For those of you who have reached Chapter 6 in Black Myth: Wukong and want to hunt down a unique Yaoguai King, then Giant Shigandang is your target. This is the only optional Yaoguai King in this chapter recorded in the Journal, and defeating it will grant the Skandha of Consciousness (the final core item in the Five Skandhas set). However, note the prerequisite: you must have collected the other four Skandhas – Form, Feeling, Thought, and Choice – from previous chapters. If even one is missing, Giant Shigandang will not appear, so check your Inventory carefully before setting out to seek this colossal challenge.
How to Find Giant Shigandang
Once you are certain you have all four Skandhas, begin your journey to find Giant Shigandang in the Foothills area of Chapter 6.
Starting Point: Fast travel to the Verdant Path Shrine.
Use Somersault Cloud: From the shrine, use Somersault Cloud to fly directly North, passing through the area where you encountered the Supreme Celestial Inspector.
Pass Son of Stones: Continue straight ahead; you will pass the location of Son of Stones (another boss in the area). Keep going past it.
Find the distinctive area: Right after the Son of Stones area, look for an open clearing with a pool of water. To the left of the pool is a large rock and a very recognizable yellow/orange tree.
Secret Path: Do not head towards the tree! Instead, look to the right side of the pool (opposite the tree). You will see a small, somewhat hidden path leading upwards. This is the entrance to the secret area.
Climb up and enter the cave: Follow this path, climbing quite high. When it seems like a dead end, look up the cliff face; you will see a crevice/cave entrance. Go through this tunnel.
Reach the arena: After exiting the tunnel, you will step into a large, empty desert area. If you have collected all four Skandhas, the massive Giant Shigandang will rise from the ground, and the battle begins!
Giant Shigandang Boss Fight and Guide
The fight against Giant Shigandang requires patience and precision rather than brute force. Due to its enormous size, you will fight entirely on the ground. Here is the detailed strategy:
General Principles
Keep Your Distance: This is paramount. Always maintain a safe distance from the boss. This gives you enough time to observe and react to its ranged attacks.
Ground Combat: Remember that you cannot use transformations or fly during this fight.
The Only Weak Point: Your main target is the large blue crystals embedded in Giant Shigandang‘s two fists. This is the only place you can deal significant damage.
Patiently Wait for Openings: Don’t try to attack constantly. Focus on dodging and only attack when the boss reveals a clear opening.
Analyzing Attacks and How to Dodge
Fist Slams: The boss will slam one or both giant fists onto the ground. This attack is extremely dangerous, potentially a one-shot if it hits directly. The most effective way to dodge is to retreat far back as soon as you see it raise its hand(s).
Sweeping/Dragging Attacks: The boss might slam a fist down and then drag it across the ground or perform a wide horizontal sweep. The dodge is similar: maintain enough distance so you are not within the arm’s sweep range.
Creating Shockwaves: Usually occurs after the boss slams both fists down. Rings of energy will spread across the ground towards you. The only way to dodge is to jump over them. Tip: Time your jump carefully; jumping too early or too late will result in getting hit. Keeping distance makes timing easier.
Air Vortex/Vacuum: The boss will open its mouth and create a strong suction wind, pulling you and debris towards it. This attack doesn’t deal direct damage but will disorient you and pull you into a disadvantageous position. When you see the boss preparing to suck, run away from the effect’s range.
“Last Resort” Attack: When the boss’s health is critically low, it will perform a final, extremely dangerous attack sequence: continuously slamming the ground (usually 4 times), creating rapid shockwaves, followed by a final finishing blow. You ABSOLUTELY must maintain a very large distance throughout this entire sequence, or it’s very easy to be one-shot.
Exploiting Openings
Attack opportunities only appear when Giant Shigandang pauses after certain attacks, especially when it leaves one or both fists resting on the ground momentarily.
Golden Opportunity: One of the best chances is after it performs the sequence: right-hand swing -> left-hand swing -> slam both hands down creating shockwaves (this sequence might repeat once). After this chain, it often holds its position for a moment.
Action: As soon as you see a fist (with a blue crystal) resting on the ground and it’s safe to approach, rush in quickly and focus your attacks on the blue crystals.
Attack Tip: Use Heavy Attacks to break the crystals faster. If you have burst damage skills like A Pluck of Many (creates multiple clones to attack simultaneously), consider using them during these precious moments to maximize damage to the crystals.
Effect of Breaking Crystals
Successfully breaking a blue crystal deals massive damage to Giant Shigandang. This is the primary, and almost only, way to effectively reduce this boss’s health. You will need to repeat the process of dodging -> waiting for an opening -> attacking the crystals about 2-3 times to completely defeat Giant Shigandang.
Congratulations on defeating the stone giant! This victory not only brings satisfaction but also grants you an extremely important item: Skandha of Consciousness. This is the final piece of the Five Skandhas you have painstakingly collected.
However, there is an important note: Giant Shigandang will not automatically drop the item after being defeated. To receive the reward, you need to follow these steps:
- Approach the arm: After the boss falls, one of its arms will lie outstretched on the ground. Walk close to that arm.
- Climb up: Get close and climb onto Giant Shigandang‘s arm.
- Watch Cutscene: This action will trigger a short cutscene, revealing more about the story.
- Receive Reward: Immediately after the cutscene ends, the Skandha of Consciousness will automatically be added to your Inventory. The item is described as holding undisclosed secrets, once hidden within the parasitic Buddha head on the stone body.
After you receive the Skandha, Giant Shigandang will slowly bury itself back into the ground, concluding the encounter. Don’t forget to perform the step of climbing onto the arm, or you will miss this valuable reward!
Conquering Giant Shigandang is a test of precise dodging and timing skills, and a crucial step in completing your collection of the Five Skandhas with the core reward, the Skandha of Consciousness, revealing more about the world of Black Myth: Wukong. Although an optional boss, this unique battle is well worth the challenge. With the strategies provided, good luck confidently defeating the stone giant and continuing your journey!