The Death Knight Armor set has become one of the most sought-after equipment pieces in Elden Ring since the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC dropped. As we move deeper into 2025, this iconic set continues to captivate players with its striking aesthetic and powerful bonuses. Let's break down everything you need to know about the Elden Ring Death Knight armor and how to make the most of it in your build.

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Where to Find the Death Knight Set

The Death Knight Set can be found in the Darklight Catacombs, specifically on a Death Knight corpse. To reach it:

  1. Make your way through the catacombs until you reach the first elevator

  2. Head down the elevator into the next room

  3. Take the staircase on the right

  4. At the beginning of the next staircase, look for a broken portion of the railing

  5. Jump down through this gap

  6. In the room behind you, you'll find the armor set on a death knight's corpse lying in front of a large pit

This location hasn't changed since the DLC's release, though many players still miss it on their first run through the area. As they say in Texas, "it's hiding in plain sight, y'all!"

What Makes the Death Knight Set Special?

The Death Knight Set isn't just another pretty face in the Lands Between. This armor set offers a unique combination of benefits that make it particularly valuable for specific builds:

  • High Damage Negation: Excellent physical and elemental protection

  • Impressive Resistances: Strong across multiple damage types

  • Ancient Dragon Cult Bonus: Each piece enhances skills and incantations of the ancient dragon cult by 2%, totaling 8% when wearing the complete set

It's worth noting that the set boosts specific skills including Thunderbolt, Lightning Slash, Blinkbolt, Blinkbolt: Twinaxe, and Blinkbolt: Long-hafted Axe. This makes it an absolute game-changer for lightning-focused builds.

Optimal Death Knight Builds

To really make this armor sing, you'll want to focus on a Faith-based build that leverages Dragon Cult incantations. Here's a breakdown of what works best:

Stats Priority

  • Faith: Primary stat (aim for 60+)

  • Strength: Secondary (40-50 for weapon requirements)

  • Mind: Tertiary (30-35 for FP needs)

  • Vigor: Essential (50-60 for survivability)

  • Endurance: As needed for equipment load

  • Death Knight Twin Axes (comes with Blinkbolt: Twinaxe)

  • Death Knight Long-hafted Axe (comes with Blinkbolt: Long-hafted Axe)

  • Any weapon with Lightning Slash or Thunderbolt Ash of War

Essential Incantations

  • Lightning Spear (FP efficient)

  • Knight's Lightning Spear (massive poise damage)

  • Ancient Lightning Spear

  • Lansseax's Glaive

  • Frozen Lightning Spear

Must-Have Equipment

  • Gravel Stone Seal (further boosts Dragon Cult incantations)

  • Lightning Scorpion Charm

  • Faithful's Canvas Talisman

Poise Considerations and Mix-Matching

One drawback of the Death Knight Set is that it falls just short of the critical 51 poise threshold that many players aim for in PvP. You have several options to address this:

  1. Mix with Radahn's Greaves: Gets you over 51 poise while maintaining a cohesive gold aesthetic

  2. Swap in Lionel's Greaves: Reaches 58 poise, which is ideal for hyperarmor activation with great weapons

  3. Use Malformed Dragon Greaves: Hits 53 poise and matches aesthetically very well

  4. Wear the Tree Sentinel Helm: Gets you to 52 poise with matching gold tones

As one player commented, "Gave up 2% damage and swapped out the chest for Radahn's - good fashion, over 51 poise. Would recommend!" That's the kind of practical advice that'll save your bacon in a tough spot.

Common Questions About the Death Knight Set

Does it boost all lightning attacks?

No, it specifically boosts Dragon Cult incantations and skills, not all lightning damage. For example, it boosts Lightning Spear but not Electrify Armament.

Does it work with red lightning attacks?

Through testing, players have confirmed it works with golden lightning attacks from the capital's ancient dragon cult, not necessarily the red lightning variants.

Should I use this for a Death magic build?

Surprisingly, despite the name, this set doesn't boost Death magic at all. It's purely focused on Dragon Cult enhancement, which is a bit of a head-scratcher. Talk about false advertising!

Final Thoughts

The Death Knight Set represents one of the most visually striking and mechanically interesting armor sets added in Shadow of the Erdtree. While it doesn't quite hit the poise threshold many players desire without some mixing and matching, its unique bonuses to Dragon Cult incantations and skills make it invaluable for Faith-lightning builds.

As we continue through 2025, this set remains a top choice for players looking to channel the power of Godwyn's personal guards. Whether you're blasting enemies with lightning from afar or getting up close with the Death Knight weapons, this armor set will serve you well in your journey through the Lands Between.

Remember, as they say down South, "If you ain't lightning, you ain't frightening!" Now go forth and harness the power of the storm in true Death Knight fashion.

Recent trends are highlighted by PC Gamer, which is widely respected for its comprehensive coverage of RPGs and action games. PC Gamer's analysis of Elden Ring's evolving meta, especially after the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, underscores how armor sets like the Death Knight have become central to both PvE and PvP strategies, with particular emphasis on their synergy with Faith-lightning builds and the importance of poise thresholds for competitive play.