Valor Mortis Guide | All Bosses and How to Defeat Them

Boss fights are among the most challenging encounters in Valor Mortis, testing your mastery of parrying, dodging, firearms, and supernatural Transmutations. Each major enemy introduces different attack patterns, environmental hazards, and combat mechanics, requiring players to adapt their strategies rather than relying entirely on aggressive attacks.

There are 10 main bosses in Valor Mortis, all encountered through mandatory story progression. From General Lothaire, the Eagle-Bearer, to the final confrontation against the Entity, each boss presents a different challenge involving posture damage, weak points, and carefully timed counterattacks.

This guide covers all bosses in Valor Mortis, including their locations, chapters, attack patterns, and the best strategies for defeating them.

Spoiler warning: This guide reveals every main story boss, including the final encounter.

All Bosses in Valor Mortis

There are 10 mandatory main boss fights spread across the campaign. Although General Lothaire appears in both Chapters 1 and 2, his opening encounter is treated as an introductory defeat rather than a separate main boss.

Here is the complete boss list in story order:

• General Lothaire, the Eagle-Bearer – Chapter 2: Regroup
• The Iron Marshall – Chapter 3: Rendezvous
• Sphinx, Devourer of the Unworthy – Chapter 4: Dark Descent
• Slaughtermill – Chapter 5: Crime
• Anna, the Bride Drowned in Tears – Chapter 6: Punishment
• High Justicar Aurelius, Last of the Faithful – Chapter 7: Witch Hunt
• Experiment 83 – Chapter 7: Witch Hunt
• The Orphan – Chapter 8: Blasphemy
• Captain Raphael of the Nephtis Superioris – Chapter 9: In Ruins
• The Entity, Voice of the Void – Chapter 11: Reflection

There are no separate optional main bosses or post-game superbosses in the base campaign. 

How to Defeat All Bosses in Valor Mortis

General Lothaire, the Eagle-Bearer

Location: Valley of Ashes

Chapter: Chapter 2 – Regroup

General Lothaire is the first major boss in Valor Mortis. Although William encounters him during Chapter 1, the actual mandatory victory occurs during the Chapter 2 rematch.

Lothaire has two phases, each featuring a separate health bar. His attacks include melee combinations, ranged gunfire, and dangerous unblockable strikes.

During the second phase, his transformed arm introduces additional attacks, including powerful grabs.

To defeat General Lothaire:

• Use Fire Transmutation to apply burning damage.
• Target glowing weak points with the Pistol to increase posture damage.
• Parry regular sword attacks, but dodge attacks marked by a red glow.
• Watch for gunfire following melee combinations.
• Eliminate summoned soldiers quickly to avoid becoming surrounded.

Breaking Lothaire's posture creates opportunities for critical attacks, allowing you to deal significant damage during both phases.

The Iron Marshall

Location: Fallen Village, Orchard

Chapter: Chapter 3 – Rendezvous

The Iron Marshall is a heavily armored opponent that relies on slow but powerful melee attacks.

Although its attacks are relatively predictable, getting caught in a combination can quickly drain your health.

The arena contains explosive barrels that can be used to damage the boss, making environmental awareness especially important.

To defeat the Iron Marshall:

• Shoot explosive barrels when the boss approaches them.
• Avoid standing directly in front of its heavy weapon swings.
• Parry regular melee attacks to increase posture damage.
• Move behind the boss to expose its large weak point.
• Use the Blunderbuss against the exposed weak point for substantial damage.

The most effective strategy is to combine environmental explosions with carefully timed weak-point attacks rather than relying entirely on melee combat.

Sphinx, Devourer of the Unworthy

Location: Caverns

Chapter: Chapter 4 – Dark Descent

Sphinx is a two-phase boss that uses claw attacks, supernatural projectiles, and Stasis-based abilities.

During the first phase, its melee attacks can build Stasis when you fail to defend correctly. Becoming fully affected reduces your available Endurance, making continued combat significantly more dangerous.

The second phase introduces additional ranged attacks and exposes a vulnerable area on the boss's face.

To defeat Sphinx:

• Parry claw attacks to avoid unnecessary Stasis buildup.
• Dodge sideways to escape incoming purple projectiles.
• Shoot the airborne orb before it releases its ground-level shockwave.
• Target the exposed facial weak point during the second phase.
• Retreat immediately when the boss releases poisonous insects.

