Hello, I am UrbanPie950, a retired wiki staff member and a YBA player for a decent amount of time. But that's enough about me. You've either stumbled on this page either aimlessly or with quite a heroic intent. You've decided to forgo actual meta stands such as The World Over Heaven or Gold Experience Requiem and decided to find something more... unique, perhaps even... legendary. Beach Boy. This guide will instruct you on how to beat the game using the power of fishing!
Recommendations[]
In my experience with the stand, Beach Boy is fairly easy to use once you know the basics. But here are some things I'd suggest to do before starting this.
- Finish the storyline once before. This isn't a must do but knowing what to do doesn't hurt, especially with how Beach Boy lacks any form of mobility so knowing the map plus where to go will make this quicker. In terms of what stand or spec, it doesn't matter.
- Shift Lock, I like it when positioning myself. Though please keep in mind one thing - make sure it is off when using Rod Pull. This is due to how with it on, the Rod Pull might fail. NPCs will charge at you anyways but if you want to use a quick Rod Slap, being able to run and get some distance away.
- Money. Around 10,000. 15,000 if you want to go for Hamon. Most specs cost around 10,000 with Hamon being the sole exception. Fighting styles are not needed and this guide will mostly cover the game without a style and a majority of Beach Boy's combos are relativity similar.
- Patience. You don't need a patience of a saint but Beach Boy will most likely require you to adapt a different playstyle.
Combos[]
The main combo I like to use is: Rod Pull + Fighting Style of your choice + Rod Slap + Dash away + Hook Pierce + Rod Throw.
Rod Pull to pull targets near you then you unleash your fighting style of choice, making sure to use its strongest attacks such as Hamon's Scarlet Overdrive to its barrage. Then Rod Slap to knock down whoever you're fighting. Dash away to regain some distance the Rod Pull costed, then use Hook Pierce for bleed and Rod Throw for zoning.
This combo isn't foolproof. NPCs can barrage after a Rod Pull so be prepared to either Block and wait for an opening or pull off a Perfect Block.
Another combo that is good is just using the LMB. Beach Boy has extra melee range so you will out range a majority of bosses. However, due to how NPCs start with barrages. It is better to be on the defensive and start left clicking after you perfect block their barrage finisher.
Fighting Styles[]
Here are the current run down of the Specialities and if I recommend them or not.
- Hamon is considered to be the most viable of the options for Beach Boy. Hamon gives access to the burn Status Effect and some melee options. It also makes the user of it more tanky if their Hamon is charged up. This will also give a barrage, which Beach Boy lacks.
- Sword-Style is my fighting style of choice. Mainly due to adding mobility (Instant Slash and more noticeably, Aerial Ace) towards a Stand that lacks any sort of mobility. The extra range will be useless with your stand out as Beach Boy's range is larger but the damage will increase. Sword is also really reliable. You can actually solo the game with it. Just note that it is currently the only fighting style that does not make the user more durable.
- Spin is unique. It changes the playstyle of Beach Boy a fair bit, increasing its decent zoning potential with the Steel Balls while the other fighting styles would attempt to aid Beach Boy's melee. I haven't tried Spin with Beach Boy but if you want to have some zoning give Spin a try!
- Boxing gives access to a barrage which is always good for a Stand that lacks such an attack. Eye Gouge slows down enemies while blurring their vision, which can help with aiming Beach Boy's attacks. Jaw Breaker is also nice, as it knocks down the target while pushing them away, allowing you try and prepare for a combo.
- Vampirism, to be honest I haven't used. In theory, the increased regen would be handy and the life steal from Blood Drain. Also note that there are currently no enemies within the main story that use Hamon, meaning that you would not have to deal with the downside of extra damage from Hamon users. Just be careful during daytime. It is also at an odd position. The only way to negate the damage from the sun is via an umbrella. This is only accessible within Steel Ball Run, which automatically requires you to be Prestige 2 when using a new account. Even then, with the umbrella, it disables clicking attacks (LMBs and RMBs) which removes one of Beach Boy's main advantages, its increased melee range. If you want to reject your humanity, be at least Prestige 2.
The Main Story[]
The Main Story is relatively short.
Security Guards[]
By far the weakest enemies in this game and they are balanced to be defeated without a use of a Stand. I don't really have much to say in terms of advice minus from using perfect blocks before their powerful attacks just so you can get practice in if you haven't done it before. After defeating them get Giorno's briefcase and hand it to Koichi. Start by leveling up Rod Pull. Currently, it is useless but you want Beach Boy's strongest attack at its strongest state as soon as possible. Hook Pierce. It will require four levels at least to max though. I also recommend leveling up vitality from the Character skill tree to survive attacks.
Leaky Eye Luca[]
Luca is a pretty easy boss. Hook pierce if you have it unlocked yet. His shovel will be against your regular attacks but Beach Boy will outrange his shovel. Remember to block when you need to be defensive and you should have no issues. Go and talk to the Giorno in the park.
