Facing Annihilation in Remnant 2 is one of the most challenging experiences in the entire game. As the final boss, Annihilation tests your reaction time, knowledge of mechanics, and ability to adapt under pressure. This twisted fusion of machine and corruption stands between you and the game’s conclusion, and it offers no mercy. For those struggling with this fight, understanding its phases, attack patterns, and counterplay is key to achieving victory. This guide will provide a comprehensive strategy to beat Annihilation, including recommended builds, gear, and tactics to survive the onslaught.
Understanding Annihilation’s Fight Structure
Three Phases of Battle
Annihilation is a multi-phase boss fight that gradually increases in complexity and intensity. You must prepare for a long battle that requires endurance and mental focus. Each phase introduces new mechanics:
- Phase 1: Standard melee and ranged attacks, teleportation, and hand slams.
- Phase 2: New arenas with gravity-bending effects, floating platforms, and erratic teleportation.
- Phase 3: Combination of previous mechanics with heavy visual clutter and fast-paced action.
Learning these transitions and predicting attacks will help you conserve resources and avoid unnecessary deaths.
Preparing for the Fight
Recommended Archetypes
Choosing the right archetype setup makes a significant difference. Some viable options include:
- Handler: The dog companion is invaluable for self-revives, allowing second chances when you’re overwhelmed.
- Medic: Excellent for group play or solo survivability. Its relic-enhancing perks keep you alive longer.
- Gunslinger: For players who want high DPS and consistent damage output through fast reloads and increased fire rate.
Weapons and Mods
Your weapon choice should focus on versatility and high burst damage. Suggested loadout includes:
- Long Gun: Nightfall or Aphelion with a high-damage mod like Song of Eafir or Blink.
- Handgun: Enigma works well for crowd control during the second phase.
- Melee: Not the primary focus but keep one with good stagger or elemental damage for close encounters.
Relic and Rings
Using the right relic and accessories boosts survivability and damage:
- Relic: Resonating Heart for healing over time or Shielded Heart for absorption if you’re having trouble surviving burst attacks.
- Rings: Use Burden of the Gambler to improve mod power, or Fae Warrior Ring for increased melee impact.
Phase 1 Strategy
Dodge the Slam Attacks
Annihilation opens with heavy melee attacks using its massive limbs. These slams create shockwaves and can stagger or kill instantly. Learn the animation windups and dodge to the side rather than backward. Keep mid-range distance to bait slams and punish during cooldown windows.
Handle Teleportation
The boss teleports frequently, often appearing behind you or above. Stay mobile and avoid cornering yourself. Use audio cues to predict the teleport location and preemptively dodge or reposition.
Watch the Adds
Occasionally, small enemies spawn. Clear them immediately or use a mod like Enigma’s arc lightning to chain-kill. Don’t let them distract you from the boss’s attacks, but don’t ignore them either.
Phase 2 Strategy
Platform Transition
After Annihilation drops to around 66% HP, it transports you to a floating arena. The physics here feel different gravity is lighter, and platforms move. Jump carefully and avoid falling off, as you’ll be instantly punished.
Avoid Environmental Hazards
Floating cubes and glowing energy attacks now fly across the battlefield. These hazards aren’t directly controlled by Annihilation but must be navigated in real-time. Focus on the center platform for safety and retreat to the edges only when needed.
Use Mods for Control
In this chaotic phase, crowd control and AoE mods become more useful. Equip mods that can clear the screen or provide defensive advantages like barriers, roots, or damage reduction fields.
Phase 3 Strategy
Final Arena Mechanics
The screen will now be filled with visual noise: multiple teleportations, energy beams, rapid-fire projectiles, and summoned creatures. Keep calm and prioritize awareness. Don’t focus only on damage; survival is key in this phase.
Focus Fire Opportunities
When Annihilation slams and stalls or enters a brief cooldown after teleporting, use those moments to unleash your hardest-hitting abilities. Save your relic charges for these moments or when you’re caught in multiple attacks at once.
Use the Dog (if Handler)
The dog’s revive is a literal lifesaver. Let the companion tank some of the weaker adds, and if you go down, stay near a safe area so it can reach you and bring you back. Avoid getting knocked into corners or off platforms.
General Combat Tips
Keep Moving
Annihilation punishes static players. Stay on the move, strafe, roll, and jump constantly to keep from being caught in a combo. Mobility is as important as DPS in this fight.
Don’t Panic Roll
Rolling randomly will likely put you in the path of another attack. Watch the boss’s animation and time your dodge accordingly. Practice makes perfect here rolling too early or late leads to death.
Stay Cool Under Pressure
The sheer chaos of the final phase can be overwhelming. If you die repeatedly, take a break and revisit the fight later. Understanding patterns comes with repetition. Focus on improving bit by bit each attempt.
Co-Op Considerations
Communicate Clearly
In multiplayer, designate roles. One player focuses on adds, another on boss DPS, and another on healing/support. Use voice chat if possible to call out incoming slams, teleport spots, or healing cooldowns.
Revives Are Critical
Don’t rush revives unless it’s safe. Lure the boss away before attempting to revive a teammate. In groups, revive chains can keep the team alive during tight moments, especially in Phase 3.
Shared Buffs
Some archetypes like Medic provide teamwide buffs. Coordinate use of support abilities and relics to extend the whole team’s survivability and damage potential.
Victory and Rewards
What You Gain After Winning
Defeating Annihilation rewards you with high-end crafting materials, a unique boss weapon mod, and closure to the campaign. You’ll also unlock new achievements and increase your World Tier progression potential.
Repeat Attempts for Perfection
If you want to push higher difficulties or reattempt with different builds, Annihilation is always waiting at the end. Each attempt helps you grow more precise, efficient, and confident in your combat style.
Annihilation in Remnant 2 is the culmination of everything the game throws at you unforgiving attack patterns, spatial challenges, and relentless pressure. But with patience, preparation, and a strong build, you can overcome it. Remember to stay mobile, learn each phase, and adapt your tactics with every try. Whether solo or in co-op, beating Annihilation delivers one of the most satisfying victories in the game. Prepare well, execute carefully, and show the Root’s final creation that it was never truly invincible.