The Centipede Husk is the second story boss, fought in the Reactor after you activate the third Power Cell. In phase one it scuttles across the arena out of sight, so stand in the middle, dodge its charge, double slam and coiling grab, and shoot as it passes. At half health it turns briefly invulnerable, adds a poison spit and stays in the arena: that is when to spend your grenades and shotgun shells. It drops a Vault Key, and you can fight it again later as the optional Severed Husk Centipede in Reactor B5.
Where the Centipede Husk fight is
You meet the creature several times while powering the Reactor in Part 2 of the walkthrough. The real fight starts after you use the Security System terminal and activate the third Power Cell under the Reactor Core. The nearest Restoration Pod is just before the security door, so rest there first.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Boss order | 2nd of 7 story bosses |
| Location | Reactor, below the Reactor Core |
| Reward | Vault Key |
| Achievement | Now There Are Two of Them |
| Rematch | Severed Husk Centipede, Reactor B5 (optional) |
What to bring
- Grenades, lots of them. Craft as many as your Fragments allow at the workbench before the fight, but keep them for phase two.
- Riot Breaker (shotgun) shells. Your best burst damage once the boss stops leaving the arena.
- A charged pulse pistol. It has infinite ammo, so it carries phase one.
- Full Health Boosters. Rest at the Restoration Pod by the door; dying refunds nothing you spent.
Phase 1: the hit-and-run
The Centipede Husk mostly stays out of sight and scuttles across the arena. Standing in its path knocks you down. It has three attacks:
| Attack | What it does | How to answer |
|---|---|---|
| Trampling charge | Runs across the arena | Roll out of its path, then shoot its side as it passes |
| Double ground slam | Two heavy slams in front of it | Roll as the first slam starts; fire once the second lands |
| Coiling grab | Wraps around you for huge damage | Clearly telegraphed. Always roll; never tank it |
Stand near the middle of the arena so you can see where it re-emerges. The slams are your best damage window. Grenades are hard to land while it moves, so hold them.
Phase 2: what changes at half health
At about half health the Centipede Husk goes briefly invulnerable and opens with a poison spit, which joins its other attacks. The big difference is that it no longer leaves the arena, so you can hit it at any time.
- Stay behind or beside it rather than in front.
- Roll away from every attack, then answer with the Riot Breaker.
- Throw grenades during and right after the slams, when it is committed.
- If you run dry, the Knife and charged pistol shots finish it.
When it dies, it splits in two and escapes. That is not a bug: you will meet it again. Pick up the Vault Key before you leave.
The optional rematch: Severed Husk Centipede
The second fight is optional and much later. It needs the Explosive Charge and the Grappling Hook, so come back after the Containment Sector.
- In Waterworks B3, pull the levers to drain the water and activate the Pump Station terminal.
- Go down to B4, blow the weak wall with an Explosive Charge and go through the Energy Node door to B2.
- Use the terminal on B2 to drain the reactor system. This also earns the Waste Management achievement.
- Drop into the drained area of Reactor B3 and descend to B5. The boss is in the room to the north.
Beating it gives another Vault Key and the Don't Come Back achievement. Use the same plan as the first fight, with a full grenade stock.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Centipede Husk so hard?
It comes early, when you have few upgrades, and the Reactor's dense enemies drain your ammo on the way in. Arrive with full grenades and do not waste them in phase one.
What is the best weapon against the centipede?
The Riot Breaker shotgun for phase two and the charged pulse pistol for phase one. Grenades work best during its slams. See the tier list.
Did the centipede escape? Did I do something wrong?
No. It always splits and flees after the first fight. You can finish it for good as the optional Severed Husk Centipede.
How many bosses come after it?
Five more story bosses and three optional ones. See the full boss guide.
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: October 9, 2026.
Sources
References and further reading for this article.
