Corpse-Eating Xue is an optional boss at the Mass Grave in the Mandate Encampment. It’s a fight against hordes: the bar at the top drops with every enemy that falls, but much more if you knock down Xue herself. Counter her red grab with a scream (if she catches you she bites you and heals by eating a corpse), clear the fire-bombers first and use You Loong’s Deluge: she is weak to ice and water. Beating her opens the tale “Xue, Admirer of Heroes”.
Boss profile
Health, Sha-Chi, recommended level and elemental weaknesses
Weaknesses
Phases: 1 · Region: Mandate Encampment
Bars relative to the boss with the most health (Mo Yuan, 186,000) and the most Sha-Chi (Huangxing, 55,860) in the game.
Where is she and how do you get there?
The Mandate Encampment opens after you beat Gu Wanyue: we explain it in how to enter the Mandate Encampment. Inside:
- Mandate Valley Gate KeyIt’s next to the archers past the giant staircase (Cliffside Walkway Overlook bell). It opens the wooden door at the top of the platforms.
- Mass Grave bellIt’s right after you go through the door. Rest at it before you start.
- Go down to the gravesApproach the graves below the bell: a cutscene triggers and the fight begins.
How to beat Xue
It’s a long, chaotic fight. Xue isn’t the most dangerous part: the madwomen and the enemies that keep spawning are, attacking you from the sides while you watch the boss.
How her health bar works
- The bar at the top is shared: it drops every time one of the madwomen or Xue herself falls, and it drops at a different rate from the bar you see over Xue when you lock on to her.
- Knocking down Xue takes much more than knocking down a madwoman.
- When Xue falls, she gets up a few seconds later or reappears elsewhere in the graveyard as long as the bar has health left.
Her attacks
- Copies: she creates copies of herself, each with a different weapon. The madwomen have their own patterns and interrupt you.
- Rake combo: three hits that end in a black-flash finisher.
- Standalone black flash: slow, with a long wind-up. Always dodge it: blocking it drains your Sha-Chi.
- Red grab with a scream: she screams, runs at you and, if she catches you, pins you down and bites you. It can kill you from full health, and she also heals by eating a corpse.
- Rake slam: she raises the rake over her head, pauses for a moment and smashes it into the ground.
- Red rake strike: several sweeps followed by a downward blow.
The key: the scream and your priorities
- As soon as she screams, get ready for the phantom counter (dodge at the last moment): it stops the grab and her healing.
- Take out the fire-bombers throwing fire bombs first, and the greatsword madwoman, whose black flashes break your guard.
- Keep clearing enemies until your weapon’s special attack is ready and unleash it on Xue.
Strategies to beat her
Pick the one that suits the way you play. We only recommend gear you can have when you reach the Mandate Encampment.
Strategy with fast weapons (one-handed and dual)
You need a weapon with a powerful special to unleash on Xue as soon as she shows up. Vandal (Spanish guide) used the Wild Oriole Sword; White Serpent & Crimson Viper also works for clearing groups. Don’t chase Xue through the horde and keep your other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.
Strategy with heavy weapons (two-handed)
Wide sweeps clear the madwomen, but leave your back exposed. Try Outlaw Warblade or Armybreaker. The Outlaw Warblade restores health on hit, very useful in such a long fight.
Elemental strategy (exploit her weaknesses)
She is weak to ice and water (wet). Equip:
- Water (Wet): You Loong’s Deluge (You Loong’s Phantom Edge in Pangzhen).
- Ice: you won’t have gear of this element yet; if you come back later, use Whiteshadow (two-handed weapon from the Blizzard Blademaster).
Defensive strategy (parries and dodges)
Her most dangerous attack is the red grab with a scream: learn the scream and always counter it. Keep your distance from groups so you don’t take hits from behind. If you’re struggling, the Counterstrike Bracers (first Long Pillar) reward deflects.
Strategy with Phantom Edges
Bring the Hunter’s Chain Sickle to hit groups from afar (it also helps you tell the real Xue apart) and the Flaming Mane if you already have it, good against groups. The Puppeteer’s Bell gives you a distraction while you heal. Sparks recharge when you rest at a bell.
If you get stuck
- Upgrade your two main weapons before going back (the boss is level 19).
- Upgrade your medicines with the healer at the Green Serpent House.
- Drop to Wayfarer: it doesn’t affect any trophy and you can raise the difficulty again later.
Recommended gear
- A weapon with a powerful special (Wild Oriole Sword).
- Hunter’s Chain Sickle or a Phantom Edge for groups.
- You Loong’s Deluge and upgraded medicines.
Rewards
- She doesn’t drop any item directly.
- She opens the tale “Xue, Admirer of Heroes”: gather the heroes’ belongings (Moji’s house) and get the Sha-Chi Headscarf (+15% Sha-Chi recovery). You have the details in side quests.
The other bosses in the area are in the Mandate Encampment bosses and the walkthrough in the Mandate Encampment guide. Looking for another boss? You have the list in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses in order.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t Xue die even though I knock her down?
Because the bar at the top is shared with the madwomen. As long as it has health left, Xue gets up or reappears elsewhere in the graveyard. Knocking her down takes more of the bar than knocking down a madwoman.
How do I stop Xue from healing?
Counter the red grab she does after screaming. If she catches you, she bites you and heals by eating a corpse.
What does Corpse-Eating Xue give?
No item directly, but she opens the tale “Xue, Admirer of Heroes”, which gives the Sha-Chi Headscarf.
