Red, the Mysterious Swordswoman waits for you on the roof of the Dovecote in the Mandate Encampment. Do not defeat her there: before you empty her health, leave the fight by the chain on the roof. That way she comes back in the second phase of the fight with the Chief Disciple of the Seven-Star Formation, where you do have to beat her to get the “The Mandate’s Decision” petal and the Twin Fish Pendant.
Boss profile
Health, Sha-Chi, recommended level and elemental weaknesses
Weaknesses
Phases: 1 (and she reappears with the Disciple) · 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.
At the Dovecote, do not defeat Red: before you empty her health, leave the fight by the chain on the roof. If you take all her health, even though she leaves with a “we will meet again”, the game counts it as a victory: she does not come back in the Seven Stars Disciple fight and you lose the “The Mandate’s Decision” petal and the Twin Fish Pendant (verified in our playthrough).
Where is she and how do you get there?
- Enter the EncampmentIt opens after you defeat Gu Wanyue; you have the steps in how to enter the Mandate Encampment.
- Talk to the woman at the DovecoteIn front of the Dovecote there is a woman who asks you to find out who Red is: that is how the “Daughter of the Dark Sect” tale starts.
- Climb to the roofFrom the Dovecote bell, go into the building and climb up to the roof. Red appears when you get to the top.
- Escape by the chainOn one side of the roof there is a chain. Use it to leave the fight before you empty her health.
How to fight Red (without defeating her)
Vandal (Spanish guide) describes the fight as very simple, designed to cause few problems. You can trade a few hits to learn her patterns, because she will repeat them later, but watch her health bar and use the chain with room to spare. If you prefer not to risk it, go straight to the chain.
Her attacks
- Sword and crimson threads: she combines her sword with red threads that immobilize you.
- Kick combo: three jumping kicks, a final one that pushes you away and a backflip.
- Sword combo: three slashes that usually end in one of her colored attacks.
- Diving black flash: she climbs onto the roof spire (that is the signal) and drops in front of you with a slash. It is fast: dodge it.
- Black flash with threads: she throws threads at you, launches herself toward you and thrusts. It is one of the fastest black flashes in the game.
- Blue combo: she floats, leaps at you, chains three slashes and finishes with an overhead blue slash. Parry it.
- Red attack: a slash, a backstep and a lightning thrust. Counter it with a perfect dodge.
- Guard breakers: several of her hits break your guard; do not just block.
How to beat her in the Disciple fight
If you left by the chain, Red joins the second phase of the fight against the Chief Disciple of the Seven-Star Formation, when he becomes the Sword of Despair. She uses the same moves as on the roof, with no new attacks. There you do have to defeat both of them.
- Keep an eye on Red while you dodge the Disciple’s thread projectiles: her black flashes are what deal the most surprise damage.
- Tip: if she is close, focus on her first, since she has less health than the Disciple.
Strategies to beat her
Pick the one that suits the way you play. We only recommend gear you can have by the time you reach the Mandate Encampment.
Fast weapon strategy (one-handed and dual)
It is a fast, close-quarters fight in a small arena, with hardly any ranged options. The best options here are Wild Oriole Sword and Parting Hooks. Land two or three hits after each of her combos and keep your other weapon in reserve: switching restores all your Sha-Chi.
Heavy weapon strategy (two-handed)
She is too fast to trade blow for blow: use heavy hits only after parrying the blue combo or dodging the red. Try Outlaw Warblade or Armybreaker.
Elemental strategy
She has no known elemental weaknesses. Prioritize physical damage and your best upgraded weapons.
Defensive strategy (parries and dodges)
Her most dangerous attacks are the two black flashes: always dodge them. Climbing the spire announces the dive. Parry the blue finisher and dodge the red lightning precisely. If you struggle, the Counterstrike Bracers (first Long Pillar) reward parries.
Phantom Edge strategy
Bring a breaking Edge (Bashpole, Dread Axe or Iron Gauntlets) to break her guard in the rematch. Sparks recharge when you rest at a bell.
If you get stuck
- Upgrade your two main weapons before the Disciple fight (Red is level 19 and the Disciple level 21).
- Upgrade your medicines with the healer at the Green Serpent House.
- Drop to Wayfarer: it does not affect any trophy and you can raise the difficulty again later.
Recommended gear
- A well-upgraded fast weapon.
- A breaking Edge for the rematch.
- Upgraded medicines for the double fight with the Disciple.
Rewards
Only if you leave by the chain at the Dovecote and beat her later alongside the Disciple:
Book and petal titles are translated from the Spanish version of the game; the in-game English wording may differ.
- Twin Fish Pendant: up to +20% damage with low Sha-Chi. The “Daughter of the Dark Sect” tale gives it to you.
- “The Mandate’s Decision” petal, in the Three Towers arena, for the Twin Heroes Memory Flower (Memory Flowers).
The other bosses in the area are in the Mandate Encampment bosses and the route in the Mandate Encampment guide. Looking for another boss? You have the list in all Phantom Blade Zero bosses in order.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to kill Red at the Dovecote?
No. Leave the fight by the roof chain before you empty her health. If you empty it, the game counts it as a victory even though she leaves, and you lose the “The Mandate’s Decision” petal and the Twin Fish Pendant.
Where does Red appear again?
In the second phase of the fight against the Chief Disciple of the Seven-Star Formation, at Three Towers. There you do have to beat her.
I already emptied Red’s health, can I fix it?
Only if you have a save from before the fight. If not, the petal and the Twin Fish Pendant are lost in that playthrough.
