Phantom Blade Zero has more than 50 bosses across nine regions, and many of them are optional. Weeping Creek Valley, the first region, has three story bosses in this order: the Frenzied Brute, Axemaster Peng Meng, then The Hunt at the end. The optional Hua, the Bride is there too, and her arena holds the Flesh Lily. Below is every named boss by region, with what each one drops, which fights are optional, and the boss kills that lock you out of side quests.
Official boss names come from the Steam achievement list (25 boss fights). Locations and drops come from PowerPyx’s trophy guide and its region collectible guides, live at the October 29 unlock; fight details from named reviews and previews. Checked October 29, 2026, 02:30 UTC.
Table of Contents
Phantom Blade Zero bosses: quick answer
- How many bosses: “at least 50,” director Soulframe Liang told 4Gamer, as reported by GamingBolt. Wccftech’s review counts “over 50 bosses, many of them optional.” The tables below list 54 named fights.
- Region order: Weeping Creek Valley, Crimson Forest, Village of Lu, Pangzhen, Mandate Encampment, Meigu Lake, Mountain of Imprisonment, Mirage Estate (in Pangzhen), then Mount Soulrend.
- First bosses: the Frenzied Brute (drops Jagged Steel), Axemaster Peng Meng (Dread Axe), then The Hunt (Hunter’s Chain Sickle, which also works as a grappling tool).
- Bosses drop gear: beating a boss often earns its weapon (Push Square), and DualShockers says most Phantom Edges come from bosses and side quests.
- Boss kills that close side quests: Jing Ye and Bai Chilian in Crimson Forest, Mu Xiaokui in Village of Lu, and Yubi in Mandate Encampment. Each one is covered in the warnings table below.
- Dying is cheap: die in a later boss phase and you restart from that phase (Wccftech, PCGamesN), and Push Square says you lose nothing.
Bosses can appear anywhere, including on the rooftops, and most of them drop a weapon or Phantom Edge. Image: S-GAME
How to beat the first bosses in Phantom Blade Zero
Every boss follows the same basic rules. Eurogamer puts it simply: “the most important thing you can do in a boss battle is correctly dodge red attacks, and parry blue ones.” That is also how you break a boss’s guard and open a punishment window. A few more rules from the reviews shape how you approach a fight:
- Bosses don’t stay staggered until their Sha-Chi is empty. Noisy Pixel says weapon special attacks can still interrupt a boss while those moves play out.
- Most fights have two or three phases. That is how PCGamesN describes them. Phase checkpoints keep a failed attempt short.
- Change the matchup if you’re stuck. PCGamesN suggests a fast weapon for an agile boss that keeps disappearing, and something heavier for a slow one. Use your Phantom Edges freely, because their charges refill at every bell.
Two days before reviews went live, Eurogamer reports, S-GAME shipped an update that changed boss stats “to make the difficulty curve feel smoother.” Pre-launch impressions of individual fights may not match the game you play now.
The Frenzied Brute
The first boss that drops a weapon. CGMagazine’s preview says this heavy blade, Jagged Steel, builds a bleed meter that deals a big chunk of extra damage when it fills. Put it in your second weapon slot right away and practice swapping on normal enemies before Peng Meng.
Axemaster Peng Meng
Peng Meng is a required boss in the middle of Weeping Creek Valley. CGMagazine says his “formidable strength and exceptional range” made him the first boss its previewer really had to lock in for. Given that reach, a step back is rarely enough: rely on the perfect dodge when an attack flashes red, and parry the blue ones. Killing him earns “The Axe’s Grudge” and the Dread Axe, a heavy Phantom Edge that CGMagazine says “acts much like an ultimate attack.” PowerPyx adds that the Dread Axe breaks the chains near the Outpost bell, so head back there once you have it.
