Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago

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Two takes. Another boss that has no Iron Stance. Like Ivar, this means he'll likely counter after 1 or 2 hits so my actions are limited. Julius is basically a cheap swords-Ludger, but he's still a manageable threat all the same.

The biggest threat in his arsenal is Falling Snow. It can be used as a counter both on the ground and in the air, is fast, and covers great range. If you commit to an arte and will end up within his range after you proc his counter, he will more likely counter with FS. That's why you'll see me stagnate after attacking after Rending Quake. Falling Snow can be dodged with either sidesteps, or a backstep, but for backsteps, you have to be within half its starting range with Leia to dodge it due to it having a lingering hitbox near the end range of the attack. His other general counter options are a normal attack kick, one where he axis mixes up then kicks, and Falling Thunder, all are super easy to dodge. For the axis mixup kick, like at ~1:51 that was a backstep input, but I forward step; I always pause then step, even when he doesn't mixup for consistency. Fortunately, he does other counters more often than FS, but I time my backstep in case he uses FS.

My strategy "generally" follows a flowchart based on what he does after using Darting Claw on him.
-if DC is countered, I backstep for FS; also dodges the kick, or avoids Falling Thunder; then an aerial RQ verrrry low after the dodge. If not, I still use an aerial RQ(verrrry low). It has to be low to the ground to avoid aerial FS counters.
-if RQ is countered, land, and use Rabid Lunge. Arte chase with DC, reset. If not, use Earth Roar into Swallow Flight. Attempting any attack after a counter here will result in him using FS.
-If Earth Roar is countered, SF won't lift him and I'll be above him to avoid an aerial FS; I either follow with Soaring Blast into RQ, or, RQ into Crescent Flash in an attempt to proc aerial FS, but be outside his range. If not, SF will lift him and I'll be below him to avoid aerial FS. He almost always counters with FS or OVL at this point.
-If he aerial FSs under me after SF, then I'll attempt to hit him with a falling backwards CF, then jump and use backwards RQ to get behind him. He might run into the RQ, but my goal is so that I'll land and reset the flowchart.
-On the 2nd take, if he FSs above me, I thought to follow with Eagle's Rage since he will be behind me(I use CF prior to this to maintain my position in the air).
-If he guards, I use Linked Explosion. It will either break his guard and he'll counter, or he'll guard counter. I always expect FS, so I will ER at the appropriate timing to arte dodge it.

A very fun fight for me, I can confidently say it's my favorite so far =03.

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Bit of a side note, but I'm also working with a technical limitation with this Logitech controller. I now notice that RPCS3 with the XInput handler, has a hard time reading the sticks, and loses the input if the stick movements are fast; while ps4/Dualsense handlers work perfectly fine and are very responsive. So if you see empty jumps, jump normals that hit nothing, and other random behaviors, this may be the reason why(pressing controls too fast to register. Yes I'm blaming the controller =0b). Even though I'm several bosses ahead while redoing this for the 𝑛th time, I lost both ps4/5 controllers by the time I fought Wingul. During this run, broke the charge port on the ps4 one, messed up calibration for right stick on my ps5 one (T_T ).

Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQmeMnoDpaH4ZHRdeuxhv_2V2s5oEAIDV

Modifications used:
-bosses have all weaknesses and resistances removed

Music:
Sin Chronicle OST - 22 - Tae Fujimoto (SEGA) - 紳の戦い [Extended]
Sigma Harmonics - Remains of Time

BIG thanks to @Sora3100 for the cheat table to make this run possible =03.