Note: This is not a Memorial Arena scoring guide
Yes, it's everyone's hated clockwork-themed boss. Me? I love the absolute heck out of it. Great telegraphy, awesome design and not just an enemy you mindlessly fight.
So what is different about SSS Nihilius compared to the regular one?
It only uses 4 of its original moves and stays in its sword-wielding form throughout. However it primarily gains 2 new ones combined with new gimmicks.
Imaginary Force Field
Not an opening attack, but a gimmick that sets the stage for upcoming occurrences called Spacetime Inversions. Right here, Nihilius begins with 8x HP bars. All parts of this move, the gears, the pointers and the shadow of Nihilius itself, have no current influence on your fight.
Nihilius will commence attacking in a 4-move rotation with its basic 3 moves in sword-form, the Triple slash, the Imaginary charged slash and Roundhouse slash.
Void Slashes
This new 4th move has Nihilius crouch low, rear up its sword arm, and slash out two sword waves in a crossed fashion. This attack is used every 4 moves, so this means Nihilius will never repeat any of the above mentioned attacks in a single rotation.
Upon reaching 7x HP bars, the first Spacetime Inversion occurs. You will be brought into an Imaginary dimension where the "shadow" Nihilius takes action while the original halts in place. The Temporal Shadow is impervious to attack and only has two moves - Charged Slash and Void Slash - and these attacks will flow in reverse.
Your objective here, is to break 6 gears (16-point hit shield each) in the center, releasing you from the Imaginary dimension.
Nihilius now repeats the 4-move cycle but will supercede one of the originals with Blade of Judgement. Unlike the original, there is no Void Shade summoned with it.
At 5x HP bars, the second Spacetime Inversion happens and your goal is to defeat the Temporal Shadow, having a 100-point hit shield. A fast attacker is certainly recommended.
Temporal Strike
Upon breaking out of the second Inversion, Nihilius takes center stage, and wields an extended blade, sweeping the indicated radius twice with a ferocious two-hit spinning slash.
This move, alongside Blade of Judgement will take priority over its moveset in every 4 attacks. (Like with most of its moves, observe the pointer hands for precise timing)
Once brought down to the last HP bar, Nihilius enters Imaginary Surge, where it executes Temporal Strikes continuously under an 18-second timer. Nihilius takes bonus Total Dmg during this time. If you fail to defeat it when the surge ends, you will enter Spacetime Inversion one final time, and fight the Temporal Shadow with the same 100-point hit shield.
Caution!: Be careful if you're at risk of death. If Nihilius was frozen mid-attack by the Spacetime Inversion, it will resume the Temporal Slash at the moment you defeat the Shadow and leave the dimension.
Upon exit, Nihilius enters its final form - Dual Blades.
The Temporal Shadow and Nihilius itself will fight you to the death using 3 fast and powerful moves. The Shadow will always strike first.
While I loved this fight to the core, I felt it was a waste that the double bladed form didn't see much time, and was only meant as a final punishment for the inadequate players. Probably should've give it more damage reduction on its last leg of health.
Also miHoYo... Forget the Valkyrie figurines. Make a die metal-cast of Nihilius and I'll easily pay you hundreds for it... (Pretty please? :x)
