GUARDIAN APE

The beast of Sunken Valley. Two-phase terror with a sword-wielding decapitation twist.

📑 Quick Jump

👁️ Overview

LocationSunken Valley — Bodhisattva Valley
Phases2 (Beast form → Headless sword form)
RewardMemory, Slender Finger (unlock Finger Whistle)
WeaknessFirecrackers (Phase 1), Deflection (Phase 2)

🛡️ Preparation

Essential Prosthetics

  • Loaded Spear (Corkscrew) — pulls centipede from neck in Phase 2
  • Shinobi Firecracker — stuns Phase 1 for free hits
  • Flame Vent — fire damage + burn status

Items

  • Pacifying Agent — reduces Terror buildup
  • Pellets — passive healing
  • Fistful of Ash — alternative stun to firecrackers

Skills

  • Mid-air Deflection — for his jumping attacks
  • Chasing Slice — close distance after shuriken

🐒 Phase 1 — The Beast

He fights like a wild animal. Cannot be deflected normally. Terror buildup on grab.

Key Attacks

  • Wild swipes: 3-4 hit combo. Dodge through, don't block.
  • Grab (Perilous): Red kanji. Run away — this one-shots if it connects.
  • Poop throw: He grabs feces and throws them. Toxic buildup. Just run.
  • Jumping slam: Jumps and body slams. Dodge sideways, hit 2-3 times.
  • Scream: Terror AoE. Run away immediately.

Phase 1 Strategy

  1. Firecracker stun: Pop firecrackers, hit 2-3 times, back off.
  2. Stay mobile. Never hold block. His swipes deal damage through guard.
  3. Hit and run. 2-3 hits max, then create distance.
  4. Don't get greedy. His recovery is fast. Respect his space.
  5. Flame Vent: If you have it, fire deals good damage and stun.

🗡️ Phase 2 — The Headless Swordsman

He picks up his severed head AND a sword. Now he's deflectable but much deadlier.

Key Attacks

  • Overhead slam: Massive sword slam. DEFLECT THIS. It staggers him for 5+ seconds — your biggest damage window.
  • 7-hit combo: Long sword string. Deflect all 7, then counter.
  • Scream (Terror): Raises head and screams. Run away — unblockable terror.
  • Perilous sweep: Red kanji. Jump + kick for posture damage.
  • Lunging thrust: Red kanji. Mikiri Counter.

💀 The Centipede Trick

After deflecting his overhead slam, he falls forward. His neck opens up revealing the centipede.

  1. Equip Loaded Spear (Corkscrew upgrade).
  2. After the overhead slam deflect, use the spear R2 → R2 (pull attack).
  3. The spear hooks the centipede and pulls it out.
  4. This deals massive posture damage — about 30% of his posture bar.

You can do this 3-4 times per fight. It trivializes Phase 2.

Phase 2 Strategy

  1. Deflect everything. His sword attacks are deflectable. Learn the rhythm.
  2. Overhead slam = free damage. Deflect it, then unload 4-5 hits or use the spear trick.
  3. Run from scream. When he raises his head, sprint away. Come back after it ends.
  4. Be aggressive. Unlike Phase 1, you want to stay close and pressure him.

💡 Pro Tips

Second Ape Fight

Later you fight him again with a mate. Focus the brown ape first — she has less HP. Fire works wonders.

Bestowal Ninjutsu

After the second ape fight, use Bestowal Ninjutsu for a blood buff. It adds damage and range to your sword.

Pacifying Agent

If you get hit by Terror, use Pacifying Agent to reduce it. Terror = instant death when full.

Don't Give Up

Phase 1 is the hard part. Once you reach Phase 2, the fight becomes much more manageable.

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