VIM FACTORY [0508]

Guide to defeating the Hammer Bros. boss in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. Learn their attacks, weaknesses, and strategies to progress through the Vim Factory.

The first thing to do when you enter the factory is to enter the warp pipe, which leads you deeper in the factory. Save here and step on the blue switch to enter a new area.

This area is guarded by Hammer Bros. They have been controlled by the helmets on their heads, which were made by the Shrooms so that they can guard the factory. Fortunately for us, their L33T speak makes for a very entertaining skit. In fact, the scene with the brainwashed Hammer Bros. is most definitely one of the best in the entire game. Fortunately for them, the adults are taken away by...a giant nostril machine?! Now it's up to the babies to defeat these goons, and it won't be a walk in the park. Err, factory...

BOSS: Hammer Bros. HP: 100

The Hammer Bros. are the first boss of the game, and they aren't tough, considering you only have the babies to fight them. Their main attack consists of one bro hitting the other one, which is curled into a ball. He is flung at one of the babies. Jump with whomever is being targeted at. Make sure to jump a tad earlier to counterattack and deal some damage to the attacker.

Their second attack isn't used as much when both are alive. One Hammer Bro will throw numerous hammers at the babies. If the top of the hammer falls off, then do not jump; it will pass over your head. If the weapon stays in tact, then jump to avoid getting hit by the it. Determining who is going to get hit is easy; just see which baby the hammer is heading towards.

These guys have a lot of HP compared to the toddlers, but the fight should now take a long time. If you counterattack nearly every turn in fact, the battle should end quite quickly. This is a great opportunity to use some Bros. Items, as well as test out Fire Flowers if you haven't already. You should have plenty of the items by now, so keep using them. When only one Hammer Bro stands, the battle is a lot easier, so start to normally attack and conserve your Bros. Items.

When you defeat the Hammer Bros, their brainwashing helmets will break off. Feeling guilty for their actions, the two will reward the babies with hammers and teach you how to use them! Press R to switch to your hammer, then press X for Baby Mario to slam the hammer to the ground. It is used to break boxes and activate switches. Press Y for Baby Luigi to hop on Baby Mario's shoulders. Press Y again to send the pair spinning underground. Now you can travel underground; great for tunneling under gates.

You can use this technique, Baby Drill, to uncover beans. Drill underground near an "X" mark on the ground, then press Y under the "X" mark to come up and uncover a bean. With the new hammers in hand, step on the yellow switch to the left and enter the doorway.

You'll have to put your hammers to the test in the next couple rooms. Baby drill under the gate to enter a large room. First off, the gated area in the lower left corner holds some Mushrooms, so grab them. Head to the gated area at the top right corner and drill under it. Hop up on the stairs and go down around the edge of the room. Drop down into the closed area and hit the switch on the wall with your hammer.

Jump up the stairs and go left this time. A gap will be in your way, so jump with both babies to the ledge across. Drop down into the closed-off area immediately after crossing the gap and hit the switch. Drill under the gate and jump up the stairs. When on the ledge again, drop down to ground level. The two switches activated some ledges at the top of the room. Jump up the ledges and enter the small doorway, which leads into the air ducts.

The southern path leads to a dead end. Go down the path anyways because you'll find some Refreshing Herbs there. Go back and head left this time. Follow the path until you find an enemy. When you battle with the Spiny Shroopa, the Hammer Bros. will return to teach you how to attack with your hammers.

Their spiny carapace will damage you if you jump on it. To attack, press the designated button for whomever is attacking (remember to select Hammer). When the baby holds the hammer above their head, press the designated button when the hammer shakes to deal extra damage. When the Spiny Shroopa hops forwards to attack, hold down the designated button for whomever is getting attacked. Release it to send the hammer crashing down on it.

Alrighty, once that's down, go down the first path to find a Mushroom Drop, then take the second path to get out of the air duct. Drill under the left gate in the next room to find coins, Refreshing Herbs, a bean, and Unarmed Jeans. Take the right path to enter a large room.

There is a huge tree in the middle of the room. Smash the four lightbulbs surrounding the tree to make the tree sneeze out the adults! With the adults in hand, use them to throw the babies on the ledge in the corner. Hit the switch to open the door, then head through to return to where you fought the Hammer Bros.

Head through the door and defeat all of the Lakitufos and Dr. Shroobs. Grab the Cannonballers from the block and enter the doorway. Step into the warp pipe, and when you emerge, save your game. Snag the Refreshing Herbs in the left side of the room and use