How To Beat Parade Master In Lies Of P
The Parade Master. He's big, he's clunky, and he's probably the first real roadblock you'll encounter in Lies of P. This puppet monstrosity, wielding a massive parade baton, is designed to test your understanding of the game's core mechanics. Don't get discouraged! While he might seem intimidating at first, with the right strategy and a little patience, you can absolutely dismantle this mechanical menace. This guide will break down the Parade Master's attack patterns and provide actionable tips to help you claim victory and progress through Krat.
He’s more than just a gatekeeper; he’s a tutorial in disguise. Mastering the fight against the Parade Master will teach you crucial skills like perfect guarding, dodging, and weapon management – all essential for surviving the challenges that lie ahead in Lies of P. So, let's dive in and learn how to turn this puppet into scrap metal.
Understanding the Parade Master's Attacks
Before we get into specific strategies, let's analyze the Parade Master's moveset. He primarily uses slow, telegraphed attacks, making them relatively easy to anticipate, but punishing if you mistime your defenses. Here's a breakdown of his key attacks:
Basic Swings: These are his most common attacks. He'll swing his baton horizontally or vertically. These are prime opportunities for perfect guards.
Overhead Slam: The Parade Master will raise his baton high above his head before slamming it down. This attack has a slightly longer wind-up, giving you more time to react. Perfect guarding is highly recommended.
Jumping Slam: He leaps into the air and slams down. This attack has a wider area of effect, so dodging might be a better option than guarding.
Fury Attack (Red Glow): This is the Parade Master's unblockable attack. You must dodge this. Look for the red glow around his weapon as he winds up.
Grab Attack (Phase 2): In the second phase, after you've dealt significant damage, the Parade Master will rip off his head and use it as a weapon. He'll occasionally attempt to grab you with it. Dodge this attack at all costs.
Essential Tips for Victory
Now that you know what to expect, let's get into the specific strategies you can use to defeat the Parade Master.
1. Perfect Guard is Your Best Friend: Lies of P heavily emphasizes perfect guarding, and the Parade Master fight is the perfect place to practice. Perfect guarding negates damage and staggers the enemy, opening them up for a critical attack. Focus on learning the timing of his swings and overhead slams. Don't just hold block; tap the guard button right before the attack connects.
2. Utilize Dodge Effectively: While perfect guarding is crucial, dodging is equally important, especially for the Fury Attack and the Jumping Slam. Dodge into the attack, rather than away from it. This will position you behind the Parade Master, giving you a chance to deal damage.
3. Exploit the Stagger Mechanic: The Parade Master, like many enemies in Lies of P, is susceptible to stagger. Successfully landing perfect guards and charged heavy attacks will build up his stagger meter. Once the meter is full, he'll be temporarily vulnerable, allowing you to perform a devastating Fatal Attack (press the attack button when prompted).
4. Weapon Choice Matters: While you can technically use any weapon, some are more effective against the Parade Master than others. Faster weapons, like the Rapier or the Wrench, allow you to get in quick hits and then back away to avoid his attacks. Heavier weapons, like the Greatsword, can deal significant damage, but they require more precise timing. Experiment to find what works best for your playstyle. Remember to upgrade your weapon at Hotel Krat to maximize its effectiveness.
5. Summon Specter (Optional): If you're struggling, you can summon a Specter to help you in the fight. The Specter will draw the Parade Master's aggro, giving you opportunities to heal and deal damage from a safe distance. However, keep in mind that summoning a Specter will increase the Parade Master's health. You'll need a Star Fragment to summon a Specter.
6. Conserve Your Legion Arm: Don't waste your Legion Arm's abilities. Save them for critical moments, such as when the Parade Master is staggered or when you need to create some distance. The starting Legion Arm, the Puppet String, can be useful for closing the gap quickly.
7. Learn the Phase 2 Transition: After dealing enough damage, the Parade Master will rip off his head and enter his second phase. This is a good opportunity to heal or buff yourself, as he'll be briefly vulnerable during the transition. Be prepared for his new grab attack and increased aggression.
8. Observe and Adapt: The Parade Master's attack patterns are consistent. Take the time to observe his movements and learn the timing of his attacks. Don't be afraid to die a few times while you're learning. Each death is a learning opportunity.
9. Manage Your Stamina: Every action in Lies of P, from attacking to dodging to guarding, consumes stamina. Don't deplete your stamina bar completely, or you'll be unable to defend yourself. Keep an eye on your stamina and manage it carefully.
10. Use Throwing Cells to your advantage: Throwing Cells are a great way to deal consistent damage to the Parade Master from a safe distance. They can also interrupt some of his attacks. Crafting these requires a visit to Eugénie at Hotel Krat.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Button Mashing: Lies of P is not a button-mashing game. Spamming attacks will quickly deplete your stamina and leave you vulnerable. Focus on timing your attacks and defenses.
Ignoring Perfect Guard: Perfect guarding is essential for success in Lies of P. Don't rely solely on dodging. Practice your perfect guard timing and learn to parry the Parade Master's attacks.
Getting Greedy: Don't try to get in too many hits at once. Get in a few attacks and then back away to avoid his counterattacks.
Not Upgrading Your Weapon: Upgrading your weapon is crucial for increasing your damage output. Visit Eugénie at Hotel Krat to upgrade your weapon using Ergo.
Underestimating Phase 2: The Parade Master's second phase is significantly more challenging than his first phase. Be prepared for his new grab attack and increased aggression.
Conclusion
The Parade Master is a challenging but ultimately rewarding boss fight in Lies of P. By understanding his attack patterns, utilizing perfect guarding and dodging effectively, and managing your stamina, you can overcome this obstacle and continue your journey through Krat. Remember to stay patient, observe his movements, and learn from your mistakes. Don't be afraid to experiment with different weapons and strategies to find what works best for you. Once you've defeated the Parade Master, you'll have a much better understanding of the game's core mechanics and be well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Now go out there and show that puppet who's boss! Good luck, and may your P never lie.