Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to "cheese" the Tiger Vanguard, a formidable boss from the game Black Myth: Wukong.
A Very Lengthy Guide on How to Cheese the Tiger Vanguard
Hey there, fellow monkey king! Are you tired of getting absolutely shredded by the relentless fury of the Tiger Vanguard? Does his lightning-fast martial arts and sudden transformations leave you in a crumpled heap on the floor, questioning all your life choices? You are not alone. Many a player has found themselves stuck at this infuriating wall, and it's time we show this boss who's really in charge. We're not talking about a fair fight here. We're talking about a classic gaming strategy: cheesing.
So, get ready to trade your honorable combat skills for some clever exploits. Let's make this overgrown kitty a whimpering kitten.
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| How To Cheese The Tiger Vanguard |
Step 1: The Preparation - Don't Rush In!
Before you even step foot into that blood-soaked arena, we need to get you ready. This is not a fight you can win with brute force alone, especially if you're struggling. We're going to exploit his AI and his arena, so you need to be set up for success.
A) Gear Up!
Armor is Key: If you have it, the Galeguard armor set is a fantastic choice, especially if you've already beaten the Stone Vanguard. Its defenses will help you survive any slip-ups. If not, craft the best armor available to you.
Weapon of Choice: While you can use any weapon, a staff with a good charged attack or area-of-effect (AoE) skill is ideal for this strategy. The Cloud Pattern Stone Staff is a popular choice for this fight.
Spells and Spirits: This is where the magic happens. You absolutely need the Cloud Step spell. This is your escape button, your repositioning tool, and your get-out-of-jail-free card. We'll also be using the Immobilize spell and the Pluck of Many spell (if you have it). For your spirit, the Wandering Wight or a similar stun-focused spirit is a great option.
Level Up Wisely: You'll want to invest your sparks heavily into stamina and stamina recovery in your foundation skill tree. This cheese relies on dodging and running, so a high stamina bar is crucial. Maxing out the "Smash" stance is also a great idea for maximizing your damage during the openings.
B) Understand the Arena
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The Tiger Vanguard's arena is a circular area with a blood pool in the center. The key to this cheese lies in the corners of this arena. The boss's movements and attacks have blind spots and vulnerabilities that we can exploit by positioning ourselves correctly.
Step 2: The Initial Encounter - Setting the Stage
This is the most critical part of the cheese. You need to execute these first few seconds perfectly to set yourself up for a quick and easy victory.
Enter and Wait: As soon as you step into the arena, the Tiger Vanguard will likely dash and leap towards you. Do not panic.
Dodge and Reposition: Immediately dodge this first attack. As soon as you land, sprint to a corner of the arena. The corners are your safe zones. The boss will have a hard time tracking you here and will often get stuck on the environment.
Activate Your Spells: This is your window. As soon as you're in the corner and the boss is trying to navigate to you, use your Immobilize spell. This will freeze him in place, giving you a precious few seconds of free hits.
Step 3: The Corner Conundrum - The Real Cheese Begins
Now that you have him immobilized, let the beatdown commence.
Unleash the Clones: While he is frozen, immediately use your Pluck of Many spell to summon your clones. This is a massive damage booster.
Charge and Attack: Use a fully charged heavy attack from your staff. You can also use a quick light attack combo to build up focus points. The goal is to deal as much damage as possible before he breaks free.
The Corner Shuffle: As he recovers from the Immobilize spell, he will likely attempt a new combo. This is where the corner comes in. He will often lunge, and his attack will hit the corner before it hits you. This is your cue!
Hit and Run: As soon as you see his attack hit the wall, release your charged attack or a quick combo. Then, immediately use Cloud Step to dash to the opposite corner. This is the core of the cheese: you're constantly moving from one corner to another, exploiting his attack animations and blind spots.
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: The cycle is simple: get to a corner, wait for his lunge to hit the wall, attack, and Cloud Step to the other corner. The Tiger Vanguard's AI gets confused and he struggles to track you, making his powerful attacks a total waste of time.
Step 4: The Finishing Blow - From Corner-to-Corner to Victory
As you chip away at his health, he will enter new phases and use more dangerous attacks, but don't worry, our cheese strategy holds up.
The Stone Transformation: He will occasionally turn into a solid stone statue. DO NOT ATTACK HIM HERE! Your weapon will bounce off, you'll be stunned, and he will counter with a devastating punch. This is your chance to use a flask to heal, regenerate mana, or just reposition yourself for the next cycle.
The Blood Tornados: If you create too much distance, he may summon blood tornados from the pool. While these can be annoying, they are easily dodged by sprinting to the side. Just keep moving.
The Second Wind: When he gets to low health, he might unleash a flurry of sword slashes and kicks. Keep calm and stick to the corner shuffle. His animations for these attacks are often long, giving you plenty of time to counter.
Keep up the corner shuffle and continue to chip away at his health. Before you know it, he'll be defeated. You'll get to enjoy the sweet taste of victory and the satisfaction of knowing you outsmarted a truly challenging boss.
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10 Related FAQ Questions
How to prepare for the Tiger Vanguard fight?
You should craft the best available armor, such as the Galeguard set, and a weapon with a good charged or AoE attack. Invest your sparks into stamina and the Smash stance. Having the Cloud Step, Immobilize, and Pluck of Many spells is also highly recommended.
How to dodge the Tiger Vanguard's attacks?
The key is to learn the timings of his combos, but the cheese method allows you to avoid most of them. By using the corners of the arena, his lunge attacks will often hit the environment before they hit you, giving you an opening. Use Cloud Step to quickly reposition yourself.
How to deal with the Tiger Vanguard's stone transformation?
When he turns to stone, do not attack him. Your weapon will bounce off and you will be stunned, allowing him to counter. Use this time to heal, regenerate mana, or reposition for your next offensive.
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How to get the Cloud Step spell?
The Cloud Step spell is one of the core abilities in the game and is often unlocked through progression in the main story or by defeating specific mini-bosses. You will likely acquire it naturally as you progress through the game's early chapters.
How to use spirits effectively against the Tiger Vanguard?
Summoning a spirit like the Wandering Wight can be very effective for stunning the boss, giving you more time for free attacks. Use them when you have an opening, such as right after you use the Immobilize spell.
How to deal with his ranged blood tornado attack?
The Tiger Vanguard will only use this attack if you are at a distance. If you are following the cheese method and staying close to the corners, you will rarely see this attack. If he does use it, simply sprint to the side to avoid the projectiles.
How to get the Pluck of Many spell?
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The Pluck of Many spell is often a reward for completing a specific questline or defeating a certain boss, such as the Stone Vanguard. It is a powerful spell that summons clones to fight alongside you, making it invaluable for this cheese.
How to tell when the Tiger Vanguard is vulnerable?
He is most vulnerable right after he finishes a long attack combo and is in his recovery animation. With the corner cheese, your primary opening is after his lunge attack hits the corner of the arena.
How to recover stamina quickly in the fight?
Investing sparks into the stamina and stamina recovery skill trees is the most direct way to improve your recovery. You can also use consumables or relics that boost stamina regeneration.
How to beat the Tiger Vanguard without cheesing him?
Beating him without cheesing requires you to master his move set and perfect your dodge timing. You need to be patient, get in a few hits after his combos, and then immediately back off. It's a test of endurance and skill, which is why the cheese is so popular.
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