The journey to the heart of Pharloom leads every pilgrim to the gates of the Citadel, guarded by its most formidable sentinel: The Last Judge. This towering boss is a brutal skill check, a final barrier separating Hornet from the mysteries of the Citadel of Song. This comprehensive guide will provide everything you need to know to analyze its moveset, execute the perfect counter-strategy, and claim your hard-earned victory.
Locating the Last Judge: A Journey to the Blasted Steps
Your confrontation with the Last Judge awaits at the very peak of the
Blasted Steps. This desolate, wind-swept wasteland is accessible from the Shellwood region. The path is treacherous, filled with bottomless pits and deadly enemies, so ensure your movement skills are sharp.
The most critical step before engaging the boss is unlocking the
shortcut. In the large, open chamber leading to the Citadel entrance, seek a breakable wall on the left side just before the room's central safe platform. Shattering this wall creates a direct path from the Bellway Station bench, bypassing numerous hazards and making your runback significantly less frustrating.
The Last Judge Boss Fight: Phase One Strategy
The battle begins with the Judge testing your fundamentals. Its moves are powerful but well-telegraphed.
- Throw Flail: The Judge launches its flail in a high arc. Counter: Dash toward the boss to avoid the initial throw and the returning chain, granting you a precious window to attack.
- Downward Slam: It leaps into the air and crashes down on your location. Counter: Simply walk away and punish it after it lands.
- Flail Spin: A close-range, rapid spin attack. Counter: This is not an opportunity to attack. Disengage immediately and create distance.
The Last Judge Boss Fight: Phase Two Transition
Upon taking enough damage, the Judge will roar and ignite its flail with a sinister flame. This is your biggest damage opportunity. Unleash everything you have during this lengthy transformationanimation. Phase Two introduces enhanced, fiery versions of its previous attacks.
- Exploding Flail Throw: The thrown flail now detonates in a massive AoE blast. Counter: Evade the initial throw and then focus on avoiding the explosionradius. Use wall jumps or the Drifter's Cloak to gain height ifcornered.
- Flaming Flail Spin: The spin attack now radiates slow-moving waves of fire. Counter: Study the gaps between the flames and position yourself safely. This attack often comes in sequences, so stay mobile.
- Charge & Fire Pillars: The Judge charges across the arena, summoning pillars of flame in its wake. Counter: Jump over the charge and use your aerial mobility to hover, identifying safe spots between the pillars to land.
Pro Tips, Tricks, and Recommended Loadout
- The Wanderer's Crest: Before this fight, return to Greymoor and complete the Chapel of the Wanderer. The reward, the Wanderer's Crest, provides a faster, more agile moveset including a crucial "pogo" downslash, perfect for evading ground-basedattacks while dealing damage.
- Healing Windows: Healing is scarce. Your best moments are during the long Flail Spinanimation or, carefully, after jumping over its Charge attack in phasetwo.
- Beware the Final Blow: After you land the killing hit, retreat immediately! The Last Judge erupts in a massive post-death explosion that can kill you and force you to restart the entire fight.
Victory and Beyond: Entering the Citadel of Song
Defeating the Last Judge is a monumental achievement. The gates to the Citadel will swing open, officially beginning Act 2: Citadel of Song. This grants access to the entire upper portion of Pharloom's map.
For those concerned about missing content, fear not. Within the Citadel's Choral Chambers, you will discover the Grand Bellway, a central transit hub that allows you to summon the Bell Beast andreturn to any previously visited area, ensuring you can complete allunfinished quests from Act 1.
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4 PS4, PlayStation 5 PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Developer(s): Team Cherry
Publisher(s): Team Cherry
Release date: 4 September 2025
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