If you are playing Phantom Blade Zero, The Hunt is one of the main bosses you will encounter during your journey through Weeping Creek Valley. This enemy fights with two chained sickles and uses fast combos, aerial attacks, and long-range chain strikes to keep you under pressure. If you try to attack recklessly without learning his moves, you can lose a lot of health before you get a proper opportunity to fight back.
In this guide, I will explain where to find The Hunt, which weapons and equipment I recommend using, and how to beat him in both encounters. The first fight takes place on a wagon after the prologue, while the second encounter happens at the Great Waterfall in Weeping Creek Valley. Both fights require good timing, but the second battle is more demanding because you need to recognize his different attack patterns and find safe openings to deal damage.
My biggest tip is to learn when to parry instead of constantly attacking. The Hunt has several combos that end with a parryable attack, and successfully deflecting these moves gives you an opportunity to stagger him and follow up with your own attacks. I also recommend using weapons that can drain his Sha-Chi quickly and apply Bleed, as this will help you deal damage more efficiently during the second encounter. Let’s go through everything you need to know before fighting him.
Phantom Blade Zero The Hunt Location Guide – How to Beat
The Hunt is a main story boss found in Weeping Creek Valley. You will fight him twice during the campaign, and each encounter has a different setting and objective.
| Encounter | Location | Chapter | Main Objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| First encounter | Wagon traveling toward Pengzhen | Reckless Pursuit | Reduce his health to trigger the cutscene |
| Second encounter | Great Waterfall, Weeping Creek Valley | Steel and Steam | Defeat him to continue toward Crimson Forest |
First Encounter Location
You will encounter The Hunt after completing the prologue, while traveling aboard a wagon toward Pengzhen. During the journey, you are ambushed by The Hunt, and the attack immediately triggers a boss fight.
This first encounter introduces you to his chained sickles, fast attack sequences, and parry opportunities. You do not need to defeat him completely here. Your objective is to reduce his health to approximately half, which triggers a cutscene and allows the story to continue.
Second Encounter Location
You will face The Hunt again at the Great Waterfall in Weeping Creek Valley. This is the more demanding encounter, and defeating him is necessary before you can proceed toward the Crimson Forest.
Unlike the first fight, you need to pay attention to several different attack patterns, including his double side jumps, tornado attacks, and aerial spin combo.
My tip: If you struggled during the wagon fight, use the second encounter to apply what you learned. Pay attention to the timing of his chain attacks and look for the blue glint that signals when to parry.
Best Build Against The Hunt
Before entering the second fight, I recommend preparing a build that focuses on Bleed damage, Sha-Chi depletion, and survivability.
You do not need to rely on raw damage alone. The Hunt attacks quickly, so being able to stagger him and create additional openings is just as important as dealing damage.
Recommended Weapons, Phantom Edges, and Equipment
| Equipment Slot | Recommended Choice | Why I Recommend It |
|---|---|---|
| Main Weapon 1 | Scarlet Wraithblade | Helps drain The Hunt’s Sha-Chi and create opportunities to interrupt him |
| Main Weapon 2 | Jagged Steel | Applies Bleed and provides additional burst damage |
| Phantom Edge | Dread Axe | An additional combat option for dealing with difficult situations |
| Medicine | Healing Gourd | Provides access to healing when your health drops |
| Medicine | Focus Pill | Provides additional healing support for the encounter |
| Accessory | Battle Wraps | Part of the recommended equipment setup |
| Accessory | Hunter’s Insight | Part of the recommended equipment setup |
| Accessory | Token of Pursuit | Part of the recommended equipment setup |
The main idea behind this loadout is to combine Sha-Chi pressure with Bleed damage. Scarlet Wraithblade helps you create openings, while Jagged Steel allows you to take advantage of those openings by building up Bleed and triggering Blood Loss.
The other equipment provides additional combat utility and healing support. Make sure you check each item’s description in your inventory so you understand its exact effects before entering the fight.
Recommended Abilities
The following abilities are also worth considering for this encounter.
- Boundless Capacity: Include it in your build to support your combat setup.
- Steady Composure: A useful ability to consider when preparing your build.
- Flowing Chi: Include it if it fits the setup you are using.
- Healing Art: Helps support your healing-focused preparation.
The main thing is to prepare a build that lets you survive mistakes while still giving you enough offensive pressure to take advantage of The Hunt’s openings.
Why I Recommend Scarlet Wraithblade and Jagged Steel
Scarlet Wraithblade is useful because you want to drain The Hunt’s Sha-Chi and create opportunities to interrupt his attacks. Once you have an opening, you can switch to Jagged Steel and apply additional pressure through its Bleed effect.
