You’ll likely know what’s coming with this boss in Mortal Shell 2, after all, you’ll have been through several Corrupted Gates before you get here. Beating Hexapod will be a real feather in your cap though, as compared to Lucian, Vrannic or Magdalena, he’s genuinely difficult with little options to exploit.
Location of the Hexapod in Mortal Shell 2
Hexapod is the most disgusting-looking boss in Mortal Shell 2, there, I said it. He’s also the end boss of the longest Corrupted Gate in the game, one which seems to go on forever in a winding road of cliffs, dungeons, enemies and insta-death cliffs. Beating Finding Hexapod won’t come easily, not because it’s hard, no, but because it’s a long path with few Beacons.
As you progress through the Corrupted Gate, you’ll pass a traversal gate that’ll take you to the Strange Grisha boss fight, find plenty of Dorsalite, useful for upgrading your latter end weapons, and unlock Proxima as a permanent summon, something that’ll come in handy for the fight, but more on that later.
When you hit the end of the Corrupted Gate, you’ll pass Ruk and walk along a high platform, before crashing down into the cavern below, but not before seeing a cinematic introducing the Hexapod. Half shell, half crustacean, all evil.
How to Beat the Hexapod in Mortal Shell 2
Following the pattern of the other gates, the Hexapod is the hardest enemy of the Corrupted Gate, and one of the hardest in the game, unless you know what you’re doing. Before you do anything, make sure to unlock Proxima as a permanent summon, not because she’ll do any meaningful damage, but because she’ll offer an alternate body for Hexapod to attack. Before we get into exactly how to beat the Hexapod in Mortal Shell 2, it’d be useful for you to know my exact build:
- Eredrim Shell – Location here.
- Veteran’s Battle Axe – Location here.
- Troubadour Lute.
- Vatra Seal.
- Marksman’s Stone – Increases crit chance of ranged weapons.
- Retribution Stone – Increases Riposte damage.
- Deadeye Stone – Increases ranged crit damage.
- Berserker Stone – Increases damage output the lower your health is.
By this point in the game, I’ve increased my Shell Bond with Eredrim to Level 4, meaning I’ve maxed out things like base damage and Health on Revival with him, making things easier. I’ve also maxxed out the Infusion stone that grants burn, meaning it’s a permanent addition to my Veteran’s Battle Axe, so every hit has a chance to instil some Burn damage on Hexapod, which is useful.
When you start the fight with Hexapod, it’s evident, like other bosses in the game, it’s not a fast-moving, but very hard-hitting boss. If you’ve used the Proxima summon, she’ll begin the fight by drawing its attention, and it’s at this point you want to capitalise on it’s divided focus, and attack it from behind. If you’re using the Lute, you’ll want to strum it and build up the Break damage on Hexapod, as well as use your Shell’s abilities. For Eredrim, his Shoulder Bash was also maxed out, meaning each attack did 250% Break Damage, which meant stunning was quick and easy, but unfortunately Hexapod doesn’t allow Riposte attacks. Maybe it’s his design, maybe he has a passive blocking them, but you can’t do them.
Be careful when you stand in front of it and attack him, even when he’s stunned, as he can grab you at a moment’s notice and unleash an attack that has the chance to kill you outright, not just your Shell, but outright. It’s important not to get greedy with your attacks, as despite his slow movement, his attacks are rapid, especially the one just mentioned.
As far as normal attacks go, he tends to lead with his tendrils, fingers, whatever you’d like to call them. You can block them, but with the damage they do if you mistime, I’d always suggest just dodging, but that’s me. Unfortunately, Hexapod has a huge health reserve, meaning patience is of the utmost importance here. Proxima will likely perish early on, and then it’s full focus will be on you.
Beating the Hexapod in Mortal Shell 2 is part understanding and knowing his next move, part being strong enough (I’d suggest Level 20+ and +10 or more on your weapon), and part luck. Sometimes just having the rub of the green is enough to beat the next big bad in the game. Once you do topple the beast, you’ll receive the following rewards from Hexapod:
- Gloom
- Glimpse
For your next read, check out our tips to make Mortal Shell 2 far easier, or our in-depth review of the game!
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
