Boss: Shadow of Yharnam¶
The Shadow of Yharnam boss is actually three enemies, each with their own weapons and attacks:
- A katana-wielding version that rushes toward you constantly, with fast attacks
- A scimitar-wielding version with a candle, which he uses like a flamethrower
- A caster with a mace that walks around casting homing fireballs
The trick to this fight is to try and deal damage equally to the enemies while you try not to die from having three different sources of damage coming your way. Why? Well, despite the fact that each as a separate HP bar they actually act as a hive mind.
This means that when one gets below 30% or all are below 50% health they will all transform and get additional attacks. Likewise, when only one remains or they all reach below 25% they will begin to summon giant snakes that can kill you easily.
Phase 1
In Phase 1 the best course of action is to constantly stay on the move to draw the two running Shadows away from the fireball caster, allowing you to rush past them and get in some hits on the caster. Once you feel you are around 50%, start using the large gravestone in the middle of the area for cover from the fireballs while you use your firearm to counter/visceral attack the katana Shadow.
Keep this up until you drop him to 30%, causing the others stop to transform, but go all out on him to try and finish him off to avoid his Phase 2.
Separate the caster from the other Shadows to get in some hits and lower his health (left). Then use your firearm to create visceral attack opportunities on the other two (right).
Phase 2
With only two Shadows left you’ll want to focus on dropping the health of the Shadows to around 30% and then pray for a bit of luck, because this is where it gets dangerous.
Once you drop one below 25% you’ll need to kill it off quickly to avoid two Shadows that can summon the giant snakes. I suggest killing the caster first, as he seems to summon more often than the scimitar one, and then rushing the other Shadow in the hopes of avoiding the Phase 3 giant snakes completely.
If they do begin to summon, indicated by a pink glow when they kneel, rush away from where you are because the snakes seem to spawn in your general area rather than everywhere on the arena.
Lower the remaining Shadows’ health to around 25% (left) and then kill one. You must then rush to kill the remaining Shadow asap (right).
Drop: 18,600 Blood Echoes and the Blood Rapture Rune
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