Spoiler Alert! This guide contains spoilers for key moments in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty's mid-to-late-game storyline.
Given their track record, it's hardly surprising that Team Ninja's newest 'soulslike,' Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, provides players with a serious challenge. With a unique spin on the classic genre, the game ticks all the right boxes with its approach to the balance between punishment and fun. Players of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty will face truly dangerous enemies, clever world design, and some extremely tough bosses. While there are several difficult aspects of the game, it is several of the bosses that rise above a simple challenge, often requiring players to seek outside help.
No boss exemplifies this fact more than Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty's own legendary warrior, Lu Bu. This horse bound behemoth is an absolute monster, crushing players' first-try hopes under his horse's hooves. When Lu Bu is finally defeated, there is a palpable moment of relief. Unfortunately, this is not the end of the mounted menace. Several stages later, he will return in demon form, back to terrorize the player one last time.
Preparing to Fight Demon Lu Bu in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Lu Bu will take his demon form during the final Part 5 Mission, "Lu Bu, Mightiest among Men." As players have already fought Lu Bu in his human form, they will have a considerable leg up this time around. That is not to say Demon Lu Bu is a pushover. The process of taking the elixir, then being stabbed by the Taoist in Black, will transform him into a monstrous beast-man, still capable of doing incredible harm to anyone he faces.
While it is important to expect a difficult fight, there are some key factors that will benefit the player this time around. Consider reviewing the first fight with Lu Bu, and remember these points when preparing for his demon form:
- Lu Bu uses many of the same key attacks: Though not all the same, two of his three critical attacks are essentially the same, requiring the same timing to deflect.
- Lu Bu does not have his horse: Lu Bu grows horse-like legs after taking the elixir, negating any need for a horse. This means the entire mounted aspect of the first fight, specifically the need to knock Lu Bu from his horse, does not return. Here, Lu Bu takes full damage at all times.
- Lu Bu does not use his bow: While his arrows are replaced with flaming projectiles, they move considerably slower, making them easier to deflect.
- The Same Water Build Works: Because Demon Lu Bu remains fire-based, many of the tactics from the first fight still hold true. Keeping in line with the Five Phases Affinities, "water overcomes fire" will be this fight's mantra.
Water Build Basics:
Don't forget, it's completely free to respec in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. If players are struggling, they can always return to the village and visit Zuo Ci, the village elder. In the case of struggling to successfully defeat Lu Bu, try putting more points into the Water affinity.
When designing a water-based build for the fight against Demon Lu Bu, consider using the following gear:
- Fast spells, though not as powerful, are still preferable in this fight. Consider using Frost Lance and Frozen Malice. Unfortunately, it does not appear that these spells can dispel the fire on Lu Bu's weapon like it did in the first fight. Still, these spells will help lower Lu Bu's spirit gauge, which is always worthwhile.
- A third spell can be chosen to match the player's style. Those that get up close and personal can use Ice Weapon. Quick thinkers can use the Frozen Spear Trap. Experiment with spells to find the best match.
- The final spot can be used for a defensive or passive spell, such as Enhanced Defense (Earth) or Spirit Fervor (Wood).
- Look for armor with high fire resistance. Lieutenant-General and Han Armor both have a 60 rating in fire resistance. Try embedding at Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty's blacksmith to further improve any armor's fire resistance.
- Put Heatproof Ice in the shortcut menu. This will temporarily raise flame resistance and remove the burn status buildup.
A Note on Reinforcements:
Unlike the first fight with Lu Bu, where NPC's were more of a hindrance than a help, this fight can greatly benefit from bringing help. While Lu Bu is still mobile, he is nowhere near as quick and unpredictable, making him a much easier target. Bring in a water-build NPC at the Battle Flag to help take some of the heat off the player.
How to Beat Demon Lu Bu in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
Basic Strategy:
Just as it was in the first fight, the goal in this fight will be to make Lu Bu enter spirit disruption and open himself up to a fatal strike. Lu Bu is much more vulnerable to basic melee damage in this fight, so basic attacks are a viable option, but focusing on his spirit gauge is the quickest route to victory. Remember, the longer the fight, the more chance there is to make some kind of mistake. Some of Lu Bu's combos are extremely deadly, so focus on ending the fight quickly.
