In the epic adventure of The First Berserker: Khazan, players encounter a challenging foe in Rangkus, the leader of the Knivesveil bandits. This formidable boss stands out as one of the most difficult adversaries, exhibiting sheer strength and ruthlessness. Rangkus unleashes powerful, fiery attack combos that can deplete your health quickly, creating an intensely hazardous battlefield. Given his substantial bulk, exploits are few, compelling players to engage in a grueling war of attrition.
As a unique human antagonist, Rangkus possesses capabilities that differentiate him from other bosses within the game. His ability to regenerate Stamina means he isn’t easily staggered, posing an even bigger challenge. Armed with a massive mace that doubles as a flamethrower and a crossbow, Rangkus boasts an extensive repertoire of attacks, making him an overwhelming opponent.
Where To Find Rangkus
Progress Through The Main Story
Rangkus appears as the sixth boss in Mission 6, titled “Traitor Revealed.”In this mission, you will face various bandit enemies while traversing the treacherous, fiery landscapes of Palemion, set high in the mountains. The hazardous environment hints at Rangkus’ dangerous nature.
Your battle with Rangkus takes place at the Palemion Citadel, which marks the final stage of Mission 6. To prepare for this intense encounter, it’s advisable to level up to a minimum of Level 40. During my initial conflict with Rangkus at Level 37, I found it challenging to make any noticeable dent in his health until I further enhanced my character’s abilities.
For an optimal fight experience, a recommended level of 43 exists for this mission. While it’s feasible to engage Rangkus at lower levels, enhancing your character’s essential stats early on will help establish a solid build. Furthermore, acquiring gear with Fire Resistance is crucial, regardless of your weapon setup. This resistance is vital to withstand the fiery damage emanating from Rangkus’ arsenal, and having a few Fire Cleanse Potions in your inventory can significantly increase your survival odds during this challenging encounter.
How To Defeat Rangkus
Anticipate Attacks By Recognizing Patterns
The fight against Rangkus unfolds over two distinct phases. In the initial phase, the boss employs a mix of slow yet powerful attacks with his mace. Understanding Rangkus’ attack patterns is crucial, as his moves feature long wind-ups but quick follow-ups that may catch you off guard. Observing the timing of his strikes will help you discern when to block or dodge effectively.
To gain the upper hand, focus on deflecting as many of his attacks as possible. Successfully deflecting moves depletes Rangkus’ Stamina, creating openings for you to inflict damage. It’s essential to adopt a defensive strategy rather than an overly aggressive approach to avoid his devastating blows.
How To Beat Rangkus (Phase 1)
During the first phase, Rangkus primarily uses melee combos interspersed with ranged attacks. Expect him to execute his mace attacks whenever you approach. Be wary of his ability to dodge your counterattacks. Rangkus’ ranged attacks inflict significant chip damage, so evade is often your best option when he stands at a distance.
The game introduces the Brink Guard mechanic, which acts as a parry for Rangkus’ mace strikes. Successfully executing a parry on all hits during his attack combos will stagger Rangkus, creating an opportunity to strike back.
