Facing the Putrescent Knight in Elden Ring is no easy task. This corrupted and grotesque boss demands both patience and strategy from any Tarnished brave enough to challenge it. Whether encountered in a deep underground dungeon or hidden away behind illusory walls, the Putrescent Knight is known for its relentless aggression and wide area-of-effect attacks. Choosing the best summon for Putrescent Knight can make all the difference between repeated failure and a hard-earned victory. With a variety of Spirit Ashes available in the game, knowing which ones truly shine in this brutal fight can greatly improve your odds of success.
Understanding the Putrescent Knight Encounter
The Putrescent Knight is a fast, heavily mutated enemy, often associated with rot, decay, and sweeping melee attacks. While its move set varies depending on the encounter, this boss generally uses large weapons, rot-based AoEs, and unpredictable charges. Players often find themselves overwhelmed by its ability to pressure even the most defensive builds.
Therefore, the ideal summon should meet a few important criteria:
- Ability to tank or draw aggro
- High mobility or resistance to status effects
- Consistent damage output
- Synergy with your build and strategy
With those qualities in mind, let’s look at the top Spirit Ashes that work exceptionally well against the Putrescent Knight in Elden Ring.
Mimic Tear Versatility at Its Best
For many players, the Mimic Tear remains one of the best Spirit Ashes for high-level bosses, and it excels against the Putrescent Knight due to its ability to mimic your current equipment and stats. When used effectively, it acts as a near-exact clone of your character, equipped with the same weapons, armor, and spells.
Strengths of Mimic Tear:
- High survivability when geared correctly
- Can use your healing items and incantations
- Distributes aggro efficiently, giving breathing room
- Allows double application of status effects like Bleed or Frostbite
If you’re using a bleed build or a tanky melee setup, Mimic Tear can deal consistent damage while also keeping the boss occupied. It is especially effective when upgraded to max level, turning it into a near-immortal ally in drawn-out boss fights.
Black Knife Tiche Precision and Rot Resistance
Black Knife Tiche is a highly aggressive summon that can dance around enemy attacks and deal consistent damage with her red dagger imbued with Death Magic. Against the Putrescent Knight, her agility and resistance to rot make her a standout choice.
Why Black Knife Tiche Works:
- Extremely fast and hard to hit
- Deals percentage-based damage over time
- Rarely dies early in the fight due to evasiveness
- Can continuously apply pressure while you heal or cast
Her relentless assault can chip away at the boss’s health without pulling too much aggro from you. This makes her ideal for ranged players or glass-cannon mages who want a summon that can hold its own without relying heavily on support.
Lhutel the Headless A Tanky Option
Lhutel the Headless is a legendary Spirit Ash that serves as an unrelenting tank. She uses a greatshield and spear, constantly teleporting around the battlefield to avoid damage and confuse enemies.
Advantages Against the Putrescent Knight:
- Excellent at pulling aggro
- Teleportation makes her nearly immune to area attacks
- Can survive longer than most tanky summons
- Gives you ample opportunity to heal or cast spells
Lhutel might not deal the highest damage, but her ability to survive and reposition is invaluable in chaotic encounters. If your strategy revolves around attrition or spellcasting, she’s one of the best summons for this fight.
Banished Knight Oleg Aggression and Durability
Banished Knight Oleg is another solid pick, especially if you want a summon that can trade blows with the boss while delivering heavy physical damage. He wields two swords and charges into combat with impressive ferocity.
Reasons to Choose Oleg:
- Great at staggering enemies and interrupting attacks
- High poise and decent resistance
- Applies pressure constantly, allowing you to focus on timing
Oleg can sometimes struggle against bosses with large AoEs or rot effects, but if you position well and support him with ranged damage or buffs, he can be a serious asset. His aggressive nature pairs well with melee-heavy builds.
Greatshield Soldiers Group Distraction Tactic
While not as flashy as legendary ashes, the Greatshield Soldier Spirit Ashes summon a group of heavily armored knights that can act as human shields. In fights like the Putrescent Knight, where single-target pressure is high, these units spread out the damage and create openings.
Why They’re Worth Considering:
- Multiple targets confuse enemy AI
- Great for drawing aggro off the player
- Synergizes well with AoE spells and ranged combat
Though they don’t deal much damage themselves, the Greatshield Soldiers serve an important function: battlefield control. For players who struggle with timing or want room to breathe, they are a surprisingly effective choice.
Choosing the Right Summon for Your Build
While some Spirit Ashes clearly outperform others in this boss encounter, the best summon for the Putrescent Knight also depends on your build and playstyle. A tanky melee fighter will benefit from summons that draw aggro or apply crowd control, while ranged mages or bleed builds will want summons that either keep the boss busy or double the effect output.
General Recommendations by Build Type:
- Bleed Build: Mimic Tear, Black Knife Tiche
- Magic Build: Lhutel the Headless, Greatshield Soldiers
- Tanky Strength Build: Banished Knight Oleg, Mimic Tear
- Dexterity/Agility Build: Black Knife Tiche, Latenna the Albinauric (for distance)
Make sure your Spirit Ash is fully upgraded before attempting the fight. The difference between a +5 and a +10 summon is often the difference between surviving the fight or watching your ally fall in seconds.
the Best Summon for Putrescent Knight
Taking down the Putrescent Knight in Elden Ring is a test of endurance, awareness, and strategy. Having the right Spirit Ash at your side can dramatically change the pace of the battle. For most players, Mimic Tear offers the best combination of damage, survivability, and flexibility. But those seeking precision or tankiness can lean on Black Knife Tiche or Lhutel the Headless with great results. It’s essential to match your summon to your playstyle and make the most out of each opportunity the boss gives you.
In the Lands Between, every ally counts. And when you’re staring down the rot-soaked, corrupted horror that is the Putrescent Knight, the best summon isn’t just helpful it’s vital to your survival and ultimate triumph.