On your journey in Chapter 5: Golden Child, Crimson Blood of Black Myth: Wukong, you will have the opportunity to face Flint Vanguard, an optional Yaoguai Chief hiding in the Cooling Slope area within the Field of Fire. This stone giant stands out with its magma arms and Fire-based attacks, and although not mandatory, defeating it yields extremely attractive rewards, including Samadhi Fire Crystal, Knot of Voidness, Refined Iron Sand, and most importantly, its own Flint Vanguard Spirit.
How to find Flint Vanguard
To find Flint Vanguard, you need to start from the Shrine named Ashen Pass III in the Field of Fire area. From here, follow the path forward, where you will face the challenge of a giant metal/gold sphere constantly rolling back and forth.
This challenge requires patience and precise timing. Use the small, safe gaps on either side of the road to dodge and move step by step up the slope. Calmly observe the sphere’s rolling rhythm before acting. When you successfully reach the top of the slope, a short cutscene may play, with the help of Zhu Bajie or Pingping to deal with the sphere and extinguish a nearby wall of fire.
After the cutscene ends (or you have safely reached the top), don’t continue forward but turn back down the path you just came up. Now, look to your left (heading downhill), where the fire wall that once blocked the path has completely disappeared. This is the entrance to the new area. Follow this downward sloping path; it will lead you into the Cooling Slope.
Upon entering the Cooling Slope, you will see a rather spacious, open area. In the very center of this clearing is a large pile of rocks that looks quite ordinary – but don’t be fooled, that’s Flint Vanguard hiding! Nearby, you can also see a Luoija Fragrant Vine on the left. A critically important thing to remember: The battle will automatically begin as soon as you get close enough to the central rock pile. Therefore, be prepared mentally and with your equipment before stepping in!
Flint Vanguard Boss Fight and Guide
Entering the battle, you will immediately realize this isn’t a one-on-one fight. Flint Vanguard will summon several Searing/Scorching-Fire Yaoguai minions to assist. Therefore, our strategy will be divided into two main phases:
Phase 1: Clear the Minions First!
These minions, while not overly strong, are extremely annoying; they will constantly harass and attack you from multiple directions while you are trying to deal with Flint Vanguard. Absolutely do not rush to attack the main boss immediately. The first and most important task is to eliminate all these minions. Flint Vanguard moves quite slowly initially; take advantage of that.
Phase 2: Direct Confrontation with Flint Vanguard
After clearing the field, it’s time to focus entirely on the stone giant. Here are his main attacks and how to deal with them:
Single/Combo Punches: When you are at close range, Flint Vanguard will use its thick stone arms to punch straight down at the ground. He can punch with one hand or unleash a continuous combo chain, occasionally bracing himself to slam both hands down simultaneously. Dodge these punches. Immediately after dodging, quickly move away from the spot he just punched to avoid the emerging lava pool. Don’t forget to use Body-Cooling Powder and Fireproof Mantle to minimize damage if you unfortunately get hit or step into the lava.
Fireballs – Ranged Attack: When you maintain distance, Flint Vanguard will switch to ranged attacks by shooting individual fireballs towards you. This attack is relatively easy to handle. Just dodge sideways at the right time, as he only shoots one at a time.
Flying Smash: To quickly close the distance, Flint Vanguard will fly or leap into the air and then dive straight down at your location, accompanied by a powerful ground slam. Observe the flight path and time your dodge away just as he is about to land. Important note: Immediately after landing, Flint Vanguard might instantly unleash a small AOE explosion and charge forward. Always be prepared to dodge again right after the ground slam!
Enraged Fireball Barrage: When his health is low or he enters an Enraged state, Flint Vanguard will stand still, slam both hands hard on the ground, shake his head violently, and shoot out a barrage of fireballs radiating outwards like rain. Don’t try to block or attack during this time. The best approach is to continuously run around the combat area to avoid as many fireballs as possible until he stops firing.
Summary of Important Tips:
- Priority #1: Always eliminate minions first.
- Manage Stamina well to ensure you can always dodge when needed.
- Patience is key. Don’t greedily attack; wait for clear openings.
- Pay attention to the boss’s attack tells.
- Absolutely avoid standing in lava pools.
When Flint Vanguard shatters into rubble, he will leave behind a series of important spoils to make you stronger on your journey. Here is what you can expect to receive:
- Flint Vanguard Spirit: This is a guaranteed drop and unique to this boss. Collecting the Spirit allows you to use the power or summon Flint Vanguard himself in battle.
- Samadhi Fire Crystal: An extremely valuable weapon crafting material imbued with the power of the Samadhi fire. This is often the main reason many players hunt Fire-element bosses like Flint Vanguard.
To take down Flint Vanguard, remember to prioritize eliminating the Searing/Scorching-Fire Yaoguai minions first. In the fight against the main boss, focus on dodging the punches and especially quickly getting out of the lava pools he creates; don’t forget to use Body-Cooling Powder and Fireproof Mantle. Fully exploit attack opportunities when he recovers after his double-handed slam or when you successfully stagger him. Be patient, carefully observe his attacks, and don’t get too greedy with your offense. Valuable rewards like Samadhi Fire Crystal and Flint Vanguard Spirit will surely compensate for your efforts in conquering this optional yet worthwhile challenge in Chapter 5.