The mechanics of the tutorial clash at the burning manor
In the opening sequence of The Blood of Dawnwalker, Coen confronts the vampire lord Brencis inside his burning ancestral estate. The encounter is intentionally designed to simulate a scripted defeat where Brencis overwhelms Coen and subjects him to the dark vampiric infection that kickstarts the entire game.
However, unlike traditional hard-scripted cinematic losses, Rebel Wolves programmed Brencis with actual hitboxes, stamina bars, and damage thresholds. Players possessing extreme defensive mastery and patience can deplete his entire vitality reservoir right in the prologue.
Accomplishing this feat triggers an immediate narrative diversion: with the head progenitor slain on night zero, the dark curse fails to spread across the valley, causing the game to roll an exclusive alternate credits sequence celebrating Coen's early triumph.
Defeating Brencis without character upgrades or legendary gear
Because Coen begins the prologue with only standard recruit militia armor and a rusted iron arming sword, taking even a single direct blow from Brencis will instantly deplete your vitality bar. The key to the fight is total commitment to directional parrying and posture control.
Brencis relies on a signature three-hit lunging sequence signaled by a crimson shimmer across his left gauntlet. Do not attempt to parry the initial lunge as its startup frames are irregular; instead, backstep to avoid the opener, then immediately directional parry the horizontal sweep that follows.
Successfully deflecting the second strike knocks Brencis off-balance for 1.8 seconds. Deliver exactly two light thrusts, then instantly disengage to recover stamina before his retaliatory shadow pulse discharges.
Pillar kiting cheese and achievement unlock specifics
For players seeking the secret achievement without flawless frame-perfect parrying, the collapsing stone pillars flanking the ballroom offer a reliable terrain exploit. By positioning Coen behind the fallen marble column, Brencis's high-speed shadow dashes get trapped against the masonry collision.
While Brencis is caught in the running animation against the column, Coen can safely charge heavy thrust attacks through the broken stone gap without placing himself in danger of the boss's close-quarters grab attack.
Defeating Brencis unlocks the rare gold PlayStation / Steam trophy 'Eclipse Averted' and awards the Progenitor's Signet cosmetic skin for subsequent playthroughs. The game then presents an abridged cinematic showing Vale Sangora greeting a peaceful dawn without bloodshed.
Prologue Encounter Choices & Campaign Ramifications
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| Choice / Action | Combat Difficulty | Immediate Reward / Achievement | Campaign Impact | Post-Ending State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scripted Fall (Standard Progression) | Trivial (Scripted loss after 50% health threshold) | Progresses naturally into Vale Sangora open world | Standard 30-day narrative campaign begins with Coen turned | Continues to Chapter 1: The Laslea Outskirts |
| Slay Brencis (Secret Ending) | Extreme (Un-upgraded Coen versus high-level progenitor) | Secret Trophy 'Eclipse Averted' & Progenitor's Signet | Triggers instant credits and unique alternate epilogue cinematic | Returns to main menu; unlocks New Game Plus modifiers |
Frequently asked questions
Does the secret ending erase your regular save file?
No. Beating Brencis in the prologue unlocks a dedicated clear save slot that enables New Game Plus modifiers without overwriting your standard campaign saves.
Can you defeat Brencis in the prologue using vampire abilities?
No, Coen has not yet been bitten or turned during the prologue, meaning the fight must be won entirely using mortal swordsmanship and footwork.
Is there an achievement for getting the secret ending?
Yes, defeating Brencis in the tutorial awards the hidden gold trophy 'Eclipse Averted' on all supported platforms.