Returnal: Ophion boss - how to beat? Returnal guide, walkthrough
Last update: 20 May 2021
This page of the Returnal game guide contains a walkthrough of the boss fight against Ophion. You will learn when the fight against Ophion happens, what attacks the boss has and how to avoid them, as well as how to defeat them effectively and quickly.
The battle against Ophion occurs at the end of the exploration of the third biome of the planet Atropos. Ophion is the fifth and, at the same time, the last boss, which you will face playing Returnal. Ophion has three health bars, so the fight against this opponent was divided into three phases and each of them is distinguished by the boss using unique attack combinations.
Pre-fight preparation
Before you fight Ophion, take your time to prepare well and select the right weapon. It is not worth taking with your rifles to this fight because the boss's weak points are really small, and it will be difficult to use weapons for close combat.
During the fight, weapons for medium and long-range combat will work best. We decided to use Electropylon Driver, which allows you to easily attach the projectiles to the weak points of Ophion and maximize the damage.
Consider having at least one large first aid kit on you (Large Silphium Vial) as well as a consumable item that can give Selene a protective shield to defend herself against the next attack. A parasite (such as the Ominous Slowstitch or Brittle Slowstitch) that automatically starts to slowly heal Selene when her health drops to a very low level will work perfectly in the Nemesis boss fight. Artifacts that can bring Selene back to life, namely the Astronaut Figurine, and the Child's Watch, are also extremely useful.
First phase of the fight
During the fight with Ophion, you should target the weak point marked in the above picture. This is the only way you can deal damage to the creature.
In the subsequent phases of the fight with Ophion, red eye-shaped protruding elements will appear in different places.
Throughout the duel, glowing orbs will levitate on both sides of Ophion, and you have to shot down as soon as possible (just one accurate shot) to avoid them disturbing you during the fight - they support the boss and can use a variety of skills.
Ophion can create portals from which green energy orbs will fly out. The projectiles fall very slowly, and there is a space between them big enough to run into to avoid getting injured.
At some point, Ophion can begin to move levitating orbs from one side to the other, which will create waves of orange energy orbs. Orbs fly from the sides of the arena and connect in its center - it is best to stand in the center at a large distance from the boss and wait until the orbs get closer, and then jump a little forward, bypassing them all.
Ophion can also create a cloud of blue energy orbs that fly at high speed and hit the ground with momentum. To avoid damage, you must sprint sideways or dash at the right time - just before you get hurt.
The monster's tentacles will hit the arena ground from time to time, creating waves of purple-black energy that will spread in all directions. You can not avoid them using dash - you must jump over them.
Ophion can also convert energy into a series of small aquamarine projectiles that move at high speed and can slightly change their flight direction near the end. When the boss uses this skill, you need to run to the side or dash just before taking the hit.
Another skill to watch out for during this clash is the purple rays that cross the arena vertically - just jump between them and wait for them to disappear.
At the end of the first phase of the duel, Ophion can summon portals from which many orange energy orbs will come out. The orbs will initially take the entire arena and then descend into the middle, so it is best to stand at the very end of the area and at the right time to dash to the side.
Second phase of the fight
During the second phase of the duel, Ophion will change and begin to attack directly and gain access to several new skills and use different combinations of attacks more often, which makes the fight more challenging.
As you can see in the above picture, in the second phase of the fight, Ophion will create two waves of vertical rays and at the same time use another attack. Find a safe gap between the beams and wait for the attack.
In this phase of the duel, Ophion can not only perform attacks using his long arms ending in sharp claws but also hit the ground, creating two waves of violet-black energy. You have to jump over each of them because it is impossible to perform a dash through them without receiving damage.
Ophion can also create portals in various places, through which it will release violet rays that will cut through the air diagonally, which makes it much more difficult to avoid. The ray disappears only when it reaches the ground.
Purple rays can also appear just above the arena and will move in all directions. Remember to jump over them.
When Ophion creates many small portals, it is a sign that IT is about to launch a wave of fast-flying orbs towards Selene, which are partially homing. You can avoid it by performing a dash just before getting damage.
Ophion can also perform a very complex sequence, which consists of as many as three different skills. In addition to the slowly falling orbs, purple rays will start to shot from the portals - it is best to stay on the edge of the arena.
Third phase of the fight
In the third phase of the duel, Ophion will extend his range of attacks. At this stage, the boss will not give you a break and will fill the arena with many orbs combined into deadly combinations - you have to be very careful and watch Selene's health all the time.
In the third phase of the duel, Ophion will use a little modified laser attack, and this time it will be able to control it, primarily on the sides. Pay attention to where the Rays will intersect and try to sense the moment to avoid several beams at once.
At this stage, there will be a lot going on on the screen, so you need to keep your eyes open. The main attack of the boss is scattering green energy orbs, which it additionally combine with other skills, such as waves of purple-black energy.
It's a little harder to avoid a quick attack with blue orbs, but fortunately, they don't do much damage when they hit.
During the last phase of the duel, you will have much less opportunity to aim, which is why the Electropylon Driver is so useful - it causes damage over time and you can focus on avoiding enemy attacks. First of all, watch out for Selene's health, and shoot when you are safe, and in the end, you will be able to defeat the last boss in Returnal.