Finding and defeating the Three-Faced Puppet in Phantom Blade Zero is a significant early challenge that rewards players with the Triple Threat quest. This guide details the boss's encounters and how to complete the associated quest.
The First Encounter in Weeping Creek Valley
Your initial confrontation with the Three-Faced Puppet occurs in Weeping Creek Valley, roughly an hour into the game. After navigating a cliffside section, a ladder leads to a ledge with a statue and a bell named The Lady’s Rift. Interacting with the statue initiates a boss fight against the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet. This opponent frequently teleports and strikes from rifts, requiring precise dodges and parries. While this battle is challenging early on, players can return later after upgrading their weapons and health. It is advised to defeat this boss before entering the Mirage Estate, which marks a later stage of the campaign.
Unraveling the Puppet's Identity
Upon defeating the Three-Faced Puppet, the Triple Threat quest begins, tasking players with discovering her identity. While clues can be found in locations like the Mandate Encampment and the Mountain of Imprisonment, the Mirage Estate is the key area. Within this sprawling complex, players must locate three Memory Flowers associated with the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet:
- The Wandering Healer: Found in the Training Grounds after defeating Yuding, the No. 12 Crescent Blade Puppet.
- Frost and Chaos: Located on an altar in the Mourning Hall, where Qiu Feng, the Crimson Boneblade, is fought.
- Three Souls as One: Situated at the end of a corridor in Leng Tu’s study. Interacting with a device here causes a scroll to move, revealing a hidden passage.
After collecting all three Memory Flowers, players are instructed to return to the Mirrorwood Entrance in the Crimson Forest, a central bell location, and avoid proceeding further into the game until ready.
The Crimson Forest and the Blazing Edge
Upon entering the Mirage Estate, the Crimson Forest undergoes environmental changes, with parts becoming covered in snow and previously frozen rivers and ponds becoming passable. The Triple Threat quest requires defeating the Three-Faced Puppet in the northeastern part of the zone, an area previously visited during a fight with Bai Chilian. To defeat this iteration of the boss, players will need the Blazing Edge.
The Blazing Edge is a special Soul Temper for the Sanguine Reach weapon. It requires two components found in Meigu Lake: one is a reward for defeating the Gold-Masked One/Man in Black in the Long Pillar to the east, and the other is dropped by Zhu Yuan, a boss located in the Sha-Chi Tower. Once both components are acquired, the Sanguine Reach can be reforged into the Blazing Edge. Players should level up this weapon and equip accessories that enhance fire damage and burn buildup.
The Three-Phase Battle with Yucong
The final confrontation with the Three-Faced Puppet, now named Yucong in her Steel Mask form, is a demanding three-phase battle. The first phase is similar to the initial encounter, with Steel Mask Yucong using spins and teleports. The second phase introduces more complexity as she alternates between her three identities: Steel Mask (enhanced attacks), Frost Mask (freeze buildup), and Chaos Mask (attacks that drain health and Sha-Chi). The third and final phase sees Yucong splitting into three distinct entities, each embodying her specialized attacks. Players must focus on one target at a time to manage the barrage of physical assaults, freezing effects, and shadow-scorching.
Quest Conclusion and Rewards
Defeating the Three-Faced Puppet permanently grants players the Freezing Chaos, a one-handed sword with a unique perk allowing the wielder to alternate between Yucong's three damage states. Additionally, players receive the Chaos Iron Fragment II. If the player already possesses the other necessary component, this will result in acquiring the Chaos Twin Daggers, a Soul Temper material for the Sanguine Twin. Completing the Triple Threat quest marks a significant achievement, and players are encouraged to collect all Soul Temper items and explore further guides for Phantom Blade Zero.