Use Martial Arts, Wizardry Spells, Spirit Attack, general deflections, and Critical Blow deflections to simultaneously fill the negative spirit bar while shrinking the lower limit. Properly managing the enemy's spirit gauge in Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty can completely change a fight.
Basic Attacks and Fire Attacks:
Just as in the first fight, Lu Bu will begin the fight with his bare halberd, fighting with great intensity. But again, like the first fight, after a certain amount of time passes, or at a certain level of damage taken, Lu Bu will engulf his weapon in flames. When this happens, he will become much more aggressive. Additionally, flame attacks will do damage even when guarding. It is far better to learn the timing for deflection, or dodge entirely.
Each basic attacks will have a flame-based counterpart. These will be exactly the same in regard to technique, but will cause far more damage if they connect. If the flame attacks strike the player too many times, they will begin to burn. Use heatproof ice to snuff out the flames.
Basic Swinging Attacks: This is Lu Bu's most common attack. He raises his weapon high above, pauses for a moment, then swings in a half-circle attack. He will often string two or more swings into a combo.
Overhead Twirl to AOE: Lu Bu twirls his weapon overhead and then plunges it into the ground, creating a large circular AOE. The player can back up if they can the attack in time, or deflect just before the weapon hits the ground.
There is a flame version of this attack that results in an explosion of flame in the same AOE. The same defense will work. If the deflection is properly timed, the player will not take flame damage.
Lunging Thrust Attack: Lu Bu crouches, clearly 'charging up' for something. He then leaps forward, though not as high as the critical blow. He closes the distance between himself and the player, thrusting his halberd forward as soon as he lands.
This attack begins slow, but ends fast. The thrust is incredibly quick, so press the deflect button slightly before it feels comfortable. It may take several tries to get the timing down.
Unique Flame Attacks:
Flame Projectiles: This can occur even before Lu Bu uses his flaming halberd. He will circle around the arena, launching small balls of fire at the player. They have the ability to track, so deflection is the best option.
When the flame phase begins, these projectiles become much more dangerous. Instead of a single fireball moving relatively slowly, Lu Bu now sends three out, and at a much higher speed.
Swing Variations: Lu Bu has several flame-only variations on the basic swing attacks. Some will leave sheets of fire trailing behind the weapon, some will cause trails of fire to raise from the ground. The best way to avoid these attacks is to learn the timing of deflection. It may sound obvious, but all other options leave the player open to serious risk.
Critical Attacks:
Two of Lu Bu's critical attacks are essentially the same. They may be slightly altered due to the difference in character design, but the timing windows are basically the same. The third is new, and the easiest of the bunch to deflect.
Critical Leap: This is the same high jump that he performs on his horse. He returns to this attack frequently, so be sure to learn the timing. The best time to press the deflect button is just moments before he crashes down on the players head. The flaming version is the same, but will cause significantly more damage if the deflection is missed.
Raking Spear: Lu Bu drags his spear along the ground and charges towards the player. At the last second he will thrust the spear, impaling the player if the deflection is missed. This attack only occurs while the weapon is in flames. This is the hardest of the three attacks to time, as the flames can obscure the players view of the weapon. Eventually, the player will learn when to press deflect, even if they have to go more by instinct.
Three Fireballs: Lu Bu gathers fire over his head, then launches a massive fireball at the player. This acts simitar to the critical projectiles launched by warlocks. The player will send it back at Lu Bu. The first fireball is fairly slow, and each subsequent fireball will come quicker. The player will only be awarded the critical blow if they deflect all three fireballs.
Final Thoughts on Defeating Demon Lu Bu
Demon Lu Bu stands as an example of the interesting design choices Team Ninja has made with the boss fights. Many may have expected Lu Bu's demon form to be one of the hardest bosses in the game, but in truth, it pales in comparison to the first fight. Still, this fight should not be taken for granted.
With Lu Bu now out of the picture, it is time for the player to enter the game's final gauntlet.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty is available now on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A free demo is available on all platforms until 03/26/23.