The final boss in Remnant 2, known as Annihilation, has left many players struggling with its relentless attacks, multi-phase mechanics, and brutal difficulty spikes. For those who are not looking for a traditional uphill battle and instead prefer a clever workaround, discovering an effective ‘Annihilation cheese’ strategy can be a game-changer. These cheese tactics ranging from positioning tricks to exploitative damage methods are shared widely in the Remnant 2 community, especially on forums and social platforms where seasoned players discuss builds, mechanics, and boss strategies. If you’re looking to survive the chaos and come out victorious without perfect reflexes or trial-and-error frustration, exploring the best ways to cheese Annihilation might be your best bet.
Understanding the Annihilation Boss Fight
What Makes Annihilation So Difficult?
Annihilation is the final boss in Remnant 2 and presents one of the most complex fights in the game. The battle is divided into multiple phases, each escalating in intensity and requiring different mechanics. Here’s why Annihilation stands out as a difficult encounter:
- Fast-paced and unpredictable attack patterns
- Phase transitions that include new forms and abilities
- Environmental hazards like shockwaves and illusions
- Limited healing windows and minimal safe zones
Even veteran players have a hard time dodging everything thrown at them. This is why some have resorted to alternative methods cheese strategies that can level the playing field or make the fight far more manageable.
What Is a Cheese Strategy?
The Definition of Boss Cheese
In gaming, ‘cheesing’ a boss refers to using tactics that bypass normal combat mechanics. This can include standing in spots where the boss can’t reach you, using unintended interactions, or leveraging powerful loadouts that break the balance. In Remnant 2, cheesing Annihilation means you’re exploiting certain AI behaviors, terrain glitches, or timing mechanics to simplify or trivialize the boss fight.
Why Players Use Cheese Tactics
There are several reasons why players resort to cheese strategies against Annihilation:
- The boss may feel unfair or too punishing
- Players might be soloing without a co-op team
- They’ve already beaten the boss once and want a faster clear
- It’s a fun challenge to break the game’s systems
Remnant 2 Annihilation Cheese Techniques
Safe Spot Cheese
One of the most widely reported cheese tactics involves standing in specific locations where Annihilation’s attacks can’t reach the player. During certain phases, there are platform edges or environmental objects that create blind spots for the boss’s AI.
For example, in the early phase, players have found success by hugging the left side of the arena, behind some debris or architectural features. This confuses the boss’s pathing or makes certain ranged attacks fail to connect. While this isn’t guaranteed to work every time, positioning-based cheese is one of the most accessible tricks for casual players.
Phase Skip Cheese
With the right damage setup, it’s possible to skip one of Annihilation’s transformation phases. This cheese method involves stacking burst damage with high-crit weapons and buffs. Using items like the Merciless long gun or a powerful mod setup, you can trigger phase transitions before certain mechanics activate, making the fight much shorter and removing some of the more difficult moves from the rotation.
Infinite Stagger Build
Another effective way to cheese Annihilation is by using a build focused on stagger-locking. Certain weapons and mods when paired with traits and relics can cause the boss to flinch repeatedly, interrupting its animations. A well-timed barrage of stagger-inducing attacks can trap the boss in a loop, preventing it from executing its deadliest combos.
Some players suggest using:
- Weapons with high stagger modifiers like the Chicago Typewriter or the Cube Gun
- Mods like Hot Shot for bonus stagger and burn
- Traits like Vigor and Handling for sustain and control
Summon Distraction Cheese
Summoner archetypes have an easier time cheesing Annihilation thanks to minions. These summons can serve as distractions, drawing aggro and taking hits while the player deals damage safely from a distance. While not completely foolproof, this tactic greatly reduces pressure in solo runs and provides valuable breathing room during intense moments.
Best Archetype Builds for Cheesing Annihilation
Handler + Summoner Combo
This combo is favored by solo players. The Handler’s dog companion can tank and revive, while the Summoner brings minions to split the boss’s attention. With enough survivability and passive damage, this setup allows for a safer, cheesier approach to the fight.
Gunslinger + Engineer
High DPS setups like Gunslinger and Engineer enable burst damage that can phase-skip or quickly stagger the boss. By setting up a turret and unloading with high-powered firearms, players can overwhelm Annihilation before it escalates to later phases.
Challenger + Medic
Tanky and resilient, this combo is less about avoiding damage and more about surviving it. With the Medic’s healing support and Challenger’s sheer endurance, players can cheese the boss by outlasting its attacks and brute-forcing through each phase.
Community Reactions to Cheese Tactics
Mixed Opinions
While many players appreciate finding ways to beat Annihilation more easily, others believe that cheesing undermines the challenge and design of the game. The Remnant 2 community on Reddit and YouTube often debates whether cheese strategies are clever or just exploitative.
Some argue that if the game allows it, it’s fair game. Others feel that overcoming Annihilation without cheese offers a more rewarding experience. Ultimately, it’s up to the player’s preference. The game doesn’t penalize you for how you beat the boss it only matters that you survive.
Patch Concerns
One thing to keep in mind is that cheese spots and exploits are often fixed in updates. If you’re using a known cheese strategy, make sure it’s still viable in the current version. Developers have shown interest in maintaining challenge integrity, so patching out unintended methods is not uncommon.
Tips for Players Who Still Struggle
Prepare Your Loadout
Before entering the fight, ensure your gear is optimized. This means upgrading your weapons, refining your mods, and checking your rings and amulets for synergy. Don’t underestimate the power of defensive relics or stamina-boosting traits.
Memorize Attack Patterns
Even when cheesing, understanding the boss’s mechanics helps avoid sudden wipes. Annihilation’s attacks often come in predictable sequences, and recognizing the signs of a phase shift can help you reposition or pop healing items in time.
Use Co-op if Possible
Some cheese strategies work better in multiplayer. While solo runs are popular, playing with friends allows for more distraction, stagger potential, and revives. Combining builds and sharing responsibilities can trivialize even the hardest boss phases.
Cheesing Annihilation in Remnant 2 may not be the intended way to conquer the final boss, but it’s a valid and effective route for many players. Whether you’re using environmental glitches, burst-damage builds, or AI distractions, the goal remains the same: survive and finish the story. With multiple cheese strategies available, players of all skill levels can find a method that works for them. As long as you’re having fun and enjoying the journey, there’s no wrong way to fight back against the brutal power of Annihilation.