How to Beat Mithrix, King of Nothing

Mithrix, King of Nothing

Mithrix, the King of Nothing, serves as the climactic final boss of Risk of Rain 2, residing on the desolate moon of Petrichor V. This multi-phase encounter is a true test of a survivor's skill, item synergy, and adaptability. Defeating him is the ultimate goal of a standard run and unlocks several achievements and logbook entries. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of each phase, offering strategies, recommended loadouts, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Accessing the Final Encounter

To face Mithrix, you must first complete a standard run through five stages and then activate the Primordial Teleporter on the fifth stage (e.g., Sky Meadow). Instead of looping, choose to align the teleporter to the moon. This will transport you to the Commencement zone, Mithrix's domain.

• Stage 1-5: Progress through the game as usual, collecting items and defeating teleporter bosses.
• Stage 5 (Sky Meadow): Locate the Primordial Teleporter. Interact with it and select the option to "Align with the moon" (indicated by a crescent moon icon).
• Commencement: Upon arrival, navigate through the lunar landscape, dealing with Lunar Chimeras and other lunar enemies. The path is generally linear, leading to the central arena where Mithrix awaits.

Mithrix's Phases: A Detailed Breakdown

Mithrix's fight is divided into four distinct phases, each presenting unique challenges and requiring different tactical approaches. Staying mobile and understanding his attack patterns are crucial throughout the entire fight.

Phase 1: The Hammer's Fury

Mithrix begins by wielding his massive hammer, focusing on direct attacks and area-of-effect abilities. This phase is about dodging and finding openings for damage.

• Hammer Slam: Mithrix performs a powerful overhead slam directly in front of him. This attack has a small wind-up.
  • Strategy: Stay to his sides or behind him. If caught in front, sprint or use an ability to dash away.
• Hammer Swing (Horizontal): A wide, sweeping attack that covers a large arc in front of him.
  • Strategy: Maintain distance or get very close and move through him to avoid the swing.
• Shockwave (Radial): Mithrix slams his hammer into the ground, emitting a large, expanding shockwave.
  • Strategy: Jump over the shockwave. If you have vertical mobility items (e.g., Hopoo Feather, Wax Quail), this becomes much easier.
• Leap Slam: Mithrix leaps into the air and slams down, creating a localized shockwave.
  • Strategy: Sprint away from his landing zone. The shockwave is smaller than the radial one, making it easier to avoid.

Phase 1 Strategy: Focus on consistent damage while maintaining high mobility. Items that provide movement speed (e.g., Paul's Goat Hoof, Energy Drink) or extra jumps (e.g., Hopoo Feather) are invaluable. Avoid standing directly in front of him for extended periods.

Phase 2: Chimera Onslaught

Upon losing a significant portion of his health, Mithrix retreats to the center of the arena, becoming invulnerable. He summons waves of Lunar Chimeras (Wisps, Golems, Explorers) to attack you. He will occasionally fire a few projectiles from the center.

• Lunar Chimera Summons: Mithrix spawns multiple Lunar Chimeras. These enemies are similar to their regular counterparts but have a distinct blue glow and often increased health/damage.
  • Strategy: Prioritize eliminating the Chimeras quickly. Focus fire on one at a time to reduce incoming damage. Area-of-effect (AoE) items and abilities shine here.
• Lunar Orb Barrage: While invulnerable, Mithrix will periodically fire slow-moving, homing lunar orbs from the center.
  • Strategy: These orbs are easily dodged by continuously moving. Don't let them distract you from the Chimeras.

Phase 2 Strategy: This phase tests your ability to clear adds efficiently. Keep moving to avoid Mithrix's orbs and the Chimeras' attacks. Use your strongest AoE abilities and items to clear the waves quickly. Once all Chimeras are defeated, Mithrix becomes vulnerable again, and Phase 3 begins.

Phase 3: The Item Thief

This is arguably the most challenging phase. Mithrix steals all of your collected items and uses them against you. He gains their effects, while you are left with only your base survivor abilities and any permanent buffs (e.g., from Shaped Glass, Purity, or certain Lunar items that modify skills).

• Item Reappropriation: Mithrix gains all your items, including damage, utility, and defensive items. This can make him incredibly powerful, especially if you have a strong build.
  • Strategy: This phase is a test of pure skill. You must rely on your survivor's base kit, dodging, and precise aiming. Keep your distance and chip away at his health.
• Item Return: As you deal damage to Mithrix, he will drop your items one by one. Each item dropped will return to your inventory.
  • Strategy: Prioritize picking up your most crucial items first (e.g., movement speed, healing, critical damage). This allows you to gradually regain your strength.

