Romeo's brutal flaming combo

[V!KiNG]

Currently banging my head against this beast of a boss fight. I've gotten to the point where I can get through the King of Puppets' first phase consistently, although sometimes I'm in better shape than others, and can start trying to learn Romeo's more. The problem is the infamous 10-hit combo after he applies fire to his weapon. Attempting to perfect guard all of the attacks is a fast road to death for me, and a good many help videos recommend breaking his stance as he's firing up his blade with a charged heavy or Fable arts attack. Sounds good.

Except that a charged heavy or Fable art attack doesn't seem to always break his stance, and then I'm standing there with my pants around my ankles, too close to run away, as some suggest, and usually locked in the tail end of my attack animation.

Am I missing something? I've got the Puppet Saber +6 (durability 180+) with the Booster Glaive handle, Aegis Legion Arm +1, and the electric grinder wheel on a Technique and Capacity build. The light blade allows for a fast lunging charged heavy that's great for closing distance.

[rrReyn]

Originally posted by V!KiNG:

Am I missing something? I've got the Puppet Saber +6 (durability 180+) with the Booster Glaive handle, Aegis Legion Arm +1, and the electric grinder wheel on a Technique and Capacity build. The light blade allows for a fast lunging charged heavy that's great for closing distance.

This is not as important as your stats, although strike type weapon is gonna do more damage to the boss.
Do you have enough points in HP? That was a huge factor for me. I think i had at least 21-24 vitality at that point on my first playthrough. The defence item that improves slashing resistance might be good to survive the combo, as well as some fire resist.
Some people recommend dodging his attacks in the first phase, but I usually just block/parry everything.
Being patient always helps in this game, you are never in a rush to beat any enemy. Stab-dash away once and prepare to block is my go to strat when I'm in peril.
Good luck!

[V!KiNG]

My vitality is 24, I'm using the base lining, and I've got the second fire-resistance core. I considered swapping out the lining for the improved slash resistance, but wasn't happy with the weight tradeoff. I'm at 43% load all together.

I'm wondering if a shot put will interrupt him...

[V!KiNG]

I just beat him, although I didn't have a chance to try lobbing a shot put at his head while he was flaming up; I was busy healing and lost the window. I did manage to dodge a majority of his swipes, block several (not perfect guard except for maybe one), and tank a couple.

Man, that was satisfying :)

[Enderspoons]

It's not entirely fool-proof, but I find it's far easier to focus on dodging Romeo's attacks in phase 2 rather than trying to block them head-on.
I find he has trouble steering his attacks if he whiffs by too wide an angle, so you can swoose behind him and get much longer openings to counterattack from that position.

[V!KiNG]

Dodging is definitely a better option many times during his second phase, but I was really wanting to break his weapon. I didn't pull it off, but at least now I can move ahead with the story and run full-speed into the next brick wall of a boss.

[generalwyvern]

Parrying as a strategy has proven to get me killed time and time again. Dodging and running have been my saving grace through the entire game. Dodging, running, and observing. And also, avoid running away in the same direction as your opponent is heading. Most of the time, run away in a curved line, not a straight one.

[电动天使]

Try the Guard Parry Fable Art or focus on timing a stagger (not necessarily the one that gets you a fatal attack). All you need is to get him out of the combo, he won't try again for a very long time.

Parrying is always the best strategy if possible, no matter what. Whether the user can pull it off is something else entirely.

[V!KiNG]

Originally posted by ♥♥♥♥:

Parrying is always the best strategy if possible, no matter what. Whether the user can pull it off is something else entirely.

So true it hurts :)

[VictOreo]

Usе cannonball. It will break his stance instantly and cancell his combo.

[_C@nG@C@_]

Originally posted by V!KiNG:

Dodging is definitely a better option many times during his second phase, but I was really wanting to break his weapon. I didn't pull it off, but at least now I can move ahead with the story and run full-speed into the next brick wall of a boss.

Worked for me best aswell. I also used the shield legion arm with explosion to avoid the combo and also do some minor damage.