The answer first
Official developer material describes more than 70 Brutals — the game's named boss enemies — across the world of The Relic: First Guardian. This page gives a generic pre-fight verification checklist only. No specific boss strategies, phase timings, weakness data or counter tactics are published in official sources, and none will be invented here.
Last updated: 2026-07-28 · Official PlayStation Blog (Dec 2025), GamingBolt interview (Jul 22, 2026), Steam store listing (Jul 2026).
What is confirmed about Brutals
Official developer sources confirm the following about boss encounters:
- More than 70 Brutals exist in the game world (S2).
- Exploration can lead to optional bosses not found on the main path (S3).
- Branching paths and hidden spaces may contain encounters not accessible from the start (S3).
- Equipment and Relics found through exploration are part of the progression system (S3).
No official source describes specific boss weakness patterns, phase timings, counter strategies or named completion tactics. Whether specific boss encounters require particular progression milestones has not been confirmed.
Generic pre-fight verification checklist
- Confirm your weapon style suits your preferred combat rhythm before the fight.
- Understand which of your actions consume stamina — attacking does not, blocking/dodging do.
- Know that Relics (Runes) and equipment are part of your build — their exact effects on boss readiness are unconfirmed.
- Review what equipment you have and whether crafting enhancement is available.
- Understand that specific boss weaknesses, patterns and counters are NOT published in official sources.
- Explore to find optional bosses and hidden equipment — whether these affect boss readiness has not been confirmed.
- Verify any post-launch boss balance changes or patch notes before attempting difficult encounters.
What to prepare vs. what to avoid
Prepare: weapon rhythm
Best for: Understand how your weapon feels before a high-stakes fight.
Evidence: S2, S3
Prepare: stamina awareness
Best for: Know which of your actions consume stamina.
Evidence: S2
Prepare: build basics
Best for: Understand Relics (Runes), equipment and skill trees as confirmed progression layers.
Evidence: S2, S3
Avoid: specific strategies
Best for: Do not invent boss phase timings, weakness data or counter tactics.
Evidence: None — not in official sources.
What is verified
- Official developer material describes more than 70 Brutals/bosses in the game (S2).
- Exploration can lead to optional bosses not on the main path (S3).
- Branching paths and hidden spaces may contain encounters not accessible from the start (S3).
- Equipment and Relics (Runes) are part of the progression system (S2, S3).
What needs more evidence
- Specific boss weakness data, phase patterns or timing windows — do not publish affirmatively.
- Named strategies, counters or "how to beat" tactics for specific bosses — not in official sources.
- Whether specific boss encounters require particular progression milestones — not confirmed.
- Boss drop tables, unlock requirements or readiness effects — not fully confirmed.
- Post-launch balance changes to boss difficulty — verify after July 31 release.
- Exact number of Brutals beyond "more than 70" — no precise figure published.
Related Guides
Understand how attacks, stamina and defense work in The Relic: First Guardian.Five Weapon Styles
Compare the five weapon types and choose which to focus on first.Relics and Progression
Understand how character progression works without traditional levels.Crafting and Equipment
Learn what crafting does and how unique equipment works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bosses are in The Relic: First Guardian?
Official developer material describes more than 70 Brutals in the game world. A precise count has not been published.
Are all bosses accessible from the start?
Official sources describe exploration leading to optional bosses found in branching paths and hidden spaces. Whether specific encounters require particular progression milestones has not been confirmed.
Will this guide list boss strategies?
No. No specific boss phase patterns, weakness data, timing windows or counter strategies are published in official developer material. Publishing invented strategies would violate the evidence-boundary rules. After the July 31 release, verified strategies from first-hand play can be added.
Does exploration help with boss preparation?
Official sources describe finding additional equipment, Relics (Runes) and encounters through exploration. Whether these discoveries specifically improve boss readiness has not been confirmed in available official sources.
Source scope and verification
Official PlayStation Blog (Dec 2025), GamingBolt interview (Jul 22, 2026), Steam store listing (Jul 2026).
Source IDs: S2, S3
Corrections and editorial limits are noted on each page. A full sources and corrections page will be added after the July 31, 2026 launch.