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Cleanrot KnightsOptional duo boss

The Cleanrot Knights are a paired boss encounter in the Abandoned Cave, where a spear-wielding knight and a sickle-wielding knight protect the route to the Gold Scarab talisman.

Role
Optional duo boss
Status
available
Importance
supporting
Cleanrot Knights
Elden Ring · character art
01

Key takeaways

The encounter is optional, but its reward is useful well beyond the cave itself.

01

Treat the fight as a duo

The spear and sickle knights cover different ranges, so attacking whichever boss is closest without watching the second one is the fastest way to be trapped between attacks.

02

Use an ally to create separation

A Spirit Ash or cooperator can draw one knight away while the player focuses on the other. This is generally safer than attempting to maintain control of both bosses alone.

03

Respect Scarlet Rot

The cave and the sickle knight can apply Scarlet Rot. Carry a way to cure or resist the status if available, and never remain in a damaging pool merely to finish an attack.

04

The Gold Scarab is the main reason to return

The Gold Scarab talisman improves rune gain from defeated enemies, so the encounter has practical value for players planning to level or gather resources.

02

Cleanrot Knights overview

The Cleanrot Knights are an optional paired boss encounter found at the end of the Abandoned Cave in Caelid.

The fight places two Cleanrot Knights in the same arena: one uses a spear and shield, while the other carries a sickle and shield. Their equipment gives the encounter two different threat profiles. The spear knight can pressure the player with direct thrusts and ranged holy-style projectiles, while the sickle knight adds wider attacks and dangerous Scarlet Rot buildup. There is no separate story scene required to understand the encounter, so it can be attempted whenever the player reaches the cave and opens the boss arena.

The Abandoned Cave is reached from the ravine east of the Smoldering Wall area. The entrance is not on a normal road: the player must use a large tree branch spanning the gap and follow the route into the cave. This approach is itself a hazard because a missed jump can result in a fall before the boss is even reached. Inside, Scarlet Rot pools and aggressive enemies make preserving healing and movement resources more important than in a simple corridor dungeon.

The encounter matters primarily because its reward is the talisman. The talisman increases the runes gained from defeating enemies while equipped, making the Cleanrot Knights a worthwhile optional target for players who are levelling, farming runes, or preparing for later areas. The reward is not required to complete Elden Ring, but its permanent utility can make the dangerous approach and duo fight valuable even for characters who are not specifically pursuing the Abandoned Cave.

The safest general plan is to split the pair rather than trade attacks with both at once. Summoning a Spirit Ash or another ally can occupy one knight while the player concentrates on the other, and ranged attacks can create separation in the relatively open arena. Fire damage is a useful option against the Cleanrot Knights, but the fight is still governed by positioning: avoid standing in Scarlet Rot, keep enough space to react to the spear knight's ranged pressure, and do not let the two bosses surround the player.

03

Requirements

No mandatory story prerequisite is associated with the Cleanrot Knights. The practical requirements are reaching the Abandoned Cave and preparing for a confined Scarlet Rot dungeon.

  • RequiredReach the Abandoned CaveThe cave entrance is across the ravine east of the area and is accessed by crossing a tree branch rather than by following a conventional path.
  • RequiredCross the ravine safelyThe approach contains a dangerous jump. Align the mount or character carefully with the branch before committing, because falling can kill the player and force a repeat of the route.
  • RecommendedPrepare for Scarlet RotThe cave contains Scarlet Rot hazards, and the sickle-wielding knight can add further pressure. Bring curative items or other status-management options when possible.
  • RecommendedBring a Spirit Ash or cooperatorThe bosses are designed as a duo, so an ally that can occupy one knight creates a safer opening for focused damage.
  • RecommendedKeep a fire-damage option availableThe Cleanrot Knights are vulnerable to fire, making fire-infused weapons, fire incantations, or fire consumables useful alternatives to relying only on raw physical damage.
04

Route to the encounter

Find the ravineTravel east from the Smoldering Wall area
Cross the branchUse the tree branch spanning the gap
Clear the caveManage Scarlet Rot hazards and dungeon enemies
Enter the fogFace the paired Cleanrot Knights
  1. 1Smoldering WalllandmarkOrientation point for the approach to the Abandoned Cave.
  2. 2Abandoned CavedungeonDungeon containing the boss arena and Gold Scarab reward.
  3. ●Cleanrot KnightsbossOptional paired boss encounter.

The route is short on the map but hazardous because the cave entrance requires a branch crossing and the dungeon exposes the player to Scarlet Rot.

