Boss Buster Guide for Metal Gear Solid 4 (page 2 of 3)

Boss IV: Vamp

Weaknesses/Tactics:

  • Vamp's jumps leave him wide open to counterattacks
  • Use that syringe the first chance you get -- it's the only thing that can kill Vamp
  • Charge up the rail gun to take out the GEKKOs

Finally! This creepy goth just wouldn't die in Sons of Liberty, but now you can do something about it -- once and for all! Get your biggest guns ready for this fight, and don't ever let up on the trigger.

Vamp apparently learned how to fight from Street Fighter's Vega: jump around the battle area like a sissy, and look as silly as possible with every attack. Luckily, Vamp telegraphs his attack pattern worse than George Foreman on a bender, so dodging shouldn't be a huge chore. Here's your strategy in three easy steps.

1: Use the syringe.
2: The syringe will kill Vamp.
3: You can't kill Vamp without the syringe.

The key to using the syringe is to blast Vamp enough to empty his life bar. He'll collapse, and you can grab him (hold R1) as he rises, then inject him (tap Triangle; syringe must be equipped). If you let the fight go on long enough, Otacon and Vamp will start dropping obvious hints that the fight doesn't end without that special tool. But you surely didn't need THAT much help, right? The only other catch is that Vamp can shrug off your CQC attempts; if that happens, hit him with a few tranquilizer rounds and then try to inject him again.

After you manage to subdue Vamp, Raiden makes an appearance and basically repays Old Snake for stealing Sons of Liberty from him. About damn time! Stay alive during the GEKKO attack, and bring this chapter to a close.



Boss V: Metal Gear Ray / Liquid Ocelot

Weaknesses/Tactics:

  • Use the machine gun to stun Ray, then follow up with a big attack
  • If Ray tries to tackle you, pay attention to the on-screen button command
  • Continually dash and sidestep to avoid Ray's long-range attacks

It's the battle of the series that every Metal Gear fan has dreamed about for years! Even though you've been cheated out of using your rail gun, this fight is simple if you know how to do it. Whoever designed Metal Gear Ray as an anti-Rex machine should go back to school: Rex actually outclasses Ray in this fight.

Don't even bother using the Laser Cannon -- sticking with AT Missiles and the machine gun is more than enough to take down Ray. Otacon will be squawking in your ear during the entire fight, but his advice is still worth it. Ray will launch a payload of missiles that are easily dodged, which is the best time to return fire. If Ray tries to tackle you, press the action button at the right time to turn the tables and blast it in the face with your laser (pretty much the only time it's useful). Avoid Ray's water-cutting attack, and stun it with your machine gun to create openings. Eventually, Ray will go down like a ton of bricks.

Sidestep incoming attacks when necessary, keep your weapons from overheating, and you'll be to put Ray down for good.



Boss VI: Screaming Mantis / Screaming Beauty

Weaknesses/Tactics:

  • Tranquilizer ammo will safely get Mantis's hostage out of your way
  • Stay away from floating FROG bodies; watch your surroundings constantly
  • Grab Mantis's dolls as soon as you can

Half the fight involves getting Meryl and Johnny out of your way, so keep the tranquilizer ammo handy at all times.

Also, make sure to inject yourself using the syringe at the start of the battle. While it's not as clever as switching your controller, it lets you easily break free of Screaming Mantis's mind powers. Floating FROG bodies will fill the room, so stay away from them to avoid getting stabbed or shot. The key to beating Mantis is shooting down her Sorrow and Mantis dolls, both of which she'll eventually drop. At some point, she'll try using Meryl and Johnny to shield herself. Shoot them out of the way (with tranquilizer ammo) and keep the fight going. If you want to get Meryl out the way for a while, hide behind a column at the head of the stairs. Grab Meryl once she gets close, and stick her with the syringe to get her out of your hair.

At random points, she will attack you head-on by teleporting and stabbing at you. Roll, duck, and dodge to avoid the damage, and use the opportunity to squeeze off a few more shots. Eventually, Mantis may try to make Meryl shoot herself in the face -- rush the stage and inject her again, or it's Mission Failed for Snake. Once you manage to shoot the Sorrow and Mantis dolls away from her, snatch 'em up and equip Psycho Mantis's doll. You can then select it as a weapon and chuck it at Mantis, which will immobilize her just like she's been doing with everyone else's bodies. Follow the on-screen prompts to shake her to death, and you'll end this harrowing part of the boss fight.

Once she turns into Screaming Beauty, you'll pretty much be able to take her down with little effort.

Comments [36]

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lakerforever24

there will be no firsts here. anyway all the bosses were easy anyway, and this came way too late

LongHairedOffender

I was stuck on the beginning of Act 5 for-ev-er! Should be able to blast my way through Mantis and Liquid now though, especially with these tips.

KenTheGreat1

Did you try playing on the hardest difficulty? I've watched some people on the internet play through most of these battles with NO DAMAGE. That's tough!

artsaber

lakerforever24 Posted at: 07/07/08 at 1:45 PM PST there will be no firsts here. anyway all the bosses were easy anyway, and this came way too late
maybe you'd prefer the difficulty of the brown One-Eyed Monster from MegaMan for a boss. Prepare for the controller to go through TV screens all over America.

MisterPookie

Oh yeah, everybody had beat this, because everybody had the ability to play video games more then an hour a day everyday. Wait, never mind. Stop sounding showy.

PlasmaSnake

MisterPookie Posted at: 07/07/08 at 2:21 PM PST Oh yeah, everybody had beat this, because everybody had the ability to play video games more then an hour a day everyday. Wait, never mind. Stop sounding showy.
What Pookie said. Also, it would be too early for many of us if they posted this much earlier. There are so many damn spoilers in MGS4 that GP probably wouldn't want to ruin.

TravisMoses

You're crazy! I didn't use night vision once to kill Crying Wolf. I followed her tracks in the snow like a real man-wolf. Hooowwwwlllll...

pixelsword

With the Metal Gear Ray, I just kicked it three times then slammed it.

I rushed it, and I only fought it once without dying or getting even a quarter of my damage removed. Give it a try.

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