Hephaestus



Description
Hephaestus is a large reptilian beast that hunts down the Apollo Security Team as they attempt to Escape Apollo. He is tall, has a dark blue and black hide, multiple tendrils growing out of his back, and long claws and fangs. He is also one of only a few bosses that possess the ability to cloak.

Walkthrough
Hephaestus is the final boss in Path A of the Apollo Security Team Campaign, and also Optional. Hephaestus does not need to be killed to complete the campaign. He can, however, be killed for bonus Experience should the team decide to undertake the risk. If killed, Hephaestus will drop a Helium-3 canister.

Hephaestus will appear in Apollo as soon as the Reactor Core has been armed for meltdown. He will pursue the team as they attempt to flee to the awaiting dropship at the Easy Company arrival site.

The team must stick together at all times. If the faster characters move too far ahead of the team, they will trigger Hephaestus's ability to sense fear. As a result, his speed will increase, and he will charge at the target player. Hephaestus’s attack speed with increase substantially, but he will lose some of his attack damage. The player’s best option is to regroup with his team and try to stun or slow Hephaestus until his rage subsides.

Hephaestus can be tanked by a Technician with March of the Machine. Reactive Armor is preferable.

Alpha Company Campaign
On very rare occasions, teams will encounter Hephaestus during the Armory Counterattack near the beginning of the Alpha Company Campaign on Nightmare. Hephaestus will spawn and slowly move toward the team. This version is weaker than the one in Apollo Security Team, but players will typically only have 3-4 levels.

Hephaestus will have 35% reduced movespeed. It is still cloaked, so it is recommended to add points to perception. Hephaestus will not possess the Predator ability, but kiting is quite difficult anyway with the hordes of zombies and Stalkers. Do not attempt to tank unless by some miracle Reactive Armor dropped right at the start.

If the team kills Hephaestus, he will drop a Helium-3 canister. However, Hephaestus will sometimes disappear before dying, rewarding the team with nothing.

Biological Camouflage
Hephaestus is permanently cloaked. The Security Team must use some form of detection to reveal the monster before they can attack him. Road Flares and Thermal Sights will do, as well as placing Stats into Perception. Classes that have skills that can reveal, mark, or share vision will also be helpful.

Predator
This is Hephaestus's signature ability. When a Marine strays from his allies, Hephaestus senses his fear and rushes to kill the lone marine. He enters a frenzied state and gains a massive increase in attack and movement speed, but a drop in attack damage. Once enraged, all the marines can do is regroup and try to wait out his wrath.