It's just not a Metal Gear game without some great boss fights. Thankfully, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is no exception. The game has some great boss fights sprinkled throughout: not only are they fun, but they're a great change of pace from the slow, methodical tempo of the core game.
That being said, the game's first real boss fight - a battle against an enemy unit known as the Skulls - can take first-time players by surprise. There's no warning that the fight is about to start, and as a result, there's a good chance that fans are heading into the fight without the proper gear.
That's where this guide comes in: the Skulls are a tough fight, but not an impossible one, especially if you know what to do. If you've been having trouble taking these guys down (and don't feel like running from a fight), this guide will show you the best gear and tactics for showing the Skulls who's boss.
So, without further adieu, here's how to defeat the Skulls!
Preparation:
For the most part, the fight will flow as such: take a few shots at the Skulls, watch for the melee attack, dodge, take a few more shots, retreat and regroup. The dive (either Square or X on your controller) will be your best friend: a well-timed dodge will not only save you from the Skulls' melee attacks, but it'll put you in prime position to counterattack. There's also one specific melee attack that'll give you a chance to counter with CQC, but don't rely on it, especially if there are multiple Skulls still in the fight.
After doing enough damage to one Skull, another will come to protect it. While it may be tempting to try and counterattack, use this time to retreat or reload - it's one of the few times during the fight where you'll have a free moment, so don't squander it by running headlong into the fight.
Just keep piling on the damage, and one by one, the Skulls will start to fall. If you find that you're running out of ammo, find a safe spot and call in for supplies - just because they're mist everywhere doesn't mean you can't call in for ammo. The Skulls never respawn either, so take your time - there's no rush, and playing quickly and sloppily will just get you killed.
A note for non-lethal players: don't even bother. Unless you want to make it through the game without using a single lethal weapon, the fight against the Skulls is best won with high-damage firearms. As seen the in the video below, trying to take on the Skulls with tranquilizer weapons is a pain: it's not that the fight is any harder, it's just that non-lethal weapons do such poor damage that it's like trying to take on a tank with a peashooter.
Once the last Skull is full of bullets, the mist will fade away and you'll be free to call in for air support. Good job: you just beat the first boss in The Phantom Pain!
Of course, as with all Metal Gear games, the first boss fight is just the tip of the iceberg. Don't worry, we've got you covered: if you're having trouble with the game's next boss, Quiet, just check out our boss guide for her fight.
And, as they say, that's not all: we've also got guides for getting started in Metal Gear Solid V, a character guide and a full series timeline!
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