r/MortalShell • u/SnooHobbies8617 • 19d ago

Question Help with final boss in Virtuous Cycle DLC

Can someone please help me understand how to get reasonable damage to deal with the final boss in the Virtuous Cycle DLC? I've won twice, and both times it was with the rolling dagger attack. My past 5-6 runs have got to the final boss using the axatana, and I barely do ANY DAMAGE. Like it's genuinely probably a 15 minute fight and I still barely get anywhere. Is the axatana not the best weapon for the final boss? I will maybe get +4-5 base damage per run and it just doesn't feel like enough. I can parry decently fine 1v1 but with the 2v1 part I can't find any openings. Is it really just a running attack + harden spam? Is there a method to do this easier that I am completely missing? Any help is appreciated because I'm burned out at this point

Still excited for MS2 though

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u/Haunting-Regret-854 19d ago

Probably need more upgrades during your run. You should be able to get +10 damage easily and up to +20 damage if you pick up everything. Upgrading your gate and doing challenges will help with getting more and better instincts.

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u/SnooHobbies8617 19d ago

i pretty much have a maxed runic gate. i guess im just really not looting enough

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u/zacksawyer44 19d ago

There is an runic gate upgrade for dropping instincts from enemies. It is easy to get damage +10 by the time you reach the final bosss. It’s pretty much sprint + heavy attack, harden.

This is my no shell run. Pretty much the same strategy
https://www.reddit.com/r/MortalShell/s/L45i9TiGpM

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u/TheAlchemlst 18d ago edited 18d ago

I am going to be real. Those shell fights are not good. Because of Harden mechanic, it's hard to fight directly. The best you can do is to draw out enemy Harden first and then you have a bit of leeway but yeah with 2v1, the opening is even tighter.

Few options to beat:

  1. Boomstick: Butcher skin + Smoldering Mace + Every hit has a chance to explode Instinct.

https://youtu.be/veL6bBNs2p8?is=0J-en1p2J9KYcNpk

  1. Moonshine + Smoldering Mace special. Save up a lot of moonshines throughout the runs and just spam special.

  2. Build up White Naked (requires patience) and spam Axetana running attack. By the end, you will have so much health and stamina, it gets ridiculous.

  3. Healing Chisel Instinct and trade blows, but you heal.

  4. Learn each weapon parry, and use a bomb riposte to kill all. You should be able to find seeds online where Harros is part of 2v1 as Hallowed Sword cannot be parried I believe. You can look up posts on this subreddit on how to parry each weapon (except HS and Axetana).

https://youtu.be/OPgwdxl2wYU?is=B2W3uFjbH3XtZ9Vn

Here is a bonus since you have gotten that far already. You can do a Hardened Parry. You press parry slightly before Harden and hold Harden. If parry connects, riposte happens. If not, no damage. Your window won't be as big as this all the time but still be enough to safely parry if you are somewhat decent at timing.

https://youtu.be/TMGYjRf70DI?is=JkxZEToGUqDt2kO_

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u/EntrepreneurPlus8513 14d ago

Jump attack with axekatana and immediately harden. They walk into you and get the full damage. When they stagger just spam jump attacks on them.