It sounds like you are not at the skill level to fight Arlecchino at level 5, it involves being consistent with perfect guard and understanding his moveset, using the perfect grindstone crutch will only get you so far.

Go down to Lv1 and just block/TDS counter him until you’re more comfortable with him. It won’t (and imo shouldn’t) be possible to bruteforce him on Lv5 without understanding at least some of his moves.

You’re already using one of the most busted weapons in the game; you could win much more easily if you focus on what makes it busted. Many of his more predictable strings leave gaps that can be interrupted with TDS counters when read correctly. It smothers the pace of many fights when done optimally.

Phase 2’s big area attacks are visually loud but are loud to call out which pattern they are (claws, buzzsaws, lightsabers for delayed explosions). In most circumstances, he’ll only ever follow up the saber attacks with saber attacks. Grabs are always safely punishable since he never follows up when they whiff, and his standing grab leaves enough time for a light attack during the telegraph too.

Very few of his attacks are true combos past a couple hits; most leave just enough time to hold guard to recover in hitstun or to dodge out of follow-ups, and those that aren’t shouldn’t be instant death at your current level.

Think of him like mixing and matching between different interchangeable segments.

The moveset is the same as it was in the previous levels.

The only difference is the stats, so level 5 will have higher health, higher damage, etc.

You will have less room for error even with the highest gear and upgrades.

Don't be afraid to use consumables like the miraculous recovery ampoule because they don't take away from your personal stash in Boss Rematch.

I suggest fighting Arlecchino in the lower levels first until you know his deflect timings pretty well. I'd even say use the Perfection Grindstone for his Phase 2 combo if you aren't confident enough to manage through that move.

If you want my recommendation, you should put on the Laxasia boss amulet, the one where guarding doesn't consume weapon durability, because you'll notice how fast it depletes on level 5 rematches.

Also make sure to get all the P-Organ upgrades as you can, I highly recommend being least at NG+ before attempting but go for NG+2 for that Fury Attack guard upgrade.

No he doesn't. This challenge is completely optional.

He is extremely beatable provided you are willing to put in the time and learn the fight. I did it, you can do it. I used Mjolnir with the Evangelista handle. Iron Wall, Conquering, Ghost Walk, Swordmanship, and Puppet Destroyer.

Stand your ground and learn his patterns. He's a glass cannon, provided you know when it's your turn to strike.

When I was in the lab - Phase 2 opening - When he does the ground slam I figured out I can hit him with a payback swing and still recover in time to defend against the shockwave. After the shockwave I figured out I can heal if I need to and recover in time to defend again.

You can do it.

Just because it's optional doesn't mean it should be damn near impossible. This is PS Radahn levels of nonsense all over again. (except in Radahn's case you can actually summon players to baby walk you through it)
You guys are in the .01% percentile of people beating this guy at level 5 while millions of players will never even get past phase 1.

Thanks for the encouragement but after like 40+ deaths and my arms/body literally hurting (no boss has exhausted me this much) I'm taking a break from him

The normal version of the fight does have a summon that you're also encouraged to use for the story and presentation value.

Think of Battle Memories as a for-fun thing. Lv5 is essentially the final frontier for players that are seeking that sort of challenge even while deep into NG+; something for NG+3 files to fight on equal terms despite phase 6 and 7 P-Organ upgrades being extremely strong and gamechanging. If you don't enjoy it, not only do you not have to engage with it, you shouldn't feel obligated to.

Just being able to beat him solo in the first place is an achievement, cheese or not.

Stop f****** asking to nerf things you bunch of spoiled brats, this is not YOUR game.
The hardest challenge of a game isn't supposed to be for everyone.
Learn to play or go away.

Originally posted by KingofallHeroes:

Just because it's optional doesn't mean it should be damn near impossible. This is PS Radahn levels of nonsense all over again. (except in Radahn's case you can actually summon players to baby walk you through it)
You guys are in the .01% percentile of people beating this guy at level 5 while millions of players will never even get past phase 1.

Thanks for the encouragement but after like 40+ deaths and my arms/body literally hurting (no boss has exhausted me this much) I'm taking a break from him

Being in 0,1% feels good enough to not change it so git gud.

Just do the billionaire thing: pay a Chinese gaming expert to win the game for you, then brag of your elite gaming skills.

I've been grinding him trying to get a no damage run, parry everything ( skulls and whirly AoE ). I think I'll get it after my next sleep. My kill time record so far is 3:08, no Legion, no Fable Arts, no items.

I've noticed that when you're low health he has extra follow ups to attacks. Also, if you are too far away from him in phase one he has some nasty moves.
Another issue is his attacks can dead angle you, which means they hit you from behind, so even if you guard/parry with the right timing, you get hit.

So what I do is always move towards him then as soon as he starts attacking I start walking backward while parrying so I don't get deadangled.
Never heal phase 1 unless you stagger him or mini stagger. You can if you're really far away, but you shouldn't be because you're making your life much harder.

After every combo he does I can do a fully charged R2 with AcidicGlavenus/PinwheelHandle. Then when he mini staggers or does a fury attack I do two R1's to delay his Stagger. After stagger I R2 then Charged R2 and it catches his backdash and it's Phase 2. After you do it enough times it's scripted.




Phase 2
To parry the skulls I don't move at all. If you're right in the center the all come in pairs of two. So it's just tap parry twice for each duo of skulls. Then I back up a bit and wait for the Blood Whirly to come into range, then just spam parry. That crazy combo after is the first thing I got down in phase 2, it's a lot easier than it seems and you get a huge punish after. At least fully charged R2 + another button, even with slow weapons.

I'm not 100% sure yet on everything in Phase 2, sometimes he does crazy follow ups, so you gotta be conservative with your punishes. When he's less that 60% I just do an R1 and wait to see what he does so I can parry any fury attack coming out.
When he does the disks you gotta run away from them so you can parry the jumping fury attack and have time to parry all the disks after.

After playing Khazan and clearing the Generals Crucible, I find him quite squishy. When you're doing Charged R2's he staggers quite fast, which is a lot of damage if you maximize, plus time to heal, sharpen etc. I believe the consumable Electric Blitz lasts longer than the Grindstone one, if you have the Quartz abilities.




I like doing challenge runs, it's a lot of learning. How I do it is just tell myself if I parried/dodged too early/late and trust that my subconscious will remember and adjust next time. Just gotta relax and analyze. Is there a particular move he does you're having trouble with?

Also, you can download free OBS and record yourself. Then you can look and see how you messed up exactly