You will come across a lot of different bosses throughout your adventure in Code Vein II, although some of them are bigger baddies. The first major boss that most players will likely come across is Franz the Dejected Assailant, in the area of MagMell. After going to the Past and finishing the story bits there, you will have the option to return there, where you can face a boss. Note that until you defeat the Dejected Assailant, you won’t be able to explore the past version of MagMell. Plus, you are stuck with Noah as your partner during this battle.
Franz is probably the first major boss you can face in the game.
All Attacks¶
This fight will take place across two different phases, with almost an entire new moveset in each one.
First Phase¶
- Quick Charge: The boss does a quick charge right at you. It sometimes follows this up with the Claw Combo.
- Claw Combo: Sweeping claw attack, followed by a backhand, then the third hit is a slam on the ground. Be careful of the shockwave from the slam.
- Sword Combo: Two-hit combo with his sword, with the first coming up from the ground.
- Sword Stab Combo: Three-hit combo, with a sweeping attack first, then a forward stab, and a slightly delayed third sweeping attack.
- Jumping Shots: Boss will jump backwards, then fire three quick successive shots from his bayonet. Can sidestep to avoid.
- Standing Shots: Similar to the above, but he’ll be standing on the ground when doing this. The third shot is slightly delayed. Can sidestep to avoid.
The charge maneuver can be quite annoying, especially since he likes using it when you heal.
You can simply sidestep the bullets fired from his bayonet.
Second Phase¶
- Laser Sweep: Boss will fire a thin, purple laser in a sweeping motion, then do a second one in the opposite direction. Can inflict Stone.
- Delayed Uppercut: Pushes his claw into the ground, then will eventually perform an uppercut shockwave move with it.
- Teleport Drop Attack: Looks like the boss teleports, with him quickly dropping down on your from the air, performing a quick attack.
- Laser Beam: Teleports away, charges up his one arm, then shoots a big laser at you, which follows you as you try to dodge.
- Punch Shotgun: Boss will punch with its claw hand, straight in front of him, then follow up with a shotgun blast with it.
- Large Purple Beam: The boss will either jump backwards, or even stay on the ground, and fire a large purple beam that stays for a few seconds.
- Ground Slam Combo: Boss does the claw swipe (only one) and ground pound, like in the first phase, but follows it up with another ground pound.
In the second phase, the boss will have a variety of new attacks to watch out for.
The one delayed uppercut attack can be tricky to dodge, if you don’t know the timing.
Franz the Dejected Assailant Strategy¶
It should be noted that you don’t have to fight Franz right away, as he isn’t a story-gated boss. So, if you’re having trouble with him, you can always come back later once you have gotten a little stronger. The major focus of the first phase is his Quick Charge attack, as it’s really quick and he seems to read your mind whenever you try to heal, as he’ll perform it then. Thus, it’s a good idea to have your partner out and drawing his attention, so you can get those small breathers to heal. The Quick Charge can be dangerous, too, as he can follow it up with other attacks, or he may do nothing at all.
Thus, you want to be on your toes with it, always ready to dodge away from him, in case he does do follow-up strikes. The other major attack to keep an eye out for in the first phase is the Claw Combo. The reason this move is dangerous is because of the second strike being really quick, so you might get hit by it a lot. Don’t forget that the ground pound after the second attack has a small shockwave, so you might dodge the arm itself, but get damaged by the shockwave. If you wish to do damage, dodging towards him when he does the ground pound at the end of the combo is a good way to get 2-3 hits in (depending on your weapon).
Once you get Franz to about 55-60% HP remaining, you will see a cutscene and trigger the start of the second phase. He will mostly gain a brand new set of moves here, some of which can inflict status ailments. For example, the double Laser Sweep inflicts Stone, so you definitely don’t want to get hit by this move at all. That also goes for the Large Purple Beam, but this one is much easier to dodge, as it tends to stick in front of him. There is another move that you might be tricked by, the Delayed Uppercut, where Franz basically puts his claw into the ground, then waits a few seconds to perform the uppercut with the shockwave.
(1 of 4) Having Noah distract the boss can be a good tactic whenever you need a break.
Franz will still have the Claw Combo from before, but it’s missing one of the three hits. Instead of one of the claw swipes, the boss will add a second ground pound at the end, this one with a small explosion right after it. Another maneuver to be careful about is the boss basically almost teleporting, dropping down on top of you and performing a quick strike. As soon as you see him disappear, you want to be ready to dodge out of the way. He doesn’t seem to follow up with attacks from this move, though, which is nice.
Slower weapons, like the Greatsword or Hammer, might be at a slight disadvantage in this battle, since Franz’s attacks can be quite quick. Something like the halberd can be good, since it gives some reach and isn’t all too slow. It’s also a good idea to explore MagMell and get the necessary items to increase the number of heals, as well as the potency. Doing this should allow you a bit more leeway in terms of getting hit, letting you take more chances, too.
For defeating Franz, you will get the Superbia Bloodline: Frantz Blood Code. Also, you will forge a summoning pact with Noah, allowing you to call on him as a Partner whenever you want now. Upon returning to the Present, you will witness a cutscene, so exit the tower normally to find a chest waiting for you at the bottom, containing the Shield of Stupor. Going back to MagMell should present another quick scene, then you can talk to Noah by the elevator for one more.
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