Every boss in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater can be defeated without killing, and doing it is worth the effort: tranquillizing a boss (draining their stamina) rewards you with a unique camouflage. Non-lethal wins are also required for a no-kill run and for the Foxhound rank. Here is the strategy for every fight.
Boss rewards at a glance
| Boss | Non-lethal reward |
|---|---|
| Revolver Ocelot | Animal camo: no weapon sway when stamina is low |
| The Pain | Hornet Stripe camo: hornets follow you harmlessly and attack guards |
| The Fear | Spider camo: high camo index almost everywhere, high stamina use |
| The End | Moss camo (hold him up) and Mosin Nagant (tranquillize him) |
| The Fury | Fire camo: immunity to fire |
| The Sorrow | Spirit camo: silent footsteps, CQC restores stamina |
| Volgin | Cold War camo: enemies only shoot you from behind |
| The Boss | Snake camo: high camo index in many areas |
Ocelot Unit (first encounter)
Before the battle get the thermal goggles from the locker. When the battle starts hide under the bed and throw one or two stun grenades to knock out the first four enemies. Then take the underground tunnel to go to the opposite exit of the tunnel and tranquillize the fifth soldier from the tunnel. Be careful of the soldier on the roof. Exit the tunnel from the west side and tranquillize soldiers along the way. From far away tranquillize the soldier on the roof.
Revolver Ocelot
Shoot the hornet’s nest situated on a tree to scare Ocelot and give you a chance of free shots. Shoot the Markhor you will have another good chance. Don’t shoot Ocelot when he runs or immediately after he gets shot; instead hit him when he is still and when he reloads. Learn the spots and be careful with the Coral Snake. A headshot causes him to lose his hat, giving you another window to shoot him. Tranquillizing him grants you the Animal camo (you will get it after the battle) that prevents you from shaking while using guns when your stamina is low, helping you to avoid to consume food in those circumstances.
The Pain
Hit The Pain as soon as possible at the very start of the battle. Remove his shield using a lethal weapon (grenades, M37, or Patriot if you are on NG+). Use the rock for cover and stay in the water when he attacks you. Remember to use the cure menu to remove bullet bees. After removing his shield use Mk.22 to tranquillize him obtaining in this way Hornet Stripe camo. This camo gives you a special ability: when you shoot a hornet’s nest, the hornets harmlessly follow you while attacking enemy guards. If you are on NG+ run, wear Hornet Stripe Camo to reduce damage taken from him.
The Fear
When the battle starts, enter the cure menu to remove the arrow and the venom poisoning. Use thermal goggles to locate The Fear and shoot him with Mk 22. When he searches for food, throw him rotten food or a Poison Dart Frog (located in Chyornyj Prud) to poison him and have the chance for free shots. Keep in mind that on Extreme difficulty, and if you are going for Foxhound rank, failing to prevent The Fear from eating causes an instant reset due to the fact that lack tranquillizing ammo. Tranquillize him to get Spider Camo that allows you to get significant high camo index in most areas although it consumes a lot of stamina.
The End
If you don’t want the Mosin Nagant and Camo Moss you can skip this battle by changing the date of PS5 8 real days after the save of the battle (quit the game, go offline, then change the date and reload).
If you don’t go for a zero-kill run, you can skip the battle also by shooting The End with SVD (located in the extra area Ponizovje West) immediately as you enter Ponizovje Warehouse Exterior.
But keep in mind that both methods prevent you from acquiring the Mosin Nagant, which is very useful against The Fury and can be useful also against Volgin and The Boss. Moreover, Moss camo is the best uniform of the game for many sections.