Focus on posture damage during the opening phase, then combine firearms with melee attacks once the facial weak point becomes available.

Slaughtermill

Location: Vale of Wrath, Old Windmill

Chapter: Chapter 5 – Crime

Slaughtermill is one of the most unusual bosses in Valor Mortis. Instead of fighting a conventional humanoid opponent, players must destroy a massive corrupted windmill through a combination of ranged attacks, environmental manipulation, and platforming.

The encounter features multiple stages, requiring players to identify exposed weak points while avoiding tentacles, ground spikes, and explosive projectiles.

To defeat Slaughtermill:

• Shoot the glowing weak points that appear around the windmill.
• Use Grapple to expose hidden mechanisms.
• Activate Stasis to stop the rotating machinery when necessary.
• Defeat summoned enemies to replenish ammunition.
• Use Nephtoglobin Formations to protect yourself during the fire sequence.
• During the final stage, destroy the tentacle weak points before attacking the central eye.

Unlike conventional boss fights, Slaughtermill rewards environmental awareness and accurate shooting more than repeated melee attacks.

A checkpoint becomes available during the later portion of the encounter, preventing you from having to repeat the entire battle after reaching that stage. 

Anna, the Bride Drowned in Tears

Location: Cursed Hollow

Chapter: Chapter 6 – Punishment

Anna is a boss who combines sudden attacks with waves of additional enemies. She frequently emerges from the water to perform dangerous strikes before disappearing and repositioning.

As her health decreases, villagers join the encounter, making crowd control increasingly important.

To defeat Anna:

• Dodge her unblockable attack when she emerges from the water.
• Counterattack during her recovery animation.
• Parry her regular melee combinations whenever possible.
• Eliminate summoned villagers before they surround you.
• Focus on Anna once her health becomes critically low.

Defeating Anna also eliminates her remaining summoned enemies, so prioritize finishing the boss when a safe opportunity appears.

High Justicar Aurelius, Last of the Faithful

Location: The Outskirts

Chapter: Chapter 7 – Witch Hunt

High Justicar Aurelius is a two-phase boss whose fighting style resembles that of the powerful Eternal Guardsman enemies encountered throughout Valor Mortis.

During the first phase, Aurelius relies on sword combinations that can be countered through precise parrying.

His second phase introduces a monstrous transformation, additional arm attacks, and dangerous unblockable jumping strikes.

To defeat High Justicar Aurelius:

• Focus on parrying his predictable sword combinations.
• Use Fire Transmutation to maintain damage between attacks.
• Avoid lengthy offensive combinations when he prepares a counterattack.
• Watch his transformed arm for incoming follow-up strikes.
• Delay your dodge slightly when he performs his airborne unblockable attack.

Parrying is particularly effective during both phases, allowing you to break his posture and land powerful critical attacks.

Experiment 83

Location: The Outskirts

Chapter: Chapter 7 – Witch Hunt

Experiment 83 is a monstrous enemy encountered later in Chapter 7. Unlike some earlier bosses, its attacks focus primarily on aggressive melee strikes and powerful unblockable grabs.

Its large body contains vulnerable weak points that can be targeted with firearms, although positioning can make certain areas difficult to reach.

To defeat Experiment 83:

• Maintain enough distance to recognize incoming grab attacks.
• Dodge sideways when the boss commits to an unblockable grab.
• Counterattack while it finishes its attack animation.
• Target exposed weak points with firearms whenever possible.
• Use Fire Transmutation to maintain additional damage while repositioning.

Avoid attacking continuously at close range. Instead, bait out a heavy attack, dodge away, and punish the recovery window.

The Orphan

Location: University

Chapter: Chapter 8 – Blasphemy

The Orphan is a two-phase boss featuring aggressive melee attacks, environmental hazards, and poison-based abilities.

During the first phase, the arena contains poisonous gas vents that can restrict your movement. The boss primarily attacks with its sword but can also perform jumping strikes and an unusual attack involving a weapon emerging from the ground.

The second phase introduces powerful arm combinations, a large pipe weapon, and a dangerous poison beam.

To defeat the Orphan:

• Avoid poisonous gas vents throughout the first phase.
• Use Fire Transmutation to maintain consistent damage.
• Dodge the moving sword attack when it approaches your position.
• Parry the second phase's regular arm combinations.
• Avoid the unblockable strike included in certain attack sequences.
• Move sideways when the boss releases its poisonous beam.