Below is a summary of Rangkus’ attack patterns alongside strategies for countering them:
|
Attack |
Description |
How To Counter |
|---|---|---|
|
Overhead Slam |
Rangkus raises his mace with one hand, leaning back before delivering a powerful overhead strike. |
Wait for the attack’s final wind-up and dodge or block just before contact. |
|
Double Mace Strike |
Rangkus spins and performs two fast mace strikes after a slow initiation. |
Roll to the side opposite each swing, or parry the strikes accurately to stagger him. |
|
Pummel Combo |
The boss executes two Overhead Slams followed by a spinning swing and finishes with a charged slam attack. |
Maintain composure during the third hit; dodge at the right moment as the earlier strikes can be blocked or dodged normally. |
|
Elusive Bandit Combo |
Rangkus rolls forward after an Overhead Slam, following with a spinning attack and another delayed strike. |
Follow his roll closely to position yourself for effective counters; successfully parry all hits leads to a stagger. |
|
Quick Kick |
Rangkus delivers a rapid kick when you draw near. |
Don’t underestimate this strike; be ready to block it as it can disrupt your timing. |
|
Attack |
Description |
How To Counter |
|---|---|---|
|
Homing Shots |
Rangkus steps back before unleashing a barrage of crossbow bolts aimed directly at you. |
Dodging is generally more effective than blocking these attacks to avoid substantial chip damage. |
|
Quick Bolt Bursts |
After distancing himself, Rangkus fires a broad line of crossbow bolts across the arena. |
Block or dodge these volleys and close in when safe to deal damage. |
|
Grappling Hook |
Occasionally, Rangkus uses a grapple move that could damage players in his path. |
Stay alert and avoid areas where he might grapple to. Pursue him afterward to limit his ranged options. |
Throughout both phases, Rangkus may consume a Stamina potion if his resource runs low. Interrupting him while he drinks can yield additional chip damage, forcing him to rely less on ranged attacks. This opportunity generally arises after a Quick Bolt Bursts move.
How To Beat Rangkus (Phase 2)
Upon reaching approximately 60% health, Rangkus transforms his weapon into a flamethrower, beginning the second phase of this challenging encounter. His attacks now inflict the Flame condition, increasing damage over time if the status is inflicted. This transformation marks a more dangerous phase as AOE attacks become prevalent.
Although Rangkus retains his initial attack patterns, all melee attacks now leave trails of fire, compelling you to adopt a more evasive strategy. It’s essential to dodge more frequently to avoid the flames that explode from his moves.
Additionally, all of Rangkus’ ranged attacks become fire-infused, posing yet another threat. The new moves introduced in Phase 2, along with strategies for countering them, are summarized below:
|
Attack |
Description |
How To Counter |
|---|---|---|
|
Spinning Flames |
Rangkus spins in place as his flamethrower emits fire trails, attempting to close the distance before slamming down. |
Dodge to one side to avoid the flames while timing your dodges to escape his jump and slam. |
|
Hanging Firespitter |
During the Elusive Bandit Combo, Rangkus replaces an attack with a grapple upwards, firing flames before slamming back down. |
Dodge to one side after the grapple to evade the fire trails, then block or dodge his incoming slam. |
|
Firestrike Sidestep |
Rangkus sidesteps quickly to one side before unleashing a quick burst of flames. |
Dodge opposite Rangkus’ movement to avoid the flames that follow. |
|
Volcanic Eruption |
After spinning his weapon, Rangkus slams it to the ground, creating two large AoE explosions. |
Immediately run away to the opposite side of the arena to escape both explosions. |
Some of Rangkus’ Overhead Slams and similar attacks during this phase culminate in AOE bursts of fire reminiscent of the Volcanic Eruption. Maintaining mobility is crucial; keep running continuously to navigate the multitude of AOE attacks he’ll unleash. Stay vigilant about his attack patterns to eventually conquer Rangkus without taking damage.
Rewards For Beating Rangkus
Gain Pieces Of Powerful Gear
Defeating a challenging enemy like Rangkus yields significant rewards, including:
- 7,187 Gold
- 18,421 Lacrima
- Pieces of the Furious Bandit Armor Set
- Bandit’s Spoils (Crafting Material)
- 3x Transmutation Mist (Crafting Material)
- Random Weapon or Accessory Equipment
The Furious Bandit Armor set provides robust enhancements, while the Bandit’s Spoils obtained from Rangkus assists in crafting remaining pieces of that set. Moreover, Transmutation Mist enables the crafting of various consumables, such as additional Fire Cleanse Potions post-battle.
With the skill points and currency acquired from this boss fight, you’ll bolster your strength for the challenges that lie ahead. Conquering Rangkus in The First Berserker: Khazan allows you to advance the storyline, leading to even greater threats on your journey.