Jagged Steel Rampage is especially useful when The Hunt is staggered or interrupted. The rapid slashes help build the Bleed Gauge quickly, allowing you to trigger Blood Loss and deal additional damage.
I would avoid wasting this ability when The Hunt is actively attacking and you have no safe opening. Wait for a successful parry or another opportunity to interrupt him, then use your strongest attacks while he is vulnerable.
How to Beat The Hunt in the First Encounter
The first encounter happens on the wagon during Chapter 2. Compared with the second battle, this fight is more straightforward because you only need to reduce The Hunt’s health to around half to trigger the cutscene.
However, you should still learn his attack patterns because the same general combat skills will help you in the later encounter.
First Encounter Attack Patterns
| Attack Pattern | What The Hunt Does | How to Respond |
|---|---|---|
| Five-hit chain combo | Attacks repeatedly with his chained sickles and finishes with a parryable strike | Watch the sequence and prepare to parry the final attack |
| Ghost Step opening | A successful perfect parry reveals a button prompt | Press the prompted button repeatedly to trigger Ghost Step |
| Repositioning attack | Moves to the back of the wagon before attacking again | Prepare to parry when he resumes the attack |
| Midair chain sequence | Jumps into the air and performs four blockable chain swings | Defend through the sequence and watch for the follow-up |
| Final lunge | Lands back on the wagon and lunges toward you before a parryable attack | Wait for the blue glint and parry at the right moment |
1. Take Advantage of the Opening After His Five-Hit Combo
The Hunt begins the encounter with a sequence of five chain attacks. The final attack is parryable, so your goal is to recognize the sequence and time your defense correctly.
Do not immediately start attacking when the fight begins. Focus on learning the rhythm of the chain strikes first.
Once you successfully perform a perfect parry, a button prompt appears. Press the indicated button repeatedly to trigger Ghost Step.
This is one of the best opportunities to deal damage during the first encounter. Ghost Step lets you follow up with several hits and remove a significant portion of The Hunt’s health early in the fight.
My tip: Do not waste this opening by attacking randomly before you complete the parry sequence. Focus on the final strike, execute Ghost Step when prompted, and take advantage of the damage opportunity.
2. Prepare to Parry When He Repositions
After the opening sequence, The Hunt temporarily leaves your immediate fighting position and moves to the back of the wagon.
He will then launch another attack that can be parried.
This short pause can catch you off guard if you assume the fight has ended or start attacking without checking his position.
Keep your attention on The Hunt throughout the encounter. When he reappears at the back of the wagon, prepare to defend and look for the correct parry timing.
3. Defend Against His Midair Chain Attacks
Another attack to watch for is when The Hunt launches himself into the air using his chains.
During this sequence, he performs four blockable chain swings before landing back on the wagon. He then performs a short lunge toward you and finishes with a parryable attack.
The easiest approach is to remain patient and defend through the blockable swings rather than trying to interrupt every part of the combo.
| Attack Stage | What You Should Do |
|---|---|
| The Hunt jumps into the air | Prepare to defend |
| First four chain swings | Block or defend against the sequence |
| He lands back on the wagon | Watch for the follow-up lunge |
| Final attack | Parry when the blue glint appears |
The final attack is your main opportunity to interrupt him and deal damage.
4. Reduce His Health to Trigger the Cutscene
Remember that you do not need to defeat The Hunt completely during the first encounter.
Your objective is to reduce his health to approximately half. Once you reach this point, the cutscene triggers and the story progresses.
Focus on successfully defending against his attack sequences, using Ghost Step when the opportunity appears, and landing attacks during his recovery windows.
There is no need to take unnecessary risks by trying to finish the fight faster than required.
How to Beat The Hunt in the Second Encounter
The second encounter at the Great Waterfall is more challenging because The Hunt uses several different combos and attacks that require you to react at the correct moment.
This time, you need to defeat him to continue through the story. You should be ready to parry his regular attack sequences, dodge his tornado, and react to his aerial attacks.
The most important thing is to avoid attacking blindly. The Hunt can punish you if you get caught in the middle of one of his longer combos.
Second Encounter Attack Patterns
| Attack Pattern | How to Recognize It | Best Response |
|---|---|---|
| Five-hit slash combo | Opens the fight with a series of slashes ending in a heavy attack | Defend through the combo and parry the final strike |
| Double side jump | Jumps sideways twice before lunging forward with a double slash | Prepare to parry the follow-up attack |
| Tornado attack | Performs three area-of-effect slashes and creates a tornado from the water | Avoid the tornado and prepare for the follow-up lunge |
| Basic attack sequence | Uses a combination of regular attacks, including attacks with different flash indicators | Defend patiently and react to the attack indicators |
| Aerial spin combo | Performs ranged attacks, followed by chain slashes while airborne | Defend through the sequence and parry the final spin attack |
Let’s break down each of these attacks so you know what to do when they appear.
