![The Puzzle That Broke Me [A Monsters Expedition] @BigDBrian](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jspmIb7l_vM/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Note: before solving it, the island with the snowman is shrouded in fog, so it looks larger than it is.
This was the last snowman for me to achieve 100% completion.
After countless hours on this meta-puzzle, trying to raft up from that spot, thinking that's the solution, and finally finding an extremely elaborate way to do so, utilising almost all of the game's mechanics... only to find out that it was all doomed from the start. I did solve it for real relatively quickly afterwards, which as expected, was very different and significantly simpler.
Note: before solving it, the island with the snowman is shrouded in fog, so it looks larger than it is.
This was the last snowman for me to achieve 100% completion.
After countless hours on this meta-puzzle, trying to raft up from that spot, thinking that's the solution, and finally finding an extremely elaborate way to do so, utilising almost all of the game's mechanics... only to find out that it was all doomed from the start. I did solve it for real relatively quickly afterwards, which as expected, was very different and significantly simpler.
![The Puzzle That Broke Me [A Monsters Expedition]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jspmIb7l_vM/mqdefault.jpg "The Puzzle That Broke Me [A Monsters Expedition]
Note: before solving it, the island with the snowman is shrouded in fog, so it looks larger than it is.
This was the last snowman for me to achieve 100% completion.
After countless hours on this meta-puzzle, trying to raft up from that spot, thinking thats the solution, and finally finding an extremely elaborate way to do so, utilising almost all of the games mechanics... only to find out that it was all doomed from the start. I did solve it for real relatively quickly afterwards, which as expected, was very different and significantly simpler.")
![Nights Cavalry Duo fought as a GANK [RL1, NG+7, no hit/buffs/%dmg]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kfFxN7XeU-U/mqdefault.jpg "Nights Cavalry Duo fought as a GANK [RL1, NG+7, no hit/buffs/%dmg]
Do not try this at home. Just fight them one at a time like everyone else, or accept hit trading.
I guess this is a worlds first but who cares")
![Elden Ring SotE - Rellana Parry Kill [Level 1, NG+7⁺, no blessing/buffs/aux]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mCx8LiU3EfY/mqdefault.jpg "Elden Ring SotE - Rellana Parry Kill [Level 1, NG+7⁺, no blessing/buffs/aux]
For those outside of the loop, the little plus in NG+7⁺ means PCR was killed in a previous ng cycle on this save, meaning she gets an extra hp boost. And aux means auxiliary effects such as bleed and frost. Buffs means any temporary boosts in power or stats, this excludes talismans which are permanent while equipped.
Maybe this fight will grow on me some day, but I dont really like a few aspects of it. There are some really good fights out there that make her look awesome, but Im not even close to learning her on the level those players have.
Her moveset is filled with frame traps that just require you to have enough distance, but she drops also her combos when you get too slightly too far away. Doing it without light roll is just suffering, too. I dont usually like to parry bosses as it feels like it often takes away from the bosses moveset because of the interruptions to combos. However the gameplay loop with parrying Rellana is alright.
goofy ah setup with the hammer to abuse the cr2 opening on parries and wakeup for extra stance break crits.")
![Beast Clergyman / Maliketh The Black Blade [RL1, +0, no sprint/roll/block/parry/buffs/aux]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mVrm-aE7qWo/mqdefault.jpg "Beast Clergyman / Maliketh The Black Blade [RL1, +0, no sprint/roll/block/parry/buffs/aux]
featuring Mantis Blade poise abuse in base ng.
phase 1 is rng or at least I couldnt figure it out. I did make some progress because if you stand at the right distance in front of him, he wont do his quick backstep sling. You can dodge any attack he can do at that range (I think, at least) but the problem is Im not sure how to be safe after punishing some of them, without just staggering him.
In the starting area you can basically just walk at him though, so you can be extremely aggressive and get away with it to get past the phase quickly. Unfortunately he can force you away from there.
Once youre out in the open its not game over but I usually got hit after some time unless he just did the good attacks and I reacted properly and got staggers asap. You have to react really fast to jump over the double slash.
Phase 2 however is extremely fun and as far as I can tell entirely consistent, with some potential for cool strategies like punishing roar and walking in on his ground thrust explosions. I redid the kill 3 times just to show those off.
I may do an endurance focused phase 2 only kill. rl1 +0 ng+7 sounds good.")
![Godrick the Grafted RL1 No Roll/Block/Parry/Jump/Skill [+4 somber]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/maTs8b_ZM5g/mqdefault.jpg "Godrick the Grafted RL1 No Roll/Block/Parry/Jump/Skill [+4 somber]
Pretty easy, especially if you play it safe. Sloppy phase 2 but whatever.
Hardest dodge is the wind projectile, shown here: https://youtu.be/cmrspKgTw2Q
Thanks to Sandwich2Go/MouseInATutu for teaching me.")
![Sekiro if it was made in Japan [all bosses, no hit/block, yes deflect]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/my6lRYlLpHc/mqdefault.jpg "Sekiro if it was made in Japan [all bosses, no hit/block, yes deflect]
Game is called KANNAGI USAGI, it is completely free on Steam.
While it is obviously meant as a Sekiro boss-fight simulator, it does a great job at that so I have no qualms. However, some exact animations and combos are eerily similar to Sekiros, so theres worries of plagiarism. In a way, it can feel like a reskinned Sekiro mod.
