How to Unlock the True Ending in Phantom Blade Zero
Unlocking the true ending in Phantom Blade Zero requires far more than simply progressing through the main story. One of the most important hidden objectives is completing the Bloodline Awakening questline, which tasks players with discovering all five Long Pillars scattered across the world. Each pillar is guarded by dangerous enemies, hidden behind optional exploration paths, or locked behind progression mechanics that many players may initially overlook.
The challenge is that none of these pillars are marked clearly, and several require completing additional objectives before they can even be accessed. Missing a single location can prevent players from experiencing one of the game's most significant endings.
This guide covers every Long Pillar location, the fastest paths to reach them, important requirements, boss encounters, rewards, and tips for surviving the difficult battles awaiting you.
Long Pillars Explained
The Long Pillars are sacred locations connected to the Bloodline Awakening questline. Activating each one triggers a memory sequence followed by a challenging combat encounter. Defeating the enemy associated with a pillar allows progression toward unlocking the true ending.
Every pillar must be activated before advancing into the final stages of the story.
| Requirement | Needed For |
|---|---|
| Activate Long Pillar 1 | Bloodline Awakening Progress |
| Activate Long Pillar 2 | Bloodline Awakening Progress |
| Activate Long Pillar 3 | Bloodline Awakening Progress |
| Activate Long Pillar 4 | Bloodline Awakening Progress |
| Activate Long Pillar 5 | Bloodline Awakening Completion |
| Complete all pillars | True Ending Access |
| Defeat all related bosses | Final Quest Completion |
Before Starting Your Hunt
Several abilities significantly simplify the process.
| Ability | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hunter's Chain Sickle | Required for vertical traversal |
| Axe Upgrade | Needed to destroy barriers |
| Boat Access | Required for western Magu Lake |
| Main Story Progress | Needed to reach Pangzen locations |
| Mirror Quest Progression | Required for one hidden pillar |
If you have not unlocked the Hunter's Chain Sickle yet, continue progressing through the story until it becomes available.
Long Pillar One Location in Weeping Creek Valley
The first Long Pillar can be confusing because it requires obtaining a hidden key before the proper route becomes available.
Travel to the Shachi Tower Summit in Weeping Creek Valley. Climb to the top section of the tower and look toward the glowing orange objective marker in the distance.
Using the Hunter's Chain Sickle, grapple upward and collect the key located near the summit.
After obtaining the key, fast travel to the Creek Valley Plains Entrance.
A previously locked gate can now be opened.
Move through the newly accessible area and continue along the path until reaching a building containing a bell. Entering triggers a story sequence involving Soul.
Before leaving, collect the chest hidden behind the building since it contains another key required for the next section.
Cross the nearby bridge and eliminate the enemies guarding the path. Climb the wall beyond them and proceed to the structure ahead.
Open the door and descend into the lower corridor.
Fight through the enemies inside and continue to the end of the hall. Use your axe to destroy the obstruction blocking progress.
Beyond the hallway sits the first Long Pillar.
Interact with it to trigger the first awakening sequence.
First Long Pillar Boss Strategy
The guardian here is fast and aggressive but becomes manageable once your gear improves.
Recommended weapons include:
- Scarlet Wraith Blade
- Balanced stagger builds
- Soul Drain focused equipment
Patience is key. Wait for openings after combo strings and avoid panic dodging.
If defeating the boss feels difficult, return later after obtaining stronger equipment.
Long Pillar Two Location in Crimson Forest
The second Long Pillar is located inside the Crimson Forest region.
Start from the Mirrorwood Entrance.
Behind the bell area is a breakable debris pile. Destroy it to reveal a ladder.
Continue downward through a second hidden ladder nearby.
At the bottom, move toward the tree and cave entrance ahead.
Inside the cave, follow the passage while collecting the valuable flower resource along the way.
Use the Chain Sickle route leading upward and continue traversing the elevated pathways.
Eventually you will arrive at a resting location overlooking a long platform.
A cutscene plays upon arrival.
Continue forward to discover the second Long Pillar.
Second Long Pillar Boss Strategy
Many players consider this battle noticeably harder than the first.