1. Parry the Final Attack of His Five-Hit Combo
The Hunt opens the second encounter with a five-hit slash combo that ends with a heavy, parryable attack.
Your first instinct might be to dodge backward and wait for the combo to finish. However, you can often get a better opening by defending through the sequence and parrying the final attack.
Try following this approach:
- Watch The Hunt’s opening movements.
- Hold block or move out of the attack’s hitbox while he performs the early slashes.
- Watch for the final heavy attack.
- Parry when the blue glint appears.
- Follow up with a short combo while he is staggered.
A successful parry can interrupt his sequence and give you enough time to deal damage.
I recommend using this opening to apply pressure to his Sha-Chi bar. You do not need to spend every available resource immediately, but you should take advantage of the time he gives you.
2. Prepare for the Double Side Jump
The double side jump is another attack you need to recognize quickly.
The Hunt jumps to the side twice, then lunges toward you with a double slash before finishing with another parryable attack.
He may repeat this sequence throughout the fight, so do not assume you have seen it for the last time after the first occurrence.
The best approach is to stay patient during the two jumps and prepare to parry the final attack.
| Sequence | Your Response |
|---|---|
| First side jump | Stay ready and avoid attacking recklessly |
| Second side jump | Prepare for the forward lunge |
| Double slash | Defend through the attack sequence |
| Final parryable strike | Time your parry when the blue glint appears |
| After the parry | Use the opening to attack |
Once you learn this sequence, it becomes easier to recognize when The Hunt is about to give you an opportunity to counterattack.
3. Avoid the Tornado and Parry the Follow-Up Lunge
The tornado attack is one of the moves you should take seriously during the second encounter.
The Hunt performs three area-of-effect slashes around himself, creating a tornado from the water. This attack can be dangerous if you stay too close or continue attacking without paying attention to the surrounding area.
When you see him preparing this move, prioritize avoiding the tornado rather than trying to trade damage.
After a short delay, The Hunt lunges toward you. This follow-up attack can be parried, allowing you to interrupt him and create an opening.
Here is how I recommend handling the sequence:
- First: Recognize the three area-of-effect slashes.
- Second: Move away from the tornado and avoid getting caught in its path.
- Third: Keep your attention on The Hunt after the tornado appears.
- Fourth: Prepare to parry the follow-up lunge when the blue glint appears.
- Finally: Attack after the successful parry, but do not remain in the tornado’s danger area.
If your health is already low, heal before committing to another attack sequence. There is no reason to risk losing the fight just to land a few extra hits.
4. Play Defensively During His Basic Attack Combos
The Hunt’s regular attack sequences can deal a lot of damage if you get caught in them.
During these combos, I recommend staying patient and defending until you recognize a safe opportunity to counterattack.
Most of his basic attacks can be blocked, but you should still watch for the different attack indicators. When you see a red or blue glint, react according to the attack rather than continuing to hold block without thinking.
If you miss the opportunity to avoid a dodgeable attack, you may remain caught in his animation sequence and take additional damage before you can respond.
The key is to learn when the sequence is ending. Once you understand his rhythm, you can parry the appropriate attack and immediately return to your own combo.
My tip: If you keep losing health during his basic combos, stop trying to interrupt every attack. Spend a few attempts learning the full sequence, then start adding your own attacks after the final strike.
5. Parry His Aerial Spin Attack
During the second phase of the fight, The Hunt can perform a longer aerial combo.
He typically begins with four ranged attacks, then jumps into the air and follows up with five chain slashes before finishing with a parryable attack.
This sequence is dangerous because the final spin attack has a quick animation, making it easy to parry too early.
Instead of attacking while he is airborne, concentrate on defending against the sequence and preparing for the final strike.
| Attack Stage | What to Expect | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Four ranged attacks | The Hunt attacks from a distance | Defend and watch his movement |
| Aerial jump | He launches into the air | Prepare for the chain combo |
| Five chain slashes | He attacks repeatedly while airborne | Stay defensive |
| Final spin attack | A fast finishing strike that can be parried | Time your parry just before the attack connects |
| Recovery opening | The combo finishes | Counterattack if it is safe |
The timing is important here. If you press the parry button too early, you may miss the final strike and take unnecessary damage.
