In Chapter 2 of Black Myth: Wukong, the desert winds carry the usual threats: archers, rat demons, and enough sand to ruin a fur coat. But there is also a hidden Yaoguai King boss named Shigandang, a mountain-sized slab of bad posture that players can choose to wake up and fight. Even years after release, this hidden fight still catches fresh players off guard. This fight is not just tucked away behind a hidden wall. It requires finding all six Buddha’s Eyeball locations and carrying them to a special stone in the Stone Vanguard boss arena near the Rockrest Flat shrine. Once the giant wakes up, the real fun begins.
How to Prepare for Shigandang
First on the checklist is finishing the Buddha’s Eyeballs sidequest. Shigandang will not spawn without those six eyeballs, so players should sweep the Fright Cliff region before doing anything else. After that, preparation turns to gear and consumables. Shigandang is resistant to fire and poison, which means all those clever elemental builds do almost nothing here. Normal attack damage is the way to go. At this point in the story, most players will have enough materials to craft the Wind Bear Staff. It raises base damage and adds a little extra critical hit power, which is perfect for slapping a giant rock.
Dodging may still be a challenge, so crafting Evil Repelling Medicament is a smart move. This consumable increases defense for a while and can be used mid-fight when Shigandang starts throwing tantrums. With a stronger staff and a pocket full of medicine, the Destined One is ready to poke a sleeping giant.
The Cheeky First-Time Trick
There is a one-time trick that can turn this secret fight into a comedy show. Before defeating the Stone Vanguard, players should enter its boss arena and deliver the eyeballs to the large rock on the right. This wakes up Shigandang early, and the two rock monsters immediately start fighting each other. It only works if the Stone Vanguard is still alive. When the dust settles, Shigandang will usually have lost about half of its health. Watching two boulders argue with their fists is both funny and extremely useful.
How to Beat Shigandang
Managing stamina is the main job. Shigandang hits hard but moves like a glacier on vacation. Players should save enough stamina to dodge and only spend small combos when safe. Staying behind the boss is the safest plan because its turning speed is awful. From the back, most hand and foot attacks whiff completely.
The slow speed hides a few nasty follow-ups. When Shigandang jumps and punches the ground, stone spikes erupt shortly after. Players should dodge the initial impact and then move away from the glowing pillars. When the boss raises an arm and a leg and slams them down, the ground glows, so a second dodge is needed soon after the first. Taking both hits can delete a health bar faster than a bad gambling decision.
Shigandang also loves wrestling moves. The first body smash is a frontal dive that creates a shockwave covering much of the arena. Distance does not guarantee safety. The second type happens when the Destined One stands beside or behind the boss. Shigandang leans and drops sideways. This one is easier to avoid and leaves the boss lying on the ground for a few seconds, which is a perfect window for punishment.
For the rare three-punch combo or short sweep, Immobilize is the panic button. It stops the boss cold and lets the Destined One unleash a longer combo without worrying about being flattened.
Shigandang Rewards
Beating the secret boss is worth the sore thumbs. Players receive 1652 experience points and 1364 Will, plus three pieces of Silk. The real prizes are the Heart of Stone, which is used to craft a new staff, and a Mind Core for medicine crafting with the Xu Dog merchant. There is also a Skandha of Feeling, a key item that can be exchanged for something special later in the game.
With Shigandang reduced to gravel, the path continues to Chapter 2’s final threat: the Yellow Wind Sage. But at least the Destined One can now say he beat a mountain.