One click and you're done. Thank you!
You’ve dispatched with Jagged Steel, The Frenzied Brute, met Forge and learned how to upgrade weapons, and now you’re in the middle of a small lake, helping the Mandate with a big problem. A big part of the Four Fierce Axes Tale, Peng Meng, The Axemaster is a hulking boss, and one that’ll cause you some serious problems if you’re prepared for him.
Don’t worry though, the point of this guide is to explain absolutely everything you need to know in order to beat Peng Meng, The Axemaster in Phantom Blade Zero, and to do it quickly and with minimal difficulty.
How to Beat Peng Meng, The Axemaster in Phantom Blade Zero
Peng Meng, The Axemaster has been talked about for a while at this point. Mentioned in a few notes for the Four Fierce Axes tale, he’s teased and whispered about by the soldiers you pass in the outpost before him, and now here he is. A mammoth, monster of a man, he’s multiple times your size, and God only knows how much stronger, but that won’t matter by the end of the fight.
Beating Peng Meng, The Axemaster comes in two stages. While the fight is all in one area, and doesn’t have a traditional multiphase structure like some other bosses in Phantom Blade Zero, make no mistake, there are two different phases.
Once he’s broken free of his piddly restraints, picked up his axe, and the fight really begins, you’ll need to exercise patience once again, just like the previous fight. His axe is heavily damaging, so getting hit by it is a no-go, but because of his axe, and his own size, he’s also pretty slow. This makes predicting his movements and attacks relatively simple.
For the first half of the fight, the first phase, he’ll try and do the same combo again and again. It’s a multi-hit combo, but it’ll end in a blue attack, which is so slow it’s harder to miss it. Hit L1 and Parry it, and then Soul will do his thing and you’ll end up behind Peng Meng, The Axemaster.
Attack at will, and continue this routine until either your attacks, normal Parry or blue attack Parry drains his Guard Meter to zero. As with all the other enemies, he’ll drop to his knees and be vulnerable. You’ll want to use your L2 Power Surge special ability during one of these moments, but the key idea here is to attack quickly and with high damage.
Talking of high damage, you’ll find this fight far easier if you’ve taken Forge up on her ability to upgrade your weapons beforehand, otherwise your lowly Level 1 weapon won’t do much, and you’ll be taking longer than needed.
This routine with the same combo, Blue attack and then mindless attack will happen several times, but around about the time Peng Meng, The Axemaster’s health drops to about half, he’ll change things up. His Blue attack will become far rarer, instead replaced by a fast-paced red attack, which you’ll need to be prepared for, and ready to hit R1. When this happens, don’t get greedy with your attacks, as his extra speed now can turn your attack into his domination.
He’ll also jump into the air and belly flop you, which can stun and damage. When you see this happening, you’ll want to dodge away as far and quickly as possible. You’ll likely then notice that thanks to the distance between you, he’ll run at you with surprising speed, and again belly flop, or shoulder barge you. The same thing applies, dodge, or even Parry if you think you have the timing down enough.
When I came to this fight against Peng Meng, The Axemaster, I wasn’t as strong, or upgraded as much of my weapons, as I could, and still made light work of him once I figured out his combos and routines. My Jagged Steel weapon was Level 3, and of my own abilities I only had one unlocked, which is the starting one.
As long as you’re patient, don’t get greedy, and Parry plenty, you’ll make quick work of Peng Meng, The Axemaster. He’s an easier target than The Frenzied Brute, for comparison.
When his health drops quite low, you’ll notice he swings his axe in a wide arc, and you’ll be able to push Triangle in a Quick Time Event. This will instigate a cutscene that brings to an end the boss fight with Peng Meng, The Axemaster in Phantom Blade Zero.
Before you leave, make sure you check out the bottom of the page for more guides for PHANTOM BLADE ZERO. We’ve got a lot more tips waiting to help you out!
Once you beat him, you’ll get Remnant Dust, which you can use to upgrade or level up, and the huge axe he was using, the Dread Axe, which is a Phantom Edge. This item will allow you to break Iron Chains blocking a path, even when not equipped, not only making it useful for Festering Secret, but general exploration and traversal.
Now you know how to beat Peng Meng, The Axemaster in Phantom Blade Zero, and you’ll have unlocked The Axe’s Grude trophy for your troubles! This will also continue on the Four Fierce Axes Tale, as you’ll get another note to read, and more information on what to do next.
For your next read, don’t miss our guide on unlocking the Weeping Creek Valley Cell Door, or how to beat The Hunt, Hunter of the Order in Phantom Blade Zero.
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
Other Phantom Blade Zero Guides You Will Need
- How to Find the Cell Key and Open the Weeping Creek Valley Cell Door in Phantom Blade Zero
- How to Upgrade Weapons in Phantom Blade Zero
- How to Beat Jagged Steel, The Frenzied Brute in Phantom Blade Zero (and get the Jagged Steel Weapon)
- How to Beat The Hunt, Hunter of the Order in Phantom Blade Zero
- How to Beat Zuo Shang in Phantom Blade Zero
