Joan of Arc is a sword-fighting duel you take on twice in Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. Both times her boss bar reads “JOAN” and shows a single red bar. She cycles through the same handful of moves in each encounter, so once you learn the openings after her sword dash, her fire pillars, and her leaps, both fights come down to staying close and punishing her recovery.
Quick answer: Slide or dash behind her after a slash, stand in the gap between the fire pillars, and run clear of where her leap lands. Beat her on the tower roof for The Warrior’s Key, then again in Notre-Dame for the blessing of Courage.
First fight: the Roof of the Tower
Climb Prison Tower to Upper Tower, then cross Roof of the Tower. In a sunset scene, Joan kneels on the ramparts as Paris burns. Combat begins near the rampart entrance marked “STAIRS TO THE TOWER ROOF”, with Notre-Dame at your back beneath a fiery sky. Stay close, dash through or around her swings, and attack during her recovery.
Joan’s attacks and how to dodge each
- Sword dash slash: She pitches forward with her sword near the ground, then surges across the floor. Roll or dash around to her rear and land a hit.
- Fire pillars: She points her sword upward as luminous glyph circles form above; columns of fire burst beneath them. Find an opening between the columns, wait there, then attack.
- Leap and fire sphere: She ascends while a huge sun-like orb takes shape, then crashes down and sweeps fire across the ground. Move clear of the impact point and hop over the wave of flames.
- Downward plunge: She springs upward, sword aimed at the floor. Slip beneath her path and strike as she touches down.
- Overhead chop: She hoists the blade above her head and advances. Slide past her to get behind, then unleash a combo.
A black-and-white slash cut-in appears when you time a counter correctly, so watch for the prompt on her swings.
Rewards for the tower roof fight
The final blow earns the trophy “Flammable or inflammable?” right away. You also receive The Warrior Arcana card, which holds the spell Infernal Pyre, along with The Warrior’s Key. The key’s description reads: “One of three keys needed to open the sealed door to the Catacombs. Obtained by defeating JOAN OF ARC.”
Rematch in Notre-Dame
The second duel takes place in the Gallery of the Four Virtues inside Notre-Dame. Under the red stained glass window of the Warrior, a carved inscription reads: “Hear the bell of Courage ring, / Mark the Warrior it hails…” Interact with the stained-glass window of Courage with R1 to enter the trial chamber. The arena is a burning ruined hall with rubble, arches, and fleur-de-lis banners, and the red “JOAN” bar fills the bottom of the screen.
At first, her armour is dark. When the bar is roughly halfway depleted, she jumps and lands in a golden explosion; from that point, she wears gold, with golden rings trailing behind and golden waves sweeping across the arena. Her attacks remain familiar, so dash through her and counter when the cut-in appears.
Rematch attacks and how to dodge each
- Overhead slash and wide sweep: she lifts the blade overhead with flames swirling and leaves fire trails. Dash back or roll through to her back.
- Floor runes and flame geysers: She drives her sword into the ground, lighting symbols across the floor before flames burst upward. Jump into a safe opening between the fire pillars.
- Triple pillar barrage: golden vertical beams mark the floor under you before erupting. Keep dashing out of the lit zones.
- Floating fire rings: After lifting her sword overhead, she conjures hovering rings, then fireballs or pillars. Dash or slide along the floor to reach her back.
- Leaping dive: She vaults high amid golden rays, then crashes down and releases a shockwave. Sprint and slide beneath her descent, or put plenty of distance between yourself and the landing.
- Rapid golden slashes: A curved gold trail curls behind her as she chains quick slashes. Dash through her or back out of range, then counter.
Reward for the Notre-Dame rematch
After Joan is killed, she speaks with Rose and bestows the blessing of Courage. This fight provides no Arcana or key, so the duel ends once Courage is granted.
