Hello, aspiring immortal! Are you ready to face one of the most formidable challenges in your journey through the mythical lands of Black Myth: Wukong? The Stone Vanguard awaits, a truly epic encounter that will test your skills and resolve. Don't worry, though, for this comprehensive guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need to overcome this rocky behemoth and claim your victory!
The Stone Vanguard: A Monumental Challenge in Black Myth: Wukong
The Stone Vanguard is a mandatory Yaoguai King boss fight that you'll encounter in Chapter 2 of Black Myth: Wukong. This hulking monster of stone, found in the Fright Cliff region, is renowned for its immense defense and devastating area-of-effect (AoE) attacks. Defeating it is not just a matter of prowess; it's a critical step in progressing through the story, as it drops the Sterness of Stone, one half of the key items required to unlock crucial doors and advance to the chapter's main boss.
Prepare yourself, for this isn't just about mashing buttons. It's about strategy, timing, and understanding your foe. Let's break down exactly how you can conquer the Stone Vanguard!
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| How To Get To Stone Vanguard Wukong |
Step 1: Locating the Stone Vanguard - Your Rocky Rendezvous
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
First things first, you need to find this colossal opponent. The world of Black Myth: Wukong is vast, but the Stone Vanguard's lair is a fixed, mandatory encounter.
Sub-heading 1.1: Tracing Your Path from Sandgate Village
Starting Point: Your journey to the Stone Vanguard typically begins from the Valley of Despair Keeper's Shrine in Sandgate Village. This is a central hub you'll likely be familiar with.
Crossing the Bridge: From the shrine, look for a wooden rope bridge on the opposite side of the arena where you fought the King of Flowing Sands and Second Rat Prince. Cross this bridge.
Following the Trail: Continue following the trail through the gate. You'll navigate through various enemies, so be prepared for skirmishes along the way.
Sub-heading 1.2: Reaching Rockrest Flat
Squall Hideout Shrine: You'll eventually arrive at the Squall Hideout Shrine. This is a good place to rest, resupply, and prepare if needed.
Into Rockrest Flat: From the Squall Hideout Shrine, continue on towards Rockrest Flat.
The Arena Entrance: As you reach Rockrest Flat, you'll see a small path to the left or a set of stairs leading up. The path to the left, through a rock archway, leads directly into the large open arena where the Stone Vanguard awaits. Approach the pile of rocks in front of a broken-down house within this arena, and a cutscene will trigger, initiating the boss fight.
QuickTip: Scan the start and end of paragraphs.
Step 2: Preparing for Battle - Gearing Up for Glory
Before you charge headlong into a fight with a giant rock monster, proper preparation is absolutely crucial. The Stone Vanguard is a test of endurance and tactical awareness.
Sub-heading 2.1: Essential Gear and Upgrades
Armor Set: Prioritize crafting and upgrading your armor. The Ebongold armor set is highly recommended at this stage of the game for its defensive capabilities. The more protection you have, the better you can withstand the Stone Vanguard's powerful blows.
Weapon Upgrade: Ensure your weapon, particularly your Twin Serpent Staff, is upgraded to its best available state. More damage means a faster fight and fewer opportunities for the boss to wear you down.
Will Management: Upgrading gear requires Will, the game's currency. If you're short, remember to sell any extra gold you've accumulated or defeat common enemies to replenish your supply.
Sub-heading 2.2: Spells and Stances - Your Magical Arsenal
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
Cloud Step Spell: This spell, typically dropped by the Black Wind King, is invaluable for evading the Stone Vanguard's massive AoE attacks and creating openings for counterattacks. Mastering its use will significantly improve your chances.
Thrust Stance: By this point, you should have unlocked the Thrust Stance for your staff. This stance is highly recommended for this fight, as it allows you to deal effective damage while maintaining a safe distance.
Immobilize Spell: The Immobilize spell can be incredibly useful for temporarily freezing the Stone Vanguard during its attack animations, allowing you to land focused heavy attacks and deal significant damage. However, be mindful of its cooldown and mana cost.
Spirit Choice: Consider equipping a spirit that provides a defense boost, such as Wandering Wight's spirit, to further enhance your survivability.
Step 3: Mastering the Stone Vanguard - Strategies for Victory
The Stone Vanguard is a formidable opponent, but its movements are predictable once you understand its patterns. Patience and precise dodging are your best friends.
Sub-heading 3.1: Understanding the Stone Vanguard's Moveset
The Stone Vanguard relies heavily on powerful, ground-based attacks and AoE shockwaves.
QuickTip: Skim the ending to preview key takeaways.
Ground Slam: The most common and easily recognizable attack. The Stone Vanguard will raise its arms and slam them into the ground, creating a massive shockwave.
Counter: This attack is very slow and telegraphed. As soon as you see its arms rise, dash away to create distance. The AoE is primarily in front of it, but some damage can extend behind. Wait for the attack to fully complete before re-engaging.
Pouncing Attack: The Vanguard leaps forward and slams down.
Counter: Look for a shift in its weight and it hiding behind its shoulder. Dash away from the spot it leaped from to avoid damage.
Ground Punch Combo: It will punch the ground multiple times before a final leap and slam.
Counter: Stick close and continuously dodge to the side during the combo. This can even open up opportunities for quick counter-attacks.
