As a seasoned Dead Space veteran whose battled the Leviathan across multiple playthroughs, I can definitively say this monstrous Necromorph is one of the most challenging enemies you‘ll encounter. This massive beast wields an arsenal of deadly attacks across several forms – requiring stellar awareness, aim, resource management and pattern recognition to ultimately get it off your ship.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll leverage my extensive experience along with key stats and battle insights to walk you through top strategies for defeating the Leviathan – and claiming victory over one of Dead Space‘s most iconic adversary.
My Own Leviathan Encounters
Before we dive into combat tactics, let me briefly share my own Leviathan experiences across several playthroughs:
On my first ever attempt, I was woefully unprepared for the sudden gravity loss in the Hydroponics nutrient vault as this towering monstrosity awoke. Its size and attacks were staggeringly more aggressive than anything faced until then. I soon found myself quickly dying from its toxic projectiles before I could even make a dent.
After rebooting the battle several times and getting absolutely demolished, I switched up my approach – taking time to carefully observe its attack patterns before engaging. I maintained distance and used Stasis liberally to slow it down for clean shots on each tentacle yellow sac in Phase 1. For Phase 2 acid attacks, I used Kinesis to catch and return projectiles back to damage its mouth weak points. And for the final phase, I unloaded my most powerful Contact Beam shots into its exposed mouth core to finish it off!
On replay in my New Game+ run, I came much better prepared – packing the upgraded Foam Finger for ridiculous one-shot damage paired with enhanced Stasis duration. Combining these tools allowed me to dance around the Leviathan and absolutely shred through its health bars with clean aimed shots at blistering speed. The tables were turned as it now struggled to even touch me!
While Frustration reigned during my first run, properly analyzing patterns allowed me to dominate the fight on replay. Now having helped multiple others take down this beast, I can condense my accrued battle insights into this definitive guide!
Leviathan Stats and Attacks
Before diving into tactics, let‘s break down key stats and the deadly moves this massive Necromorph will unleash against you:
Size: Over 20 meters tall
Weight: Over 10 US tons
Health Bars: 3
Loot Dropped: 10000 Credits, 3 Power Nodes, Large Med Pack
Deadly Attacks:
- Tentacle Slams – Smash zones in front of it with huge AoE. Inflicts major damage and knockdown.
Acid Projectiles – Fires rapid volleys of projectiles from its mouth. Splash acid pools on impact that inflict major DoT.
Scythe Arms – Sweeps its bladed arms in wide arcs if you move behind it. Causes heavy dismembering damage.
Charge – Will quickly rush you if you move too far back, trampling with feet and arms. Massive damage and interrupted weapon use.
Weak Points:
- Tentacles – Glowing yellow sacs on the underside. Destroy them all to advance phases.
- Mouth Sacs – Yellow pods around its mouth that can be struck by its own projectiles.
- Core – The yellow mouth nucleus only exposed in final phase.
Now that we understand the monstrosity we are up against, let‘s get into tactics and trends you must exploit to get through all 3 phases unscathed!
Phase 1: Tentacle Weak Points
Destroying all 3 destructible tentacles will move the battle into Phase 2. Here‘s how to take them out safely:
The Leviathan announces imminent tentacle slams by letting out a distinctive shriek. Use this audio cue to immediately strafe perpendicular using your thrusters. This allows you to reliably evade getting smashed or pinned down.
Once safely clear from the tentacle AoE, pump rounds from the pulse rifle or plasma cutter into the glowing yellow sacs on their underside.
On Impossible difficulty, I don‘t recommended using short range weapons here – it leaves you too exposed. Instead, keep your distance and used enhanced weapons like the Force Gun or Flamethrower to hit their weak spots from range.
If low on ammo, utilize Kinesis instead to bombard the tentacles by grabbing and launching the explosive green canisters scattered around the room.
Repeat this alternating evasion and reprisal until all 3 tentacles weak points are destroyed to finish off Phase 1.
