Boss battles are the highlight of Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, and none are more frenetic and demanding than the fight with Commander Honglan. Encountered at the conclusion of Chapter One, she is one of the game’s earliest and toughest tests. Attacking her unprepared can be a deadly experience, so it is vital to study her attacks and develop a solid strategy to survive and conquer.
Where to Find Commander Honglan
Commander Honglan is not found at the beginning of the first chapter, within the Tang Emperor’s Palace. When players dry out the Lotus Pond, they are able to descend and collect a blade lodged within a stone. This simple action is suddenly interrupted as Honglan appears and assaults Wuchang, resulting in a two-phase boss fight.
Preparation and Recommended Equipment
Honglan’s attacks are exclusively physical, therefore equipping armor with high resistance to physical damage—such as the Ming Armor—will grant players a defense increase. Resistance is not a matter of elements or diseases here.
Weapons-wise, the Steampowered Spear is unique thanks to its Steam Chain attack (triggered on LB/L1 once two Skyborn Might charges have been built up), which deals a burning spin capable of disrupting her attack pace. A different but just as effective option is a Longsword that offers high deflection and parry skills, offering a more defensive, counter-styled playthrough for pressure lovers over patience fans.
Phase One: Recognizing Patterns and Building Momentum
The first phase of the fight revolves around Commander Honglan’s speed and fighting capabilities. Her attacks utilize high-speed sword attacks and savage melee combos. The attack patterns must be learned in order to get through this phase of the fight without using up healing resources for a future date.
Her Sword Lunge initiates the fight and is preceded by a swift, forward dash that can cover medium to long distances. The attack telegraphs fairly well, so players can dodge to the sides. Afterward, she will normally transition into a melee combo—a constant series of punches and kicks. Dodging to the side, rather than the back, brings distance and an interval of time for a quick counter.
One of the greatest openings is when she does a Blade Throw. The move is characterized by a dramatic backflip, and then a spread of five flying blades. Dodging at the very last second not only brings no damage but also awards Skyborn Might, something that can be used to unleash your special moves. This opening is also best for healing or refreshing Tempering if necessary.
Your general aim in this phase is to play aggressively but not too aggressively. Cause sufficient damage to trigger an Obliterate Strike, which will do a huge amount of damage and end the fight in phase two earlier. Be sure to preserve at least three healing flasks—you don’t want to be in phase two without them.
Commander Honglan is much more powerful in phase two
Once Honglan’s health dips below 50%, the second phase begins. She becomes noticeably faster and introduces new ranged attacks, primarily using water-infused slashes that challenge your stamina and reflexes.
Her Water Slashes come in varying angles—vertical, diagonal, and horizontal—and require precise dodging to avoid. These attacks are long-range and often follow after a close-range combo, making them harder to anticipate when you’re focused on evading her melee strikes.
The other killer combo is her Spinning Blades Combo. She’ll dash forward, then quickly finish the combo with spinning blade attacks that quickly close in and hit multiple times. Successfully dodging this entire combo is tough, especially if your stamina is low, but surviving it gives you an excellent opportunity to counterattack.
Despite these new attacks, Honglan retains most of her early moveset in phase one, so it is still worth learning early behavior. The overall tactic remains the same—stay out of the way well, attack on the rare occasions when she ceases movement, and don’t overpush. Should you manage to land a good sequence of offense, another Obliterate opportunity will arise, offering a final chance to finish the fight with a clean slate.
Final Strategy and Tips
Commander Honglan punishes for impatience, so your success hinges on balancing offense with smart defense. Keep your stamina management as a priority, save healing flasks for the second half of the fight, and exploit her temporary recovery phase after attacking.
Step back when you must, but don’t think twice about staying close after you get the hang of her timings. With proper gear and determination, you can whittle down one of the most iconic early-game bosses in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers—and come out on top.
