Accessing the Mandate Encampment in Phantom Blade Zero requires players to advance through the game's campaign to a certain point. The zone is situated in the eastern region near the starting area, accessible via the Village of Lu. However, the primary gate to the encampment remains locked until a specific story progression is met.
Players must continue their journey until they reach the city of Pangzhen. There, they will encounter and must defeat a boss named Gu Wanyue, also known as the Wailing Wraith. Following this victory, players need to descend into a well. The path beyond the well leads directly to the Mandate Encampment Gate Key, which will be found near a Memory Flower, enabling entry into the area.
Upon entering the Mandate Encampment, players will navigate the Cliffside Walkway, which opens onto a large battlefield. This area is guarded by numerous enemies that will attack as players approach. To reach the objective within the Training Grounds, two distinct routes are available, each presenting its own set of combat encounters.
The Mandate Encampment offers several rewards and activities. A boss within the zone drops the Bashpole, a Phantom Edge weapon useful for breaking through floorboards to uncover hidden treasure chests. Players can also enhance the damage of Destruction-type armaments by finding fragments of the Guardian Idol accessory. Another boss encounter yields the Soft Snake Sword, a weapon adept at parrying attacks. Additionally, a side quest initiated by a specific boss involves collecting relics of heroes, with a Soul Temper material as a reward. The Training Grounds also features a boss fight that is crucial for progressing objectives within the Crimson Manor.