Wuchang: Fallen Feathers introduces players to a wealth of optional bosses that enrich the gameplay experience, particularly for enthusiasts seeking hidden challenges. While these confrontations are not essential for completing the game, they play a pivotal role in various questlines and contribute to unlocking certain endings.
During your journey, you will encounter an enigmatic NPC known as the Red-Clad Lady. Significant to your development, she observes your mastery of the unique Feathering powers bestowed upon you. As you progress, the Red-Clad Lady will reveal her true identity as the Bo Magus. Tasked by the Storyteller, you must thwart her sinister plans, which involve unleashing an unsettling red growth upon the world.
The Bo Magus serves as a key optional boss, particularly for players aiming for the “Successor of the Bo” ending. Despite her seemingly overwhelming magic, she is surprisingly manageable in the late game, provided that you approach the fight with the right build and strategy.
Locating the Bo Magus
Your encounters with the Bo Magus unfold as you progress through the narrative. She first appears in Chapter 4 when you receive a clear mandate from the Storyteller to confront her.To engage her, head towards the Tang Palace. This journey is a considerable distance from the ruined Shu Sanctum.
Upon reaching the Tang Palace, you will find the Red-Clad Lady—now the Bo Magus—perched atop a pillar, casting spells while delivering monologues. While you cannot directly attack her in this phase, getting closer will prompt her to teleport to another location.
As you chase her, you’ll traverse the Palace Vegetable Garden; stay alert, as the shrine there is a mimic that requires defeating before you can rest. Progress through this area, where you may witness imperial soldiers clashing with Avian beasts and Bo creatures—engagement is optional.
Your next encounter with the Bo Magus will occur near a ravine. Dodge her magical assaults until you reach the Palace Pass shrine. This transition leads you to the Vermillion Feathers confrontation, where you’ll face Commander Honglan once again, this time with enhanced abilities resembling a blend of Elden Ring’s Malenia and Final Fantasy 7’s Sephiroth.
At the end of this battle, a new door will open, leading you to the Boatman, followed by the Palace Entrance shrine. Continue downward into a shaft teeming with formidable enemies, but they are preoccupied with worship and will not attack unless provoked. Keep descending until you finally reach the Bo Magus.
Preparing for the Bo Magus Encounter
Surprisingly, the encounter with the Bo Magus is not overly difficult. She has relatively low health and primarily inflicts Feathering and Magic damage. Below is the setup I utilized to emerge victorious:
| Weapon | Lashing Whip |
|---|---|
| Armor | God Guard Mask |
| Centipede Carapace | |
| Centipede Vambraces | |
| Centipede Leg Armor | |
| Jade Pendants | Dragon-Fish Pendant |
| Eagle Pendant | |
| Tiger Pendant | |
| Spells | Ethereal Form |
| (ANY) | |
| (ANY) | |
| (ANY) | |
| Items | Manna Vase |
| Temperance | |
| Crimson Lantern Fruit | |
| Bone Whistle | |
| Temperance Needle | Flame |
| Notable Impetus Repository Perks | Sword Saint, Windforce (Longsword), Energetic, Rapid Temperance |
The Bo Magus, particularly at late-game levels, should not pose a major threat. However, her spells can catch you off guard, so it is wise to prepare adequately. Look for armor sets that enhance your Feathering and mitigate Magic damage, such as the Clerical set obtained from the Feathered Priest boss or the Night Specter set.
In my encounter, I sustained minimal damage due to my choice of Centipede armor, which may have been an oversight given my over-leveled status. Be sure to account for potential Slashing damage from her staff attacks, as well as echoes that may deal Blunt damage—these moves are typically well telegraphed and easy to dodge.
When it comes to items, your options are diverse. I relied on healing flasks, a Flame Temperance, and had spare room for consumables as needed—stamina-boosting items or full heals are advisable, especially if your Manna Vases run low.
Magic users may find success, although the Bo Magus could have resistance to magical attacks. Spells like Echo of Zhu Youjian can absorb incoming spells if you have four Skyborn Stacks ready. Additionally, Echo of Honglan can inflict substantial damage and may trigger Alacrity with timely dodges.
Melee combat is often the preferred strategy; using a strong axe build can lead to quick knockdowns through the Rampage ability, maintaining pressure on the Bo Magus. Personally, I opted for a longsword build that capitalized on swift light attacks, allowing me to build Skyborn Might quickly and utilize charged Windforce attacks, proving especially effective against her after she casts spells.
Ethereal Form is an essential spell regardless of your build and remains one of the game’s most powerful mechanics. This spell grants a three-second dodge buff while refunding a Skyborn Might stack for each attack evaded, facilitating rapid recasting.