05

Strategy

Strategy

  1. 01

    Reach the entrance to Abandoned Cave

    Locate the Abandoned Cave entrance

    From the Smoldering Wall area, travel toward the ravine and look for the tree branch extending across the gap. The entrance is on the opposite side rather than at ground level, so search the cliff and branch route instead of circling the ravine floor.

    Location: Ravine east of Smoldering Wall

    TipUse the branch as the approach route and slow down before the jump; a failed crossing costs time and may kill the character.

    Watch outDo not commit to the drop unless the branch is lined up. Falling into the ravine can end the attempt before the dungeon begins.

  2. 02

    Enter Abandoned Cave

    Cross the branch into the cave

    Move across the branch carefully and enter the cave on the far side. The narrow approach leaves little room to recover from a miss, so dismounting or adjusting position before the crossing can be safer than making a blind running jump.

    Location: Tree branch spanning the Caelid ravine

    TipOrient the camera so the landing area remains visible throughout the crossing.

    Watch outThe branch crossing is a traversal failure point, not part of the boss fight; dying here requires repeating the approach.

  3. 03

    Reach the boss fog

    Preserve resources through the dungeon

    Advance through Abandoned Cave while avoiding Scarlet Rot pools and the dungeon's hostile inhabitants. Do not spend all healing or status-curing resources on ordinary enemies, because the final arena contains two bosses and the route can punish careless movement before the fog gate.

    Location: Abandoned Cave

    TipMove around hazardous ground rather than trying to sprint through it while overloaded with status buildup.

    Watch outEntering the boss arena with Scarlet Rot active or with depleted healing makes the opening exchange much less forgiving.

  4. 04

    Survive the opening and establish spacing

    Enter the arena and identify both knights

    The encounter begins with both Cleanrot Knights present: the spear wielder applies direct pressure and ranged threat, while the sickle wielder uses broader attacks and can contribute Scarlet Rot buildup. Immediately note their positions so the second knight cannot approach from outside the camera's focus.

    Location: Abandoned Cave boss arena

    TipAn ally or Spirit Ash is most valuable at the start, when both bosses are available to pressure the player.

    Watch outLocking onto one knight and ignoring the other can result in a crossfire or a sudden attack from the edge of the screen.

  5. 05

    Create a one-on-one opening

    Separate the pair

    Use the arena's space to keep the knights from attacking at the same time. If using a summon, allow it to draw one boss away, then move to the isolated target rather than standing beside the ally and inviting both bosses into the same exchange.

    Location: Abandoned Cave boss arena

    TipThe fight becomes substantially easier once one knight is kept at distance or defeated, so prioritize control over maximum damage during the first moments.

    Watch outDo not chase a retreating knight into Scarlet Rot or toward the other boss; the pursuit can erase the separation you created.

  6. 06

    Reduce the duo to one surviving knight

    Defeat the more exposed target

    Attack after a knight completes a committed swing or thrust, then retreat before the second boss can cover the opening. Fire damage is a strong choice, while melee players should avoid repeatedly attacking into the shields and should wait for recovery animations.

    Location: Abandoned Cave boss arena

    TipShort attack strings are safer than long combinations because the second knight can interrupt an otherwise successful punish.

    Watch outGreedily finishing a combo while both bosses are active is a common failure point; leave room to roll away from the unobserved knight.

  7. 07

    Defeat both Cleanrot Knights

    Finish the remaining Cleanrot Knight

    Once one boss is down, the remaining knight loses the duo's crossfire advantage. Continue to punish recovery windows, maintain a clean path away from Scarlet Rot, and avoid treating the last phase as harmless because the surviving knight still retains its full moveset.

    Location: Abandoned Cave boss arena

    TipReposition before healing so the surviving boss cannot reach you during the flask animation.

    Watch outA summon may disappear or be close to death after helping with the first target, so be ready to complete the final exchange alone.

  8. 08

    Claim the encounter reward

    Collect the Gold Scarab

    After both knights are defeated, collect the reward in the cleared arena. The Gold Scarab is a talisman that increases runes gained from defeated enemies, so equip it from the talisman menu when rune acquisition is more important than another talisman effect.

    Location: Abandoned Cave boss arena

    TipThe reward is especially useful before planned levelling or rune farming sessions.

    Watch outThe reward is obtained after the boss victory; leaving before collecting it means returning to the arena to pick it up.

06

Encounter phases

  1. 1

    Two-knight opening

    Starts: Entering the boss arena

    Both Cleanrot Knights are active

    The spear and sickle knights attack as a pair, combining direct pressure, wider melee coverage, and Scarlet Rot danger.

