Wuthering Waves: How To Defeat The Lifer

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• How to Defeat the Lifer

Wuthering Waves version 2.0 introduces the Rinascita region, home to challenging new Tacet Discords. One particularly tough encounter is the Lifer, a whimsical yet formidable Chop Chop—a top-hatted eyeball with hovering hands—found in the Oakheart Highcourt maze within the Fagaceae Peninsula. This guide details how to overcome this unique and heavily buffed opponent.

How to Defeat the Lifer

Locating the Lifer

The Lifer resides in Oakheart Highcourt's maze center, beneath a giant tree's roots. Initially, not all maze entrances are accessible. A convenient starting point is the southwest entrance, near the Resonance Beacon. You can climb the walls from the beacon or use the Flight function to bypass the maze.

The Lifer's Board Game

Inside, you'll find the Lifer beside a six-piece board game. The goal: connect three pieces before the Lifer does. You control black pieces, the Lifer controls white. Crucially, the board game manipulates the maze's walls. Placing a black piece on the outer circle opens walls and gates in that direction. You can exit and re-enter the game at any time, preserving piece positions.

While not mandatory for the fight, the board game is key to removing the Lifer's buffs. Avoid winning before removing buffs; otherwise, the Lifer immediately attacks.

Removing the Lifer's Buffs

The Lifer boasts seven buffs, significantly increasing its difficulty. Four are removable using the Stake of Imbalance; three are permanent. Examine the glowing yellow module behind the Lifer to see its buffs.

Removable Buffs (Fragility):

• Growing Loneliness: Recovers 10% Max HP per second after 2+ seconds without being attacked.
• Desire for Escape: Increases ATK by 25%, further boosted by 25% every 20 seconds.
• Impending Stalemate: ATK increases by 20% per DMG dealt (stacks up to 4 times). Stacks reset after 6 seconds without dealing DMG.
• Decay of Time: Grants 200% resistance to all element types (Glacio, Fusion, Electro, Aero, Spectro, Havoc) and increases Max HP by 25%.

Permanent Buffs (Stability):

• Chains of Confinement: Interruption immunity above 50% HP.
• Endless Game: 50% reduced Immobilization duration.
• Divine Garden: After taking >25% Max HP DMG in a single hit, repels and damages nearby enemies.

Use the Sensor near the Lifer to reveal four purple lines leading to four outer maze rooms containing Stakes of Imbalance. Manipulate the board game to open the gates to these rooms. Each room holds a Stake (marked with a white glow) and may require defeating Tacet Discords or breaking Friable Rocks. Place each Stake in the corresponding module to remove a buff (purple lines turn yellow).

Defeating the Lifer

With the four removable buffs gone, the Lifer becomes much easier. Win the board game or choose "Fight it out!" to begin the battle. Its attacks (punch, grab, spin) pose little threat.

First victory rewards a Premium Supply Chest. Second: another Premium and three Basic Supply Chests. Third: an Advanced Supply Chest and three Standard Supply Chests. You can re-enable buffs for a greater challenge, though no achievements are tied to this.

Lifer Achievements

Besides chests, earn these achievements:

• The Lifer's Salvation: Defeat the Lifer.
• The Ring of The Lifer: Defeat the Lifer three times (all nine chests).
• Limit of Intelligence: Win the board game against the Lifer.
• Alpha Go: Lose the board game against the Lifer 10 times.

Struggling with the board game? Focus on blocking the Lifer's lines; it will eventually make a mistake.