How to Beat Celestial Enforcer: Tieyan

How to beat Celestial Enforcer: Tieyan in Nine Sols. Strategies, attack counters, weaknesses, and recommended loadouts for this boss.

Confront the Celestial Enforcer: Tieyan, a formidable boss in Nine Sols renowned for his unwavering defense and powerful, earth-shattering attacks. This guide offers strategies to overcome his phases, exploit his weaknesses, and survive his relentless assault. Prepare for a test of endurance and precise combat.

Understanding Tieyan's Phases

Tieyan's combat is characterized by distinct phases, each showcasing his mastery over earth and stone. In his initial phase, he relies on heavy, telegraphed melee attacks and defensive stances. As the fight progresses, he may gain the ability to manipulate the terrain, summon earthen constructs, or unleash devastating area-of-effect attacks.

Key Attacks and How to Counter Them

Tieyan's arsenal is built around brute force and defensive prowess:

• Ground Slam: Tieyan slams his weapon or fists into the ground, creating a shockwave that travels outwards. This attack requires a well-timed jump or a dodge through the impact zone.
• Stone Fist: He may summon a large stone fist from the ground to crush you. Watch for the ground tremors indicating its location and move away quickly.
• Defensive Stance: Tieyan can enter a defensive stance, significantly reducing incoming damage. During this phase, it's best to evade and wait for him to break the stance.
• Earthen Barrage: He might hurl rocks or debris at you. These are typically dodged by strafing or rolling.
• Charged Uppercut: A powerful melee strike that can launch you into the air. This is often parryable, but the timing is tight.

Exploiting Tieyan's Weaknesses

Despite his immense power and defense, Tieyan has exploitable weaknesses:

• Vulnerability Windows: After performing his most powerful attacks, Tieyan will often pause for a moment, leaving him open to attack. These are your prime opportunities to deal damage.
• Parrying Heavy Attacks: While difficult, successfully parrying his charged melee attacks can stagger him significantly, allowing for a critical hit or a sustained combo.
• Elemental Damage: Tieyan might be vulnerable to specific elemental damage types, such as lightning or wind, which can disrupt his earthen defenses or stagger him more easily.
• Breaking His Guard: Heavy attacks and certain skills are effective at breaking his guard, especially when he's in his defensive stance.

Recommended Strategies and Loadouts

For this encounter, consider equipping Talismans that:

• Increase your damage output for quick bursts.
• Provide resistance to physical or earth-based damage.
• Offer buffs that help break enemy guards or increase stagger potential.

A weapon that can deal significant damage quickly is recommended. Focus on patience, observing his attack tells, and striking only during his vulnerable moments. If you have access to elemental damage that he is weak against, utilize it during these openings.

Phase-Specific Tips

• Phase 1: Focus on learning his basic melee attacks and ground slams. Practice parrying his charged attacks.
• Phase 2: Tieyan may gain new abilities like summoning earthen constructs. Prioritize dealing with these adds or using AoE attacks if possible.
• Phase 3: His defensive capabilities might increase, or his AoE attacks become more widespread. Stay mobile and look for openings after his most powerful moves.

Post-Fight Rewards

Defeating Tieyan will typically grant you a substantial amount of Essence, rare crafting materials related to earth and stone, and potentially a unique item or upgrade component. These rewards are crucial for your continued progression.