How to Beat Ten-Tails

The Ten-Tails: A Comprehensive Guide to its Demise

The Ten-Tails, the primordial beast of chakra, represents one of the most formidable challenges in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. This multi-phase, large-scale encounter demands strategic thinking, precise execution, and a deep understanding of your chosen characters. While the main story mission, 'Mission 3-2: The Ten-Tails' Revival', covers the core fight, this guide offers an expanded, tactical breakdown, focusing on advanced strategies, character synergies, and maximizing your performance across all phases. Consider this your ultimate tactical dossier for dismantling the beast.

Understanding the Threat: Ten-Tails' Abilities and Phases

The Ten-Tails is not a singular entity but a dynamic, evolving threat. Its abilities shift dramatically between phases, requiring players to adapt their approach constantly. Key abilities to watch out for include:

• Tailed Beast Bomb (Bijuudama): Its signature attack, capable of immense area-of-effect damage. Dodging and counter-attacking are paramount.
• Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence (Mokuton: Jukai Kōtan): Summons massive wooden constructs to attack or defend.
• Chakra Cannons/Lasers: Ranged energy attacks that can track targets.
• Physical Attacks: Crushing blows from its massive limbs, often preceded by ground tremors.
• Regeneration: The Ten-Tails possesses remarkable regenerative capabilities, making sustained damage output crucial.

The battle is broadly divided into several distinct phases, each with unique objectives:

1. Initial Assault & Limb Destruction: Focus on weakening its physical form.
2. Tailed Beast Bomb Barrage: Survive and counter its most devastating attack.
3. Core Exposure & Damage: Exploit its temporary vulnerabilities.
4. Tailed Beast Coordination: Utilize the power of the Nine Tailed Beasts.
5. Final Stand & QTEs: A cinematic climax demanding precise timing.

Phase 1: Initial Assault & Limb Destruction

This phase begins with the Ten-Tails manifesting its colossal form. Your primary objective is to destroy its various limbs or eyes, which act as weak points. The game will often highlight these targets. You'll typically control multiple characters in a tag-team setup.

Recommended Characters & Strategies:

• Long-Range Ninjutsu Users: Characters like Naruto (Sage Mode) with his Rasenshuriken, Sasuke (Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan) with Amaterasu, or Kakashi (Double Sharingan) with Kamui Shuriken are excellent for hitting distant weak points.
• Area-of-Effect (AoE) Jutsu: For groups of smaller Ten-Tails clones or when multiple weak points are clustered, AoE attacks are invaluable. Naruto (Kurama Link Mode) and his Tailed Beast Bomb are highly effective.
• Team Ultimate Jutsu: Save these for when the Ten-Tails is stunned or when multiple targets are aligned to maximize damage. The Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura) Combination Ultimate Jutsu is particularly devastating.
• Support Characters: Utilize support characters like Sakura (Great Strength) for healing or Gaara (Fifth Kazekage) for defensive sand shields if available, though direct damage is usually prioritized here.

Actionable Steps:

1. Identify Weak Points: The game will often use a red target reticle or glowing indicators to show where to attack.
2. Utilize Chakra Dashes: Close distances quickly to unleash powerful close-range Ninjutsu or combos.
3. Guard & Substitute: The Ten-Tails' physical attacks can be slow but hit hard. Guarding and timely substitutions are crucial for avoiding damage and maintaining combo flow.
4. Awakening: Consider activating Awakening for a temporary power boost, especially if you're struggling to break a limb quickly. However, be mindful of the chakra drain.

Phase 2: Tailed Beast Bomb Barrage

After taking significant damage, the Ten-Tails will often charge and unleash multiple Tailed Beast Bombs. This phase is less about direct damage and more about survival and setting up your counter-attack.

Strategy:

• Prioritize Dodging: Your absolute top priority is to avoid the incoming Tailed Beast Bombs. Use your Chakra Dash to quickly move out of the blast zones. The camera will often zoom out to give you a better view of the incoming projectiles.
• Counter-Attack Opportunities: After unleashing its bombs, the Ten-Tails will often be temporarily vulnerable, sometimes exposing its core or a specific eye. This is your window to unleash your most powerful attacks.
• Teamwork: If playing with AI partners, they will often draw some of the Ten-Tails' attention, giving you more room to maneuver.

