How to Shatter the Stone Vanguard: A Comprehensive Guide to Conquering the Golem
Hey there, aspiring Monkey King! Ready to face one of the most formidable foes we've seen in the trailers? The Stone Vanguard, that hulking, rock-solid guardian, looks like it's straight out of a nightmare, doesn't it? Its immense size and relentless attacks can seem overwhelming at first, but don't you worry. By the end of this guide, you'll have the knowledge and the confidence to turn that mountainous monster into a pile of pebbles.
Let's begin our journey to mastery. Are you ready to learn the art of shattering stone?
How To Beat Stone Vanguard Black Myth Wukong |
Step 1: Understand Your Enemy - The Stone Vanguard's Moveset and Weaknesses
Before you even think about swinging your staff, you need to understand what you're up against. The Stone Vanguard isn't just a big pile of rocks; it's a meticulously designed boss with predictable patterns and exploitable weaknesses.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
1.1 The Stone Vanguard's Core Attacks:
Ground Slam: This is a classic. The Vanguard will raise one of its massive fists and slam it down with incredible force, creating a shockwave. This attack has a large AoE (Area of Effect).
Boulder Toss: The Vanguard will rip a chunk of its own body off or grab a nearby boulder and hurl it at you. This is a ranged attack that you need to dodge or deflect.
Rolling Charge: The Vanguard will curl into a ball and roll towards you, a truly terrifying sight. This is a high-speed, high-damage attack that requires precise dodging.
Sweeping Arm: A wide, horizontal swipe with its arm. This is designed to catch you if you're too close and can be followed up with another attack.
Fist Combo: A series of rapid punches that can stun and stagger you if you're not careful.
1.2 The Vanguard's Weaknesses:
Core of the Golem: Look closely. In some gameplay footage, there appears to be a glowing, or perhaps a different colored, weak point on its chest or back. Hitting this spot is key to dealing significant damage.
Vulnerable Limbs: While its body is solid stone, its limbs may become vulnerable after certain attacks. For example, after a Ground Slam, its arm might be temporarily "stuck" in the ground, offering a window for a few quick hits.
Post-Attack Cooldown: Every single one of the Vanguard's attacks has a recovery period. This is your chance. After it finishes an attack, it will be momentarily vulnerable. This is your time to shine!
Step 2: Master Your Staff and Abilities
You are Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven! You're not some ordinary fighter. Your staff and your abilities are your greatest assets.
2.1 The Staff is Your Extension:
Light Attacks: Fast and nimble. Use these to poke, chip away at its health, and build up your spiritual power.
Heavy Attacks: Slow but powerful. Use these on the Vanguard's weak points or during its recovery periods to deal massive damage and stagger it.
Staff Transformation: We've seen Wukong extend his staff in the trailers. This is likely a key mechanic. Use this to attack the Vanguard from a safe distance or to hit its weak points from far away.
2.2 Utilize Your Heavenly Arts (Skills):
The Clone: We've seen Wukong create a clone of himself. This isn't just for show! Use the clone to distract the Vanguard. While it's busy attacking your clone, you can circle around and strike its weak point. This is a game-changing ability.
The Deflection/Parry: A well-timed deflection is crucial. In soulslike games, parrying can open up a boss to a critical attack. Practice the timing on the Vanguard's less-damaging attacks first.
The Transformation: Wukong can transform into different animals or beings. A smaller, faster form might be useful for dodging, while a larger, stronger form could be used to trade blows. Experiment with your transformations to find what works for you.
Spiritual Power: Your special abilities are tied to your spiritual power. Be mindful of your gauge. Don't spam your skills; use them strategically.
Step 3: The Battle Plan - Step-by-Step Execution
Reminder: Reading twice often makes things clearer.
Now that you know your enemy and your own tools, let's put it all together.
Step 3.1: The Opening and Initial Phase
As the fight begins, maintain a medium distance. Don't rush in.
Wait for its first attack. It will likely be a Ground Slam or a Boulder Toss.
Dodge the attack and immediately use a light attack combo on its legs. Your goal here is to get a feel for its rhythm and build up your spiritual power.
Prioritize survival over damage at this stage.
Step 3.2: Exploiting Openings
After the Ground Slam, the Vanguard's arm will be on the ground for a second. This is your moment! Unleash a heavy attack on its arm.
When it throws a boulder, a well-timed deflection could send it right back, staggering the boss.
When it performs a Rolling Charge, dodge to the side, not backward. It's easier to get caught by the turn-around animation if you dodge backward. As it passes, you have a brief window to get a few hits in on its back.
Step 3.3: The Mid-Fight and The Clone Tactic
Once you have enough spiritual power, use your clone.
As soon as the clone appears, the Vanguard will likely turn its attention to it.
This is your golden opportunity! Quickly run to its back or its side and unleash your most powerful attacks on its weak point.
Remember, the clone is a distraction, so don't expect it to last forever.
Keep your eye on the main boss, not just the clone.
Step 3.4: The Final Phase - When the Vanguard Gets Angry
As its health drops, the Vanguard will likely enter a "rage" phase.
Its attacks will become faster and more aggressive. It may even add new moves or combos.
Stay calm. The principles remain the same. The recovery periods will still be there, just shorter.
Rely on your dodge and your parry more than ever.
Use your transformations and spiritual arts to your advantage. A well-timed stun can turn the tide of the fight.
Don't get greedy! One or two hits, then get out. Greed leads to defeat.
Step 4: Practice, Patience, and Perspective
This is a soulslike game, and dying is part of the learning process.
4.1 Learn from Your Mistakes: Did you get hit by the Ground Slam? Next time, dodge earlier. Did you miss a parry? Practice the timing. Every defeat is a lesson.
4.2 Be Patient: You don't have to beat it on your first try. Take breaks, clear your head, and come back to it with a fresh perspective.
4.3 Enjoy the Journey: The feeling of finally conquering a boss like the Stone Vanguard is one of the most rewarding experiences in gaming. Embrace the challenge.
Tip: Reading on mobile? Zoom in for better comfort.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Beating the Stone Vanguard
How to find the Stone Vanguard's weak point? Look for a glowing or discolored spot on its chest or back. In some trailers, it appears to be a reddish or cracked section of its stone body.
How to dodge the Rolling Charge effectively? Dodge to the side rather than backward. This allows you to avoid the main body and the follow-up turning animation more easily.
How to use the clone to my advantage? Use the clone as a distraction. The Vanguard will often target the clone, giving you a safe window to attack its weak point from behind.
How to tell the difference between its attacks? Listen for the audio cues and watch its wind-up animations. A raised arm signals a Ground Slam, a low crouch might signal a charge, and a spinning motion can indicate a sweeping attack.
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
How to regain spiritual power during the fight? Spiritual power is usually gained by landing successful attacks on the enemy. Use your light attacks to build it up safely.
How to deal with the Boulder Toss? You can either dodge it by rolling to the side or, with precise timing, parry it to send it back at the boss, which can stagger it.
How to use my staff's transformations? The staff can be extended to hit the boss from a safe distance. This is especially useful for hitting its weak point after an attack.
How to punish the Ground Slam? After the Ground Slam, the boss's arm will be momentarily stuck. This is your cue to run in and land a heavy attack on its arm or a quick combo on its leg.
How to survive the final rage phase? Stay calm, prioritize dodging and parrying, and only attack when you are absolutely sure you have an opening. Do not get greedy.
How to improve my parry timing? Practice on smaller enemies or during the first phase of the fight. Pay close attention to the sound and visual cues that indicate an attack is about to land.