There are five Long Pillars. At each one The Gold-Masked One duels you, and the fifth reveals Mo Yuan, Leader of the Bastion of Mo (played by Donnie Yen). Completing them closes the purple quest Bloodline Awakening, required for the true ending, and gives the Phantom and Blade trophy.
Boss comparison
Health, Sha-Chi and weaknesses of each fight
Health
Sha-Chi
The Gold-Masked One (1) · level 10
The Gold-Masked One (2) · level 10
The Gold-Masked One (3) · level 19
The Gold-Masked One (4) · level 25
Mo Yuan · level 26
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
| # | Location | Requirement | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Pillar Overlook, Weeping Creek Valley | Chain Sickle and two keys | Counterstrike Bracers and 28,000 Remnant Dust |
| 2 | Mirrorwood Long Pillar, Crimson Forest | Sickle; talk to the Man in Black | Miraculous Scabbard |
| 3 | Central island of Meigu Lake | Boat | Half of the Flaming Grip (tempers the Blazing Edge) |
| 4 | Phantom Illusionist Ruins | The four acolyte masks and the Dread Axe | Chaos Iron Fragment I |
| 5 | Mirage Estate | Sickle | Bastion of Mó Mask |
Save to a manual slot before each duel: Vandal (Spanish guide) warns that the pillar can glitch. Pillars 1 to 4 close when you cross into the Mirage Estate and the 5th, at The Last Chance.
How to beat the Long Pillars
Duel 1
It teaches pure defense: blues to deflect, reds to dodge and a grab that cannot be blocked. Vandal recommends leaving it for later, when you have your weapon upgraded.
Duel 2
It adds attacks that turn the screen black and white: always dodge them.
Duels 3 to 5
They combine everything above with longer combos. In the fifth, your opponent takes off the mask: it is Mo Yuan.
Strategies to beat it
Pick the one that fits the way you play. We only recommend gear you can have by the time you reach Weeping Creek Valley.
Strategy with fast weapons (one-handed and dual)
It is a fast opponent: don’t chase the long combo. Land two or three hits and back off before it answers. The best option here is the Sanguine Twin. Punish after each full combo you deflect cleanly and keep the other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.
Strategy with heavy weapons (two-handed)
Against such a fast opponent, use heavy hits only after a deflect or a perfect dodge. Try Sanguine Reach or Scarlet Wraithblade. The Outlaw Warblade restores health on hit, ideal if you struggle to survive.
Elemental strategy
It has no known elemental weakness. Focus on physical damage and on draining its Sha-Chi: a good deflect rhythm pays off more than any element.
Defensive strategy (deflects and dodges)
Its most dangerous attack is the unblockable grab and the attacks that turn the screen black and white: learn the animation and always dodge it. Deflect every blue flash to drain its Sha-Chi without spending yours, and execute as soon as it is stunned. If you struggle, the Counterstrike Bracers accessory (first Long Pillar) rewards deflects.
Strategy with Phantom Edges
Bring the Dread Axe to break its guard or defenses. 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 10).
- Upgrade 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
- Accessories that widen the deflect window.
- Your two best weapons, upgraded.
Rewards
- Counterstrike Bracers, Miraculous Scabbard, half of the Flaming Grip, Chaos Iron Fragment I and Bastion of Mó Mask.
- Phantom and Blade trophy (silver).
Looking for another boss? You have the full list in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses in order.
Frequently asked questions
Who is The Gold-Masked One?
In the fifth duel he is revealed as Mo Yuan, Leader of the Bastion of Mo, a character whose face and movement come from Donnie Yen.
Do you have to do the pillars in order?
Yes, the order is fixed: Valley, Crimson Forest, Meigu Lake, Illusionist Ruins and Mirage Estate.
