Boss Strategy: Archfiend Volkov

Master the Archfiend Volkov boss fight in Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound. Learn his attack patterns, weaknesses, and the best strategies to emerge victorious.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Archfiend Volkov is a recurring boss, fought again in a more challenging arena.
• The arena now features a central fire hazard that restricts movement.
• His attacks are similar to the previous encounter but are more dangerous due to the arena changes.

Phases:

1. Ground Slam & Fireballs: Volkov jumps high, slams down, and releases four homing fireballs. Dodge between the fireballs and attack during his recovery.
2. Dash & Claw Swipe: He dashes across the arena, swipes upwards, and releases three smaller fireballs. Dodge this attack by rolling through it and counter-attack when close enough.
3. Fire Breath: A wide-reaching fire breath attack. Move to the opposite side of the arena to avoid it.
4. Pillar Eruption: He slams the ground, causing six fire pillars to erupt. Observe the ground indicators and position yourself between them.
5. Summoned Skull: Volkov summons a skull with a blue aura, providing a free damage opportunity.

Strategy:

• Stay primarily on one side of the arena (e.g., the left) to better manage Volkov's attacks and the central fire.
• Prioritize dodging his attacks over aggressive offense, especially his dash and fire breath.
• Exploit the openings after his ground slam and dash attacks for maximum damage.
• Use the summoned skull for easy damage when it appears.
• Adapt to the fire in the arena by not chasing Volkov and waiting for him to come to you.
• The flamethrower attack covers a large area, so ensure you are on the opposite side of the arena when he uses it.