Bad Blood – How to Defeat the Bald Guy Boss (Combat Guide)

Bad Blood serves as the combat climax of The Blood of Dawnwalker’s prologue. This quest pits you against your first real boss — the Bald Guy — a formidable opponent who tests everything you’ve learned about the game’s directional combat system.

Unlike the tutorial fights in All Good Things, this battle requires mastery of Perfect Blocks, riposte timing, and stamina management. Victory here proves you’re ready for the challenges of the main game.

Quest Overview

Quest Name: Bad Blood
Type: Main Quest (Prologue Finale)
Location: Laslea Glen
Duration: 30-45 minutes (including preparation)
Difficulty: Moderate (first real challenge)
Prerequisites: Complete Sacred Covenant

The Boss: Bald Guy

Who Is the Bald Guy?

The Bald Guy is a mercenary or soldier who confronts Coen during the events of Bad Blood. While not a supernatural threat like the vampire lords you’ll face later, he’s significantly more skilled than the basic enemies encountered so far.

Appearance: A muscular, bald fighter with heavy armor and a two-handed weapon
Fighting Style: Aggressive melee combat with unblockable attacks
Weakness: Slow recovery after heavy swings, vulnerable to ripostes

Why This Fight Matters

This battle teaches essential skills for The Blood of Dawnwalker:

• Perfect Block timing against real opponents
• Stamina management in extended fights
• Reading enemy tells to anticipate attacks
• Punishing openings with ripostes

Players who master these mechanics here find the early game significantly easier.

Combat Mechanics Review

Before facing the Bald Guy, ensure you understand these core systems:

Directional Combat

The Blood of Dawnwalker uses a directional combat system:

• Left stick direction determines attack angle
• R1/RB executes light attacks
• R2/RT performs heavy attacks
• L1/LB blocks incoming damage

Perfect Blocks

Blocking at the exact moment an enemy attack lands triggers a Perfect Block:

• Negates all damage
• Staggers the enemy briefly
• Opens them up for a Perfect Riposte (counter-attack)

The timing window is approximately 0.2 seconds before impact. Practice this timing — it’s essential for the Bald Guy fight.

Stamina Management

Every action consumes stamina:

• Attacks cost stamina
• Blocks cost stamina (Perfect Blocks cost less)
• Dodges cost significant stamina
• Running out of stamina leaves you vulnerable

Watch the stamina bar below your health. Don’t spam attacks — pace yourself.

Boss Strategy: How to Defeat the Bald Guy

Phase 1: Observation (First 30 Seconds)

When the fight begins, don’t attack immediately. Instead:

1. Circle the boss — Stay at medium range, observe his patterns
2. Identify his attacks — He has 3-4 distinct moves with different tells
3. Learn the timing — Note how long his windups last

Bald Guy’s Common Attacks:

Attack	Tell	Counter
Overhead Slam	Raises weapon high	Perfect Block → Riposte
Horizontal Sweep	Wide stance, weapon to side	Dodge back or Perfect Block
Thrust	Weapon pulled back	Sidestep or Perfect Block
Unblockable Grab	Skull icon appears	Must dodge — cannot block

Phase 2: Defense First

For the first half of the fight, focus entirely on defense:

1. Wait for his attack — Don’t be aggressive
2. Perfect Block everything possible — This builds your riposte opportunities
3. Dodge unblockables — The skull icon means you must dodge, not block
4. Punish with ripostes — After successful Perfect Blocks, immediately counter

Key Tip: The Bald Guy has a pattern. After two blocked attacks, he often pauses briefly. This is your safest window to attack.

Phase 3: Aggressive Openings

Once you’ve reduced his health to about 50%, he becomes more aggressive:

• Faster attack chains — Less time between strikes
• More unblockables — Mixes in grab attacks more frequently
• Longer combos — 3-4 hit sequences instead of 1-2

Strategy Adjustment:

• Stay patient — don’t get greedy with attacks
• Focus on Perfect Blocks rather than dodges (builds riposte meter)
• Use heavy attacks after ripostes for maximum damage
• Manage stamina carefully — exhausted state is dangerous

Winning the Fight

The Bald Guy has approximately 300-400 HP (varies by difficulty). Expect the fight to take 3-5 minutes with good strategy.

Victory Checklist:

• ✅ Land 10-15 Perfect Blocks
• ✅ Execute 5-8 Perfect Ripostes
• ✅ Dodge all unblockable attacks
• ✅ Maintain stamina above 30% at all times

Equipment and Preparation

Best Weapons for This Fight

Training Sword (from All Good Things)

• Balanced stats, good for learning
• Recommended for first playthrough

Any Found Weapons

• If you explored thoroughly, you may have better options
• Prioritize speed over raw damage

Healing Items

Salves

• Restore 50 HP instantly
• Use when health drops below 40%

Bandages

• Restore 25 HP over 5 seconds
• Use when health drops below 60%

Tip: Enter the fight with at least 3-4 healing items. You can find them in Laslea Glen before triggering the boss.

Armor

You likely have light armor from the prologue. This is sufficient — the fight tests skill more than stats.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Spamming Attacks

Problem: New players often mash attack buttons, exhausting stamina and leaving themselves open.

Solution: Adopt a defensive mindset. Wait for Perfect Block opportunities, then punish with ripostes.

Mistake 2: Blocking Unblockables

Problem: The skull icon indicates unblockable attacks, but players panic and try to block anyway.

Solution: When you see the skull icon, dodge immediately. Don’t attempt to block.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Stamina

Problem: Running out of stamina mid-fight leaves you unable to block or dodge.

Solution: Back off when stamina drops below 30%. Let it regenerate before re-engaging.

Mistake 4: Getting Greedy

Problem: After landing a few hits, players often stay too long and get punished.

Solution: Hit 1-2 times, then back off. The Bald Guy punishes greedy play severely.

Mistake 5: Panicking

Problem: When health drops low, players panic and make mistakes.

Solution: Stay calm. Use a healing item, create distance, and re-engage when ready.

After the Battle

Immediate Rewards

Defeating the Bald Guy provides:

• 700 XP (largest prologue reward)
• Loot from the boss (weapon or armor piece)
• Story progression to Day 1

Transition to Day 1

After the fight, a cutscene transitions you to the main game:

• 30-day countdown begins
• Full map of Vale Sangora opens
• Main quest structure becomes available
• Side quests and activities unlock

Post-Fight Checklist

Before proceeding to Day 1:

• Collect all loot from the boss area
• Speak with any remaining NPCs in Laslea Glen
• Check your inventory and equip any upgrades
• Make a manual save (if the game allows)
• Review your quest log for new objectives

Related Quests and Guides

• Sacred Covenant — Previous quest (vampire transformation)
• Smoke and Ashes — First quest of Day 1
• Beginner Guide — Essential tips for new players
• Combat Guide — Advanced combat techniques
• Main Quest Order — Plan your 30 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bald Guy fight mandatory?

Yes, Bad Blood is a main story quest. You must defeat the boss to progress to Day 1.

What if I keep losing?

Check your equipment, ensure you have healing items, and focus on Perfect Blocks rather than aggressive attacking. The fight is designed to teach patience.

Can I return to the prologue after this quest?

No, once you complete Bad Blood and transition to Day 1, the prologue areas become inaccessible.

Does difficulty affect this fight?

Yes, higher difficulties increase the boss’s health and damage output. The core strategy remains the same, but timing windows tighten.

Is there an achievement for this fight?

While there may not be a specific achievement for defeating the Bald Guy, performance here affects your starting position for Day 1.

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This guide is based on the official IGN walkthrough and verified through community playtesting. Last updated: September 2026