Mastering Caelid: Cheesing Strategies For Night's Cavalry Encounters

how to cheese the night

Cheesing the Night's Cavalry in Caelid, a challenging encounter in *Elden Ring*, involves exploiting specific strategies to simplify the fight. Players often utilize hit-and-run tactics, summoning spirits for distraction, or positioning themselves near cliffs to knock enemies off. Another effective method is to lure the cavalry into tight spaces, limiting their mobility and making them easier to target. Additionally, using poison or bleed buildup can quickly whittle down their health. By combining these techniques, players can bypass the intended difficulty of the battle, turning a daunting encounter into a manageable—if somewhat unorthodox—victory.

Characteristics Values
Enemy Type Night's Cavalry
Location Caelid, specifically in the area around the Smoldering Church and the Swamp of Aeonia
Weakness Fire damage, Bleed, and Frostbite
Resistances High resistance to physical damage (slash, strike, thrust)
Effective Strategies
  • Use fire-infused weapons or spells (e.g., Flame of the Redmanes, Fire Grease)
  • Apply Bleed buildup using weapons like Rivers of Blood or Ash of War skills
  • Utilize Frostbite via spells like Glintstone Pebble or weapons with frost affinity
  • Lure them into environmental hazards (e.g., fire, cliffs)
  • Summon spirits or allies to distract and tank damage
  • Use ranged attacks to avoid melee combat
Avoid
  • Direct melee combat without proper buildup or resistance
  • Getting surrounded by multiple Night's Cavalry
  • Engaging in open areas without cover
Drops Grave Glovewort, Night's Cavalry armor set (rare)
Additional Tips
  • Use stealth to avoid detection
  • Focus on one enemy at a time if possible
  • Upgrade your fire or bleed weapons for maximum efficiency

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Exploit Terrain Advantages: Use narrow paths and cliffs to limit cavalry mobility and gain positional superiority

Narrow paths and cliffs are natural bottlenecks that can neutralize the Night's Cavalry Caelid's greatest strength: their speed and maneuverability. By funneling them into these confined spaces, you force them to abandon their preferred hit-and-run tactics, slowing their charge and limiting their ability to flank or surround you. This tactical exploitation of terrain shifts the battle in your favor, transforming a chaotic cavalry charge into a more predictable, manageable engagement.

Imagine a herd of stampeding horses attempting to navigate a tight mountain pass. Their momentum is broken, their formation disrupted, and their individual vulnerability exposed. This is the essence of using terrain to your advantage against the Night's Cavalry.

To effectively implement this strategy, scout the battlefield beforehand, identifying choke points like narrow gorges, crumbling bridges, or steep cliffsides. Position yourself at the entrance of these bottlenecks, baiting the cavalry into pursuing you. As they enter the confined space, their mobility is severely restricted, allowing you to engage them on your terms. Utilize ranged attacks or area-of-effect spells to maximize damage while minimizing your exposure to their counterattacks. Remember, the goal is not to directly confront the entire cavalry unit head-on, but to whittle them down gradually, exploiting their reduced maneuverability and forcing them into a disadvantageous position.

For added effectiveness, combine terrain exploitation with environmental hazards. Lure the cavalry towards unstable cliffs where a well-timed arrow or spell can send them tumbling to their doom. Alternatively, position yourself near flammable objects or explosive barrels, triggering them at the opportune moment to inflict massive damage.

While exploiting terrain advantages is a powerful tactic, it's not without its risks. Over-reliance on bottlenecks can make you predictable, allowing the cavalry to adapt and find alternative routes. Additionally, be mindful of your own positioning; getting cornered in a narrow passage can leave you vulnerable to concentrated attacks. Constantly assess the battlefield, be prepared to adapt your strategy, and always maintain an escape route. By mastering the art of terrain manipulation, you can turn the Night's Cavalry's strength into their weakness, transforming a seemingly insurmountable challenge into a calculated and victorious engagement.

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Focus on Weaknesses: Target vulnerable areas like the horse’s legs to disable and dismount riders quickly

The Night's Cavalry in Caelid poses a formidable threat with their speed, agility, and deadly precision. However, their strength lies in their mounted combat, making the horses their greatest asset—and their most exploitable weakness. By targeting the horses' legs, you can quickly disable these foes, dismounting riders and neutralizing their primary advantage. This strategy shifts the battle in your favor, turning a high-mobility encounter into a manageable ground-level fight.

