Boss: Wallmonger / High Priest
The fourth floor of the Gungeon, the Forge, presents a unique challenge: you will face one of two formidable bosses. Unlike previous floors where the boss is fixed, the game randomly selects between the Wallmonger and the High Priest. Both are intense bullet-hell encounters that demand precision, quick reflexes, and effective use of your blanks. Mastering these fights is crucial for progressing to the final challenge.
Wallmonger: The Moving Menace
The Wallmonger is a massive, sentient wall that occupies the entire left side of the arena and slowly but inexorably pushes you towards the right. Your primary goal is to destroy it before you are crushed against the far wall. The arena is a long, horizontal corridor with occasional pillars that can offer momentary cover but also restrict movement.
Wallmonger Strategy & Tactics:
- Constant Movement is Key: You cannot stand still. The wall is always advancing, forcing you to move right. Your focus should be on navigating the bullet patterns while continuously firing back.
- Exploiting Safe Spots:
- The "Gap" Strategy: The Wallmonger often fires dense vertical or horizontal bullet lines. Look for small gaps in these patterns, typically near the top or bottom of the screen, to slip through.
- Pillar Protection: The pillars in the arena can block some incoming bullets, especially the larger cannonball-like projectiles. Use them strategically for a brief moment of respite or to reposition, but don't rely on them too heavily as they also limit your dodging space.
- Cornering the Wall: When the Wallmonger fires its spread shot (multiple bullets fanning out), moving into the far right corner of the screen (as far as the wall allows) can sometimes create a small pocket of safety, allowing you to focus fire.
- Specific Bullet Patterns & How to Deal:
- Vertical Bullet Lines: The Wallmonger often fires several vertical lines of bullets that sweep across the screen. Dodge between them by moving up or down. Sometimes, a blank is the safest option if you're caught in a tight spot.
- Horizontal Bullet Waves: Similar to vertical lines, but these move horizontally. Again, find the gaps and move accordingly. These are often easier to dodge than the vertical lines.
- Spread Shot / Fan of Bullets: The wall will fire a wide arc of bullets. This is where moving to the far right corner can sometimes help, or simply weave through the gaps.
- Large Cannonballs: These slower, larger projectiles are often fired in conjunction with other patterns. They deal significant damage but are easier to track and dodge. Prioritize avoiding these.
- Machine Gun Barrage: The Wallmonger can unleash a rapid-fire stream of bullets. This is often the most dangerous attack. Focus entirely on dodging. If you have a blank, this is a prime opportunity to use it to clear the screen and gain breathing room.
- Vulnerabilities: The Wallmonger's "face" (the central part of the wall) is its weak point. Focus all your fire there. Weapons with high damage per shot or sustained fire are excellent here.
- Recommended Loadout: Weapons with good range and sustained damage are ideal. The AK-47, Machine Pistol, or any high-DPS automatic weapon will serve you well. Explosive weapons can also be effective for clearing bullet patterns if aimed correctly.
- Blanks: Save your blanks for moments when you are truly cornered or overwhelmed by a dense bullet pattern, especially during the machine gun barrages. A well-timed blank can save a run.
High Priest: The Teleporting Tormentor
The High Priest is a spectral, robed figure who teleports around a large, open arena, unleashing several bullet patterns and summoning spectral enemies. His fight is less about environmental pressure and more about managing multiple threats and predicting his movements.
High Priest Strategy & Tactics:
- Arena Awareness: The arena is large and mostly empty, providing ample space to dodge. However, watch out for the occasional destructible pillars or altars that can block your shots or movement.
- Anticipate Teleports: The High Priest teleports frequently. Pay attention to the brief visual cue (a puff of smoke) before he reappears. Try to predict where he'll go next to line up your shots. He often teleports to the edges or corners of the arena.
- Specific Bullet Patterns & How to Deal:
- Circular Bullet Waves: The High Priest often fires expanding rings of bullets. Dodge through the gaps or use a blank if you're surrounded.
- Targeted Bullet Streams: He will sometimes fire a stream of bullets directly at your current position. Keep moving laterally to avoid these.
- "Eye" Bullets: These are large, slow-moving projectiles that track your position. They are often fired in conjunction with other patterns. Prioritize dodging these as they can be deceptively dangerous.
- Cross Pattern: The High Priest can fire bullets in a large 'X' or '+' shape. These are generally easy to dodge by moving into the safe quadrants.
- Dense Barrage: Similar to the Wallmonger, the High Priest has a phase where he unleashes a very dense, almost screen-filling barrage of bullets. This is a prime blank opportunity.
- Summoned Enemies:
- Grave Creeps: These are small, slow-moving enemies that emerge from the ground. They don't fire bullets but try to ram you. Prioritize eliminating them quickly, as they can become a nuisance and restrict your dodging space.
- Reanimated Skulls: These are flying skulls that fire slow projectiles. They are less of a threat than Grave Creeps but still need to be dealt with to keep the arena clear.
- Tactics for Summons: When summons appear, quickly switch to a weapon that can clear them efficiently (e.g., a shotgun or a weapon with splash damage) before returning fire to the High Priest. Don't let them overwhelm you.
- Vulnerabilities: The High Priest is vulnerable whenever he is not teleporting. He doesn't have a specific weak point; just aim for his body. His health pool is generally lower than the Wallmonger's, but his evasiveness and summons make up for it.
- Recommended Loadout: Weapons with good accuracy and a decent rate of fire are excellent for hitting the High Priest between teleports. The Crossbow, Winchester, or any reliable automatic weapon work well. Weapons with some area-of-effect can also help manage the summoned enemies.
- Blanks: Use blanks strategically to clear the screen during his most intense bullet barrages or when you find yourself surrounded by both bullets and summoned enemies.
General Tips for Both Bosses:
- Conserve Blanks: While important, don't use blanks frivolously. Save them for unavoidable situations or when you're about to take damage.
- Dodge Rolling: Master your dodge roll. It provides invincibility frames, allowing you to pass through bullets unharmed. Practice timing your rolls to get through tight bullet patterns.
- Weapon Switching: Don't be afraid to switch weapons on the fly. Use your highest DPS weapon for direct damage to the boss, and a more area-focused weapon for clearing adds or specific bullet patterns.
- Health Management: Prioritize not taking damage over dealing damage. A few extra hits on the boss aren't worth losing a heart.
- Synergies: Keep an eye out for powerful weapon and item synergies throughout your run. These can drastically alter the difficulty of boss fights.
Both the Wallmonger and the High Priest are significant skill checks. Learning their patterns and adapting your strategy on the fly will be key to overcoming these challenges and continuing your descent into the Gungeon.