Quick Answer: Focus on punishing his recovery frames after his heavy fist slams and avoid attacking his stone-form counter. Use consumables like Evil Repelling Medicament to mitigate damage and Tiger Subduing Pellets to boost your offensive output.
Prerequisites & Preparation
- Defeat the King of Flowing Sands
- Craft or equip high-defense armor sets
- Stockpile consumable medicines like Evil Repelling Medicament
- Ensure your Gourd is upgraded for maximum healing capacity
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
- Step 1: Manage the Opening Phase The boss begins with agile martial arts. Strafe to the side to avoid his flying punch, then punish him while he recovers from the slam animation.
- Step 2: Identify Punishable Fist Combos When he performs an uppercut followed by a downward fist slam, wait for him to shake his hand off before initiating your light attack combo.
- Step 3: Avoid the Stone Counter When he spreads his arms or crouches to turn into stone, do not attack. Use this window to heal or prepare a heavy attack for the moment he reverts to normal.
- Step 4: Counter the Sword Stance When he places two fingers to his face, prepare to dodge his single projectile slash. This is your best window to strike back while he sheathes his blade.
- Step 5: Survive the Long-Range Attacks If you stay at range, maintain distance and focus on dodging the tornadoes of blood until the sequence ends.
Tiger Vanguard Attack Patterns
| Attack / Tell | Best Counter / Dodge Action | Punish Window |
|---|---|---|
| Uppercut & Downward Slam | Dodge the slam | After he shakes his hand |
| Stone Form Counter | Stop attacking; heal or wait | Immediately after he shakes off dust |
| Two-Finger Sword Stance | Dodge the projectile slash | While he sheathes the blade |
| Spinning Kick & Leaping Slam | Dodge at the last moment | After he lands and slowly pulls his fist back up |
Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not commit to long combos if he starts his right hook and left punch sequence, as he will follow up with a leg sweep and retreat.
- Watch for blood splashing on the ground to track his movement when he uses his version of Cloud Step.
- If you are at long range, be prepared for tornadoes of blood; do not attempt to heal if he is currently unsheathing his sword.
- Use the Thrusting Stance for safe, long-ranged jabs if you are unsure about the safety of a melee counter-attack.
Troubleshooting & Edge Cases
If you are dying repeatedly, prioritize defensive play by using the Evil Repelling Medicament to reduce incoming damage. If you find yourself overwhelmed by his sword combos, focus entirely on dodging until he sheathes the weapon, as trying to trade hits will likely result in defeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if he uses his Cloud Step ambush?
Watch for blood splashes on the arena floor to anticipate his arrival point, then either let your stamina recharge to evade or use your own defensive positioning to stay safe.
Is there a specific way to avoid his sword combo finale?
He will often spin in place before the final swing to trick you; wait for the actual movement of the blade rather than reacting to his body rotation.
Guide Verification & Support
All strategies, codes, weaknesses, and stats in this guide are synthesized and corroborated from verified gameplay mechanics, official wikis, and player testing data.