Black Knife Assassin (Sage’s Cave)

The lower boss branch in Sage’s Cave contains an invisible Black Knife Assassin. The moving water and her attacks can reveal her position, but Sentry’s Torch makes the fight much easier to read.

Location and access

Lower waterfall arena in Sage’s Cave

Black Knife Assassin below the waterfall

Starting Site of Grace: Sage's Cave

Reach Altus Plateau with both Dectus Medallion halves, from Fort Haight and Fort Faroth, or by defeating Magma Wyrm Makar at the top of Ruin-Strewn Precipice.
From Abandoned Coffin, cross the shallow lake toward the northeastern cliff and enter Sage's Cave. Activate the grace and bring a Lantern for its dark passages.
Strike the wall at the first dead end. Turn right, follow the stream past the skeleton and reveal the next false wall beside the moss.
Pass the two chests and descend south into the shallow water. Look left for the false wall between two small fires. Clear the skeletons behind it to reach the room with four chests.
Return to the passage and continue south to the chamber with crossbow skeletons on a wooden platform. Clear the enemies before following the passage on the far side.
Continue to the next chest platform, which holds Raptor Talons and Dragonwound Grease. Take the northwest tunnel beyond it to the waterfall.
Face left at the waterfall and jump the gap onto the opposite ledge. Follow the left branch and strike the dead-end wall beside the cave moss.
Open both chests in the hidden room for Skeletal Mask and Raptor's Black Feathers. Both cave bosses are farther on; neither is required for these chests.
Return to the waterfall chamber rather than entering the hidden Garris passage. Descend along the shallow northern ledges marked by cave moss to the other fog gate.
Defeat the invisible Black Knife Assassin for Concealing Veil. Sentry's Torch reveals her; the other boss, Necromancer Garris, gives Family Heads instead.

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 (Sage’s Cave)

Solo, first playthrough

HP: 3,929

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

Notes

The reward is Concealing Veil. Necromancer Garris gives Family Heads in the other hidden arena.
Hold Sentry’s Torch in an active hand slot to reveal her. You can two-hand the other weapon while the torch remains on your back, and you do not need its attack requirements for the revealing effect.
An ordinary torch or Lantern does not reveal the assassin. A Spirit Ash can track her, which is useful if you have not bought Sentry’s Torch.
Without the revealing torch, watch the disturbances in the shallow water. Aim broad attacks toward her actual position rather than relying on a lock-on that keeps disappearing.
Her grab can punish a long blind attack sequence. Stop and recover stamina once you have room instead of rolling until the bar is empty.
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.

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