Bruno Bucciarati[]
Bruno will be the first boss that might be some trouble. Hook Pierce him at the start and get ready to block. When he runs towards you, he will most likely barrage you and then barrage finisher you. You can perfect block barrage finishers, allowing you to go on the offensive. Do not try to run, however. He can use his stand to extend its arm. Hook Pierce him when he's open to attack. If you got the bleed upgrade the fight will be quicker. But if you wanted to get more health, do so.
Giorno and the Money Grind[]
Next is meeting Giorno #3 and then Bruno's team. After that comes the quest to get 5,000. Just grind the Corrupt Police Officer quest. If you reach level 15 start doing the Alpha Thug quest. Make sure you sell random stuff you find to ShiftPlox, The Travelling Merchant. As for skills, make sure to max out Hook Pierce and work on the lower half of Beach Boy's skill tree. As for character stats, still focus on health and either a bit of health regen, sturdiness or agility. You might also want to grind for 10k instead to unlock a fighting style. You'll keep the 5,000 from the quest. If you're still under 5k, shift do doing the Dracula quest to defeat Zombie Henchmen as they are easy to do and three are near Dracula.
Pannacotta Fugo[]
Fugo is fairly hard for a boss, especially since Purple Haze still fires its orbs even when perfect blocked. This is where Beach Boy's main advantage should come into play; zoning. Make liberal use of Rod Throw and Hook Pierce and feel free to use M1s and Rod Slap when under pressure from the poison or his attacks. Don't try to go too far south as it will make Fugo despawn, requiring you to fight him again. Use your spec of choice to keep up the damage when he reaches nearby or to create more distance.
Pesci[]
Fighting fire with fire!... Or in this case fishing rods! You're at an advantage over Pesci as your Hook Pierce bleeds and by now it should for an extended amount of time. By the time you reach Pesci the bottom half of Beach Boy should be maxed out so you should work on durability such as Vitality. Invest some points within the pull's range if you desire but combos with your Fighting Style of choice is quite important. You can actually Perfect Block a Rod Pull. You block when you're dragged to Pesci.
Ghiaccio[]
In my blog post series of me beating the storyline without a Stand, I said that Ghiaccio was my least favourite boss and also what I believed to be the hardest boss within YBA... Well with Part 6 Jotaro, he isn't the hardest boss in my opinion but I still think its the hardest storyline boss. However, Beach Boy can be quite handy against the boss. Instead of barrages into a barrage finisher which you can easily perfect block, Ghiaccio instead - quite smartly - thinks to use one of his Stand powers - Flash Freeze! Jokes on him, however, as he is not against an average Joe anymore!
Dodging via a dash to the left or right works! Keep in mind due to how large Flash Freeze is, he might hit you and you might get stuck. It's a timing that you need to get use to. Beach Boy's ranged attacks does help against his White Album. Hook Pierce is vital for its bleed effect while Rod Throw keeps Ghiaccio on the floor. The same with Rod Slap. Make sure to apply your fighting style of choice's defense bonus if it has one with its damage. Just keep on using range and using close range when you need to and you should make it. With health vitality, I'd suggest keeping it at three and sturdiness at two. If your vitality is at least seven you can continuing leveling either your fighting style or Stand, however, Auto Rod Pull is not the best ability for PvE.
Diavolo[]
Diavolo, standing tall on top of the castle while Giorno takes time to recover... The most controversial story boss, there use to be various discussions to nerf him actually. I don't see those discussions as much as I use to, though and I'm actually of the opinion that Diavolo should be buffed or should be reworked to feel more like a final boss. All he is... is just a King Crimson user with Raging Demon and who lacks Impale, a pretty great skill for King Crimson.
Diavolo is really offensive in his fight, so much that you can use that as punishment. Use Hook Pierce to start against him and then he will run or teleport to you. Press and hold F to tank his barrage and then he will either use a barrage finisher or a chop. Regardless, try to get a Perfect Block and start to punish him, alternatively if you're not durable enough or if you have low health you can wait for Epitaph to deactivate. Repeat the process and make sure to use Hook Pierce and Rod Slap and a fighting style move of your choice if it has a status effect. Rod Slap is also useful, just don't move Diavolo too far away or else he'll reset. The process is long but is doable.
Conclusion[]
This is how I'd suggest playing this game's story mode with Beach Boy. I do think the stand is really underrated and you should try it if you want a unique stand! Plus beating the game with a Stand like Beach Boy is also worth if for bragging rights. If you also want to do a challenge run but you want something that isn't too intense playing the game with Beach Boy is fun and a good introduction to challenge runs.
Feel free to comment any criticisms about this page! I'll see them and respond to them as soon as I can. Thank you for reading this as well!