To execute this tactic effectively, prioritize precision over brute force. Aim for the horses' hind legs, as they bear the most weight and are less protected than the front legs. Use weapons with good reach, such as spears or whips, to strike from a safe distance. If using magic or ranged attacks, focus on spells or arrows that deal consistent damage over time, like poison or bleed, to cripple the horse gradually. Timing is critical; wait for the cavalry to charge or pause, as these moments expose the legs more clearly.

While targeting the horses is effective, it’s not without risk. A missed strike can leave you vulnerable to a counterattack, and overcommitting to this strategy may drain your resources. Balance your focus on the horses with awareness of the rider’s attacks. If the horse begins to fall, reposition quickly to avoid being trampled or struck by the dismounted enemy. Additionally, be mindful of your stamina; repeated attacks on a moving target can exhaust you, leaving you defenseless.

Comparing this approach to direct confrontation with the riders highlights its efficiency. Engaging the cavalry head-on often results in a chaotic, high-damage exchange where their mobility gives them the upper hand. By contrast, disabling the horse removes their greatest strength, forcing the rider into a predictable, ground-based fight. This method not only conserves your resources but also minimizes the risk of taking fatal damage, making it a smarter, more strategic choice.

In practice, mastering this technique requires patience and observation. Study the cavalry’s movement patterns to identify the best moments to strike. For example, when they perform a wide turn or prepare for a charge, the horses’ legs are momentarily more exposed. Use this knowledge to time your attacks precisely. With repetition, you’ll develop a rhythm that maximizes damage while minimizing risk, turning what seems like a daunting encounter into a calculated, winnable battle.

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Use AoE Spells: Cast wide-area spells like Swarm of Flies to hit multiple enemies simultaneously

In the shadowy expanse of Caelid, where the Night’s Cavalry prowls with relentless precision, survival hinges on efficiency. Area of Effect (AoE) spells like Swarm of Flies aren’t just tools—they’re game-changers. These spells exploit the Cavalry’s tendency to cluster, turning their strength in numbers into a fatal weakness. By casting Swarm of Flies, you create a zone of persistent damage that forces enemies to either retreat or perish, giving you breathing room in an otherwise suffocating encounter.

Consider the mechanics: Swarm of Flies lingers, dealing damage over time to all targets within its area. This contrasts sharply with single-target spells, which require precision and leave you vulnerable to flanking Cavalry. The key is positioning. Cast the spell just ahead of the charging group, ensuring they run directly into the swarm. This maximizes damage output while minimizing your exposure to counterattacks. Pair this with a quick roll to reposition, and you’ve effectively neutralized a wave of enemies without breaking a sweat.

However, reliance on AoE spells isn’t without risk. Swarm of Flies consumes a significant portion of your FP, and its cast time leaves you momentarily defenseless. To mitigate this, time your casts during the Cavalry’s wind-up animations or when they’re momentarily staggered. Additionally, keep a close eye on your FP bar—overuse can leave you stranded in a dire situation. A well-timed Flask of Crimson Tears or a quick switch to a melee weapon can bridge the gap between casts, ensuring you stay in control.

The beauty of Swarm of Flies lies in its versatility. It’s not just for crowd control; it’s a psychological weapon. The sight of their comrades collapsing to a cloud of flies can disrupt the Cavalry’s aggression, causing them to hesitate or scatter. This creates openings for follow-up attacks or a strategic retreat. Combine it with terrain advantages—narrow paths or chokepoints—to funnel enemies into the swarm, amplifying its effectiveness.

In practice, mastering Swarm of Flies requires patience and experimentation. Start by testing its range and duration in low-stakes encounters. Gradually incorporate it into your Caelid strategy, blending it with other tactics like summoning allies or using decoys. Remember, the goal isn’t to rely solely on AoE spells but to integrate them seamlessly into a dynamic playstyle. With practice, you’ll transform the Night’s Cavalry from a terror into a manageable—even predictable—foe.

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Summon Allies: Deploy spirits or allies to distract and tank damage while you attack safely

In the unforgiving terrain of Caelid, where the Night's Cavalry patrols with relentless aggression, summoning allies isn’t just a tactic—it’s survival. Spirits and summoned NPCs act as both decoys and damage sponges, buying you precious seconds to strike without risking your own health. The key lies in timing and positioning: deploy your allies just as the Cavalry engages, ensuring they draw aggro immediately. This method thrives on distraction, turning the enemy’s strength against them by forcing them to split their focus.

