquella relinquishing crucial aspects of themselves. In stark contrast, the Putrescent Knight is little more than a decaying mass of human remains, persistently clinging to the companionship of an equally deteriorated steed.

Comparing Putrescent Knight and Radahn, two formidable characters in the game lore, offers insights into their unique strengths. Although FromSoftware is refining Promised Consort Radahn, his aggressive nature amplifies the tough challenges that the studio is renowned for. Conversely, the peculiar design of Putrescent Knight demonstrates how FromSoftware can create intriguing combat experiences without relying solely on aggression.

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2024-09-25 22:54