Short Answer

Top Takes Bottom and Bottom Takes Top is the first major boss inside Bishui Cave. Clear the Five Element Carts quest, enter Secret: Bishui Cave at Purge Pit, then focus whichever partner is exposed. Dodge through the rolling ball phase, keep damage on the lower-health target after swaps begin, and finish one boss before splitting attention again.

Route And Unlock Context

This fight is locked behind the Chapter 5 secret-area route. Complete the Five Element Carts quest, then enter Bishui Cave and activate the Purge Pit shrine. From that shrine, head down into the boss arena.

After the fight, continue up the stairs and through the large doorway toward Cave Depths. Bishui Golden-Eyed Beast is deeper in the cave, so do not spend every medicine on this encounter if you plan to continue in one route.

Fight Plan

Top Takes Bottom starts the fight. Dodge the launch attack and land staff combos while that target is exposed. After enough pressure, the pair swaps and Bottom Takes Top takes over.

Bottom Takes Top’s shell matters. If you hit the shell, damage falls off and you waste the opening. Move to the front when the boss is exposed, dodge the spinning attack, then use Immobilize or Focus damage to push the health bar.

Later, the pair combines into a rolling ball. This is a survival phase, not a punish phase. Keep dodging until the roll sequence ends. Afterward, the two bosses begin switching repeatedly: one hides behind the shell while the other attacks. Track the lower-health target and finish that one first so the last stretch becomes a single-target cleanup.

Moves To Respect

  • Opening launch: dodge first, then punish Top Takes Bottom.
  • Bottom Takes Top shell: hit the exposed front, not the protected shell.
  • Spinning attack: let it pass before committing Immobilize or a heavy.
  • Rolling ball phase: focus on survival until they separate.
  • Late swaps: keep your target discipline and finish one boss before changing plans.

Use Immobilize for exposed targets and a fast Spirit after a spin or launch recovery. Cloud Step helps if the rolling ball pins you near the wall, but it should not replace learning the dodge rhythm.

Bring enough healing for the secret-area route after the fight. If you reach Purge Pit low on resources, rest before starting; the cave still has several encounters and the Bishui Golden-Eyed Beast later.

Common Mistakes

  • Hitting Bottom Takes Top’s shell and wondering why the punish feels weak.
  • Trying to damage the rolling ball phase instead of dodging it.
  • Splitting damage evenly after the late swaps begin.
  • Leaving Purge Pit without enough healing for the route deeper into Bishui Cave.

Quality Check Before You Move On

Before heading toward Cave Depths, confirm both bosses are dead, reward materials are collected, and you still have enough resources to continue. If not, rest at Purge Pit and route back through the cleared arena.

FAQ

How do I unlock this fight?

Complete the Five Element Carts quest, enter Secret: Bishui Cave, activate Purge Pit, and go down into the arena.

Which boss should I focus?

Focus the exposed target, then commit to the lower-health boss once the late switching pattern begins.

Can I punish the rolling ball?

Treat it as a dodge phase. Survive until the pair separates, then restart your target plan.

Sources