For Jade Pendants, focus on those enhancing weapon damage. Pendants like the Tiger boost physical damage by 10%, and the Dragon-Fish increases stamina. Choose whichever Pendants best complement your playstyle.
As you maneuver around the Bo Magus, establishing backstabs and Obliterate attacks, consider utilizing any Benedictions that boost your damage or efficiency when activating Skyborn Might or landing hits from behind. Below are recommended Benedictions:
| Oath | Wei – Backstab Force: Enhances Backstab attack potency. |
|---|---|
| Sheng – Obliterate Rejuvenation: Provides health recovery upon executing Obliterate attacks. | |
| Memory | |
| Sheng – Obliteration Might: Increases damage for a limited time after executing Obliterate attacks. | |
| Sheng – Backstab Rejuvenation: Restores health with Backstab attacks. | |
| Wisdom | Ren – Combo Vigor: Boosts Stamina recovery speed with consecutive attacks. |
| Wei – Combo Force: Enhances damage with successive attacks. | |
| Wei – Skyborn Force: Increases damage while using Skyborn Might. |
Understanding Bo Magus’ Moveset
The Bo Magus operates with a limited melee capabilities, predominantly using spells to engage in combat.
This guide’s moveset analysis is based on a single encounter; variations may exist in other battles. During combat, she frequently teleports around the arena while unleashing spells.
One of her initial spells involves throwing explosive red spears, reminiscent of the Feathered Priest’s attacks, capable of causing splash damage upon impact.
The Bo Magus can also leap and shoot a barrage of homing feathers, mirroring Honglan’s Echo spell from the Vermillion fight.
Additionally, she summons phantoms of enemies like the Godguard, whose lumbering attacks can be easily dodged due to their slow speed.
During battle, the Bo Magus will perform an aerial maneuver, channeling her energy to conjure a golden sword that causes ongoing area damage. While casting this spell, she appears immune to projectiles—though this may be contingent on the specific attack used, necessitating testing with skills like the Vorpal Blade or Echo of Lu Bingzhang.
Her arsenal also includes a barrage of homing Feathering orbs, reminiscent of Xuanyangzi’s moves during the Feathery Ambition encounter.
In-close, she channels slashing maneuvers with her magical blade, sometimes mixing in thrusts with a spear, catching players off-guard if they aren’t prepared for a variety of attacks.
Delayed explosions are also part of her repertoire, echoing some moves from the Dragon Emperor.
As her health approaches 50%, expect the Bo Magus to slam her staff, inflicting three instances of area damage, followed by enveloping herself in a shield that requires ten successful hits to break—regardless of damage dealt. Be prepared for her to perform this spell multiple times during her “second phase.”
Strategies for Defeating Bo Magus
Given the Bo Magus’ spell-centric combat style and limited melee attacks, you can afford to be aggressive with minimal repercussions.
Melee combat is recommended. Despite her status as a boss entity, her human-like form makes her susceptible to heavy attacks and backstabs.
Charged Windforce-heavy attacks can interrupt and stun her, enabling swift backstab opportunities and subsequent Obliterate attacks. However, be mindful that backstabs have a cooldown, which necessitates measured execution to make the most of your Skyborn Might stacks.
As noted by a colleague, axes tend to perform exceptionally well against human bosses like the Bo Magus, allowing for rapid knockdowns via the Rampage cast—an aspect worth considering.
At the onset of the battle, the Bo Magus will gracefully float down to the ground, momentarily immobilized. Seize this opportunity to strike from behind for free hits, building up Skyborn Might before launching a hefty attack to stagger her for an Obliterate move.
Throughout the fight, her attacks can be simply evaded, allowing you to deal consistent damage. Using Ethereal Form may offer additional security, but prioritizing aggression is essential for securing victory.
Continue to apply pressure through whatever means available—axes or backstabs will allow you to dispatch the Bo Magus effectively, keeping her off-balance the entire time.
The primary barrier during this fight will be her shield, which necessitates ten successful hits to penetrate. Maintain your relentless assault, and do not allow the Bo Magus any reprieve; she will fall against your determined onslaught.
Rewards for Defeating Bo Magus
- Magus’ Eye Piece: This allows you to trade with Tao Qing to unlock the ability to purchase the Bo Magus outfit set.
- Echo of the Bo Magus: A defensive spell that creates a bubble for protection, withstanding three hits before breaking.
- Red Mercury Essence: Points usable in the Impetus Repository menu.
If you have followed the necessary steps to earn the “Successor of the Bo” ending early, defeating her allows you to finish the game without needing to confront Feathery Ambition.
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