The boss has high mobility and frequently interrupts healing opportunities.
Recommended setup:
| Weapon | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Scarlet Wraith Blade | Strong resource pressure |
| Fast Daggers | Easier punishment windows |
| High Stagger Weapons | Breaks aggressive combos |
Focus on conserving resources early rather than spending everything immediately.
The later phases become far safer if you maintain stamina discipline.
Long Pillar Three Location at Magu Lake
The third pillar is tied closely to the hidden mirror-related content inside Magu Lake.
Many players naturally discover portions of this route during exploration, but finding the exact destination can still be confusing.
Progress through the Mirror-related questline until reaching the hidden region connected to the Four Guardians content.
Eventually you gain access to the Phantom Illusionist Ruins.
This area lacks a traditional world map, which makes navigation difficult.
Continue moving deeper until finding a gate beside a bell.
Destroy the obstruction and proceed through.
Veteran players often identify the area by the nearby pirate ship landmark.
From the bell, continue deeper into the ruins.
The third Long Pillar lies ahead.
Third Long Pillar Boss Strategy
This guardian focuses heavily on spacing and ranged pressure.
Many attacks cover significant portions of the arena.
The Bishon Storm Swords perform exceptionally well because they allow continuous damage without committing to lengthy attack animations.
Important tips include:
- Stay mobile.
- Avoid corners.
- Save healing for large openings.
- Prioritize survival over damage output.
Once defeated, the pillar sequence concludes and the next location becomes available.
Exploring the Hidden Mirror Routes
A large portion of players become lost while searching for this particular pillar because the Phantom Illusionist region removes many of the navigation conveniences found elsewhere in the game.
A good rule is to watch for environmental storytelling.
Broken pathways, bells, ruined gates, and visual landmarks all help indicate the intended direction.
Unlike several other areas, exploration here rewards observation more heavily than combat performance.
The developers clearly intended players to carefully investigate the surroundings rather than rushing toward objective markers.
Long Pillar Four Location in Western Magu Lake
The fourth Long Pillar sits within one of the most isolated locations in Phantom Blade Zero.
Travel to any major dock in Magu Lake.
The White Serpent House Dock serves as one of the best starting points.
Using your boat, head toward the far western side of the lake.
A prominent red rope structure acts as a visual guide.
Follow this route until reaching a hidden landing area.
Dock the boat and move inland.
Several enemies patrol the immediate area, but they can either be defeated or ignored.
Unlike previous Long Pillars, this one is surprisingly easy to locate once arriving at the island.
The pillar sits directly ahead.
Interact with it to trigger the awakening event and subsequent encounter.
Fourth Long Pillar Boss Strategy
The fourth guardian rewards aggressive play.
Defensive approaches often allow the boss to establish pressure and dictate the pace of the battle.
Consider:
| Strategy | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Aggressive Melee | Excellent |
| Counter Focus | Very Good |
| Constant Backstepping | Poor |
| Resource Hoarding | Poor |
Stay close whenever possible.
Many of the boss's strongest attacks become less threatening when fighting near their hitbox.
Long Pillar Five Location in Pangzen
The final Long Pillar is located within one of the most story-heavy regions in the game.
Fortunately, reaching this location naturally aligns with main quest progression.
Players must first advance through the Mirage Estate storyline.
Key locations include:
- Green Serpent House
- Estate Rear Gate
- New Mass Altar
- Back Hill
- Zhang's Hideout
- Opera House
- Training Grounds
- Morning Hall
After progressing through these story areas and defeating multiple major bosses, eventually reach Morning Hall.
From here, proceed toward the Covered Corridor.
This is where the route becomes slightly hidden.
Move through the connected buildings while eliminating enemies along the way.
Watch for the purple energy lines running across the walls.
These mark the correct path.
Use the hidden grapple point near the end of the corridor.
Follow the elevated route around the structure and continue upward.
After climbing several walls and crossing multiple platforms, you will finally reach the fifth and final Long Pillar.
Activate it to begin the last Bloodline Awakening encounter.
Final Long Pillar Boss Strategy
This is easily the most dangerous fight related to the Long Pillars.
