How to Beat Lacerta | Beast of Reincarnation

Lacerta Boss Icon

Location
Kanto Region: Ancient Civilization Zone

Lacerta Summary

Lacerta is encountered within the Reservoir's inner chamber in the Ancient Civilization Zone. The amphibious Nushi appears to have features similar to a giant salamander, only with the addition of tuberous shoots on its back.

Lacerta First Battle Guide

[1] The boss is susceptible against lightning-type attacks.

Lacerta's elemental weakness

A lightning icon appears beside the creature's HP and Down Gauge, indicating its weakness to lightning attacks. Filling the debuff meter will stagger the beast and temporarily limit its mobility.

The following items/skills are useful against the boss during the first battle:

Location of merchant golem for lightning arrows

A merchant golem near the Raging River campsite on the same map sells a manual for Lightning Arrows.
Koo's Sakura: Javelin skill inflicts lightning damage. This skill is obtained from the first Nushi boss, Rangifer.

Battle Tip: If you have Emma's Helm Splitter skill, use it with Sakura: Javelin for a powerful combo. After the javelin lands on the boss, cling to the projectile and execute a Helm Splitter attack.

The armor you found while reactivating generators, the Thick Cuirass, gives resistance against poison.
Equipping Koo with an Antidote will prompt him to use one on Emma if needed.
Equipping Koo with a Bolt Shard provides even more lightning damage.

Antidotes and Bolt Shards are consumables, make sure you have enough before equipping.

Equipping Koo with a Shock Skill Charm gives his normal attacks lightning damage.

[2] Extend your hair above to dodge its toxic AoE attack.

Lacerta Toxic AoE move

Lacerta releases a ring of toxic sludge around itself, restricting movement and limiting escape options. Quickly jump and extend your hair upward to avoid the attack. You can also evade by waiting for the red flash to appear before dodging.

Tip: Use Koo's Higanbana: Roots as the toxic ring forms to interrupt the attack and prevent the full sequence from occurring.

[3] Parry its tail swing.

Lacerta's tail swing

The boss will turn sideways before spinning and swinging its tail against its target. Parry this attack to replenish your FP.

[4] Dodge its three consecutive poison bullets.

Lacerta's poison spit

When at a distance, Lacerta can spit three unblockable poison blobs at you. It will raise its head before launching the attack, so watch for the red flashes to appear before dodging.

[5] Look out for its three-hit chomp combo.

Lacerta's three-hit bite

The boss executes a three-hit bite combo that applies poison and can swiftly eat your health if left unguarded. The parry timing is narrow but the rhythm of each attack can be memorized after multiple attempts.

[6] Learn when to parry its diving and charging attacks.

Lacerta's diving attack

Lacerta will move its head from side to side before performing a diving attack. Guard as soon as it jumps to successfully execute a parry.

Lacerta's charging attack

The beast dives underwater and charges straight toward you before emerging with a bite attack. Time your guard against the attack as soon as it jumps out of the water.

Lacerta retreats toward its lair

After depleting its health, Lacerta flees toward a nearby hole and escapes to its lair, concluding the first battle.

Lacerta Second Battle Guide

[1] Use the newly obtained Thunderwave Sword against Lacerta.

Thunderwave Sword

Equip the sword obtained from the golem attacking Mikoto, as its lightning buildup makes it highly effective against Lacerta.

Upgrade the weapon at a nearby camp to further raise its damage and lightning buildup before the encounter.

[2] It gains a glowing state and another move during the fight.

Lacerta's glowing state

Lacerta retains most of its previous moves from the Reservoir battle in but gains new attacks in final encounter. When its body glows bright red, it performs a four-hit chomp combo followed by a tail swing. This sequence has a completely different rhythm compared to its standard tail and chomp attacks, requiring you to adjust your parry timing.

Lacerta's poison pounce

After the transition, the beast develops an attack where it rushes and pounces on you. When it jumps, perform a guard to successfully parry the attack.

[3] The beast has new tricks after evolving into its second form.

Muddy attack visuals during the second form

Some attacks, like the three-hit chomp, become harder to read because of the mud splashes during the animation. It is best to learn the attack rhythm instead of relying only on visual cues to better anticipate its moves.