Phase 3: Core Exposure & Damage

Following successful counter-attacks or after a certain amount of damage, the Ten-Tails' core will become exposed. This is the most critical damage phase.

Recommended Characters & Strategies:

• High-Damage Output Characters: Focus on characters with powerful single-target Ultimate Jutsu or Awakening forms that deal sustained damage. Naruto (Sage of Six Paths Mode), Sasuke (Rinnegan), and Obito (Ten-Tails Jinchuriki) are prime choices if available.
• Chakra Management: Ensure you have enough chakra for multiple Ultimate Jutsu or powerful Ninjutsu during this window. Use chakra recovery items if necessary between phases.
• Support Synergy: If you have support characters with attack-boosting abilities, activate them before unleashing your main attacks.

Actionable Steps:

1. Identify the Core: It will be clearly visible and often glowing.
2. Unleash Ultimate Jutsu: This is the ideal time to use your Team Ultimate Jutsu or individual Ultimate Jutsu. Aim for maximum damage.
3. Sustained Combos: If you don't have an Ultimate Jutsu ready, use your strongest Ninjutsu and extended combos to keep the damage flowing.

Phase 4: Tailed Beast Coordination

In later stages, you may find yourself controlling the various Tailed Beasts (e.g., Gyuki, Son Goku) to directly combat the Ten-Tails. These sections often play out like traditional boss battles but with the unique movesets of the Tailed Beasts.

Strategy:

• Learn Tailed Beast Movesets: Each Tailed Beast has a distinct set of attacks, including a powerful Tailed Beast Bomb. Familiarize yourself with their controls quickly.
• Charge Tailed Beast Bombs: These are your primary damage dealers. Look for openings to charge and unleash them.
• Guard & Dodge: Despite their size, Tailed Beasts can still be damaged. Use their guard abilities or large dodges to mitigate incoming attacks.

Phase 5: Final Stand & QTEs

The climax of the battle often involves a series of cinematic Quick Time Events (QTEs). These are crucial for completing the fight and often determine the final outcome.

Strategy:

• Pay Close Attention: The on-screen prompts will appear rapidly. Be ready to press the correct buttons or rotate the stick as instructed.
• Don't Panic: While fast, the QTEs are usually forgiving enough to allow for slight delays. Maintain focus.
• Reward for Success: Successfully completing QTEs not only progresses the story but often awards bonus Ryo and Ninja Tools.

General Tips & Common Pitfalls

• Ninja Tools: equip and use Ninja Tools. Healing items (Bento, Chakra Pills) are invaluable for extending your survivability. Attack-boosting items (Attack Up Scrolls) can help burst down weak points.
• Substitution Jutsu: Manage your substitution bar carefully. It's your primary defense against unblockable attacks and getting caught in long combos.
• Awakening Management: While powerful, Awakening drains chakra. Use it strategically, preferably when you have a clear window to deal significant damage.
• Team Ultimate Jutsu Timing: The Ten-Tails often creates openings after its major attacks. This is the perfect time to unleash a Team Ultimate Jutsu for maximum impact.
• Camera Control: In the larger arenas, manual camera control can help you keep track of the Ten-Tails' movements and incoming attacks.
• Don't Get Greedy: After landing a few hits, be prepared to guard or dodge. The Ten-Tails can retaliate quickly.
• Practice: If you're struggling, don't hesitate to replay earlier missions or use Free Battle to practice with your preferred characters.

Rewards for Victory

Successfully defeating the Ten-Tails in 'Mission 3-2: The Ten-Tails' Revival' yields significant rewards, including:

Mastering the Ten-Tails encounter is a testament to your skill as a ninja. By understanding its phases, utilizing optimal character strategies, and executing precise actions, you will overcome this monumental threat and continue your journey through the Fourth Great Ninja War.