Chapter IX: The Gates of Hell

Welcome to the real Gates of Hell—the ones that must be passed through to reach Inferno and rescue Jeanne! Of course, the Gates don’t let just anyone in.

When the Chapter starts, Loki raises a pole. Don’t take the bait. Instead go to the right of the platform you’re on, and jump across two more platforms to reach a Verse that using the pole would have rendered null and void!

Verse 1

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Hideous (Gun) x3, Fury x6

Keep your Dodge Offset primed! Any time you see a red line on the floor, you’re about to get shot at. Dodge away when that happens and quickly continue your combo elsewhere.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Greed x1, Fury x6

The enemy placement here is actually a little easier, because there’s now only one ground-based enemy to concentrate on instead of three with distance armaments. However, it’s still a Greed, so keep on your guard in the small space as you look for Witch Time opportunities. Hit multiple enemies at once!

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

The above strategies using Salamandra will work for attaining Pure Platinum.

Head back to the large pole, and spin to activate it. A new trail opens up. Follow this trail to the next Verse.

Verse 2

Enemy Spotlight: Malicious

Malicious is to Inferno what Enrapture is to Paradiso: Something you should kill right away so that it can’t anger nearby enemies! Instead of draining your magic, Malicious binds you to the ground with demonic magic, leaving you vulnerable for his allies.

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Malicious x1, Fury x4

Prioritize the Malicious, but if any Furies get in your way, smash through them to get to your real target.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Malicious x1, Greed x2

Destroy the Malicious first so that you have the luxury of running around against the Greeds. With the low ceiling, high aerial maneuvers are out, so use Panther Within and your dodging skills to slip your hits in!

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

The above strategies will work just fine for getting Pure Platinum, as long as you’re fast.

Pick up a few spoils once you’ve bested Verse 2. Head forward, towards the square building up ahead. On the leftmost broken column you can see an Umbran Crow (12/20). Continue along the outer path and around to the left, then take the staircase to the right side. You see an Umbran Witch Resting Place containing a Broken Moon Pearl (11/16).

On the right edge of this structure is a chest containing a Mega Bloody Rose Lollipop. Finally, go back into the structure; near the right side of it is one of the game’s harder Muspelheims.

Verse 3

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Muspelheim Objective: Defeating enemies will partially restore the timer.

Enemies: Malicious x1, Hideous (Gun) x2, Greed x1

Destroy the Malicious, then smack up the Hideouses. When Greed appears, you should have enough magic power to activate Umbran Climax and make short work of him, too.

∞ Climax

Muspelheim Objective: Defeating enemies will partially restore the timer.

Enemies: Resentment x1, Pain x1, [LOOPING] Fury x4

What you have here are two highly resilient enemies who won’t go down easily. Use the spawning Furies to fuel the timer so you can whale away on the big fish.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Use the above strategies to come out with Pure Platinum. On ∞ Climax you have to be especially efficient.

Beating this Verse nabs you a Broken Witch Heart (25/40)

Finally, go into the portal that Loki has created at the back of the building. You get the keys to advancing through the stage...and yet another warm angelic welcome.

Verse 4

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax (Go for Pure Platinum!)

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: Salamandra (Arms), Alruna (Legs)

Enemies: Allegiance x1, Acceptance (Spear) x2, Gravitas x1; ∞ Climax: Accolade (Shield) x2, Enrapture x1, Belief x2

This Verse has two sets of enemies, but the same general strategy. For the first wave, dodge the attacks of the Acceptances (or Accolades), and destroy the more powerful enemies in either version of the Verse during Witch Time. When the heavy enemies (Gravitas, Beliefs) show up, whip them to the ground by holding K during Witch Time/Umbran Climax, then slice for all you’re worth!

After the Verse, head forward and out through a newly created portal! Once you’re out, look around the glowing platform you’re on to see an Umbran Crow (13/20). There is also a portal to The Gates of Hell (no, the other one) here.

A path of broken steps leads to the end of the stage, but don’t go there just yet. Instead, look to the left and jump to the round platform.

Verse 5

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax

Enemies: Malicious x2

Two Maliciouses without backup are dangerous, but they’re still a twin pair of punching bags. Go ahead and punch. Keep an eye on the ground so you don’t get restrained.

∞ Climax

Enemies: Malicious x1, Hideous (Scythe) x2

Here you have a Malicious powering two Hideouses, which is a bit harder. Prioritize the Malicious, using Dodge Offset to keep your combos going on the small battlefield.

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Efficient use of above strategies using Salamandra will ensure Pure Platinum.

Once you’ve won here, turn around and you’ll see two paths: the way you came, and a lower path to the left. Take this lower path to its conclusion to receive the Angelic Hymns Gold LP The Harmonious Blacksmith 3/3. From here on in, it’s hammer time. Go to The Gates of Hell on the same platform you found the last Umbran Crow to receive the Takemikazuchi, then go up the main path of broken steps. You have one more Verse to deal with before reaching the top.

Verse 6

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax (Go for Pure Platinum!)

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Enemies: Fury x6

Destroy the Furies and move on. However, don’t move on before destroying the Furies, or you’ll lose the Verse altogether! Stay in a single general area.

With nothing in your way, head to the summit and get ready for a boss doubleheader, starting with a grudge rematch!

Verse 7

Boss: Golem

Golem-fighting strategy hasn’t changed much between Chapters. He’s still slow and easy to predict. However, his bird form can now project sonic screams, and he can also change into a bull, complete with charge attacks and tail guns! Like last time, he doesn’t like Umbran Climax–powered attacks much, so stock up on magic power.

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax

Enemies: Golem

Beat Golem this time and you get a climactic Quick Time Event that should prove cathartic to those with memories of the original Bayonetta. Bump, set, spike!

Go for Pure Platinum!

Suggested Weapons: Salamandra (Arms)

Just like last time, Golems are allergic to chainsaws.

Verse 8

Boss: Prophet

Prophet first appears before you as an apparition, and he also brings a level of offense you haven’t seen until now. He sprouts energy arms to punch at you, smash you, or push you away. He also tries to restrain you with energy projected from below, much like Malicious. If you get hit, you’re temporarily encased in a bubble and have to wiggle the Left Analog Stick to escape. Large laser blasts and energy blades are also part of his repertoire.

1st Climax/2nd Climax/3rd Climax/∞ Climax (Go for Pure Platinum!)

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: Rakshasa (Arms)

Enemies: Prophet (2 Phases)

Partway through the battle, Prophet tosses a huge tower at Bayonetta. Press buttons during the Quick Time Event to teach him why that’s a bad idea. After this sequence, however, Prophet starts hurling chunks of debris every so often during the main fight.

With all of this firepower, how does one beat him? Prophet is actually vulnerable to the same offensive strategy as the Masked Lumen (and with quite a few bosses it’ll stay that way until morale improves). Dodge any of the attacks, move in and use up to four P slashes with Rakshasa, dodge out, and fire your gun until you dodge another move. Keep your combo going as long as possible, and don’t flub any dodge maneuvers (oh, and don’t get hit, naturally), if you want to walk away with Pure Platinum.

post-chapter spoils 2 Verse Cards (Malicious, Prophet)