Let me tell you something, fellow Tarnished. After spending what feels like a literal lifetime in the Lands Between (seriously, I think my cat filed a missing person's report), I can say with absolute, unshakable certainty: Elden Ring isn't just a game, it's a lifestyle. And the biggest, baddest, most mind-blowing shake-up from the old Souls formula? The open world. Gone are the days of being funneled down a linear hallway of pain. Now, the pain comes to you, riding on a spectral horse, under the cover of darkness. I'm talking, of course, about the Night's Cavalry. These spectral riders are the ultimate test of your mettle, scattered across the map like the universe's worst Easter eggs. And in 2026, with the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC long conquered, hunting them down is still a rite of passage. So buckle up, buttercup. I'm about to drop the ultimate, no-BS guide to finding and absolutely wrecking every single one of these midnight marauders.
First things first, let's talk strategy. These guys are no joke. They're aggressive, they hit like a freight train, and they have a nasty habit of getting back on their horse if you don't finish the job quickly. But here's the good news: they all share some common weaknesses. Think of this as your cheat sheet before we dive into the gory details.
| What They Hate | What They Laugh At | Poise (Stance) |
|---|---|---|
| Piercing Damage & Lightning | Bleed & Frostbite (Seriously, don't bother) | 80 |
Got it? Good. Now, let's get to the main event: the hunt. I've tracked, fought, and humiliated every single one of these spectral jerks. Here's the definitive list, from the tutorial-level punk to the absolute nightmare duo.
9. Limgrave – Agheel Lake North Bridge
Closest Site of Grace: Agheel Lake North
Ah, your first rodeo. This guy on the bridge is basically the game's way of saying, "Welcome to the big leagues, kiddo." He only shows up after dark, so if you don't see him, go take a nap at the grace. The key here is learning the rhythm. His horse has a separate health bar! If you're lucky (or skilled), you can knock the steed out from under him, leaving him sprawled on the ground for a juicy critical hit. My pro-tip? Don't get greedy. Loot: 
Ash of War: Repeating Thrust and 2,400 Runes. A solid start.
8. Weeping Peninsula – Castle Morne Rampart
Closest Site of Grace: Castle Morne Rampart
This one swaps the glaive for a mean-looking flail. Less range, but oh boy, does it pack a punch. It's tempting to mirror him and go full medieval joust on Torrent, but remember: the real damage comes when he's on the ground. Knock him off his high horse (literally) and go for the visceral. Loot: 
Ash of War: Barricade Shield and the 
Nightrider Flail itself. A classic.
7. Northern Liurnia – Near Raya Lucaria
Closest Site of Grace: East Raya Lucaria Gate
By now, you should be getting the hang of it. This fight is where you can start getting creative. Love big, honking colossal weapons? Try jousting. Charge a heavy attack on Torrent, slam into him, and bolt away. Rinse and repeat. It's cheesy, but hey, a win's a win. Loot: The fantastic 
Nightrider Glaive and the 
Ash of War: Giant Hunt. This glaive is a beast for strength builds.
6. Southern Liurnia – Gate Town Bridge
Closest Site of Grace: Gate Town Bridge
The strategy remains the same: match their aggression. The golden rule for ALL horseback enemies in Elden Ring? When they fall, you go all in. That window for a critical attack is your best friend. Don't just stand there looking pretty! Loot: Ash of War: Ice Spear. A fantastic skill for intelligence or dex builds.
5. Caelid – Caelid Highway South
Closest Site of Grace: Caelid Highway South
Welcome to Hell, population: you and this guy. The aggression is dialed up to eleven here. And here's the kicker, the most important tip I can give you: IF YOU KILL HIS HORSE, STAY ON HIM. If you back off to heal or buff, he will literally re-summon his spectral steed. It's the most "Oh, come ON!" moment in the game. Be relentless. Loot: Ash of War: Poison Moth Flight.
4. Dragonbarrow – Bridge near Lenne's Rise
Closest Site Of Grace: Lenne's Rise
Another bridge fight. These are tense because there's no room to run. But this also presents a hilarious, albeit rare, opportunity. With careful positioning, you can sometimes make him... fall off the bridge. I've only done it once, and I screamed like I won the lottery. Whether you cheese him or fight fair, the reward is worth it. Loot: The legendary, the magnificent, the game-changing 
Ash of War: Bloodhound's Step (and a ton of runes). This ash alone is worth the entire hunt.
3. Altus Plateau – Altus Highway Junction
Closest Site Of Grace: Altus Highway Junction
If you're not confident on horseback by now, this is where you might hit a wall. My advice? Get off Torrent. Fighting on foot gives you tighter control and lets you dodge-roll through his attacks. You'll have to be patient and let him come to you, but you can punish his whiffs much harder. Loot: A respectable haul of runes.
2. Forbidden Lands – Main Path
Closest Site Of Grace: Forbidden Lands
Okay, this one is pure, unadulterated pain. It's not just the Cavalry. It's the cramped canyon. It's the dozen-odd, incredibly annoying militiamen who will swarm you the second you aggro the boss. Your options? Meticulously clear the entire area first (boring), or go in guns blazing and hope for the best (my preferred method, aka chaos). The reward, however, is sublime. Loot: Ash of War: Phantom Slash. It's as cool as it sounds.
1. Consecrated Snowfields – The Dynamic Duo
Closest Site Of Grace: Inner Consecrated Snowfield
You've made it. The final challenge. And FromSoftware saved the best (worst) for last. There are two of them. And they have friends. A whole caravan of enemies surrounds them. This isn't a boss fight; it's a war of attrition. My strategy? Use the terrain, separate them if you can, and focus one down with extreme prejudice. Do NOT get greedy. The payoff, though... oh, the payoff. Loot: An Ancient Dragon Smithing Stone (for that sweet +25 upgrade) and the entire Night's Cavalry Armor Set. You've earned it, champ.
So there you have it. My journey from a scared Tarnished hiding from the first Cavalry to the lunatic who hunts them for sport. In 2026, with all DLC cleared, these guys are still the quintessential Elden Ring experience. They embody the spirit of the open world: danger, discovery, and glorious, hard-fought reward. Now get out there and show them who's boss. Just remember to do it after dark. 😉