Black Myth: Wukong – Erlang Shen has 73 Attacks & Transformations

Warning: This article contains spoilers about one of the final bosses in Black Myth: Wukong. If you haven’t reached this point yet, feel free to bookmark this page and return later.

Black Myth: Wukong is a treasure trove of Chinese mythology and folklore, drawing inspiration from the classic 16th-century novel Journey to the West. The game beautifully brings to life some of China’s most iconic legends and locations.

While many of its historical nods are easily recognizable, it seems the developers have also embedded subtle secrets throughout the game—one of which relates to the surprising number of attacks a certain boss possesses.

A Hidden Homage to Myth in Erlang Shen’s Move Set

Erlang Shen, one of Black Myth: Wukong's secret bosses, plays a key role in achieving the game’s "true ending." After a brief encounter with him during Wukong’s prologue, players will eventually face off against him again in a climactic and grueling battle to complete the game.

Known for his intense difficulty, Erlang Shen’s unpredictable and diverse move set often leaves players struggling for hours. But recently, fans have uncovered a fascinating connection between his attacks and the folklore surrounding this legendary figure.

In Chinese mythology, Erlang Shen is famous for his ability to transform into 73 different forms, making him nearly invincible. This mythological trait has been intricately woven into the game, as players on platforms like Bilibili and Reddit have discovered that Erlang Shen uses 73 distinct attacks during the fight—each one representing one of his mythical transformations. To add even more depth, each transformation comes with its own unique voice line.

This revelation has taken the Black Myth: Wukong community by storm. Fans are praising the meticulous attention to detail, with one player commenting, “The amount of work put into this boss is absolutely incredible,” highlighting the dedication of the development team.

It’s a brilliant touch from Game Science in their record-breaking title and cements Erlang Shen’s place as one of the most challenging—and lore-rich—bosses in modern gaming.