Enemies and bosses in Anthem Anthem Guide and Walkthrough
Last update: 13 March 2019
In Anthem, your main objective is combat. This is why the world is filled with numerous opponents. Many of them are based on simple mechanics: normal soldiers without any resistances, appearing in number, not generating any loot aside from health and ammunition that is important during combat. Moreover, their weak spots are their heads. The situation changes with the appearance of an Elite, Legendary, or Boss enemy.
You can deal critical damage to enemies with fuel tanks by firing at them. You'll kill the opponent much faster (the tank will explode even if the enemy has 1/3 of his health points).
Turrets
Even if turrets are not live opponents, they often appear in enemy bases, mainly in Strongholds. What is there to know about them? Not much: they can fire machine guns or guided missile launchers (the game will inform you about being targeted by displaying a message in the middle of the screen and playing a warning sound - these attacks are very dangerous). Turrets are very durable but have two weaknesses - one of them is a weak point in the back of the turret (fuel tank). By firing at it, you won't need to deplete the whole health bar - the turret will explode. The second weakness is ice - frozen turrets cannot move or fire.
If you are playing alone, the efficient method of fighting the turret is to approach it and fire at the fuel tank, all while performing circular movements - the turret rotates slower than the player, so you won't get hit. This method won't work if you are equipped with a slow weapon (e.g. Colossus cannon) or you don't have the space to circle the turret.
When you play with other players, destroying turrets is easy. One of the players gets behind it and you attack the turret in turns when it rotates in the direction of the other player.
Legendary and Elite opponents
Most Elite and Legendary opponents appear as the biggest enemy in the group. They are often equipped with shields (this is not reserved to elites - e.g. outlaw shooters are not elite, and they have shields). Enemies of both ranks are often encountered during missions and in free play, especially when you encounter a group of opponents and begin to eliminate them - stronger reinforcements will appear at the location. Legendary units often generate random loot after dying.
- Elite/Legendary opponents are encountered on higher difficulty levels,
- Some enemies can have an elite or legendary rank, even if they have normal looks, and don't have any unique traits aside from more power and durability.
Outlaw Elementalists can prove to be difficult opponents. They levitate and have a spherical shield around them. During attacks, they utilize elements, which they switch from time to time. Their shield protects them from losing health points and negative effects, such as freezing. Moreover, an elemental shield protects against all attacks from the currently chosen element (if the Elementalist uses a fire element, a flamethrower will deal 0 damage to the shield). These units should be eliminated as fast as possible, as they can give negative modifiers to our hero. Start by eliminating their shields using weapons, then switch to abilities when the shield is down. Explosions are especially viable: knocking the enemy down will block them from regenerating his shield.
Other opponents of higher rank appear when fighting Scars. Enforcers use flamethrowers and sport huge shields. Their shields protect them from any attack, reducing the damage dealt to zero. Following their weapon of choice, attacking them from a distance is recommended, but only if there is someone distracting them. Their weak points are containers located on their backs and right hands. Firing at those spots causes critical damage. If you focus on one container, you can make it explode (defeating the enemy) faster than by taking the whole health bar.
Ursix
This mole-like monster appears rarely, but you may encounter him during free play. In reality, he is not a dangerous opponent - his weak point is on his head, and his only attacks are melee attacks and stone throws - the stones are the only obstacle when firing at him from the air.
Titan
Titans are divided into two categories: smaller and bigger. Smaller titans are often encountered in the world during free play (sometimes even outside of events). If you spent some time with Anthem, you should defeat the smaller titan alone without any problems. Their weak points are hands or the chest/back area - all depends on which attack is currently performed by the enemy. You'll know exactly which body part to attack, as it will be lit with a yellow flame. The weakest point is on his back - the best attacks (e.g. Special attacks) should be left for a moment when the boss exposes the crack on his back.
Bigger Titans mainly appear in missions or contracts as main bosses whose health bar is visible in the upper part of the screen. Aside from more health points, they can summon elementals, while each their attack is doubled - i.e. expect a second attack instantly after the first one. What attacks can Titan use and how to protect against them? (it should be mentioned that Titan's attacks deal fire damage and set the player on fire):
- Elementals -When summoned, they instantly engage the player. They explode on contact. They have a lot of health points - you can wait and dodge right before they explode. Colossus can shove them using his shield or use it to protect himself from the explosion - he won't receive damage then.
