Short Answer

The King of Flowing Sands and Second Prince fight is a Chapter 2 duo encounter where the smaller King harasses from pillars while the Second Prince does the real melee work. Let the Second Prince break pillars to expose the King if you want the extra route item, but do not tunnel so hard on the King that the mace boss hits you for free. The Second Prince’s delayed mace attacks are the real kill condition.

When This Guide Helps

Use this guide if the duo feels unfair because you are chasing the King and getting flattened, or if you are unsure whether target order matters. The fight is not just two health bars. It is a positioning test around pillars, thrown pressure, and a slow but dangerous mace moveset.

This encounter also affects the setup for First Prince of Flowing Sands, so the order you choose can change the route context that follows.

Route And Unlock Context

The duo appears in the Sandgate Village route as Chapter 2 begins opening into the Flowing Sands family sequence. Use the nearby shrine to reset and clear the approach before committing attempts.

If you defeat the King first, the fight can reward Pungent Flesh Chunk, which can be used to summon First Prince of Flowing Sands near Valley of Despair. It also changes the Second Prince reward path by letting you obtain the Second Rat Prince Spirit. If the King escapes, you can still continue the route, but the next encounter setup and reward outcome change.

Core Mechanics

The King stays on pillars and throws pressure while the Second Prince fights in the arena. The intended interaction is to lure the Second Prince into breaking pillars so the King becomes vulnerable. That creates a tempting target switch, but your camera and stamina must still account for the mace boss.

The Second Prince has delayed mace attacks. These moves punish players who dodge the first motion and immediately attack. Wait for the actual follow-up or area strike before committing.

Moves To Respect

Respect pillar positioning. If you stand directly under the King without watching the Second Prince, the larger boss can punish your camera.

Respect mace throws and delayed slams. A slow start does not mean the attack is finished.

Respect target greed. Killing the King first has route value, but surviving the Second Prince is still the priority.

Fight Plan

  1. Keep both enemies on camera whenever possible.
  2. Lure the Second Prince near pillars so his attacks can break them.
  3. Damage the King only when he is exposed and the mace boss is not mid-swing.
  4. Against the Second Prince, run or dodge around thrust-style pressure and punish the recovery.
  5. Carry the result into the First Prince route instead of assuming every cutscene path is identical.

Immobilize helps create a safe target switch or a clean punish on the Second Prince. Red Tides is useful if you need a health buffer while finishing the larger boss, but do not transform while the King is still pelting you from an awkward angle.

Prioritize camera comfort and stamina over raw damage. This fight gets worse when you cannot see both threats.

Common Mistakes

  • Chasing the King while the Second Prince is winding up behind you.
  • Dodging the first mace motion and attacking into the delayed hit.
  • Breaking pillars accidentally but failing to capitalize because stamina is empty.
  • Assuming target order has no route consequence.

Quality Check Before You Move On

You are ready to move on when you can explain your target order and can dodge the delayed mace attacks without panic rolling. If you keep losing the King in the camera, fight farther from the pillars until the Second Prince is under control.

FAQ

Should I kill the King first?

If you want Pungent Flesh Chunk for the First Prince summon path and the Second Rat Prince Spirit reward, prioritize exposing and defeating the King. Just do it safely around the Second Prince’s attacks.

What is the hardest move?

The delayed mace follow-up is the common trap. Wait for the real finish before punishing.

Does this fight affect First Prince?

Yes. Your result changes how the First Prince encounter is introduced, although the route can continue either way.

Sources