Many players exploring the vast world of the Lands Between eventually ask the same question can I kill Blackguard in Elden Ring? The game is known for offering freedom of choice, including the ability to attack or spare non-playable characters. However, every action in Elden Ring carries consequences. When it comes to Blackguard, the decision is not just about combat difficulty, but also about quest progression, rewards, and long-term impact on your playthrough. Understanding who he is and what happens if you attack him can help you decide whether it is worth it.
Who Is Blackguard in Elden Ring?
Blackguard, whose full name is , is a non-playable character you can encounter during your journey. He is a rough and blunt individual who initially appears untrustworthy, but as you interact with him, more layers of his personality are revealed.
Blackguard Big Boggart is closely connected to the questline of . When you first meet him, he is involved in a necklace theft situation. Players must decide how to handle the interaction, either through combat or by purchasing the stolen item.
Can You Kill Blackguard Big Boggart?
The short answer is yes, you can kill Blackguard in Elden Ring. Like many NPCs in the game, he is not essential for the main story progression. The game allows you to attack him at almost any point.
However, just because you can kill him does not always mean you should. Elden Ring is designed around meaningful choices, and eliminating an NPC may lock you out of certain quest rewards and interactions.
What Happens If You Kill Blackguard?
If you choose to kill Blackguard Big Boggart early in the game, several things will happen
- You will immediately gain his dropped items.
- You will lose access to his later quest interactions.
- You may miss unique dialogue and story development.
One major consequence is affecting Rya’s questline. While killing him does not completely break the game, it removes some optional content that adds depth to the overall experience.
Benefits of Keeping Blackguard Alive
There are good reasons to keep Blackguard alive, especially for players who enjoy completing side quests and exploring every narrative path.
Access to Boiled Prawns and Crab
After progressing his storyline, Blackguard becomes a merchant. He sells consumable items that boost physical damage negation. These items can be extremely useful in difficult fights, especially in the mid-game.
Questline Progression
Blackguard later relocates and becomes part of a larger story event involving the Dung Eater. This interaction adds emotional weight to the narrative and provides additional context about the darker side of the Lands Between.
Role in the Dung Eater Quest
Blackguard Big Boggart eventually crosses paths with , one of the most disturbing characters in Elden Ring. If you follow this storyline, Blackguard’s fate becomes a tragic moment that highlights the cruelty of the world.
By keeping him alive, you unlock more story depth and optional rewards. Killing him early removes this entire sequence from your game.
Is There a Penalty for Killing Him?
Unlike some NPCs tied directly to main endings, Blackguard is not required for finishing the main campaign. There is no permanent penalty such as locking yourself out of the final boss. However, Elden Ring tracks your actions.
If you attack friendly NPCs, you may need to seek absolution through certain in-game mechanics to reset hostility with others. While killing Blackguard does not automatically make the entire world hostile, it reflects your chosen playstyle.
Combat Difficulty
Blackguard is not one of the hardest NPC enemies in Elden Ring, but he can still pose a challenge in early stages. His melee attacks hit hard if you are under-leveled.
Players considering killing him early should prepare for a fair fight. Using ranged attacks, spirit ashes, or careful dodging can make the battle manageable.
Should You Kill Blackguard in Elden Ring?
Whether you should kill Blackguard depends on your priorities.
- If you want immediate loot and do not care about side quests, you can eliminate him.
- If you enjoy narrative depth and merchant benefits, keeping him alive is wiser.
- If you are aiming for full quest completion, do not kill him early.
For first-time players, it is generally recommended to let him live. Elden Ring’s storytelling is subtle, and small character arcs add richness to the overall journey.
Role-Playing Considerations
Elden Ring encourages role-playing. Some players take on honorable knight personas, while others embrace chaotic or ruthless builds. Deciding whether to kill Blackguard can reflect your character’s morality.
Because he initially appears suspicious, some players attack him out of instinct. However, patience reveals that he is more than just a thief. He shows loyalty and even a form of kindness in later interactions.
Impact on Multiple Playthroughs
One of Elden Ring’s strengths is replay value. On a second or third playthrough, you might experiment with different choices. Killing Blackguard in one run and sparing him in another allows you to see how the world reacts differently.
This flexibility is part of what makes Elden Ring stand out among action RPGs. Few games allow players to shape minor character outcomes so freely.
So, can you kill Blackguard in Elden Ring? Yes, you absolutely can. The game gives you that freedom from the moment you meet him. However, the more important question is whether you should. By keeping Blackguard Big Boggart alive, you gain access to useful consumables, expanded questlines, and deeper story moments involving key characters like the Dung Eater.
Elden Ring thrives on player choice and consequence. Every NPC interaction adds another layer to the experience. If you are focused purely on combat efficiency, killing him may seem practical. But if you value story immersion and long-term benefits, letting him live is usually the better option. In the Lands Between, even minor decisions can shape your journey in unexpected ways.