Rangifer Beast of Reincarnation: how to beat the 1st boss?

Alexandre Jollier August 4, 2026 at 12:10 PM

In brief

Rangifer, the first major boss in Beast of Reincarnation, awaits you in two distinct confrontations: first at level 9, then at level 12 across two phases. Tougher and far tankier than it appears, it requires preparation and above all good management of its four main attacks to bring it down.

The first major boss of Beast of Reincarnation, Rangifer is a deer-like Nushi that sets the tone for the rest of the adventure. Tough and far more resilient than it looks, it has a huge amount of HP. Here's how to take it down quickly.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for chapter 1.

A fight in two parts

The battle against Rangifer unfolds over two separate encounters. You first cross paths with it at the start of your journey, when it's level 9, before it flees to its lair. Once you track down this lair, you must face it again, this time at level 12 - a fight that plays out in two phases, each with its own health bar.

Good news: its attack pattern stays the same from one fight to the other. The only real difference is the stamina needed to burn through its two health bars. In the second bar, Rangifer becomes imbued with corruption: it then acts much faster and hits much harder.

Tips before facing it

Rangifer is weak to Fire attacks. You have access to some from the start, such as Koo's Bloom Art Higabana Seeds: prioritize it whenever possible.
Open the fight with a diving attack: use Emma's hair as a bridge to position yourself right above Rangifer, then dive down onto it.
Take advantage of its Horn Strikes attack to restore your FP.
As soon as its head hangs low after an attack, slow down time and squeeze in one or two extra hits.
When it puts distance between you, draw your crossbow or your Zangetsu bow to chip away at its health.

Its attack pattern

Horn Strikes: Rangifer sweeps at Emma with its antlers, often in a three-hit combo from either side. Parry all three hits: you'll gain enough FP to unleash one of Koo's Bloom Arts, then you can strike while its head is hanging down.
Rock Throw: it plunges its head into the ground while charging at Emma and hurls rocks. Dodge by running to the side or backing away several times.
Leap: it rears up on its front legs and leaps, with red markers showing where it will land. Run far away or dodge to the sides.
Branch Trail: it roars, stares at the ground, then sends a trail of branches shooting out in front of it (the ground turns red). Move away or dodge to either side of the red zones.

In the final phase, Rangifer imbued with corruption becomes even faster, but its attacks don't change. Note that it can also become temporarily imbued with corruption earlier in the fight: watch for this moment to prepare yourself, and don't get discouraged if you die a few times while you get used to its new rhythm.

Rangifer's rewards

Level 9 Rangifer drops the Rangiferine Memories, which unlock the Nushi Skill: Sakura Storm.
Level 12 Rangifer drops the Bloom Art Sakura Javelin as well as the Blade Art: Sakura.

Good luck taking down Rangifer! Sadly (or thankfully), it's only the first of a long series of bosses: the next one on your path will be Lacerta.

Against Rangifer, which strategy do you prefer?

Frequently asked questions

How many times will I face Rangifer?

Twice: a first encounter at level 9 where it flees afterward, then a definitive showdown at level 12 that plays out in two distinct phases, each with its own health bar.

What type of attack should I use against Rangifer?

Absolutely prioritize Fire attacks, especially Koo's Bloom Art Higabana Seeds. When its head hangs low after an attack, slow down time to chain in extra hits.

How do I regenerate my FP during the fight?

Parry the three hits of its Horn Strikes: you'll recover enough FP to unleash one of Koo's Bloom Arts and strike while its head is hanging low.

What happens in the final phase?

Rangifer becomes imbued with corruption, acting much faster and hitting much harder. Its attacks don't change, but the pace is far more aggressive, so patience and getting used to the rhythm are key.

What rewards does Rangifer give me?

At level 9, it drops the Rangiferine Memories and the Nushi Skill Sakura Storm. At level 12, you get the Bloom Art Sakura Javelin and the Blade Art Sakura.

Key takeaways

Exploit its Fire weakness with Koo's Bloom Art Higabana Seeds as soon as possible
Parry its Horn Strikes to recover FP and unleash a Bloom Art while it's vulnerable
In the final phase, it becomes imbued with corruption and much faster, but its attacks remain identical
Open the fight with a diving attack via Emma's hair to land the first hits