You’re trekking through the yellow sands of Chapter 2 in Black Myth: Wukong, feeling like a total badass because you just downed a few difficult bosses, and then you see it. It’s huge. It’s hairy. It’s the Gold Ridge Beast Wukong players have been swearing at since the game launched. Honestly, this fight is a bit of a reality check. If you aren’t prepared for the sheer aggression and the way this thing uses the environment against you, you’re going to see that "Lost" screen a lot.
Let’s get one thing straight: this isn't just another "hit it until it dies" encounter.
The Gold Ridge Beast (often referred to by its formal in-game name, the Fuban) is a massive, desert-dwelling creature that serves as the climactic finale to the Kingdom of Sahali secret area. To even get here, you’ve got to complete the Yellow-Robed Squire’s questline, which involves finding a sobriety stone and a specific jade lotus. Most people miss this entire area. They just push through the main story and wonder why they’re underleveled later. Don't be that person. You need the rewards from this fight, specifically the Wind Tamer vessel, to make the Chapter 2 final boss actually winnable.
Why the Gold Ridge Beast Wukong Fight is a Total Mess for Beginners
The scale is the first problem. It’s enormous.
When you first trigger the encounter, the camera struggles to keep up. This isn't like fighting a human-sized spearman where you can watch the elbows for a parry tell. Here, you’re looking at feet. Massive, thumping feet that create shockwaves. If you’re just spamming light attacks at its toes, you’re going to get flattened by a body slam you didn't even see coming because the camera was clipped into the beast's fur.
It burrows.
That’s the part that catches everyone off guard. The beast loves to dive under the sand, becoming untargetable while it tracks your movement. You’ll see the sand bulging, a literal line of death heading straight for you. Most players panic and dodge too early. You have to wait. Wait until the very second it’s about to breach, then dodge into the direction of the movement or perfectly time a Cloud Step.
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Mastering the Phase Transitions
The fight is basically a three-act play. In the first half, you’re on your own, dodging slams and tail swipes. This is where you learn the rhythm. The beast has a specific lunging bite that covers about half the arena. It looks scary, but the hitbox is actually quite tight. If you dodge left, you’re usually safe.
Then, everything changes.
The Great Sage’s "past self" joins the fray. Seeing Wukong (in his prime armor) leap onto the battlefield is a high point for the game’s cinematic flair. He’s not just there for show, though. He’ll draw aggro and deal decent chip damage, but he’s mostly there to set up the "climb" mechanic. Eventually, the beast will get stunned or trapped, and you’ll get a prompt to literally run up its back to deal massive damage to the glowing crystals or the head.
Don't rush the climb.
If you try to jump on while it’s still thrashing, you’ll just fall off and take impact damage. Wait for the roar. There’s a specific animation where the beast settles into the sand for a few seconds. That’s your window.
The Best Spells and Gear for the Gold Ridge Beast
You probably have a favorite setup by now, but the Gold Ridge Beast Wukong encounter demands a specific toolkit.
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- Immobilize: Still king. Use it right when the beast finishes a heavy slam. If you use it while it's mid-air or burrowing, it’s a wasted cooldown.
- Cloud Step: Essential for the burrowing phase. It gives you that extra second of invisibility and safety to reposition.
- Pluck of Many: If you have the mana, do it. But be warned—the beast’s AOE slams can wipe out your clones in a single hit. It’s better to save your mana for heals and Immobilize unless you have a clear opening.
Your staff choice matters too. By this point, you should have access to the Wind Bear Staff or something with a high critical hit rate. Because the beast has such a massive health pool, those random crit procs are what actually move the needle.
What No One Tells You About the Wind Tamer
The whole reason you are fighting the Gold Ridge Beast is for the Wind Tamer. This is a "Vessel" item. When you equip it, it gives you passive damage reduction. But the active ability is the real prize. It creates a localized wind storm that can stun enemies and, crucially, it completely nullifies the wind-based attacks of the Yellow Wind Sage (the main boss of the chapter).
Without the Wind Tamer, the Yellow Wind Sage is a nightmare of obscured vision and stunlocks. With it? It's a fair fight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Stop hugging the tail.
Usually, in "giant monster" games like Monster Hunter or Elden Ring, the butt is the safest place. Not here. The Gold Ridge Beast has a very fast tail whip and a reverse leap that will crush you instantly. Stay to the sides, near the front legs. You can see the head movements better from there, which is your primary telegraph for the big attacks.
Also, watch your stamina.
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The sand arena slows down your stamina regeneration slightly—it’s a subtle mechanical touch that many players don't notice. If you’re constantly sprinting, you won’t have the juice left to dodge the three-hit slam combo. Hit, hit, wait. Hit, hit, wait. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The Secret Reward
After the beast goes down, don't just teleport out. Look around. The Kingdom of Sahali is one of the most visually striking areas in the game, and there are several chests hidden in the dunes surrounding the boss arena that contain rare crafting materials like Silk and Cold Iron. You'll need these for the armor sets unlocked in Chapter 3.
Final Steps to Victory
If you're still struggling with the Gold Ridge Beast, take a breath.
Go back to the Crouching Tiger Temple. Farm some XP. Level up your "Simian Agility" in the talent tree to reduce the stamina cost of dodging. It makes a world of difference in this fight.
When you go back in, focus entirely on the beast's front claws. When it raises both, it’s going to slam. When it pulls one back, it’s a sweep. Learn those two movements and you’ve won 70% of the battle. Once you get the timing down, the Gold Ridge Beast goes from being a terrifying wall to just another stepping stone on your path to the West.
Now that you've got the strategy down, go into your equipment menu and make sure your Spirits are upgraded. Specifically, the Wandering Wight spirit provides a massive defense boost just by being equipped, which can help you survive those heavy hits if your timing is a little off. Check your inventory for any "Evil Repelling Medicament" to boost your damage resistance before the fight starts. Good luck—you're going to need it for what comes next.