Black Knife Assassin (Black Knife Catacombs)

This assassin is behind an illusory wall reached by riding a falling blade. She is separate from the Cemetery Shade behind the dungeon’s main boss doors.

Location and access

Hidden upper arena in Black Knife Catacombs

Hidden Black Knife Assassin in Black Knife Catacombs

Starting Site of Grace: Black Knife Catacombs

Find Black Knife Catacombs at the northeastern end of Liurnia's eastern road, beyond the Uld Palace Ruins. A Mausoleum Knight guards the entrance; you can get inside without defeating him.
From the grace, pass the locked main boss door and follow the corridor to the room with falling guillotine blades.
Wait for the middle blade to strike the floor, then step onto it and ride it upward. Jump from it onto the raised doorway ledge.
Follow the upper passage, dealing with the skeletons and their controlling caster. At the apparent dead end, do not drop through the hole on your right.
Strike the wall directly ahead to reveal the hidden passage and a separate boss fog. D's summon sign may be available here if he is alive.
Defeat the Black Knife Assassin behind this fog to receive the talisman and the Black Knifeprint. The Cemetery Shade behind the dungeon's main boss door is a different fight and does not award this talisman.

HP and damage negation

Values below are for solo play on the first playthrough. HP is maximum health. Temporary protection and other state changes are explained in the notes.

Black Knife Assassin (Black Knife Catacombs)

Solo, first playthrough

HP: 3,312

Damage type	Damage negation
Standard	10%
Strike	10%
Slash	10%
Pierce	35%
Magic	20%
Fire	20%
Lightning	20%
Holy	40%

Notes

Defeating her gives Assassin’s Cerulean Dagger and Black Knifeprint. The Shade has a different reward and does not replace this hidden encounter.
Ride a guillotine blade up to the raised passage. At its apparent dead end, strike the wall ahead instead of dropping through the hole on the right.
D’s gold summon sign may be available before this fog if he is alive. A summon helps divide attention in the narrow room.
You do not need a Stonesword Key for the hidden boss passage. The imp seal elsewhere in the dungeon protects a different room.
The sideways dash often links into another dagger attack. Wait for the next thrust or slash instead of assuming the dash ends the combination.
The attack that drags the knife along the ground before sweeping upward has a clearer recovery than the quick opening cuts. Use that opening for a controlled attack or a heal.
A fast attack can interrupt the assassin, but a long string of swings risks running out of stamina while she escapes. Keep enough stamina to respond when she turns back.

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