You're looking to confront the Flint Vanguard in Black Myth: Wukong, a formidable foe that offers unique rewards upon defeat. This guide will walk you through the precise steps to reach this boss, prepare for the encounter, and ultimately claim your victory. Let's dive in!
How to Get to the Flint Vanguard: A Comprehensive Guide
The Flint Vanguard is an optional Yaoguai Chief boss located in Chapter 5, specifically within the Field of Fire region. Reaching him involves navigating a fiery landscape and overcoming a previous environmental challenge.
Step 1: Confirm Your Progress and Chapter Location
First things first, let's make sure you're in the right place in your journey!
- Are you in Chapter 5 of Black Myth: Wukong? The Flint Vanguard is a Chapter 5 boss, so if you're not there yet, continue with the main story until you reach this chapter. You'll know you're in Chapter 5 when you start exploring areas like the "Flaming Mountains" or "Field of Fire."
- Have you progressed through the "Iron Ball" or "Spiked Golden Ball" challenge? This is a critical prerequisite. There's a sequence in Chapter 5 where a massive, spiked ball rolls down a path, blocking your progress. You need to complete this segment, which typically culminates in the ball breaking through a barrier or reaching a specific point, opening up new pathways.
Step 2: Navigate to the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine
Your primary landmark for reaching the Flint Vanguard is the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine. This shrine is usually found after the rolling spiked ball sequence concludes.
- Sub-heading 2.1: Reaching the Shrine
- If you've just finished the rolling ball segment, continue along the path until you discover the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine. Make sure to activate it! This will serve as a crucial respawn point and fast travel location.
- If you're returning to this area, simply fast travel to the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine.
Step 3: Locating the Hidden Path to the Flint Vanguard
This is where many players can get a bit lost, as the path to the Flint Vanguard isn't immediately obvious.
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Sub-heading 3.1: Backtracking from the Shrine
- From the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine, turn around and backtrack down the path you just came from. This is the same path where the large spiked ball was previously rolling.
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Sub-heading 3.2: Identifying the Newly Opened Passage
- As you descend this path, keep a very close eye on the left side. You'll notice that the rolling ball, upon completing its destructive path, has destroyed a previously blocked barrier or wall. This destruction has created a newly opened passage on your left.
- This passage will often look like a branching path leading away from the main thoroughfare. It might appear as a slight detour into an area with glowing rocks or a distinct change in the environment.
- Don't miss it! It can be easy to walk past if you're not actively looking for it.
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Sub-heading 3.3: Following the New Path
- Take this newly opened passage on the left.
- Follow this path diligently. It will lead you into a large clearing.
- As you approach a pile of glowing rocks in this clearing, the Flint Vanguard will awaken and the boss fight will initiate.
Step 4: Preparing for the Flint Vanguard Encounter
The Flint Vanguard is a challenging boss, often accompanied by other enemies, so preparation is key!
- Sub-heading 4.1: Essential Consumables & Gear
- Body-Cooling Powder and Fireproof Mantle: The Flint Vanguard utilizes fire abilities and creates lava pools. These items are highly recommended to mitigate burn damage and increase your fire resistance.
- Healing Items: Stock up on your preferred healing concoctions (e.g., elixirs, health gourds).
- Damage-Boosting Items: If you have any temporary buffs for attack power or stamina recovery, consider using them.
- Sub-heading 4.2: Spirit Spells and Abilities
- Pluck of Many: This spell is incredibly useful for managing the hordes of Searing and Scorching Fire enemies that accompany the Flint Vanguard. It helps clear out the minions, allowing you to focus on the main boss.
- Immobilize/Stagger Abilities: Spells or weapon arts that can immobilize or stagger the boss will create crucial openings for you to deal damage.
- ***Transformation (Umbral Abyss)***: Some players find this transformation effective for burst damage and survivability.
- Rock Solid: This parry ability can generate focus, which is vital for unleashing powerful attacks.
- Sub-heading 4.3: Understanding the Fight Dynamics
- Minion Priority: The Flint Vanguard is rarely fought alone. Searing and Scorching Fire enemies will join the fray. It's often best to clear out these minions first to avoid being overwhelmed. You can bait them towards you, then use AoE attacks like Pluck of Many.
- Dodge and Weave: The Flint Vanguard has powerful, slow, and predictable attacks. Focus on dodging his large, sweeping arm attacks and the subsequent lava pools they create.
- Close Combat vs. Ranged: While he can throw fireballs at range, staying close to the Vanguard and dodging his punches is generally an effective strategy to build up focus.
- Stagger and Punish: Look for opportunities to stagger the Flint Vanguard. When he's knocked down, he'll be on all fours, presenting a vulnerability for heavy attacks.
Step 5: Engaging and Defeating the Flint Vanguard
With your preparations complete, it's time to face the fiery beast!
