After using the Jewel of Open, you'll soon encounter your first boss battle against the demonic duo, Slogra and Gaibon. This fight takes place in a large, open room.
Strategy:
- Phase 1 (Slogra & Gaibon): Slogra, the spear-wielding demon, will attack primarily with lunges and spear throws. Gaibon, the winged demon, will fly around, occasionally swooping down or spitting fireballs. Focus your attacks on Slogra first. He is generally easier to hit. Use your shield to block Gaibon's fireballs. Stay mobile and try to get behind Slogra after he lunges.
- Phase 2 (Gaibon Alone): Once Slogra is defeated, Gaibon becomes enraged, glowing red. His attacks become faster and more aggressive. He will frequently swoop down and perform a powerful fire breath attack. The key here is to stay on the ground, bait his swooping attack, and then jump and attack him as he recovers. Use your sub-weapon (Holy Water is effective) if you have enough hearts.
Reward: After defeating them, you'll receive the Soul of Bat relic, allowing Alucard to transform into a bat. This is a critical ability for accessing new areas.