Golzuna is a boss that can be difficult to find and defeat in Metroid Dread. It can be challenging to make it through the six sprawling areas of Metroid Dread as Samus makes her way back to the surface. To take on Golzuna, players will need to have reached Ghavoran on the map. They will also need to unlock the Morph Ball in Metroid Dread in order to get through smaller cracks in and around the area.
Once players unlock the Morph Ball, they can quickly find themselves in the arena where they will battle Golzuna. The battle will begin immediately, so players will need to be careful to not accidentally enter this room when exploring. It's not always clear that a boss battle is ahead. For this battle, it's important to be prepared beforehand. Finding a nearby save point or grinding HP and resources from enemies is an effective way to make sure Samus is ready for the battle against Golzuna. At this point, players should already have the Metroid Dread Varia Suit upgrade, allowing them to access this location in Ghavoran thanks to its ability to protect Samus in high-temperature rooms.
Golzuna is a Metroid Dread boss that mutates throughout the battle. This fight takes place in three different phases. Players will need to take advantage of Flash Shift to avoid Golzuna's attacks. In order to defeat Golzuna, players will need to learn when they can attack, and when they need to run.
How To Beat Golzuna in Metroid Dread
Phase One of the Golzuna boss fight in Metroid Dread starts right when Samus gets inside the room. In this phase, Golzuna can take damage directly from the front. Samus should shoot or melee it, being careful to dodge its attacks with Flash Shift, until Golzuna transforms into a red cell.
During Phase Two, Golzuna will have transformed and doubled in size. It also no longer takes damage from the front. Samus will need to use Flash Shift to get behind Golzuna and shoot or melee its backside. Players can also use Missiles for more damage.
Phase Three of this battle is where the true challenge begins. Players will know when they have reached Phase Three when they see red sparks coming out of Golzuna's feet. At this point, players are no longer able to successfully melee and melee counter Golzuna in Metroid Dread; Golzuna will only take bullet damage. Players should be prepared to dodge the following moves:
- Claw Slam: Golzuna rises up to crash into the player. Players can slide under this attack to avoid it. They should continue to fire at its back after making it under the slide.
- Four Spark Orbs: When these appear, Samus should jump across to the other side of the arena using Flash Shift.
- One Purple Orb: This orb will follow Samus around the arena. It also detonates after every few seconds, sending a shockwave across the room. Samus will need to travel back and forth from both ends of the room using Flash Shift to avoid it.
It will likely take a few strikes to get comfortable with Golzuna's attack pattern. Players just need to keep firing at the back of Golzuna in order to defeat it. Once they do, Samus will be rewarded with the Metroid Dread Cross Bomb equipment upgrade that can be handy in later fights.
Metroid Dread is available now on Nintendo Switch.