Chapter XI: Inferno and Its Ruler

You’ve finally made it to the one who’s holding Jeanne hostage, but she’s not going to let her go without a fight. Fortunately, that’s something you’re very good at.

VERSE 1

BOSS: ALRAUNE

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

Suggested Pure Platinum Weapons: Rakshasa (Arms)

Enemies: Alraune (2 Phases / 2 Forms)

Phase 1

The first form of Alraune has some highly telegraphed attacks, but she throws them out in a very unpredictable manner. Her primary methods of attack are to claw at you with spinning attacks or try to divebomb you from above. Dodge these.

Once you’ve dodged into Witch Time, go on the offensive! You can handle the first form of Alraune much like you did the Masked Lumen. Retaliate with no more than four P slashes, then dodge away and fire your gun to keep your combo going. Alraune will usually attempt one of her two primary attacks. Meanwhile, save your accumulated magic through this fight—you’ll need it later.

Alraune also sometimes tries to whip you from a distance, so stay in close and bait her into one of the previous two attacks.

However, she has two more attacks that you really have to watch out for! The first is when she lays roots into the ground. When she does that, be ready to destroy the flowers that sprout to help her out. If they’re allowed to blossom, they’ll spit immobilizing goo at Bayonetta, leaving her open to attack.

The other attack is her desperation maneuver, where she lunges straight at you. If she gets a hold of you, she’ll try to extract Bayonetta’s soul, and with it, up to all of her vitality! If you get caught in it, you’ll have to wiggle the Left Analog Stick in a Quick Time Event to escape.

Keep following the Rakshasa maneuver until her vitality is depleted, and Alraune will change into her final form!

Phase 2

The second form of Alraune can be fought more traditionally. Go ahead and let loose on Alraune with everything you’ve got, and use your Umbran Climaxes liberally! However, be mindful of her attacks as you fight.

Just as with her first form, Alraune will claw at you and try to whip you. However now she will also perform full-body tail swipes and full-on body charges. These are all quite dodgeable and telegraphed, but they occur quickly, so keep a sharp eye out.

Do enough damage to Alraune and she’ll get dizzy, leaving her open for an automatic button-pushing Quick Time Event that does even more damage and sends her recoiling. Follow up!

Get her low on vitality and Alraune starts using her desperation attack, which is twofold. The first is that she’ll attempt to vacuum you into her core. The vacuum is very powerful and the only way to escape it unscathed is with Panther Within.

If you manage to escape the vacuum, then she’ll turn the controls on reverse and spit a massive fireball at you! This can be dodged.

However, if you are caught in the vacuum, you face a very difficult Left Analog Stick–waggling Quick Time Event! Fail this one, and it’s instant Game Over!

The key to beating Alraune’s second form is to stay aggressive and dodge everything she throws at you. This is an excellent fight to utilize—or practice—Dodge Offset.

Once you deplete Alraune’s vitality, you’re done—no climactic Quick Time Event or anything. You’re home free! Enjoy your new weapon: the Alruna, another invaluable tool in grabbing those coveted Pure Platinum medals.

post-chapter spoilsWeapon: Alruna • 2 Verse Cards (Alraune, Alraune)