Practice recognizing the end of the spin animation rather than guessing when the attack will connect.
6. Stay Within a Reasonable Fighting Distance
The Hunt has strong ranged attacks, but keeping him within a reasonable fighting distance can make the encounter easier to manage.
If you stay too far away, he can use his chains to attack from range and force you to react to more difficult approaches.
You should avoid standing directly in the path of his attacks, but you also do not need to retreat to the opposite side of the arena every time he finishes a combo.
Try to maintain a distance that allows you to recognize his movements, defend against his attacks, and follow up with your own combos after a successful parry.
The goal is to stay close enough to take advantage of openings without recklessly standing in front of every attack.
Best Combat Strategy for The Hunt
If you are still struggling to defeat The Hunt, I recommend focusing on three things: defensive timing, Sha-Chi depletion, and Bleed damage.
You do not need to use your strongest abilities every time you see an opening. Instead, look for moments when The Hunt is staggered or recovering from an attack and use those opportunities to deal damage efficiently.
Use Parrying to Create Openings
Many of The Hunt’s combos finish with a parryable attack. Successfully deflecting these attacks allows you to interrupt his sequence and create an opportunity to counterattack.
Learn the timing of his five-hit combo, double side jump, and aerial spin attack first. These are important opportunities to deal damage without taking unnecessary risks.
Drain His Sha-Chi Before Spending Your Strongest Attacks
Use Scarlet Wraithblade to apply pressure to The Hunt’s Sha-Chi. When you successfully interrupt him or create a guard-break opening, switch to Jagged Steel to deal additional damage.
This approach helps you combine guard-breaking pressure with status damage instead of relying on basic attacks alone.
Use Jagged Steel Rampage During Staggers
Jagged Steel Rampage is particularly effective when The Hunt is staggered or interrupted.
The rapid slashes help build the Bleed Gauge, allowing you to trigger Blood Loss and deal additional damage.
Try to save the ability for a reliable opening rather than activating it when The Hunt is in the middle of a dangerous attack sequence.
Heal Before Your Health Becomes Critical
Do not wait until you are almost defeated before thinking about healing.
The Hunt has several combos that can deal substantial damage if you miss their timing. If your health is already low and you see him preparing another dangerous sequence, create a safe opportunity to heal before continuing.
The Healing Gourd and Focus Pill are part of the recommended loadout, so make sure you understand how your equipped healing items work before starting the encounter.
Avoid Greedy Combos
It can be tempting to keep attacking after a successful parry, especially when The Hunt is staggered.
However, you should still pay attention to his recovery and your own Sha-Chi meter. If he is about to resume attacking, finish your combo and prepare to defend instead of trying to squeeze in unnecessary extra hits.
A shorter combo followed by a successful parry is often more valuable than a long combo that leaves you vulnerable.
The Hunt Rewards
The rewards and progression benefits differ between the two encounters.
| Encounter | Reward or Benefit |
|---|---|
| First encounter | Triggers a story cutscene and allows you to progress through the main story |
| Second encounter | Rewards Hunter’s Chain Sickle |
| Second encounter | Allows you to continue toward the Crimson Forest |
First Encounter Rewards
Defeating The Hunt during the first encounter allows the main story to progress. You unlock access to subsequent areas and continue toward the next part of the campaign.
Remember that this fight ends when you reduce his health to approximately half and trigger the cutscene.
Second Encounter Rewards
Defeating The Hunt at the Great Waterfall rewards you with Hunter’s Chain Sickle.
This is the equipment reward associated with the second encounter, making the fight worth completing if you want to expand your available equipment.
The victory also allows you to continue toward the Crimson Forest.
The Hunt can be a difficult boss in Phantom Blade Zero if you try to defeat him by attacking constantly without learning his combos. However, the fight becomes much more manageable once you understand when to defend, when to parry, and when to use your strongest abilities.
For the first encounter, focus on his five-hit chain combo, the Ghost Step opportunity, and the final attack after his aerial chain sequence. You only need to reduce his health to around half to progress through the story.
For the second encounter, pay attention to his double side jumps, tornado attack, basic combos, and aerial spin sequence. Parry the appropriate finishing attacks, avoid the tornado, and use your openings to drain his Sha-Chi.
I recommend using Scarlet Wraithblade and Jagged Steel together, with Jagged Steel Rampage saved for moments when The Hunt is staggered or interrupted. Keep your healing items ready, avoid greedy combos, and stay close enough to take advantage of openings without standing directly in the path of his attacks.
Once you learn his attack patterns and become comfortable with the parry timing, you will have a much better chance of defeating The Hunt and continuing your journey toward the Crimson Forest.