Wan Jun, the Coppermaul is an optional boss found in the Mandate Encampment, behind the chained barricade near the Beneath the Watchtower bell. Defeating him rewards you with the Bashpole, one of the heavier Phantom Edges in the game.
Wan Jun is a very straightforward heavyweight boss. He is slow, his attacks are heavily telegraphed, and most of his moves leave him exposed for a long time afterward.
That does not make him harmless, though.
His attacks hit extremely hard, his hammer has excellent range, and several of his moves kick up enough dust to obscure your vision. Most deaths against Wan Jun come from getting impatient and attacking before one of his heavy strings has actually finished.
He has one phase.
This guide was written and tested on Hellwalker difficulty.
Boss Mechanics Phase 1
Heavy Hammer Strings
Wan Jun's main offense consists of large horizontal swings, overhead slams, and body-heavy hammer attacks.
Most of these attacks are very slow compared to other bosses, which makes them relatively easy to parry once you understand the timing.
The main danger is their damage.
A single missed parry can take a large amount of HP, especially on Hellwalker, so do not become careless just because his attacks are easy to read.
Wan Jun also has very long recovery animations after many of his heavier attacks. These are your main damage windows.
Instead of trying to interrupt him mid-string, let him fully commit to the attack, avoid or parry it, then punish while he recovers.
Ramming Charges
Wan Jun can lower his body and charge directly toward you.
He can repeat this several times, and the attack covers a surprising amount of distance.
Do not immediately attack after the first charge.
Wait until you are sure he has finished the full sequence. Some versions end with Wan Jun stumbling or falling over, leaving him completely exposed for several seconds.
These recovery windows are among the safest opportunities in the entire fight.
The easiest response is usually to dodge sideways rather than retreating directly backward.
Spinning Attack
Wan Jun can begin spinning with the Bashpole, sweeping a large area around himself.
The attack looks intimidating because of its size, but it is another move with a very clear ending.
Stay outside the sweep or defend until the full animation finishes.
Once the spin ends, Wan Jun can stumble and leave himself open, giving you enough time for a much longer punish than you would normally get against most bosses.
Do not move back in too early. Getting clipped by the final rotation is one of the easiest ways to throw away an otherwise free opening.
Dust Attacks
Wan Jun frequently throws or kicks up large amounts of dust, temporarily obscuring your vision.
This is one of the most dangerous parts of the fight, not because the dust itself deals damage, but because Wan Jun continues attacking while you cannot clearly see him.
When your screen becomes covered in dust, do not panic and start attacking.
Create some distance and prepare for his next move.
The safest rule is to assume that another attack is coming immediately.
Red Grab
Wan Jun's most dangerous single attack is his Red Flash grab.
He lunges forward and attempts to catch you at close range. If it connects, the damage is extremely high.
This attack is particularly dangerous because he can use it while the arena is obscured by dust.
If your vision suddenly becomes blocked, stay ready on your dodge rather than trying to locate him visually first.
React to the Red Flash and move away.
This is not an attack you want to gamble on blocking.
Grounded Hammer Push
Wan Jun also has an attack where he drives the hammer along the ground while advancing toward you.
The Bashpole's size gives this move a surprisingly large hitbox, so moving directly backward is risky.
Dodge to the side and let him pass.
Like most of his larger attacks, the recovery afterward gives you a good opportunity to punish.
Punishing Wan Jun
Wan Jun is one of the clearest examples of a boss where patience directly translates into damage.
Almost every major attack leaves him exposed afterward.
You generally want to punish:
the end of his charge sequence
the end of his spinning attack
large overhead slams
any attack that causes him to fall or stumble
Do not waste these openings on one or two light attacks if you have enough time for something stronger.
Because his recoveries are so long, slower weapons and high-damage abilities are very effective here.
Sha-Chi Pressure
Wan Jun's slow attack speed also makes him relatively easy to pressure through Sha-Chi damage.
If you consistently parry his normal hammer strings, his Sha-Chi can drop very quickly.
Once you create a break, use the full opening aggressively. His large body and slow recovery make him especially easy to punish after losing his guard.
Weapons or Phantom Edges with strong Guard Break or Sha-Chi damage work particularly well against him.
General Strategy
Wan Jun is a boss that punishes greed far more than mechanical difficulty.
Stay patient and let him commit first.
His attacks are slow enough that you usually have time to clearly recognize what he is doing, but that advantage disappears if you attack too early and lock yourself into an animation.
Parry his normal hammer strings when you are comfortable with the timing, dodge sideways against charges and grounded attacks, and always respect the dust mechanic.
The biggest danger is allowing the dust to make you panic.
If your vision is obscured, stop attacking, create space, and prepare for the Red Grab or another heavy follow-up.
Once his attack ends, move back in and punish the long recovery.
