S T R A T E G Y

fight to win

This battle is rather fast-paced, and you'll have to keep on your toes if you want to get past our friend. Before we begin, I suggest equipping the most powerful weapon you have, preferably a Striker, since it's both quick and powerful, if you've been tuning it up. But if not, whatever's your strongest. Make sure you have health on hand also, 'cause you're likely to need it. At least some of it. Enter the chamber when ready.

After the cinematic sequence ends and the battle officially starts, you'll have to be prepared to face attacks from three different directions: on the left and right sides and straight ahead. The monster has tentacles on the left and right sides, and the central head sits in front of you.

This central head is capable of an instant death technique, one that you can predict just by noting a change in its behavior. It will open its jaws and rush at you with great speed, and really, if you don't start to move until it moves at you, it's likely too late. You should move as soon as you notice the jaws opening horizontally. If it gets you, you're dead. Simple as that.

Now, in addition to that cheap move, the tentacles on either side of you can and will grab you if you get careless about dodging, especially when you run to either side to escape the head's death bite. Just keep an eye on the tentacles and the dodge buttons, and you'll be okay. However, if you do get caught by them, you will likely get thrown into the pit, which is full of Plagas. If you get knocked into it, don't panic. Just use a flash grenade if you can spare one, and climb back up the ladder to resume the fight.

Your main objective here is to damage the central head enough by shooting its eye in order to reveal freaky!Salazar in the pod. Only when you fire upon him will the whole boss actually take any damage. It's a packaged deal, so to speak. Another piece of advice I offer is to listen to him, listen to him taunt you. It may sound strange, but it helps. Once you listen to him enough, you'll start being able to predict his next moves, just by what he says. Continue your pattern of attacking and dodging constantly, and you'll be done with this battle.

Now, all of the previous instructions were if you wanted to defeat him the 'normal' way. If you are rich, bored, or just happen to be toting a rocket launcher around at this point, use one on him. It will end the battle with one well-placed hit to Salazar himself. Cheap, yes. But handy if you don't wish to spend any time fighting him.

When the battle ends, collect any unclaimed items around the room, as well as the 50,000 pesetas he drops, and move on. Onward to Saddler's cage of torment. Er, island base.