Metroid Prime 4: Xelios Boss Guide

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One of my favorite things about the boss battles in Metroid Prime 4 is how well they incorporate the new gameplay elements into the series. It's something that's on full display in the Carvex encounter, the game's first boss battle.

With that said, sometimes you just want to enjoy a good 'ole-fashioned Metroid Prime shootout. Thankfully, the Xelious, the Volt Forge boss, delivers that in spades.

It's an excellent boss fight that encapsulates the very best of the Metroid Prime games. It's also no slouch, either, but if you know what you're doing, you can make quick work of it.

Our guide on how to beat Xelious in Metroid Prime 4 will go over the boss' abilities and the best strategy on how to come out victorious.

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Xelious Abilities

Before diving into Xelious mechanics, let's review the most important part of the fight: the metal plates that surround its core.

To damage the boss, you'll need to destroy the metal plates when you're most vulnerable. You'll know that you can destroy a plate when they jet out from the orb and have a green target.

Don't bother with the Control Beam; it's a waste of time, and it's more efficient to keep shooting at its core and destroying more plates.

With that being said, there are indeed some abilities you need to keep an eye out for.

Ability

How To Deal With It

Xelious will summon purple orbs that briefly levitate before attacking you at high speeds.	Dodge them.
Xelious will burrow in the ground, as indicated by the purple debris. A light blue ringed attack will spread in a circle from where it burrowed.	Jump over the ring
Xelious will move to you and summon an orange barrier that will stun and damage you.	Dash back away from the boss.
Xelious will remain stationary and summon a series of orbs that attempt to lock on to you.	Dodge them.
Xelious will attack you with larger orbs of energy that track you at a rapid pace.	Dodge them.
Xelous will summon an energy sword and slash you at least three times.	Dodge the attack.
Xelious will also summon light blue orbs while also shooting light blue electric beams.	Stay far away from Xelious and shoot the orbs.

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How To Beat Xelious

There's a lot going on with the Xelious encounter, but once you get a good idea what's going on, the name of the game is to stay out of harm's way and keep shooting.

At first glance, those metal plates that protect Xelious' body feel annoying, but in reality, the encounter gives you ample time to shoot down the vulnerable plates, allowing you to deal a steady stream of damage to the boss. There's almost always an opening to deal damage. When there isn't, that's your cue to put yourself in an optimal position to avoid taking damage.

All the damage in the Xelious fight is avoidable; you just have to make sure you're in the best position possible. It's better to stay out of harm's way and keep moving than to sneak in damage.

If you're low on health, shoot down plates and orbs to regain health.

You'll be able to deal a steady stream of damage during the encounter. The most important thing here is to make sure you back away from the orange barrier and sidestep the sword attacks. Those are the two most devastating attacks in Xelious' arsenal.

There's no need to press yourself here, as you're not on a timer. Stay calm, take a deep breath, and keep attacking the vulnerable plates and then the enemy's core. It won't be long before it's defeated.