Minor progression spoilers for the Citadel. This guide shows the Songclave route, arena location, and a reliable plan to defeat the Cogwork Dancers.
Summary
- Where: A junction between Cogwork Core and Choral Chambers inside the Citadel (near Songclave).
- Why they’re tricky: Twin patterns with silk‑thread telegraphs; tempo ramps midfight, but the last survivor slows significantly once alone.
- Progression: Defeating them opens an elevator/paths deeper into the Citadel and nudges Act‑2 objectives forward.
Songclave → Arena Route (Fast)
- Enter the Citadel by defeating The Last Judge at the Grand Gate (Blasted Steps). The gate sequence lands you at the Citadel entrance.
- Found Songclave by ringing the First Shrine bell. This creates the hub with a bench, Wishwell, and NPCs.
- From the Songclave bench, head left. Before the next room, climb the two facing walls into the upper passage, then continue left to the arena. You’ll pass several Grand Reeds—either pogo across or dash through gaps.
Optional: Donating 300 Rosaries at the Songclave Wishwell expands the questboard later but is not required for this fight.
Exact Location
- The arena straddles Cogwork Core and Choral Chambers—a thematic “gateway” encounter before pushing further west through the Citadel.
Moveset → Safe Counters
Read the silk: each Dancer projects a thin white thread indicating a dash path—treat these like laser lines.
- Slash Dash: Linear rush along a projected thread. Step off the line, then poke once or twice; don’t re‑commit if the second dancer lines up a cross.
- Meet‑in‑the‑Middle (Whirlwind AoE): They face inward, mark center, converge, and create a short AoE with a brief hang time. Use this to heal or land 2–3 safe hits.
- Silk‑Cross: Multiple threads criss‑cross horizontally and diagonally as both sprint their paths. Park in a safe gap; short jump or glide if a line sweeps your tile.
- Phase Shift: Midfight tempo increase—faster startup and shorter recovery. When one Dancer breaks, the solo Dancer slows considerably; convert for the finish.
Step‑by‑Step Strategy
- Anchor center. Fighting mid‑arena keeps both dancers in frame and reduces corner traps.
- Respect threads. Slide off any marked line, then counter only during clear recovery windows.
- Convert whirlwinds. After the meet‑in‑the‑middle AoE, take hits or a quick heal; reset spacing immediately.
- Stabilize on the kill. Once one falls, take safe punishes; avoid complacency during the tempo drop.
- Iterate smart. With Songclave’s bench unlocked, the runback is short—practice thread reads over greed.
Recommended Loadouts (Early‑Mid Citadel)
- Ability: Threadstorm for instant AoE when both overlap after converges; it also clears stray adds in nearby rooms.
- Tool: Warding Bell to cover heals and punish contact during tight spacing.
- Tool (alt): Pollip Pouch + Flea Brew for persistent chip while you prioritize dodging.
- Crest: Reaper Crest to widen arcs for safe midair tags; avoid over‑swinging in cross patterns.
Rewards & Progress
- Progression: Opens an elevator and routes into deeper Citadel segments, enabling western Choral Chambers progression and follow‑up objectives.
- Loot/entries: Standard drops and bestiary updates; check your Journal and currency before leaving.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Don’t corner yourself—edges make Silk‑Cross patterns harder to read.
- Don’t over‑commit—two hits max after a clean dodge; reset immediately.
- Use converges to heal—a single heal fits before tempo resumes.
FAQ
- Is the fight mandatory? Yes—this is a main progression gate for Act 2 inside the Citadel.
- I can’t find Songclave—what did I miss? Ring the First Shrine bell to found Songclave. A 300 Rosary Wishwell donation only expands the questboard and is optional here.
- Quick route recap? Songclave bench → left → dual‑wall climb → upper passage → left to arena.
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