Phase 2: Mouth Weak Points
In this phase, the Leviathan exposes multiple weak points around its mouth that can be struck by its own projectile vomit:
Stay in continual motion here – strafing left and right to avoid its bombarding acidic projectiles. Resist the instinct to take cover behind debris – most of the Leviathan‘s acid attacks splash acid pools upon landing!
Instead, move continuously to make it harder to target you while charging up Stasis blasts. Hitting the Leviathan with Stasis drastically slows down its rate of fire allowing for easier weak point hits.
Now here comes the fun part – use your equipped Kinesis module to grab its acid projectiles right out of the air! Then redirect them right back into the yellow glowing pods arounds its mouth! Each direct projectile hit causes outstanding damage.
However, its projectile spread, arc and velocity is intentionally tricky – requiring precise aim to pull off these satisfying counter shots. This is where Stasis again comes in incredibly handy – slowing each glob mid-flight for easier redirection.
After its mouth sacs are destroyed, the Leviathan will slump – exposing its damaged mouth. Unload on this area with powerful beam weapons to blast away the protective plate and advance.
Phase 3: The Core
This is it – the final phase against the Leviathan‘s ultimate yellow glowing weak point within its mouth.
Stay at mid range here circling strafing left and right to deal with any remaining tentacle slams while utterly unloading on its face with your best weaponry. The Contact Beam works wonders here.
Again, time your shots between tentacle attacks while hitting the core with enhanced damage ADS shots. Eventually after absorbing enough punishment, the glowing yellow nucleus will rupture – triggering the Leviathan to drift off into space defeated!
Additional Leviathan Strategies and Tips
Here are some additional pointers I‘ve accrued over multiple successful Leviathan encounters:
- Before entering the vault, equip Stasis energy at maximum capacity – you‘ll need it.
- Stock up on ammo/health at the Store right beforehand when possible.
- The Contact Beam is extremely effective for quick weak point kills – save ammo for final phase.
- Spam Stasis blasts the moment battle starts to buy time without taking damage
- Playing coop? Have a partner focus on tentacles while you target mouth.
- Corrupted Necromorph structures in the room can yield pickups if dismembered.
- Practice redirection timing by batting its projectiles at the ground first.
- It will NOT use its Charge attack if you keep medium distance. Get too far and it will though!
Learn these tips, practice Pattern recognition, leverage stasis slowing and unload on weaknesses, and you‘ll ultimately prevail!
Origins of the Leviathan
So how did this towering monstrosity come to be? Let‘s briefly dive into some key backstory:
The Leviathan was originally an aquatic creature that resided in the water purification tanks within the USG Ishimura‘s Hydroponics sector.
Once the initial Necromorph outbreak occurred, it was infected by a Swarm that entered the water tanks and gradually mutated into its current massive Necromorph form.
It grew ever larger by merging with other deceased aquatic lifeforms until the entire gigantic beast broke containment right as Isaac arrived to restore the Gravity Centrifuge.
Now driven by pure instinct to feed and destroy, it began its deadly crusade against our protagonist – all documented here in this guide!
Rewards for Defeating The Leviathan
What prizes await after slaying this deadly beast not just once – but twice thanks to its persistent Remnant form? Here‘s what you unlock:
- The Modern Prometheus Achievement – Defeat the Leviathan in Hydroponics on your first attempt!
- Reduced to Lifeless Matter Achievement – Defeat the Leviathan‘s remnants in Chapter 8.
- Get Off My Ship! Trophy – Complete Dead Space on any difficulty. Claim this iconic collectible after the final showdown!
- 10000 Credits – Sell its extremely valuable loot for major bank to upgrade your arsenal.
- 3 Power Nodes – Extremely rare crafting resources for weapon augmentation.
- Round 6 Schematic – Unlock the high caliber machine gun by defeating the Remnant.
Now your accomplishments will forever be immortalized with these badges of honor after conquering this deadly foe!
So in summary, I hope this guide covers everything you need to confidently take down the Leviathan and its remnants. Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! Time to rip and tear until its done.
