How to Beat Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet in Phantom Blade Zero

Overview and Preparation

The Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet is an optional boss located near the beginning of Phantom Blade Zero. While you can encounter this boss very early in your playthrough, you do not need to force the fight right away. Instead, it is highly recommended to progress further into the game—specifically returning at the start of Chapter 3—after acquiring powerful gear from defeating the final boss of Chapter 2.

Coming back later with upgraded equipment completely transforms the difficulty of this encounter, allowing you to overpower the boss's mechanics. Ensure your main weapon is properly leveled up before stepping into the arena.

Recommended Equipment and Setup

To maximize your damage output and survivability against the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet, you should bring a specific loadout consisting of upgraded weapons, complementary accessories, and a summon.

Additionally, make sure to review your ability tree to align with aggressive Sachi-building tactics before initiating the combat sequence.

Phase 1: Survival and Building Sachi Essence

The core philosophy of this strategy relies on surviving incoming damage windows while steadily building up your resources rather than recklessly attacking from the start.

• Manage the Opening: At the beginning of the boss fight, the Three-Faced Puppet does not perform overly complex maneuvers. However, you must closely watch out for its distinct smoky black attack.
• Prioritize Dodging: You must dodge the smoky black attack rather than attempting to block it. Failing to dodge this specific attack allows the boss to quickly follow up with a fierce barrage of strikes, leaving you with zero breathing space to switch weapons or recover.
• Build Sachi Essence: Focus your combat efforts on building your Sachi essence. Wait patiently and look for a reliable guard break before committing to your powerful field forms. Avoid spending your valuable resources while the boss is actively moving away, which would waste the opening.

Phase 2: Unleashing Demon Mode and Guard Breaks

Once you successfully execute a guard break, the fight enters its most damaging offensive phase. Capitalize on this precise window to maximize your damage.

• Activate Fiend Form: As soon as you break the boss's guard, activate your fiend form immediately to unleash your heavy attacks.
• Charged Frenzy: Hold your Y attack to perform a charged frenzy. This executes spinning Sachi slashes that drive indora deep into the bone, dealing significantly increased damage when the wounds erupt.
• Charged Onslaught Alternative: If you are low on Sachi resources, you can opt for a charged onslaught instead. This infuses fiend aura directly into the wounds, which then depletes more Sachi when it erupts.
• Finishing Follow-Up: By the end of the fiend form duration, press Q or RT to perform a devastating follow-up attack. This vertical spinning move deals an immense, game-changing amount of damage to the puppet.

While the monk summon provides an extra source of pressure on the battlefield, you must still maintain active awareness and watch the boss's movements yourself.

Phase 3: Dealing with Sub-50% Health Red Attacks

When the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet drops below 50% health, its behavior shifts slightly, and it will occasionally execute lethal red attacks.

• Prepare for Perfect Dodges: Stay alert and ready to execute perfect dodges when the boss winds up its red attacks.
• Capitalize on Windows: Successfully performing a perfect dodge grants you another massive window of opportunity to deal heavy counter-damage.

Even if you occasionally make a mistake or miss an optimal timing window, the sheer strength of this Level 15 Fiend Saws build will comfortably carry you through to victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fight the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet right when I find it?

No. The guide explicitly recommends leaving this optional boss alone when you first discover it early in the game. It is much easier to return at the start of Chapter 3 after acquiring the Fiend Saws from the Chapter 2 final boss.

What should I do if I don't have enough Sachi for a charged frenzy?

If you lack sufficient Sachi essence, you can use a charged onslaught instead. This alternative infuses fiend aura into the wounds, causing them to deplete more Sachi when they erupt.

How do I finish my fiend form attack effectively?

At the very end of your fiend form, press Q or RT to trigger a powerful vertical spinning follow-up attack that deals an incredible amount of damage to the boss.

Source: This guide is based on the video "How to Beat Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet | Phantom Blade Zero" by FIDISTI — watch the original video.