In Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, the Brittle King stands as the game's sole optional boss, offering the potent Excalibur greatsword and unique Arcana powers as rewards. To initiate the encounter and claim Excalibur, players must first find the boss's chambers within Notre Dame, near one of the Sage's Sigils. Upon entering the boss room, Excalibur will be visible, embedded in stone, with a plaque indicating the method to retrieve it.
Passing the Brittle King's Test
The key to drawing Excalibur from the stone lies in equipping the correct Arcana. Players must have the Builder Arcana, which is obtained by defeating Talos in the Clock Tower, equipped. Once this is done, interacting with the sword will trigger a reaction from the stained glass window behind the player. This event will eventually lead to the Brittle King emerging from the window to initiate the boss fight.
Strategies for the Brittle King Boss Fight
The Brittle King wields a large shield, making frontal assaults difficult unless he is actively attacking. A recommended strategy involves utilizing the Arcane Whip to swing across the screen and attack his vulnerable back. Equipping the Vile Trinket Relic can facilitate this maneuver. For those seeking to bypass his defenses entirely, the Alucard Sword and Shield weapon, found in the Main Hall, offers an advantage by teleporting the player behind the Brittle King with each attack.
Understanding the Brittle King's Attacks
The Brittle King employs several distinct attack patterns. His sword thrusts are well-telegraphed and can be parried or dodged with practice. When his shield is struck, it generates glass shards that, while somewhat slow-moving, require careful dodging. A jumping attack with a wide radius necessitates players maintaining distance and timing their evasive jumps.
Dealing with Advanced Attack Patterns
One of the most challenging attacks involves beams of light emitted from his shield when held aloft. Avoiding these beams requires quick reflexes and knowledge of their patterns. As the Brittle King's health depletes to around half, his attacks intensify. The laser patterns become longer, reducing the safe zones and demanding precise positioning. Near the quarter-health mark, he unleashes beams from his sides that rapidly ascend. This attack is difficult to parry or evade, so players with sufficient damage output and health may find it advantageous to absorb a hit to position themselves for a final offensive.