Facing the final boss in Remnant 2, Annihilation, is no small feat. As the game’s most formidable adversary, Annihilation challenges players with a relentless barrage of attacks across multiple phases, each more chaotic than the last. This guide will equip you with essential strategies and insights to conquer this towering foe, ensuring that your journey through the dark realms of Root Earth culminates in triumph rather than despair. Prepare to master dodges, learn attack patterns, and discover the best builds to turn the tide in this epic showdown!
Annihilation – boss description
Annihilation is the final boss in Remnant 2, located in the Blackened Citadel on Root Earth. This colossal creature, resembling a wooden dragon, presents a formidable challenge across three distinct phases. In the initial phase, Annihilation utilizes powerful melee attacks and summons energy orbs that can deal devastating damage if not destroyed quickly. As the battle progresses into its second phase, the boss transforms into a humanoid form, introducing chaotic mechanics that teleport players between dimensions filled with hazardous attacks and environmental hazards. Players must remain vigilant, focusing on dodging and targeting Annihilation’s weak points, particularly its head, to maximize damage and survive this intense encounter.
Annihilation is a creature of enormous size, which will often take to air. To finally defeat him, you’ll have to face him twice. In the second encounter, the players are taken to another dimension and will be teleported between fictional and real world from time to time. In both encounters, aim for the head of the monster, which is his weakpoint.
In this battle, focus on hearing rather than vision. Many of the boss attacks, especially in the second phase, (which is very chaotic, due to how much is happening on the screen) have their own specific sound. It is hearing you should be guided by when attempting to avoid Annihilation’s attacks.
If you have your screen brightness set to default, it might be a good idea to increase it before this fight. The first phase and his attacks may be unreadable because of low brightness.
Moveset
Annihilation, the final boss in Remnant 2, boasts a complex and challenging moveset that evolves across three distinct phases. In Phase 1, players face a series of powerful attacks, including sword slams that create shockwaves and explosive orbs that must be destroyed to avoid tracking damage. The boss also employs root grabs, where players must dodge at the right moment to escape being immobilized. Transitioning to Phase 2, Annihilation introduces new mechanics, such as shifting between dimensions and launching multiple follow-up attacks, demanding precise timing for dodges. Players must remain vigilant as the boss’s moves become increasingly chaotic, with energy rings and massive grids appearing on the battlefield. Finally, in Phase 3, Annihilation spawns minions while refraining from direct attacks, requiring players to manage crowd control effectively. Mastering this moveset is crucial for survival and victory against one of the toughest challenges in the game.
Phase 1 – real world:
- Sword Attack – first attack, he performs it right after he appears in the arena. His sword is raised in the air and then thrown at the player.
- Scraping with weapon and Shockwave – the boss wil lower his flight and drive his sword into the ground. After a short moment, he will start scraping in a straight line to attack the players. He will then appear behind your back. From there, he will start channeling energy that is released the moment he strikes the ground.
- Driving the sword in the ground – while in the air, Annihilation will grab his sword with two hands and drive it into the ground. If the player hasn’t dodged in the moment the sword touches the ground, they will be immobilized. The boss continues with summoning of 6 red balls.
- Laser Blasts – when the boss’s health falls below 50% in the first phase, there will be red laser beams appearing on the arena. After a moment, the beams explode.
- 2 Hit Combo – Annihilation attacks similarly to the starting attack, and after a second, he continues with a horizontal strike.
Phase 2 (in the fictional world):
- Switching Dimensions – the boss from time to time changes dimensions. It is important to remember what Annihiliation was doing in the previous dimension.
- Tentacle Attack – in the fictional world, there may be tentacles appearing. Every now and then, they will attack everything in sight with straight-line attacks.
- Swing and Sword Move – in the alternate dimension the boss will often raise his sword and attack in a straight line. After a while, he will move his weapon to the area where the player is.
- Tremor – by hitting the ground with both his hands, the boss will cause a tremor that will throw you off-balance.
- Walls of Source Code – in some moments when in alternate dimension, there will be walls of source code appearing, mixed in different combinations. A few seconds after appearing, they will move in the direction of the players quickly.
