In Elden Ring, players often encounter moral and gameplay choices that feel confusing, especially when dealing with NPCs like Blackguard Big Boggart. The question should I kill Blackguard Elden Ring comes up frequently because this character is tied to multiple questlines, item rewards, and even emotional decisions in the game. Blackguard is not a traditional enemy; instead, he is a merchant-like NPC with a rough personality who becomes involved in the story of certain other characters, particularly Rya and the Volcano Manor questline. Deciding whether to kill him or keep him alive can affect item availability, quest progression, and the overall experience of your playthrough. Understanding his role in the game helps players make a more informed choice based on rewards, consequences, and personal playstyle preferences.
Who is Blackguard in Elden Ring?
Blackguard Big Boggart is an NPC found in Elden Ring who initially appears hostile or unfriendly. He is a crab-loving thief and sells boiled prawn items to the player. Despite his rough attitude, he is not a traditional enemy and plays a role in several questlines.
Players first meet him near Liurnia of the Lakes, where he appears tied to the NPC Rya’s storyline. His actions and decisions influence certain events, especially involving the Volcano Manor questline.
Key traits of Blackguard include
- Merchant NPC with unique items
- Connected to Rya’s questline
- Located in multiple regions during the game
- Morally ambiguous personality
Why Players Consider Killing Blackguard
The decision to kill Blackguard in Elden Ring usually comes from either curiosity, frustration, or the desire to obtain specific loot. Some players believe that killing NPCs early in the game might provide useful items or remove future threats.
However, Blackguard is not an aggressive boss-level enemy, so killing him is purely a player choice rather than a necessity.
Some players also choose to kill NPCs in Elden Ring for role-playing reasons or to explore different outcomes in a single playthrough.
Common reasons players consider killing him include
- Obtaining his dropped items
- Curiosity about quest changes
- Role-playing evil or chaotic characters
- Eliminating NPC interactions
What Happens If You Kill Blackguard Early?
Killing Blackguard early in the game can have several consequences. One of the main effects is losing access to his merchant inventory, which includes useful consumable items like boiled prawns that reduce physical damage taken.
Additionally, killing him too early may affect Rya’s questline progression, depending on the timing and location. Some players may miss out on interactions or quest dialogue if he is removed prematurely.
On the positive side, players may receive specific loot drops from him, including armor or crafting-related items.
Possible outcomes of killing him early
- Loss of merchant access
- Missed quest interactions
- Immediate item drops from his inventory
- Changes in NPC quest progression
Should You Keep Blackguard Alive?
In most cases, keeping Blackguard alive is recommended for first-time players. Elden Ring is a game with complex questlines, and NPCs often provide valuable progression opportunities that can be easily missed if they are killed too early.
Blackguard also plays a role in later events involving Rya and the Volcano Manor storyline. Keeping him alive ensures that you experience the full quest sequence without breaking progression paths.
Additionally, his merchant services remain available, giving you access to useful consumables that can help during combat.
Blackguard’s Role in Rya’s Questline
One of the most important aspects of Blackguard’s character is his connection to Rya’s questline. Rya is a character involved in the Volcano Manor storyline, and Blackguard’s actions influence how certain events unfold.
At one point, Blackguard steals an item related to Rya, which leads to a confrontation or resolution depending on how the player progresses the quest.
This connection makes Blackguard more than just a random NPC, as his survival or death can slightly alter quest outcomes.
His role in the questline includes
- Stealing key items from Rya
- Triggering dialogue changes
- Influencing Volcano Manor progression
Rewards for Killing Blackguard
If you choose to kill Blackguard, you will receive certain items that can be useful depending on your build. However, these rewards are generally not game-breaking or essential for progression.
Most players find that the long-term benefits of keeping him alive outweigh the short-term rewards of killing him.
The items he drops may include weapons, armor pieces, or consumables, but they are not exclusive enough to justify killing him in a first playthrough for most players.
Moral Choice in Elden Ring
Elden Ring often presents players with moral ambiguity, and Blackguard is a good example of this design philosophy. He is not purely good or evil, but rather a flawed character with his own motivations.
The decision to kill or spare him reflects the player’s personal approach to the game world. Some players prefer to eliminate NPCs they do not trust, while others prefer to preserve all characters to experience full storylines.
This freedom of choice is one of the core strengths of Elden Ring’s open-world design.
Impact on Gameplay Experience
Killing Blackguard can slightly change your gameplay experience, mainly by removing access to his items and altering quest interactions. However, it does not significantly impact the main story progression of Elden Ring.
For most players, the difference is minor, but for completionists or lore-focused players, keeping him alive is usually the better option.
Gameplay impact includes
- Reduced access to consumables
- Possible questline differences
- Short-term item gain vs long-term content loss
Best Recommendation for Players
For most players, especially those experiencing Elden Ring for the first time, it is generally recommended not to kill Blackguard early in the game. Keeping him alive allows for fuller exploration of questlines and ensures you do not miss optional content.
However, in a second or third playthrough, players may choose to experiment with killing him to see alternative outcomes or to collect his drops.
The decision ultimately depends on whether you value immediate rewards or long-term narrative and gameplay content.
The question should I kill Blackguard Elden Ring does not have a single correct answer, as it depends on the player’s goals and playstyle. Blackguard is a minor but interesting NPC connected to questlines, merchant services, and optional lore content.
Killing him provides short-term rewards but can limit access to items and story progression, while sparing him allows for a more complete experience of the game world.
In summary, keeping Blackguard alive is generally the better choice for most players, especially during a first playthrough, while killing him can be an optional decision for experimentation or role-playing purposes.