When The Fallen starts its claw combo, count all three swings before trying a short counterattack. Keep space rather than chasing its back: it can turn for the third strike. After the third swing, take only a short counter if the boss stays open, then reposition.
Coverage: Claw Slash, the three-hit claw combo. Use this response for that sequence; other attacks need their own response.
Read the three swings and keep space
Use the start of the claw swings to recognise the sequence. Do not attack just because the first swing has passed.
Keep room to move away from the remaining strikes. Moving behind The Fallen is not a reliable shortcut: its third strike can turn toward you.
Your goal is to clear the whole sequence, rather than escape one swing and finish beside the next.
Counter briefly, then reset
After the third swing, take only a short counter if the boss stays open, then reposition.
If The Fallen begins another action, stop attacking and respond to what it is doing. Treat the end of the claw sequence as an opportunity to assess an opening, rather than a guaranteed number of free hits.
Check why the attempt failed
- You attacked after the first or second swing: keep counting until the third swing has finished.
- You moved behind the boss and were hit: do not use its facing direction as proof that the combo has ended.
- You landed a counter but were caught afterward: shorten the counter and reposition sooner.
If you take a hit during the combo, prioritise getting clear of the remaining swings before trying to attack back.
Find the Demo’s boss-door retry setting if you want to change the restart location. Use it to shorten the trip back while practising this sequence.
After defeating The Fallen
The Arcane Whip obtained after this fight is the prerequisite for the hidden Cestus route.
Find Cestus in Sewer Reservoir when you are ready to use that traversal ability.