The Hunt, Hunter of the Order
The Hunt is the required boss at the end of Weeping Creek Valley. He’s the figure from the opening cart chase. Writing about IGN’s boss-fight footage, GamingBolt says he uses a pair of chained one-handed axes and “specializes in quick attacks and fade-away maneuvers.” What looks like a backflip away doubles as an axe throw, and his speed gives you “plenty of chances to parry.” He drops the Hunter’s Chain Sickle. PCGamesN notes that this weapon lets you grapple to certain points. PowerPyx uses it to reach a chest back at the very first bell and a key on the roof of the Valley Sha-Chi Tower.
Hua, the Bride (optional)
Also listed as Hua, Deadly Betrothed. PowerPyx’s route: from the Valley Sha-Chi Tower 1st Floor bell, go behind the tower on the right, slide down the wooden bridge through the hole in the ground, and follow the path left to the end. Pick up the Flesh Lily in her arena and take it to Yu’er at the Outpost bell; it’s one of three tales for “The Healer’s Legacy.”
Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic
Hua Qianxiao is the first boss of Crimson Forest. Respec’s review describes a drunken-fist swordsman who uses “his drunken powers to dodge my attacks and counter with his own sword from a distance.” The reviewer needed several attempts. Distance won’t keep you safe from him. He drops The Fanatic’s Broken Blade. According to Wccftech, that sword turns into a ranged weapon when Soul is drunk.
The Hunt fights with two chained axes and throws one during his backflip, per IGN's footage via GamingBolt. AI-generated illustration
Boss kills that fail side quests
A handful of story bosses quietly close off tales and trophies. All of these come from PowerPyx’s trophy guide and region guides.
| Before you defeat | Do this first | What you lose otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| Jing Ye, the Outlaw (Crimson Forest) | Finish Yu’er’s “Apprentice Healer” tale (three herbs) | The tale, its Medicine Case accessory and “The Healer’s Legacy” |
| Bai Chilian, Lady of the Twin Serpents (end of Crimson Forest) | Finish “A Healer’s Mercy,” give Yu’er the Flesh Lily, and accept Lanlan’s “Secrets of the Baishan Sect” | “The Healer’s Legacy” and “The Last of Baishan” |
| Mu Xiaokui, Young Mistress of the Order (end of Village of Lu) | Complete the “Young Mistress” tale before you take the elevator to her | Her third phase, the Fiend Saws weapon and a key item. Also grab the Wild Oriole Sword on the dock, because the elevator breaks once you leave |
| Yubi, No. 21 Swordfighter Puppet (Mandate Encampment) | Complete the current “Secrets of the Baishan Sect” objective | “The Last of Baishan” |
All Phantom Blade Zero bosses by region
Bosses are listed in the order PowerPyx’s guides meet them. “Required” and “optional” are noted where PowerPyx says so. The achievement column uses the official Steam names. Bosses without one are still worth fighting for their drops.
Weeping Creek Valley bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Frenzied Brute | Story | Jagged Steel (weapon) | – |
| Axemaster Peng Meng | Required, mid-region | Dread Axe (Phantom Edge) | The Axe’s Grudge |
| Hua, the Bride | Optional, below the Valley Sha-Chi Tower | Flesh Lily (key item, in her arena) | Scarlet Wraithblade |
| The Hunt, Hunter of the Order | Required, end of region | Hunter’s Chain Sickle (Phantom Edge) | The Hunt |
| The Puppet Scavenger and Acolyte Hansui | Optional, Crimson Manor side area | Alloyed Scythe Blade (tempering material), two key items | Nothing Goes to Waste |
Two traps for a new character: the statue by The Lady’s Rift bell starts the “Triple Threat” tale, but PowerPyx says you’ll be “too underpowered” for its boss at first, and the region’s Long Pillar fight is “quite difficult.” Save both for later.
