In The First Descendant, an action-packed looter shooter developed by Nexon, players face off against various threats in a war-torn future filled with high-tech weaponry and powerful abilities. One particular boss encounter that has garnered attention is the fight against Rockfall, a formidable adversary who challenges players both in terms of mechanics and strategy. Understanding how to defeat Rockfall is essential for progressing through certain missions and unlocking key gear upgrades. Mastering this boss encounter not only demands skill but also knowledge of the environment, timing, and loadout. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the Rockfall boss battle, covering its location, phases, attacks, and how to counter them effectively.
Rockfall Overview
Rockfall is one of the many boss enemies you’ll encounter inThe First Descendant, but it stands out due to its massive size and crushing power. As the name implies, Rockfall’s attacks revolve heavily around earth-based abilities, dealing significant area-of-effect damage and utilizing shockwaves and debris to punish careless players.
Where to Find Rockfall
Rockfall is typically found in one of the instanced mission areas in the mid-to-late game, often tied to region-specific boss quests. Depending on your progress in the storyline or multiplayer session, the location may vary slightly. Most players will face Rockfall during either a region-clearing operation or as part of a Void Intercept Battle.
Before entering the fight, players are advised to prepare their best Descendant character and weapons, ideally those geared toward mobility and ranged damage output, as Rockfall’s close-range abilities can be overwhelming.
Preparing for the Fight
Preparation is critical when facing Rockfall. Entering the boss fight with the wrong setup can result in repeated failure. Here are several elements to consider before taking on this destructive foe:
Best Descendants to Use
- Lepic: Great for high explosive damage and burst output from a distance.
- Viessa: Useful for slowing enemies and offering crowd control to manage Rockfall’s adds.
- Gley: Effective for sustained DPS with self-healing, making her more forgiving during prolonged fights.
Recommended Weapons
- Sniper Rifles: Rockfall has large weak points, making it easier to land critical hits from afar.
- Assault Rifles: A balanced choice for continuous damage and flexibility.
- Launchers: Explosives are effective when Rockfall summons additional enemies or when grouped with other threats.
Gear Mods and Enhancements
- Elemental resistance mods: Especially earth or impact resistance.
- Critical hit enhancements: To exploit Rockfall’s weak points more effectively.
- Mobility mods: Improving dash or movement speed can help you avoid Rockfall’s AOE zones.
Rockfall Boss Mechanics
The Rockfall encounter is multi-phased and includes several unique abilities that force players to move strategically and think on their feet. Each phase increases in intensity, with new mechanics and higher damage potential. The fight takes place in a circular arena littered with destructible terrain and limited cover options.
Phase One: Initiation
At the start of the battle, Rockfall uses basic stomp and slam attacks. These are powerful but easily telegraphed. He will also begin to summon smaller stone constructs that act as minions.
- Watch for the glowing red warning zones indicating where slams will hit.
- Clear the adds quickly to reduce pressure on support players.
- Stay at mid-range to avoid direct melee hits but still land consistent damage.
Phase Two: Rock Barrage and Quake
As Rockfall’s health drops below 70%, he becomes more aggressive, introducing ranged attacks such as hurling massive boulders or creating fissures across the ground.
- Dodge sideways to avoid linear rock throws.
- Jump over ground fissures or retreat out of range quickly.
- Focus fire during his wind-up animations for guaranteed damage windows.
Phase Three: Enrage and Collapse
In the final 30% of his health, Rockfall enters an enraged state. His attack speed increases, and he starts causing parts of the arena to crumble, limiting player movement options.
- Stick close to teammates and use coordinated bursts to end the phase quickly.
- Use any remaining ultimate skills during this stage for maximum efficiency.
- Be prepared for last-minute add spawns that can disrupt your focus on the boss.
Tips and Strategy
Victory against Rockfall is achieved not through brute force alone, but by understanding his patterns and acting accordingly. Here are some essential tips to ensure you come out victorious:
- Don’t stay too close for too long.Rockfall’s slam and stomp attacks have lingering damage effects.
- Use verticality if available.Platforms and terrain can provide temporary refuge from some ground-based attacks.
- Communicate with your team.Assign roles damage, support, crowd control to ensure balance.
- Exploit cooldown windows.After certain attacks, Rockfall pauses briefly. Use these for big damage bursts.
Multiplayer Considerations
When facing Rockfall in a group, coordination becomes even more crucial. Players must not bunch up, as Rockfall’s attacks are often AOE-based. Spread out, assign one player to manage adds, another to focus weak points, and a third to heal or shield the group.
Best Role Combinations
- Tank-like Descendant: Someone who can draw attention or withstand pressure.
- Support/Healer: Keeps everyone sustained during longer phases.
- Ranged DPS: Deals consistent damage from a safer distance.
Rewards for Defeating Rockfall
Successfully defeating Rockfall grants players valuable loot, including upgrade materials, crafting components, and rare weapon drops. Additionally, the boss may be tied to milestone progression for unlocking other missions, special cosmetics, or higher difficulty modes.
Possible Loot Drops
- High-tier weapons with elemental enhancements.
- Special armor pieces unique to the region.
- Crafting materials for weapon upgrades or Descendant abilities.
- Cosmetic skins or emotes depending on the event or difficulty mode.
The Rockfall boss encounter in The First Descendant offers a thrilling mix of raw power, tactical evasion, and team-based coordination. Whether you’re playing solo or with a squad, overcoming this earth-shattering foe requires both preparation and adaptability. By understanding his patterns, maximizing your loadout, and working efficiently with allies, players can not only survive the onslaught but reap the rewards of victory. For those seeking to push their skills and refine their combat mastery, Rockfall remains one of the most engaging and memorable bosses in the game.