Boulder Toss: If you maintain too much distance, the Stone Vanguard will throw large boulders at you.
Counter: These are relatively easy to dodge. Be prepared for multiple boulders in quick succession. It's often better to stay closer to it than at a distance to avoid this.
Golem Summon: The Vanguard will pound the ground with one arm, summoning smaller, exploding rock minions that leap at you. After several minions, the Stone Vanguard itself will join the final two in a combined leap.
Counter: This is a dangerous move. You'll need to continuously dodge each incoming golem. When the Stone Vanguard joins the final leap, time your Cloud Step or a precise dodge to avoid being caught in the explosive impact. There's no truly "safe" distance during this attack.
Backhand Attack: If you're behind it, it might get on all fours and charge forward with a wide backhand.
Counter: When you see it crouch, sprint to the side. It cannot adjust direction mid-charge.
Sub-heading 3.2: Key Combat Tactics
Patience is a Virtue: Don't rush in. Observe its attack patterns and wait for openings.
Prioritize Dodging: Your primary focus should be on perfect dodges. Not only do they keep you safe, but they also build up your focus points quickly.
Counter-Attacks: After a successful dodge, especially a perfect dodge, use your focused heavy attacks (like the Thrust Stance heavy attack) to deal significant damage. This also helps build focus again.
Exploiting Weaknesses: While the Stone Vanguard is made of rock, its core body is often the most vulnerable. Aim for its center mass when you have an opening.
The Shigandang Secret (Optional, but highly recommended!): This is a game-changer if you're struggling.
Collect Buddha Eyeballs: Throughout Chapter 2, there are six Buddha Eyeballs scattered around the Fright Cliff region.
Summon Shigandang: In the Stone Vanguard's arena, near the entrance, there's a large stone with many carved heads. Before initiating the fight with the Stone Vanguard, interact with this stone and insert the six Buddha Eyeballs. This will summon Shigandang, a secret boss who is significantly tougher than the Stone Vanguard.
Let Them Fight: Shigandang will immediately engage the Stone Vanguard in a fierce battle. Stand back and let them weaken each other. Shigandang will often perform a flashy finisher, tearing the Stone Vanguard to pieces, leaving you with all the rewards and a much easier fight (or no fight at all with the Stone Vanguard!). Shigandang will then turn his attention to you, so be prepared for a challenging, but now solo, fight against him. This is an excellent way to "cheese" the Stone Vanguard fight if you're having trouble.
Step 4: Claiming Your Rewards and Moving Forward
Once the Stone Vanguard crumbles, you'll be justly rewarded for your efforts!
Sterness of Stone: This is the most important reward, as it's a key item required for progression.
Experience and Will: You'll receive a good chunk of experience (around 1652 XP) and Will (around 1350 Will), which will help you level up and acquire new Spark points for character progression.
Other Materials: You'll also likely obtain other valuable items like Silk and Yaoguai Cores.
New Armor Set: After defeating the Stone Vanguard, return to a shrine, and you'll discover that you can now craft the Galeguard armor set. This will further toughen you up for future encounters.
With the Sterness of Stone in hand, you can now combine it with the Keeness of Tiger (obtained from the Tiger Vanguard boss) to unlock the large door and activate the tallies that lead to the final boss of Chapter 2, the Yellow Wind Sage. Your journey continues!
FAQ: How to Get to Stone Vanguard Wukong - Quick Answers
How to find the Stone Vanguard's location? The Stone Vanguard is found in the Fright Cliff region, specifically the Rockrest Flat area, accessible by crossing a wooden bridge from Sandgate Village and following the trail.
How to prepare for the Stone Vanguard boss fight? Upgrade your Ebongold armor and Twin Serpent Staff, ensure you have the Cloud Step and Immobilize spells, and consider a defense-boosting spirit.
How to easily defeat the Stone Vanguard? Master its attack patterns, prioritize dodging, use perfect dodges to build focus, and counter with heavy attacks. Alternatively, collect all six Buddha Eyeballs to summon Shigandang to fight it for you.
How to use the Sterness of Stone after defeating the Stone Vanguard? The Sterness of Stone, along with the Keeness of Tiger, is used to activate the Tally at the Valley of Despair in Sandgate Village, unlocking a crucial path in Chapter 2.
How to avoid the Stone Vanguard's AoE attacks? For its Ground Slam, dash away as its arms rise. For other AoE, precise dodges and the Cloud Step spell are essential.
How to deal with the Stone Vanguard's summoned rock minions? Continuously dodge each incoming exploding minion, and be prepared for the Stone Vanguard to join the final leap with them.
How to tell when the Stone Vanguard is about to use a specific attack? Look for clear visual cues like raised arms for the Ground Slam, a shift in weight for the Pouncing Attack, or it pounding the ground for the Golem Summon.
How to get more Will for upgrades before fighting the Stone Vanguard? Sell excess gold items you've collected or farm common enemies in the Fright Cliff region.
How to access the secret boss fight that helps against the Stone Vanguard? Collect all six Buddha Eyeballs in Chapter 2, then interact with the large stone relief in the Stone Vanguard's arena before engaging the boss.
How to progress after beating the Stone Vanguard? You'll receive the Sterness of Stone. Your next step is to acquire the Keeness of Tiger from the Tiger Vanguard to open the main gate of Chapter 2 and continue towards the Yellow Wind Sage.
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