Confronting the Tiger Vanguard in Black Myth: Wukong is a highly challenging encounter. The battle takes place in a temple square, a gruesome scene filled with the blood of sacrifices that the Tiger Vanguard has been indulging in before you arrive. This unsettling introduction sets the stage for what is one of the most formidable opponents in the game.
Among the two vanguard Yaoguai Kings you encounter in Chapter 2 of Black Myth: Wukong, the Tiger Vanguard stands out as the most vicious and challenging. His combat style, which blends martial arts with the deadly use of his blade, makes him a force to be reckoned with. Defeating him is crucial, as he holds a key item needed to progress in the chapter and a spell that will greatly benefit you in future encounters. Log into your Black Myth: Wukong Account now and follow this guide to defeat Tiger Vanguard!
Preparing for the Tiger Vanguard
The Tiger Vanguard is located at Yellow Wind Ridge, within the Crouching Tiger Temple. The nearest shrine is located at the Temple Entrance. As you ascend the temple steps, you'll notice trails of blood and remains, a grim preview of the upcoming battle.
Before engaging the Tiger Vanguard, ensure that you have crafted the best available armor. If you've already defeated the Stone Vanguard, which is recommended to tackle first, you should be able to craft the Galeguard armor set. Additionally, equip the Wandering Wight as your spirit to gain a defense boost. While crafting medicines to buff your Health, Mana, and Defense is helpful, these boosts are minimal unless you've already mastered the Tiger Vanguard's attack patterns.
Strategies for Defeating the Tiger Vanguard
Unlike some of the more beast-like enemies you've faced so far, the Tiger Vanguard's fighting style is more humanoid, relying heavily on punches and kicks. He also occasionally uses the sword on his back, though this is less frequent. Be especially cautious when he drops to all fours, as this signals an upcoming, more dangerous attack.
When you first enter the arena, the Tiger Vanguard may circle around you before leaping into the air to pounce. You can either dodge or use the Cloud Step to evade and then quickly counterattack. He will then start throwing powerful punches, which may be straight one-twos or an uppercut followed by a fist pound on the ground. Pay attention to his fists, which might glow or appear more human-like as the tiger fur momentarily disappears. He may also attempt a sweep kick before retreating with a flashy backwards spin kick.
Another combo to watch out for involves a side-somersault kick followed by punches, ending with a devastating leg drop. While these moves can be dodged, perfect timing is crucial. If he begins with kicks, he might also incorporate his blade into the combo. You'll know he's about to use his sword when he adopts a stance with one hand reaching for his blade and the other raised towards his eyes, followed by a swift and deadly strike. This move is both visible and audible, making it easier to perfect your dodge.
At a distance, the Tiger Vanguard may use his sword to summon a cyclone from the bloody pool beneath you, which he then directs towards you. These can be dodged, but be prepared for additional slashes of blood that follow. He might also jump high and attempt a powerful aerial attack.
One of the Tiger Vanguard's most formidable abilities is his defense. He can transform into impenetrable stone, causing your attacks to bounce off harmlessly. There are two variations of this. In the first, he lowers himself with arms wide, waiting for you to attack. If you do, he counters with a charged punch. The key is to wait for his counter before attempting to dodge.
The second variation is a decoy tactic. He turns to stone on all fours, and if you strike, your weapon bounces off, but the real Tiger Vanguard has teleported elsewhere, ready to ambush you. You'll need to quickly locate him with your camera, as he will charge at you with a powerful attack. Sometimes, he reappears behind his stone form, making it difficult to spot him before he attacks.
To counter this decoy, use the Cloud Step, which allows you to avoid the target area and become essentially invisible, causing the Tiger Vanguard to miss his charge. Prioritize your Mana for this move, although Immobilize can still be useful if you struggle with dodging his more challenging combos. Avoid using Immobilize during his stone phases, as it won't work and will only waste Mana.
The Tiger Vanguard doesn't have distinct phases; instead, he continuously cycles through these moves, making the fight a prolonged and grueling challenge. Play cautiously, use spells wisely, and take advantage of medicines to give yourself small buffs if needed. With patience and skill, you will eventually bring him down.
Rewards for Defeating the Tiger Vanguard
After defeating the Tiger Vanguard, he will turn to stone one last time before fading away to the sound of a song from a headless musician. Defeating him grants you the power of Rock Solid, a magical ability that acts as a parry mechanic in Black Myth: Wukong. You'll also receive 1652 XP, which should be sufficient to level up and gain an additional Spark point, along with three Silk. Additionally, he drops a Mind Core, which you can use to upgrade your stats, and the Keenness of Tiger, a key item that you can immediately use in front of the headless Buddha statue to drain the blood in the arena and reveal a passage under the temple.
While more challenges await in the temple's depths, you'll also find your path to the chapter's end and an even more formidable boss. If you've also defeated the Stone Vanguard, remember that you now have both key items needed to open the gate at Valley of Despair.
Make sure to uncover the secrets and tackle the challenges in Yellow Wind Ridge before proceeding with the main storyline.
The above is an analysis of the characteristics of Tiger Vanguard's attack and some coping strategies, and of course the prizes you can get after defeating it. If you are still on the sidelines and don't buy this game, you will miss the opportunity to experience the charm of the oriental myth adventure game. Come to Z2U to buy Black Myth Wukong CDKeys to start your unique adventure Now!