Boss: Werewolf
The Werewolf is the first boss you'll encounter in the game, located in the City of Haze portrait. While not overly complex, he serves as a good introduction to boss mechanics in Portrait of Ruin. Be prepared for a fast-paced fight.
Recommended Setup
- Characters: Jonathan and Charlotte. You'll want to switch between them frequently.
- Weapons (Jonathan): The default Vampire Killer whip is perfectly adequate. If you've found any short swords or daggers, they can offer faster attacks, but the whip's range is beneficial.
- Sub-Weapons (Jonathan): The Axe is highly effective against the Werewolf, especially when he jumps. The Cross can also do decent damage if you can land multiple hits.
- Spells (Charlotte): Heal is crucial for recovery. Equip any offensive spells you've acquired, such as Fireball or Ice Needle, though their damage output might be low at this stage.
- Armor: Equip the best armor available to you. You likely won't have much choice at this point, but every bit of defense helps.
- Items: Stock up on Potions from the shop in the castle. Having 3-5 on hand is a good idea.
Strategy and Attacks
The Werewolf has a straightforward attack pattern, but he's quick. The key is to recognize his tells and exploit openings.
Werewolf's Attacks:
- Claw Swipe: His most common attack. He'll stand still for a moment, then quickly swipe forward. This has short range.
- Leaping Attack: The Werewolf will jump high into the air and attempt to land on your position. This is often followed by a claw swipe.
- Dash Attack: He'll crouch slightly, then dash across the screen, dealing damage to anyone in his path. This is his fastest attack.
Phase 1: Initial Engagement
- Start with Jonathan. The Werewolf will usually begin with a Claw Swipe or a Leaping Attack.
- When he performs a Claw Swipe, stand just outside his range, hit him with the Vampire Killer, and then backdash to safety.
- For the Leaping Attack, anticipate where he'll land and move away. As he descends, you can often get a quick whip strike in or use an Axe sub-weapon for good damage.
- The Dash Attack is the trickiest. When you see him crouch, immediately jump over him or backdash twice to avoid it.
- Consistently attack with Jonathan, focusing on hitting him after he completes an attack animation.
Phase 2: using Charlotte and Dual Crush
- When the Werewolf is about half health, consider switching to Charlotte briefly. Cast Heal if either character is low on HP.
- If you have offensive spells like Fireball, cast them from a safe distance. Charlotte's spells are generally slower but can provide consistent damage while Jonathan recovers or you manage positioning.
- The most effective strategy is to use the Dual Crush attack. Build up your Dual Crush gauge by dealing damage. Once full, activate it (press Y on the touch screen or the designated button).
- The initial Dual Crush you have, "Whip & Spell", deals significant damage and can stun the Werewolf briefly. Try to activate it when he's not mid-dash.
- After using Dual Crush, switch back to Jonathan and continue the pattern of attacking and dodging.
General Tips
- Stay Mobile: The Werewolf is fast. Never stand still for too long.
- Backdash is Your Friend: Master the backdash (double-tap left or right on the D-pad) for quick evasions.
- Heal Proactively: Don't wait until you're almost dead to use a Potion or Charlotte's Heal spell. A quick heal can prevent a game over.
- Exploit Openings: The Werewolf has brief recovery animations after each attack. These are your windows to strike.
- Don't Get Greedy: Get a hit or two in, then prioritize dodging his next move. Over-committing will lead to taking unnecessary damage.
Defeating the Werewolf will grant you access to the next area of the castle and a significant amount of experience. Good luck, hunter!