Jevil, the secret boss in Chapter 1 of Deltarune, poses a significant challenge, even for seasoned players of Toby Fox’s games. If you’re struggling to unlock and defeat this chaotic jester, this guide provides a detailed walkthrough, including how to find the broken keys and strategies for surviving his unpredictable attacks. Whether you aim for a peaceful resolution or a violent confrontation, understanding Jevil’s patterns is key to success.
Unlocking Jevil: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before battling Jevil, you must first unlock his prison cell in the Castle. This requires collecting three broken key pieces and having them repaired. Here’s how:
-
Locate Jevil’s Cell: After completing the Castle Dungeon, proceed past the shop and use the elevator to reach the first floor. Find the elevator marked “????” and descend. Follow the path to discover Jevil locked away.
-
Speak with Jevil and Seam: Interact with Jevil, who will mention the need for a key. Then, visit Seam, the shopkeeper, in the field within the shop. Choose the “Strange Prisoner” dialogue option to receive the Broken Key item.
-
Gather the Broken Key Pieces:
- Piece 1: From the Bake Sale location, move left, past the Bloxer area, to find the black and white dancers blocking a path. Take the southern route and continue until Kris appears to be walking on air. Follow this hidden path to a new area with Rabbicks. The second piece of the key is located here.
- Piece 2: Continue along this secret path with Rabbicks to find the second key piece.
- Piece 3: Fast travel to the Field and head right to the puzzle area. Set the combination to Diamond, Heart, Clover, and Spade to unlock the final key piece.
-
Repair the Key: Return to the Bake Sale and speak to Smith Malius. They will automatically offer to fix the broken key pieces, combining them into the completed key.
-
Prepare for Battle: Stock up on healing items from the shop. Then, return to the elevator with the question marks and approach the gate to initiate the battle with Jevil.
Defeating Jevil: Strategies and Tips
The fight against Jevil is notoriously difficult, requiring patience, skillful dodging, and a well-prepared party. You have the option to either pacify or fight Jevil, with different rewards depending on your choice.
- Pacifist Route: Choosing to spare Jevil will reward you with the Jevilstail armor.
- Violent Route: Defeating Jevil in battle will grant you the Devilsknife weapon.
Regardless of your approach, understanding Jevil’s attacks and developing effective dodging strategies is crucial.
Key Strategies for Success
- Practice and Memorization: Jevil’s attack patterns can seem random, but they follow predictable cues. Practice dodging each attack to improve your reaction time.
- Defense Stats: Ensure your party members have solid defense stats to withstand Jevil’s powerful attacks.
- Consumables: Bring plenty of healing items to keep your party alive during the fight.
- Attack Patterns: Jevil’s attacks follow text cues, use these cues to prepare for his attacks.
Jevil’s Attacks and How to Dodge Them
| Dialogue | What Jevil Does | How to Dodge |
|---|---|---|
| Catch me if you can. | Jevil teleports and throws spades at high speed. | Be prepared to move quickly and learn the timing of the spades’ attack pattern to dodge effectively. |
| Having fun yet, join the club. | Clubs appear from the left and right sides of the screen, moving quickly. | Be cautious and react quickly when the clubs appear to avoid getting hit. |
| Let’s make the Devilsknife. | The Devil’s Knife appears in a square pattern. | Move to the center of the square and alternate between the edge of the screen and the center to dodge the knives. |
| Let’s ride the carousel game. | Horses travel diagonally across the screen. | Avoid the corners of the screen to stay safe during this attack. |
| My hearts go out to all the sinners. | Four hearts sweep across the screen, spinning towards you in two pairs. | Wait for the hearts to approach, then move to avoid each pair. |
| Shall we play around? | Jevil fires spiraling spades at you. | Dodge from a distance to avoid getting hit by this large attack. |
Desperation Mode
After cycling through his initial attack patterns, Jevil enters a desperation mode where all attacks are used simultaneously and at varying speeds. The combat box disappears, and knives rain down from the top of the screen. This is a sign that the battle is nearing its end. During this phase, you can move outside the play area to make dodging the knives easier.
Rewards and Post-Battle
Upon defeating or pacifying Jevil, you will receive either the Devilsknife or the Jevilstail armor, respectively. Regardless of the outcome, Jevil will disappear after prophesying doom. You do not need to complete the rest of the chapter to attempt this fight.
Jumping Back In
Even after completing Chapter 1, you can return to challenge Jevil in subsequent playthroughs. The rewards earned from this fight can be carried over into Chapter 2 and likely future chapters, so it’s worth revisiting this challenging encounter. Just as Undertale remembers save files, Deltarune ensures your efforts are not in vain.
Final Thoughts
The battle against Jevil is a true test of skill and perseverance in Deltarune. By understanding his attack patterns, preparing your party effectively, and practicing your dodging skills, you can overcome this formidable foe and claim your reward. Good luck, and remember to have fun!
