Part 35

Find Data Storage #17 and VR Mission #17 in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Part 35, and learn strategies for the Sundowner boss battle.

BOSS BATTLE: SUNDOWNER - RANKED BATTLE #12

The battle with Sundowner can be surprisingly easy if you keep approaching him from his back, thus avoiding hitting his explosive shield. Sweep kicks at his back (launching him into the air) are also particularly effective. Since you know how to effectively parry by now, keep circling around Sundowner, parrying his regular slashes and trying to sweep him into the air.

Sundowner's biggest asset in this fight is his explosive shields, which will damage you if you hit them. However, throughout the fight you can dismantle them one by one. A parry counter after almost any of his attacks gives you an opportunity to do some precise cutting via Blade Mode (a mode allowing for precise, slow-motion cuts). Look out for these opportunities. Follow the weak points and cut between the explosive plates to open up his defenses, then you'll have a second Blade Mode chance where your goal is to cut the arms off the individual shields, reducing his overall shield count.

You will also have to deal with Hammerheads assisting Sundowner throughout the fight. You can take them out, but another one will show up afterward. Still, taking them out is a great idea (use your sai) if you are aiming for a no damage run.

SUNDOWNER'S ATTACKS:

• OVERHEAD SLASH: One of Sundowner's basic moves. He'll raise both machetes and slash at you. At times he'll do this multiple times in a row. Very easy to parry or parry counter. This easily leads into some shield-slashing.
• THREE-HIT COMBO: Another basic attack. Sundowner starts off with a horizontal chop and follows up with two more hits if he connects. You should never see those other hits though, as you can easily parry counter the first slow chop, which of course leads to shield-slashing.
• SHIELD TAUNT: Not so much an attack, but you will see this quite a bit if you let the fight drag on. He will simply put his shields in front of him and claim that he is invincible. You can stand in front of him and use Blade Mode here if you wish, to initiate some shield-slashing. It's your call.
• EXPLOSIVE SHIELD RAM: Used from distances, Sundowner attempts to ram Raiden with his explosive shield. Raiden will try to break the shield open (you'll need to rapidly press a button, which is random), after which he enters Blade Mode. Be sure not to hit the shield or you'll take damage. This is a good chance to take out a shield.
• SHIELD BASH: Sundowner only uses this move if you are right behind him. He will take his shield and use it to smack you, without even needing to turn around. This is your cue that you've spent enough time damaging him from behind... for now.
• RAMPAGING CHARGE: A fearsome move! Sundowner charges at you and, if he connects, stabs you repeatedly. This move is additionally un-blockable. He has a tendency to do this move after you cut off a shield. It's all too easy to jump over him when he does this. From there you can follow up with a counterattack.

After breaking off all of his shields (which you can honestly do in less than a minute, with practice), you will enter PHASE 2 of the fight. Without any shields, Sundowner goes on the offensive. He attaches his blades to form their pincer form (as you've seen before) and begins to attack much more frequently, although his attack variety drops dramatically. It should also be noted that you can pile on damage much faster in this Phase, as you no longer need to worry about hitting his shields.