- Rain of Source Code – a glitch cloud will appear in the sky. It will release 12 projectiles -3 for each row.
- Applying Data Corruption – while staying on the arena, your Data Corruption bar will gradually fill. Once it reaches full, for a short while you won’t be able to heal or use an ability.
- Code Explosion – when the boss’s health falls below 50% in the alternate dimension, he will start emanating with a yellow glow. This will lead to an explosion, which deals low damage, but throws the players off-balance. After the explosion, there will be balls appearing similar to the one encountered in the first phase.
Third phase:
- Facing Horde – after the cut-scene, you will have to protect one of the companions by defending against a horde of opponents.
How to fight the Annihilation boss?
To effectively fight the Annihilation boss in Remnant 2, players must focus on understanding its attack patterns and using strategic positioning. Key strategies include:
- Learn the Attack Patterns: Annihilation has a variety of well-telegraphed attacks, such as sword slams and energy orbs. Memorizing these can help players dodge effectively. Pay close attention to audio cues, particularly in the chaotic second phase, where sound often indicates when to evade attacks.
- Target Weak Points: Focus on attacking Annihilation’s head, as it is a weak spot that maximizes damage output. In the first phase, prioritize shooting down energy orbs spawned from its attacks to prevent devastating damage.
- Maintain Positioning: Staying in the center of the arena during the second phase can help avoid follow-up attacks from tentacles and lightning strikes. Avoid excessive movement to prevent getting caught in damaging areas created by Annihilation’s attacks.
By mastering these tactics and remaining calm under pressure, players can significantly increase their chances of defeating this formidable final boss.
The most important tip, which applies especially in the alternate dimension, is to follow the sound, not what you see (although this is also important). Many of the boss’s attacks have specific sounds that hint when to dodge. The second piece of advice is to focus mainly on attacking his head. All damage dealt to this part of his body will count as weak spot damage.
In the first phase, most of the boss’s attacks are made in straight lines. Counter them by performing side dodges. Keep track of Annihilation especially after his sword strikes to check if he isn’t preparing to create a shockwave. If balls appear (in the real world), all you have to do is destroy 3 of them and the rest will dissapear. If you don’t make it in time, they will be turned into homing missiles.
If you don’t manage to make a dodge the moment the sword is driven into the ground, you’ll beimmobilized. The only way to remove this negative status is fast presses of the button that appears on the screen.
The fight is dynamic but try to at least keep track of where you are. At some point during the battle, several laser beams will appear in the arena that deal damage the moment you touch them.
Defeating the boss for the first time begins the second phase of the encounter. Annihilation will have his health bar restored to full. In the alternative dimension, he will start his actions with a swing of his sword. The second swing, i.e. scrapping the sword on the ground, is heavily signalized by a characteristic sound. Depending on which side of the sword you are on, dodge towards it.
As much as possible, try to avoid laser beams. When it comes to tentacles, stay away from their effective range. Same as the first phase, focus your fire on the boss’s head.
It is important to remember the last attack of the boss from before the dimension switch. As when you find yourself in the new world, the situation on the battlefield is same as you left it. Do not panic – you’ll have a short moment to adjust to what is going on the screen.
When Annihilation starts to glow, explosions (up to 2) will appear in the arena in a glitched world. Next, he will materialize into a few balls that should be destroyed as fast as possible. During that sequence, the bosswill becompletely invulnerableto attacks. Furthermore, if you don’t get rid of the balls soon enough, after returning to this dimension, they will become homing missiles that deal a lot of damage when struck.
After killing the boss for the second time, a cutscene will be initiated. After it, there will be standard enemies known from the tutorial appearing from a few sides and pouring into the arena. Protect the NPC by killing these lesser enemies. Surviving the waves is the final objective of the game – you’ve managed to finish Remnant 2!
