Code Vein 2: How to Defeat Franz the Dejected Assailant – A Complete Boss Guide

The Ultimate Challenge: Franz the Dejected Assailant

If you thought Code Vein 2 would be a breeze after the first hour, think again! Just when you’re getting comfortable with the mechanics, you’ll encounter Franz the Dejected Assailant – a boss fight that will test every skill you’ve learned so far. This isn’t just any ordinary boss battle; defeating Franz is crucial as it changes the past and unlocks Noah as your companion in the present timeline. The stakes are high, and so is the difficulty!

I remember struggling with this boss for hours, dying repeatedly and questioning my life choices. But after countless attempts and learning from each failure, I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to help you conquer this formidable foe. Whether you’re a seasoned Souls-like veteran or new to the genre, these strategies will give you the edge you need to emerge victorious.

Phase One: The Dejected Assailant

The Parrying Revelation

Let me be brutally honest with you – parrying is your best friend in this fight. I know what you’re thinking: “Parrying sounds terrifying when I have all these shields and defensive tools!” Trust me, I felt the same way. But here’s the game-changing truth: equipping a Forma that enables parrying is essentially mandatory against the Dejected Assailant.

You can obtain this crucial Forma by talking to one of Jadwiga’s Minions in MagMell, conveniently located next to the sparring arena. This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a necessity that will transform this seemingly impossible fight into something manageable.

Noah: Your Secret Weapon

Before we dive into the mechanics, make absolutely sure that Noah is out on the field with you. Attempting to duel the Dejected Assailant solo is a recipe for frustration. Noah serves as more than just moral support – he actively draws aggro away from you, creating precious openings for you to deal damage safely.

Mastering the Dejected Assailant’s Arsenal

The Lightning-Fast Dash Attack

The Dejected Assailant is incredibly aggressive and will close distances with a lightning-fast dash if you maintain too much space. Here’s the beautiful part: this dash attack is one of his easiest moves to parry. You can intentionally bait it out, forcing the boss into a vulnerable position where you can punish him severely.

The Devastating Melee Combo

During this phase, the Dejected Assailant’s melee combinations are your primary concern. He’ll swipe at you with his claws and perform a three-hit combo using his bayonet. The bayonet combination is particularly parry-friendly due to its clear telegraphs and extended windups. Learning the timing for this specific attack will be your key to success.

The Ranged Magic-Infused Bullets

If you maintain distance, the Dejected Assailant can shoot you with magic-infused bullets. These projectiles have a brief delay before firing, so resist the urge to dodge immediately upon seeing them. The most effective strategy is simply sprinting sideways to avoid these attacks entirely.

Idris’s Conceit: Your Damage Dealer

To survive this phase, focus on mastering the parry timing for the Dejected Assailant’s bayonet combo. Once you’ve staggered him, that’s your cue to go absolutely berserk with your attacks. You can also deal significant damage while he’s focused on Noah, essentially getting free hits.

This is where Idris’s Conceit becomes your secret weapon. This newly-unlocked battle axe Forma deals massive damage, but it comes with a catch – it has a long windup period, leaving you vulnerable during the attack animation. The perfect strategy is to use it only when the boss is distracted, such as when he’s attacking Noah. Even better, this Forma applies Slow to all enemies in its attack radius, making it significantly easier to land subsequent hits on the Dejected Assailant.

Phase Two: Franz the Dejected Assailant

The Transformation

Halfway through the fight, prepare yourself for a dramatic transformation as the boss evolves into Franz the Dejected Assailant, kicking off the significantly more challenging second phase. Franz gains access to deadly new abilities that will keep you on your toes throughout this entire phase.

The Teleportation Nightmare

The most critical mechanic to master in this phase is Franz’s new teleportation attack. Watch for the telltale sign: Franz will begin to glow before teleporting directly to your location. Upon arrival, he performs a three-hit combo that concludes with an area-of-effect attack. Here’s the crucial detail: the first hit after the teleport is incredibly parry-friendly. Master this timing, and you’ll turn what seems like an unavoidable attack into a massive opportunity.

The Ground-Sweeping Claw Attack

Franz introduces a new attack where he drags his claw along the ground before swinging it upward. This attack has an extended windup period, which can trick you into dodging too early. Patience is absolutely essential here – don’t let the lengthy preparation fool you into making premature movements.

The Deadly Beam Attacks

Prepare for Franz to unleash a barrage of long-range beam attacks during this phase. His primary beam attack sweeps horizontally across the entire arena. The correct response is to dodge through these beams rather than away from them. Additionally, Franz can launch purple waves directly at you, but these can be easily avoided by simply sprinting to the side.

The Immobilizing Purple Blast

One of Franz’s most dangerous new abilities is a projectile attack that can completely immobilize you. Avoiding this attack is absolutely critical – you cannot afford to get caught by this. Franz will glow purple before firing this projectile, and it moves slowly enough that you can dodge it with a sideways roll. Consider this attack your top priority to avoid throughout the entire fight.

The Aggressive Second Phase

Beyond these new mechanics, Franz’s second phase essentially amplifies everything from the first phase. He becomes more aggressive, attacks more frequently, and has less downtime between moves. The key to surviving this phase is maintaining your composure and avoiding greed. Let Noah serve as your damage sponge whenever possible – he’s there to absorb hits while you wait for safe opportunities to strike.

The Safety Net: Noah’s Revival Ability

Here’s a crucial tactical advantage that many players overlook: Noah can revive you if you go down while he’s active in the battle. When this happens, he’ll temporarily retreat but will return after a few seconds. You can get revived this way as many times as needed throughout the fight. As long as you play conservatively when Noah is absent, you essentially have an unlimited number of second chances. This safety net is what will ultimately carry you through this challenging encounter.

Victory and Rewards

Defeating the Dejected Assailant is about more than just progression – it’s a pivotal moment in your journey. Victory unlocks Franz’s Blood Code, giving you access to powerful new abilities. More importantly, you’ve changed the past, ensuring that Noah survives to the present day. You’ll now be able to summon him as a reliable companion as you continue your journey to defeat the five heroes scattered across the map.

How to beat Franz the Dejected Assailant in Code Vein 2