- Beam - A beam fires from the Titan's chest. Throughout the duration of the attack, the crack at the Titan's back (a weak point) is exposed to your attacks. The beam is aimed at one player - to counter it, you need to hide behind a cover or perform dodges midair.
- Guided fireballs - 4-8 fireballs emerge from the opponent's back and head toward the players. You can hide behind cover, but these need to be bigger than a tree or a pillar - the ball can fly through it. Colossus shield protects against this attack.
- Radiation - Titan fires fire waves on the ground and around 4 meters above the ground. As they are moving separately, you can avoid them by jumping - but if you're hit, you may end up with an overloaded suit and won't be able to avoid the next wave. The best way is to fly above the waves until they stop appearing. The waves can pass through many objects and behind some of the covers.
- An attack that hits you where you're standing - A very specific attack, which is tough to recognize, especially when you are fighting other opponents. A ball of light appears next to you (even behind cover) which explodes after a moment. A very fast dodge is required - it is best to use L. Ctrl.
The best way to approach is to find a vantage point from which you can attack the enemy. Thanks to such position, you are only vulnerable to two of his attacks.
Furies
This specific opponent isn't encountered often. These are very dangerous, and most often appear in pairs or as a trio. They utilize melee attacks and reach the opponent through teleportation. Aside from melee attacks, they fire small, but deadly projectiles which are guided towards the player. When they receive damage after eliminating their shields, they activate a special impenetrable shield in the form of a black sphere. To get them out, fire at red spots found on the sphere. When fighting this opponent, go full offensive and use your special attacks - Furies are so dangerous that they can defeat even the whole team!
Escari
Large robots on steel legs appear rarely, but fighting them is difficult - mainly because they can fire in any direction and cannot be surprised. The cannon on the top of the machine has to be aimed at the chosen direction but can fire guided rockets in many directions at once, including backward. Fighting these opponents require constant use of objects as cover. The enemy's weak point are small rectangle-shaped magazines located on the robot's sides. Only exception is Escari Scelosa which can be encountered in The Temple of Scar Stronghold mission - his weak point are legs.
Swarm Titan
This monster is encountered in Tyrant's Mine Stronghold mission. Combat with this boss is rather simple: you need to attack huge red spots on his back - each spot constitutes for 1 of the health bar. After destroying each of these spots, the monster lies still for a while, then begins to climb the rocks - during that time, you'll be fighting reinforcements in form of numerous scorpions and the boss won't return to the arena until you defeat them. The enemy has three attacks:
- Melee attacks - do not stand close to the boss, as his attacks are very powerful;
- Jump - Mostly happens after the boss enters the arena, but it may happen during combat. The jump is very high and slow, so avoid it at all cost - on higher difficulty levels, it can be lethal.
- Web throw - the enemy throws a large web that effectively grounds you and blocks your movements, making you unable to attack or defend yourself. Press the jump button in rapid succession to free yourself faster.
Additional tips:
- If the players attack the monster from various sides, they can deal more damage to the opponent before he runs away - this may lower the number of retries when the monster escapes.
- When the monster climbs the rocks, he is still vulnerable to attacks - use it.
- During combat, smaller scorpions may still enter the scene - watch out for them.
- Once the boss is defeated, he leaves up some loot.
Monitor
The Monitor is a special boss that appears in the final mission in the game and in Heart of Fury Stronghold mission which becomes available after completing the main story (and is mostly a repetition of the final mission). As the Monitor is a special opponent, combat takes a certain form.
Combat with Monitor takes place on three arenas. Each time, the enemy's vulnerable point appears on his waist, from a side, front, or back - depending on what moves the enemy performs. Monitor performs various attacks depending on the arena you're currently in (the arena changes after clearing 1.5 - 2 health bars).
On the first arena, the enemy uses melee attacks and summons fireballs in the form of meteors which explode with a powerful blast after a few seconds - you can destroy them. On the second arena, you need to watch out for acid emerging from between stone slabs. During this phase, the enemy summons acid elementals that explode after contact. Moreover, acid balls appear next to players, which explode after a moment - use dodges (L.Ctrl) to avoid them in the right moment.
On the final arena, Monitor uses electrical discharges and powerful melee attacks. Electrical attacks appear on their own, as waves encompassing the whole arena from its corners. During this stage, the players have to stay mobile - it is best to stay in air or attack from the ruins found on the arena.