Sifu’s fifth and final boss is a brutal challenge awaiting players who have made their way through the game. While other bosses in the game have proven to be difficult to beat, Yang the Leader stands above the other four easily. Before players enter this final fight and realize they are without the ability to use any Focus attacks, the Sanctuary level of Sifu has a large assortment of challenging enemies to get through first.
Even when players unlock the shortcut on Sifu's Sanctuary level, there remains 7 of the most challenging enemies in the game between the beginning of the level and the final fight. For those players looking to defeat Yang the Leader and complete Sifu, this guide is here to help.
How To Defeat Yang The Leader's First Phase?
What helps make Yang the Leader the most difficult boss fight in Sifu is the assortment of devastating attacks he deals. The first of these happens when Yang jumps to his right. He will then move in close to the player and attempt four rapid high attacks. These can be blocked to increase Yang's Structure bar or dodged. Either way players can deal damage just after Yang finishes this move.
Alternatively, when Yang moves to his left, players can expect an upcoming hard kick. There are attacks between the two, but these can be blocked while the final kick should just be dodged.
Yang will often stop attacking and goad the player into making the first move. Doing so will always result in Yang dodging and going for two strikes at the player. While the timing of these strikes is quite tricky, these strikes can be dodged (to either side) or even blocked (by clicking the guard button at the right time). This is an excellent opportunity to build Yang's Structure up and deal some damage as well.
The next attack to look out for starts with a low kick and is followed by a short series of punches. These can be dodged and blocked but eventually lead into a pair of high elbow hits that are especially dangerous. Players can dodge these attacks as well (to either side) but, once again the timing is a challenge.
The last attack that can deal major damage triggers when Yang leaps aggressively backward. This will be quickly followed by a low leg attack that can be dodged upward. A successful dodge can be followed up with attacks on Yang.
Like the fight against Sean the Fighter in Sifu, this first phase requires players to get a feel for the rhythm of the opponent. Yang will dodge and block most of the attacks players launch and, though the major attacks listed can either be dodged or blocked, getting the right timing can be a brutal challenge.
How To Defeat Yang The Leader's Second Phase?
Instead of the open area from the first phase, players are in a much smaller location now. This means this phase is a lot more intense and sparring Yang becomes a significant challenge in Sifu. Once again, players need to focus on learning what moves are coming and how best to dodge them.
As with the third boss in Sifu, Kuroki The Artist, Yang's second phase mixes up the formula that players learned in the first phase. The first different move that Yang will use in this phase of the fight is telegraphed by him leaning down and stretching out his arms. He will rocket towards the player and, in quick succession, attack high, high, and low.
One of the subtle things Sifu gets right about Kung Fu is the importance of looking for opportunities and this is especially true in this phase.The next move can be hard to detect, but Yang will make a subtle move forward and swing his right fist at the head of the player. This leads to a less painful attack and ends with a low, sweeping kick. Dodging low, back, and high can get players to avoid taking any damage from this combo.
The next attack in this phase of which players need to be aware starts with a series of high hand strikes at the player and ends with a sweeping high leg attack. Those players leaning on dodging can move right and left for the first portion and low for the second portion. The first series of attacks can be blocked, however, and can give players an opening to attack.
The final attack of which players need to be aware starts with a simple kick but then transitions into another sweeping low attack. This can be dodged high but missing the timing can lead to a brutal followup by Yang. In general, this fight is only for those players who have completely mastered dodging, parrying, and blocking in Sifu
It is important to remember that Yang can counter almost every move the player makes and the opportunities for dealing damage to him are limited. Learn the move sets and when they start, block when possible to get Yang's structure up, and avoid the glowing hits as much as possible. While this is the last fight, players will need to have spared every boss in order to unlock Sifu's true ending.
Sifu is available now on PS4, PS5, and PC.