Nue Malefact Beast of Reincarnation: how to defeat this boss?

Nue Malefact is a recurring malefact in Beast of Reincarnation, one you'll face on (too) many occasions. Unruly and rarely alone, it puts up quite a fight. This guide focuses on the chapter 3 battle, alongside the mysterious Purifier.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for chapter 3.

How the fights unfold

Like Rangifer and Lacerta, it's fought in several stages - but appears more than twice. You first encounter it during a flashback in chapter 1, where it flees as soon as it drops to half HP. You then face it three times in chapter 3, taking away a third of its health at each encounter.

The fight culminates in the final showdown, where you face it at the same time as the Purifier who commands it. Each has its own health bar, but good news: unlike Rangifer and Lacerta, Nue Malefact doesn't have a second bar here. Its moveset changes little: it gains one new attack at the third encounter, and the Purifier enters the fray in the final battle.

Tips before the fight

• Nue Malefact is vulnerable to Poison. Equip Koo with the Skill Amber: Poison Fang, give Emma the Hunter's Sword, and rely on your Dokuzeri Blade Arts and Bloom Arts.
• Its Hand Strike attack can be parried: it's your best way to restore your FP.
• The duo deals Fire and Lightning damage: bring along ways to boost your resistances to these elements, or equip Koo with a Mod that cures status effects.
• Draw the crossbow or the Zangetsu bow - with Poison Arrows - as soon as the boss backs away: the bow deals more damage than you'd think.

Nue Malefact's moveset

• Tail Strike: after a few sideways steps, it pivots and whips its tail, often twice in a row. Can be parried.
• Hand Strike: a claw combo where the number of hits varies (two, three, or four), alternating hands. Watch for the moment it raises its arms to parry.
• Leap: if it raises its head and its mouth glows red, it's about to leap. Preferably parry (for your FP) or dodge into the attack.
• Tail Root: it shoots a root out from its tail. If it presents its tail to you, get ready to dodge.
• Seed Projectiles: it fires seed bombs, to be dodged or, better yet, parried to recover FP.

At the third encounter, it gains an additional attack: it summons lightning bolts all around the arena. Flee and dodge until it ends.

The Purifier's moveset

Human (or so it seems!), the Purifier fights in melee like the Golems encountered so far, but has its own Blade Arts and skills, like Emma.

• Flaming whip: its arm turns into a whip of fire that strikes from both sides, often twice. Parry, then counter with your Bloom Arts Dokuzeri.
• Helm splitter: it summons a branch from the ground and dives, triggering a small area attack. Flee or dodge as soon as it brings up this branch.
• Life steal: at half HP, it extends a branch toward Nue Malefact and drains its life to heal itself. Use this moment to catch your breath, heal, or chip away at its health with your bow.

Facing two bosses at once may seem intimidating, but they act one at a time: the camera follows whichever one is targeting you while the other steps back.

Rewards

• Nue level 16 (1st encounter, ch. 3): Ursine Memories → Nushi Skill: Rampaging Asagao, Bloom Art Asagao: Boa, Blade Art: Asagao.
• Nue level 16 (2nd encounter): Erymathian Memories → Nushi Skill: Creeping Kiku, Bloom Art Kiku: Bloom Strike, Blade Art: Kiku.
• Nue level 20 + Purifier (final battle): Nushi Skill: Chimeric Flow.

Good luck! The next boss standing in your way is none other than Taurus.