The quick answer
In the Unbound Cavern campaign, survive Dao Lord’s delayed strings, then treat the split into Hammer, Spear and Hook as a fight against three active enemies. Keep all three in view and use a bow shot on the airborne opening after their underground movement.
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Reach Unbound Cavern in Kaifeng
The campaign takes place in Kaifeng’s Layered City Ruins. Track Unbound Cavern through the Journal to reach the encounter. This is the solo campaign structure, so do not import a later Sword Trial or raid assignment into the quest fight.
Before entering, check that your bow has ammunition and that you can switch to it without searching menus. A ranged interruption is easier to learn when the required input is already familiar.
Wait for the delayed finishing hits
The first phase combines close-range strings, a rushing ground impact and ranged projectiles. Several sequences pause before their final hit. That pause is a warning to keep defending, not an automatic damage window.
For the cone-shaped projectile volleys, look for gaps or deflect the incoming shots. Keep the camera on the attack origin so you can see the next volley. Our recommendation is to learn one consistent route through the spread before adding attacks between waves.
When you are caught by a delayed finisher, identify whether you attacked too soon or defended too early. Those are different mistakes: one needs a shorter counter, the other needs later timing.
Track Hammer, Spear and Hook together
| Enemy or pattern | Response to practise |
|---|---|
| Hammer charges a red-glowing leap | Deflect the landing or move clear of the impact. |
| Spear prepares a red-glowing rush | Time the thrust response or move sideways off its line. |
| Hook begins a spinning sequence | Watch for the follow-up uppercuts before countering. |
| The group travels underground and emerges | Avoid the emergence and look for the airborne bow interruption. |
The three enemies have separate health bars and can act simultaneously. Reducing one target’s health is useful only if you can still see the attacks arriving from the others. Reposition when the camera leaves an active enemy behind you.
Use the airborne opening deliberately
After the underground manoeuvre, a bow hit while an enemy is airborne can knock it down early. Draw when you have a clear line and a safe moment to aim. If another enemy is already attacking you, defend first; holding the bow through the hit defeats the purpose of the interruption.
Our suggested priority is to finish a weakened target when a clean opening appears. Reducing the number of active attackers makes later healing and aiming easier. Avoid spreading every damage window across a different health bar by accident.
Save healing for an actual break in pressure
Distance from one enemy does not mean distance from all three. Before using medicine, check the other two positions and whether a projectile or rush is already underway. A completed enemy sequence or a knockdown provides a clearer opportunity than running to a corner with no view of the room.
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Common questions
Are the three forms just harmless copies?
No. Hammer, Spear and Hook have their own health bars and can attack independently.
When is the bow useful?
Look for the airborne opening after the underground manoeuvre, while keeping the other enemies’ attacks in view.