The four acolytes start in the Village of Lu. They are weak to water (wet), fire and ice. Their most dangerous attack is each acolyte’s element (fire, lightning, poison, ice); punish after their slower elemental attacks. Reward: the four masks that open the Four Guardians’ Mirror.
Boss comparison
Health, Sha-Chi and weaknesses of each fight
Health
Sha-Chi
Acolyte Yanru · level 8
Acolyte Lei Ting · level 15
Acolyte Guhe · level 19
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 they are and how to get there
You find them by touching strange scarecrows: Yanru north of the Village of Lu, Lei Ting below Old Man Gen’s House in Pangzhen (burn the barrier with Flaming Mane), Guhe at the eastern tip of an island in Meigu Lake and Hansui inside The Puppet Scavenger fight.
Stats for each boss
| Boss | Level | Health | Sha-Chi | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acolyte Yanru | 8 | 37,520 | 6,280 | Ice, Water (Wet) |
| Acolyte Lei Ting | 15 | 78,960 | 9,270 | Water (Wet) |
| Acolyte Guhe | 19 | 73,250 | 15,250 | Fire |
Strategies to beat them
Pick the one that fits your playstyle. We only recommend gear you can have by the time you reach the Village of Lu.
Fast weapon strategy (one-handed and dual)
Their magic attacks leave short openings: fast weapons make better use of those windows. The best options here are White Serpent & Crimson Viper and Wild Oriole Sword. Punish after their slower elemental attacks and keep your other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.
Heavy weapon strategy (two-handed)
Punish with a charged Sha-Chi attack after each long magic attack. Try Scarlet Wraithblade or Outlaw Warblade. The Outlaw Warblade restores health on hit, ideal if you struggle to survive.
Elemental strategy (exploit their weaknesses)
They are weak to ice, water (wet) and fire. Equip:
- Ice: you will not have gear of this element yet; if you come back later, use Whiteshadow (two-handed weapon from the Blizzard Blademaster).
- Water (Wet): you will not have gear of this element yet; if you come back later, use You Loong’s Deluge (You Loong’s Phantom Edge in Pangzhen).
- Fire: you will not have gear of this element yet; if you come back later, use Fire Meteor (Blaze’s Phantom Edge, in Pangzhen).
Defensive strategy (parries and dodges)
Their most dangerous attack is each acolyte’s element (fire, lightning, poison, ice): learn its animation and always dodge it. Parry every blue flash to drain their Sha-Chi without spending yours, and execute as soon as they are stunned. If you are struggling, the Counterstrike Bracers accessory (first Long Pillar) rewards parries.
Phantom Edge strategy
Bring the Iron Gauntlets to break their guard or defenses and, if the summon icon glows in the arena, the Puppeteer’s Bell so someone distracts them 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 coming back (the boss is level 8).
- Level up your medicines with the healer at the Green Serpent House once you have him.
- Drop to Wayfarer: it does not affect any trophy and you can raise the difficulty again later.
Recommended gear
- Your two main weapons upgraded as far as possible.
- A guard-breaking Phantom Edge (Dread Axe, Iron Gauntlets or Bashpole).
- Upgraded medicines and, if the boss is weak to an element, the gear from the elemental strategy.
Rewards
The four masks that open the Four Guardians’ Mirror.
See the rest in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four acolytes weak to?
According to this guide’s data, water (wet), fire and ice.
Where are the four acolytes?
You find them by touching strange scarecrows: Yanru north of the Village of Lu, Lei Ting below Old Man Gen’s House in Pangzhen (burn the barrier with Flaming Mane), Guhe at the eastern tip of an island in Meigu Lake and Hansui inside The Puppet Scavenger fight.
