In the treacherous halls of the Crouching Tiger Temple, a formidable guardian awaits the Destined One. The Tiger Vanguard isn't just another boss; it's a skill check, a wall that separates the casual players from the true legends. This isn't a fight you just waltz into. Oh no, that's a one-way ticket back to the loading screen. Seasoned players know you save this bad boy for last in Chapter 2. Why? Because by then, you'll have collected enough Immortal Fruits, Spirit Orbs, and secret techniques to stand a fighting chance. But even with all that prep, get ready to see "You Died" more times than you can count. It's all part of the process, baby.
Now, let's talk strategy. You might be tempted to go all Leroy Jenkins and tackle the Crouching Tiger Temple first, but that's a rookie mistake. The pro-gamer move? Take down the Stone Vanguard first. This isn't just for bragging rights; it's for the sweet, sweet loot. Defeating the Stone Vanguard unlocks the recipe for the Galeguard Armor, a crafting set that's basically your get-out-of-jail-free card for this whole chapter. If you don't have it, no worries, but you better have been farming like crazy. Stock up on health potions, upgrade that gourd, and for heaven's sake, practice your dodge rolls. Remember, the best defense is not getting hit at all. If Tiger Vanguard can't touch you, you've got all the time in the world to whittle down his health bar.
The Tiger's Arsenal: A Mix of Trickery and Raw Power
This boss has a few dirty tricks up its sleeve, and its main gimmick is turning to stone. When that happens, just chill. Seriously, put your staff away. Attacking a petrified Tiger Vanguard is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Your hits will bounce right off, leaving you wide open for a devastating counter-attack that will send you back to the last shrine faster than you can say "Monkey King." Patience is key in Black Myth: Wukong. Sometimes, the best move is not to attack at all.
When he's not pretending to be a garden statue, the Tiger Vanguard fights with a brutal combination of martial arts and blade work.
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Fist Combos: Lightning-fast, usually a quick one-two punch. This is a common attack pattern in the game, so get your timing down.
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Sword Slashes: These are slower but hit like a truck. He typically does a three-swing combo with a deliberate pause between each swing. This is your cue to dodge, don't get greedy. Trying to sneak in an extra hit here is a classic way to get combo'd into oblivion.
Legendary YouTubers like ONGBAL have shown it's possible to no-hit this boss with flawless dodging and perfect punishes. But let's be real, for us mere mortals on the first attempt, that's a pipe dream. Expect to eat dirt. A lot.
How to Beat the Beast: Sun Wukong's Playbook
Here's the mind-blowing secret: despite his intimidating size and massive sword, you actually want to fight the Tiger Vanguard up close and personal. Get in his face! Several of his most dangerous wide-sweeping attacks will completely whiff if you're hugging his legs, and he won't even bother with his leaping strikes. Your key tools for survival?
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Basic Dodge: Your bread and butter. Master the i-frames.
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Cloud Step: This isn't just for travel. Use it to quickly reposition around his trickier, tracking attacks. Blocking exists, but against this guy, it's about as effective as a paper umbrella in a hurricane.
Getting hit is a slippery slope. A couple of combos from the Tiger Vanguard, and it's game over, man. You might have a tiny window to chug a healing potion when he's frozen or in stone form, but relying on that is a risky business. The golden rule? Don't get hit.
Be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint. A reasonable expectation is to challenge this boss at least 10 times just to learn his patterns and build the muscle memory. Your success boils down to a simple formula:
| Your Skill Factor | Likely Attempts Needed | Final Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Newbie | 15-20+ | A glorious, hard-fought victory (with many gray hairs). |
| Average | 8-12 | A solid win after learning the dance. |
| Souls Veteran | 3-5 | "Is that all you've got?" |
But stick with it. After enough attempts, something magical will happen. His movements will start to look slow, his tells will become obvious, and you'll find yourself dancing around him like a leaf on the wind. That moment when you finally defeat him without taking a single hit? That's the good stuff. That's why we play.
Black Myth: Wukong - The Game Itself
Just in case you've been living under a rock, here's the 411 on the game that's taking the world by storm in 2025.
Genre: Action RPG \ Developer/Publisher: Game Science \ Engine: Unreal Engine 5 (and it shows! The graphics are insane) \ Platforms: PlayStation 5, PC \ Release Date: August 20, 2024 \ ESRB Rating: M for Mature (Blood, Violence) \ How Long To Beat: ~39 hours (longer if you get stuck on bosses like our friend the Tiger Vanguard!)
The reception has been off the charts. While some critics point to a steep learning curve (we're looking at you, Tiger Vanguard), the consensus is that it's a masterpiece. It's a love letter to Chinese mythology wrapped in some of the most satisfying and challenging combat ever designed. So gear up, practice those dodges, and go show that overgrown kitty who's the real king of the mountain. Good luck, and may your gourd never run dry! \ud83d\udc05\u2728