Boreal Outrider Knights are minibosses in Dark Souls III.
In-Game Description
- The knights were given the eyes of the Pontiff, but the eyes transformed them into savage, raving warriors who only knew how to serve as mindless guard[1].
Description[]
Former warriors of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, these knights were bestowed rings by Pontiff Sulyvahn that drove them into a violent frenzy through inducing visions of endless combat. They eventually lost their sanity and became mindless warriors.
Outrider Knights are considered minibosses that guard secret areas and do not respawn on defeat. Their fighting style is similar to Vordt of the Boreal Valley.
Locations[]
- Guards the door that gives access to the Road of Sacrifices.
- Found in the Dragon Barracks, in the basement of the left building.
- Found behind an illusory wall on the third floor of the library, in an alcove on the left.
Lore[]
The Outrider knights are distant descendants of the ancient gods[2] and as such they were among the Irithyllians, hybrids between the race of the gods of Anor Londo and humans, who inhabit Irithyll of the Boreal Valley, the city built for them on the ruins of Anor Londo[3]. After Sulyvahn imprisoned Dark Sun Gwyndolin, proclaimed himself pontiff and assumed control of the city[4], they were ordered to serve under the tyrant as Outrider Knights in foreign campaigns, that was the equivalent to being exiled[5].
The pontiff would experiment on them, giving them his eye rings. While these rings would boost their attacks and recover their health as long as their fighting persists[6], those who peered inside the black orbs would be lured into visions of endless deadly battles and go insane, transformed into frenzied beasts[7]. However the effect of the rings, whose black eyes constantly hound the knights, continues over time, first fusing their armor with their own hide[8] and then devolving them into a literal beast under the complete control of the Pontiff[9]. These knights, before being dispatched to foreign lands, were given these rings, with the power to transform them into savage, raving warriors who only knew how to serve as mindless guards, thus ensuring Sulyvahn total control over them and preventing them from betraying[10].
After Prince Lothric refused to link the First Flame and his kingdom fell into ruin due to various internal problems[11], Sulyvahn would order a division of the Outirder Knights to reach Lothric under the command of the Dancer of the Boreal Valley and Vordt of the Boreal Valley[12]. Here they would positioned themselves in various strategic points of the city, infiltrating the barracks of the Lothric army, the Grand Archives and the Undead Settlement located outside the walls, effectively controlling the places of command and movement of the kingdom.[13].
Strategy[]
Outrider Knights are usually initially unaware of the player, so use this opportunity to start the fight with a powerful attack. Once provoked, it is possible to wear them down with ranged weapons from a distance; however, they can close the gap very quickly so caution is advised. Unless the player has plenty of poise, it is recommended to evade their attacks rather than block them, as they rapidly drain stamina.
All of their attacks inflict Frost damage and can cause frostbite, which can be lethal if the player is unable to escape. They are very agile opponents and will often sidestep attacks, so a quick-use weapon is recommended.
When they are far away from the player, they are very susceptible to ranged attacks and will just continue approaching very slowly without attacking. Headshots are especially effective and will stagger them heavily.
The one encountered in the Undead Settlement can be killed quite easily. Once reaching the bottommost area via an elevator, the player needs to send it back up to leave open a hole in the ground. They may then lure the Outrider Knight near it and run around it until he falls to his doom. The player will automatically receive the Irithyll Straight Sword upon his demise. An alternative strategy is to pass through the door leading to the Road of Sacrifices and killing it with ranged attacks from a safe spot.
They are able to be parried and riposted, however, this can be tricky because they attack with such great speed.
Drops[]
| Item |  Irithyll Straight Sword |
| Drop Rate | Guaranteed |
| Item |  Irithyll Rapier |
| Drop Rate | Guaranteed |
| Item |  Outrider Knight Helm |
 Outrider Knight Armor |
 Outrider Knight Gauntlets |
 Outrider Knight Leggings |
| Drop Rate | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | Guaranteed |
Notes[]
- Can be parried and riposted, but cannot be backstabbed.
- Staggers heavily from headshots.
- Although resistant to Frost, Outrider Knights are not immune to this element and can in fact be frostbitten, having only a slower build-up for the ailment to be inflicted.
Trivia[]
- The Outrider Knight in Lothric Castle wields an Irithyll Straight Sword, despite dropping the Irithyll Rapier upon death.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Boreal outrider knight (2).jpg (165 KB)")
- ↑ Outrider Knight Set description.
- ↑ "Irithyllian" Character Creation
- ↑ "Irithyllian" Character Creation
- ↑ Company Captain Yorshka dialogue.
- ↑ Soul of the Dancer description.
- ↑ Pontiff's Left Eye#Effect and Pontiff's Right Eye#Effect
- ↑ Pontiff's Left Eye and Outrider Knight Set description.
- ↑ Dancer's Armor description.
- ↑ Irithyll Straight Sword description.
- ↑ Pontiff's Left Eye and Outrider Knight Set description.
- ↑ Grand Archives Key description and Emma, High Priestess of Lothric Castle dialogue and Opening (Dark Souls III)
- ↑ Soul of Boreal Valley Vordt description.
- ↑ Boreal Outrider Knight#Locations