Skalpel Boss DESTROYED! You Won’t BELIEVE How Easy It Is!

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In the storyline, Skalpel was a devoted follower of Khazan who entered into a deal with a malevolent blood demon, leading to his mental decline. As the leader of the twelfth mission, the Corrupter’s Fortress, initiating the boss fight requires you to reach the Vampire Gate (Blade Nexus) within the Vaisar Gate. Skalpel is a formidable adversary, often infecting players with Plague through his attacks and switching between slashings with a sword and strikes from a coffin. His unyielding aggression and status effects can be overwhelming for those unprepared. This guide will help you dodge his assaults and conquer him effortlessly in The First Berserker: Khazan.

Skalpel Attack Overview In The First Berserker: Khazan

Attack Image How To Avoid
Phase 1
3-Hit Sword Combo
Skalpel approaches the player and performs three slash attacks. These are a bit delayed, so time your Brink Guards correctly.
Coffin Slam
The boss slams his coffin down at you, causing Plague if you don’t dodge out of the way or Brink Guard it.
Grab Chain
Skalpel leaps into the air before pulling his coffin forward, attempting to trap you inside. He can do this up to three times and may also perform a lash attack at the end of each grab animation. Dodging is the only way to avoid this attack.
7-Hit Burst Combo
The boss strikes the player multiple times with his sword before performing a Burst Attack that you must counter. If you fail, he will add one more slash after the Burst.
Coffin Drag
Skalpel pulls down his coffin and drags it along the floor before grabbing it with both hands and attacking you. Dodging or guarding both work for this attack.
Coffin Ride
The boss jumps onto his coffin and rides it toward you before piercing his sword into it, causing a wave of Plague. This must be Brink Guarded to avoid massive damage and Plague buildup. Skalpel can perform this attack up to three times or cancel the ride to rush at the player and execute a coffin slash.
Sword Rush
Skalpel pulls back his sword and rushes toward you, striking as he passes by. Brink Guard just as he gets close to avoid damage.
Phase 2
Berserk Frenzy
The boss enters a Frenzy, hitting the player with both his sword and coffin one after the other, drastically increasing Plague buildup if the player is hit. He alternates weapons throughout the attack, with no delays between strikes, so make sure to Brink Guard each one to avoid damage and the Plague effect.
Coffinquake
Skalpel slams the coffin on the ground, causing a wave of arms to rise from the earth, dealing damage and increasing Plague buildup. Brink Guard or dodge as the boss slams the coffin to avoid the attack.
Coffin Projectiles
The boss skewers his sword into the ground, causing the coffin on his back to open. The coffin shoots out slow-moving projectiles that home in on your location. You can run around during the entire animation to avoid taking damage.
Leaping Plague
Skalpel leaps into the air, opens the coffin, and projects a wave of Plague before slamming the coffin down. Afterward, the coffin performs an area slam attack that drastically increases your Plague buildup.

How To Beat Skalpel In The First Berserker: Khazan

In the opening of the battle, Skalpel initiates with a series of three attacks aimed at building up his berserk state. The more times you’re struck, the quicker his weapon becomes charged and starts causing Plague. This empowers him to unleash potent versions of his attacks, any one of which can instantly infect you with the Plague status, causing your health to diminish progressively. Items like Plague Cleanse Potions and accessories that offer resistance to this status effect can prove quite beneficial during this boss encounter.

To counter his attacks effectively, it’s best to master Brink Guarding once you grasp the timing. Instead of dodging, this method allows you to break his stance more swiftly. When he becomes fatigued, take advantage by unleashing your skills and light attack combos for maximum damage.

Dodging his coffin attacks might be helpful because they have a lengthy windup, offering you enough time to react appropriately. For the Coffin Ride attack where he jumps onto the coffin and circles the arena, keep moving to dodge the base of the coffin, as it also causes damage. Maintain a medium range and Brink Guard whenever he impales the coffin. This will prevent any Plague buildup.

For the Coffin Ride attack, where he leaps onto the coffin and starts riding it around the arena, keep moving to avoid the base of the coffin, as it also deals damage. Stay at medium range and Brink Guard whenever he impales the coffin to prevent any Plague buildup. This will help you dodge his Coffin Ride attack effectively.

If the damage you’re dealing to the boss seems insufficient, consider examining your stats, abilities, and even upgrading your equipment at the Blacksmith for a significant edge in combat.

Once you’ve inflicted sufficient damage on the boss, his health meter will deplete completely, causing the “Mission Complete” message to appear as the coffin carries Skalpel and deposits him within. But don’t get too carried away with your triumph, for the coffin will eject Skalpel, energizing him for the second phase of this battle.

Phase 2

In the second stage, the boss fight intensifies significantly as the boss grows increasingly hostile. You’ll find yourself having to block attack after attack with minimal recovery time, making it crucial to guard each strike consecutively. This phase also sees the boss inflicting Plague more frequently with his attacks, so remember to keep your potions readily available in your quick access bar.

One notable feature in the second stage is that the boss’s vitality meter, represented by a red bar, remains constant, regardless of the amount of damage you inflict on him. Consequently, the boss will not reach his ‘Exhausted’ state, preventing you from getting free attacks. To offset the numerous advantages he gains during this phase, you’ll observe that he slowly loses health. This battle thus becomes one where you need to endure and outlast the boss as he weakens until he is defeated.

In the second phase, most attacks remain consistent, but there are some new ones added, with the most lethal being the Berserk Frenzy attack. During this attack, the boss strikes you repeatedly, and it’s quite punishing if you don’t manage to Brink Guard most of the attacks, as your stamina bar will drain quickly. The triple grab chain is still in effect for this phase too, so keep an ear out for the audio cue when you need to dodge, but also be prepared for the subsequent grab.

To dodge the attacking projectiles during the Coffin Projectiles phase, consider constantly changing your position within the battlefield to stay out of the line of fire. Keep in mind that the boss may start a new attack as soon as it finishes the current one, so be vigilant and prepared for multiple threats at once.

Additionally, you have the flexibility to switch your weapon and reallocate your abilities without any charges anytime, enabling you to adapt your gameplay strategy according to the boss you’re encountering.

Rewards For Beating Skalpel In The First Berserker: Khazan

Defeating the boss will earn you the following rewards:

  • 14,138 Gold
  • 120,608 Lacrima
  • Bloodthirsty Fiend’s Armor Piece/ Dual Wield
  • Blood-soaked Stoneshard
  • Transmutation Mist x2

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2025-04-04 16:54