How to Beat Kraid: Boss Fight Guide

This is a guide on the lava boss battle for Kraid, the second boss in Cataris from the game Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn more about Kraid, how to beat it, its attack patterns, and its role in previous games!

Kraid Location and Rewards

Kraid Basic Information
Location	Cataris
Rewards	No Rewards

Kraid Map Location

Boss Location Map
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After obtaining the Varia Suit, head to the marked spot in the southwest section of Cataris.

Cataris Walkthrough

How to Beat Kraid

Key Strategies

Kraid Boss Tips
✔ Shoot missiles or fully charged beams at Kraid's mouth to deal damage. ✔ Avoid Kraid's projectiles or shoot them to recover Missiles and Energy. ✔ After dropping down to the lower area, shoot at Kraid's stomach wound. ✔ Cling to the Spider Magnet Strip on the left wall and Shoot at Kraid's mouth. ✔ Pro Tip: Defeat Kraid with Bombs if you unlock the Bombs early.

The boss battle with Kraid will go through 2 phases. The first phase happens with Samus on a raised platform, and the second phase happens after Kraid breaks her footing and she drops to the lower level.

Phase 1 - Shoot Missiles at Kraid's Mouth

Fire missiles at Kraid's open mouth
Charge shots also work

Deal damage to Kraid by continuously shooting Missiles at his mouth. Alternatively, you may also shoot Fully Charged Beams at his mouth. Take note that regular Beams won't work.

Avoid Kraid's Projectiles or Shoot Them Down

Kraid's head and arms are restricted so he'll mostly rely on projectiles to attack you. When he spews projectiles or throws his claws, you can shoot them with the beam to collect energy and missiles. If you cannot destroy the projectile in time, dodging also works.

After dealing enough damage, Kraid will break his left hand free from the cuff and destroy the platform, dropping you to a lower level.

Phase 2 - Shoot at Kraid's Stomach Wound

Dropping to the lower level reveals that Kraid has a festering wound on his belly.
Aim at this purple wound.

You'll want to continuously shoot this weak spot to deal damage. Regular Beams, Charge Beams, and Missiles will be effective ways to inflict damage. As the wound takes more damage, it will glow purple before eventually causing Kraid to cover it.

Kraid's wound will spew two types of projectiles towards Samus: solid projectiles and a poison ball. Shoot down the projectiles to regain energy and missiles. Staying in the left corner should give you enough time to shoot them down. Poison projectiles are best avoided. Once the blob of poison lands, it temporarily covers the platform with poison. Jump up to avoid damage.

Ride the Spider Magnet Strip to the Top and Shoot at Kraid's Mouth

Occasionally, Kraid will fire three spikes towards the left wall in quick succession. With proper timing you can hop up these spikes to grab onto the Magnet Strip above allowing you to shoot missiles at Kraid's face.

After enough shots at his stomach, Kraid will then cover his belly before firing three spikes all at once. These should be dodge. Afterwards, the Spider Magnet Strip will fall to the lower level, allowing Samus to grab on and ride it up. Use this opportunity to shoot Kraid in the face more.

While you're up there, Kraid will again throw his claws at you. You can shoot these down with missiles to regain energy and missile ammo. Shooting the claws also helps you avoid getting knocked down.

Kraid may also attempt to slash you with his claw. This is an opportunity for you to use a Melee Counter with the proper timing.

With his claw free, Kraid may also attempt to punch directly at Samus while she hangs from the Magnet Strip. It would be best to drop down before the hit lands as it cannot be melee countered.

After enough damage has been dealt, Samus will break Kraid free from his chains which causes him to fall into the pit of lava beneath him.

Pro Tip: Kraid Quick Kill with Bombs

For those who were able to Sequence Break and get the Bombs early, the developers have actually implemented a fun way to take Kraid out using these Bombs. Go through the first phase as normal and prepare to use the bombs for the second phase.

Reveal the Morph Ball launcher on the bottom left of the screen to shoot yourself into Kraid's belly. At the cost of Energy, you'll have the chance to spam bombs inside of Kraid effectively killing him instantly. Make sure you have enough health!

Speedrun Guide: Sequence Breaks and Fastest Route

Kraid's Attack Patterns

Projectile Attacks

Solid Projectiles

Used in both phases, these Solid Projectiles can be dodged or shot to recover energy and missiles. Kraid's claws also count as solid projectiles

Fire Projectiles

Used in the first phase, Fire Projectiles are best dodged to avoid damage.

Poison Projectiles

Used in the second phase, Poison Projectiles are best dodged to avoid damage. Remember that upon hitting the ground, the poison will also cover the platform in posion for a moment.

Spike Attacks

Successive Spikes

In the second phase, Kraid may fire three large spikes in quick succession. These can be dodged by jumping over them or crouching into the Morph Ball. You can also use these to climb up to the upper level.

Simultaneous Spikes

In the second phase, after a barrage of attacks to Kraid's belly, Kraid will retaliate by launching three large spikes at the same time. This can be dodged by crouching into the Morph Ball.

Melee Attacks

Kraid's Claw Swipe

In the second phase, Kraid may slash you with his left claw. This can be avoided by jumping off the Magnet Strip or by employing a well-timed Melee Counter.

Kraid's Punch

In the second phase, Kraid will roar loudly inching closer to you before directly punching with his left claw. This can be avoided by jumping off the Magnet Strip.

Appearances in Previous Games

Metroid

Kraid is the boss of Metroid in a room containing a pool of acid. He throws projectiles from his body towards Samus during the boss battle. These projectiles are also invulnerable and can destroy Samus' ranged weapons.

Super Metroid

Kraid is a boss of Super Metroid. His only weakness is the inside of his mouth, which is exposed when you hit his eyes with a missile or beam shot.

Metroid: Zero Mission

Kraid also appears in Metroid: Zero Mission, which is a remake of the first Metroid Game. Just like in Super Metroid, he uses his right hand, he throws claw-like projectiles at Samus while trying to scratch her with his left hand. His body cannot be damaged save for the inside of his mouth.

Metroid Prime

Although only briefly mentioned in Metroid Prime, Kraid was originally supposed to have a major role to play in the game as a reborn Kraid. He is intended to be part of the Space Pirates, which includes Ridley as well. The image above is how he would have appeared in Metroid Prime.

Metroid Dread Related Guides

List of All Bosses

All Bosses in Metroid Dread
Corpious	Kraid
Robot Chozo Soldier	Drogyga
Chozo Soldier	Escue
Twin Robot Chozo Soldier	Experiment No. Z-57
Golzuna	Raven Beak
Central Units and EMMIs
How to Beat EMMI
Damaged	Central Units
White	Green
Yellow	Blue
Purple	Red