The Bloody Whiskers DLC for Tales of Iron caps off with a brutal and dramatic showdown against Verminstein — a grotesque half-rat, half-frog monstrosity that challenges your reflexes, gear choices, and patience. This fight isn’t just a slugfest; it’s a dance of counterattacks, positioning, and discipline. If you’re ready to take down one of the hardest foes in the game, here’s everything you need to know.

Recommended Loadout

Before the fight begins, it’s crucial to equip the right gear. The best combo for this encounter is:

• Two-Handed Slot: Heaviest Axe
• One-Handed Slot: Thor’s Hammer

This combo is effective because of the high damage and fast execution of the R2 → R1 combo. The axe delivers a heavy hit, and Thor’s Hammer quickly follows with a rapid strike. Avoid slower weapon setups, as Verminstein’s aggression leaves little room for drawn-out animations.

Also, wear light armor to maximize your mobility. Dodging is your lifeline in this fight, and heavier armor will only hinder your roll speed and responsiveness.

Phase One: Learn His Patterns

Start the fight by hitting him once, then backing off. Verminstein is unpredictable early on — he can open with tail swipes, hopping slams, or red-line rushes. Keep distance to bait his attacks, then dodge and counter.

• Red Unblockable Attacks: Always dodge through or under them. These are your main windows for counterattacks.
• White Line Attacks: These are projectiles or wide swings — hold block to absorb them.
• Tail Swipe After Hop: If you see him do a hopping slam, be ready for the tail swipe that follows. Dodge through or stay at range.
• Tongue Strike (Yellow): This can be parried if your timing is sharp. If you land a parry, follow up with a heavy combo.

Maintain a rhythm of dodge → R2 → R1 → retreat. Don’t overextend. You’ll get many chances to punish if you’re patient. Keep your gun fully loaded — you’ll need it later.

Phase Two: New Layer, Same Game

After taking enough damage, Verminstein leaps to the ceiling and comes crashing down, signaling the start of phase two. From this point forward, be ready for vertical red circle indicators — a cue that he’s about to drop from above.

To avoid this:

• Watch for the red circle on the floor.
• Immediately sprint to the far left or right side of the screen.

Aside from this, his attack patterns remain the same. Keep the same strategy: bait, dodge, combo. The key here is mental stamina — the fight is long, and the damage windows are short. Stick to your plan.

Advanced Tips

• Ranged Attack Strategy: Save your gun ammo for the final stretch. When Verminstein is low on health, unload your shots to finish him off and avoid unnecessary risks.
• Best Damage Timing: After dodging a red-line attack and if you’re close, hit R2 → R1 immediately. If you’re very close during his wide attack, you may even sneak in an extra R1.
• Counterattack-Only Approach: This is a reaction-based fight. Attack only after dodging or blocking his strike. Never initiate — let him open the door.

Post-Fight Reflections

Upon defeating Verminstein, Reggie reflects on the abomination’s origins — a disturbing mixture of frog and rat, possibly born of his father’s twisted experiments. This crypt-born beast may be the dark root of the undead plague spreading beneath the kingdom.

Verminstein is not only a challenging mechanical fight but also a symbolic climax to the DLC’s narrative — a secret best left buried, now put to rest by Reggie’s hand.

Final Thoughts

This is a boss that rewards discipline and preparation. With the right weapon combo (heavy axe + Thor’s hammer), light armor, and an understanding of his patterns, you’ll find yourself surviving longer and striking harder. Just remember — dodge through, counter with precision, and don’t get greedy. Play it safe, and Verminstein’s reign ends with your victory.

Now go out there, take a deep breath, and give him hell. You’ve got this.