The Stone Guardian: How to Find and Defeat Shigandang in Black Myth: Wukong

In Black Myth: Wukong, the world is filled with hidden challenges and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Among these secrets lies Shigandang, a formidable Yaoguai King boss that players can encounter in Chapter 2. Unlike many other bosses in the game, Shigandang is entirely optional, making him a hidden gem for those seeking an extra challenge and valuable rewards. This guide will take you through the steps to find and defeat Shigandang, as well as the rewards that await you for your efforts.

Who Is Shigandang?

Shigandang is not your typical boss fight in Black Myth: Wukong. This Yaoguai King is secretively buried within the Fright Cliff area, concealed beneath a rock adorned with carved heads. To awaken him, you must collect six Buddha Statue Eyeballs scattered throughout the region. Once you have these items, you can activate the rock and summon Shigandang for an epic battle.

The encounter with Shigandang is not only a test of your combat skills but also a reward for your exploration and persistence. For those who take the time to seek out the Buddha Statue Eyeballs and confront this hidden boss, the game offers significant rewards that can boost your character’s abilities and resources.

How to Find Shigandang

Locating Shigandang is part of the challenge, as he’s hidden in another boss’s arena—the Stone Vanguard in the Rockrest Flat area of Fright Cliff. As you enter the Stone Vanguard’s arena, you might notice a large rock with numerous carved heads. This rock is, in fact, the dormant Shigandang, waiting to be awakened​.

To activate Shigandang, you’ll need to collect the six Buddha Statue Eyeballs from various locations within the Fright Cliff. Here’s a breakdown of where to find each Eyeball:

1. First Buddha’s Eyeball: As you ascend the sloping path at the start of Fright Cliff, you’ll encounter a large Buddha head statue near the Fright Cliff’s Shrine. Listen for ominous chanting, and interact with the statue to claim the first Eyeball.
2. Second Buddha’s Eyeball: From the Squall Hideout Shrine, take the left path leading into a dark cave area. Follow the braziers to a large statue altar, where Palestones will try to ambush you. Defeat them and collect the Eyeball at the foot of the statue.
3. Third Buddha’s Eyeball: Return to the Squall Hideout Shrine and head up the far right side of the open valley to some ruins. Fight your way up the stairs and defeat the Blazebones to reach a wooden platform where the third Eyeball can be found.
4. Fourth Buddha’s Eyeball: Located just across the crevice from the previous Buddha statue head, follow the ridge to find another Eyeball waiting to be collected.
5. Fifth Buddha’s Eyeball: Between the Squall Hideout and Rockrest Flat Shrines, find a large cave leading to the Mother of Stones Yaoguai Chief fight. Take a right at the cave exit to find the fifth Eyeball on a raised platform.
6. Sixth Buddha’s Eyeball: This final Eyeball is found near the Rockrest Flat Shrine. Advance towards the entrance to the Stone Vanguard / Shigandang Boss Fights, and the statue containing the last Eyeball will be waiting.

The Battle Against Shigandang

Once you’ve collected all six Buddha’s Eyeballs, return to the Stone Vanguard’s arena and interact with the large rock to awaken Shigandang.

If you’re facing difficulties defeating the Stone Vanguard, there’s a clever tactic that can turn the tide in your favour. By collecting all six Buddha Eyeballs, you can summon the powerful Shigandang before even engaging the Stone Vanguard. Once awakened, Shigandang will immediately target the Stone Vanguard, and given his superior strength, he’ll make quick work of the rock Yaoguai, finishing it off with a dramatic and devastating blow. This grants you all the spoils without having to lift a finger against the Vanguard! However, there’s a catch. After Shigandang dispatches the Stone Vanguard, he’ll set his sights on you next. If you struggled with the Vanguard, facing Shigandang might prove to be an even greater challenge, so be prepared for a tough fight!

The battle that follows is intense, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Here’s what you can expect from this fight:

• Heart of Stone: A powerful item that enhances your character’s durability and defence.
• Skhanda of Feeling: A valuable relic that boosts your sensory perception, aiding in combat.
• Mind Core x1: A resource used to upgrade your character’s abilities and skills.
• Yaoguai Core x2: These cores are essential for crafting powerful gear and weapons.
• Experience and Will: 1652 Experience points and 1371 Will, both of which are crucial for levelling up and purchasing items.

The fight with Shigandang is not only a test of your combat skills but also a rewarding experience that offers significant boosts to your character’s stats and resources. The Heart of Stone and Skhanda of Feeling, in particular, are items that can make a noticeable difference in your gameplay, giving you an edge in future battles.

Basic Tips to Defeat Shigandang

To successfully defeat Shigandang, consider the following basic strategies:

1. Utilize Your Stances: Switch between different combat stances to adapt to Shigandang’s attacks. Each stance offers unique advantages, such as the ability to interrupt attacks or deal heavy damage from a distance.
2. Watch for Patterns: Like many bosses in Black Myth: Wukong, Shigandang follows specific attack patterns. Take the time to observe these patterns and time your dodges and counters accordingly.
3. Use Spirits: If you’ve collected spirits from blue-outlined enemies, equip them to gain additional combat advantages during the fight.
4. Stay Mobile: Shigandang’s attacks can be devastating if they connect, so staying mobile and avoiding his strikes is key to victory.

By applying these strategies and leveraging the rewards from the battle, you’ll be well-prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead in Black Myth: Wukong.