Destroy Nihilanth in Half-Life: Opposing Force

Q: How to beat Nihilanth in Half-Life: Opposing Force?

Immediately move backward upon loading the chapter, then run to the large spiky rock for cover. Shoot the three glowing crystals on the walls to prevent Nihilanth from healing. Once the crystals are destroyed, attack Nihilanth's head with your available weapons (gluon gun, .357 Magnum, crossbow). After his head opens, use RPG rockets to target his exposed brain spike. If rockets fail, use the whoosh-thing to fly over him and shoot his brain spike, or land on his head and use the crowbar.

Q: Where to find crystals to defeat Nihilanth?

Immediately move backward upon loading the chapter, then run to the large spiky rock for cover. Shoot the three glowing crystals on the walls to prevent Nihilanth from healing. Once the crystals are destroyed, attack Nihilanth's head with your available weapons (gluon gun, .357 Magnum, crossbow). After his head opens, use RPG rockets to target his exposed brain spike. If rockets fail, use the whoosh-thing to fly over him and shoot his brain spike, or land on his head and use the crowbar.

Q: What weapons to use against Nihilanth?

Immediately move backward upon loading the chapter, then run to the large spiky rock for cover. Shoot the three glowing crystals on the walls to prevent Nihilanth from healing. Once the crystals are destroyed, attack Nihilanth's head with your available weapons (gluon gun, .357 Magnum, crossbow). After his head opens, use RPG rockets to target his exposed brain spike. If rockets fail, use the whoosh-thing to fly over him and shoot his brain spike, or land on his head and use the crowbar.

Q: How to trigger Nihilanth's spinning attack?

Immediately move backward upon loading the chapter, then run to the large spiky rock for cover. Shoot the three glowing crystals on the walls to prevent Nihilanth from healing. Once the crystals are destroyed, attack Nihilanth's head with your available weapons (gluon gun, .357 Magnum, crossbow). After his head opens, use RPG rockets to target his exposed brain spike. If rockets fail, use the whoosh-thing to fly over him and shoot his brain spike, or land on his head and use the crowbar.

Q: What to do if Nihilanth glitch occurs?

Immediately move backward upon loading the chapter, then run to the large spiky rock for cover. Shoot the three glowing crystals on the walls to prevent Nihilanth from healing. Once the crystals are destroyed, attack Nihilanth's head with your available weapons (gluon gun, .357 Magnum, crossbow). After his head opens, use RPG rockets to target his exposed brain spike. If rockets fail, use the whoosh-thing to fly over him and shoot his brain spike, or land on his head and use the crowbar.

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Walkthrough

1
As the chapter loads, immediately press and hold the "Move backward" key. Release it as your view fades in, then run forward to the base of the large spiky rock directly in front of you. This should provide cover before Nihilanth can attack.
2
If Nihilanth fires a teleporter orb, shoot down any appearing vortigaunts or controllers. If you are hit, quickrestore and try to hide faster.
3
Look for three glowing yellow-orange crystals high on the chamber walls. Your view of one may be partially obstructed.
4
Carefully move behind the protective rock to shoot all three crystals without Nihilanth seeing you. The crossbow is recommended, taking two darts per crystal (four darts per crystal according to SRC).
5
With the crystals destroyed, Nihilanth can no longer heal himself. Begin attacking his head.
6
Carefully position yourself to shoot one side of his head without being seen. Do not use RPG rockets yet. Use your gluon gun, .357 Magnum, and crossbow. Conserve ammo is not necessary as this is the final battle.
7
Continue shooting his head until it opens. Keep shooting the open head as long as he moans or growls.
8
After he stops moaning/growling, quicksave. Get out your RPG.
9
From your hiding place, attempt to hit Nihilanth's exposed brain spike with an RPG rocket. This is tricky. Keep firing rockets into the approximate center of his head until he starts spinning and spewing energy, or until you run out of rockets.
10
If you run out of rockets, quickrestore and try again.
11
If Nihilanth starts spinning and spewing energy, but the game does not teleport you to the "Endgame" chapter (a common glitch), quickrestore and try again.
12
If the glitch persists or rockets are ineffective, use the whoosh-thing on the ground to the right of your rock to fly over Nihilanth's head.
13
Look down and shoot his glowing brain spike with the assault rifle or another weapon. Alternatively, land on his head and beat his brain spike with the crowbar. This method should always work and trigger the teleportation to the "Endgame" chapter. (SRC: Neither the rocket strategy nor the crowbar will work, so you'll need to whoosh up and shoot his brain spike with something.)

Endgame (G-Man Finale):

This chapter is brief. The G-Man will steal your weapons and teleport you around while talking. When you are in the tram car and he indicates it's time to choose, you can either exit the tram car through the door into the large portal, or wait to be placed in an area with alien grunts. Either choice results in the end of the game.

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Part 61