iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To pass the Brittle King’s test, defeat Talos in the Clock Tower, equip the Builder Arcana, and use it on Excalibur in the stone inside the Brittle King’s chamber at Notre Dame. That action starts the optional boss encounter. Reach the King’s back with Arcane Whip swing points, or use the Alucard Sword and Shield to teleport behind him, then survive his sword, shield, leap, and sunlight-beam attacks.
What is the Brittle King’s test?
The Brittle King is described as the only truly optional boss in Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. His chambers are in Notre Dame, close to one of the game’s Sage’s Sigils. The room contains a visibly embedded Excalibur and a plaque that points toward the action needed to begin the encounter.
Defeating the King gives you access to Excalibur, one of the game’s most powerful weapons, along with the boss’s Arcana powers. Because the fight is optional, you can continue the main progression without starting it, but you will miss those rewards.
How to start The Brittle King boss fight
The trigger is tied to Builder Arcana, not to a hidden switch or a special attack. As Dave Irwin’s GameSpot guide puts it, “All you need to do is have the right Arcana equipped to draw the sword from the stone.”
Popular on Amazon
- Medieval Paris, Where the Tolling Bells Herald the End - 1499: Paris is engulfed in flames as monstrous creatures suddenly emerge from the shadows. Armed with the legendary holy whip, the Vampire Killer, Trevor Belmont’s successor ventures into the burning streets and the looming castle to hunt down the beasts. Can they save the city from the brink of destruction?
- Satisfying Whip Action - The iconic whip of the series is now more important than ever! Crack your whip to move around freely like a trapeze artist! Master the whip mechanics and be creative to pounce on your prey like a wolf in fast-paced combats!
- A Large Selection of Weapons and Abilities - The whip is not the only tool at your disposal. You will need to strategically plan your next move in combat and make full use of all the weapons and abilities to stand a chance!
- Environment Hazards That Will make you grit your teeth - Biomes are packed with secrets, traps and puzzles. It is not just about muscles, it's about brains too!
- A New Art Style - Expanding further the series-classic gothic style, this unique colorful art style will let you discover the world of Castlevania like never before.
- Progress to the Clock Tower.
- Defeat Talos and collect Builder Arcana.
- Travel to Notre Dame and find the Brittle King’s chamber near a Sage’s Sigil.
- Equip Builder Arcana before interacting with the sword.
- Use the ability on Excalibur in the stone.
- Watch the stained-glass window and stay in the room as the sequence brings the Brittle King into the encounter.
How should you reach the Brittle King’s back?
The King’s large shield makes frontal attacks difficult whenever he is not committed to an attack animation. Treat positioning as the main puzzle: get behind him rather than repeatedly trading blows against the shield.
Arcane Whip route
Use the Arcane Whip swing points to move around the boss and attack from behind. The Vile Trinket Relic is recommended for this mobility-focused approach because it supports the swing-point tactic described for the encounter.
Alucard Sword and Shield route
If you have the Alucard Sword and Shield, its attacks teleport you behind the boss. That directly bypasses much of the frontal-defense problem and gives you a more immediate way to reach his vulnerable side.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Also popular on Amazon
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
| Approach | Positioning | Equipment emphasis | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcane Whip | Swing around the room to the King’s back | Vile Trinket Relic is recommended | Misjudging a swing can leave you in front of the shield |
| Alucard Sword and Shield | Teleport behind him with each attack | Alucard Sword and Shield | You still must read thrusts, leaps, shards, and beams |
What attacks must you dodge?
Most of the fight is about recognizing which animation is starting and moving before the attack’s coverage becomes dangerous.
Sword thrusts
Parry the thrust when you can, or move clear of its line. Do not stay in front of the shield waiting for a routine opening.
Shield bash and glass shards
A shield bash releases glass shards that travel relatively slowly. Keep moving and use the time their slower travel gives you to change position rather than stopping to attack.
Also popular on Amazon
- LIMITED EDITION: Official Limited Run Games release #251 of the Castlevania Dominus Collection featuring Order of Ecclesia cover art for Nintendo Switch
- GAME FORMAT: Physical DVD-ROM release, not a digital download, packaged in standard Nintendo Switch game case
- CONTENT: Action-packed collection of classic Castlevania games, rated T for Teen by ESRB
- PACKAGING DIMENSIONS: Comes in standard Switch case measuring 6 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 2 inches deep
- REGION AND LANGUAGE: US release with English language support, compatible with Nintendo Switch systems
Jumping attack
The jump covers a large radius. Jump away or retreat far enough that the landing area no longer overlaps your position.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Sunlight beams
The most dangerous sequence begins when the King raises his shield and sunlight emits damaging beams. Read the pattern and move into the safe space instead of trying to force damage through the sequence.
How do the Brittle King’s phases change?
The fight becomes less forgiving as the King loses health, even though no named health values are provided for the encounter.
Also popular on Amazon
- Classics that defined the Castlevania series.
- Includes the "History of Castlevania - Book of the Crescent Moon" ebook.
- This includes eight classic Castlevania games preserved on one disc with a full-color manual.
- The Castlevania Anniversary Collection on physical disc for the PlayStation 4. Also works on PlayStation 5. Region-free.
- About half health: the light-beam patterns last longer, leaving less safe space in which to stand.
- About one-quarter health: beams fire from the King’s sides and rise toward his head, changing the danger zones around him.
Keep your movement plan flexible: a safe position during the first beam pattern may no longer remain safe after either phase change.
What is the safest battle sequence?
- Enter with Builder Arcana already equipped only for the sword interaction; switch to your preferred combat setup afterward if needed.
- Use Arcane Whip swing points with the Vile Trinket Relic, or use the Alucard Sword and Shield if available, to get behind the King.
- Take damage opportunities from behind and disengage when he turns or begins an attack animation.
- Parry or avoid thrusts, keep moving through the slow glass shards, and retreat from the wide jumping attack.
- When the shield rises, stop prioritizing attacks and identify the beam-safe space.
- After half health, expect the beam sequence to occupy more of the room; near one-quarter health, watch the King’s sides and the upward paths toward his head.
- Once he falls, collect the Excalibur and Arcana rewards.
Why is this encounter easy to fail?
- Using the wrong Arcana: Excalibur will not start the sequence unless Builder Arcana is equipped.
- Attacking from the front: the large shield blocks the straightforward approach outside attack animations.
- Standing still after a bash: the shards are slow, but they still punish a stationary player.
- Underestimating the beam phase: the pattern lasts longer after roughly half health and changes again near one-quarter health.
- Staying close during the leap: the jump’s radius is broad enough that a short step may not be sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip the Brittle King and keep progressing?
Yes. The encounter is optional, so skipping the sword interaction does not block the rest of the game’s progression. You give up the encounter’s weapon and Arcana rewards until you return and complete it.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Does the plaque in the chamber explain the entire trigger?
It serves as a clue that the sword in the stone requires a specific action, but the decisive requirement is having Builder Arcana equipped. The ability comes from Talos in the Clock Tower.
Also popular on Amazon
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Which option is better if I struggle with the shield?
The Alucard Sword and Shield is the more direct answer because its attacks place you behind the King. Without it, the Arcane Whip swing-point route remains viable, but it demands more deliberate movement and timing.
What should I watch when the room seems to lose its safe space?
That usually indicates a later beam phase rather than a random change. Around half health, patterns last longer; near one-quarter health, check both sides of the King because beams rise from there toward his head.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