Anyhow, my thoughts on the bosses.
Shikigami of Rabbit: I included her for completions sake, also to showcase this games tutorial. Its great, better than Hanbei the Undying. Of course I was already familiar with how the combat was going to be due to prior experience with Sekiro, but still. S tier tutorial.
Nameless Warrior: She feels too similar to Shikigami of Rabbit, sharing multiple moves. Other than that, she takes inspiration from Genichiro with the jump attack into sweep/thrust. Simple but fun. C tier.
EDIT: since ver1.1.0 she got a small overhaul, removing her Genichiro based attacks and gaining a double hit instead. She remains in C tier.
Cat General: She feels distinct enough from the previous bosses, introducing more multi-hits and more varied movement. Solid but nothing special. B tier.
Little Demon: A greatsword user, who mixes up her timing and multi-hits to catch you off-guard. Whats really nice in this fight is that a lot of her swings provide just enough time for you to get a hit in before the next one, creating a really fun dynamic. A tier.
Guard of Mist: A noticeable increase in difficulty. Shes agile, with snappy attacks, and moves around a lot. Her movement itself telegraphs attacks, such as when she hops once or twice then dashes in for a slash. Shes got a great pace, constantly dashing in and out and around you, tricky but completely fair. A tier.
Puppet Maiden: Its just Corrupted Monk. I still like her, which isnt surprising as the monks are some of my favourite fights in Sekiro, but come on. Its too blatant. Sure theres some slight differences in AI and she uses some aspects of 3rd phase True Monk, but... C tier for being a Copy.
EDIT: since ver1.1.0 she got a major overhaul, replacing her whole moveset. She is now comfortably S tier.
Niten Usagi: Oh boy, dual wield fights are always intimidating, but shes surprisingly manageable even going in blind. She will throw you off with some combos, and isnt a pushover. I just love her fight, despite not liking the dual wield enemies in Sekiro. Shes like a juggernaut, never backing off and just constantly attacking with multiple interesting combos, forcing you to play by her rules and its a joy. Easy S tier.
Crimson Shadow: Pretty similar to Little Demon but harder. She has a lot of different combos with different number of attacks, making it hard to predict when shes done so you can attack. This initially leads you to play very reactively in a fun way, continuing to deflect her until you see shes stopped and then striking back. A fun dynamic. She has some opportunities to hit her mid-combo, but they are unfortunately few. A tier.
Night Fox: A heavyweight boss that intentionally attacks slowly on some attacks, while also having faster options and combos. While I like the other bosses, they lack mixups in general. Her deliberate contrast between fast and slow made her very tricky to deflect, making her the hardest boss for this challenge. S tier.
Generally speaking, I like this game. Its short but sweet. The visuals are simple but work well for a clean aesthetic, and I particularly like the wind slicing effect on all attacks.
The sound design is alright, I wouldve liked a different pitch noise between block and deflect, though. The sword clashes are identical, you have to tell between block/deflect based on the increased spark and lack of posture-damage on self. Theres no hard mode where you take chip damage on failed deflects either.
The fights are great and extremely well telegraphed, nothing ever felt unfair, but without being completely trivial to master. My main criticism is that theres a severe lack of meaningful mix-ups. Sure, there are a few, but for the most part moves and combos are static, often only changing between phase 1 and 2.
0:00 - Tutorial
1:39 - Nameless Warrior
2:41 - Cat General
3:51 - Little Demon
5:04 - Guard of Mist
6:27 - Puppet Maiden
7:38 - Niten Usagi
9:06 - Crimson Shadow
10:31 - Night Fox")
![Crucible Knight (Sword) RL1 No Roll/Block/Parry/Jump/Skill [+4 somber]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nAb1qzChlU8/mqdefault.jpg "Crucible Knight (Sword) RL1 No Roll/Block/Parry/Jump/Skill [+4 somber]
Actually a really fun no roll fight. While it may look simple, its deceptively tricky with the aggressive strategies. You could, however, just play at range and take it slower & safer, but thats no fun.")
![Sekiro - Sword Saint Isshin [base atk/vit, NG+7, demon bell, no kuros charm, no lightning reversal]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nM_ovzf7mT0/mqdefault.jpg "Sekiro - Sword Saint Isshin [base atk/vit, NG+7, demon bell, no kuros charm, no lightning reversal]
Also no damage/deaths, couldnt fit it in the title
Genichiro - 0:00
First Phase - 5:55
Second Phase - 10:54
Third Phase - 22:12
Music - Celeste OST (playlist on Spotify)
Played using boss rush mod for faster resets.
This took me so ridiculously long to do. Sabimaru makes this challenge tolerable because of how it does almost 20% health damage, but it can be extremely finnicky and straight up just miss, causing you to get hit. Other than that not a single combat art or prosthetic is worth its spirit emblem cost, and the free ones tend to be bad (yes, even Ichimonji double)
If you have any questions about why I did or didnt do specific things, please ask in the comments, Ive spent so much time on this boss that I pretty much know every nook and cranny of their AI, and boy theres a lot of special cases to consider. Uneven terrain, broken hitboxes, deflect not working, walls, rocks, trees, the god damn cart. Isshins lightning sweep has the most broken hitbox, probably because youre meant to get hit by it for the deflect.")
