If you have found yourself wandering the frostbitten landscapes of the game, only to be ambushed by a relentless hunter, you have likely encountered Code Vein 2’s most annoying invader: Franz the Dejected Assailant. While the game is filled with massive beasts and grotesque horrors, Franz represents a different kind of challenge—a duel against a skilled opponent who reads your moves just as well as you read his.
Many players underestimate this fight because Franz looks like a standard Revenant. Do not make that mistake. Armed with a flaming Bayonet Rifle and a moveset designed to punish greedy players, he can wipe out a party in seconds if you aren’t prepared. This guide is designed to break down his mechanics, highlight his weaknesses, and provide you with the winning strategy to loot his corpse for the valuable rewards waiting underneath.
Who is Franz the Dejected Assailant?
Before we dive into the combat mechanics, it helps to know what you are up against. Franz is an Invader-type enemy. In the lore of the series, Invaders are Revenants who have lost their way, often hunting others for their Blood Codes or simply out of sheer madness.
Franz is unique because he isn’t just a mindless Lost; he retains the combat proficiency of a skilled hunter. He typically appears in the Ridge of Frozen Souls or specific depths maps where the environment matches his cold, dejected persona. His title, “The Dejected Assailant,” hints at his fighting style—erratic, sometimes aggressive, but ultimately sad and dangerous.
Preparing for the Hunt: Loadout and Builds
You cannot walk into this fight swinging a giant hammer and hoping for the best. Franz’s speed is his greatest asset. You need a build that can match his agility or tank his hits long enough to land a critical blow.
Recommended Blood Codes
For this fight, you want a balance of mobility and Ichor capacity.
- Isis: This is arguably the best choice for spellcasters and hybrid players. It boosts your Ichor regeneration, allowing you to spam ice gifts.
- Eos: If you prefer a support role or need consistent healing, Eos provides excellent stat boosts for light weapons and healing gifts.
- Atlas: If you struggle with dodging, go tanky. Atlas allows you to wear heavy armor without slowing down, letting you tank through the rifle shots.
Essential Gifts
Since Franz utilizes a weapon infused with Fire, your defensive strategy must revolve around Fire Resistance.
- Flash Freeze: This is your nuclear option. Franz is weak to Ice. Stacking Flash Freeze will slow him down significantly.
- Fire Resistance: Equip this buff before entering the arena. It reduces the damage of his bayonet thrusts and the burning status effect.
- Augment Mind / Will o’ Wisp: Boost your Ichor to ensure you have enough gas for the entire fight without running dry.
For more build ideas, check out our comprehensive list of top-tier blood codes.
Code Vein 2 – Franz the Dejected Assailant Boss Guide
This section contains the core strategy. The fight with Franz is generally divided into two phases based on his health bar, though his moveset remains consistent throughout. The key difference is his aggression level.
Phase 1: The Kiting Game
In the beginning, Franz relies heavily on his Bayonet Rifle. He will try to keep his distance, firing shots that deal fire damage and build up your flame gauge.
The Strategy:
Do not sprint at him in a straight line. Zig-zag approach to close the gap. When you get within melee range, he will switch to the bayonet. Watch for his thrust attack. It has a long wind-up (he pulls the weapon back) and a long reach.
- Pro Tip: This thrust attack is the perfect time to dodge through him. If you time it right, you end up behind him for a backstab critical.
Phase 2: The Aggressor
Once his health drops below 50%, Franz enters a “Enraged” state. His eyes glow brighter, and he begins to use a combo attack: Rapid Fire into Melee Strike.
The Strategy:
This is where most players die. He fires three quick shots and immediately charges with a sweeping slash. Your instinct might be to dodge the shots, but you must save your stamina for the melee follow-up.
- Block the first two shots if you have a shield.
- Dodge the third shot and the subsequent slash.
Dealing with the “Molten Lead” Attack
Franz has a unique move where he fires a concentrated shot into the ground, creating a lingering pool of fire. Do not stand in it! It deals massive damage over time. Lure him out of these pools. If you fight him inside the fire, you will lose.
Looking for more challenging encounters? See our guide on how to defeat the Successor of the Ribcage.
Companion Synergy: Who to Bring?
Fighting an Invader solo is a true test of skill, but bringing a companion makes this fight significantly easier. However, the wrong companion can get you killed.
- Yakumo Shinonome: He is the tank you need. Yakumo can draw Franz’s aggro, allowing you to heal or cast spells safely. His high health pool lets him tank the rifle shots that would one-shot you.
- Io: While her damage is lower, Io provides excellent support. She can cast buffs and heal you when you get caught in a combo.
- Muramasa: If you are confident in your dodging, bring Muramasa. His damage output is high, and he can stagger Franz quickly, interrupting his annoying rifle combos.
According to community discussions on Fandom, using a companion with high Dexterity stats helps in applying status effects faster, which is crucial for the ice strategy mentioned earlier.
Loot and Rewards
Why go through the trouble? Franz drops some fantastic loot that is viable for mid-to-late game progression.
Defeating him grants a chance to obtain:
- Frost Weapon Upgrades: Materials that add ice element to your weapons.
- Regenesis Extender: A rare item that extends the duration of your gifts.
- The Bayonet Rifle: You can actually claim his weapon. It is an excellent choice for players who want to play a ranged/build hybrid, offering solid fire damage and good reach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being Too Aggressive: Franz loves to punish panic rolls. If you mash the dodge button, you will run out of stamina right when he launches his unblockable combo.
- Ignoring the Environment: If you are fighting him in the Ridge of Frozen Souls, be careful not to get stuck on the ice walls or cliff edges.
- Using Fire Weapons: Do not bring a fire weapon. It will be ineffective. Switch to lightning or ice, or just raw physical damage.
Final Thoughts
Franz the Dejected Assailant is a “skill check” boss. He forces you to learn timing, spacing, and resource management better than any giant monster would. By utilizing ice gifts, managing your stamina during his rifle volleys, and bringing Yakumo to draw aggro, you can turn this depressing fight into a decisive victory.
Whether you are playing through the main campaign or diving into the Depth maps, preparation is everything. Good luck, Revenant.