To defeat Gigas and acquire the Shockwave Beta Skill, focus on precise parrying when its head glows red, utilize Blink for blue attacks, and Perfect Dodge yellow attacks. The Shockwave Beta Skill is obtained as a reward for defeating Gigas, specifically its Alpha Core, which is a key component for unlocking new Beta Skills.
Gigas Overview and Location
Gigas is a formidable Alpha Naytiba in Stellar Blade, known for its immense physical strength and surprising agility. It is a mandatory boss encounter, first encountered in Eidos 7 and later as the fourth boss in the game, located in the Crater area at the conclusion of the Scavenger Adam mission. This makes it the final boss of that specific area. As an Alpha Naytiba, Gigas represents a significant threat, characterized by its destructive power and lack of intelligence. Its emergence caused widespread ground shaking and cracking, leaving behind only fragmented reports of its rampage. A variant of Gigas can also be encountered through the “Urgent Information” side quest, featuring distinct attack patterns and rewards.
Gigas Attack Patterns and Counters
Gigas employs a diverse array of attacks, including continuous physical assaults, charging maneuvers, and area-of-effect shockwaves. Understanding and effectively countering these patterns is crucial for victory. While its attacks can be unpredictable, specific tells and strategies apply to each.
| Attack | Description | Counter Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Initial QTE | Mandatory X button press during cutscene. | Press X to avoid damage. |
| Blue Attack | Gigas rushes, performs a blue attack. | Use Blink (Circle + Forward) when close and sword glows blue. |
| Yellow Attack (Jump) | Gigas performs a jump attack. | Perfect Dodge; if difficult, dash backward or run around. |
| Yellow Attack (Earth Lift) | Gigas lifts earth around you. | Perfect Dodge; if difficult, dash to the right. |
| Standard Punches | Single blows with left or right hand, slow start. | Perfect Parry to break balance. |
| Right Hand Punch (w/ jump) | Punches with right hand, often jumps backward. | Perfect Parry to break balance. |
| Projectile (Rock Toss) | Throws a large rock. | Stay far away to maximize dodge time. |
| Red Attack (Four Punches) | Throws four quick punches. | Parry all four in a quick row. |
| Red Attack (Jump Finish) | Ends four-punch combo with a big jump. | Dodge to the sides. |
| Earthquake | Digs right arm, generates underground explosion. | Move away from the marked area. |
| Hammer Slam (Cinematic) | Beats chest, jumps in place; camera zooms in. | Move away from Gigas as much as possible. |
| Body Slam | Leans back, jumps towards target to crush EVE. | Move away as soon as it glows and leans back. |
Gigas’s head glowing red is a clear indicator for a parry opportunity. Its standard fist combos, which often consist of three successive attacks, are all parryable. If the initial parry timing is missed, continuing to hold the block button and adjusting for subsequent hits can still be effective. For special moves like rock tosses or ground pounds, simple dodges or jumps are generally the most effective avoidance methods.
Gigas Fight Strategy
The encounter with Gigas begins with a mandatory Quick Time Event (QTE) where you must press the X button to avoid taking damage. Failure to execute this QTE will result in damage to Eve. This initial cutscene can be skipped if you restart the boss battle after a defeat.
A core strategy against Gigas, applicable to many enemies in Stellar Blade, is mastering the Perfect Parry. This is highly effective for breaking its balance, creating openings for your own attacks. If Perfect Parrying proves too challenging, Beta Skills, particularly those activated with the Square button, offer a strong alternative due to their significant damage output and quick execution.
When Gigas’s head glows red, it signals a prime opportunity to parry. For its blue attacks, activate Blink (Circle + Forward) when you are in close proximity and Eve’s sword begins to glow blue. Yellow attacks, such as its jump attack or the earth-lifting move, necessitate a Perfect Dodge. If achieving a Perfect Dodge is difficult, dashing backward or running around works well for the jump attack, while dashing to the right is effective for the earth-lifting attack.
Gigas’s standard punches have a noticeable slow start, making them ideal candidates for Perfect Parries. Be aware that when Gigas attacks with its right hand, it frequently jumps backward, creating distance. Occasionally, Gigas will launch a large rock projectile; maintaining distance can make dodging this attack considerably easier.
Upon reaching approximately 60% HP, Gigas transitions into its second phase. In this phase, its hands will turn orange, indicating an increase in its damage output. It also introduces new attack variations, including punches that generate “explosions,” a new yellow jumping attack, and a two-hit combo that concludes with a blue move. This specific combo is telegraphed by Gigas hitting its chest. Successfully dodging the new yellow aerial attack will leave Gigas vulnerable, providing an excellent window to unleash your own attacks. Continue to apply the strategies from the first phase, adapting to these new moves, to secure your victory.
Rewards and the Shockwave Beta Skill
Defeating Gigas for the first time yields several valuable rewards. These include Extreme Nano Elements, the Crit Boost Gear, the Shield Enhancement Gear, gold, EXP, and a Weapon Core. Crit Boost Gear increases critical hit rate, while Shield Enhancement Gear improves shield durability. The Weapon Core is a crucial item for upgrading Eve’s weapon.
Most importantly, defeating Gigas grants you its Alpha Core. Alpha Cores are essential for unlocking new Beta Skills, including the Shockwave Beta Skill. While the specific method to “get” Shockwave isn’t detailed as a direct drop, Alpha Cores are the currency for expanding your Beta Skill repertoire. Therefore, by defeating Gigas and acquiring its Alpha Core, you gain the necessary resource to unlock Shockwave or other Beta Skills through the appropriate skill tree or upgrade menu. The Shockwave Beta Skill is a powerful area-of-effect attack that can be invaluable in crowd control and dealing damage to multiple enemies.
FAQ
Where is Gigas located? Gigas is primarily encountered in the Crater area, specifically at the end of the Scavenger Adam mission, making it the fourth boss you will face. An initial encounter also occurs in Eidos 7.
What are the key tells for Gigas’s attacks? Gigas’s head glowing red indicates a parry opportunity. Blue attacks require Blink, and yellow attacks require a Perfect Dodge.
What happens when Gigas reaches 60% HP? At approximately 60% HP, Gigas enters its second phase. Its hands turn orange, signifying increased damage, and it introduces new attack variations, including explosive punches and a new yellow jumping attack.
How do I get the Shockwave Beta Skill? The Shockwave Beta Skill is unlocked by utilizing the Alpha Core obtained from defeating Gigas. Alpha Cores are used to acquire new Beta Skills within the game’s skill progression system.