# | REQUIRED/OPTIONAL | OBJECTIVE | SPECIFICS |
1 | Required | Destroy Sahelanthropus | --- |
2 | Optional | Destroy the head of Sahelanthropus | --- |
3 | Optional | Successfully hit the floating boy with an attack | Easily done near the end of the fight |
- Thi[Subsistence] is essentially the ultimate boss fight in the game bar none. You'll definitely want to pack your most powerful rocket launcher, preferably a FULLY upgraded CGM 25. This should allow you to at least chip away some of the Gear's health per hit. Your most powerful Assault Rifle should fill the first slot of your primary weapons. Consider equipping the Battle Dress, or alternatively play as Cyborg Ninja or Raiden if you have unlocked/developed them (requiring you to complete all regular missions - Total Stealth, Subsistence and Extreme versions not included; for Raiden you even need an S-Rank on all 'normal' main missions). Nonetheless, Cyborg Ninja or Raiden increase your speed by 30% to 50% respectively. Alternatively, equip the Mobility arm for +20% increased movement speed, plus the Battle Dress for increased defense.
- Sahelanthropus has various attacks:
- Machine Gun: A regular machine gunfire which can and will be used by Sahelanthropus quickly and ofte[Subsistence]. If you stay on the move, dashing at all times (except when healing or firing), this attack shouldn't pose too much threat.
- Four Homing Missiles: Sahelanthropus launches four homing missiles which will attempt to track you down. Rushing away (if possible even between Sahelanthropus' legs) is often the best option, although the missiles can also be destroyed by shooting them.
- Four Pods: Similar to the homing missile attack, the Gear releases pods that effectively function as homing missiles as well, potentially destroying helicopters. Your best bet is to aim for them ASAP and destroy them one at a time.
- Flamethrower: This is used at relatively close range. Circle around Sahelanthropus and simply rush away if you see it is about to use this attack.
- Whip: A rather powerful and annoying attack, especially if you're quite far away from Sahelanthropus. It causes a series of rock spikes to burst out of the ground. There are two variants; the straight lined one and a second one that surrounds Big Boss. The latter is especially annoying, so you''ll want to make a run for it when Sahelanthropus prepares the attack. Should you find yourself surrounded anyway, shoot one of the spikes and escape ASAP.
- Red Mis[Subsistence]: Perhaps not inspired by the Peter Gabriel song Red Rain. It doesn't matter. Freudian associations, damnit. This is simply a mist that blocks your vision - equip your night vision goggles to counter this effect.
- Laser Canno[Subsistence]: In the later phase of the fight, the Gear will move steady to one position and use a laser to mark you. The beam fired is instantly at your position, so you'll want to move behind a very large rock wall or avoid it entirely. This isn't too hard, in fact.
- Floating Boy Charge: The Gear tries to ram you, but this is prestaged by a slowing down of time. Immediately pull out your regular gun and shoot the floating boy to prevent this attack from being executed. Sahelanthropus will be stunned afterwards, so use this to your advantage and hit it either on the head (if you have yet to destroy it) or its weak spot in the middle of its body.
- Essentially, the fire revolves around you dashing around, learning how to dodge its attacks in the best way you can, perhaps even staying relatively close (try to find the right distance) to avoid the most powerful attacks - both close range and long range - from being executed, and blowing missiles at it all the time. Order supply drops when you have 2-3 missiles left, so you're always restocked.