The Ultimate Guide to Defeating Wraith in Spider-Man 2

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 introduces enhanced boss battles, allowing players to delve deeper into intense combat scenarios. In the previous installment, Yuri Watanabe played a crucial role as a supportive character for Spider-Man. However, she vanished from the radar after the events of the expansion pack "The City That Never Sleeps," engaging in vigilante activities that often resulted in fatal encounters driven by her unique perception of justice. Marvel's Spider-Man 2 marks the return of Yuri, now assuming the persona of Wraith, a masked assassin. It falls upon Spider-Man to confront her and suppress her relentless spree of killings during an epic showdown in this highly-anticipated sequel. Wraith embarks on a relentless pursuit of The Flame and his cult, a quest that players will undertake as they progress through the game. Their journey culminates in the "I Knew You Had It In You" mission, where Spider-Man finds himself forced into a demanding battle against Yuri, the battle commencing with formidable challenges for players who lack real-life spider senses or the aid of a Spidey suit.

Wraith Phase One

Wraith initiates the boss battle by showcasing her formidable arsenal. Her preferred weapon is a pair of scythes connected by chains, enabling her to strike from a great distance or up close with powerful slashes. Wraith is known for her agility, but players can minimize damage during her first phase with a few clever strategies.

To counter Wraith's tendency to grab objects and hurl them at Spider-Man using her scythe, players should employ the Circle Button to dodge these attacks. Following the dodge, swiftly press the Triangle Button to maintain proximity to her, preventing her from utilizing these throwing maneuvers.

Wraith's attacks consist of slashing at Spider-Man, sliding across the floor for a second strike, and ending with a jump attack using her sharp weapons. The first two moves can be avoided or blocked, but the third move requires a block, indicated by the yellow ring around Wraith. Once the third move is successfully blocked, it is recommended to unleash a series of powerful punches to reduce Wraith's health to about 50%. At this point, Wraith will become more aggressive towards Spider-Man.

When Wraith's health reaches 50%, she will intensify her efforts to defeat Spider-Man. Players should respond with a more aggressive approach, countering her attacks by utilizing various blocks and punches. To maximize effectiveness, it is advisable to upgrade Peter Parker's Spider-Man, allowing access to special abilities activated by pressing L1 + Circle/Triangle/Square/X. These abilities will recharge over time, providing a valuable advantage.

Another remarkable application of Spider-Man's personal arsenal are his gadgets. The most effective ones to counter Wraith in Spider-Man 2 are the Web-Shooters and the Web Grabber. Utilizing these gadgets will immobilize Yuri, forcing her to extricate herself from the webs while players unleash their assault on her.

Wraith Phase Two

Once Wraith’s health bar reaches 0%, the second phase commences, requiring players to counter a wider array of moves from this vengeful vigilante. Right from the outset, Wraith unveils a new technique characterized by a blue halo encircling her head, known as the Crush attack. Sidestepping or parrying is ineffective against this maneuver, as players must instead evade it. Throughout the boss battle, Wraith employs this move by hurling debris from the ceiling towards Spider-Man. One effective tactic to avoid this assault is to remain in close proximity, utilizing the Triangle button to swiftly zip towards her and thwart Wraith's attempts to create distance.

Players must ensure they remain in close proximity to her and exert pressure when the situation allows. It is advisable to launch an attack only once her move has been successfully countered or when a clear opening in her pattern presents itself. When Yuri's health reaches the 75% mark, a new phase of attack begins, characterized by her use of smoke bombs to disorientate Spider-Man. In this mode, players should rely on their ability to hear Wraith's movements and rely on their Spider-Senses to evade her assaults. Her primary strategy during this phase involves attempting to strike Spider-Man from a distance using her chain. It is imperative to refrain from attempting to strike her until Spider-Man's vision returns to normal.

After their vision is restored, players can freely utilize their abilities and punches to bring Yuri's health down to 25%, at which point she will once again impair their vision. While the Triangle + Circle combo can inflict significant damage on Wraith, it is advisable to reserve the Focus meter for healing purposes in case the player is overpowered by Yuri and needs to restart from a checkpoint. It is recommended to engage in the Wraith boss fight after acquiring the Black Suit, as it grants access to a more robust arsenal of abilities and enables the use of the L3 + R3 Symbiote Surge mode, which increases damage dealt and reduces damage taken.

The boss battle will conclude when Wraith's health reaches 0%. There will not be a third phase, and no additional surprises await. Players can now freely continue with the main storyline of Marvel's Spider-Man 2.

Platform(s) PS5Released October 20, 2023Developer(s) Insomniac GamesGenre(s) Open-World, Action-Adventure