Analyzing the mechanics, the Night's Cavalry prioritizes the closest or most aggressive target. Summoned allies, like the Black Knife Tiche or the Great Wolf Spirit, excel here due to their high damage output and durability. Tiche’s relentless attacks keep the Cavalry occupied, while the Wolf’s massive health pool allows it to tank hits while you chip away from a distance. Pair this with a Spirit Ash like the War Hound, which can harass the Cavalry’s horse, further disrupting their rhythm. The synergy between these summons creates a window of opportunity that’s otherwise impossible to achieve solo.

Execution requires precision. Start by luring the Cavalry to a narrow area, limiting their mobility. Cast your summons just as they enter range, ensuring they’re the first thing the enemy sees. Position yourself at a medium distance—close enough to attack but far enough to avoid retaliation. Use ranged weapons or spells like Carian Slicer for safe damage. Beware of the Cavalry’s sweeping attacks, which can still hit you if you’re too close. If your summons fall, retreat and re-summon; the goal is to maintain constant pressure, not to rely on a single wave.

Comparatively, this strategy outshines direct combat, which often ends in a swift death. While parrying or dodging is technically possible, the Cavalry’s speed and damage make it impractical for most players. Summoning allies shifts the battle’s dynamics, transforming it from a test of reflexes to one of strategy. It’s particularly effective for builds lacking high damage output or poise, offering a level playing field regardless of your character’s specialization.

In practice, equip the Flask of Crimson Tears for quick healing if caught off guard. Carry multiple summon ashes, as the Cavalry’s AoE attacks can decimate weaker spirits. Experiment with combinations—pairing a tanky summon like the Crystalian Spearman with a mobile one like the River Spirit can maximize distraction. Finally, patience is key; let your allies do the heavy lifting while you focus on consistent, calculated damage. Master this approach, and the Night's Cavalry becomes less of a terror and more of a target.

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Quick Strikes: Use fast, high-damage weapons like daggers or spears to eliminate riders before they react

The Night's Cavalry in Caelid are formidable foes, but their strength lies in their ability to close the distance and overwhelm you with relentless attacks. To counter this, speed and precision become your greatest allies. Enter the quick strike strategy: a tactical approach leveraging fast, high-damage weapons like daggers or spears to eliminate riders before they can react. This method hinges on exploiting the brief window of vulnerability when the Cavalry are still approaching, turning their momentum against them.

Execution is key. Position yourself at a medium distance, just outside their immediate charge range. As they gallop towards you, time your dash forward to meet them mid-charge. With a dagger, execute a swift backstab or a well-placed critical hit to their mount, aiming for maximum damage. Spears offer a slightly different approach: use their reach to poke and disrupt the rider's balance, creating an opening for a devastating follow-up strike. The goal is to dispatch the rider swiftly, leaving the mount disoriented and easier to handle.

Weapon choice matters. Daggers excel in close-quarters combat, delivering rapid, high-damage strikes ideal for catching opponents off guard. Spears, on the other hand, provide extended reach and the ability to maintain distance while still dealing significant damage. Both weapons synergize well with the quick strike strategy, but your choice should align with your playstyle and comfort level. Experiment with different weapon upgrades and skill pairings to maximize effectiveness.

Caution is advised. While this strategy can be highly effective, it’s not without risks. Mistiming your approach or missing your initial strike can leave you exposed to the Cavalry’s brutal counterattacks. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings, as Caelid’s terrain and additional enemies can complicate engagements. Practice is essential—mastering the rhythm of the Cavalry’s charge and the timing of your strikes will significantly increase your success rate.

The takeaway? Quick strikes with fast, high-damage weapons offer a reliable method to neutralize the Night's Cavalry before they become a threat. By combining precise timing, strategic positioning, and the right weapon choice, you can turn one of Caelid’s most daunting challenges into a manageable—even predictable—encounter. This approach not only conserves resources but also empowers you to reclaim control of the battlefield, one swift strike at a time.

Frequently asked questions

Use the Rivers of Blood katana or a bleed-focused build to quickly stack bleed damage, as the Night's Cavalry is highly vulnerable to it.

Yes, using a high-damage ranged weapon like the Greatbow or a crossbow with poison or bleed arrows can allow you to chip away at its health from a safe distance.

Lure the Night's Cavalry near the road or a narrow area to limit its movement, then use a combination of bleed weapons and ranged attacks to minimize risk while maximizing damage.

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