How boss fights work
Bosses are large creatures that join a run after you have survived for a while. Each region has its own main boss: the T-Rex in the Jungle Temple, the Manticore in the Desert Ruins and the Oni Demon in the Mountain Pass. The Mountain Pass also features the Giant Ice Spider. A life bar on screen shows how much damage you have done. Bosses can be met more than once in a single long run; the Determination achievement asks you to reach the boss battle twice in one run.
Interviews from the game's launch explain that bosses such as the T-Rex were added to give the game a deliberately fantastical feel.
Combat preparation
- Weapon: a well-upgraded secondary, such as the Assault Rifle, Grenade Launcher or Minigun when available. Fan guides consistently recommend a powerful secondary for every boss.
- Ammo: arrive with as much secondary ammo as possible. Extra Clips, the Ammo Cache upgrade and the Area 51 outfit help.
- Protection: Kevlar Vests and Medipacks. A 2016 update added the option to restock items mid-run.
- Insurance: an Ankh for achievement runs.
T-Rex (Jungle Temple boss)
Who you face
A Tyrannosaurus rex that joins Lara during long Jungle Temple runs. It is the first boss most players meet.
How the encounter works
The battle begins when the T-Rex joins the run. When it appears in front of you, it attacks; you must dodge that attack. After a scripted moment you get a chance to shoot it in the eye. Its life bar shows your progress.
Dangerous moments
The incoming attack. Being caught means being eaten, which the Snack Time achievement jokingly counts.
Recommended strategy
- Watch the T-Rex and react to its attack first; don't start shooting early.
- When the opening comes, fire your secondary weapon at the eye.
- Use the pistols on any other threats so your secondary ammo goes into the boss.
- Repeat the dodge-then-shoot cycle until the life bar empties.
Player mistakes
- Shooting instead of dodging when the attack comes.
- Arriving with no secondary ammo.
- Firing at the body when the eye is exposed.
Extra hints
Achievements: Dinomite (defeat it), Dominator (10 defeats), Mastersaurus Rex (2 defeats in one run) and Snack Time (be eaten 5 times). The Tyrannosaurus Rex Skull is one of the Jungle Temple relics (level 14).
Manticore (Desert Ruins boss)
Who you face
A fearsome lion-like mythical creature that serves as the Desert Ruins boss.
How the encounter works
Fan guides describe it as similar to the T-Rex: dodge its attacks and pour damage into it whenever you can. Detailed, confirmed descriptions of each Manticore attack are scarce, so we won't invent a move list. Learn its tells during your first encounters.
Dangerous moments
Its attacks while you are focused on shooting.
Recommended strategy
- Treat dodging as priority one, as with the T-Rex.
- Fire your strongest secondary weapon during every safe window.
- Keep the pistols for any projectiles or minor threats.
- Use Medipacks and Kevlar Vests to absorb mistakes while you learn the pattern.
Player mistakes
- Staying in one place to shoot.
- Using secondary ammo on stone warriors just before the boss.
Extra hints
Achievements: Lion Tamer (defeat it), Manti-Hardcore (10 defeats) and Cat and Mouse (2 defeats in one run).
Giant Ice Spider (Mountain Pass)
Who you face
A giant spider encountered in the Mountain Pass, alongside the region's spider combat sections.
How the encounter works
Mountain Pass spider sections feature large spiders that spit at Lara and small spiders that leap at her. Fan wikis describe the Giant Ice Spider as less dangerous than the Oni Demon. As with the other bosses, shoot what is thrown at you and keep damage on the spider.
Dangerous moments
Leaping small spiders arriving at the same time as spit attacks.
Recommended strategy
- Shoot leaping small spiders and spit projectiles first.
- Focus your secondary on the giant spider between waves.
- Collect health crates when the screen is quiet.
Player mistakes
- Ignoring the small spiders while fighting the big one.
Extra hints
Arachnophilia rewards defeating the Giant Ice Spider, and Exterminator counts 300 tiny spiders shot out of the air.
Oni Demon (Mountain Pass boss)
Who you face
A giant demon that first appears on level 111 (the 31st Mountain Pass level) and frequently returns after that. It is widely considered the toughest boss in the game.
Confirmed attacks
- Ice boulders thrown at Lara; shoot them.
- Icicles in Lara's path, which you avoid by ducking under them or moving to the side.
- Freezing ice balls that encase Lara in ice. This attack can only be stopped by shooting the demon's head when a round red bull's-eye appears.
- Teleporting: it disappears and reappears further down the path, which makes aiming harder.
Recommended strategy
- Bring your most powerful, best-upgraded secondary weapon.
- Shoot thrown ice boulders as they come.
- Duck or sidestep icicles placed in your path.
- The moment the red bull's-eye appears, drop everything and shoot the head.
- After each teleport, find it again before firing so you don't waste ammo.
Player mistakes
- Missing the bull's-eye window and getting frozen.
- Spraying ammo while it is teleporting.
- Forgetting to dodge icicles while shooting.
Extra hints
Achievements: There Can Be Oni One (defeat it), Smashing! (10 defeats) and Oni The Strong Survive (2 defeats in one run). The Mask of the Oni is a Mountain Pass relic (level 86).
Enemy types
| Region | Enemy | What it does | Shoot first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jungle Temple | Reptilian warriors (smaller type) | Throw bombs | The bombs |
| Jungle Temple | Reptilian warriors (larger type) | Throw boulders | The boulders, then the warrior |
| Desert Ruins | Stone warriors (thrower) | Statues that come to life and throw stones | The stones |
| Desert Ruins | Stone warriors (whip) | Animated statue armed with a whip | Nearby barrels |
| Desert Ruins | Larger creature | Throws objects at Lara | Its projectiles |
| Mountain Pass | Yetis (normal and large) | Throw icicles, spears and boulders | The projectiles, then barrels |
| Mountain Pass | Large spiders | Spit at Lara | The spit |
| Mountain Pass | Small spiders | Leap at Lara | The spiders mid-air |
Fan sources name the Jungle enemies differently (Lizard Men or Nāgas) and the Desert enemies either Stone Warriors or Animated Golems, depending on the game version they describe. The behaviour is what matters in play.
Common boss fight mistakes
- Reaching the boss with an empty secondary weapon.
- Shooting when you should be dodging.
- Ignoring minor projectiles while focusing on the boss.
- Under-upgraded weapons; pistols alone make bosses long and dangerous.
- Not carrying healing items on boss achievement runs.
Advanced boss strategies
- Ammo planning for doubles: for two-boss achievements, count on needing a full secondary for each fight; restock mid-run if your version allows it.
- Outfit choice: the Stealth Suit reduces the chance of being hit; Area 51 adds starting ammo; Agent 47 strengthens the pistols.
- Head Start: reduces the distance to the first boss.
- Calm resets: after a boss falls, take a breath; the run continues and traps return.