- Sub-heading 5.1: Initial Engagement and Minion Clear
- As you approach the glowing rocks, the Flint Vanguard will emerge. Immediately assess the surrounding minions.
- Prioritize clearing out the Searing Fire and Scorching Fire enemies. Use your Pluck of Many or other AoE abilities to thin their numbers. Circle the arena to group them up if needed.
- Sub-heading 5.2: Focusing on the Vanguard
- Once the minions are dealt with (or significantly thinned), shift your focus to the Flint Vanguard.
- Observe his attack patterns. He will often punch the ground, creating lava pools. Dodge these attacks to avoid being burned.
- When he commits to a large swing, use Rock Solid to parry and build focus.
- Sub-heading 5.3: Dealing Damage and Exploiting Openings
- After dodging or parrying, get in light attacks to continue building your focus meter.
- When your focus is charged, unleash heavy attacks or your most powerful Spirit Spells (like Immobilize or Wandering Wight spirit attack) to deal significant damage.
- If you successfully stagger him, take advantage of the opening to land more hits.
- Keep an eye on your stamina for dodging and attacking.
- Sub-heading 5.4: Managing Lava Pools and Ranged Attacks
- If lava pools start to build up around you, dash away to a clearer area.
- If you create distance, the Vanguard may resort to single fireball attacks. These are generally easy to dodge.
- He can also close the gap by flying and smashing down; be ready to dodge this as well.
- Sub-heading 5.5: Claiming Your Reward
- Once the Flint Vanguard is defeated, he will drop valuable rewards. Don't forget to collect them!
- The most significant reward is the Flint Vanguard Spirit, which allows you to take on its form and utilize its powers (Scorch Bane, Burn Damage, increased Scorch Damage, and Burn Resistance). You'll also receive a Samadhi Fire Crystal and other materials.
You've done it! By following these steps, you've successfully located and defeated the formidable Flint Vanguard. Enjoy the new powers and continue your epic journey in Black Myth: Wukong!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flint Vanguard
Here are 10 common questions about getting to and defeating the Flint Vanguard:
How to Find the Exact Location of the Flint Vanguard?
The Flint Vanguard is found in Chapter 5, in the Field of Fire region. After completing the "Iron Ball" rolling challenge and activating the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine, backtrack down the path from the shrine. A newly opened passage on the left, created by the ball, leads to a clearing where the Flint Vanguard awaits.
How to Prepare for the Flint Vanguard Boss Fight?
Prepare by stocking up on Body-Cooling Powder and a Fireproof Mantle to resist fire damage. Ensure you have plenty of healing items. Equip Spirit Spells like Pluck of Many for minion control and consider abilities that can immobilize or stagger.
How to Deal with the Minions During the Flint Vanguard Fight?
The Flint Vanguard is accompanied by Searing and Scorching Fire enemies. It's highly recommended to clear these minions first. Use Area-of-Effect (AoE) spells like Pluck of Many to quickly eliminate them, or lure them away from the boss to deal with them separately.
How to Dodge the Flint Vanguard's Attacks Effectively?
The Flint Vanguard's attacks are often slow and telegraphed. Focus on dodging his large, sweeping arm attacks which create lava pools. His single fireball attacks at range are also easily dodged with a simple sidestep.
How to Deal Damage to the Flint Vanguard?
Stay close to the Flint Vanguard, dodging his attacks, and then counter with light attacks to build up your focus. Once your focus is charged, unleash heavy attacks or powerful Spirit Spells. Look for opportunities to stagger him, as he becomes vulnerable when knocked down.
How to Use the Flint Vanguard Spirit After Defeating Him?
Upon defeating the Flint Vanguard, you will obtain its Spirit. This allows you to transform into the rocky beast, enabling you to use its powerful fist attacks that inflict Scorch Bane and Burn Damage. Equipping the spirit also moderately increases your Scorch Damage and Burn Resistance.
How to Find the Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine?
The Fallen Furnace Crater Keeper's Shrine is typically located at the end of the long path where the giant spiked ball rolls down in Chapter 5. Continue along this main story path after the ball's sequence concludes, and you will discover it.
How to Trigger the Flint Vanguard Boss Fight?
The boss fight is triggered simply by approaching the pile of glowing rocks in the clearing at the end of the hidden path (the one opened by the rolling spiked ball). As you get close, the rocks will animate, revealing the Flint Vanguard.
How to Maximize Focus Generation Against the Flint Vanguard?
Perfect dodges and consistent light attacks are key to maximizing focus generation. Using the Rock Solid parry ability also grants a significant amount of focus when timed correctly against his attacks.
How to Get More Samadhi Fire Crystals (Like the One Dropped by Flint Vanguard)?
Samadhi Fire Crystals are valuable crafting materials. The Flint Vanguard is one source, but other Yaoguai Chief bosses in Chapter 5 also drop them. You'll need to defeat various powerful enemies throughout the game to acquire more of these rare crystals.
