How Can You Defeat Sphinx in Valor Mortis?

The guide treats Sphinx, Devourer of the Unworthy, as a personal favourite boss in Valor Mortis. The fight begins after the player wraps up time in the Caverns, then moves into a new space: the Pyramids. Sphinx also bears resemblance to the Great Sphinx of Giza, which Napoleon was once rumoured to have shot the nose off of, though that claim has since been debunked. This encounter does not treat the statue as a static object. Sphinx is highly agile, so the two-phase timeline below tracks how the fight starts, how the first phase changes, how the second phase escalates, and how Stasis Transmutation and the second-phase Weak Spot can make the fight easier.

Background: From the Caverns to the Pyramids

Sphinx, Devourer of the Unworthy is encountered at the end of the Caverns. After reaching the Ancient Lair, interacting with the mysterious door transports the player to the Pyramids for the boss fight.

The guide organizes the encounter into two parts: Sphinx's moveset, then specific tips for handling the boss. For more help with William's journey, the guide also points to Valor Mortis walkthroughs, guides, and tips.

First-Phase Moveset Timeline: Stasis Damage and Safe Counters

The first phase establishes the core patterns. Every listed attack inflicts Stasis on contact, and the player should learn which counters are safe before pushing for damage.

Claw Swipe Combo

Sphinx swipes its claws at the player in a combo. This typically happens three times in a row, and Sphinx alternates which side it swipes with. The player can parry these attacks or dodge backwards.

If the plan is to dodge and sprint rather than parry, A Refreshing Vial, or three of them, may help with Endurance management.

Area Projectile

Sphinx launches a red orb into the air. After a short delay, the orb plunges into the ground and sends out a Stasis-inflicting shockwave. The player must jump over this or be inflicted with Stasis, which also reduces Endurance.

During the second phase, Sphinx can launch two of these into the air at once. They hit the ground one after the other, with a short delay between them, so the player should prepare to jump twice when this pattern appears later in the fight.

Claw Swipe Lunge

Sphinx lunges at the player before swiping with its claws, inflicting Stasis damage. The player can parry this or dodge backwards.

Sometimes Sphinx performs a lunge attack that glows red beforehand. This cannot be parried, and the player must dodge to avoid it.

Spin Swipe

Sphinx circles quickly while its claws sweep around it. This inflicts Stasis damage on contact. The player should dodge away or sprint clear of the movement.

Charging Spikes

Sphinx can conjure three spikes from the ground in front of it and send them straight out towards the player. These inflict Stasis on contact. The player should dodge to the side as they travel outward.

Beam

Sphinx can produce a beam of purple light from its head and fire it forward in a small arc. This inflicts Stasis on contact. The safest avoidance is to dodge to the side or sprint behind the enemy.

Phase Transition: The Beam and the Second Health Bar

Sphinx has two phases, and each phase has its own health bar. In the guide's experience, the Beam attack typically broke up the two phases. Once the second phase begins, Sphinx continues to use the Beam and the rest of the first-phase attacks while adding new patterns.

Second-Phase Moveset Timeline: Tail Attacks, Circular Spikes, and Crow Curtain

The second phase keeps the first-phase threats active, but Sphinx gains additional attacks that pressure the player at different ranges.

Spin Whip

Sphinx performs a backflip and hits the player with its tail as it does so. This inflicts Stasis on contact. Dodging backwards avoids it.

Tail Swipe Combo

Sphinx jumps slightly into the air and performs a sweeping combo with its tail, slashing at the player in a pattern similar to the first-phase Spin Swipe. This inflicts Stasis on contact, and the player should dodge backwards.

Charging Spikes in a Full Circle

The Charging Spikes attack remains, but Sphinx now sends the spikes around itself in a full circle. The guide recommends backing off and preparing to dodge to the side. As the spikes travel further from the boss, they separate, allowing the player to dodge between them.

Crow Curtain

Sphinx can summon a huge group of crows to surround it, preventing the player from getting close. The boss still attacks while the crows are present. The safest response is to back off until the barrier has been dispelled, then continue the fight as normal.

Player Tactics Timeline: Building Stasis, Saving Ammunition, and Using the Weak Spot

Sphinx uses a lot of Stasis throughout this fight, which may make the player think it is well defended against the status effect. The guide's experience says that is wrong. The best way to slow down this agile boss and make the fight easier is to inflict Stasis on Sphinx wherever possible.

When Stasis Transmutation is active on an enemy, melee attacking while the status is active resets it, but the player deals some additional damage. With that in mind, the guide recommends playing safely and at range while building the Stasis effect up as much as possible using the Nepthtoglobin Remnants dropped by the boss or Nephtoglobin Vials. After enough buildup, a melee attack can deal a significant amount of extra damage. If the Stasis effect is maxed out, Sphinx will also temporarily freeze, leaving enough time to get a couple of heavy attacks in.

The player is given a lot of ammunition and Nepthtoglobin Remnants during this fight, and there is lots of space to run around. Those resources should be used. When the player is not inflicting Stasis on the foe, they can shoot it with Firearms.

Ammunition is best saved for the second phase of the fight, when a Weak Spot appears on the Sphinx's face. Using some ammunition during the first phase if needed will not ruin the attempt.

The player does not even need to melee attack during this fight if they do not want to. The guide notes that the fight was completed using Stasis, firearms, and the occasional heavy melee attack with the rapier once the Stasis effect was maxed out.

Spoiler Alert: What Happens After Sphinx Falls

Following the defeat of Sphinx, William will pass out. He will shortly wake up at the Abandoned Church with Louis.

More Help with William's Journey in Valor Mortis

For more on Valor Mortis, the guide points to where to find all Firearm Parts, where to find all Blade Materials, and the list of all Amber locations.

Current Stage of the Guide

At this stage, the guide has mapped Sphinx as a two-phase Stasis fight: the first phase teaches claw, projectile, lunge, circular swipe, spike, and Beam patterns; the second phase adds tail attacks, a full-circle spike pattern, and the Crow Curtain barrier. The practical finish line is to build Stasis safely, save ammunition for the second-phase Weak Spot, and avoid melee pressure if needed.