Blasphemous
Blasphemous

How to Beat Esdras, of the Anointed Legion

Defeat Esdras, of the Anointed Legion, in Blasphemous and his sister Perpetva. Learn tactics for parrying and dodging this Bridge of the Three Calvaries boss.

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Boss: Esdras, of the Anointed Legion

Esdras, of the Anointed Legion, is a formidable foe encountered in the Bridge of the Three Calvaries. This fight is a true test of your parrying and dodging skills. He's accompanied by his sister, Perpetva, during the initial phase, making crowd control and positioning crucial.

Preparation

Before engaging Esdras, ensure you're well-equipped. Consider the following:

  • Flasks of Bile: Maximize your healing charges. If you haven't already, find the Empty Bile Flasks in areas like Mercy Dreams (after defeating Ten Piedad) and Jondo (requiring the Blood Perpetuated in Sand relic).
  • Rosary Beads:
    • Dove Skull: Increases defense. Found in Brotherhood of the Silent Sorrow.
    • Pelican Effigy: Increases damage resistance against physical attacks. Located in Graveyard of the Peaks.
    • Ember of the Holy Cremation: Increases fire resistance. Useful for Perpetva's attacks. Found in Jondo.
  • Mea Culpa Hearts:
    • Heart of the Holy Purge: Increases defense but reduces attack. A good choice if you're struggling with survivability. Acquired from a side quest involving the Confessor in Albero.
    • Heart of the Unnamed Fate: Increases attack but reduces defense. For aggressive players. Found in Graveyard of the Peaks.
  • Prayers:
    • Zarabanda of the Safe Haven: Creates a protective barrier. Excellent for mitigating damage during Perpetva's attacks. Found in Jondo.
    • Tiento to Your Thorned Hairs: Temporarily grants invincibility. Can be a lifesaver for avoiding Esdras's heavy attacks. Obtained after defeating Quirce, Returned from the Ashes in Archcathedral Rooftops.

Phase 1: Esdras and Perpetva

This phase is arguably more challenging due to Perpetva's aerial assaults. Your primary goal here is to deal enough damage to Perpetva to make her retreat, allowing you to focus solely on Esdras.

  • Perpetva's Attacks:
    • Dive Attack: Perpetva will swoop down from the air. This is your main opening to damage her. Dodge through her or parry if you're confident, then unleash a quick combo.
    • Fireball Barrage: She'll launch several fireballs. These can be dodged or blocked.
    • Lightning Bolt: A single, fast lightning bolt. Requires quick reflexes to dodge.
  • Esdras's Attacks:
    • Ground Slam: Esdras will jump and slam his weapon into the ground, creating a shockwave. Jump over the shockwave.
    • Horizontal Slash: A wide, sweeping attack. Can be parried or dodged through.
    • Shield Bash: A quick, close-range attack. Best to dodge.
    • Lightning Orb: He'll throw a slow-moving orb that electrifies the ground. Jump over it or dodge away.
  • Strategy:
    1. Prioritize Perpetva: Focus your attacks on Perpetva whenever she dives. Use your strongest combos and prayers if available.
    2. Maintain Distance from Esdras: While dealing with Perpetva, keep an eye on Esdras. He's slower, so you can generally bait his attacks and then create space.
    3. Dodge and Parry: Practice parrying Esdras's ground attacks to open him up for counter-attacks, but prioritize dodging Perpetva's faster moves.
    4. Use the Arena: The bridge offers some space. Utilize it to separate Esdras and Perpetva when possible.

Phase 2: Esdras Alone

Once Perpetva retreats, Esdras becomes more aggressive and gains new abilities. This phase is all about precise dodging and parrying.

  • New Attacks:
    • Extended Combos: His horizontal slashes will often be followed by additional attacks. Be prepared to dodge multiple times.
    • Lightning Charge: He'll charge his weapon with lightning and unleash a powerful, wide-range attack. This is a prime parry opportunity, but the timing is tight. Successfully parrying this attack will stun him briefly.
    • Lightning Dash: Esdras will dash across the arena, leaving a trail of lightning. Dodge through him as he passes.
  • Strategy:
    1. Master the Parry: Esdras's lightning charge is your biggest opening. Learning to parry it consistently will significantly shorten this phase.
    2. Stay Mobile: Esdras is faster now. Don't stand still. Continuously move, dodge, and jump to avoid his attacks.
    3. Punish Openings: After he completes a combo or after a successful parry, get in a few hits and then retreat to safety. Don't get greedy.
    4. Conserve Bile Flasks: Use your Flasks of Bile strategically. Only heal when you have a clear opening or are at critically low health.

Reward

Upon defeating Esdras, you will receive the Verdiales of the Forsaken Framing, a powerful Mea Culpa Heart that increases damage dealt but also damage taken. You will also gain access to the next area, Where Olive Trees Wither.