You’re grinding in the First Sea. It's tedious. You’ve punched enough bandits to last a lifetime, and the Jungle feels like a distant memory. Suddenly, you hit Level 120 and the game sends you to Marineford—or Marine Fortress, as the lawyers probably prefer. This is where you meet him. The Vice Admiral Blox Fruits boss is basically the first real "wall" for most players, but honestly, he’s also your best friend if you’re trying to reach the Second Sea without losing your mind.
Most people underestimate him. They walk into that massive fortress expecting another pushover like the Bobby boss or the Gorilla King. Then he hits you with a Triple Katana flurry and half your health bar vanishes. It’s a wake-up call. But if you know how to manipulate his AI and use the environment, he becomes the most reliable source of XP and Mastery in the early game.
Where to Find the Vice Admiral and Why He Matters
He lives at the Marine Fortress. Big place. Hard to miss. He’s tucked away in the back of the island inside that huge, imposing crescent-shaped building. You need to be Level 120 to take his quest from the Military Detective, and you really shouldn't skip it.
Why? Because the reward-to-effort ratio is insane.
Beating him nets you $15,000 and 415,000 XP. For a Level 120 player, that is a massive chunk of progress. He spawns every few minutes, meaning you can "server hop" if you're impatient, though usually, by the time you've cleared the nearby Petty Officers, he’s almost ready to go again. He’s a Level 130 boss, so he’s got a bit of a level advantage on you when you first arrive, but don’t let that scare you off.
The Vice Admiral uses a Triple Katana style. It’s fast. It’s aggressive. He isn't like the earlier bosses that just stand there and take it; he actually moves toward you with intent. If you aren't careful, his "Air Slashes" will catch you from across the room.
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The Secret to Beating Him (Without Dying Ten Times)
Let’s talk strategy. If you’re a Fruit user, you have a massive advantage. If you’re a Combat or Sword main, you’re gonna have to work a little harder.
The Pillar Trick
This is the "pro" move everyone uses. Inside the boss room, there are pillars. You can actually kite the Vice Admiral behind these or use the doorway to your advantage. Because his AI is relatively simple, he will often get stuck on the geometry of the room. You can poke him with long-range moves (like Light’s V move or Magma’s floor puddles) while he’s just running into a wall. Cheap? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Logia Immunity is a Lie (Sorta)
A lot of new players think that because they ate a Light Fruit or a Flame Fruit, they are invincible. Not here. The Vice Admiral Blox Fruits boss doesn't use Haki, so your elemental immunity does work, but there's a catch. You have to be a higher level than him for the immunity to kick in. Since he is Level 130, you won't actually be "untouchable" until you hit Level 131 or higher. Until then, you have to dodge.
Watch the Air Slashes
His most dangerous move is a ranged projectile. He swings those three swords and sends a wave of energy at you. It has a fairly wide hitbox. The best way to avoid it isn't jumping—it's dashing sideways. Most players panic and jump, only to get hit mid-air where they have less mobility. Dash. Stay grounded. Wait for the cooldown.
Drops and Rewards: Is the Vice Admiral Cape Worth It?
He drops the Vice Admiral Cape. Well, technically it's just called the "Cape," but everyone knows where it comes from. It has a 10% drop rate, which isn't terrible, but it's not guaranteed. You might have to bully him twenty times before it finally pops into your inventory.
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Is it good? For the First Sea, yeah, it's actually pretty great.
- +100 Energy
- +100 Health
It’s a basic accessory, but in the early game, that extra 100 Energy is the difference between being able to use your high-damage "Z" move one more time or being stuck standing there like a target. It’s a black cape with a high collar. Looks cool. Makes you feel like a high-ranking officer while you're actually just a pirate-slaying intern.
Honestly, even if you don't care about the cape, the Mastery gain is the real prize. If you just pulled a new fruit from the Blox Fruits Dealer and need to unlock those locked moves quickly, the Vice Admiral is your primary target. He has enough HP to soak up damage (allowing you to cycle through your moves) but not so much that the fight takes ten minutes.
Common Mistakes People Make at Marine Fortress
I see it all the time. Players run in, aggro the Vice Admiral, and then realize they forgot to set their Spawn Point. Don't be that person. There is a Home Point right outside the fortress. Use it.
Another mistake? Ignoring the Petty Officers. If you’re struggling to kill the boss, lure him toward the back of the room away from the entrance. If you stay too close to the door, sometimes the smaller NPCs will wander in and start chipping away at your health while you’re focused on the big guy. It’s annoying. It’s unnecessary.
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Also, stop trying to use "Buddhism" (Buddha Fruit) without transforming. I see people trying to melee him with the un-transformed Buddha because they want to save energy. Just transform. The reach advantage you get from the Buddha transformation allows you to hit the Vice Admiral from a distance where he can’t even reach you with his swords. It makes the fight a joke.
Beyond the Vice Admiral: What's Next?
Once you’ve farmed the Vice Admiral Blox Fruits boss until you’re around Level 150, the game starts to shift. You’ll be heading toward Skylands soon. But don't be in such a rush to leave. The Marine Fortress is one of the most compact and efficient grinding spots in the entire First Sea.
If you find that the next island is too hard, come back here. The Vice Admiral is consistent. He's predictable. He's a walking paycheck.
Actionable Steps for Fast Leveling:
- Hit Level 120: Don't even bother trying to fight him seriously before this; you need the quest for the XP to be worth it.
- Set Spawn: Use the NPC at the docks.
- Check for the Cape: If it hasn't dropped after 5 kills, consider server hopping to reset your luck (not a proven mechanic, but it feels better).
- Mastery Grinding: Use your weakest moves first to "chip" his health, then finish him off with the weapon or fruit you want to level up. The killing blow grants the most Mastery.
- Move on at 150: Once you hit 150, the XP from the Vice Admiral starts to drop off significantly compared to the mobs in the Upper Skylands.
Grab your swords, watch for the air slashes, and keep an eye on that 10% drop rate. That black cape is waiting.