Legendary Animals

Legendary Animals

Across the vast and beautiful landscapes of Ancient Greece, a select few creatures stand apart from the common beasts – the Legendary Animals. These mythical encounters are not merely glorified hunting trips; they are challenging boss battles that demand strategic preparation, keen observation, and mastery of combat. Successfully defeating these formidable foes not only grants significant XP and Drachmae but also rewards you with unique, rare crafting materials essential for upgrading your gear and unlocking powerful engravings.

This comprehensive guide will detail each Legendary Animal, providing their exact locations, recommended strategies, potential pitfalls, and the valuable rewards you'll reap. Prepare your weapons, hone your skills, and embark on these epic hunts!

General Preparation & Strategy Tips

• Level Appropriately: While some Legendary Animals can be tackled slightly under-leveled with excellent strategy, it's generally recommended to be at or above their suggested level.
• Gear Optimization:
  • Warrior Builds: Focus on high damage output, critical chance/damage, and survivability (armor, health regeneration). Engravings that boost damage against animals or specific weapon types are invaluable.
  • Hunter Builds: Prioritize bow damage, headshot damage, and adrenaline generation. Consider engravings that increase arrow penetration or allow for multiple arrow shots.
  • Assassin Builds: While less ideal for direct combat with these bosses, Assassin builds can still contribute with high initial damage from stealth attacks (if applicable) and critical assassination engravings.
• Abilities are Key:
  • Second Wind: Absolutely essential for healing during prolonged fights. Max this out.
  • Overpower Attacks: Deliver massive damage and often interrupt boss attacks.
  • Hero Strike/Rush Assassination: Can be used for burst damage, even in direct combat.
  • Devastating Shot/Predator Shot: For Hunter builds, these are your primary damage dealers.
  • Shield Breaker: Useful if the animal has any form of armor or a defensive stance.
• Consumables: Always stock up on temporary damage boosts (Warrior, Hunter, Assassin Damage) and armor buffs from the Blacksmith. These can make a significant difference.
• Mercenaries & Allies: Some fights allow you to bring Ikaros to distract or recruit mercenaries/lieutenants to fight alongside you. Use these advantages when available.
• Observe Attack Patterns: Each animal has distinct tells before their powerful attacks. Learn to dodge, parry, or reposition accordingly.
• Environmental Hazards: Some arenas have environmental elements you can use to your advantage or that pose a threat.

The Legendary Animals & Their Hunts

There are 9 Legendary Animals in total, including the Erymanthian Boar, which is part of a side quest chain. Defeating all of them is required for the "Master of the Hunt" achievement/trophy.

1. The Kalydonian Boar

• Location: Phokis, northeast of the Synchronization Point in the Valley of the Nymph.
• Recommended Level: 13-15
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis" (starts by speaking to Daphnae in the Temple of Artemis, Phokis).
• Strategy:
  • This boar is infamous for its incredibly annoying "minion" boars that it summons throughout the fight. These smaller boars are fast, aggressive, and can quickly overwhelm you.
  • Priority Target: Focus on the Kalydonian Boar itself. The minion boars will respawn endlessly until the main boar is defeated.
  • Crowd Control: Abilities like Ring of Chaos or Spartan Kick can help create space.
  • Hit & Run: Dodge the main boar's charge, get a few hits in, then immediately reposition to avoid the minion boars.
  • Hunter Strategy: Use a high-damage bow build. Keep your distance, use Predator Shot or Devastating Shot on the main boar, and use Multi-Shot to clear groups of smaller boars if they get too close.
  • Warrior Strategy: Focus on dodging the main boar's charges. Use Overpower Attacks when you have adrenaline. Second Wind is crucial here.
  • Environmental Advantage: The arena has some trees and rocks you can use to briefly break line of sight or funnel the smaller boars.
• Rewards: Kalydonian Boar Hide, XP, Drachmae.

2. The Erymanthian Boar

• Location: Elis, in the Erymanthos Foothills.
• Recommended Level: 35-38
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis" (part of the same questline as the Kalydonian Boar).
• Strategy:
  • This boar is notorious for its toxic gas attacks. When it charges, it leaves behind a trail of poisonous gas that deals continuous damage.
  • Stay Mobile: Do not stand in the gas clouds. Always keep moving and repositioning.
  • Ranged Advantage: Hunter builds excel here. Keep your distance, use powerful bow shots, and dodge its charges.
  • Melee Strategy: If fighting melee, you need to be extremely precise with your dodges. Get in a few hits after it charges, then immediately move out of the gas.
  • Second Wind: Essential for healing through any unavoidable poison damage.
  • Ares's Last Breath: If you have this ability, it can provide temporary invulnerability and damage, allowing you to stay in the gas for a short burst.
• Rewards: Erymanthian Boar Hide, XP, Drachmae.

3. The Nemean Lion

• Location: Argolis, in the Sinkholes of Herakles.
• Recommended Level: 22-25
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis"
• Strategy:
  • The Nemean Lion is accompanied by several normal lions that continuously spawn, similar to the Kalydonian Boar.
  • Focus the Main Target: Prioritize the Nemean Lion. The smaller lions will stop spawning once it's defeated.
  • Area of Effect (AoE) Abilities: Ring of Chaos, Multi-Shot, or Overpower Attacks with a wide-swinging weapon can help manage the smaller lions.
  • Dodge & Counter: The Nemean Lion has a powerful pounce attack. Dodge it and counter with a few hits.
  • Hunter Strategy: Keep your distance, use powerful bow shots on the Nemean Lion, and use Multi-Shot to thin out the smaller lions if they get too close.
• Rewards: Nemean Lion Pelt, XP, Drachmae.

