Prologue Boss Guide

Attack Patterns

• ·Stomp — repeatable close-range attack while you are nearby
• ·Ground Sweep — wide-radius attack that can stagger you

Strategy

1. 1.Stay behind the Sentry Golem at all times — its attacks are all forward-facing
2. 2.Use charged heavy attacks from behind for maximum damage
3. 3.Parry the ground sweep and follow up with Iori's charged thrust attack
4. 4.Do not panic-dodge — the boss is slow, so timed sidesteps are more stamina-efficient

Attack Patterns

• ·360° Ground Sweep — covers full rotation, punishable after the swing
• ·Charged Roar — forces you and Iori into a blocking stance, also summons fodder enemies

Strategy

1. 1.Phase 1-2: Deplete HP while managing summoned adds — clear them quickly to avoid being overwhelmed
2. 2.Phase 3 (final): Illfang stops summoning adds but attacks more aggressively
3. 3.Finisher mechanic: After depleting Illfang's HP bar, it regenerates unless you perform a finisher
4. 4.Stand in front of or beside Illfang and press the heavy attack button to execute a finisher
5. 5.The finisher must be performed three times to permanently defeat Illfang
6. 6.Save SP and Sword Skills for Phase 3 — the final phase demands maximum burst damage

Attack Patterns

• ·Charge — linear rush attack, telegraphed by the boar lowering its head
• ·Tusk Swipe — close-range melee swing

Strategy

1. 1.Side-step the charge attack — the boar over-commits and leaves a large punish window
2. 2.Attack from the side, not head-on — the front is armored
3. 3.Use Sword Skills during the punish window for maximum damage
4. 4.This is a good fight to practice parry timing on a moving target

Attack Patterns

• ·Claw Swipe — fast horizontal swipe, can be chained twice
• ·Lunge — short-range forward rush with knockback
• ·Roar — short stun effect in close range

Strategy

1. 1.This fight is about positioning — stay at medium range to bait the lunge
2. 2.After the lunge whiffs, close in for 2-3 quick attacks then back off
3. 3.Do not get cornered — the Grizzly's claw combo can stunlock you
4. 4.Use Iori in Switch Mode to create opening windows

Attack Patterns

• ·Pouncing Bite — long-range leap attack, can be sidestepped
• ·Howl — buffs the wolf's attack speed temporarily
• ·Triple Snap — three quick bites in succession

Strategy

1. 1.Unlike previous bosses, the Dire Stife Wolf rewards aggression — stay close and pressure it
2. 2.Dodge toward the wolf during its pounce to end up behind it
3. 3.During the Howl animation, this is your safest damage window — use Sword Skills freely
4. 4.The Triple Snap can be parried; the third hit has the longest recovery

Attack Patterns

• ·All first-fight attacks, plus:
• ·Enraged Charge — longer-range, faster version of the lunge
• ·Double Swipe — two claw swipes in quick succession

Strategy

1. 1.This version is faster and hits harder — defensive play is required
2. 2.Use the same bait-and-punish strategy as the first fight, but with tighter windows
3. 3.If you struggled with the first Grizzly, return to the Town of Beginnings and upgrade your gear
4. 4.Healing Crystals are essential — do not enter this fight with fewer than 3

Attack Patterns

• ·Sonic Scream — wide-area damage, must be blocked or dodged
• ·Claw Barrage — rapid multi-hit close-range combo
• ·Phase 2 Enrage — increased attack speed and new AoE patterns

Strategy

1. 1.Phase 1: Learn the tells — Sonic Scream is preceded by a visible wind-up
2. 2.Phase 2 (Enrage): The boss becomes significantly faster. Switch to defensive tactics
3. 3.Use Free Mode with Iori in Phase 1 to burn through the first health bar quickly
4. 4.Switch to Switch Mode in Phase 2 so Iori tanks while you heal
5. 5.Save your most powerful Sword Skills for Phase 2's opening
6. 6.If your HP drops below 30%, disengage and heal immediately — the enrage combo can one-shot