The Physicist, also known as The Underpass Resonant, is a formidable boss in Control Resonant that can prove challenging, especially at lower Power Levels. Thankfully, its attacks are well-telegraphed, making a strategic approach key to victory. This guide outlines a strategy for defeating The Physicist and provides advice on selecting your post-battle combat ability.
The Physicist Boss Strategy
The encounter with The Physicist is divided into three distinct phases. Between each phase, the boss will relocate, requiring you to complete a brief platforming segment to reach it. It is crucial to avoid falling during these sections, as they inflict damage. Do not linger on the platform where the previous phase occurred, as it will begin to fall away. The boss's falter meter will not decay while you are navigating these transitional platforming sections.
Throughout the fight, The Physicist employs a variety of attacks, including the summoning of Astral Spikes. Understanding these attacks beforehand is vital for preparation.
Phase 1 Attacks
- Ground slam: The Physicist leaps into the air before slamming down, creating an aftershock.
- Outward blast: The boss draws in debris before launching it outward in an area-of-effect attack. Maintaining distance is the best defense.
- Arm attack: An 'arm' or pillar emerges from The Physicist and rotates around its body, which can be avoided by jumping.
- Throwing projectiles: The Physicist forms a cross shape and launches four projectiles. A timely dodge is effective.
- Big ground slam: This concludes the first phase. Watch for the boss raising into the air and move away, or use the float ability to ensure safety.
This phase concludes after depleting approximately a quarter of The Physicist's health.
Phase 2 Attacks
- Astral Spike summon: The Physicist vanishes, leaving four Astral Spikes in its place. While dealing with these, The Physicist's falter bar does not decrease. It is advisable to defeat the summoned spikes before the boss returns.
- Spike attack: Signaled by The Physicist forming a triangle shape and slamming into the ground, this attack sends a line of spikes towards the player's direction. Jumping over them is the recommended evasion.
- Returning attacks: The projectile-throwing and cross-shaped attacks from Phase 1 may reappear.
This phase ends after depleting roughly half of The Physicist's health.
Phase 3 Attacks
- Cross-shaped Astral Spike summoning: A modified version of the cross attack summons two Astral Spikes. The Physicist molds into a cross shape with two large pieces of debris on either side, which are revealed to be Astral Spikes. Unlike in Phase 2, The Physicist remains present, necessitating simultaneous combat with the boss and the summoned spikes.
- Returning attacks: Most attacks from previous phases, including the outward burst, arm swing, triangle attack, and cross/projectile attack, make a return.
Recommended Strategy and Combat Ability Choice
The optimal strategy for defeating The Physicist involves consistent use of the Mold ability, particularly the Growth skill to summon mold turrets. These turrets can distract enemies, inflict the infected status effect on Astral Spikes, and deal damage over time, allowing you to focus on dodging and landing hits. Maintain movement, evade attacks, strike when safe, and prioritize filling the falter meter. If Astral Spikes are present, be cautious not to become an easy target while the meter is filling.
After defeating The Physicist, you will choose between two Combat Abilities: Spike and Astral Rebuke.
- Spike: Summons an Astral Spike to attack enemies. It can be directed to attack and knock down a target, building up Astralized status. It requires significant investment in the Talent tree to become truly effective and is best suited for dedicated summoning builds.
- Astral Rebuke: Unleashes a homing spike that erupts beneath enemies, launching them into the air and applying the Lifted status effect. This ability builds up Astralized status and is highly effective for crowd control and setting up damage opportunities, making it a strong choice for builds that do not focus on summoning.
For players not specializing in summon builds, Astral Rebuke is the recommended choice due to the utility of the Lifted status effect, which can temporarily remove enemies from combat or allow for significant damage output.
