Revision 6

Overview

The Reed Devil, also called "The Devil of the Reed Fields," is a boss on Frozen Soul Mountain. He was first shown at Gamescom 2024 as one of four playable boss fights in the demo. Pearl Abyss released a dedicated gameplay trailer for the encounter.

He is a short, fast swordsman who fights with iaijutsu (quick-draw sword techniques) and retreats into the surrounding wheat and reed fields between attacks. ButWhyTho's preview called the fight "less about dodging and more about letting go of being afraid of taking damage." This is a DPS race, not a patience test.

Lore

Pearl Abyss's official description: the Reed Devil was "once a slum-dweller" who "was to die there, as an outcast." Upon donning his mask, he "rewrote his destiny" and now terrorizes the citizens of Hernand as a bogeyman of local legend. One preview described him as "an unwanted bastard child who became disgustingly amoral as a result," giving the boss significant story presence within the encounter.

The Reed Devil escapes after defeat rather than dying outright. This is a narrative choice, not a gameplay mechanic.

Arena

The fight takes place in an open reed and wheat field on Frozen Soul Mountain. Multiple reviewers describe fighting "in the middle of a field of wheat" with "shrubs whirling around." TheSixthAxis compared the setting to "a vision out of a Robert Eggers film." The terrain is part of the fight. The boss uses the tall reeds for concealment.

Combat: phase 1

Standard melee combat. The Reed Devil flits in and out of the reeds, teleporting behind you to deliver rapid sword strikes. He uses iaijutsu (quick-draw sword techniques) with devastating speed. PCGamesN noted that "parrying and dodging in tandem" are necessary in this phase. You chase him around the arena, dealing small amounts of damage each time he pauses to attack.

His iaijutsu strikes are fast but individually weak. The danger is cumulative. GamingBolt described it as "death by a thousand cuts" rather than single devastating blows.

Combat: phase 2 (totems)

The Reed Devil summons multiple wicker totems across the arena. While the totems stand, he is invulnerable. You have to destroy the totems while he continues attacking. The bow with explosive arrows is specifically recommended for this phase. TheSixthAxis noted the bow "comes in particularly handy for destroying totems that made Reed Devil hard to pin down."

He also summons clones and distractions during this phase to keep you disoriented. The combination of totem-hunting, clone-dodging, and ongoing melee pressure makes phase 2 the hardest part of the fight.

Combat: phase 3

After the totems are destroyed, the Reed Devil enters a final phase with increased aggression and deadlier attacks. The invulnerability is gone. This is a straight burn phase where you need to finish him before the accumulated chip damage catches up.

Strategy

• Stay aggressive. Passive play lets him chip you down. Close the gap so when he teleports, he reappears nearby.

• Save explosive arrows for phase 2 totems. Use the bow's Precision Focus slow-motion targeting to hit totems while dodging.

• Learn the parry timing for his iaijutsu slashes. The strikes are fast but telegraphed.

• Watch for clone tells. The real Reed Devil is the one that deals damage.

See Boss Battles for how boss rewards work and Weapons & Equipment for the explosive arrow loadout.