Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic, is one of the main bosses in Phantom Blade Zero that appears in Crimson Forest. To trigger the encounter, you will want to progress through the Snake’s Reflection chapter, which leads you to the Pangzhen Bridge. The battle takes place on the overpass.
You receive the Fanatic’s Broken Blade, a powerful one-handed weapon, upon defeating the boss. This article will further help you locate and beat Hua Qianxiao in Phantom Blade Zero.
Where to find Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic in Phantom Blade Zero?
You come across Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic, during the Snake’s Reflection quest in Phantom Blade Zero. Upon progressing through the chapter, you will reach the Pangzhen Bridge Overlook in the Crimson Forest area. Interact with the bell and step onto the bridge to spot Hua Qianxiao.
The boss guards the area in a drunken state. He will start attacking you after a cutscene.
How to beat Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic in Phantom Blade Zero?
Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic, boss in Phantom Blade Zero, does not have multiple phases. However, defeating the enemy can be challenging since he unleashes some swift attacks and combo mix-ups that are hard to predict. The boss also relies on a couple of defensive abilities to mitigate damage and refill his Sha-Chi bar, extending the duration of the battle.
Hua Qianxiao uses the following moveset during battle:
- Defensive bubble: The boss occasionally drinks wine from his gourd, creating a defensive bubble that shields him from incoming damage.
- Sword flurry combo: Uses his flying swords to perform a series of unpredictable slashes. The flurry ends with either a blue-flash attack or a red-flash attack, requiring you to react accordingly.
- Sword throw: Leaps back and hovers in the air to throw multiple blades at you from a distance. He ends the combo with a red-flash attack.
- Grab attack: Hua Qianxiao will occasionally evade your slashes and move behind you to perform a grab attack. The ability deals no damage but replenishes his Sha-Chi.
- Tidal Sword: Lunges backward to drink more wine, while his sword hovers in the air slicing anyone in its path.
How to counter
- Hua Qianxiao’s Sha-Chi bar depletes rapidly the more he uses abilities. Hence, we recommend a defensive approach against the boss. Keep parrying and blocking the attacks until the target is staggered.
- The defensive bubble remains active for quite some time and can only be broken with a powerful attack. The Dread Axe Phantom Edge is extremely efficient at breaking the barrier, provided you charge it up completely.
- Once the barrier collapses, move in to unleash your powerful combo and activate Power Surge to deal damage.
- You will want to block the entire sword flurry combo and check for either the blue or red flashes at the end to react accordingly. Always dodge the latter.
- Be prepared to dodge when you see Hua Qianxiao trotting in the air. He will unleash the red-flash grab attack shortly after.
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Edited by Akash Paul
