Players exploring the early areas of Elden Ring often encounter characters whose fate can dramatically change the course of their journey. One of the most confusing early decisions involves Blackguard Big Boggart, commonly referred to by players simply as Blackguard. Many newcomers wonder what happens if you kill Blackguard, especially since the game rarely explains long-term consequences directly. Because Elden Ring encourages freedom and experimentation, attacking non-hostile characters is always possible, but those choices may quietly affect quests, rewards, and story progression later on. Understanding the impact of killing Blackguard helps players decide whether immediate rewards are worth losing future opportunities.
Who Is Blackguard Big Boggart?
Blackguard Big Boggart is an NPC found early in Elden Ring, first appearing near Liurnia of the Lakes. He initially comes across as rude and suspicious, which sometimes leads players to believe he might be an enemy. However, beneath his rough personality, Blackguard is actually tied to an important side quest connected to Rya and Volcano Manor.
When players meet him, he is cooking seafood and guarding stolen jewelry that belongs to another character. This interaction introduces one of the game’s early moral choices deal with him peacefully or attack him immediately.
Blackguard’s Role in the Game
- Sells useful consumable items like Boiled Prawn and Boiled Crab.
- Participates in Rya’s questline.
- Later relocates to another area if spared.
- Provides defensive buffs through food items.
Because of these functions, his survival can influence both gameplay convenience and narrative depth.
What Happens If You Kill Blackguard Early?
If you decide to kill Blackguard during your first encounter, the immediate result seems rewarding. He drops his Bell Bearing, allowing players to purchase some of his items later through the Twin Maiden Husks at Roundtable Hold. For aggressive players, this may appear to be the fastest and most efficient option.
However, the long-term consequences become noticeable as the game progresses.
Immediate Outcomes
- You receive Blackguard’s Bell Bearing.
- Access to certain shop items becomes available at Roundtable Hold.
- You gain early runes and loot.
- The NPC permanently disappears from the world.
While these rewards seem useful at first, they come at the cost of future interactions and quest developments.
Impact on Rya’s Questline
One of the biggest consequences of killing Blackguard involves Rya’s storyline. Normally, players retrieve Rya’s stolen necklace by either purchasing it from Blackguard or defeating him after progressing dialogue naturally.
If Blackguard dies too early, the quest can still continue, but some dialogue context and character interactions are lost. Elden Ring rarely blocks progression completely, yet it subtly removes narrative layers that make the story richer.
Players who value lore and character-driven storytelling may notice gaps in how events unfold afterward.
Quest Changes After Killing Him
- Reduced dialogue interaction tied to Rya.
- Loss of friendly encounters later in the game.
- Fewer story connections between NPCs.
- Less emotional payoff during later events.
The quest technically survives, but its emotional continuity weakens.
Losing Access to Boiled Crab Buffs
A major gameplay disadvantage of killing Blackguard is losing convenient access to Boiled Crab. This consumable item significantly boosts physical damage negation, making difficult fights more manageable.
Although the Bell Bearing allows limited purchasing later, Blackguard’s continued presence offers a more natural and reliable supply as the game progresses.
Veteran players often keep him alive specifically for this defensive advantage, especially before challenging bosses or difficult enemy groups.
Why Boiled Crab Matters
- Increases survivability during boss fights.
- Stacks well with armor and talismans.
- Helps melee-focused builds.
- Useful in late-game encounters.
Removing Blackguard early means sacrificing one of the easiest defensive boosts available throughout Elden Ring.
What Happens Later If Blackguard Lives?
If spared, Blackguard relocates later to Leyndell’s outer moat area. Here, players can continue interacting with him and purchase stronger consumables. His presence also contributes to one of the darker narrative moments tied to another NPC invasion event.
This later encounter adds emotional weight to the world, reinforcing Elden Ring’s theme that even minor characters have tragic destinies.
Players who kill him early never witness this sequence, missing additional storytelling elements.
Does Killing Blackguard Affect Endings?
Fortunately, killing Blackguard does not lock players out of Elden Ring’s main endings. The game’s conclusion depends on major questlines involving demigods and key characters rather than minor NPC survival.
However, Elden Ring is designed around cumulative storytelling. Small decisions gradually shape how alive and interconnected the world feels. Removing NPCs early reduces environmental storytelling opportunities.
So while the ending remains accessible, the journey itself becomes slightly less detailed.
Why Some Players Choose to Kill Him Anyway
Despite the downsides, many players intentionally kill Blackguard. Elden Ring encourages experimentation, and some playstyles prioritize efficiency over narrative immersion.
Common Reasons Players Attack Blackguard
- Believing he is hostile due to his attitude.
- Wanting early access to his shop items.
- Following a completionist Bell Bearing strategy.
- Role-playing an aggressive or evil character.
Since consequences are rarely immediate, players often realize the impact only much later in their playthrough.
Can You Revive Blackguard?
Once killed, Blackguard cannot be revived through standard gameplay mechanics. Elden Ring allows absolution at the Church of Vows to forgive accidental aggression, but this system only works if the NPC is still alive.
Permanent death is one of the game’s defining features. Choices matter, and mistakes become part of each player’s unique story.
The only way to experience his full quest again after killing him is through New Game Plus or starting a new character.
Is It Better to Kill or Spare Blackguard?
For most players, sparing Blackguard is generally the better option. Keeping him alive provides gameplay benefits, richer storytelling, and additional world-building moments.
However, Elden Ring thrives on personal choice. There is no universally correct decision, only different outcomes.
Best Choice for Different Playstyles
- Lore-focused players Spare Blackguard.
- Combat efficiency players Either option works.
- First-time players Recommended to keep him alive.
- Challenge runs Killing him may add difficulty.
Understanding these trade-offs helps players make informed decisions aligned with their goals.
Killing Blackguard
Deciding what happens if you kill Blackguard ultimately reflects the freedom at the heart of Elden Ring. The game never punishes players with obvious warnings, instead allowing consequences to unfold naturally over time. Killing him grants short-term convenience but removes future interactions, useful items, and memorable story moments.
Blackguard Big Boggart may seem like a minor character at first glance, yet his presence demonstrates how even small NPCs contribute to the world’s emotional texture. Choosing whether he lives or dies becomes less about rewards and more about how players want their journey through the Lands Between to feel.
For those seeking a fuller experience filled with evolving character encounters, sparing Blackguard usually leads to a richer adventure. But for players embracing chaos or efficiency, his early death simply becomes another consequence written into their personal version of Elden Ring’s unfolding story.