On higher difficulties, certain attacks can eliminate players almost instantly.
The battle tests everything learned throughout the game:
- Timing
- Positioning
- Resource management
- Defensive reactions
- Pattern recognition
The biggest mistake players make is becoming greedy when the boss appears vulnerable.
Landing one additional hit is rarely worth risking a devastating counterattack.
Remain calm, identify attack patterns, and capitalize on safe windows.
Long Pillar Location Summary
| Long Pillar | Region | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Long Pillar 1 | Weeping Creek Valley | Medium |
| Long Pillar 2 | Crimson Forest | Medium |
| Long Pillar 3 | Phantom Illusionist Ruins | High |
| Long Pillar 4 | Western Magu Lake | Medium |
| Long Pillar 5 | Pangzen Mirage Estate | Very High |
Rewards for Completing All Long Pillars
Completing the Bloodline Awakening questline provides access to some of the game's most important content.
Rewards include:
- Bloodline Awakening completion
- Progress toward the true ending
- Hidden story revelations
- Unique boss encounters
- Additional character lore
- Special mask rewards
- Enhanced weapon upgrade opportunities
- Sanguine Soul Temper access
The narrative payoff is particularly significant since it reveals information unavailable through the normal ending route.
Common Mistakes Players Make
One of the biggest mistakes is attempting the Long Pillar content immediately upon reaching a new area.
Several encounters become dramatically easier after obtaining stronger weapons and upgrades.
Another common issue is failing to fully explore side routes.
Many key items are tucked behind optional paths, making progression appear blocked when the solution is actually located nearby.
Players also frequently forget to revisit old regions after unlocking traversal tools.
The Hunter's Chain Sickle opens numerous routes that cannot be accessed during an initial visit.
Taking time to backtrack can reveal valuable resources and shortcuts.
How the Long Pillars Connect to the True Ending
The Long Pillars represent far more than optional exploration objectives.
Their purpose is tied directly to uncovering hidden truths about the world and activating the conditions required for the Bloodline Awakening storyline.
Without completing all five pillars, key events leading toward the game's secret conclusion remain unavailable.
Because of this, players pursuing full completion should treat the Long Pillars as mandatory objectives rather than optional side content.
Finishing all five ensures that every major narrative thread is available before entering the final portion of the game.
FAQ
Do I need all five Long Pillars for the true ending?
Yes. Completing every Long Pillar and finishing the Bloodline Awakening questline is required to unlock the true ending path.
Can I miss any Long Pillars permanently?
No. You can return to previous regions after unlocking additional traversal abilities and continue your search.
Which Long Pillar is hardest to find?
Most players struggle with the Phantom Illusionist Ruins pillar because the area lacks a traditional map and relies heavily on environmental navigation.
What ability is required for the first Long Pillar?
You need the Hunter's Chain Sickle to access the key that opens the route.
Which boss is the most difficult?
The guardian encountered at the fifth Long Pillar is generally considered the toughest due to its speed, damage output, and ability to punish mistakes.
What reward unlocks after all pillars are completed?
Completing all five pillars advances the Bloodline Awakening questline, grants special rewards, improves Sanguine progression options, and unlocks the path toward the true ending.
Can I return later if a boss is too difficult?
Yes. Most players benefit from returning after acquiring stronger equipment, weapon upgrades, and additional combat abilities.
Is the Bloodline Awakening quest worth doing?
Absolutely. It contains some of the most memorable fights, hidden lore, and important story revelations in Phantom Blade Zero while unlocking one of the game's most sought-after endings.
Stay Connected with Haplo Gaming Chef
Haplo Gaming Chef blends gaming guides with casual cooking streams for a truly unique viewer experience. Whether you’re here for clean, no-nonsense walkthroughs or just want to chill with some cozy cooking content between game sessions, this is the place for you. From full game unlock guides to live recipe prep and casual chats, Haplo Gaming Chef delivers content that’s both informative and enjoyable.
You Can Follow Along On Every Major Platform:
YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, Pinterest, Flipboard, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and even on Google Business, X/Twitter
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment