Umibozu | NiOh Boss Encounters NiOh Guide
Last update: 04 November 2019
This section of NiOh game guide includes a detailed description of a boss fight against Umibozu. Our description includes the preparation for this battle, and the boss's attacks. We have also described the two main stages of this boss fight.
Before the fight
The most important part of your preparation for the fight with Umibozu is to lit up all three lanterns in the location that are connected to the mission. Their locations can be found in the walkthrough for that mission. Thanks to each one of them you can find burning stacks located on the boss arena. You can interact with them and enchant your weapon with fire. Each interaction depletes a fire source so you can only use three enchantments during the entire fight.
It should be noted that the enemy isn't the toughest one when it comes to mechanics but he is very resistant to all kinds of damage and elements. Fire is his only weakness while he is completely invulnerable to attacks enchanted by water.
Before you start the fight, you should prepare fire amulets, explosive rounds, burning shuriken or bombs. Everything that can inflict extra fire damage. A few amulets can be found in the mission's location but you can also spend Onmyo magic points on renewable sources of fire, just to be sure.
For this fight, you should prepare two katanas because their attacks keep a balance between attack speed and damage. You should use fast attacks because the boss has a weak spot that allows you to deal critical damage with each hit but more about this later.
Hyokotto Mask is also very useful but I recommend to learn boss' animations first because using a mask takes some time and it can make you an easy target. However, if you learn about the boss' weak spot then, by using a few masks, you can quickly finish this fight.
The Fight - Stage 1
At the beginning of the battle you can notice the boss in the area right before the gate. If he notices you and doesn't go under water then he may perform a few ranged attacks. Among them there can be one that can kill you instantly when you are hit with it. Dodge all attacks and use pauses between boss' attacks to throw bombs or shoot explosive rounds. Remember to move to the center of the pier, otherwise, your bombs may not reach their target.
After that the boss goes underwater and moves closer to one of the pier's edges. Use this moment to interact with a burning stack and set your weapon on fire. You can fight in two ways - you can stay really close to the boss, this make you almost invulnerable to this melee attacks but you become an easy target for his ranged attacks. Also, you won't have access to shiny spots on his tentacles which makes this stage of the fight go for a little bit longer. You can also stay at a medium distance and avoid all his attacks while you are focusing on glowing spots on the boss' tentacles. This option is more difficult and, on top of that, the boss can perform a long series of ranged attacks which makes you waste your fire enchantment.
I recommend the first option because after learning his attack animations staying alive will be much easier. Remember to not push with your hero on the boss because Umibozu moves away from the pier during a few attacks which means that William can fall into the water.
Ranged attacks:
Water bubble - deals water damage and slows you down for a few seconds. Umibozu can use this attack when you stay close to him.
Ship - this attack is telegraphed and shortly after that, the boss spits out a shipwreck at you. If you don't avoid it, you can be pushed back and lose your balance. Besides that, the attack deals a lot of damage even if you block it. You can perform dodge when the boss spits it out, you won't be hit with it.
Beam ray - the boss leans towards the pier for a brief moment. Then, his "eyes" come together into one giant spot from which he shoots a big beam of light. If you stand in its way and get hit then, regardless of your health points, you will die. If you notice that the boss is leaning in a characteristic way then it is time to prepare yourself for dodging. If you are close enough you can approach the "eye" and hit it. It works in the same way as glowing spots on his tentacles but the boss receives more damage.
Melee attacks:
Attacking with one tentacle - the boss raises one tentacle. Then he hits the pier. Wait for the moment when the boss chooses a place where he wants to hit and then dodge to a side. A tentacle stays on the pier for a short moment and if you are quick enough, you will be able to lock your camera on it. Look for glowing spots on a tentacle and hit that place as many times as you can. Then, you must lock on boss' "eyes" again.
Attacking with two tentacles - rules are similar to the previous attack but with one difference - the enemy raises both tentacles immediately. One falls down right on the pier and the second one is slightly bend and it can hit you if you are not careful enough. You can avoid the tentacles and attack any of them by aiming at the weak spot. You should perform dodges towards boss' torso. This area is safe during this attack.
Notice that a weak spot on tentacles is always in a different spot. You can easily find it when a tentacle falls down but because of that you can't stand right below it. It is important to remember that increased damage aimed at a "weak spot" can only be dealt with a weapon enchanted with fire.
From time to time, the boss jumps to the other side of the pier. When he submerges, move to the pier's center. If your weapon has vertical attacks then you can use them on the boss when he is in the air. Otherwise, you can use this moment for drinking a potion or to enchant your weapon with fire.
When his health is below half, Umibozu will jump on the pier on which you stand. This marks the start of the second stage of this fight.
The Fight - Stage 2
Umibozu takes a lot of space on the pier which means that it is easier for you to fall into water. Try to stay near the area in front of the gate because it is the widest part and it is easier to perform dodges there. Besides that, some of his attacks can push you back which can move you out of the pier. It is important to have a rail behind your back. If you didn't use the stacks yet then it is time to do it.
In this stage of the fight it is recommended to stay a little bit farther from the boss and wait for his moves. Otherwise, you can easily fall into his trap. Of course, you can keep using bombs and other items that inflict fire damage.
Types of attacks:
The same as before, however, the boss now has a few new moves.
Jump attack - the boss prepares to jump, makes a small jump and falls down. When he hits the ground, he creates a wave that can push you back and make you lose balance if you stand too close to him.
Absorbing attack - after performing the attack described above the boss spills all over the pier. If you approach him the boss starts to go back to his regular form and, at the same time, absorbs you. You can't move for a brief moment and then you are dropped from a height. Keep pressing the dodge button in order to get up from the ground.
Hit - Umibozu leans back slightly and then he hits the pier with his torso in the place where you stand. Jump to a side and hit a glowing spot that, similarly to tentacles, will change its place. The boss stays in this position for a few seconds so you can attack him or heal yourself. It is a good moment for you to use Hyokotto Mask but you need to aim well.