Condemned Tower

Condemned Tower

The Condemned Tower is a formidable vertical ascent, testing both your combat prowess and platforming skills. This area is characterized by its towering structure, numerous flying enemies, and treacherous gaps that demand precise movement. Prepare for a challenging climb, as you'll need to use your full suite of movement abilities to reach the summit.

Walkthrough: Ascending the Tower

Upon entering the Condemned Tower from the Castle Entrance, your primary objective is to ascend. The path is largely linear, but numerous detours and hidden passages reward exploration.

1. Initial Ascent & Enemy Encounters:
   • The first few screens introduce you to the tower's common inhabitants: Gargoyle and Harpy. Gargoyles are stationary but launch projectiles, while Harpies fly erratically, making them tricky to hit.
   • The Harpy Soul (Enchant) is a common drop here. It increases your Luck (LCK) stat, which is useful for improving item and soul drop rates. If you're looking for a Bullet Soul that throws feathers, you'll need to defeat a Witch (found in the Dark Chapel) for her Bullet Soul.
   • use your Double Jump and the Flying Armor Soul (Guardian) extensively to navigate the treacherous gaps and reach higher platforms. The Flying Armor Soul is invaluable for extending your jump and correcting mid-air positioning.
2. Navigating Vertical Sections:
   • Many sections require precise platforming. Look for small ledges, crumbling blocks, and hidden passages.
   • Keep an eye out for Imp enemies. While their soul (Enchant) increases your INT, they are also the source of the Imp Soul (Guardian), which allows you to create temporary platforms. This Guardian Soul is crucial for reaching otherwise inaccessible areas. The Mandragora Soul (Bullet) from the Garden of Madness is a scream attack, not a platform-creating ability.
   • There are several breakable walls and floors throughout the tower. Use your weapon or a strong Bullet Soul to reveal hidden rooms containing valuable items or shortcuts.
3. Save Points & Warp Rooms:
   • Mid-way up the tower, you'll encounter a Save Point. It's crucial to save your progress here, as the enemies become tougher and the boss fight is approaching.
   • A Warp Room is also located near the top, providing a convenient fast-travel option back to other areas of the castle. activate it.
4. Enemy Variety & Soul Farming:
   • As you ascend, new enemies like the Succubus and Great Armor will appear.
   • The Condemned Tower is an excellent place to farm for the Gargoyle Soul (Guardian), which provides a useful defense boost, and the Imp Soul (Guardian) for its platform-creation ability.

Enemies and Notable Souls

The Condemned Tower is home to several foes, each offering a unique soul that can aid your journey.

Items and Hidden Treasures

Exploration is highly rewarded in the Condemned Tower. Look for breakable walls and suspicious platforms.

• High Potion: Often found in hidden rooms or dropped by tougher enemies.
• Mind Up: Increases your MP. Look for it behind breakable walls.
• Cash: Various denominations of money can be found in candles and enemy drops.
• Soul Eater Ring: (Rare find/hidden) Significantly increases the chance of enemies dropping souls. This is a highly valuable item for soul farming. To find it, look for a breakable wall in the upper-left section of the tower, near the Warp Room.
• Rare Ring: (Rare find/hidden) Increases the chance of enemies dropping rare items. This can be found in a hidden room accessible via the Imp Guardian Soul, usually in the mid-to-upper sections of the tower.

Boss Battle: Dmitrii Blinov

At the very top of the Condemned Tower, you will confront Dmitrii Blinov, one of Soma's rivals and a powerful dark lord candidate. This battle is a significant test of your combat abilities.

Dmitrii Blinov Strategy:

• Boss Overview: Dmitrii is a cunning opponent who specializes in copying your own Bullet Souls. He will mimic the last Bullet Soul you used against him, turning your strengths against you. This unique mechanic requires careful consideration of your Bullet Soul choice.
• Recommended Loadout:
  • Weapon: A fast, high-damage weapon like a sword (e.g., Claimh Solais if you have it, or a strong katana like Muramasa). Melee attacks are often the safest option against Dmitrii.
  • Bullet Soul: The key here is to use a Bullet Soul that either deals high damage quickly and then switch, or one that is easily dodged if he copies it.
    • Axe Armor Soul (Bullet): Its slow projectile is easy to avoid when he copies it, making it a safe choice for ranged damage.
    • Mandragora Soul (Bullet): While its scream attack is potent, be prepared to dodge if he copies it.
    • Alternatively, consider a Bullet Soul with a short range or one that dissipates quickly, limiting his ability to use it effectively against you.
  • Guardian Soul: Flying Armor Soul for enhanced evasion and movement, or Gargoyle Soul for a defensive boost. If you're struggling with platforming, the Imp Soul (Guardian) can provide temporary platforms for strategic positioning, though it's less critical in this boss fight.
  • Enchant Soul: Imp Soul for an INT boost if you plan to rely on magic-based Bullet Souls, or Harpy Soul for LCK if you're hoping for a rare drop (though focus on survival for a first clear).
• Tactics:
  • Observe & Adapt: Dmitrii's primary attack is copying your Bullet Souls. If you use a powerful, hard-to-dodge Bullet Soul, he will use it against you. This is his most dangerous ability.
  • Melee Focus: The safest strategy is often to rely heavily on melee attacks. Get in close, land a few hits, and then back off to avoid his counter-attacks and copied Bullet Souls.
  • Bullet Soul Management: If you must use Bullet Souls, try to use ones that are easy to dodge when he copies them, or use a powerful one and then immediately switch to a Guardian Soul that aids in evasion (like Flying Armor) to avoid his copied attack. Alternatively, use a Bullet Soul that has a very short duration or range, making it less effective when he copies it.
  • His Unique Attacks: Besides copying, Dmitrii also has a few unique attacks, including a short-range energy blast and a teleportation ability. These are generally well-telegraphed and can be dodged with practice. Watch for his wind-up animations.
  • Dodge & Counter: Focus on dodging his attacks, then counter-attacking during his recovery frames. His copied Bullet Souls often have a slight wind-up, giving you a window to react and move out of the way.
  • Healing: Keep a few High Potions or Super Potions on hand. Dmitrii can deal significant damage, especially if you're caught by his copied attacks.
• Reward: Defeating Dmitrii grants you the Dmitrii Soul (Enchant), which allows you to copy enemy Bullet Souls yourself by touching them. This is a powerful and unique ability that opens up new combat strategies and is essential for progressing in certain areas of the game.

Common Pitfalls and Missables

• Under-leveled: Don't rush into the Condemned Tower if you're struggling in the previous areas. Farm souls and gain levels in the Castle Entrance or Garden of Madness if necessary.
• Missing Save Points: Always activate and use save points. The tower is long, and losing progress can be frustrating.
• Ignoring Hidden Rooms: Many valuable items, including the Soul Eater Ring and Rare Ring, are tucked away behind breakable walls. Use your map to spot suspicious areas or attack every wall.
• Incorrect Soul Usage: Remember that the Harpy Soul increases LCK, it does not throw feathers. The Imp Soul (Guardian) is what creates platforms, not the Mandragora Soul. Ensure you have the correct souls equipped for navigation.
• Dmitrii's Soul Copy: Be mindful of which Bullet Soul you use against Dmitrii. A powerful, hard-to-dodge Bullet Soul can quickly turn the tide against you when he copies it. Plan your Bullet Soul usage carefully.

With careful navigation, strategic combat, and thorough exploration, you will conquer the Condemned Tower and emerge stronger, ready for the challenges that lie ahead in Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.