How to defeat the Heldrake boss in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

While battling your way through the PvE Operations missions in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, you’ll eventually encounter the Heldrake boss. In the main campaign, you don’t need to fight this beast. But in Operations, you’ve got to take it down.

The main campaign in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 sees you battle against hordes of Tyranids before uncovering the twisted plot set in motion by the leader of the Thousands Suns Chaos Space Marine Chapter. In Operations mode, you’ll play out the other side of many of the incursions Titus takes part in, including one incredible battle against a Heldrake. This is pretty Warhammer 40K‘s version of a dragon, but it’s a product of the Warp and, therefore, very angry and hard to kill.

How to defeat the Heldrake boss in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

When you first meet the Heldrake boss in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, you’ll see that it’s impervious to damage. The beast will cover itself with its wings so that all bullets and grenades fly off it harmlessly. It’ll then also open those wings occasionally to try to blast you with fire.

You can’t defeat it with bullets alone. Instead, you’ve got to look around at the stained glass windows in the arena and find the glowing symbols. When you see one, you must then seek out the green terminal with the corresponding symbol and activate it. This will cause a huge beam to blast the Heldrake and leave it open for a damage phase.

During each damage phase, you need to shoot the Heldrake as much as you possibly can. These phases don’t last long, so the beast will cover itself again as you work through every chunk of health. It’s important to deal loads of damage because it’ll increase your chances of survival as more and more enemies pile in throughout the fight.

You’ll need to kill a lot of Thousand Suns Space Marines and minions during this fight. I almost died a couple of times, but definitely took a mortal wound. This is possibly the most brutal fight in Operations mode, so don’t go into it while trying a new class. Use one you’re experienced with.

In my experience, beating this boss should take three or four damage phases. You’ve got to stick with your team for the entire fight. If you don’t, one of them could fall and die because you’re too far away to revive them in time. The same could happen to you. Don’t be a burden or a bad teammate. Stick together and have each other’s backs.

There’s nothing to do once it’s dead because this is the distraction Titus needs to do what he does in the main campaign. Revel in your victory once you’ve killed this monster because it’s easily the toughest boss fight out of every Operations mode mission at Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2‘s launch.