Crimson Forest Guide: Bosses, Thieves' Camp and Loot (Phantom Blade Zero)

The Crimson Forest is the second major region of Phantom Blade Zero and the point where the difficulty climbs noticeably. It introduces mounted enemies, shields and bleed-heavy opponents, and it ends with Bai Chilian, a boss many players remember as their first real wall. The forest is also home to the Thieves' Camp, the single densest cluster of accessories in the early game, and to Quick Hand Zhang, a merchant whose requests lead to Phantom Edges and true-ending progress.

Crimson Forest at a glance

The AllThings.How interactive map tracks 19 bells, 16 boss markers and 13 chests in Crimson Forest. Bells are checkpoints and upgrade stations, so unlocking every one makes backtracking much faster. Boss markers include optional fights as well as story bosses, and chests are where many accessories and upgrade materials are hidden. You can tick these off on our interactive map and the collectibles checklist.

Bosses and how to approach them

Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic opens the region. Interrupt his drinking with the Dread Axe, dodge the red attack after his side-spin, and roll away from his breakdance area attack. Full details in our Hua Qianxiao guide.

Ying Ye, the Outlaw fights on horseback for the first half of his health and then on foot with a shield. PCGamesN recommends bringing a shield-breaking weapon, preferably one with range, and warns that when he drops smoke a leaping attack follows, then a blue attack you should parry. Watch your bleed meter against his shield attacks. He drops the Outlaw Warblade, a lifesteal weapon.

Bai Chilian, the Sacrificial Serpent is the chapter boss. Let her come to you, dodge the ribbon snakes and prepare for the red attack after her black-and-white drain. See the Bai Chilian guide.

Optional fights include Stone Hand Iron Fever, a hidden boss south of the Mirrorwood Entrance bell who drops the Iron Gauntlets edge according to TechWiser. Later in the game, Mirrorwood also hosts Yucong, No. 34 Twisted Puppet, who guards the Freezing Chaos weapon. A Lóng Pillar is in the Crimson Forest near Iron Fever and Mirrorwood, per games.gg.

Weapons found in Crimson Forest

These primary weapons can be obtained here, based on KeenGamer's weapon list:

• The Fanatic's Broken Blade: Defeat Hua Qianxiao, the Sword Fanatic, near Pangzhen Bridge Overlook.
• Outlaw Warblade: Defeat Jing Ye, the Outlaw, near Outlaw Trap.
• White Serpent & Crimson Viper: Defeat Bai Chilian, Lady of the Twin Serpents; received after waking in Village of Lu.
• Freezing Chaos: Late-game: complete Triple Threat, obtain Blazing Edge, defeat Yucong (No. 34 Twisted Puppet) in Mirrorwood.

Phantom Edges in Crimson Forest

Phantom Edges are your secondary weapons; you equip two at a time, and they run on Remnant Spark charges. According to TechWiser, the following edges come from this region:

• Flying Dagger (Ranged, DMG 251 / Guard Break 216): Complete Quick Hand Zhang's three-relic request. Soul Tempering: Quick Hand's Manual → Quickhand Mastery.
• Iron Gauntlets (Martial, DMG 261 / Guard Break 223): Defeat optional boss Stone Hand Iron Fever south of Mirrorwood Entrance bell. Soul Tempering: Worldbreaker Fist → Fist Wave.

Compare every edge on the Phantom Edges page.

Accessories in Crimson Forest

AllThings.How lists 11 accessories in this region. The name in parentheses is the closest bell, which is the easiest way to find each one:

• Cavalrybane (Offensive): +25% damage to mounted enemies. Location: (Trail of Cages), chest.
• Quick Hand Pendant (Offensive): +10% One-Handed weapon damage. Location: (Thieves' Camp).
• Seal of Dugu (Offensive): +8% Sha-Chi depletion from Sha-Chi Combos. Location: (Thieves' Camp).
• Shieldbreaker Talisman (Offensive): +50% Shield Durability damage; -30% Spiked Shield damage taken. Location: (Abandoned Main Road), chest.
• Brass Chest Guard (Support): -30% Sha-Chi drain while holding Guard Stance. Location: (Lakeside Arch Bridge), chest.
• Chaos Ring (Support): Chaos Flame inflicts Sha-Chi Burn and restores 50% of Sha-Chi lost. Location: (Threadbound Great Tree), chest.
• Resonance Talisman (Support): +15% Sha-Chi. Location: (Bai Chilian drop).
• Silent Wrap (Support): -50% footstep and assassination noise. Location: (Thieves' Camp), Honor Among Thieves.
• Calming Gourd (Defensive): Medicine clears Guard Break and freezes Sha-Chi use for 3s. Location: (Thieves' Camp).
• Frostward (Defensive): -50% Chill and Freeze duration. Location: (Crimson Forest Sha-Chi Tower Gate), chest.
• Preservation Jar (Defensive): -50% poison damage taken. Location: (Thieves' Camp).

See all 66 in the accessories database.

Tips for this region

• Visit the Thieves' Camp bell carefully. AllThings.How lists five accessories around it: Quick Hand Pendant, Seal of Dugu, Silent Wrap, Calming Gourd and Preservation Jar.
• Seal of Dugu is missable, according to GameRant. After the Crimson Forest part of Secrets of the Baishan Sect, return to the rope bridge near Thieves' Camp and accuse Ju ("It was you who killed her") to fight her for it; choosing to mourn instead locks it out. Read our missable items guide before making choices there.
• Bring a shield breaker; the Shieldbreaker Talisman from the Abandoned Main Road chest boosts shield damage by fifty percent.
• Quick Hand Zhang's three-relic request rewards the Flying Dagger edge. See the Quick Hand Zhang guide.
• Frostward, in a chest at the Crimson Forest Sha-Chi Tower Gate, becomes valuable later against the Blizzard Blademaster.

Related reading: Weeping Creek Valley guide, Best accessories, Long Pillar locations. The next region in our series is the Village of Lu guide.