Crimson Forest bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic | Required, start of region | The Fanatic’s Broken Blade (weapon) | A Thousand Cups Drained |
| Jing Ye, the Outlaw | Story. You can rematch him later at the Banyan Tree challenge | Outlaw Warblade (weapon) | – |
| Stone Hand Iron Fever | Story | Iron Gauntlets (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Bai Chilian, Lady of the Twin Serpents | Required, end of region | White Serpent and Crimson Viper (weapon), Resonance Talisman | The Shattered Mirror |
| Yucong, No. 34 Twisted Puppet | Optional, across the frozen lake. You can only finish it after Mirage Estate | Freezing Chaos (weapon) | The Four Freed (1 of 4) |
Village of Lu bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhou Bi, the Gatekeeper | Story | Bastion (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Master Bi Yuan of the Tianxuan Sect | Story | Tianxuan Bronze Sword (weapon) | – |
| Master Bi Hai of Kuye Temple | Story | Kuye Temple Prayer Beads (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Acolyte Yanru | Start the fight at the scarecrow | Yanru’s Blazing Mask | – |
| Dusk, the Puppeteer | In the ravine by the angler | Puppeteer’s Bell (summon Phantom Edge) | – |
| Yuzan, No. 3 Musician Puppet | Required | Heartrend Pipa (Phantom Edge) | The Four Freed (1 of 4) |
| Mu Xiaokui, Young Mistress of the Order | Required, end of region. Her third phase needs the Young Mistress tale | Fiend Saws (weapon), Wild Oriole Sword on the dock | Will We Meet Again? |
Pangzhen bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flame, the Lion Dance Grandmaster | Required | Dormant Flaming Mane (key item) | The Lion’s Spirit Lives On |
| Blaze, Shadow Warden Captain | Story. The Crimson Flesh Lily is just past his arena | Fire Meteor (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Cavalrybane, Elite Shadow Warden | Required, mid-region | Armybreaker (weapon) | Three Wardens Fall (1 of 3) |
| Wu Xuan, the Fallen General | Story | Wolfjaw (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Gu Wanyue, the Wailing Wraith | Story | Fanatic’s Fragment: Fixation (key item) | – |
| Xie Qiudong, the Divine Healer | Story | Everflow (medicine) | – |
| You Loong, Leader of the Blackwater Crew | The first of two fights with him | – | Turning the Tide (beat him twice) |
| Chang Hong, the Thunder Spear | Story | Thunder Spear (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Soulclaimer, Elite Shadow Warden | Required, at the way into Meigu Lake | – | Three Wardens Fall (2 of 3) |
Mandate Encampment bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corpse-Eating Xue | Beating him starts the “Xue, Admirer of Heroes” tale | – | – |
| Wan Jun, the Coppermaul | – | Bashpole (Phantom Edge) | – |
| Red, the Mysterious Swordswoman | Up the ladder, part of the “Daughter of the Dark Sect” tale | – | – |
| Chief Disciple of the Seven-Stars | Optional, mid-region | Swordsman’s Summon (Phantom Edge) | Sword Against the Seven-Stars |
| Wu Lengshuang, the Soft Sword | At The Confinement bell | Soft Snake Sword (weapon) | – |
| Yubi, No. 21 Swordfighter Puppet | Optional, end of region | Baishan Stormswords (weapon), Broken Vessel | The Four Freed (1 of 4) |
Meigu Lake bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yan Qiansui, the Zither Maiden | Optional, after the “Allure of Vanity” memories | Illusory Pipa Strings (key item) | Master of the Misty Waters (1 of 3) |
| Grief-Stricken Jin | Village of Lu Shallows Dock | Embroidered Shoes (tempering) | – |
| Heartpiercer, Elite Shadow Warden | Required, White Serpent House | Sundering Dual Axes (weapon) | Three Wardens Fall (3 of 3) |
| Acolyte Guhe | Scarecrow on Meigu Village’s east island | Guhe’s Venom Mask | – |
| You Loong, the Frenzied Blackwater Crew Leader | Optional, the rematch | Loong Trident (Phantom Edge) | Master of the Misty Waters (2 of 3) |
