Quick answer: Rest at the Dovecote bell, open the tower’s double door, climb two ladders and wall-run up to the pagoda roof. Red fights with red sword dashes, a grab and spire dives.
Red at a glance
Her health bar identifies her as “Red, the Mysterious Swordswoman”. A pale mask and long red hooded robe conceal her, and she wields a slender, lengthy sword.
The battle takes place atop Dovecote tower, on its sharply pitched pagoda roof. A pointed spire rises from the center as crows wheel overhead.
Nearest bell: Dovecote, in the Mandate Encampment (Phantom Blade Zero bells).
She can rush across the roof in quick sword attacks, painting long red streaks, or string together close-range cuts. Her moves also include a grab and plunging attacks from above after she jumps to the spire.
In our run, early in the fight Soul said “She’s holding back… she can’t control her Sha-Chi.”
Where to find Red
In our run, a Disoriented Swordswoman sat by a wooden gate under the rock face about 10 m from the bell, and pressing E started her talk. She spoke of a woman who came back and was set on dying together with the Chief Disciple, then slumped to the ground.
In our run, after a death Soul came back at the Dovecote bell, and the double door stayed open.
Red’s attacks
Red dash slash
A red flash precedes her rush over the roof, with her blade leaving a long red streak in its wake.
Ridge lunge
From as far as several metres away, she thrusts along the roof ridge, her sword trailing red lines.
Sword strings
At close range, she links rapid cuts together as her red robe spins around her.
Grab
She rushes in, grips Soul by the collar, then hurls Soul onto the tiles.
Spire dive
After jumping onto the spire’s peak, she plunges toward Soul, trailing red shapes.
How the fight went in our run
In our run on Pathbreaker, the attempt lasted under a minute and barely marked her bar.
In our run on Wayfarer, the attempt lasted about four minutes and took only a small part of her bar.
In our run, the red dash slashes and the grab did most of the damage to Soul.
Tips for the Red fight
Rest at the Dovecote bell before opening the door. In our run, a death returned Soul there.
A red flash is your cue to prepare for the incoming dash slash; move clear of the streak’s path. For timing advice, see the parry and dodge guide.
As she jumps onto the spire, keep Soul moving to evade her dive from above.
You can lower the difficulty through the System menu if the fight proves too hard. Confirm the change at the “Apply changes to settings?” prompt. Details on every option appear in difficulty modes.
Red’s story and what comes after
The Daughter of the Dark Sect side tale includes Red; see the Daughter of the Dark Sect quest page for that quest.
In our run, no item card appeared after the fight.
The same section of the Mandate Encampment is also where you battle the Chief Disciple of the Seven-Stars Formation.
For a list of other encounters and their rewards, visit all Phantom Blade Zero bosses.
