Every major enemy and boss: locations, weaknesses, and how to beat them

Understanding the Threats of the GATE Facility

Navigating the GATE Cascade Research Facility requires more than just a sturdy weapon. The facility is home to a variety of hostile entities, from humanoid Order soldiers to anomalous creatures. This guide provides a practical overview of the major threats you will encounter, focusing on their documented behaviors, how to unlock information about them, and general strategies for engagement. The information below is drawn from in-game compendium entries and journal logs, offering a reliable foundation for your survival.

Prerequisites for Engagement

Before engaging any significant threat, ensure you have met the following prerequisites to maximize your chances of success and information gathering.

• Acquire a GATEPal: This device is your primary source of information. It is unlocked by picking it up in the Induction Wing of the GATE Cascade Restricted Zone. The GATEPal stores compendium entries and emails that provide crucial intel on enemy weaknesses and behaviors.
• Establish a Crafting Bench: As noted by Dr. Jager, you will need a place to set up and craft essential gear. A crafting bench allows you to create weapons, ammunition, and utility items like nets and shields.
• Understand Your Weapon Types: Weapons are classified into Melee (Blunt or Sharp), Ranged, Throwables, and Shields. Using Blunt weapons increases your Blunt Melee skill, while Sharp weapons increase Sharp Melee. Ranged weapons improve your Accuracy and Reloading skills. Some heavy weapons, like the Peccary Club, have a lengthy windup but can be swung faster as your Strength level increases.

Humanoid Enemies: The Order Faction

The Order is a militarized faction operating within the facility. Their units are documented in the GATE Compendium, with entries unlocked by approaching specific locations or reading emails.

Grunt (ORDER: TRIARII)

• Compendium Unlock: Approach the Grunt in the kitchen near the Garage in Manufacturing West. Additional information is unlocked by speaking with The Blacksmith before finding Sarah Frake.
• Behavior: Standard Order soldier. They are melee-focused and lack a ranged attack.
• General Strategy: A spear-type weapon offers excellent reach, allowing you to strike without entering their attack range. A shield can also be used to block their swings and create an opening for a counter-attack.
• Recovery: If overwhelmed, create distance. Grunts are slow to close gaps, giving you time to heal or reposition.

Captain (ORDER: LEGATE)

• Compendium Unlock: Approach the hologram in the Shipping area observation/control room of Manufacturing West. Additional information is unlocked by reading the email "annulment" and viewing the attachment.
• Behavior: A close-combat specialist who can also fire a pistol. They are tougher and hit harder than Grunts.
• General Strategy: Ranged engagement is preferred. If forced into melee, use a shield to block their pistol shots and melee swings. Avoid trading blows directly.
• Recovery: If you take a heavy hit, break line of sight immediately. Use corners and doorways to prevent them from firing their pistol while you heal.

Medic (ORDER: EXSURGO)

• Compendium Unlock: Approach the Medic near the yellow Electron Pump in Manufacturing West. Additional information is unlocked by reading the email "Attritio" and viewing the attachment.
• Behavior: Fires low-damage bullets at a rapid rate from range. This makes them dangerous at a distance.
• General Strategy: Close the distance to mid-range. A spear or a fast melee weapon can be effective once you are within striking range. Their rapid fire is less accurate at close range.
• Recovery: If caught in the open at long range, use a shield to block incoming fire while you retreat to cover. Their damage is low per hit, but it stacks up quickly.

Lab Rat (ORDER: INQUISITOR)

• Compendium Unlock: The first entry is unlocked by speaking with Hasta Tria in Manufacturing West and exhausting conversation options. Additional information is unlocked by reading an email.
• Behavior: Melee-only enemies with enhanced hearing. They can detect you by sound as well as sight. They also create radioactive spore clouds that inflict Radiation status.
• General Strategy: Attack from range before they can close the distance. If they have already spawned spores, disengage and reposition. The radiation damage stacks if you stand in the cloud.
• Recovery: If you are caught in a spore cloud, move out of it immediately. Use a Rad-X or other radiation protection item to mitigate the status effect.

Creature Enemies: Anomalies and Wildlife

These non-human entities are often the result of experiments or are native to the Anteverse. Their behaviors are less predictable than the Order.

Exor

• Behavior: Patrols or guards specific areas. Can be stationary or roaming.
• General Strategy: Stuns are highly effective. Items like nets or an Electro-Thrower can immobilize them, creating a free damage window. A stunned Exor cannot fight back.
• Recovery: If an Exor closes to melee range, it can deal significant damage. Use a shield to block its attacks while you create distance.

Exor Monk

• Behavior: Teleports after firing laser attacks. This makes them difficult to pin down.
• General Strategy: Use a net to temporarily disable their teleport ability. This allows you to land several hits before they can phase away. Without nets, the fight becomes a chase.
• Recovery: If you lose track of them after a teleport, listen for the sound of their laser charging. This will give you a moment to dodge or take cover.

Decision Table: Weapon Choice for Early Enemies

Choosing the right tool for the job can save resources and health. This table outlines general preferences for common early-game threats.

Recovery and Failure Advice

No plan survives contact with the enemy. Use this recovery workflow after a failed engagement.

1. Break Line of Sight: Immediately retreat behind a wall, corner, or piece of furniture. This prevents ranged enemies from firing at you and gives you a moment to assess the situation.
2. Assess and Heal: Check your health and status effects. Use a bandage, medical syringe, or food to restore health. If you have a radiation status, use a Rad-X or move to a decontamination area.
3. Reposition and Re-engage: Do not return to the same spot. Move to a different angle or a chokepoint. If the enemy is a patrol, wait for them to move past you before re-engaging from behind. If you are low on resources, it may be wiser to retreat entirely and return later.