If the Atomic Heart bosses have got you ill at ease, we don’t blame you. Many of Sechenov’s robots were built for industrial labour on a large scale, making them capable of taking an axe or shotgun shell to the chassis without pause. Thankfully, Facility 3826 offers plenty of weapons to help you defeat them, but doing so won’t be a walk in the park.
While there are plenty of fearsome foes in the retrofuturistic FPS game, Atomic Heart bosses are a cut above the rest. Whether synthetic or organic, these enemies sport robust health bars and devastating abilities that can quickly reduce Atomic Heart protagonist Major P-3 to a bloody pulp. Here are all the Atomic Heart bosses including their location, movesets, and strategies, compiled into one easy list.
Atomic Heart bosses typically make their debut in the open-world game while progressing through the main story, though you can also expect to encounter some as minibosses in the Atomic Heart map. They each have very specific strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to stock up on everything you’ll need when facing off against them ahead of time.
Here are all the Atomic Heart bosses we can expect to encounter:
- Large Mutant
- Hedgie
- Plyusch
- Belyash
- Natasha
- Dewdrop
- Twins
Large Mutant
The Large Mutant first appears at the culmination of your time in the Vavilov Complex, shortly after retrieving the canister from the Pesticide Workshop. This small combat area can easily become cramped, so your first priority during this encounter is to destroy the Mother nodes attached to the walls in order to limit the number of Sprouts flying around at a time.
The Large Mutant can also summon Sprouts as well, but these are a lot easier to manage – it also typically exposes the cluster of vibrant tumours on its back when doing so, which is what you’re aiming to hit for bonus damage. If you’re struggling to get a clear shot, Cryo or Volt will provide a brief stun effect to navigate behind it. Like most Atomic Heart bosses, a powerful weapon like a shotgun is your best bet against the Large Mutant, particularly when paired with a fire-based Atomic Heart cartridge.
Hedgie
Your first showdown with Hedgie kicks off once you’ve ziplined your way into the exhibition park that serves as the entrance to the VDNH. The clue to defeat Hedgie appears only moments before it makes an appearance – the park is filled with art installations that you can call up by applying Volt to the attached terminals. All you need to do is place the installations between Hedgie and yourself as it begins its rolling animation.
It’ll destroy the installation, inflicting significant damage to itself and leaving its weak points vulnerable to a follow-up attack from your shotgun. Don’t bother lining up shots while it’s wreaking havoc; instead, keep as much distance as possible, and watch out for the successive waves of energy it releases when bouncing. Your ammunition is best served targeting the weak spots it leaves exposed once it wears itself out.
Plyusch
Located in the lower levels of the VDNH, Plyusch is the most aggressive form of mutant, capable of extending its limbs to cross large distances and leap through the air. While it’s technically vulnerable to melee attacks, it’s also extremely difficult to engage in close quarters due to its frenzied moveset, which incorporates knockdown effects and a grapple.
If you’re dead-set on melee, use Cryo to slow it down and tank the worst of its swipes with a reinforced Polymer Shield. Alternatively, opt for the tried and true method for dealing with mutants: fire cartridges, and a big gun. Setting it on fire will inflict damage over time, which can be extended with the help of your Polymer Jet.
Belyash
Belyash stands between you and the entrance to the Theatre. It’s devastatingly fast, so be sure to constantly apply Volt to slow it down as much as possible. It also boasts a slew of resistances to fire, ice, and energy weapons. However, like most bosses, it’s vulnerable to explosive weapons, so be sure to aim for the head and keep your distance to avoid splash damage.
Belyash tends to leap from above during its first phase, but its most deadly attack begins as a succession of forward swipes, ending in a slam attack that unleashes an energy wave like Hedgie. Its second phase transforms its bulbous head into a flamethrower, so keep to its side as much as possible to avoid being caught up in the flames.
Natasha
As the star of Petrov’s show during the final act of the Theatre, Natasha is a walking tank. Her sheer size makes this relatively small arena even smaller, though she’s thankfully slower than most bosses and dodging her physical attacks isn’t too strenuous. If her missile barrage is tripping up, you can consistently avoid it by timing your dodge to coincide with Natasha’s arms dropping.
Be mindful of your positioning during this fight, especially when she begins to unleash her swinging arm attack – like Belyash, Volt can cause Natasha’s movements to stall if you need a split second of breathing room. As for weapons, the more explosive the better so opt for the Fat Boy. The Kalash also shines during this fight, sporting the precision and fire rate to take out her rolling bombs and minimising the chances of getting caught in a chain of consecutive knockdowns.
Dewdrop
Dewdrop makes an appearance on your way to the lighthouse, shortly after you leave the Pavlov Complex. Not only is Dewdrop big and agile, its moveset includes a powerful laser attack. It’s also resistant to everything you’ve got to throw at it, including elemental effects, so your best bet is arming yourself with the biggest explosive weapon you have and aiming for its eye – if you’ve not invested the resources into crafting the Fat Boy yet, now’s the time.
The Fat Boy’s missiles do drop off, so be sure to position yourself close enough that your shots will hit while also not sustaining splash damage in the process. At half-health, Dewdrop transitions into its second phase, introducing a long-range tentacle swipe and a flurry of spherical projectiles to its moveset. Thankfully, using the beached whale as cover will help you avoid most of Dewdrop’s attacks, regardless of which phase it’s in.
The Twins
Naturally, Sechenov’s twin ballerinas make up the final boss of Atomic Heart. The Twins can store energy in the exact same way as Major P-3, imbuing them with special attacks. Thankfully, you can negate this by inflicting damage. They’re far too fast for your Kalash or smaller firearms, so simply don’t bother with them unless you’re up for a challenge – instead, pour all your resources into stocking up on Fat Boy ammo. You’re going to need it, because missiles are the only way to consistently stun-lock the Twins.
Landing that initial shot is easier said than done, though, so prioritise dodging and only take aim at the Twins when they pause to charge up energy or initiate an attack. Keep circling them to avoid their boulder slingshot and other large projectiles, and be sure to remain at a distance so you have a chance at dodging their energy waves. Anyone looking for an Atomic Heart romance might have a broken heart at the end of this fight.
That’s everything you need to defeat the fiercest of Atomic Heart bosses. To emerge unscathed, you’ll need to ensure you’ve equipped the best Atomic Heart weapons and skills. While you’re here, be sure to avail yourself of Atomic Heart system requirements, and find out just how long is Atomic Heart for casuals and completionists alike. We’ve also compiled a list of the best PC games if you’re looking for something else to play after the credits roll.
Developer Mundfish has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks after it was alleged that the Russian government stands to gain financially from the release of Atomic Heart. This is due to the fact that investors involved in financing Mundfish include GEM Capital, an investment fund whose founder has ties to Gazprom and VTB Bank, both of which are majority-owned by the Russian state.
Further, Mundfish is partnering with VK (formerly Mail.RU) for the Russian release of Atomic Heart, evading sanctions on Steam. VK is also majority-owned by the Russian state through Gazprombank, and Mundfish’s CEO is a former Creative Director at Mail.RU.
With Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, many players are choosing to boycott the game in protest and donate money to organisations like The Ukraine Crisis Appeal, International Rescue Committee, and the British Red Cross.