Storm Monk — Eye of the Tempest
Stage 11 · Lightning-staff zoner — dominates his preferred range, punishes whiffs and jumps.
Storm Monk is the first of the back-to-back boss gauntlet (stages 11–18) and the game’s definitive zoner. His lightning-tipped staff gives him the longest effective range of any boss, and he is built entirely around keeping you at that range and punishing every attempt to get in.
With 680 HP and 1.5× damage, he is not especially tanky, but reaching him is the whole problem. Storm Monk wins the match at his preferred distance and loses it the moment you are pressed against him. Your entire gameplan is a safe approach.
Boss stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Stage | Stage 11 |
| Health | 680 HP |
| Speed | Fast (1.15×) |
| Damage | High (1.5×) |
The three phases
Like every boss, Storm Monk runs a three-phase AI that escalates at 66% and 33% remaining HP. Each transition adds aggression and speed — and opens a brief invincible intro you can use to charge Ki.
Phase 1 (100% – 66% HP)
He pokes with Thunder Spear from max range and repositions with Lightning Step whenever you close. Learn the timing of the spear thrust so you can weave through it.
Phase 2 (66% – 33% HP)
Lightning Step gets faster and he mixes anti-air Storm Pillar in to shut down aerial approaches. Commit to grounded approaches through the depth plane instead of jumping.
Phase 3 (33% – 0% HP)
He chains spear thrusts and pillars more tightly, trying to reset space every time you arrive. Once you are in, stay in — do not give up your hard-won position to reset neutral.
Signature moves & how to counter them
Thunder Spear
Long staff thrust. A long, linear staff thrust that covers most of the screen horizontally and is his primary keepout tool.
Counter: It is linear — use the depth move (↑/↓) to weave off its line, then advance during the thrust recovery. Do not try to walk straight into it.
Lightning Step
Mobility / reposition. A quick dash that resets the distance whenever you get close, keeping you at spear range.
Counter: Anticipate the reset. After you close the gap, commit a dash (double-tap →) into his blind spot so a single Lightning Step cannot fully escape you.
Storm Pillar
Anti-air. A vertical burst that deletes jump-in approaches — the reason you should never try to jump at Storm Monk.
Counter: Simply do not jump. Approach on the ground and through the depth plane; keep your movement horizontal and low.
How to beat Storm Monk
Treat the approach as the entire fight. Depth-dodge (↑/↓) around Thunder Spear rather than blocking it, and step forward during its recovery. Each successful weave buys you a chunk of distance.
Once you are close, commit a dash (double-tap →) to enter his blind spot so his Lightning Step reset cannot cleanly escape. Then keep the pressure on — he is fragile once cornered.
Never jump. Storm Pillar exists specifically to punish aerial approaches, and eating one resets you to full screen against the best zoner in the game. Keep everything grounded.
Recommended Ki specials
Energy Dash (35%) is excellent for closing the last gap with invincibility; Ki Blast (25%) can contest his zoning at range while you look for a weave.
Common mistakes
- Jumping at him — Storm Pillar will punish every jump-in.
- Blocking Thunder Spear instead of depth-dodging it, which lets him keep his range for free.
- Giving up your position after finally getting in. Resetting neutral hands the match back to him.
TL;DR
Depth-dodge the spear, dash into his blind spot, never jump, and stay glued to him once you’re in.
More boss guides
- Previous: Shadow Lord (Stage 10)
- Next: Venom Fang (Stage 12)
See the full boss roster, brush up on the core mechanics, or review the command list before you climb the ladder.