Phantom Blade Zero introduces a sharp increase in difficulty through its combat encounters with the Black Man within the Long Pillar trials. For players who found the game manageable until now, the Golden Masked Man presents a formidable challenge that requires mastering combat mechanics or extensive preparation. Since this boss is optional, players are not forced to defeat him immediately; waiting until progressing into the second region with better weapons, stronger accessories, and higher levels can make the fight significantly more approachable.
Regardless of which Long Pillar is used, players will face the same trial until it is overcome. There are five trials in total, each with increasing difficulty. Two specific items are crucial for success: the Outlaw's Warrior Blade and the Reflex Talisman. The Outlaw's Warrior Blade is a two-handed sword whose basic attacks steal life to regenerate health, making it invaluable for prolonged battles. Its ultimate technique can drain a large amount of life to heal the player, though players must be cautious as Sha-Chi attacks will drain their own health. The Reflex Talisman expands perfect parry and dodge windows by 15%, increasing to 25% after improvement. Since this fight relies almost exclusively on these mechanics, the talisman is considered one of the best accessory choices for the adventure.
The first encounter with the Golden Masked Man functions as both a trial and a boss fight where the enemy is immune to damage for most of the time. There are two primary ways to inflict damage: performing a perfect parry or dodge when he executes blue or red attacks, which allows the character Soul to pass behind him for a long combo without retaliation; or depleting the boss's Sha-Chi bar. Whether by parrying or attacking during vulnerability windows, the orange Sha-Chi bar will gradually empty. Once completely depleted, players have several seconds to attack freely before the boss becomes invulnerable again.
Success requires a defensive playstyle where players focus on parrying attacks rather than initiating offense. Players must be ready to press the parry button immediately when a red light appears, as red attacks can occur at almost any moment, such as after an aerial combo or a jump. The boss also triggers these attacks after sliding along the player's flanks. If reflexes are not sharp enough, players should keep a finger on the parry button at all times. When the boss moves away and throws shockwaves, blocking the entire chain is more effective than attempting to parry individual hits. Players should also prepare mentally for him to leap forward for a blue attack.
The boss has many passive periods; if the player stays at a distance and does not attack, he will take his time. This offers an opportunity to heal and regenerate Sha-Chi. A critical mechanic in Phantom Blade Zero is that switching weapons instantly recovers all endurance (Sha-Chi). This prevents the guard from breaking during rapid boss attacks or after using Sha-Chi combos. Players should develop the reflex to switch weapons regularly with the designated button whenever the orange bar is nearly empty. When the boss's posture is broken, players should chain Sha-Chi combos and switch weapons immediately upon depletion to continue attacking or avoid being left without Sha-Chi when the boss resumes his assault.
Defeating the Golden Masked Man unlocks dialogue that provides more story context and enables the next trial upon contacting another Long Pillar. The immediate reward is the Counterattack Bracers accessory, which grants a 20% damage boost for five seconds after a perfect parry, increasing to 30% when upgraded.
The second trial sees little change in the fight structure, but the Golden Masked Man now uses multiple consecutive break attacks capable of instantly emptying the player's Sha-Chi bar if blocked. Players must dodge these instead, timing the button press very briefly after the attack initiates; pressing too early will result in taking damage. These attacks are identifiable by their black aura, and notably, the boss is no longer invulnerable during this phase.
In the third trial, the boss possesses a Sha-Chi bar that regenerates rapidly and constantly, making it nearly impossible to break his posture and render him vulnerable. However, for players who have mastered the combat mechanics, this should not be particularly difficult. The fourth trial features more aggressive combos and special attacks from the Golden Masked Man. While the game encourages interrupting these with concentrated Sha-Chi attacks, in practice, it is simply a harder version of the previous fights.
The fifth and final trial allows players to face Mo Yuan at full power. His special attacks are even more formidable, and he gains new abilities such as summoning flaming columns. Winning this encounter is one of the conditions required to achieve the best possible ending in Phantom Blade Zero.
Sources: Jeuxvideo.com.