    • Spear thrustsTell The spear knight lines up a forward attack and closes distance directly.Answer Roll to the side rather than backing straight away, then punish only if the sickle knight is not covering the recovery.
    • Sickle swingsTell The sickle knight uses broader melee arcs that threaten players attempting to circle too closely.Answer Keep the attack at the edge of its range and retreat from the second swing instead of committing to a long combo.
    • Ranged spear pressureTell The spear knight can project pressure beyond normal melee distance.Answer Use the arena to break the line of attack, then close during the recovery if the other knight is separated.
    • Scarlet Rot buildupTell The sickle knight and the cave's hazardous ground can apply or increase Scarlet Rot buildup.Answer Leave affected ground immediately and cure the status when necessary rather than continuing to trade damage.
    • Use a Spirit Ash or cooperator to split the encounter.
    • Keep both knights within camera awareness and avoid fighting with a hazard behind the player.
    • Fire damage is a useful offensive option against this pair.
  2. 2

    Isolated knight

    Starts: One Cleanrot Knight is defeated or separated from the other

    One Cleanrot Knight remains active

    The surviving knight is easier to read because the crossfire is gone, but its individual attacks and status threat remain dangerous.

    • Shielded melee pressureTell The knight advances behind its shield and can punish attacks aimed at its guarded front.Answer Wait for an attack recovery, strike from the side or rear when safe, and disengage before the next sequence.
    • Committed recoveryTell Large attacks leave a short opening after the animation completes.Answer Use that recovery for one controlled attack or spell cast, then reset your spacing.
    • Heal only after creating meaningful distance.
    • Do not assume the final knight is staggered permanently; continue respecting its shield and active moveset.
07

Boss encounter details

Boss encounter details

Enter with a plan for splitting the bosses. A summon can occupy one knight while the player attacks the other, while solo players should circle through open space and avoid letting the spear and sickle attack lines converge. Prioritize survival over extended combos, leave Scarlet Rot hazards immediately, and use fire damage when the build supports it.

Weaknesses

  • Fire damage is an effective damage type against the Cleanrot Knights.
  • The pair is vulnerable to isolation: separating one knight from the other removes their overlapping pressure.
  • Committed attacks create punish windows after the animation ends.

Rewards

  • Gold Scarab
08

Pre-fight checklist

  • Confirm the branch route to Abandoned CaveThe entrance is across the ravine east of the Smoldering Wall area.
  • Carry Scarlet Rot countermeasuresThe dungeon and the sickle-wielding knight can create buildup or active Rot hazards.
  • Choose whether to summon helpA Spirit Ash or cooperator can separate the two bosses and reduce simultaneous pressure.Optional
  • Prepare a fire-damage optionFire attacks are a useful alternative to relying only on physical damage.Optional
  • Keep healing available for the arenaAvoid wasting all flasks while crossing the dungeon.
  • Leave a clear retreat routeDo not begin the fight with Scarlet Rot pools or walls directly behind the character.
09

Weaknesses and damage

Weaknesses and damage

Strengths

  • The duo combines melee coverage from two different weapon types.
  • The spear knight can threaten players who attempt to fight exclusively from range.
  • The sickle knight adds broad attacks and Scarlet Rot pressure, making close-quarters crowd control difficult.
  • Their shields make frontal, unplanned attacks less reliable.

Weaknesses

  • Fire damage is a strong choice against the Cleanrot Knights.
  • Their combined pressure drops sharply when one knight is distracted, separated, or defeated.
  • Both knights expose openings after committed attacks, allowing controlled counterattacks.
  • The open arena gives the player room to reposition instead of fighting in a narrow corridor.

Best uses

  • Choose fire weapons, incantations, or consumables when the build already supports them and the player wants a direct damage advantage.
  • Choose a Spirit Ash or cooperator when the main problem is being attacked from two directions rather than lacking damage.
  • Choose a cautious melee approach when the player can recognize recovery windows and attack around the shields instead of into them.
  • Choose ranged pressure when it can be used without losing sight of the second knight; distance alone does not remove the spear knight's ranged threat.
10

Failure conditions

  • Fall while crossing to the caveThe Abandoned Cave entrance requires a branch crossing over the ravine. Missing the route can kill the player before the dungeon or force a long recovery run.
  • Allow Scarlet Rot to build uncheckedRemaining in hazardous ground or ignoring buildup can turn a survivable exchange into a death while the player is focused on the bosses.
  • Lose track of the second knightThe spear and sickle knights can attack from different angles. Focusing on one target without checking the other creates the encounter's most dangerous openings.
  • Fight both bosses in the same spaceStanding between the pair allows their attacks to overlap and removes the advantage of the arena's open movement lanes.
  • Overcommit after an openingA long attack string can be interrupted by the other knight even when the first target is vulnerable. Use a short punish and return to spacing.
  • Heal without separationHealing in the range of the surviving knight, or while the second knight is approaching, can result in a hit during the flask animation.

