If you’re looking for a truly challenging and mysterious encounter in Black Myth: Wukong, you can’t miss Mad Tiger. Hidden deep within a dry well in Sandgate Village, this “mad” boss is not only a test of personal skill, but also an important part of the side quest chain related to the Old Rattle-Drum. Unlike other bosses that you might “accidentally” encounter, Mad Tiger requires you to actually hunt him down. And believe me, the reward (and the satisfaction) of defeating him is totally worth it. This article will be your guide to help you find, prepare for, and defeat Mad Tiger in a detailed and effective way. We will not only go through the necessary steps, but also delve into analyzing each attack, optimal strategies, and small tips that you may not know.
Location and Important Warning
To start the confrontation with Mad Tiger, you can’t simply run to his location. This is a real hunt, requiring your patience and observation skills. Here are the detailed steps:
Prerequisites
First of all, you are required to defeat the Tiger’s Acolyte at Yellow Wind Formation, Windrest Hamlet. This boss is not too difficult, but he is the key to obtaining an important item: the Old Rattle-Drum.
The Old Rattle-Drum is the key item for you to “communicate” with the spirit of the boy leading to Mad Tiger. If you don’t know how to get the Old Rattle-Drum, you can read my guide article.
After obtaining the Old Rattle-Drum, the real journey begins. You need to use this drum at three special locations, in the correct order, to “unlock” the path to Mad Tiger.
Location 1: Return to Windrest Hamlet. From the Windrest Hamlet Shrine, go through the large gate and immediately turn left. You will see a large house, surrounded by many Withering Corpses sitting. Use the Old Rattle-Drum here. You will notice a sign: the screen will be slightly distorted (shifting to a gray tone), and you will hear the echo of a boy.
Location 2: Go to the area near where you fought the King of Flowing Sand and his son, the Second Rat Prince. From the sealed stone door, go down towards the bridge. But instead of crossing the bridge, turn right, go through a ruined building with a long covered roof, where there are some Withering Corpses. Use the Old Rattle-Drum here. The same sign will appear.
Location 3: Head back to the area of Sandgate Village, where you battled the Earth Wolf, and saved the tied up Horse Guai, near the big statue. To the left of the statue altar, you can find a small field in the back, with many skeltons, and a well. Use the Old Rattle-drum one last time. Now the boy’s spirit will appear and invite to you the well, to meet “a friend”.
Final Step: Jump down the well. Congratulations, you have reached the Bottom of the Well, where Mad Tiger is waiting. Prepare yourself for a relentless battle.
Before jumping down the well and directly confronting Mad Tiger, remember that this is one of the toughest battles in Black Myth: Wukong. Thorough preparation is the key to survival and victory.
Difficulty assessment: Mad Tiger is not a boss that you can “take on empty-handed.” He is even stronger and more aggressive than his brother, the Tiger Vanguard. So, don’t be careless!
Recommended level/equipment: Although there is no specific level requirement, you should be around level 20 or higher and have relatively good equipment in Chapter 2. If it feels too difficult, consider completing Chapter 2 and returning from Chapter 3 with stronger equipment.
Mad Tiger Boss Fight and Guide
To defeat Mad Tiger, you need to understand his attack patterns, when he is weakest, and the overall strategy to deal with him.
Overall Strategy
- Keep your distance: Mad Tiger is extremely aggressive and has many close-range attacks. Maintaining a safe distance is key to survival.
- Observe and react: Pay attention to the signs before he attacks (I will list them in detail below). Reacting quickly and accurately is the deciding factor.
- Attack when you have the opportunity: Don’t try to attack continuously. Instead, take advantage of the moments when Mad Tiger is recovering after attacking, or when you have successfully dodged/blocked.
- Patience: This is a long battle. Don’t be discouraged if you fail a few times. Learn from your mistakes and try again.
Attack Pattern Analysis
Leap Attack: Mad Tiger jumps high and lunges down to attack you. Dodge to the side as soon as he starts to jump. After he lands, he will have a short recovery period.
Feinting Strike: Mad Tiger jumps to the side, feigning an attack, then changes direction and attacks you from another direction. Don’t rush to dodge when he jumps. Wait a bit and observe his actual attack direction. After he misses his attack, you can quickly counterattack.
Combo Punches: Mad Tiger unleashes a series of consecutive punches. He usually starts with an uppercut, followed by a straight punch, and ends with a sweeping punch. You can dodge each punch, or use Rock Solid to block the final sweeping punch. After the final sweep, he will spin and lose his balance for a moment.
Claw Swipes: Uses claw swipes, often with 2 to 3 consecutive swipes. The arm either swings continuously or retracts to the body then swings out.
Roar: Mad Tiger roars, dealing damage and causing rocks to fall from the ceiling. Run away from Mad Tiger and avoid the falling rocks.
Grab: Mad Tiger jumps, grabs you, and slams you down repeatedly. This attack is extremely dangerous and can kill you instantly. He often performs this attack after being staggered. He will crouch down, put one hand on the ground, then jump up and grab you. Dodge immediately when he jumps up. There is no second chance.
After defeating Mad Tiger, you will not only receive the satisfaction of overcoming a difficult challenge, but also receive the Mad Tiger Spirit and Plaguebane Gourd.
Remember, failure is part of the process. Don’t be afraid to try different strategies, learn from your mistakes, and come back stronger. The reward for defeating Mad Tiger is not only valuable items, but also the feeling of satisfaction of overcoming a real challenge.
Good luck on your journey to conquer Black Myth: Wukong! And don’t forget to share your experience with the gaming community.