Phase 3 Strategy: Survival is paramount. Focus on dodging Mithrix's now amplified attacks. Use cover on the arena's edges to break line of sight. As soon as an item drops, try to retrieve it if it's safe. The more items you get back, the easier the rest of the phase becomes. This phase often requires patience and careful positioning.

Phase 4: The Final Stand

With all your items returned, Mithrix enters his final, desperate phase. He becomes enraged, gaining new attacks and increased aggression. The arena itself also becomes a hazard.

• Lunar Beam: Mithrix channels a powerful, sweeping lunar beam that tracks your position. This beam deals massive damage.
  • Strategy: Sprint perpendicular to the beam's direction. Use vertical mobility to jump over it if necessary. Do not get caught in its path.
• Lunar Pillars: Pillars of lunar energy erupt from the ground, dealing damage and knocking you up.
  • Strategy: Watch the ground for glowing indicators before the pillars erupt. Move out of the marked areas.
• Arena Degradation: The outer ring of the arena will begin to collapse, limiting your movement space.
  • Strategy: Be mindful of your positioning. Stay towards the center as the edges crumble.

Phase 4 Strategy: This is a DPS race combined with intense dodging. Unleash all your damage while constantly moving to avoid the Lunar Beam and Pillars. Use any remaining equipment charges or powerful abilities. The arena shrinking adds pressure, so try to finish him quickly.

Recommended Items and Survivors

While any survivor and item combination can theoretically defeat Mithrix, some excel due to their inherent mobility, damage output, or survivability.

Survivors:

• Commando: Reliable damage, good mobility with Tactical Dive.
• Huntress: Auto-aim allows for constant damage while focusing on dodging. Blink provides excellent mobility.
• Mercenary: High mobility and invincibility frames with abilities like Blinding Assault and Eviscerate make him excellent at dodging Mithrix's attacks, especially in Phase 3.
• Loader: Incredible burst damage and mobility with her gauntlets, making short work of Mithrix and Chimeras. Her shield also provides good survivability.
• Engineer: Turrets provide consistent, hands-free damage, allowing the Engineer to focus on dodging. Bungus (Bustling Fungus) provides strong healing when stationary.

Key Items:

Prioritize items that enhance mobility, survivability, and consistent damage output.

• Movement:
  • Paul's Goat Hoof: Essential for dodging.
  • Energy Drink: Sprint speed is crucial.
  • Hopoo Feather: Extra jumps for avoiding shockwaves and the Lunar Beam.
  • Wax Quail: Horizontal mobility during sprints.
  • Feathered Plume: Faster skill cooldowns for mobility abilities.
• Survivability:
  • Tougher Times: Damage reduction.
  • Medkit: Burst healing after taking damage.
  • Bustling Fungus (Engineer specific): Potent healing while stationary.
  • Cautious Slug: Out-of-combat healing.
  • Repulsion Armor Plate: Reduces damage from single, heavy hits.
  • Personal Shield Generator: Provides a regenerating shield.
• Damage:
  • Lens-Maker's Glasses: Critical strike chance.
  • Soldier's Syringe: Attack speed.
  • Tri-Tip Dagger: Bleed damage.
  • Sticky Bomb: Explosive damage on hit.
  • Ukelele/Will-o'-the-Wisp: Excellent for clearing Chimeras in Phase 2.
  • Crowbar: Bonus damage to full health enemies.
  • Bungus (Bustling Fungus): Potent healing while stationary.
• Utility:
  • Backup Magazine: More charges for powerful abilities.
  • Fuel Cell: More equipment charges.
  • Forgive Me Please: Synergizes well with on-kill items for consistent procs.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Getting hit by Shockwaves: In Phase 1, ensure you jump over the radial shockwave. It's a common source of early damage.
• Ignoring Chimeras: In Phase 2, don't let the Chimeras overwhelm you. Clear them quickly to avoid unnecessary damage.
• Panicking in Phase 3: Losing all your items can be daunting. Stay calm, focus on dodging, and retrieve your most important items first. Don't rush into danger for a single item.
• Standing still in Phase 4: The Lunar Beam and Pillars demand constant movement. Standing still is a death sentence.
• Lack of Mobility: Insufficient movement speed or vertical mobility makes dodging Mithrix's attacks significantly harder. Prioritize these items.
• Over-reliance on one item type: A balanced build with damage, survivability, and mobility is generally more effective than stacking only one type.
• Not using cover: The pillars and structures around the arena can provide brief moments of cover from projectiles or to break line of sight during Phase 3.
• Forgetting Equipment: Don't save your equipment charges. Use them strategically throughout the fight, especially in Phases 2 and 4.

Defeating Mithrix is a significant achievement in Risk of Rain 2. By understanding his attack patterns, adapting your strategy to each phase, and building a strong, balanced loadout, you will be well-equipped to overcome the King of Nothing and complete your run.