Lies of P: Overture hits its climactic finale with an exhilarating experience you will be unable to forget days after your DLC completion. Arlecchino, the Murder Puppet responsible for the death of Venigni’s parents, makes himself available for the cathartic experience of serving his ego back to him on a Legion-Arm’s knuckles.

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Having been responsible for Romeo’s suffering and eventual demise, this fight is just as deeply personal as it is thrilling. The stakes have never been higher, and the fight is so spectacular from its cinematics and thrilling, difficult combat that you almost wish Arlecchino were the final boss. Alas, we’ll have to settle for pulling his sockets apart in the DLC.
Arlecchino, The Blood Artist’s Attacks
Most of Arlecchino’s attacks in the first phase have a fluid rhythm to them. It is not an over exaggeration to say that the fight against Arlecchino is a dance. If you can count a rhythm in the fight, you stand a very good chance at being able to parry most of Arlecchino’s phase one attacks regardless of the combination or speed.
Those familiar with dance will recognize that most of Arlecchino’s attacking rhythm is mysteriously similar to a waltz or a Jive variation count: one-two (and) one-two (and)…
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Phase Two attacks are completely different. They are frenzied and not easily counted like Phase One.
Blood Artistry is the best example of this conundrum, with an attack combination that changes count midway. The first set is one-two-three (like a waltz), but the second half is not naturally counted as in a dance, requiring some precision with quickly repeated parries.
The best way to counter the notoriously difficult-to-counter Blood Artistry is to mentally cut up the attack combination into three sets:
- The initial three strikes
- The five strikes on the ground
- The Fury Attack and following attacks
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Arlecchino’s Phase Transition into Phase Two is dangerous for those who aren’t expecting it. The key to Arlecchino’s Phase Transition is keeping a distance.
While you might be tempted to dash forward into the energy waves, this attack is actually a multi-hit and spinning energy. And the explosion it makes cannot be blocked. Therefore, it is better to stay away and throw items.
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The final attack worthy of noting is also in Phase Two. Sawing Spin is mostly a normal attack, but you have to be careful of the final attack in the combination: the cross-saws.
This multi-hit attack is difficult to Perfect Parry, and even blocking it the whole way could lead to becoming staggered or dying. The best way to handle this is to block with the Perfect Guard grindstone active or to dodge out of the way.
How To Defeat Arlecchino, The Blood Artist
Health |
69,250 – P1: 28,570, P2: 40,680 (NG+2; Legendary Stalker) |
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Weak Against |
Shock |
Recommended Amulets |
Puppet Destroyer’s Amulet, Patience Amulet, Iron Wall Amulet |
Recommended Weapons |
Arche’s Guardian, Electric Coil Stick, Lorenzini Bolt |
Arlecchino is a parry-fest, and those who prefer to play with a parry-heavy style, as if playing in Sekiro, are going to have the time of their lives. Those not inclined to parrying or who prefer to dodge more often should invest in bringing the Perfect Guard Grindstone. This will allow you to get Perfect Parries in for even Arlecchino’s most difficult attacks.
The Perfect Guard Grindstone is especially potent when used against the Spinning Saw combo attack.
Shock-based weapons are the best for fighting Arlecchino. However, anything slow is going to be a disadvantage, so any weapons you bring should either:
- Be multi-hit weapons with a single strike.
- Have a handle with a quick attacking rate.
There is a lot more flexibility in weaponry, however, if you are accompanied by Lea Florence.
Arche’s Guardian in particular is extremely effective against Arlecchino for the following reasons:
- Ranged electric attack for big ranged damage and Shock build-up. Saves Throwing Cells.
- Thunderbolt Fable Art grants greater mobility for dodging.
- Has a great attack rate, matching the necessary speed for damage and poise damage.
Lea will join you in this fight if you want her to. If you want to take this fight on alone, you can choose not to pick her up. However, we strongly recommend you finish this fight with Lea.
While it does undercut the difficulty by a large margin, the cinematics and story elements are so intertwined with this fight that it would be criminal for any first-time fight against Arlecchino to be done without her. By not bringing Lea, you are reducing the epicness of this fight by 60 percent (and how else would we have Lies of Peak?).
If you are using Lea for this fight, here are some key takeaways:
- Lea is a great damage sponge and should be used when you need a breather or to throw items.
- You can revive Lea if she falls at no cost. She cannot be killed during the fight. However, Arlecchino has a special move you should watch out for if you attempt to pick her up.
- Staggering Arlecchino is far easier, especially after Lea uses the Rose Sword’s Fable Art.
- You will do increased damage on Critical Hits when teamed up with Lea as your Critical Hits will become a small cinematic and Lea’s damage will be included.
Because of the natural rhythm of Arlecchino in Phase One, the first part of the fight feels sort of easy after all the challenges overcome in the DLC up to this point. However, Phase Two is where most players will struggle on account of two key problems:
- Arlecchino’s attack combinations are strong, faster, longer, and more unforgiving.
- The health pool of Phase Two is almost double the amount in Phase One.
The best way to overcome these problems with Arlecchino is to parry enough successfully to push Arlecchino to a Critical Hit.
With your Critical hit, Arlecchino will take massive damage, especially if performing the hit with Lea. This is the safest way to deal damage without being punished by Arlecchino, who can saw through health bars like cheap plywood. Beyond the Critical Hit and parries, you should also be practicing these helpful strategies:
- Use Shock to increase your damage output on Arlecchino and increase his Stagger build-up faster.
- Throw Items (especially Throwing Cells and Shot Puts) at the beginning of Arlecchino’s phase transition and each time he repeats it.
- Remember not to dash forward often into Arlecchino. He has too many punishing melee attacks to make that a safe and reliable gamble. It is better to parry or backstep.
Eventually, you and Lea will overcome the dastardly Arlecchino. Unfortunately, the puppet is not quite dead, as we all know from the present. However, Lea will give you rewards for helping her save Romeo:
- Secret Room Key
- Leader’s Mask
- Leader’s Battle Apparel
- Monad’s Rose Sword
These items are, in fact, all Lea’s equipment. And tracking down where to use the key later will gain you extra rewards.
There is a post-credits special cutscene. If you Skip during the end credits, you may entirely miss this scene.
Where Do I Use The Secret Room Key?
After completing the credits and returning to the game, you should return to the Past timeline and go upstairs in Eventide Krat Hotel to the Gold Coin Fruit Tree. Behind the tree, you should notice a pair of gates that you can now open. There should also be a trail of blue butterflies leading you through it.
Enter the house behind the gates you opened with the key, and you’ll find something special sitting on the table:
- Lea’s Recollection
- Memory of Halcyon Days
Listen to Lea’s Recollection in full, and you will receive a special record version of SURVIVOR.

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