How to beat Vraahk (final boss)
Last updated: · By Ash Vector Desk
Vraahk is the final boss, fought twice in Act 5 Chapter 5, "The Fall of Kalona". Stay in cover at range, avoid green Imulsion pools, open with the Troika, then use the Gut-Puncher and finish with the Prototype Lancer. Fight one ends in a cutscene at half health; fight two, by the detonator, empties the bar.
How is the Vraahk fight split?
He appears after the bridge mechanism jams in the east control room. Your objective becomes "Reach the west control room"; drop through the shattered observation window onto the deck and a cutscene shows Vraahk on a burning barricade carrying Imulsion canisters. You cannot finish the first encounter: at about half health a cutscene starts. After a short advance he returns for fight two with roughly half his bar left.
| Detail | Fight 1 (bridge deck) | Fight 2 (road by the detonator) |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Kill Vraahk | Kill Vraahk (after "Reach the detonator") |
| Arena | Straight road: machinery block and low concrete block near you; sandbags, crates and a "SPEED LIMIT 30" sign in the middle | Wider road: wrecked cars, low blocks, sandbags, raised grated walkways with railings |
| Ends | Cutscene at about half health | Bar empties; checkpoint triggers |
| Adds | Wretches, then Tickers, then Locust infantry | None |
| Canisters | Bundles split into three | Thrown more often |
| Typical length on Normal | About 2 minutes | About 2 minutes |
Which weapons should I use?
Use the Troika, Gut-Puncher, and Prototype Lancer. The Troika has 96 rounds, the Gut-Puncher 14 from ammo boxes between fights and in arena 2, and the Lancer 600 from the starting loadout as finisher. Or use the rocket launcher with 7 rockets from the large enemy between fights, or the Ripper at far right cover in arena 1.
| Order | Weapon | Ammo | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Troika | 96 rounds | Outside walkway beside a large dead Locust (fight 1); by stacked concrete blocks before the green sky-train car (fight 2) |
| 2 | Gut-Puncher | 14 | Ammo boxes on the road between fights (+7, +8) and in arena 2 |
| 3 | Prototype Lancer | 600 | Starting loadout; finisher |
| Alt | Rocket launcher | 7 rockets | Dropped by the large enemy between fights |
| Alt | Ripper | — | Far right cover in the middle of arena 1 |
How do I win fight 1?
Empty most of the Troika down the road from the first concrete block. Fire the Gut-Puncher from the central barrier by the speed-limit sign until NO AMMO; he starts burning. Switch to the Prototype Lancer behind the sandbags. On Set loose, Wretches rush cover, then Tickers; a third shout brings Locust infantry. Kill whatever reaches you, then return to Vraahk.
- From the first concrete block, empty most of the Troika down the road (about 96 to 15 in under 30 seconds).
- Move to the central barrier by the speed-limit sign and fire the Gut-Puncher until it reads NO AMMO; he starts burning.
- Switch to the Prototype Lancer behind the sandbags.
- When he shouts "Set loose!", Wretches rush your cover, then Tickers; a third shout brings Locust infantry. Kill whatever reaches you, then return to Vraahk.
How do I win fight 2?
Bring the second Troika or remaining launcher rockets. From the first concrete block, Gut-Puncher him: shoot, duck, repeat. He advances on the shooter while burning, so vault cover and sprint across the road or shoot down through the railing. Refill from 4 to 14 at ammo boxes. When empty he is nearly dead; finish with a few seconds of Lancer.
- Your heavy weapon carries over: bring the second Troika or the launcher's remaining rockets.
- Open from the first concrete block, then Gut-Puncher him; shoot, duck, repeat.
- He advances on whoever shoots him, even while burning. Vault cover and sprint across the road, or climb a walkway and shoot down through the railing.
- Refill the Gut-Puncher (4 back to 14) at ammo boxes by the car wreck, on the grated walkway, and at the pylon marked "CLIMBING ON BRIDGE PROHIBITED".
- When the Gut-Puncher is empty he is nearly dead; finish with a few seconds of Lancer.
How do I avoid his attacks?
Never stand or take cover in Imulsion pools; move if one spreads over your cover after the bundle splits into three green canisters. Break a spike shot's line of fire with a solid block or dodge sideways when a squadmate warns you. In fight 2, vault over cover and relocate across the road if he walks straight at the shooter.
| Attack | Tell | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| Imulsion canisters | Bundle splits into three bright green canisters, leaving glowing pools | Never stand or take cover in a pool; move if one spreads over your cover |
| Spike shot | Narrow purple beam from him to the target; a squadmate warns you | Break line of fire with a solid block or dodge sideways |
| Closing in (fight 2) | He walks straight at the shooter | Vault over cover and relocate across the road |
The injector (syringe icon, both sticks) has a cooldown of about 43 seconds; it is not a fight timer, so once per encounter is enough. There is no time limit in the chapter.
What happens between the two fights?
After a checkpoint the objective becomes "Reach the detonator". You advance along a covered roadway against Locust infantry and one large enemy; two ammo boxes add 7 then 8 Gut-Puncher rounds, and the large enemy drops a 7-rocket launcher. A break in the road forces you through a green sky-train car. Entering the car triggers a checkpoint, so retries of fight 2 start there.
What else do players ask about Vraahk?
What do the screen icons mean?
A red gear-shaped symbol in the centre means Marcus has taken heavy damage, so stay in cover until it fades. A red icon with a name means a squadmate is down; the others will usually revive them.
Do I need the Troika?
No. It only softens him; the Gut-Puncher and Prototype Lancer do the real damage.
Why can't I kill him in the first fight?
The first fight is scripted to end at about half health with a cutscene where Marcus tackles Vraahk off Dom; the squad then decides to blow the bridge.
How does it end?
The fight ends when Vraahk's health bar empties in fight 2 on the road by the detonator. He falls to his knees, Marcus calls for the detonator, a checkpoint triggers so you will not replay the fight, and the closing cutscenes of the campaign play. There is no time limit in the chapter, so take it slowly.
More bosses: armored Brumak · Corpser
Sources: Allthings.how Vraahk guide (Oct 8) · Allthings.how Act 5 Ch 5 walkthrough