Rewards
Defeating Annihilation in Remnant 2 not only tests your combat skills but also rewards you significantly for your efforts. Upon conquering this formidable boss, players earn the Broken Compass, a unique item that enhances the Explorer archetype, and the Forgotten Memory, which is essential for upgrading the Alpha/Omega long gun. Additionally, players unlock the Scholar trait, which further boosts their abilities. These rewards not only provide valuable enhancements to your character but also enrich your gameplay experience, encouraging exploration and experimentation with different builds in the game.
For defeating Annihilation, you will receive the following rewards:
- Forgotten Memory,
- Tome of Knowledge,
- Lumenite Crystal x5,
- Broken Compass,
- Scrap x750.
What are the best strategies to survive Annihilation’s second phase
To survive the second phase of Annihilation in Remnant 2, players must adopt a strategic approach to navigate the intense and chaotic environment. Here are the best strategies:
Key Strategies for Phase Two
1. Understand the Arena:
The second phase occurs in a smaller, futuristic arena filled with root tendrils. Avoid the center of the arena to reduce the risk of getting hit by Annihilation’s swift downward sword slams, which are particularly lethal in this phase.
2. Focus on Sound Cues:
Many of Annihilation’s attacks have distinct audio cues that signal when to dodge. Pay close attention to these sounds rather than relying solely on visual cues, as the screen can become overwhelming with effects and projectiles.
3. Dodge Timing:
Annihilation’s attacks will often require precise dodging. After he slams his sword into the ground, you will need to dodge twice—first to avoid the initial slam and then again as he drags the sword across the arena. Be prepared for follow-up attacks that can come quickly after his initial moves.
4. Target Weak Spots:
During this phase, aim for Annihilation’s head, which remains a weak point. However, be cautious as hitting this area can be challenging due to its position and the rapid movement of the boss.
5. Manage Orb Attacks:
When Annihilation reaches about 50% health, he will summon rows of root orbs above you. Look up and prioritize destroying these orbs quickly, as they can deal significant damage if left unchecked. Remember that destroying three orbs from each pair will eliminate all of them simultaneously.
6. Use Offensive Skills Wisely:
Utilize your strongest offensive skills during transitions between phases when Annihilation is vulnerable. This is crucial for maximizing damage output while minimizing risk.
7. Stay Aware of Blight Pools:
Blight pools will appear under your feet during his ground slams. These can be difficult to see on the grid-like floor, so remain vigilant and move quickly to avoid standing in them.
By implementing these strategies, players can enhance their chances of surviving Annihilation’s second phase and ultimately defeating this challenging boss.
What are the key differences between the first and second phases of Annihilation
The battle against Annihilation in Remnant 2 consists of three distinct phases, each with unique mechanics and challenges. Here are the key differences between the first and second phases:
Arena and Environment
- First Phase: The fight takes place in a larger, open arena, allowing for more movement and dodging opportunities. Annihilation frequently flies around, utilizing its aerial advantage.
- Second Phase: The arena transforms into a smaller, futuristic landscape with a grid-like floor. This change restricts movement and introduces new hazards, making positioning critical.
Health and Regeneration
- First Phase: Players aim to deplete Annihilation’s health bar without any regeneration.
- Second Phase: Upon depleting the first health bar, Annihilation fully regenerates its health, requiring players to start over in this new phase.
Attack Patterns
- First Phase: Annihilation employs slower, more predictable attacks such as lunging stabs and energy shockwaves. Players can dodge these with relative ease if they time their movements correctly.
- Second Phase: The boss gains a wider moveset with faster and more lethal attacks, including horizontal sword sweeps and tentacle slams that can quickly cover the arena. The introduction of tendrils limits player movement further.
Weak Points
- First Phase: The primary weak point is Annihilation’s head, which is accessible during its aerial attacks.
- Second Phase: The weak point shifts to its humanoid body, which can be harder to target due to the boss’s new positioning and attack patterns.
Environmental Hazards
- First Phase: Players must navigate energy beams that persist on the ground but have fewer immediate dangers.
- Second Phase: Blight pools appear underfoot during certain attacks, dealing damage if players stand in them. Additionally, root tendrils obstruct movement and can trap players.
These differences significantly alter the dynamics of the fight, requiring players to adapt their strategies as they transition from the first phase to the second.