Rise Of The Ronin: How To Beat Matthew Perry (Boss Fight)

Matthew Perry is the first boss Rise of the Ronin players will encounter, a colonist Commodore set on finally capturing the "white whale" of Japanese trade. He attacks fast, has a firearm at long ranges, and can quickly take down Veiled Edges with his combos. Yet, this militiaman can be defeated with well-timed Counterspark parries and use your ally well.

This first boss fight will test players' introductory combat skills, which the Black Ship mission has been training you for. An important aspect of mastering Rise of the Ronin's combat is knowing when to switch out your weapon, and how to take advantage of your surroundings. Toss environmental hazards at Perry to create openings for devastating combos, and know when to Twin switch to coordinate a back strike.

Related 10 Rise Of The Ronin Settings & Features That Will Improve Your Experience Rise of the Ronin is a complex game with many intricate features, but there are a few that will significantly improve the experience if adapted early.

How to Defeat Matthew Perry

Despite being the first boss of Rise of the Ronin, Matthew Perry is by no means easy to beat. He attacks in fast combos, dodges often, and shoots at the Twins if they stray too far. The Commodore is also the first boss with a Martial Art and Heavy Attack, which can significantly drain your health bars if not dodged or Countersparked properly.

Players will need to utilize the key skills taught in this prologue to defeat Perry: Countersparks and your Blade Twin. Strategically switch to your ally to distract Perry and either heal with medicinal pills or line up a headshot with your rifle. Let the Commodore fight your Twin for a moment initially to memorize his attack patterns and rhythm, then time your Countersparks to drain his panic bar.

Astute players will notice a number of explosive barrels lining the ship's deck, which can be thrown at Perry to disorient him while dealing damage. When Perry is below half health and starts glowing red, dodge away from him quickly before he launches his downward slash or uppercut rifle combo. Similarly, dodge away when Perry does a roll backwards, as he will then shoot at the player from afar.

While Matthew Perry does have a lot of health, he can nonetheless be taken down with enough parries, Twin switching, and barrel launches. By constantly redrawing his aggro from quick Twin switching, your other fighter can dish damage against him while he turns and resets his attack animation. Eventually, Perry will fall, and you can deliver the killing blow...that is, until the enigmatic Blue Demon comes to his rescue.

What Happens if You Defeat the Blue Demon?

The Blue Demon in the prologue is incredibly difficult, utilizing extremely fast, far-reaching slashing combos. He also has a long-range, wide fan of projectiles, meaning he is lethal at any range. Players are not meant to defeat the Blue Demon at this point, as it sets up the game's most interesting narrative mechanic. He will force you to pick which of the Blade Twins to escape with the secret message.

While it is possible to defeat the Blue Demon here, it is not recommended. While completionists will unlock the "Tears of the Blue Demon" achievement, nothing truly changes, and the overarching narrative remains unaffected. Despite being injured, the Blue Demon still defends against the Twins and forces you at gunpoint to pick a Twin to play as regardless. However, Rise of the Ronin's fallen Blade Twin will return soon enough.