Midzyas/Boss Fight (VoTD)

This page covers **The Cloaked Merchant**'s boss fight in Hollow Knight: Vessel of the Desert.

## Before the Fight

As Scorpion enters the Temple of the Ruby to collect the Seal of the Cliffs, The Cloaked Swordsman sits near the gate guarding the seal, refusing to let Scorpion collect the final seal unless he proves himself in battle.

## Main Fight

The Cloaked Swordsman is an incredibly formidable foe. He boasts 800 health, beating every other boss excluding the final boss.

## Attacks

### Phase 1

#### Retreat

The Cloaked Swordsman dashes backwards to dodge attacks or traverse the arena.

#### Advance

The Cloaked Swordsman dashes forwards to traverse the arena.

#### Slash Flurry

The Cloaked Swordsman slashes his sword five times in rapid succession, moving slightly forward each time.

#### Parry 1

The Cloaked Swordsman holds his sword in a parry position. If stuck, he will counter by slamming his blade. This attack deals two masks of damage.

#### Dash Slash

The Cloaked Swordsman will hold his sword behind his back, charging an attack. After about 1 second, he will dash forward, before slashing. The dash covers about 75% of the arena, while the slash covers the rest.

#### Great Slash

The Cloaked Swordsman will hold his sword behind his back, charging an attack. After about 1 second, a huge slash will be released, covering about half of the arena. This attack will deal two masks of damage.

#### Cyclone Slash

The Cloaked Swordsman will hold his sword behind his back, charging an attack. After about 1 second, he will perform a spinning slash, which can deal multiple hits in one use. The attack covers about 35% of the arena and can be used midair.

#### Leap

The Cloaked Swordsman will jump to another location in the arena.

#### Divebomb

The Cloaked Swordsman, while midair, will dive down on Scorpion's location with his sword. This attack deals two masks of damage.

### Phase 2

At half HP, The Cloaked Swordsman will lean over and begin breathing heavily for 5 seconds. He is immune to all forms of damage during this time. After this period, he will immediately use either Cyclone Slash, Great Slash, or Dash Slash.

#### Retaliation

The Cloaked Swordsman will hold his sword in a similar pose to The Knight's dreamgate. If he is hit in this state, he will perform a knife throw attack which will automatically hit Scorpion, regardless of location. He will also heal 100 HP and will take half damage until the healed HP is depleted.

#### Parry 2

The Cloaked Swordsman will take out a shield and hold it in a similar pose to his first parry. If he his hit in this state, he will trap Scorpion in an attack with the following sequence: he slashes upward, jumps into a sky with a spin slash, and then slams into the ground. Only the slam deals two masks of damage.

#### Rage

The Cloaked Swordsman will stomp multiple times. After this attack, the next attack used will deal double damage. He is immune to all damage during this state.

## After the Fight

After defeating the Cloaked Swordsman, he will admit to Scorpion that he was testing him to see if he was worthy of traversing the Ruins of Scorp. Afterwards, he will reveal his true identity.