Dusk, the Puppeteer (called “Crepúsculo” in other Spanish guides) is a secret boss in the Village of Lu. You need the six petals of the Firefly flower to clear the fog behind the Temple of Blue Fireflies. Take out the shooting puppets first. He gives you the Puppeteer’s Bell and the Illusory Pipa’s Illusory Pipa Head.
Boss profile
Health, Sha-Chi, recommended level and elemental weaknesses
Weaknesses
Phases: 1 · Region: Village of Lu
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 he is and how to get there
Gather the six petals of the Firefly flower around the Village of Lu. The fog behind the Temple of Blue Fireflies disappears. Jump into the ravine from the Broken Puppet Pit Entrance bell.
How to beat Dusk, the Puppeteer
Phase 1
A giant puppet, several small ones and two advanced ones. Finish off the shooting ones first and then the giant.
Phase 2
Dusk splits into two bodies. Lock on to one and keep an eye on the other.
Strategies to beat it
Pick the one that suits the way you play. We only recommend gear you can have when you reach the Village of Lu.
Strategy with fast weapons (one-handed and dual)
Fast weapons clear the minor enemies before they surround you. The best options here are White Serpent & Crimson Viper and Wild Oriole Sword. Punish as soon as the shooting puppets go down, and keep the other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.
Strategy with heavy weapons (two-handed)
Wide slashes hit several enemies at once. Try Scarlet Wraithblade or Outlaw Warblade. The Outlaw Warblade restores health on hit, ideal if you struggle to stay alive.
Elemental strategy
He has no known elemental weakness. Focus on physical damage and on draining his Sha-Chi: a good deflect rhythm pays off more than any element.
Defensive strategy (deflects and dodges)
His most dangerous attack is the advanced puppets’ shots: learn the animation and always dodge it. Deflect every blue flash to drain his Sha-Chi without spending yours, and execute as soon as he’s stunned. If you’re struggling, the Counterstrike Bracers accessory (first Long Pillar) rewards deflects.
Strategy with Phantom Edges
Bring the Iron Gauntlets to break his guard or defenses and, if the summon icon glows in the arena, the Puppeteer’s Bell so someone distracts him while you heal. Remember that sparks recharge when you rest at a bell: spend them freely on the boss.
If you get stuck
- Upgrade your two main weapons before going back (the boss is level 9).
- Upgrade your medicines with the healer at the Green Serpent House once you have access.
- Drop to Wayfarer: it doesn’t affect any trophy and you can raise the difficulty again later.
Recommended gear
- Bastion against projectiles.
- Wide-swing weapons for the small puppets.
Rewards
- Puppeteer’s Bell (summoning Phantom Edge; Myst tempers it into the Abyssal Bell).
- Illusory Pipa Head: the first of the three pieces of the Illusory Pipa.
Looking for another boss? You have the full list in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses in order.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dusk required for the true ending?
Yes. He is part of “Secrets at the Heart of the Lake” and gives the Illusory Pipa Head.
