Anime Vanguards: True Shadow Monarch Complete Quest & Evolution Guide

True Shadow Monarch is more than another evolution in Roblox Anime Vanguards. This Transcendent unit introduces an entirely separate progression system, complete with its own levels, equipment, skill trees, and Shadow Army. Unlocking it requires completing a lengthy Player Quest, surviving a 10-wave dungeon, and making an irreversible sacrifice involving your existing Song Jinwu and Igros unit.

This guide walks through the entire process, from the initial System quest to recruiting your Shadow Army and building a powerful endgame Monarch.

Part 1: How to Unlock True Shadow Monarch

The first milestone is obtaining the Transcendent evolution of Song Jinwu and Igros. You cannot summon True Shadow Monarch directly from a banner; it must be unlocked through the dedicated Player Quest.

Step 1: Meet the Initial Requirements

Before starting the questline, make sure you own Song Jinwu and Igros, the evolved Vanguard unit. You need the combined Song Jinwu and Igros, not simply the original Mythic Song Jinwu and a separate Igros. Once you have the required unit:

• Add Song Jinwu and Igros to your inventory.
• Enter the main lobby.
• Look for the System prompt asking, “Do you want to be a player?”
• Accept the offer to begin the special Player Quest.

Your Player Level will start at Level 0, and the dedicated quest progression will become available.

Step 2: Complete the Player Quest from Level 0 to 100

The Player Quest contains 100 levels of objectives. These involve activities such as defeating specific enemies, completing Story stages, eliminating bosses, and collecting required materials.

You can work through many of these objectives during your normal gameplay rather than treating the quest as a completely separate grind. However, four milestones require special attention.

Important: Reaching each milestone is not enough by itself. You must return to the lobby and interact with the glowing water well. Skipping this interaction prevents the next quest objective from appearing, leaving your progression stuck. 

Step 3: Obtain the Returned Dungeon Key

After reaching Player Level 100 and completing the final checkpoint, you’ll receive the Returned Dungeon Key. Find it in your inventory and activate it to enter the special dungeon. A confirmation message indicating that you’ve been invited to the Returned Dungeon will appear.

Before entering, prepare a team capable of dealing with both large enemy groups and durable bosses. Recommended choices include:

• Holy Deceiver (Dark): A powerful damage option for difficult encounters.
• Roku (Super 3): Provides strong offensive pressure.
• Rogita (Super): Another useful high-damage attacker.
• Boo (Evil): Adds further damage against demanding waves.
• Unlucky Doctor: Can fill a supporting farming role when needed.

Step 4: Clear All 10 Returned Dungeon Waves

The Returned Dungeon consists of 10 waves that must be completed to advance the evolution quest. Concentrate on eliminating dangerous enemies before they overwhelm your formation. A balanced lineup with strong single-target damage and reliable area attacks will make the run considerably easier. You don’t need to complete the longer Nightmare version of the dungeon for this evolution. The standard 10-wave clear is the required objective.

Step 5: Complete the True Shadow Monarch Evolution

After clearing the Returned Dungeon, return to the main lobby. You’ll receive a notification explaining that the current dimension cannot support the Shadow Monarch’s power and that the System must be removed. This triggers the final evolution sequence.

• Open your Units inventory.
• Locate the correct Song Jinwu and Igros unit.
• Unlock it if necessary and remove it from any active team.
• Choose the option to sell or delete the unit.
• Confirm the “Delete the Shadow Monarch?” prompt.
• Accept the final “Delete the System?” prompt.
• Follow the transition into the ruined hall and approach the large glowing purple orb.
• Press E when the interaction prompt appears to trigger the transformation.

A cutscene will play, and your Song Jinwu and Igros will evolve into True Shadow Monarch, a unit of Transcendent rarity. Successful completion also awards the Rib of the Saint, which is needed for the God Ascended crafting progression.

