Ah, the dreaded Tiger Vanguard. You've come to the right place, fellow warrior. If you're struggling with this beast, you're not alone. The Tiger Vanguard from Black Myth: Wukong is a notorious "skill check" boss that has humbled many a player, even those who have conquered the likes of Elden Ring and Sekiro. This isn't just about button mashing; it's about discipline, observation, and patience.
So, let's get you ready to turn this roaring feline into a purring kitten. Are you ready to dive into the fray and conquer this challenge once and for all? Let's begin.
Step 1: Understanding Your Enemy - A Study of the Tiger
Before you even think about swinging your weapon, you need to become a student of the Tiger Vanguard. This boss is less about raw power and more about misdirection, delayed attacks, and punishing recklessness. You need to learn his rhythm, not just his moves.
Observe his stances: The Tiger Vanguard changes his fighting style. Sometimes he's on all fours, ready to pounce. Other times, he's standing tall with his sword. Each stance has its own set of attacks.
Spot the delays: This is the most crucial part of the fight. Many of his attacks have a slight pause right before they land. If you dodge as soon as you see the animation start, you'll get hit every time. You need to dodge just as the attack is about to connect.
Recognize his tell-tale roars: His roars are often a signal for a big, powerful move. Listen for them and be ready to react.
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| How To Beat Tiger Vanguard Reddit |
Step 2: Preparing for Battle - Gearing Up for the Hunt
You wouldn't hunt a tiger with a slingshot, would you? Proper preparation is half the battle. This isn't just about having the best gear, but the right gear for your playstyle.
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
Sub-heading: Optimizing Your Build
Stamina is king: This fight is all about dodging. Invest your "spark points" heavily into the stamina tree. Look for perks that increase your stamina recovery and reduce the stamina cost of rolls and dodges. Robust Constitution and Simian Agility are your best friends here.
Weapon choice matters: While any weapon can work, a quick weapon is often better than a slow, heavy one. The Tiger Vanguard is incredibly agile and can easily interrupt long combos. Consider a stance that allows for quick strikes and fast retreats. The Thrust Stance is a popular choice for its quick attacks and the ability to stagger the boss.
Don't forget your armor: Equip armor that gives you a good balance of physical and elemental resistance, especially against his blood-based attacks in the second phase. The Ebongold or Galeguard Armor sets are excellent options if you have them.
Sub-heading: Master Your Spells and Abilities
Immobilize is a lifesaver: The Immobilization spell is a game-changer. Use it to hold the Tiger Vanguard in place and get in some free hits. Be careful not to use it when he's mid-jump, or you'll freeze him in the air and waste the spell.
Cloud Step is your escape plan: The Cloud Step spell is great for creating distance and avoiding his dangerous rush attacks, like the "Quick Slash" or the "Stone Tiger Deception."
Transformation for the win: Don't forget your transformation ability, especially the Wolf transformation. It can provide a significant damage boost and a brief window for you to unload on him.
Step 3: The Fight - A Dance of Dodging and Punishing
The arena is the Crouching Tiger Temple. The fight begins with a stare-down. Use this time to take a deep breath and focus.
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
Sub-heading: Phase 1: The Fists and Limbs
Initial Leap: The fight starts with the Tiger Vanguard leaping into the air and smashing the ground. Wait for him to start descending, then dodge out of the way. This is your first opportunity to get a few light hits in.
Melee Combos: He has a variety of combos, often with tricky delays. His two-hit combo with a delayed low sweep is a classic. Focus on dodging the entire combo and don't get greedy. After he finishes, he often jumps back, so be ready to close the distance.
Horizontal Slash: This is a single, easy-to-dodge attack. A simple dodge in any direction will suffice.
Roar and Smash: When he gets on all fours and roars, be wary. He'll follow up with a linear punch. A dodge or even just moving to the side can avoid it.
Rock Solid: This is a crucial move to understand. He will turn to stone. DO NOT ATTACK HIM. If you do, you'll be stunned and he'll counter-attack. Wait for him to stagger out of the form, and then you can attack.
Sub-heading: Phase 2: The Sword and the Blood
Once you've depleted about half of his health, the Tiger Vanguard pulls out his sword and becomes even more aggressive.
Quick Slash: He will often use a lightning-fast rush attack. This requires precise timing to dodge. If you have it, use Cloud Step to completely avoid it.
Sword Slash Combo: He'll unleash a multi-hit combo with his sword that often ends in a sweeping slash. Learn the timing and dodge through it. Creating distance is also a good option for this attack.
Blood Tornadoes: He will summon tornadoes of blood that track you. Dodge forward just as they are about to hit you to make them disappear behind you.
Stone Deception: He will turn to stone and then disappear, reappearing somewhere else in the arena for a devastating quick attack. This is a one-shot killer if you're not ready. Wait for him to reappear, then dodge immediately. The timing for this dodge is more forgiving than you might think.
Step 4: The Final Push - Sealing the Deal
QuickTip: Pause when something feels important.
As he gets lower on health, he will mix and match his attacks from both phases. Be patient, stick to your dodging, and only attack when you have a clear opening. Don't get greedy. If you have your transformation or powerful spells ready, now is the time to use them to finish the fight.
Once he's down, bask in the glory. You've earned it. You'll be rewarded with valuable items like the Tiger Tally and the Stone Spirit, which are essential for upgrades.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 quick answers to common questions about the Tiger Vanguard boss fight.
How to find the Tiger Vanguard? The Tiger Vanguard is located in the Crouching Tiger Temple in Chapter 2 of Black Myth: Wukong. You can find the temple after defeating the Second Prince of Flowing Sands and navigating through the Valley of Despair.
How to deal with the delayed attacks? The key is to delay your dodge as well. Instead of dodging the moment the boss starts his animation, wait for the weapon or fist to start moving towards you and dodge at the last possible second.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
How to avoid the Rock Solid ability? Simply stop attacking when he turns into stone. Any hits will bounce off, stun you, and leave you vulnerable. Wait for the effect to wear off before resuming your assault.
How to use Immobilize effectively? Use Immobilize when the boss is on the ground or standing still, not when he's jumping. This will freeze him in place and give you a huge window to land multiple hits.
How to dodge the Blood Tornadoes? As the tornadoes approach, perform a dodge roll forward, through the tornado. This will cause it to pass you and disappear.
How to prepare my build for this fight? Focus on stamina, stamina recovery, and light, quick-hitting weapons. Perks that reduce stamina cost for dodging and increase recovery are a must-have.
How to counter his rush attacks? For his "Quick Slash" and similar rush attacks, a well-timed dodge or the use of the Cloud Step spell will allow you to avoid the damage and create space.
How to know when to attack? The best time to attack is after he finishes a combo and is in his recovery animation. Get in a quick combo or two, and then get ready to dodge again. Do not overcommit.
How to survive the Stone Deception attack? This is a one-shot killer. The moment you see him reappear in the arena, dodge immediately. The timing is a bit tricky, but the dodge window is more generous than it seems.
How to deal with his second phase? In the second phase, he gets a sword and new blood-based attacks. The core strategy remains the same: learn his new attack patterns, dodge his delayed swings, and punish his recovery windows. Be extra careful with his sword combos and the blood tornadoes.
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