Boss Battle: The Octo Samurai

Boss Kettle Entrance

Area 02’s Boss Kettle opens once you’ve collected a total of six Zapfish. The kettle is located in the center of the area. Before entering the kettle, consider traveling back to the Ammo Knights Enhancifier in Area 01. Now’s a good time to upgrade your Ink Tank—you should have more than enough Power Eggs and Sardinium to afford the upgrade.

Sheldon Request

In this battle, Sheldon needs you to collect more research data on the Hero Roller. As you’re now aware, the Hero Roller consumes a lot of ink. If you haven’t acquired the Ink Tank upgrade, consider doing so before initiating the boss battle. Supplying the Hero Roller with a larger reservoir of ink makes this battle much easier. If you can afford it, Curling Bombs are another worthwhile upgrade.

Round 1

As you enter the arena, the Octo Samurai emerges from a pool of purple ink, armed with a massive roller. As the fight gets underway, start rolling ink toward the Octo Samurai, then circle around him as he initiates a series of downward thrusts with his roller. As long as you keep circling him, you should have no problem avoiding these attacks. Keep an eye on your Ink Tank, though, and be ready to swim if it starts running low. If you can get behind the Octo Samurai, stop momentarily and fling ink at his back to deal some damage.

Eventually the Octo Samurai gives up trying to splat you with his roller and backs away. His roller then transforms into an Octocycle. Be ready to dodge laterally as the Octo Samurai rides the Octocycle toward you, leaving behind a wide swath of purple ink. Once he passes you, rush in behind him and swing your Hero Roller to fling ink at his back. But don’t get greedy—back away as soon as the Octo Samurai’s Octocycle transforms back into a roller.

Dodge the next round of roller attacks and look for more opportunities to fling ink in the Octo Samurai’s direction. The round completes once he’s totally coated in your ink. Locate the exposed tentacle and fling ink at it until it explodes.

Round 2

In the second round, the Octo Samurai begins with an aggressive jump attack, performing a powerful downward swing with his roller. As soon as the round begins, start rolling ink laterally in an effort to dodge this fast attack. It takes a while for the Octo Samurai to recover following this attack, so use the opportunity to get behind him and fling ink.

When the Octo Samurai raises his roller like a baseball bat and you hear a high-pitched sound, back away. This is the sign that he’s about to initiate a spin attack, in which he swings the roller a full 360 degrees and creates a ring of purple ink around him. The Octo Samurai also breaks out the Octocycle, attempting to run you down. Stay on the move throughout this round and look for opportunities to counter. Your best bet is to strike following a jump attack or Octocycle attack, when the Octo Samurai leaves his back exposed for a few seconds. This gives you just enough time to rush in and fling ink at his back. Keep hitting him until the exposed tentacle returns, allowing you to complete the round.

Round 3

At the start of the third round, roll toward the Octo Samurai at an oblique angle as he raises his spinning roller high above his head. As he thrusts the roller downward, a long line of ink is flung in your direction. These linear attacks have incredible range, so make sure you’re not caught by surprise, even if you’re on the opposite side of the arena. Following three downward swings, the Octo Samurai pauses for a few seconds—take this opportunity to close in and fling ink.

It’s important to stay on your toes in this round, as the Octo Samurai utilizes his full repertoire of attacks. This includes regular roller attacks, long-range vertical swings, close-quarter spin attacks, and Octocycle rides. This time the Octocycle makes two passes, so keep moving once you’ve dodged the initial run. Continue inking circles around the Octo Samurai while watching for opportunities to fling ink. Each successful hit covers the Octo Samurai in ink—keep hitting him until he’s fully coated to draw out the exposed tentacle one last time. Smack the tentacle until it explodes, then collect the Sardinium and Zapfish to complete the battle. You can now access Area 03!