The Three-Faced Puppet is one of the more unusual optional bosses in Phantom Blade Zero.
What initially appears to be an optional encounter in Weeping Creek Valley eventually turns into a much larger quest involving hidden memories, a frozen forest, a powerful weapon upgrade, and a challenging rematch.
The Triple Threat quest is easy to leave unfinished because its objectives take you across multiple regions, and the game does not immediately explain how to track down the puppet’s identity.
In this guide, we will explain where to find the Three-Faced Puppet, how to complete the Triple Threat quest, where to find the Memory Flowers, how to obtain the Blazing Edge, and how to defeat Yucong.
Where to Find the Three-Faced Puppet in Phantom Blade Zero
Your first encounter with the Three-Faced Puppet takes place in Weeping Creek Valley, relatively early in the campaign.
While exploring the cliffside section of the region, look for a ladder leading down to a small ledge.
You will find a mysterious statue beside a bell called The Lady’s Rift.
Activate the bell and interact with the statue. This will transport you to a temple-like area where you can challenge the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet.
The boss is optional, and there is no need to defeat it immediately.
In fact, fighting it with your starting weapon and limited upgrades makes the encounter harder than it needs to be.
You can return later with better equipment, more health, and additional combat abilities.
The puppet frequently disappears into portals before reappearing to attack.
Pay attention to its movements and avoid attacking blindly whenever it vanishes.
Tips for defeating the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet:
- Upgrade your weapon before attempting the encounter.
- Use dodges against its smoky black attacks, as blocking these attacks can completely drain your stamina.
- Maintain regular attacks to gradually deplete its Sha-Chi.
- Use Sha-Chi combos when its Sha-Chi is broken to deal significant damage.
- Equip the Livingwood Talisman to inflict bleed and increase your damage output.
Defeating the boss rewards you with the Three-Headed Doll, a story item that becomes important later in the Triple Threat quest.
How to Start the Triple Threat Quest
After defeating the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet, you will receive the Three-Headed Doll and unlock the Triple Threat quest.
However, completing the initial encounter does not finish the quest. You will need to progress considerably further into the campaign before discovering the puppet’s identity.
You can find Triple Threat under the Tales section of the quest menu. Its description reads: Three turbulent souls, one shared prison.
If you try to track the quest while still exploring Weeping Creek Valley, the game may display a message saying quest tracking is not available yet.
This is intentional. You need to progress to the later areas of the game to continue the quest.
Your next destination is Mirage Estate in Pangzhen, where you will discover the remaining memories of the Three-Faced Puppet.
Where to Find All Three Memory Flowers in Mirage Estate
Once you reach Mirage Estate, you will need to collect three Memory Flowers associated with the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet.
The first Memory Flower can be found near the Training Grounds bell, to the right of Yuding’s arena.
Finding it activates the next stage of the Triple Threat quest and marks the remaining flowers on your map.
Here are the locations of all three Memory Flowers.
1. The Wandering Healer – Training Grounds
The first Memory Flower, called The Wandering Healer, is located in the Training Grounds.
You will need to defeat Yuding, the No. 12 Crescent Blade Puppet, before accessing this area.
After the battle, explore the area around the Training Grounds bell and look for the Memory Flower near the right side of the arena.
Interact with it to collect the first memory.
2. Frost and Chaos – Mourning Hall
The second Memory Flower is called Frost and Chaos and can be found in the Mourning Hall.
You will reach this location during your exploration of Mirage Estate, where you will also encounter Qiu Feng, the Crimson Boneblade.
After defeating Qiu Feng, search the area for an altar. The second Memory Flower is placed on it.
Interact with the flower to add the second memory to your collection.
3. Three Souls as One – Leng Tu’s Study
The final Memory Flower is called Three Souls as One and is located inside Leng Tu’s study.
This one is slightly harder to find because it is hidden behind a secret passage.
Explore the corridors inside the study until you reach the end, where you will find a device that controls a scroll.
Interact with the device to move the scroll and reveal a hidden passageway. Enter the newly opened area and collect the third Memory Flower.
Once you have collected all three Memory Flowers, the game will direct you towards the Mirrorwood Entrance in Crimson Forest.
How to Get Blazing Edge in Phantom Blade Zero
Before you can fight the Three-Faced Puppet again, you need to obtain a special weapon upgrade called Blazing Edge.
Blazing Edge is a Soul Temper for the Sanguine Reach weapon. It converts Sha-Chi into fire; it is useful against the puppet.
You will need two components from Meigu Lake to obtain the required Flaming Grip/Roaring Flames materials.
1. Defeat Zhu Yuan, The Searing Blade
The first component is obtained by defeating Zhu Yuan, The Searing Blade.
To reach this boss, travel to Meigu Lake from northern Pangzhen and follow the northern shoreline. Continue exploring until you find a blocked passage.
Look for an exploding enemy nearby and use its explosion to destroy the barrier. This will open access to a lift that takes you deeper into the area.
Continue through the Sha-Chi Tower until you encounter Zhu Yuan. Defeat the boss to obtain the first required component.
2. Complete the Third Long Pillar Challenge
The second component is obtained by completing the third Long Pillar challenge in eastern Meigu Lake.
Travel to the Long Pillar area and complete the challenge to receive the remaining material.
Make sure you have both components before proceeding.
