Facing Dalang, the massive white horse boss in Where Winds Meet, can feel overwhelming for new players. This campaign boss appears during the “A Horse Neighs in the Forest” quest at the Ruined Temple and requires both precision and patience. Here’s everything you need to conquer this challenging encounter.
Table of Contents
Where Winds Meet: Dalang Boss Fight Overview
| Boss Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Dalang (White Horse) |
| Location | Ruined Temple, Heaven’s Pier |
| Quest | A Horse Neighs in the Forest |
| Fight Phases | 2 (Normal and Corrupted) |
| Companion | Horse Dancer (Drummer) |
| Difficulty | Medium |
| Rewards | Evening Snow Buff, Infernal Twinblades, Panacea Fan |
Phase 1: Dalang and the Horse Dancer
Entering the Battle Arena
Drop through the hole in the Ruined Temple’s roof since the main door remains locked. Inside, you’ll encounter a small figure with a golden mask playing a drum—the Horse Dancer—along with Dalang, a massive white horse with flowing mane.
Combat Strategy
The challenge lies in managing two opponents simultaneously. Dalang charges aggressively with melee rams while the Horse Dancer shoots projectiles from a distance. Keep both enemies in your camera frame to avoid getting blindsided.
Key Tactics:
- Prioritize Dalang: Focus your attacks on the horse while maintaining awareness of the drummer’s ranged attacks
- Stay Mobile: Dalang’s charge attacks cover significant distance—dodge sideways rather than backward
- Watch for Kicks: The horse performs devastating hind-leg kicks and front-leg stomps that can interrupt combos
- Parry Red Attacks: Time your parries perfectly on red-glowing attacks for massive counterattack damage
- Dodge Gold Attacks: Gold-glowing attacks cannot be parried—always dodge these
Stagger Management
When the stagger gauge nearly depletes, wait until the last moment before executing your special punishment attack to maximize damage output while the enemy is helpless. This technique significantly reduces fight duration.
Phase 2: Corrupted Dalang
After defeating Dalang initially, the Horse Dancer intervenes and curses the horse with a purple pustule, transforming it with a strange red aura and increased speed. This second phase demands sharper reflexes.
Phase 2 Adjustments:
- Dalang moves noticeably faster—adjust dodge timing accordingly
- Attack patterns remain similar but execute quicker
- The Horse Dancer disintegrates after cursing Dalang, leaving you in a one-on-one fight
- Maintain aggressive pressure while respecting the increased speed
Post-Battle Events
After the apparent victory, a cutscene triggers where you check on the fallen horse, only for it to attack you suddenly before Aunt Han arrives with her kunai to subdue the threat. This dramatic moment advances the main story questline.
Loot and Rewards
Search the temple thoroughly after victory. You’ll find:
- Evening Snow Basic Buff: Passive HP recovery when dropping below 60% health
- Infernal Twinblades: New dual-blade weapon
- Panacea Fan: Support weapon option
- Martial Arts Scrolls: Learn new combat techniques
Practice these new martial arts movements in the designated area before the story progresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best combat approach for the Dalang fight?
The optimal strategy involves keeping both Dalang and the Horse Dancer visible in your camera view throughout phase one. Lock onto Dalang using your targeting system to maintain focus while using peripheral vision to track the drummer’s projectiles. Dodge sideways when Dalang charges rather than retreating backward, as this positions you for counterattacks. Save your stamina for critical dodge moments during gold-glowing unblockable attacks. When Dalang’s stagger gauge nearly empties, resist the immediate urge to execute—instead, land a few additional hits before triggering the special attack to maximize your damage window. In phase two, the fight simplifies to a one-on-one encounter, so maintain aggressive pressure while respecting Dalang’s increased movement speed.
Can I bring companions or co-op help to fight Dalang?
Unfortunately, Dalang is a campaign boss encountered during the main story quest “A Horse Neighs in the Forest,” which means it’s a solo encounter without companion or co-op assistance options. Unlike world bosses that allow NPC companion summons or co-op attack mode invitations, campaign bosses like Dalang must be conquered alone. However, after defeating Dalang in the story, you can rechallenge this boss through Campaign Challenges where you might access different game modes. Focus on mastering parry timing, dodge mechanics, and stagger management to overcome this solo challenge. The fight rewards skill development that proves invaluable for future encounters throughout Where Winds Meet.