On failure

The boss arena can be retried after death, but the approach through the cave and the branch crossing may need to be repeated.

11

Rewards and drops

Spoilers

Story spoilers ahead. This section covers the character’s later arc and outcomes.

12

Lore

The Cleanrot Knights are associated with Malenia and the , serving as elite warriors whose loyalty endured despite the rot that afflicted their commander and her forces. Their armour and weaponry communicate a martial order built around disciplined service rather than ordinary battlefield equipment.

The Abandoned Cave encounter places two members of this order far from the Haligtree. The game does not require the player to resolve a separate story quest to fight them there, so the encounter works as an environmental reminder that Cleanrot Knights can appear as dangerous remnants of a wider military force across the Lands Between.

13

Encounter components

  • Cleanrot KnightThe individual enemy type represented by both members of the boss pair.
  • Cleanrot SpearWeapon associated with the spear-wielding Cleanrot Knight.
  • Cleanrot Knight's SwordCleanrot Knight weapon entity; exact relevance to the Abandoned Cave pair should be checked editorially.
  • Cleanrot Knight's SickleWeapon associated with the sickle-wielding Cleanrot Knight.
15

Trivia

  • The Cleanrot Knights use two distinct weapon roles in the Abandoned Cave: a spear fighter and a sickle fighter, making the boss name refer to a paired encounter rather than one oversized individual.
  • The Gold Scarab reward connects the battle to rune acquisition rather than a new weapon or spell, which gives the optional encounter continuing value after the cave has been cleared.
  • The Abandoned Cave approach is unusual because the player reaches the dungeon entrance by crossing a natural branch over a ravine instead of entering from a conventional road or visible doorway.
16

Cleanrot Knights FAQ

Where are the Cleanrot Knights in Elden Ring?
The paired boss encounter is in the Abandoned Cave in Caelid. The cave entrance is across a ravine east of the Smoldering Wall area and requires crossing a tree branch.
Are the Cleanrot Knights optional?
Yes. The encounter is not required for the main story, but defeating the pair awards the Gold Scarab talisman.
What is the best general strategy for the Cleanrot Knights?
Separate the spear and sickle knights, use a Spirit Ash or cooperator if desired, punish their recovery animations, and avoid Scarlet Rot hazards. Fire damage is a useful offensive option.
What does the Gold Scarab do?
The Gold Scarab is a talisman that increases the runes gained from defeated enemies while equipped.
Which Cleanrot Knight should be attacked first?
There is no universally required order. Focus on the knight your build can isolate most reliably, but prioritize whichever target is separated from the other and avoid chasing it into the second knight's range.
Why does this fight feel harder than a single Cleanrot Knight?
The spear and sickle variants cover different distances and attack angles. The main difficulty comes from overlapping pressure and Scarlet Rot management, not from needing to solve a unique puzzle.
17

Relationships

location
loot
lore

Select any portrait to jump to that relationship

location
AC

Abandoned Cave

Located in

The Cleanrot Knights are fought at the end of the Abandoned Cave.

C

Caelid

Region

The Abandoned Cave is in Caelid.

loot
GS

Gold Scarab

Rewards

Defeating the Cleanrot Knights awards the Gold Scarab talisman.

lore
Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Malenia, Blade of Miquella

Associated with

The Cleanrot Knights are associated with Malenia and her forces.

Full directory
Malenia, Blade of MiquellacoreMalenia, Blade of MiquellaThe Cleanrot Knights are associated with Malenia and her forces.Commander GaiusOptional remembrance boss and major combat encounter in the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion.Commander GaiusCommander Gaius is an optional mounted boss in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, fought in the open ground beyond Shadow Keep. His gravity magic, charging warthog and large arena make positioning central to the encounter.Commander NiallCastle Sol boss and gatekeeper to the Haligtree Secret Medallion (Left)Commander NiallCommander Niall is the major boss of Castle Sol in Elden Ring. He begins the fight with two spectral knights, then adds powerful lightning and frost attacks that punish close-range aggression.Commander O’NeilOptional field boss and a major encounter in Millicent’s questlineCommander O’NeilCommander O’Neil is an optional field boss found in the Scarlet Rot swamp of eastern Caelid. He fights alongside summoned soldiers and rewards the Commander’s Standard and Unalloyed Gold Needle.