How to Beat Central Units: Boss Fight Guide

This is a guide on defeating the Central Units, the brain-like bosses from the game Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn more about the Central Units, how to beat them, and how to obtain the Omega Cannon from each EMMI Zone.

Central Unit Locations and Rewards

Central Unit Basic Information
1st Encounter	Artaria
2nd Encounter	Artaria
3rd Encounter	Cataris
4th Encounter	Dairon
5th Encounter	Ghavoran
6th Encounter	Ferenia
Reward	Omega Cannon

Central Unit Map Locations

First Encounter - Artaria - Damaged EMMI's Central Unit

Second Encounter - Artaria - White EMMI's Central Unit

Third Encounter - Cataris - Green EMMI's Central Unit

Fourth Encounter - Dairon - Yellow EMMI's Central Unit

Fifth Encounter - Ghavoran - Blue EMMI's Central Unit

Sixth Encounter - Ferenia - Purple EMMI's Central Unit

Central Unit Rewards

All Central Units grant the ability for Samus to harness the Omega Cannon. This is necessary for her to defeat the EMMIs.
Omega Cannon

How to Beat Central Units

Key Strategies

Avoid the projectiles

Central Unit encounters are relatively simple to overcome. For starters, avoid the projectiles that the room shoots at you. You may also shoot down the red energy rings to regain missile ammo or energy.

Shoot Missiles or Charge Beams at the Armored Brain

As you continue to avoid the projectiles, take the time between your nimble movements to take aim and shoot the Armored Brain. With its shields up, the only way to deal damage will be with Missiles or Charge Beams.

Continue shooting the exposed brain

Eventually the armor will fall off leaving behind the exposed brain. This will be easier to deal damage to as it will be vulnerable to regular beam attacks. Continue shooting at it until it is defeated.

Pro Tip: Shinespark into the Armored Brains to instantly expose the brain

After earning the Speed Booster from the Yellow EMMI, you can use the Shinespark ability to deal massive damage to the remaining Central Units.

Charge up a Speed Boost from outside the Central Unit Rooms, then store the Shinespark as you enter. Reposition yourself beneath the brain before Shinesparking into it. This will immediately strip the brain of its armor!

Central Unit Attack Patterns

Projectile Attacks

Lasers

Turrets along the wall will shoot lasers towards Samus. Reposition to avoid getting hit.

Red Energy Rings

Slots along the wall will periodically release red energy rings that fly slowly toward Samus. Reposition to avoid getting hit, or shoot them down to recover missile ammo or energy.

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