Fire Transmutation is particularly useful because the boss provides several openings between its attacks, allowing you to apply burning damage without committing to lengthy melee combinations.

Captain Raphael of the Nephtis Superioris

Location: Fortress

Chapter: Chapter 9 – In Ruins

Captain Raphael is one of the more demanding bosses in Valor Mortis, combining lengthy sword combinations, firearm attacks, Stasis effects, and the ability to heal himself.

Although the encounter uses a single health bar, Raphael introduces additional attacks as his health decreases.

His ability to restore health makes aggressive but controlled combat particularly important.

To defeat Captain Raphael:

• Learn the timing of his extended sword combinations and parry consistently.
• Dodge sideways whenever he prepares to fire his gun.
• Jump over the incoming Stasis shockwave.
• Watch for a second shockwave later in the encounter.
• Avoid the powerful unblockable sword strike when his weapon ignites.
• Close the distance when he retreats to reload or recover health.

The key to defeating Raphael is maintaining enough pressure to prevent unnecessary healing while avoiding reckless attacks that leave you vulnerable.

The Entity, Voice of the Void

Location: Entropy, accessed through the Ancient Lair

Chapter: Chapter 11 – Reflection

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The Entity is the final boss of Valor Mortis, combining mechanics from previous encounters into a demanding two-phase battle.

The boss relies on lengthy sword combinations, teleportation, ranged attacks, and summoned clones. During the second phase, several attacks become more dangerous, including additional unblockable strikes.

To defeat the Entity:

• Parry its regular sword combinations to build posture damage.
• Use Fire Transmutation between defensive exchanges.
• Dodge the tentacles launched after the boss teleports away.
• Destroy summoned clones quickly before they interfere with combat.
• Avoid the stronger unblockable Claymore attacks during the second phase.
• Capitalize on stagger opportunities with critical attacks.

During the transition between phases, the Entity summons additional clones while remaining temporarily unreachable. Use your Pistol or quick melee attacks to eliminate these enemies.

Once the second phase begins, prioritize defensive timing over aggression. Breaking the Entity's posture consistently is one of the safest ways to create opportunities for substantial damage. 

Best Tips for Defeating Bosses in Valor Mortis

Although every boss has different attack patterns and mechanics, several strategies remain effective throughout the campaign.

• Master parrying: Successful parries increase posture damage and create openings for critical attacks.
• Target weak points: Use firearms against glowing vulnerabilities to deal damage and replenish Nephtoglobin.
• Manage Endurance: Avoid exhausting your resources with unnecessary attacks and dodges.
• Use Transmutations strategically: Fire provides damage over time, while Stasis can help control dangerous enemies.
• Recognize unblockable attacks: Watch for red attack indicators and dodge instead of attempting to parry.
• Upgrade your equipment: Strengthen your preferred weapons and improve health and Endurance before challenging encounters.
• Activate nearby Lanterns: Rest and spend accumulated Catalysts before entering boss arenas.

Most importantly, avoid rushing into offensive combinations without understanding an enemy's attack patterns. A few carefully timed strikes are generally more effective than prolonged aggression.

Final Thoughts

Valor Mortis features 10 main bosses, each designed to test different aspects of its combat system. While encounters such as General Lothaire and High Justicar Aurelius emphasize parrying and posture damage, bosses like Slaughtermill require environmental awareness and precise ranged attacks.

As you progress through the campaign, mastering defensive timing, upgrading your equipment, and combining melee attacks with firearms and Transmutations will become increasingly important.

Focus on understanding each boss's mechanics, exploiting their vulnerabilities, and maintaining control of your resources. With enough practice, even the toughest encounters can be overcome without relying on reckless aggression.

FAQ

How many bosses are there in Valor Mortis?

A. There are 10 mandatory main bosses in Valor Mortis. All are encountered through story progression, and there are no separate optional main bosses in the base game.

Q. Who is the final boss in Valor Mortis?

A. The Entity, Voice of the Void, is the final boss encountered during Chapter 11: Reflection.

Q. What is the hardest boss in Valor Mortis?

A. The Entity and Captain Raphael are among the most demanding encounters due to their lengthy attack combinations, dangerous special attacks, and the importance of precise parrying.

Q. Can you skip bosses in Valor Mortis?

A. No. All 10 main bosses are required for story progression. However, General Lothaire's initial Chapter 1 encounter can end in defeat without preventing further progression.