The question should I kill Blackguard Big Boggart comes from players exploring the world of Elden Ring, where choices often shape not only the story but also the items, quests, and outcomes available later in the game. Blackguard Big Boggart is a minor NPC encountered in the Liurnia of the Lakes region, and like many characters in Elden Ring, he presents players with a moral and strategic decision. The game rarely gives clear right or wrong answers, which makes this kind of choice important for both gameplay progression and role-playing decisions. Understanding who he is, what he offers, and the consequences of killing or sparing him helps players make a more informed decision.
In Elden Ring, NPC interactions often have long-term effects. Some characters provide valuable items, quests, or story developments, while others may become hostile or disappear depending on player actions. Blackguard Big Boggart is one of those characters whose fate can significantly affect a specific questline, especially involving another NPC named Rya and the Boiled Prawn items he sells.
Who is Blackguard Big Boggart?
Blackguard Big Boggart is a non-player character (NPC) in Elden Ring known for his gruff personality and association with stealing or reselling items. Players first encounter him near the Boilprawn Shack in Liurnia of the Lakes. He is often seen cooking and selling boiled prawn and crab items, which provide temporary defensive buffs.
Although he may appear rude or untrustworthy at first, his role in the game is more complex than it seems. He is tied to a questline involving Rya, a mysterious NPC searching for her stolen necklace.
Key traits of Blackguard Big Boggart
- Located in Liurnia of the Lakes
- Sells boiled prawn and crab for defensive buffs
- Connected to Rya’s questline
- Has a morally ambiguous personality
These traits make him more than just a simple merchant NPC.
What happens if you do not kill him?
Choosing to spare Blackguard Big Boggart allows players to continue interacting with him throughout the game. He remains at his location for a period and continues selling useful items. More importantly, keeping him alive allows his quest-related role to progress naturally.
He plays a part in Rya’s storyline, which involves retrieving her stolen necklace. Depending on player choices, Boggart may later move to a different location and become involved in additional events.
Benefits of sparing him
- Continued access to boiled prawn and crab items
- Progression of Rya’s questline
- Opportunity to see additional dialogue and events
Keeping him alive generally leads to more content and quest progression.
What happens if you kill Blackguard Big Boggart?
Killing Blackguard Big Boggart early in the game has immediate consequences. The most obvious effect is that he drops his inventory, including any items he sells and potentially his bell bearing, which allows players to purchase his items from other merchants.
However, killing him too early can disrupt Rya’s questline and prevent certain events from occurring naturally.
Possible consequences of killing him
- Loss of direct access to his location-based shop
- Potential disruption of Rya’s storyline
- Early acquisition of his bell bearing
While there are some material benefits, the narrative consequences can be significant.
His role in Rya’s questline
One of the most important reasons players hesitate to kill Blackguard Big Boggart is his involvement in Rya’s questline. Rya is searching for a stolen necklace, and Boggart is connected to the person who originally stole it. This makes him an important part of a chain of events that leads to further story developments.
If players follow the quest properly, they can interact with both characters in ways that reveal more about the world and its moral complexity.
Quest interactions
- Rya asks for help retrieving her necklace
- Boggart can provide information or trade items
- Later events depend on whether he is alive
This makes him more than just an optional NPC encounter.
Strategic considerations in Elden Ring
Deciding whether to kill or spare NPCs in Elden Ring often depends on the player’s goals. Some players focus on maximizing loot and efficiency, while others prefer exploring full storylines and character arcs.
Blackguard Big Boggart presents a typical example of this type of decision-making.
Gameplay vs story balance
- Players seeking loot may choose to kill him early
- Players focused on story may choose to spare him
- Completionists often keep him alive for quest progression
There is no single correct answer, only different playstyles.
Item value and merchant usefulness
One practical reason to keep Blackguard Big Boggart alive is his role as a merchant. He sells boiled prawn and crab, which provide useful defensive buffs in combat. These items can be especially helpful in early and mid-game encounters.
His inventory can also be transferred through a bell bearing if he is killed, but this changes how players access his goods.
Items he provides
- Boiled prawn (temporary physical damage reduction)
- Boiled crab (stronger defensive buff)
- Merchant bell bearing if killed
These items are useful for survival-focused builds.
Moral ambiguity of the decision
Elden Ring is known for its morally ambiguous world, and Blackguard Big Boggart reflects this design philosophy. He is not purely good or evil, but a flawed character with his own survival instincts and questionable behavior.
This ambiguity makes the decision to kill or spare him more meaningful, as it reflects the player’s interpretation of justice within the game world.
Ethical interpretation
- Is he a criminal or just surviving?
- Does his behavior justify punishment?
- Should gameplay efficiency override moral choice?
These questions are part of the role-playing experience.
Community opinions on the decision
Players in the Elden Ring community often debate whether Blackguard Big Boggart should be killed or spared. Some recommend sparing him for the sake of completing questlines, while others prioritize early access to his merchant rewards.
There is no universal agreement, which reflects the game’s open-ended design.
Common player perspectives
- Story-focused players keep him alive
- Combat-focused players kill for resources
- Completionists follow quest progression carefully
Best recommended approach
For most players, the recommended approach is to spare Blackguard Big Boggart at least until his role in Rya’s questline is complete. This allows full access to story content and ensures no important events are missed.
After his quest-related usefulness ends, players can still choose to kill him if they want his bell bearing or items.
Balanced strategy
- Spare him during early and mid-game
- Complete related NPC questlines
- Decide later based on gameplay needs
The question of whether you should kill Blackguard Big Boggart in Elden Ring depends largely on your playstyle and priorities. While killing him provides immediate rewards, sparing him allows for deeper quest progression and a richer narrative experience, especially in relation to Rya’s storyline.
Because Elden Ring is designed around player choice and consequence, there is no strictly correct answer. However, for those who want to experience the full depth of the game’s storytelling, keeping Blackguard Big Boggart alive for as long as possible is generally the most rewarding option. Ultimately, the decision reflects how each player chooses to engage with the world of Elden Ring”whether through efficiency, exploration, or role-playing immersion.