- Boss: Screaming Mantis

---

Metal Gear Solid 4 Guide - Act 5: Old Sun
Boss: Screaming Mantis

The boss fight with Screaming Mantis now takes place. She has control of Meryl and a good few Haven Troopers. Head to the upper level of the arena and move away from Meryl and Mantis' other cronies. You need inject yourself with the syringe used to kill Vamp to remove Mantis's controlling effects from your own body en route to the top of the area. Once on the top corridor, shoot the voodoo doll that is floating on the left hand side of Mantis as she faces you.

Shoot that left doll!

After a few series of shots this will trigger a short cutscene.

(Cut Scene 5, Length 00:15)

Meryl will now be moved right up to your level and almost thrown at you. You don't want to shoot her as her health is also integral to the success of the boss fight, so get out the Mk. 2 and knock her unconscious. Now turn your attention back to Mantis, who will be throwing Haven Troopers your way. You can keep the Mk. 2 out and deal with them like that or use lethal weapons, but make sure not to shoot Meryl by accident. The Mk. 2 works well on the doll too and as we are not actually removing the health of Mantis it's not essential to use a more powerful weapon (though the scope on some help). Shoot the doll a few more times for another cutscene.

(Cut Scene 6, Length 00:15)

This time Mantis uses even more enemies and they will fire on you from distance so it's important to get this bit over with quickly. Meryl is also a little suicidal so time really is of the essence. Just dart or shoot the doll but be warned that Mantis may use Meryl to shield it, so to be safe the Mk. 2 is again recommended (it will disable Meryl and then can be used to hit the doll). After a few hits she will now drop the doll (watch carefully for it and if you suddenly notice that she is only holding one you'll need to go into the middle of the arena to search for it – Otacon should let you know if you've missed it). Run over it as you would with any item to pick it up. Equip it as a weapon via the menu on the start-screen and then simply use it to fire at Mantis (it homes towards her but a few shots will probably be needed to make contact as she may well dodge around all over the place).

Hit Mantis with the doll

Once it hits, hold L1 and shake the controller to use the SIXAXIS motion sensing and literally shake the life out of Mantis when prompted on screen (you'll have to be quick about it!). Now this will finally have an effect on her health bar, reducing it to zero in one go.

(Cut Scene 7, Length 04:05)

Screaming Mantis is now Screaming Beauty. You now simply have to pummel her into submission using whatever weapon you desire. You know the drill by now - just walk backwards and fire!

Catch your breath and simply shoot at her

(Cut Scene 8, Length 09:56)

This section is a nice respite. Run in a straight line until you reach a cutscene (and listen to the audio flashbacks on the way).

(Cut Scene 9, Length 05:35)

Run through the next set of corridors, rolling to avoid the attacks of the Dwarf Gekkos. You can also shoot them, but you'll never be able to get them all so just clear a path – be warned that they explode after a few seconds if you land a shot on them.

Rolling allows you to avoid the Dwarf Gekkos' melee attacks

Keep on rolling until you come to an empty corridor – this is the end of this small area.

(Cut Scene 10, Length 06:24)

Now for a beast of a corridor. You have to guide snake using the control stick through the first section, then once he collapses, mash Triangle to get him to crawl while still avoiding the walls with the stick. Once through the next one he slumps even lower to the ground, moving even more slowly. Switch hands, fingers, use friends, family and pets to stop your hand from falling off with all the Triangle pressing – this is a real endurance test! Don't worry about your health, that's just a reflection of Snake's ability to move quickly and you have no control over it (no Rations etc.). Keep mashing for now. Nearly at the end and Snake will be literally clawing his way to the door.

Pummel that Triangle button!

Get part way down this clawing section and a cutscene will trigger!

(Cut Scene 11, Length 12:30)

(Cut Scene 12, Length 08:19)