Conquering Psycho Mantis in Metal Gear Solid: Tips and Strategies

Every boss in Metal Gear Solid is intricately designed, complete with their own backstory and unique abilities. Psycho Mantis is a prime example of this. Utilizing music, he can manipulate minds with precision and finesse. When players first encounter Psycho Mantis, he takes control of Meryl, leaving Snake confused and at a loss for how to counter him. Adding to the difficulty, Psycho Mantis can accurately predict Snake's every move by reading his mind.

In this guide, gamers will discover strategies to overcome Psycho Mantis in Metal Gear Solid, as well as uncover some hidden surprises known as Easter eggs that can be encountered while battling the formidable telepath in the world of Metal Gear Solid.

How to Defeat Psycho Mantis in Metal Gear Solid

Approaching the room with Psycho Mantis, players will witness him taking control of Meryl's mind. When using the first-person view, the player's perspective shifts to Meryl's, accompanied by a subtle greenish hue. Under Psycho Mantis' influence, Meryl aims a gun at Snake, attempting to establish an intimate connection with him. The initial objective is to incapacitate her before she can commence firing, while ensuring her survival. There are two viable methods to achieve this:

Grenade: The simplest approach involves throwing a grenade. However, caution must be exercised to ensure it lands at a safe distance from Meryl, minimizing any potential harm inflicted upon her.

Melee: Alternatively, knock her out with melee attacks.

Preparing for Battle

Utilizing Otacon technology known as stealth camouflage, Psycho Mantis possesses the ability to manipulate light, rendering himself almost entirely invisible. In order to detect the elusive Psycho Mantis, players must rely on a thermal imager. It is crucial for gamers to be well-prepared, as Psycho Mantis frequently hurls objects towards them. The most effective method to evade these projectiles is by assuming a prone position on the ground.

At the commencement of the conflict, Psycho Mantis shatters the conventional barrier between the game and reality. He possesses the ability to access the players' memory cards, revealing intricate details such as their save frequency, unique play style, preferred games, and favored genres. Snake has two distinct tactics at his disposal, which can lead to the conquest of Psycho Mantis.

The First Way to Defeat Psycho Mantis

While the initial approach has an authentic touch, it may not cater to the preferences of every gamer. It is widely recognized that Psycho Mantis possesses the remarkable ability to delve into Snake's thoughts, enabling him to anticipate and swiftly evade any incoming assaults.

PlayStations 1 and 2: Switch the controller to the second player port.

PlayStations 3, 4 and 5: Go to controller settings and change the controller connection to Player 2.

Use the keyboard to outsmart Psycho Mantis and prevent him from reading Snake's thoughts. This will allow gamers to attack him without any hindrance. Afterward, it is crucial to inflict sufficient damage to defeat Psycho Mantis while being careful to avoid the objects he hurls.

The Second Way to Defeat Psycho Mantis

There is another way to defeat Psycho Mantis, which may come in handy for players who are unable to connect a second controller or prefer playing on the keyboard. To employ this alternative method, players need to intentionally die multiple times and then target the statues located in the upper corners of the room, on both the right and left sides. Destroying these statues, which are adorned with leather bands, is crucial.

These statues bear a resemblance to Psycho Mantis' face, which invokes his displeasure, consequently confusing him and preventing him from telepathically reading Snake's thoughts. With this advantage, players can effectively inflict damage on Psycho Mantis. However, players must be swift in evading his attacks, inflict substantial damage, and incapacitate Meryl when Psycho Mantis regains control over her.

Metal Gear Solid is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation, and PlayStation Portable.

Editor's P/S

As a long-time fan of the Metal Gear Solid series, I was thrilled to see an article providing tips and strategies for defeating Psycho Mantis, one of the most formidable bosses in the game. The guide offers two distinct and effective ways to overcome this challenging opponent, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.

The first method involves switching the controller to the second player port or changing the controller connection to Player 2 in the settings. This clever trick disrupts Psycho Mantis' mind-reading abilities, allowing players to attack him without hindrance. The second approach requires players to intentionally die multiple times and destroy the leather-banded statues in the corners of the room. This confuses Psycho Mantis and prevents him from reading Snake's thoughts, creating an opportunity for players to inflict damage.

Overall, I found this guide to be comprehensive and well-written, providing valuable insights into the strategies and tactics required to defeat Psycho Mantis. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Metal Gear Solid series, this guide is sure to enhance your gaming experience and help you conquer this formidable foe.