The Cobra Unit brings some of the most memorable encounters in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and The Fear stands out for his unpredictable movement and reliance on stealth. This boss battle takes place in Graniny Gorki South, where Snake must outwit a foe who combines invisibility, poison, and speed. Though not the toughest fight in the game, it demands smart observation and quick reactions.
Right before the battle begins, The Fear shoots Snake with a poisoned crossbow bolt. Enter the Cure menu immediately to remove both the bolt and the venom. Without healing, your health regeneration will stall, leaving you at a major disadvantage. If you’re hit again during the fight, revisit the Cure menu to heal—this loop is essential on higher difficulties since poison cuts off passive health regen.
See also: How to Get Night Vision Goggles in Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater
If you have Thermal Goggles, equip them. They reveal The Fear’s heat signature even while he’s invisible, making the fight far more manageable. If not, watch carefully for shimmering distortions or static in the air to track him. Wearing Flecktarn camo here is also a huge advantage, as it gives unlimited battery life for your Thermal Goggles.
The Fear’s Attacks and Abilities in Metal Gear Solid Delta
Unlike other Cobra Unit members, The Fear spends much of the battle jumping from tree to tree while cloaked, striking only when he sees an opening. His attacks revolve around his crossbow:
- Regular Bolt – A straightforward single shot.
- Volley of Bolts – Multiple bolts fired in rapid succession.
- Raining Bolts – Shots fired upward that fall back down like arrows.
- Explosive Bolt – A delayed shot that detonates on impact.
The best defense is constant movement. Trees can provide cover against direct fire, but beware of traps hidden in the arena. If you lose track of him, circle around the center of the arena—when you hear a voice line, he’s lining up a shot, so prepare to dodge roll or sprint to avoid it.
Lethal Strategy
If you’re going for a direct elimination:
- Choose the Right Weapon – Automatic weapons like the AK-47 or XM16E1 are ideal since they can track his rapid movements.
- Punish His Landings – After jumping between branches, he sometimes pauses briefly. Use that second to unload.
- Attack During Feeding – When his stamina runs low, The Fear climbs down to eat. This is a perfect time to ambush him.
- Stay Aggressive – Continuous fire prevents him from setting up his more dangerous attacks. Aggressive bursts can even interrupt his crossbow animations, stopping him from spamming bolts.
Depleting his health bar this way ends the fight, but without the special reward.
Non-Lethal Strategy
For players aiming to earn bonus equipment, draining his stamina bar is the better path:
- Use the MK.22 – Your tranquilizer pistol is the main tool here, though its slow rate of fire makes timing crucial.
- Rely on His Own Stamina Drain – His constant acrobatics gradually lower his stamina. At about 50% he will descend to feed.
- Poison the Food Supply – The arena contains poisonous frogs and mushrooms. Shoot or slash them, then drop them on the ground. When The Fear eats them, he becomes poisoned, vomits, and slows down dramatically.
- Capitalize on Weakness – While sick, he is easy to hit with tranquilizer darts. A few shots should finish the job.
Unlike in the original MGS3, quick-kill exploits such as the stun grenade plus rifle spray or the Fake Death pill trap no longer work in Delta, so you’ll need to rely on traditional stamina-drain tactics. When he climbs down to feed at half or quarter stamina, roll into him to knock him away from the food. On Extreme difficulty, letting him eat often forces a restart due to limited Mk.22 ammo.
See also: Metal Gear Solid Delta: How to Kill The End Early and Skip the Boss Fight
Beating him non-lethally rewards you with the Spider Camouflage, which drastically increases your camo index at the cost of stamina drain.
Additional Tips
- Keep circling the central area if you lose track of him. His voice lines often signal an incoming attack.
- On higher difficulties, even a single crossbow hit can bring Snake close to critical condition. Keep moving and prioritize dodging over risky shots.
- If you’re chasing collectibles, look out for the Kerotan Frog and GA-KO Figure in the arena, both obtainable during or after the fight.
The Fear Boss Rewards in Metal Gear Solid Delta
- Lethal Victory: Standard progression, no special equipment.
- Non-Lethal Victory: Spider Camouflage, which grants superior stealth at the expense of stamina.
Collectibles in the Arena
While fighting The Fear in Graniny Gorki South, you can also grab two optional items:
- Kerotan Frog – At the north exit, look left (west) at a tree branch before climbing the ledge.
- GA-KO Figure – Hidden on a tree near the arena center, easiest to spot by climbing a tree in the southeast corner.
The Fear boss fight emphasizes movement and awareness rather than raw firepower. By using thermal detection, predicting his feeding patterns, and either overwhelming him with bullets or carefully draining his stamina, you can bring down this elusive Cobra Unit member. Whether you choose to go lethal or non-lethal, mastering this encounter prepares you for even tougher challenges ahead. Play Now!
