Far Cry Primal
Far Cry Primal

The Great Scar Bear — Far Cry Primal Walkthrough

Hunt the Great Scar Bear in Far Cry Primal. Learn tactics for facing this legendary Apex Predator and proving your beast taming skills to Tensay.

·Multi-source verified (64/64)

The Great Scar Bear: Apex Predator Hunt

The Great Scar Bear is one of Oros's most formidable apex predators, a legendary beast whose defeat signifies a major step in Takkar's journey to becoming a true Beast Master. This hunt, initiated by Tensay, serves as a crucial test of your combat prowess, beast-taming skills, and strategic thinking. Successfully overcoming this challenge not only grants valuable rewards but also unlocks the ability to tame other apex predators, significantly expanding your arsenal of animal companions.

Quest Initiation and Preparation

Quest Giver: Tensay (located at your village's Shaman Hut)

Prerequisites: Progress through Tensay's main questline, specifically completing the "Vision of Ice" mission which introduces the concept of legendary beasts.

Before embarking on this perilous hunt, meticulous preparation is key. The Great Scar Bear is a tanky opponent capable of dishing out immense damage with its powerful swipes and charges. Underestimating it will lead to a swift and brutal demise.

Recommended Gear and Consumables:
  • Weapons:
    • Spears (x10-15): Your primary damage dealers. Craft as many as possible, prioritizing the best available materials for maximum damage.
    • Long Bow: Useful for ranged attacks and headshots if you can create distance.
    • Club/Two-Handed Club: For close-quarters defense, though direct melee is highly risky against the bear.
  • Ammunition:
    • Fire Arrows/Spears: Crucial for applying damage over time and deterring the bear. Craft plenty of these.
    • Regular Arrows/Spears: For sustained damage.
  • Crafting Resources:
    • Hardwood, Reeds, Slate: For spear and arrow crafting.
    • Animal Fat, Animal Hide, Sap: For fire arrows/spears and healing.
  • Consumables:
    • Meat (x10-15): For healing yourself and your beast. Cooked meat provides more health.
    • Red Leaves: For additional healing.
    • Berserk Shards/Bombs: Can be used on smaller, surrounding animals to create distractions, though less effective directly on the bear.
    • Poison Shards/Bombs: Can inflict damage over time and slow the bear, but fire is generally more reliable.
  • Beast Companion:
    • Sabretooth Tiger or Cave Lion: These are excellent choices due to their high damage output and agility.
    • Badger: While smaller, its ferocity and ability to distract are surprisingly effective.
    • Brown Bear/Cave Bear: Offers good health and damage, providing a sturdy distraction.

Locating the Great Scar Bear

After accepting the quest from Tensay, he will mark the general location of the Great Scar Bear's territory on your map. The beast resides in the northern, colder regions of Oros, specifically within the Izila controlled territory, north of the Great Scar Cave. Be prepared for colder temperatures and potentially hostile Izila patrols on your approach.

Specific Location: The bear's lair is typically found within a dense forest area, often near a frozen river or a small cave system. Look for large claw marks on trees and disturbed vegetation as you get closer to its hunting grounds.

Battle Strategy: Taming the Beast

The Great Scar Bear is a relentless adversary. The key to victory lies in managing distance, utilizing fire, and effectively commanding your beast companion.

Phase 1: Initial Engagement and Crowd Control
  1. Approach Cautiously: The area around the Great Scar Bear's lair often has smaller, aggressive animals (wolves, jaguars) that can complicate the fight. Clear these out silently with your bow before engaging the main target.
  2. First Strike: Aim for a stealthy opening shot with a fire spear or fire arrow to immediately apply burn damage. This will also draw its attention.
  3. Command Your Beast: Immediately send your beast companion to attack the Great Scar Bear. Your beast will serve as a crucial distraction, allowing you to reposition and land critical hits.
Phase 2: Sustained Damage and Evasion
  1. Maintain Distance: The Great Scar Bear's melee attacks are devastating. Keep a medium distance, constantly strafing and rolling to avoid its charges and swipes.
  2. Fire is Your Friend: Continuously apply fire damage with fire spears and fire arrows. The burning effect not only deals damage over time but also causes the bear to flinch, interrupting its attacks and giving you small windows to act.
  3. Spear Volleys: While the bear is distracted by your companion or momentarily stunned by fire, unleash a volley of spears, aiming for its head for critical damage.
  4. Heal Your Beast: Keep a close eye on your companion's health bar. If it gets low, recall it and heal it with meat. A healthy companion is vital for maintaining pressure and drawing aggro.
  5. Utilize the Environment: Look for natural obstacles like large rocks or trees to break line of sight and momentarily escape the bear's charge. You can also use ledges to gain a height advantage, though the bear can often climb or find paths to you.
Phase 3: The Final Push
  1. Persistence Pays Off: The Great Scar Bear has a massive health pool. Don't get discouraged if the fight seems long. Stick to your strategy of fire, spears, and beast distraction.
  2. Watch for Enrage: As its health dwindles, the bear may become more aggressive, charging more frequently. Be extra vigilant with your dodges.
  3. Finishing Blow: Once its health is critically low, a prompt for a "Takedown" may appear. If not, continue with spears and fire until it falls.

Common Pitfalls and Tips:

  • Running out of ammo: Always over-prepare. Craft extra spears and arrows. The last thing you want is to be caught empty-handed.
  • Ignoring your beast: Your companion is not just a distraction; it's a significant source of damage and a lifesaver. Keep it healed and active.
  • Getting cornered: Always fight in open areas where you have room to maneuver and dodge.
  • Meleeing the bear: Unless it's stunned or you're going for a takedown prompt, avoid direct melee combat. Its attacks are too powerful.
  • Not using fire: Fire is incredibly effective against the Great Scar Bear. Don't rely solely on physical damage.

Rewards and Unlocks

Upon successfully defeating the Great Scar Bear, you will receive:

  • Experience Points: A substantial amount for your efforts.
  • Rare Animal Hides: Including unique Great Scar Bear Hide, essential for crafting high-tier gear upgrades.
  • Skill Point: Often awarded for completing legendary beast hunts.
  • Apex Predator Taming Unlocked: This is the most significant reward. You can now tame other powerful apex predators like the Sabretooth Tiger and Cave Bear, provided you have the necessary skills unlocked in your Beast Master skill tree.
  • Tensay's Approval: Further solidifying your role as the Beast Master of the Wenja.
The Great Scar Bear - Far Cry Primal screenshot
The Great Scar Bear

Defeating the Great Scar Bear is a true testament to your mastery of Oros's wilderness. Embrace the challenge, prepare thoroughly, and emerge victorious to claim your rightful place as the ultimate Beast Master.