Part 2: Understanding the True Shadow Monarch System

True Shadow Monarch has a separate progression system that operates independently of ordinary unit leveling. You earn System EXP and System Gold through activities such as takedowns, allowing you to improve the Monarch and gradually expand the Shadow Army.

Put True Shadow Monarch in the First Team Slot

To access the unit’s special mechanics, place True Shadow Monarch in the first position of your team. This activates its dedicated interface and gives you access to the System menu, where you can manage:

• Status: View your current System Level and Hunter Rank.
• Quests: Track objectives and progression requirements.
• Shadows: Manage your recruited army and assign available slots.
• Abilities: Select the active skills used by the Monarch.
• Weapons: Purchase and upgrade equipment.
• Classes: Develop the Monarch’s specialized skill trees.
• Shop: Spend System Gold on weapons and other useful items.

You can open the System interface using the J key.

System Level and Shadow Army Slots

True Shadow Monarch can reach System Level 100. As you gain experience, additional Shadow slots become available, letting you field a larger army.

Each System level also provides a stat point that you can distribute between Damage, Range, Cost, Shadow Damage, and Shadow Cost.

Part 3: How to Recruit the Six Required Shadows

Your Shadow Army is one of True Shadow Monarch’s most important features. These units fight alongside you and provide additional damage, crowd control, and other utility. The six Shadows required for the Necromancer Job Change are obtained through Shadow Trials. You’ll need to defeat their corresponding bosses and successfully use Arise before the defeated shadow disappears.

Accessing Shadow Trials

Shadow Trials become available after obtaining True Shadow Monarch.

• Return to the main lobby.
• Locate the Shadow Trials entrance.
• Interact with the arena entrance to open the mode.
• Select the boss challenge you want to complete.
• Choose an available difficulty and enter the fight.

You can challenge the trials solo or participate with a team of up to four players. Inside the arena, you’ll control the Monarch directly using his dual daggers and combat abilities.

The Six Required Shadows

The following six recruits are the important targets for the Job Change requirements.

How the Arise System Works

Defeating a Shadow Trial boss doesn’t automatically add it to your army. You must use the Arise interaction on its defeated body and successfully complete the extraction attempt. Each boss defeat provides up to three Arise attempts. Your chances increase with each failed attempt, and higher difficulties offer better odds.

What Happens When Arise Fails?

You can try again while attempts remain for that defeated boss. Each unsuccessful attempt reduces the remaining number of opportunities. After three failures, the shadow disappears. You’ll need to defeat the boss again to receive another set of Arise attempts. 

Part 4: Unlocking the Necromancer Class

Recruiting the six required Shadows is not the end of your progression. The next major milestone is the Job Change Quest, which unlocks the Necromancer class and several important Monarch abilities. Before you can begin the trial, make sure you’ve completed all three conditions:

• True Shadow Monarch System Level: 25
• Hunter Rank: A-Rank
• Shadow Army: All six required Shadows successfully arisen

You can monitor these requirements in the System Status menu. 

Completing the Job Change Trial

Once you’ve met the requirements:

• Travel to the Charge Gate.
• Interact with it to accept the Job Change challenge.
• Enter the trial and fight through the Throne Room Knights.
• Continue until you reach the final encounter.
• Defeat Igros the Bloodred to complete the trial.

This is a demanding fight, so make sure your weapon, abilities, and Shadow Army are ready before entering.

What You Unlock After the Trial

Successfully defeating Igros completes your Job Change and transforms your class into Necromancer. The rewards include:

• Recruitment of Igros the Bloodred into your Shadow Army.
• The Shadow Exchange active ability.
• The Monarch’s Domain active ability.
• An additional Shadow Army slot.
• Access to Monarch Levels and further progression.

The Job Change is one of the most important steps in developing True Shadow Monarch because it opens additional ways to control and strengthen your army.

Unlocking True Shadow Monarch takes considerable work, but the reward is a separate progression system that can dramatically expand your capabilities in Anime Vanguards. Invest in the right passives, develop your Shadows, and you’ll be much better prepared to take advantage of True Shadow Monarch’s full potential.

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