Players in Castlevania: Belmont's Curse must navigate a grueling multi-stage battle against a corrupted version of Joan of Arc, referred to in the game as Rose. This encounter serves as a critical skill check following the fight with The Fallen, requiring precise timing and specific spell utility to survive.
The Holy Cross and the Fire Pillar Gauntlet
The initial encounter with Rose in Castlevania: Belmont's Curse centers on pattern recognition and spatial awareness. According to the report, the most perilous threat in the first phase is a series of flaming coals that erupt into vertical pillars. To survive this, players must either position themselves precisely between the pillars or use a timed jump to avoid the impact entirely.
To accelerate the fight, the guide suggests utilizing the Holy Cross ability. This power is accessed by equipping Leon's Arcana, a tool previously utilized during the battle with The Fallen. When the player has sufficient MP, the Holy Cross deals significant extra damage to Rose, allowing the player to push the boss toward the second phase more efficiently.
Unlocking the Infernal Pyre through The Warrior Tarot
Once Rose's health is reduced by half, the battle shifts into a more aggressive second phase. As the report says,Rose draws black energy from two aerial rings before leaping into the arena to launch new swing attacks. Players must combine the dodging techniques from the first phase with quick reactions to these leaping maneuvers to secure victory.
Defeating Rose provides a significant power spike via the Infernal Pyre spell , which is granted through The Warrior Tarot card. This new offensive capability allows the player to send flames across the ground in both directions , launching enemies into the air. This makes the Infernal Pyre an essential tool for managing both future boss encounters and dense crowds of enemies in the later stages of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse.
An 85 OpenCritic score for Evil Empire's prequel
The struggle against Rose is part of a larger experience that has been highly praised by the gaming community. Developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin and published by Konami, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse launched on October 15, 2026, with a Teen rating. The game has earned a robust average score of 85 out of 100 on OpenCritic and boasts a 97% recommendation rate.
By serving as a prequel to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, the title blends traditional platforming with RPG and action-adventure elements. This design choice allows the developers to expand the series' lore while introducing modern mechanics that appeal to both legacy fans and newcomers to the franchise.
Who is the final boss before the arena exit?
While the victory over Rose provides a necessary segment of the key required to leave The Fallen's arena, the path to freedom is not yet clear. The source notes that players are exactly one boss fight away from advancing further, but it does not name the identity or the mechanics of this final guardian. Additionally, it remains unverified how many other Tarot cards, similar to The Warrior, are required to fully optimize a character build for the game's endgame.
Comments 0