In Black Myth: Wukong, not every Yaoguai blocks your path; some hide, waiting for players curious enough to explore. Water-Wood Beast is such a case – a unique Yaoguai Chief (an optional mini-boss) that you can find in the vast Foothills area in Chapter 6. Don’t be fooled by its wood-and-stone appearance; this Wood-element beast is a master of hiding beneath the water, ready to launch surprise attacks when you let your guard down. This article will provide detailed instructions on how to find and the strategy to defeat Water-Wood Beast, helping you conquer this optional challenge.
How to Find Water-Wood Beast
To face Water-Wood Beast, you need to reach the Foothills area in Chapter 6. This boss hides quite well, but there are two main routes to find it:
Method 1: Starting from the vicinity of Feng-Tail General or the Verdant Path Shrine:
- First, go through the area where you encountered the Supreme Celestial Inspector.
- At the edge of the small area immediately after (where you typically receive the Somersault Cloud skill), turn left.
- Continue straight towards the end of the path, and you will see a section of the river widening into a circular water area.
Key point: Look for the water bubbles continuously rising from the middle of this circular water area. Approach it, and Water-Wood Beast will emerge to fight.
Method 2: Starting from the Mantis-Catching Swamp Keeper Shrine:
- From this shrine, use Somersault Cloud to fly directly into the Swamp area.
- While flying or moving through the swamp, pay close attention to the water surface. Look for an area with regularly surfacing water bubbles. This is where Water-Wood Beast is hiding and will appear when you get close.
Water-Wood Beast Boss Fight and Guide
The fight against Water-Wood Beast is divided into two main phases, requiring flexible changes in strategy.
General strategy and things to remember:
- Positioning is key: Try to stay behind or to the side of the beast as much as possible. This helps you avoid most of its dangerous frontal attacks, like its lunge and bite.
- Don’t be complacent when behind it: Even when behind, be wary of sudden back kicks or backward bucks. Always be ready to dodge.
- Exploit its weakness thoroughly: Remember it’s Wood-element, so Fire from the Red Tides transformation is a hard counter. Additionally, while on land, Water-Wood Beast has a fairly large hitbox, making it easier to hit.
Phase 1: When Water-Wood Beast is on land
Common attacks: Mainly lunge and bite attacks if you are in front, and kicking back if you are behind.
How to counter:
- For the lunge: Dodge sideways.
- For the back kick: Move back or dodge sideways.
- Focus attacks on its flanks and back.
Use skills effectively:
- Use Immobilize when it moves around a lot or when you need a safe window to deal damage or heal.
- Activate Red Tides, build Focus, and use heavy attacks to close in, knock it down, and burn it. Immediately revert to human form and attack relentlessly.
Phase 2: When Water-Wood Beast dives underwater (Usually occurs when its health is low)
Behavior change: The boss will completely submerge, becoming invisible. It will behave similarly to the Jiao-Loong of Waves – occasionally poking its head up to observe, then disappearing and preparing a surprise attack from below.
How to counter – Absolute focus required:
- KEEP YOUR EYES GLUED TO THE WATER! This is crucial for survival. Carefully watch the ripples or trails of bubbles moving on the water surface. They precisely indicate the path and location from which Water-Wood Beast is charging at you from below.
- As soon as you see the ripples/bubbles approaching, dodge immediately. Good timing is all you need to avoid this surprise attack.
Survival tips:
- Stay calm; don’t move or attack frantically when you can’t see the boss.
- Wait for openings: Attack when it fully emerges after a missed attack, or when it pokes its head up to observe (if you’re quick enough).
- If you get the chance, use Immobilize right as it appears above water to prevent it from diving again immediately, creating precious time to attack.
Water-Wood Beast, an optional Yaoguai Chief in the Foothills (Chapter 6), offers a unique fight with its characteristic underwater hiding mechanic. To win, thoroughly exploit its Wood-element weakness with Fire (Red Tides transformation is extremely effective), use Immobilize to control the situation, and most importantly – always closely monitor the ripples/bubbles on the water surface when it dives to dodge surprise attacks. Don’t miss this interesting challenge to experience a different kind of boss fight and claim a worthy reward in Black Myth: Wukong.