3. Soul Temper Sanguine Reach into Blazing Edge
Once you collect the required materials, you can upgrade Sanguine Reach to Blazing Edge.
You must first meet Myst at the Order’s underground tavern in Pangzhen to unlock the relevant Soul Tempering option.
Visit the Forge and use the restored Flaming Grip to Soul Temper Sanguine Reach into Blazing Edge.
Make sure to upgrade the weapon before challenging Yucong.
This is important because the upcoming fight has a large health pool, and Blazing Edge is the required weapon for the encounter.
How to Find the Three-Faced Puppet in Mirrorwood
After collecting all three Memory Flowers and obtaining Blazing Edge, head to the Mirrorwood Entrance bell in Crimson Forest.
You will notice that the region has changed significantly. Parts of Crimson Forest are now covered in snow, and previously frozen rivers and ponds have become accessible.
The Three-Faced Puppet has moved to the northeastern section of Mirrorwood, near the location where you previously fought Bai Chilian.
Make your way through the area and continue towards the large tree where the earlier boss encounter took place.
You will eventually encounter Yucong, No. 34 Twisted Puppet.
Make sure Blazing Edge is equipped before starting the fight. This encounter is more difficult than the original battle in Weeping Creek Valley.
How to Beat Yucong, No. 34 Twisted Puppet
Yucong is the true identity of the Three-Faced Puppet. Unlike the first encounter, this battle features three different phases, with each phase introducing new attacks and mechanics.
The boss switches between Steel Mask, Frost Mask, and Chaos Mask forms. During the final phase, Yucong splits into three separate entities.
Phase 1 – Steel Mask
The first phase is relatively similar to your initial encounter with the Aberrant Three-Faced Puppet.
Yucong primarily uses the Steel Mask form, relying on spinning attacks, sudden movements, and teleportation to close the distance.
She will frequently disappear before reappearing near you with a quick attack.
Avoid rushing towards her whenever she vanishes. Instead, wait for her to reappear and prepare to dodge or counter.
Keep attacking whenever you get an opening, but avoid spending all your stamina on regular combos. You will need it to deal with her stronger attacks.
Phase 2 – Steel Mask, Frost Mask and Chaos Mask
The second phase introduces the other two identities of Yucong.
She will alternate between Steel Mask, Frost Mask, and Chaos Mask, with each form having a different set of attacks.
Steel Mask: This form focuses on powerful physical attacks. Its strikes can deal considerable damage, so watch for its attack animations and avoid getting caught in extended combos.
Frost Mask: This form uses ice-based attacks that build up freeze. Avoid standing in the path of its attacks for too long, as the accumulating frost makes the encounter more dangerous.
Chaos Mask: This is the most troublesome form because its fire-based attacks can drain both your health and Sha-Chi. Maintain your distance whenever it starts using these attacks.
To survive this phase, recognise which mask Yucong is using.
Do not approach every form in the same way. Look for openings after its attacks and use Blazing Edge to punish it.
Phase 3 – Three Puppets at Once
The final phase is where the fight becomes more difficult.
Yucong splits into three separate entities, with each one representing a different mask.
You will now have to deal with Steel Mask, Frost Mask, and Chaos Mask simultaneously.
This can be overwhelming because the three enemies can attack from different directions.
While you are dealing with one puppet, another can interrupt you with an attack.
The best approach is to focus on one enemy at a time rather than spreading your damage across all three.
Try to prioritise the Chaos Mask because its aggressive attacks can quickly drain your health and Sha-Chi.
Once you have dealt with one of the entities, the fight becomes easier to manage.
Use Blazing Edge’s charged attack to deal significant damage.
Its powerful attack is useful during this phase because you can eliminate one of the separate entities much faster.
Keep an eye on your health and Sha-Chi throughout the encounter.
Do not waste your healing items too early, as this phase can last longer than expected.
Best Equipment and Tips for the Yucong Boss Fight
Before entering the fight, make sure you have upgraded Blazing Edge as much as possible.
Fire Meteor is another useful ability, as its fire damage makes it effective against the puppet enemies.
For accessories, consider using the following combination:
| Accessory | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Ancient Armor Fragment | Damage negation |
| Jewel’s Knot | Increased HP |
| Resonance Talisman | Increased Sha-Chi |
| Talisman of Despair | Increased damage after not attacking |
| Battleforged | Periodically negates an instance of damage |
You should also upgrade your medicine before the encounter.
Kuye Dew and Merciful Dew are useful choices because they provide efficient health restoration, and Kuye Dew also offers damage negation.
Most importantly, do not get greedy with your attacks. Yucong has several opportunities to punish players who continue attacking without paying attention to incoming attacks.
Triple Threat Quest Rewards
After defeating Yucong, you will receive some valuable rewards for completing this encounter.
The main reward is Freezing Chaos, a one-handed sword previously wielded by Yucong.
It has a unique ability called Threefold Shift, which allows you to switch between three different states associated with the Steel, Frost, and Chaos forms.
This gives the weapon access to different damage effects, including frost and chaos fire.
You will also receive Chaos Iron Fragment II, a crafting material used for Soul Tempering the Sanguine Twin into Chaos Twin Daggers, provided you have the other required fragment.
These rewards make the Triple Threat quest worth completing, particularly if you enjoy experimenting with different weapons and combat styles.
