Editorials · PS3 · Xbox 360

How to Unlock Mr. and Mrs. Chau in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game

A detailed guide on how to find, prepare for, and defeat the secret boss Mr. Chau to unlock him as a summon in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game.

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How to Unlock Mr. and Mrs. Chau in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game — Editorials on Game Idealist

Triggering the Secret Encounter

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, first released on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, is filled with secrets characteristic of the classic beat-‘em-up genre it emulates. Among the most hidden of these is an encounter with Mr. Chau, who can subsequently be unlocked as a powerful summon. Finding him is the first challenge, as his appearance is not tied to story progression but to random chance.

Mr. Chau will appear as a new location on the game’s world map. The trigger for his potential appearance is the completion of any world. After defeating a level’s boss and returning to the map, there is a chance that an icon representing Mr. Chau will spawn. Because this is a random event, the most effective strategy involves completing a level as quickly as possible, over and over, to maximize the number of opportunities for him to appear.

For this purpose, World 3, “The Clash at Demonhead,” is the ideal stage to farm. It is widely considered the shortest level in the game, consisting of a straightforward path with a manageable number of enemies before the boss fight with Todd Ingram. By repeatedly clearing this stage, players can efficiently cycle through the conditions required for Mr. Chau’s appearance without spending excess time on longer, more complex levels like World 6 or World 7. Once he appears on the map, his location will remain until the player either attempts the fight or turns off the game. It is critical not to engage him immediately upon discovery; preparation is essential.

Preparing for a Difficult Fight

Simply finding Mr. Chau is not enough. Rushing into the fight unprepared will almost certainly result in a swift defeat. He is one of the most formidable opponents in the entire game, capable of depleting a character’s health bar with just a few hits. Before selecting his icon on the world map, players should invest time and in-game currency into significantly boosting their character’s stats.

The most important stat for this battle is Defense. Mr. Chau’s attack power is exceptionally high, and a low Defense stat will make the fight nearly impossible. The goal should be to raise the character’s Defense as close to the maximum value of 100 as possible. This is achieved by visiting the various shops scattered throughout the game’s worlds. The Shopping District in World 1 is an excellent place to start, as its stores offer a variety of items that provide permanent stat boosts upon consumption. For example, Wallace’s Mystery Shop sells the “Bionic Arm” for $49.95, which grants a permanent +8 to Defense. Similarly, the Delicious Cupcake shop offers “Tlaloc’s Feast” for $32.25, which provides a +10 bonus to Defense.

While Defense is the priority, other stats should not be neglected. Strength will shorten the fight, reducing the number of opportunities for the player to make a mistake. Willpower increases health and the amount of Guts Points, which are used for special moves and for reviving upon death. Speed affects movement and attack rate, which is useful for evading Mr. Chau’s relentless attacks. A well-rounded character at a high level, preferably Level 16, will have the base stats and unlocked moves needed to stand a chance.

Beyond stats, it is crucial to enter the fight with a full stock of extra lives. These can be purchased from shops like the Frying Tengu in the Fancytown area of World 5. Having several extra lives provides a necessary buffer, allowing for mistakes during the learning process of the fight.

The Strategy for Defeating Mr. Chau

Once a character is sufficiently leveled and equipped, the battle can begin. Mr. Chau’s moveset is limited but incredibly potent. Success depends on recognizing his attack patterns and knowing when to defend and when to strike.

His primary attack is a series of fast sword slashes. These can be blocked, but the timing can be tricky. A safer approach is to dodge or roll away from the combo and then move in to counterattack as he recovers. Do not get greedy; land a few hits and then retreat to a safe distance to anticipate his next move.

The most dangerous attack in his arsenal is a special move where he momentarily leaves the screen. Lines will then appear, telegraphing the paths he will take as he glides across the fighting area at high speed. This attack is unblockable and deals massive damage. The key to survival is positioning. Staying near the center of the screen provides more time and space to react and sidestep his trajectory. As soon as the lines appear, players must focus entirely on moving their character into a safe zone.

After executing this special attack, Mr. Chau will reappear on screen and will be briefly vulnerable. This is the primary window for dealing damage. An aggressive offense during these moments is the best strategy. Use the character’s strongest combos and special moves to inflict as much damage as possible before he begins his next attack pattern. The fight is a battle of attrition, and shortening its duration by maximizing damage during these openings is critical.

The Unlocked Summon Reward

Upon his defeat, Mr. Chau is unlocked. However, he does not become a playable character. Instead, he is added to the player’s pool of Strikers. By pressing the summon button (R1 on PlayStation 3 or RB on Xbox 360), a player typically calls their designated Striker, such as Knives Chau for Scott Pilgrim. After unlocking Mr. Chau, there is a random chance that he will appear instead of the regular Striker.

When summoned, Mr. Chau performs a powerful slash attack that hits multiple enemies across the screen, making him a very useful, if unreliable, ally. The reward for this difficult challenge is not a new character to control, but a powerful tool that can turn the tide of a difficult encounter.

As an additional secret, Mrs. Chau can also make an appearance. On very rare occasions when using the summon ability, she may appear instead of Mr. Chau. Her presence is purely for comedic effect; she appears, yells harmlessly at the enemies, and then vanishes. This final layer to the secret serves as a humorous Easter egg, rewarding the most dedicated players for uncovering one of the game’s best-kept secrets.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mr. Chau a playable character in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World?

No, Mr. Chau is not a playable character. After defeating him in his secret boss fight, he becomes an unlockable summon, also known as a Striker. He can be called into battle using the designated Striker button, but his appearance is random. He will occasionally replace the character's default Striker to perform a powerful screen-clearing attack.

What is the fastest way to make Mr. Chau appear on the map?

Mr. Chau appears randomly on the world map after you complete any level. To trigger his appearance most efficiently, players should repeatedly complete World 3, 'The Clash at Demonhead.' This level is the shortest in the game, allowing for quick completions. By beating its boss, Todd Ingram, over and over, you increase the chances for Mr. Chau to spawn.

What stats should I raise before fighting Mr. Chau?

Before fighting Mr. Chau, prioritize raising your character's Defense stat as high as possible, aiming for the maximum of 100. His attacks are incredibly powerful, and high defense is essential for survival. You can increase stats by purchasing food and accessories from shops, such as those in the Shopping District of World 1. Stocking up on extra lives is also highly recommended.

How does the Mrs. Chau summon work?

Mrs. Chau is an extremely rare, cosmetic summon that may appear after you have unlocked Mr. Chau. On rare occasions when you use your Striker ability, she might show up instead of Mr. Chau. She appears on screen, yells, and then disappears. Her appearance has no damaging effect on enemies and is purely a humorous Easter egg for dedicated players.