The full boss list is not known until launch, but two bosses were shown in demos. The centipede creature appears and disappears in a pattern and changes behaviour at half health; the ooze brute uses heavy melee swings and grabs a steel beam midway through. Both are beaten by learning their patterns, dodging with the stamina-free roll and punishing openings with charged pistol shots and saved shotgun ammo.
Which bosses are known so far
Before launch, only two boss encounters have been shown in press builds. Neither has an official name, and their locations in the final game are not known. The names used on this page are descriptions, not in-game titles.
| Boss | Seen by | Key trait |
|---|---|---|
| Centipede creature | GamingTrend, GameSpot, MonsterVine | Hit-and-run pattern, second phase at half health |
| Ooze brute | Shacknews | Heavy melee swings, grabs a steel beam midway |
The centipede creature
This is a centipede-like creature with human limbs. GamingTrend saw it appear several times while exploring the facility before the demo ended in a confined fight against it. GameSpot described it as extremely hard.
Early in the fight it uses two attack patterns, including appearing and disappearing while moving across the screen. Each pass gives you a short window for a few shots. GamingTrend said it is not hard to avoid once you learn its rhythm.
The danger is range. You need to get close to deal the most damage, and the tight arena is where most deaths happen. MonsterVine reported that it changes behaviour at half health and enters a second phase, and that it survived the encounter, so you may face it again later.
Centipede tactics
- Charge your pistol before the fight starts.
- Watch the first few passes without greed; learn where it re-emerges.
- Fire during each pass, then roll away before it closes in.
- Use shotgun shells only when it is close and committed to an attack.
- Expect new behaviour at half health and reset your rhythm.
These steps are drawn from how previewers describe the fight, not from the final build. The pattern may differ at launch.
The ooze brute
Shacknews fought a large, hulking creature made of a gooey, ooze-like substance. It attacks with brutal melee swings. Halfway through the fight it picks up a steel beam, extending its reach.
The previewer won by memorising its attack patterns, then alternating between dodging and shooting. After the beam comes out, the safe distance grows. Give yourself more space and wait for each swing to finish before firing.
General boss tips
The developers have said they aim for a classic, appropriately challenging feel, with patterns you learn rather than stats you grind. Co-founder Mattias Ottvall said beating an enemy can mean recognising its patterns, finding a way around it, or finding equipment or an upgrade to boost your character.
- Roll freely. The dodge has no stamina cost.
- Charge first. Walk in with a charged pistol shot ready.
- Budget the shotgun. Keep shells for burst damage in openings.
- Stock up. Craft ammo, grenades and flares at the workbench before a boss.
- Heal deliberately. Healing is limited until your next save point.
Preparing for a boss fight
Previews suggest you usually get warning signs before a boss. The centipede creature, for example, appeared several times during exploration before the actual fight. Use that time to prepare at the nearest workbench.
- Rest at the save point closest to the arena so healing is full.
- Spend fragments on shotgun shells and a few flares or grenades.
- Scan the boss if you get a chance, to learn its behaviour.
- Enter with a charged pistol shot ready.
Because save points respawn most enemies, clear the path to the arena again if you need to, or move quickly past it. The goal is to arrive at the fight with as many resources as possible.
Retrying: save points and death rules
Level designers place save points close to bosses so you don't face a long run back. Dying keeps your items, documents and unlocked doors; you only lose the distance since your last save.
Resting refills health and healing but respawns most enemies, so the route back may not be empty. Previewers compared the loop to Dark Souls: learn, die, retry.
What to expect from the atmosphere
Exploration is mostly quiet, which previewers found unsettling. Boss fights change that. Mattias Ottvall said the fights use clear, tense battle melodies on purpose, so a shift in the music tells you a major encounter has started.
Frequently asked questions
How many bosses are in End of Abyss?
The total has not been announced. Only two boss fights were shown in press demos, and a new boss was featured in Game Informer's second demo.
Do I lose anything if a boss kills me?
No items are lost. You keep items, documents, ammunition and unlocked doors, and you only lose the distance back from your last save point.
Can I skip a boss?
Nothing has confirmed that bosses can be skipped. The developers did say some enemies can be overcome by finding a way around them, but that comment was about challenge in general, not bosses specifically.
What is the best weapon for bosses?
Previewers relied on the charged pulse pistol and kept the limited shotgun shells for burst damage. The early tier list explains why.
After launch
Once End of Abyss releases on October 1, 2026, this guide will add every boss by name, where it is fought, its full move set and its rewards. Until then, see the beginner guide and the early tier list for the gear that works best in these fights.
This page only uses details from official store pages, developer statements and hands-on press previews. Anything unconfirmed before the October 1, 2026 launch is left out and will be added once verified. Last research pass: September 28, 2026.
Sources
References and further reading for this article.