4. The Krokottas Hyena

• Location: Lakonia, in the Krokottas Den.
• Recommended Level: 30-33
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis"
• Strategy:
  • This hyena is incredibly fast and agile, making it difficult to hit. It also has a devastating lunge attack.
  • Parry/Dodge Timing: Master the timing for its attacks. A successful parry can stun it, allowing for a few free hits.
  • Slow Time Abilities: If you have abilities that slow time (like Battlecry of Ares), use them to land critical hits.
  • Hunter Strategy: Use high-damage single-target bow shots. Aim for headshots when it's momentarily still.
  • Warrior Strategy: Focus on dodging its lunges and getting in quick combos. Overpower Attacks are excellent for burst damage.
• Rewards: Krokottas Hyena Pelt, XP, Drachmae.

5. The Lykaon Wolf

• Location: Messenia, in the Lykaon Cave.
• Recommended Level: 36-39
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis"
• Strategy:
  • The Lykaon Wolf is a large, aggressive wolf that often fights alongside a pack of normal wolves.
  • Clear Minions First (Optional): Unlike the boars and lion, the normal wolves here are fewer in number and don't endlessly respawn. You can choose to quickly dispatch them first to focus solely on the Lykaon Wolf.
  • Dodge its Howl: The Lykaon Wolf has a howl that can stun you. Dodge or interrupt it if possible.
  • Aggressive Playstyle: This wolf is a straightforward, aggressive attacker. Meet its aggression with your own, using powerful abilities.
  • Second Wind: Keep your health topped up, as it can deal significant damage quickly.
• Rewards: Lykaon Wolf Pelt, XP, Drachmae.

6. The Kretan Bull

• Location: Messara, in the Minotaur Hills.
• Recommended Level: 40-43
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis"
• Strategy:
  • The Kretan Bull is a massive beast with powerful charge attacks and a stomp that creates a shockwave.
  • Dodge the Charge: Its charge is its most dangerous attack. Dodge to the side at the last moment.
  • Attack from Behind/Sides: After it charges past, you have a brief window to attack its flanks or rear.
  • Beware the Stomp: When it rears up, it's about to stomp, creating a shockwave. Dodge away from the impact zone.
  • Hunter Strategy: Keep your distance, use powerful bow shots, and aim for headshots when it's recovering from an attack.
  • Warrior Strategy: Focus on dodging and getting in quick combos after its attacks. Overpower Attacks are very effective.
• Rewards: Kretan Bull Hide, XP, Drachmae.

7. The Hind of Keryneia

• Location: Euboea, in the Artemision Point.
• Recommended Level: 45-48
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis"
• Strategy:
  • This majestic deer is incredibly fast and agile, making it hard to pin down. It also has a powerful kick.
  • High Mobility: Be prepared for a lot of chasing and dodging.
  • Ranged Attacks: Hunter builds have a significant advantage here, allowing you to deal damage while it moves.
  • Warrior Strategy: Focus on closing the distance quickly after it moves. Use abilities like Spartan Kick to interrupt its attacks or create openings.
  • Parry its Kick: If you can time it, parrying its kick can stun it for a brief moment.
• Rewards: Keryneia Hide, XP, Drachmae.

8. The Kallisto Bear

• Location: Arkadia, in the Forest of Sorrows.
• Recommended Level: 48-50
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis"
• Strategy:
  • The Kallisto Bear is a massive, aggressive bear with powerful claw swipes and a devastating charge.
  • High Damage Output: This bear hits hard. Ensure your armor is upgraded and Second Wind is ready.
  • Dodge its Charges: Similar to the bulls, its charge is dangerous. Dodge to the side.
  • Attack Windows: After its charge or a heavy swipe, there's a brief window to counter-attack.
  • Hunter Strategy: Maintain distance, use powerful bow shots, and aim for headshots.
  • Warrior Strategy: Focus on dodging and parrying its attacks. Overpower Attacks are highly effective.
  • Environmental Advantage: The arena has some trees and rocks that can be used for temporary cover or to break line of sight.
• Rewards: Kallisto Bear Hide, XP, Drachmae.

9. The Lynx (Daughter of Artemis Quest Finale)

• Location: Artemision Point, Euboea (after defeating all 8 other Legendary Animals and returning to Daphnae).
• Recommended Level: 50+
• Quest: "Daughter of Artemis" (final step)
• Strategy:
  • This isn't a direct animal fight, but rather a confrontation with Daphnae herself, who transforms into a Lynx.
  • Humanoid Combat: Daphnae fights like a powerful mercenary. She's fast, uses a bow, and has melee attacks.
  • Parry & Dodge: Standard humanoid combat strategies apply. Parry her melee attacks and dodge her arrows.
  • Abilities: Use your strongest Warrior or Assassin abilities for burst damage. Hero Strike and Overpower Attacks are excellent.
  • Second Wind: Keep your health up.
  • No Minions: This is a one-on-one fight.
• Rewards: Artemis's Bow (Legendary Bow), XP, Drachmae.

Rewards Summary

Defeating each Legendary Animal provides a unique crafting material (e.g., Kalydonian Boar Hide, Nemean Lion Pelt). These materials are crucial for:

• Upgrading Legendary Gear: Many Legendary armor sets and weapons require these specific animal hides for their upgrades at the Blacksmith.
• Engravings: Some powerful engravings can only be unlocked or upgraded using these rare materials.
• XP & Drachmae: Each kill provides a substantial amount of experience points and coinage, aiding in your progression.

Completing the entire "Daughter of Artemis" questline, culminating in the defeat of all Legendary Animals and the final confrontation, will reward you with the powerful Artemis's Bow, a legendary weapon with unique perks.