Posted May 20, 2011
high rated
I have beaten this boss on Hard after my 5th attempt. However I see there are a lot of people having trouble with this big beastie. As such here's my guide on how to defeat it once and for all.
First, make sure that you have purchased and made the Kayran trap from Cedric, and acquired the Mongoose potion. These two are invaluable, especially the potion (make sure to drink it before the fight starts, also include a Swallow and Tawny Owl in the mix).
Second, the only two signs you should be using is Yrden and Quen. Cast Quen first, as your vigor seems to not recharge when active thus you should still have a pip of vigor left to use Yrden at a later point. Quen will give you a free hit for it's duration, so if the Kayran gets in a lucky shot it will just take off Quen and leave you unscathed. Also note that you should always wait for both pips to recharge before casting Quen again. Unless if you are in major trouble.
Third, the Kayran's attack pattern is easily learned and is typically the same each time. In that it'll attack twice with its outer 4 tentacles (the ones with the growths), then it'll perform a dual attack with it's two main tentacles (these typically only strike in the middle area so make sure to be off to either side at this stage) then it uses it's mucas (again, if you are already off to the left or right it will miss you anyway).
Forth, keep moving! The space bar (dodge) is your friend.
So to the battle, as soon as it starts run either left or right to avoid the first tentacle strike. Then cast Quen. I cannot stress how important it is to keep Quen up as much as possible. After the second strike you should have enough time to plant the Kayran trap at one of the gold highlighted locations. Avoid the dual tentacle strike and subsequent mucas attacks then position yourself near the trap so that one of the single tentacle strikes hit it. This severs the tentacle and takes off a quarter of the Kayran's health in one go.
Next repeat on the same side, and just use Yrden instead of the trap. Once the tentacle is trapped, go to town on the growth (there should be ample time to completely sever the tentacle).
You only need to perform this act once more on the opposite side (only need to cut off one more tentacle). Once done the Kayran will get mad and perform a sideways swipe with it's last tentacle. Starting from the opposite side to wherever you are.
Simply click the right mouse button to jump on, then complete the QTE to cause the tower to fall on the beasties head.
Finally simply run up the tower, avoiding the tentacles smashes, and making sure to keep Quen up. You will then be treated to sweet relief and euphoria as you watch Geralt deal the the final blow Johnny Rico style.
Hope this helps those of you who are having trouble. :) Key points to take away from this:
- Use Quen.
- If your space bar is not broken by the end of this fight you are doing it wrong. :p
First, make sure that you have purchased and made the Kayran trap from Cedric, and acquired the Mongoose potion. These two are invaluable, especially the potion (make sure to drink it before the fight starts, also include a Swallow and Tawny Owl in the mix).
Second, the only two signs you should be using is Yrden and Quen. Cast Quen first, as your vigor seems to not recharge when active thus you should still have a pip of vigor left to use Yrden at a later point. Quen will give you a free hit for it's duration, so if the Kayran gets in a lucky shot it will just take off Quen and leave you unscathed. Also note that you should always wait for both pips to recharge before casting Quen again. Unless if you are in major trouble.
Third, the Kayran's attack pattern is easily learned and is typically the same each time. In that it'll attack twice with its outer 4 tentacles (the ones with the growths), then it'll perform a dual attack with it's two main tentacles (these typically only strike in the middle area so make sure to be off to either side at this stage) then it uses it's mucas (again, if you are already off to the left or right it will miss you anyway).
Forth, keep moving! The space bar (dodge) is your friend.
So to the battle, as soon as it starts run either left or right to avoid the first tentacle strike. Then cast Quen. I cannot stress how important it is to keep Quen up as much as possible. After the second strike you should have enough time to plant the Kayran trap at one of the gold highlighted locations. Avoid the dual tentacle strike and subsequent mucas attacks then position yourself near the trap so that one of the single tentacle strikes hit it. This severs the tentacle and takes off a quarter of the Kayran's health in one go.
Next repeat on the same side, and just use Yrden instead of the trap. Once the tentacle is trapped, go to town on the growth (there should be ample time to completely sever the tentacle).
You only need to perform this act once more on the opposite side (only need to cut off one more tentacle). Once done the Kayran will get mad and perform a sideways swipe with it's last tentacle. Starting from the opposite side to wherever you are.
Simply click the right mouse button to jump on, then complete the QTE to cause the tower to fall on the beasties head.
Finally simply run up the tower, avoiding the tentacles smashes, and making sure to keep Quen up. You will then be treated to sweet relief and euphoria as you watch Geralt deal the the final blow Johnny Rico style.
Hope this helps those of you who are having trouble. :) Key points to take away from this:
- Use Quen.
- If your space bar is not broken by the end of this fight you are doing it wrong. :p
Post edited May 20, 2011 by cinos
