Every Soulslike game is known for its variety of boss fights and how challenging they can be at times. When it comes to the boss fights in Code Vein 2, it does not disappoint, as players come to face a powerful threat fairly early on in the game.
Soon after the tutorial section, players will complete Noah's arc and return to the present, but will get the option to go back to the past to save Noah. This is where the fight with the Dejected Assailant begins. Here is everything you need to know about the boss and what happens after you beat him in Code Vein 2.
How to Reveal the Full Map (& Map Icons) in Code Vein 2
Revealing the map in Code Vein 2 makes navigation and locating points-of-interest much easier, and this guide explains how that is done.
How to Beat Franz the Dejected Assailant in Code Vein 2
The Dejected Assailant is a powerful boss and one that has attacks most players will have a hard time dodging. Most of his attacks feel quite fast, and since the rolling in the game can feel a bit slow at times, spamming rolls will definitely see you get killed. One of the boss's most common attacks is the three-hit attack, where he uses his transformed left hand.
The first two attacks are instant, so you need to dodge without any pause in between. However, the last hit of the combo is delayed to catch you off guard, so you will need to get used to the timing of that.
The boss will also, from time to time, leap back or fly up in the air to use the long-ranged weapon he has in his hands to shoot at you from a distance. Since the boss shoots at you two to three times, it is ideal to not rely on your dodges, since they can be inconsistent when used in succession. Instead, you can start running to the side when you see him start this animation.
For most of his attacks, the best thing to do is parry. You can get the Mutinous Bracer inside MagMell by talking to Jadwiga's minion. This shield allows you to parry attacks but costs Ichor upon a successful parry. Press L1/LB on your controller as the attack is about to hit, and you should stagger the boss for a second or two, giving you time to get a few hits in.
After losing 30% health, a cutscene will play, and the second phase of the boss fight begins. Franz now carries around his head, which he can use to apply the Stone status effect.
One of these attacks is a fast purple beam that comes out from the head and can be difficult to dodge at the right time. The other attack is where he can jump up in the air and focus his head down onto your location, causing the status effect in a wide area.
In the case that you are close to the boss while he performs this attack, you can stay close to him and get multiple hits in and even stagger him out of the animation. A lot of the boss's attacks now are more dangerous, and he even has a new attack where he plants his hand into the ground and drags it to your location before pulling it out and dealing a lot of damage.
If you purchased the Deluxe or Ultimate Edition of the game, you can try using the Ame-no-Habikiri Greatsword. This weapon comes with a high base damage and is a great option against this boss.
Once you defeat the boss, you will get the Superbia Bloodlone: Frantz (Blood Code). After returning to the present, you can open the chest to get the Shield of Stupor, and Noah joins you as a partner. After this, you can continue through the rest of the story and reveal more of the map.
Code Vein II
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 74 /100 Critics Rec: 53%
- Released
- January 29, 2026
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Soulslike, Dating Sim, Open-World
