The HP Tank Build

Just as the Night's Cavalry rider stopped to watch me after coming off worse in our clash, I took the initiative and charged at him.

As long as I closed the distance and kept his horse from running around and charging endlessly, I would have the advantage!

Huh? He actually turned his horse around and ran!

What a coward!

No, he was circling me. Was he trying to wear me out before going in for the kill? I wouldn't let him get away with it!

"Torrent!" I blew the Spectral Steed Whistle.

Torrent was already prepared. He materialized while running alongside me, matching my speed so I could swing straight onto his back and charge at full tilt!

Heh, trying to escape?

Torrent was the finest spectral steed in the Lands Between! You couldn't beat him for speed!

Before long, we had closed the gap.

The Night's Cavalry rider clearly hadn't anticipated this and barely seemed to react.

Without wasting any more time, I hurled a Fire Pot at him as we drew close.

Boom!

Huh? One wasn't enough? Have another!

Boom!

Scorching flames splashed over the Night's Cavalry rider again and again, spilling onto his horse's back as well. The burning horse stopped first, rearing up with a loud neigh.

This time, it even threw its rider to the ground.

Here's my chance!

Even if I dismounted and rushed over now, I wouldn't reach him in time to finish him off on the ground. But our roles had reversed, and now it was my turn!

I turned Torrent around, then charged straight at the rider!

Clang!

My blade struck his body, sending brilliant sparks flying.

He swung his Flail and missed completely, of course.

That felt good! So good! Now you knew how helpless and furious I'd felt!

"Torrent, let's keep going!" I turned around again and charged once more.

But the Night's Cavalry rider stood his ground, gripping his Flail with both hands. He raised its spiked head above his head and spun it with a loud whoosh.

He wanted to face me head-on!

Then let's see what you've got!

I took out my last Fire Pot and hurled it at his feet as soon as I drew close.

Flames instantly roared up, engulfing him.

Hahaha, served you right!

But a moment later, the spiked iron ball flew out of the flames. His timing was exquisite, and it came straight at Torrent's flank.

"Neigh-!"

Torrent abruptly leaped, a spectral blue glow lighting beneath his hooves as he followed it with a second jump. Only then did we narrowly evade the attack.

Cold sweat broke out all over me.

That blow had carried terrifying force.

If it had hit, Torrent wouldn't have been the only one hurt. I would have been knocked clean off his back!

Fortunately, Torrent had reacted even faster than I had.

"Thank you, Torrent." Still shaken, I patted his neck. "Leave the rest to me."

"Neigh!"

Torrent faded from sight.

The black knight didn't rush to summon his warhorse again either. Instead, he walked toward me, swinging his Flail.

Apparently, we both agreed that in a fight where a horse couldn't make full use of its speed, riding only gave the opponent more openings.

There weren't many examples of fighting the Night's Cavalry on foot in Elden Ring, so I would have to stay alert.

I steadied my shield, planning to focus on guarding and counterattacking.

Clatter-

The Night's Cavalry rider soon closed in, swinging his Flail with one hand and smashing it toward my left side.

His strength really was immense. Even with my Large Leather Shield braced, I struggled to withstand the blow. It bent my whole body slightly, leaving me no strength to counterattack.

A second attack immediately came down from above.

I hastily rolled aside and dodged it.

The spiked iron ball struck the ground, smashing a deep crater into it. The sight made me break into a sweat.

Damn it. If I hadn't run out of Fire Pots, I'd have burned you to a crisp.

I had barely stood up when the Night's Cavalry rider came running over again, swinging his Flail and raising his hand to attack.

"Weapon Skill-Storm Stomp!" A gale suddenly erupted. Although the rider was powerfully built and clad in heavy armor, he still staggered.

I seized that instant, jumping up and bringing my sword down toward his shoulder.

Clang!

What tough armor!

A moment later, pain shot through my abdomen. The Night's Cavalry rider drove a fist into me and sent me flying.

Then he took a great stride forward. Before I could even get up, the iron ball on his Flail was already hurtling toward my skull.

I could only roll along the ground to evade it, getting a mouthful of dirt in the process.

This was tricky. Who would've thought the Night's Cavalry would be so strong on foot!

I got to my feet, while the Night's Cavalry rider looked as though victory was already assured. He advanced step by step, casually swinging his Flail.

What should I do?

What should I do?

I was completely outmatched. Should I retreat for now?