Keep in mind that if you shoot to barrels near The End at Ponizovje Warehouse Exterior the battle starts with The End having less stamina. At the start of the battle, usually the first zone when The End appears is reachable by going to Sokrovenno North and then taking the path to the upper left. If you don’t find him this way use the thermal goggles to see his reverse footprints and the mic to hear his footsteps. When you locate him, freeze him by moving toward him very slow (if you are on NG+ use Spirit camouflage helps you significantly) and then aim at his head until he will say “I don’t think so” twice to get Moss Camo. This camo replenishes your stamina in outdoor daily areas and gives you significant camo index (up to 95%) in the grass. Relocate him using thermal goggles to see his reverse footprints. If you caught the Parrot you can liberate it: it helps you to find The End through the Parrot’s voice. When you relocate The End, shoot him with the Mk.22 or move toward him very slow and hit him with Cig Gas Spray (located in Graniny Gorki Lab B1 West). When he falls, run away and then throw a stun grenade at him and again use the Mk.22. If he runs away follow his footprints and repeat the process. Tranquillize him to acquire the Mosin Nagant. Note: Don’t spend more than about three real world days after the save immediately before The End to avoid restarting from the Graniny Gorki cell and to avoid wasting time, especially if you are going for a speedrun.
The Fury
Round in a big circle, using the hallways along the area to avoid his attacks. If you start to burn, equip the Cardboard Box C (located in Groznyj Grad Southwest) to extinguish the flames instantly. Shoot the red pipes to extinguish the flames near the pipe. Hit The Fury with the Mosin Nagant with tactical reload for double shots. When The Fury has less than two life bars shoot him with mk22 for nearer hits. Tranquillizing him gives you Fire Camo that makes you immune from fire. If you go for a second playthrough on NG+ this camo is very useful against The fury himself.
The Sorrow
To skip this battle, when it starts go underwater and dive until you die. Then take a Revival Pill. This avoids wasting time, especially if you are going for a speedrun. Keep in mind that this method prevents you from acquiring Spirit Camo that makes your footsteps noiseless.
To obtain the Spirit camouflage walk along the river. You will see, and need to avoid, the bodies of every enemies and bosses that you killed, if you are not going for a zero-kills run. When you reached the end of the river avoid the sorrow’s attack by walking diagonally. At the very end of the battle, touch the body of The Sorrow and when you die, use the revival pill to obtain the Spirit Camo. You will get it after the battle when you take your equipment. This camo makes your footsteps noiseless and when you wear it, using CQC on guards restores your stamina.
Volgin
Keep your weapon unequipped when you don’t use it. This due to the fact that Volgin’s electric attacks empty your ammo. Use the Raiden Mask to distract him giving you free hits. Stay close to him, use CQC to avoid his attacks and hit him, then shoot him on his back with the Mosin Nagant (or Mk22). Take advantage when Ocelot distract Volgin. After he remains with two life bars crawling to avoid his first attack and repeat the CQC-Mosin Nagant (or Mk22) method. Tranquillizing him you will get Cold War camo. Immediately collect it when it drops before the cutscene start. Wearing this camo enemies shoot you only from behind and not when you face them. This feature is useful if you don’t aim at a zero alerts run. In both cases, wear it as soon as you collect it, in this way the next part, the bike chase, will be easier on the start because many soldier don’t shoot you.
Shagohod
In the first part of the battle, shoot the treads with the RPG-7 and then the back of the Shagohod. In the second part of the battle, shoot again the treads and then hit Volgin with the Mosin Nagant (or Mk.22).
The Boss
When the battle starts unequip your weapon to avoid The Boss disarming you. Wait for her to attack and you can beat her using almost only CQC. Wait for her to attack you, then start CQC and use Mk22 when she is on the ground. When she runs away, hide behind a tree to avoid her guns. If you don’t manage to time your counterattacks use Snow camouflage and Snow facial paint, and hit her with the Mosin Nagant (or Mk22) to tranquillize The Boss and get Snake camo. This camo allows you to get significant camo index in many areas.
All camos you can earn, with the best one for each area, are in the MGS Delta camo and face paint guide. Boss strategies for the original MGS3 (Master Collection) are in the complete Metal Gear Solid Delta guide.