Game homePhantom Blade ZeroAll gamesOnly after the Saw is knocked off does the truth become clear: The Crusher has no head. The sinews and blood vessels in his neck coil like the rings of an old tree, while the flesh writhes as if searching for the head he lost long ago. Without the Saw controlling him, the Crusher only grows more savage. Sha-Chi boils through his body, his skin burns red, and black smoke rises from his flesh. Freed from the Saw, he seems to have broken free of a shackle. He unleashes years of pain and rage, never noticing that the hood hiding his severed neck has fallen away. He has even forgotten that he is headless. Perhaps as long as he does not realize it, he will never fall. When Soul finally defeats him, his body crashes onto the ice and his empty neck stares back from the reflection below. A piercing cold suddenly fills him. He has not felt cold in years, having spent all this time in a haze. So even without a head, one can still live? The thought comes to him only at the very end. Death follows before he can wonder any further.
A red-flash attack leads into another unblockable hit. Keep moving after the first dodge and counter after the follow-up. This enemy can punish charging. Start a charged heavy attack during its recovery. The enemy can counter ranged attacks. If it answers your first shot, reposition and fire after its next miss. The enemy has a guard-breaking move. Leave room to dodge when it winds up for a heavy hit.