How to Defeat The Gold-Masked One in Phantom Blade Zero

The Gold-Masked One inside the Long Pillar in Phantom Blade Zero is a somewhat unconventional boss fight. Each of the pillar fights in the Bloodline Awakening quest is a challenge battle against this boss that teaches you different aspects of the game’s combat.

The first battle centers on parrying, which is why the tip box appears in the top right. This fight is tricky because of its main gimmick:

• You cannot damage The Gold-Masked One except after a parry or perfect dodge (a blue or red attack), or unless his Sha-Chi is broken.

Normally, in Phantom Blade Zero’s boss fights, it pays to attack constantly—especially since regular attacks don’t even cost Sha-Chi. But in this fight, your attacks won’t do anything. Instead, you should:

1. Counter his red (perfect dodge) or blue (perfect parry) attacks and then strike afterward to deplete his Sha-Chi. If you’re struggling with reacting and hitting the right or left bumper on a controller, just press both.
2. Once it’s depleted, deal as much damage as you can within the window. I recommend using Jagged Steel since he’s susceptible to bleed.
3. Rinse and repeat.

The video above shows the process, but this fight can be quite tricky early on because he has a lot of health and it’s a battle of attrition. Make sure your weapon is upgraded as much as possible for the attempt, and equip the best accessories you can—I was using the Quick Hand Pendant, Ancient Armor Fragment, Jewel’s Knot, and Resonance Talisman, for increased one-hand damage, damage negation, HP, and Sha-Chi. But I came back to this fight later after arriving in Pangzhen.

There’s really no rush to beat The Gold-Masked One. As you progress, you’ll gain more HP, Sha-Chi, weapon upgrades, and the ability to polish accessories, increasing their buffs, which makes things easier. If you’re intent on doing it when you reach it, though, be prepared for a long battle.

Once done, the reward is the Counterstrike Bracers, which increase damage dealt by 20% for two seconds after a parry, and you can also attempt the second Long Pillar challenge in the Crimson Forest.

Phantom Blade Zero tips: Conquer the Wulin
Phantom Blade Zero Flesh Lily: Find Yu’er’s flower
Phantom Blade Zero Zhang’s treasures: Every relic
Phantom Blade Zero Mandate Camp Key: Get inside
Phantom Blade Zero Illusory Pipa: Repair the lute