| One-Eyed Archer | Optional, One-Eyed Isle | One-Eyed Bow (Phantom Edge) | Master of the Misty Waters (3 of 3) |
| Zhu Yuan, the Searing Blade | Optional, Sha-Chi Tower. Needed for the true ending | Scorching Flames (tempering) | The Two Blade Masters (1 of 2) |
| The Gold-Masked One | Inside the Midlake Long Pillar (and the Phantom Illusionist Ruins one) | Flaming Grip | – |
| Blizzard Blademaster | Optional, end of the Phantom Illusionist Ruins | Whiteshadow (weapon) | The White Shadow |
Mountain of Imprisonment bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Butcher, the Frenzied Brute | The Lady’s Path | Iron Butcher Mask (tempering) | – |
| Bi Feng, Giant Saber Commander | Optional, mid-region. Needed for the true ending | Juggernaut (weapon) | The Two Blade Masters (2 of 2) |
| Kui Yanyan, the Deranged | Near the Shrine Outer Gate bell | Missing Lift Crank, Sha-Chi Amber Fragment | – |
| Jade-Face | The Lady’s Shrine | Seamless Death (weapon) | – |
| Huangxing, the Kunlun Renegade | Optional, end of region | Flying Guillotine (Phantom Edge) | Crossroads of Blood |
Mirage Estate (Pangzhen) bosses
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yuding, No. 12 Crescent Blade Puppet | Required, mid-area | Crescent Blade (weapon) | The Four Freed (1 of 4) |
| Qiu Feng, the Crimson Boneblade | Mourning Hall | Wraith Mask (accessory) | – |
| Mo Yuan, Leader of the Bastion of Mo | The final Long Pillar | Bastion of Mo Mask (tempering) | Phantom and Blade (all 5 Long Pillars) |
| Lei Dang, the Tiger Cannon | Required, end of Mirage Estate | Tiger Cannon (Phantom Edge) | All Return to Dust |
Mount Soulrend bosses (final region, spoilers)
Skip this table to avoid endgame names. PowerPyx says the bell called The Last Chance is a point of no return until the final boss is dead; afterwards every area reopens.
| Boss | Notes | Drops | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Saw and the Crusher | Required, mid-region | Bonesaw (weapon) | Saw It Through |
| Leng Tu, Herald of the Veil | After The Last Chance bell | – | – |
| Meng Hua, the Merciful Lady of the Blossom Veil | The normal final boss | The Lady’s Fan (weapon) | All Dreams Must End |
| Zho Shang | True-ending boss, through the gold portal on Soulrend Cliff | Aureate (weapon), Radiant Heart | – |
Our Phantom Blade Zero weapons list explains the weapon types these bosses drop, and our how long to beat guide covers playtime and the four difficulty modes. New players should start with our Phantom Blade Zero beginner’s guide (Sha-Chi, Ghoststep, weapon swapping); PC players, see our PC requirements and best settings guide.
FAQ
How many bosses are in Phantom Blade Zero?
At least 50, according to director Soulframe Liang. Wccftech’s review counted “over 50,” most of them unique, and many optional. This guide lists 54 named fights from PowerPyx’s region guides, counting You Loong’s two fights separately. The Steam achievements name 25 of those fights.
Who is the final boss of Phantom Blade Zero?
Spoiler: according to PowerPyx, Meng Hua, the Merciful Lady of the Blossom Veil, is the normal final boss. If you meet the true-ending requirements, a gold portal on Soulrend Cliff takes you to one more fight.
Can you skip bosses in Phantom Blade Zero?
Many of them, yes. The trophy guide marks Hua the Bride, the Chief Disciple of the Seven-Stars, Huangxing, the Blizzard Blademaster, Yubi and the Meigu Lake trio as optional. Skipping them costs you their weapons and Phantom Edges, though. Zhu Yuan and Bi Feng are optional but needed for the true ending.
Sources: Steam global achievements for Phantom Blade Zero (official names); PowerPyx (trophy guide and the nine region guides in its collectibles guide); GamingBolt (boss count, The Hunt gameplay); reviews and previews from Wccftech, Eurogamer, PCGamesN, Noisy Pixel, Push Square, CGMagazine and Respec. Checked October 29, 2026, 02:30 UTC.
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Featured image: AI-generated illustration
