Zuo Shang, the Order's Shadow Sovereign: boss guide

Name as guides write it: Zuo Shang, the Order's Shadow Sovereign Reported · Game8. Steam's achievements do not list this boss, so the name is reported, not official.

At a glance

How the fight goes

Sparring match first

Zuo Shang first teaches you combat by sparring. It is a tutorial: your health refills on its own and he only attacks when you are close (see our Diverging Paths walkthrough). The real boss fight comes afterwards.

Phase one

IGN describes light-based projectiles and a lunge. Game8 describes ranged strikes fired from behind him during a melee combo, a finger-snap sequence where a heavy attack is followed by a flying giant mace you must dodge, and a thrown-sword combo that lunges at you and ends in a 7-hit string with a final parryable hit.

Phase two

IGN says that at about half health the fight moves to a rooftop, with one button-prompt event (Triangle or F) and a large blue-flash leap. Game8 also lists a lunge combo: a lunge, a circular sword swing, four kicks, four quick airborne ranged strikes, then a heavy attack you can dodge. Game8 does not say which phase this belongs to.

How to beat Zuo Shang

• Watch his back during melee combos: Game8 says he fires ranged attacks from behind himself, and an audio cue warns you to block.
• Listen for the finger snap. Hold block against the incoming swords, then dodge the flying mace that follows (Game8).
• After the thrown-sword combo and lunge, parry the last hit of the 7-hit string when the blue glint shows (Game8).
• After the lunge combo, dodge the heavy attack, then counter once you have room (Game8).
• Parry blue flashes, dodge red ones, and use Power Surge to interrupt him if you are under pressure (IGN).
• IGN says you still heal on your own during this fight, so it works as a final tutorial.

Blue marks mean parry, red marks mean dodge Reported · TheSixthAxis Reported · TheSixthAxis. The combat guide covers timing and the Sha-Chi meter.

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