Tips for Defeating Franz, the First Major Boss in Code Vein 2

Code Vein 2 might start off feeling like a breeze, but you’ll soon encounter a significant challenge in the form of Franz the Dejected Assailant. Taking him down is crucial, as it alters the past and allows you to unlock Noah as a companion in the present.

If you’re finding it tough to beat the Dejected Assailant, here are some strategies to help you secure victory and keep progressing in the story.

First off, let’s be real: mastering the parry mechanic makes this boss fight much more manageable. While it might seem intimidating with all the defensive options available, equipping a Forma that enables you to parry is essential when facing the Dejected Assailant.

You can snag one by chatting with a Minion of Jadwiga in MagMell, right next to the sparring arena.

Also, make sure Noah is fighting alongside you. Going solo against the Dejected Assailant can make it tough to find safe moments to strike, but Noah can help divert his attention.

**Parry his dash attack:** The Dejected Assailant is relentless and will quickly close the distance with a rapid dash if you stray too far. This attack is one of the easiest to parry, so bait it out to put him in a vulnerable position.

**Parry his melee attack:** During this phase, keep an eye on his melee combos. He’ll swipe at you with his claws and unleash a three-hit bayonet combo. The bayonet strikes are particularly easy to parry due to their clear tells and longer windups.

**Dodge his ranged attack:** If you create some distance, he can fire magic-infused bullets at you. These projectiles have a slight delay, so don’t dodge the moment you see them. Instead, sprint to the side to avoid them.

**Use Idris’s Conceit:** Focus on mastering the parry timing for his bayonet combo, and unleash your attacks once he’s staggered. You can deal significant damage while he’s preoccupied with Noah. When he’s attacking Noah, utilize your newly-acquired Idris’s Conceit battle axe Forma for heavy damage. This Forma has a lengthy windup, so use it only when the boss is distracted. It also applies Slow to enemies in the area, making it easier to land hits on the Dejected Assailant.

As the fight progresses, Franz will transform into a more formidable version of himself, kicking off phase two. This new form comes with some deadly abilities.

**Counter his teleport:** Watch out for his teleportation attack. Franz will glow before vanishing and reappearing to unleash a three-hit combo that ends with an AOE attack. The first hit after he teleports is a prime opportunity to parry!

**Avoid his claw attack:** He’ll drag his claw along the ground before swinging it upward. This attack has a long windup, so be cautious and don’t dodge too early.

**Dodge the lasers:** Franz gains several long-range beam attacks in this phase. His beams will sweep across the arena, so dodge through them to avoid damage. He can also fire purple waves directly at you, which you can evade by sprinting sideways.

**Avoid the immobilizing blast:** He also introduces a new projectile attack that can immobilize you. Steer clear of this one! He’ll glow purple before launching it, and you can dodge the slow-moving projectile with a sideways roll.

Overall, Franz’s second phase is just a more aggressive version of the first. Stay calm and avoid being greedy. Let him use Noah as a target whenever possible.

Remember, Noah can revive you if you go down while he’s on the field. He’ll temporarily retreat afterward but will return after a few seconds. You can be revived this way as many times as needed. Just play it safe when Noah is absent, and you’ll have a reliable safety net.

Defeating the Dejected Assailant will unlock Franz’s Blood Code and change the past, ensuring Noah survives to the present day. You’ll then be able to summon him as a companion on your quest to take down the five heroes scattered across the map.