But now that he knew I wanted to pass through here, he might patrol and wait even during the day. This was a real world, after all. The rider probably wouldn't clock out right on schedule.

He forced me back one step at a time. I kept my eyes fixed on the Flail in his hand, watching for a sudden attack while trying to devise a plan.

A gleam of gold appeared at the edge of my vision.

Had I backed all the way to the Site of Grace outside Castle Morne's walls?

Behind me lay a sheer rock face. There was nowhere left to retreat!

Calm down. Think carefully!

Learn from the fight!

...Huh? Wait.

Watching the Night's Cavalry rider's constantly spinning Flail, I suddenly had a new idea.

When I'd gotten close earlier, he hadn't attacked me with his Flail. He'd used his fist instead, hadn't he?

That might have been an instinctive reaction, but didn't it also suggest that the Night's Cavalry rider himself knew his Flail couldn't reach its full potential at extremely close range?

After all, the weapon worked by instantly converting momentum into a powerful impact. That was why he kept swinging it in preparation even before attacking!

It was the same principle as needing enough distance to charge on horseback.

What I lacked was the courage to get in there and fight!

Now the Site of Grace was right beside me. I had plenty of room for error!

"Haaah!" Once I'd made up my mind, I roared to steel myself and charged at the Night's Cavalry rider!

Seeing this, he planted his feet and spun his Flail faster. Then, timing the instant I came close, he brought it crashing down toward my skull.

I raised my leather shield, bent my arm, tucked it close to my head, and braced with every ounce of strength I had.

His immensely heavy blow slammed into the shield above my head. My neck involuntarily shrank back, as though the impact had knocked me shorter, and even my head swam a little.

But I'd blocked your attack. Now it was my turn!

I rushed inside the reach of his Flail, raised my Straight Sword, and slashed down at his shoulder.

One slash! Another! And another!

The blows rang out like a blacksmith's hammer.

At the same time, I used my Large Leather Shield to obstruct his right arm, keeping him from raising it and limiting the swing of his Flail!

"Gah!"

A heavy punch struck my face, filling my mouth with a bitter, sickly-sweet taste.

The Night's Cavalry rider took the opportunity to pull away.

Then I'd better drink up!

Two swigs from the Flask of Crimson Tears healed every wound on my body.

At the same time, I cautiously took a few steps toward the Site of Grace and touched it with my foot.

Just as I'd expected, although a Site of Grace in the real world of Elden Ring couldn't help a Tarnished shake off pursuing monsters or reset and refresh the entire world, it completely replenished the Flask of Crimson Tears in my hand.

And unlike in the game, the Night's Cavalry rider clearly hadn't recovered.

Well, that would have been troublesome.

After all, the Sites of Grace were among the few gifts the Eternal Queen Marika had left exclusively for the Tarnished. How could mindless monsters like you, unable to see the guidance of grace, enjoy such a blessing?

Then let's go again!

Just as before, I charged at the Night's Cavalry rider like a rabid dog and launched a fierce assault.

Once I blocked the Flail's first strike and successfully closed in, he had no way to fight back against my frantic slashes.

As his armor gradually cracked apart, a huge magic circle suddenly lit up beneath his feet-he was summoning his warhorse again!

I hurriedly rolled backward to evade it.

But I had been far too close to him, and the gale stirred up by the summoning magic still blasted me away.

I landed right beside the Site of Grace.

Time to drink, recover, and refill my healing flask!

I was standing right in the fountain, with unlimited healing.

I'd call this the HP tank build. How were you supposed to beat me?

The Night's Cavalry rider finally realized something was wrong. But he probably didn't know I had already run out of Fire Pots, so he didn't dare mount up and fight me. Instead, he did the opposite and took the offensive himself.

Counter movement with stillness!

I carefully watched his movements, dodging his Flail strikes one after another. When his stamina ran low and his body stiffened for a moment, I thrust my sword straight into his chest.

His armor, already riddled with cracks, failed to stop this fatal blow.

After landing the finishing strike, I kicked him to the ground.

"Ah..." A deep sigh came from beneath his helmet. The Night's Cavalry rider weakly raised a hand, trying to grasp something, but runes slipped away between his fingers, and his body soon dissolved into smoke and dust.

[Enemy Felled]

Weapon Skill-Barricade Shield acquired.

Weapon-Night's Cavalry's Flail acquired.

Whew, it was finally over.

I let out a long breath and sank onto the ground.

So tired, so hungry, so sleepy. Where should I find a place to rest tonight?