Boss: Doppelganger40
The Doppelganger40 is a challenging boss found in the Reverse Castle, specifically in the Reverse Caverns. This boss mimics Alucard's abilities, making it a test of your own combat prowess and understanding of the game's mechanics. Be prepared for a fast-paced fight!
Preparation is Key
Before entering the boss arena, ensure you are adequately equipped. Your strategy will largely depend on your preferred playstyle, but some general recommendations apply:
- Weapon: A fast, high-damage weapon is ideal. The Crissaegrim (if you've found it in the Forbidden Library) makes this fight trivial. Otherwise, the Yasutsuna or Muramasa are excellent choices.
- Armor: Prioritize defense. The Dracula's Tunic or Alucard Mail are strong contenders.
- Accessories: The Duplicator combined with Grenades or Dynamite can cheese this fight. Otherwise, the Ring of Varda or Mystic Pendant are good for raw power or magic regeneration.
- Sub-Weapon: The Holy Water is excellent for area denial and consistent damage, especially if you can trap the Doppelganger. The Cross is also powerful if you can land multiple hits.
- Relics: Ensure you have the Leap Stone for double jumping and the Soul of Bat for aerial maneuvers.
Boss Strategy
The Doppelganger40 mirrors your current equipment and abilities, but with a slight delay and often less precision. This means if you have powerful gear, so does it. The key is to exploit its slightly less intelligent AI.
Phase 1: Initial Engagement
- Aggressive Start: As soon as the fight begins, rush towards the Doppelganger40 and unleash a flurry of attacks. If you have a fast weapon like the Crissaegrim, you can often stun-lock it for a significant portion of its health.
- Sub-Weapon Spam (Optional): If you have the Duplicator and Grenades/ Dynamite, simply stand in place and spam your sub-weapon. The Doppelganger40 will quickly succumb to the overwhelming damage.
Phase 2: Evasive Maneuvers and Counter-Attacks
If you're fighting fair, the Doppelganger40 will start to mimic your movement and attacks more closely. It will:
- Use your weapon: Expect it to swing its weapon just like you do. Keep your distance after attacking to avoid retaliation.
- Cast Spells: It can use some of Alucard's spells, such as the Hellfire (forward, back, up, attack) or Summon Spirit (up, down, down-forward, forward, attack). These are usually telegraphed, so be ready to jump or dash away.
- Transform: It may transform into a bat or wolf. When it transforms into a bat, it will fly around, making it harder to hit. When it transforms into a wolf, it will charge across the screen.
Recommended Tactics:
- Hit and Run: Attack with your weapon 1-2 times, then immediately double jump or backdash away to avoid its counter-attack. Repeat this pattern.
- Aerial Attacks: If you have a strong downward attack (like the Sword of Dawn's special attack), jump over the Doppelganger40 and attack from above.
- Sub-Weapon Timing: Use your Holy Water when the Doppelganger40 is on the ground to create a damaging zone it might walk into. The Cross is best used when it's directly in front of you for maximum hits.
- Bat Form Counter: When it transforms into a bat, either use your own Soul of Bat to chase it, or wait for it to revert to Alucard form. Some projectile sub-weapons like the Knife can also be effective.
- Wolf Form Counter: When it transforms into a wolf and charges, simply double jump over it. It's a predictable attack.
Reward
Upon defeating Doppelganger40, you will receive a significant amount of experience and the Power of Sire relic. This relic allows you to transform into a Merman, which is primarily used for traversing water sections more efficiently, particularly in the Underwater Cavern and Reverse Caverns.