The final battle aboard the airship in BioShock Infinite is a brutal crescendo of enemies, gunfire, and strategic pressure. Success here requires planning, precision, and clever use of Vigors. If you’ve reached this point, you’ve already fought your way through Columbia’s most intense challenges—and now it’s time to face the storm head-on. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to beat the last stand with confidence.
Preparation – What to Pick Up Before the Chaos
Before the battle even begins, you’ll have to work your way up through the airship’s levels. Don’t miss the chaingun on the third level—it’s tucked away behind a locked door. Fortunately, by the time you reach this area, you should have enough lockpicks to get it open without trouble. The chaingun is a crucial asset for the rest of the encounter due to its damage output and speed.
You’ll also want to equip two Vigors: Return to Sender and Undertow. This duo will carry you through most of the threats you’ll face, from rocket-wielding enemies to waves of foot soldiers. Make sure both are ready to go.
Wave One – Take to the Skies with the Songbird
As the battle begins, you’ll see a prompt to use the Songbird (your controllable robot ally). Immediately send it to destroy the first gunship. This move will eliminate the majority of enemies arriving on that barge, thinning the herd early.
Once the survivors land, jump down and clean them up with your weapons. Return to Sender is especially useful here—plant a shield in the center of the deck and let it absorb incoming bullets while you counterattack.
Undertow – The Rocket Launcher Killer
Your biggest threat throughout the battle is the rocket launcher enemies. They can kill you in one hit if you’re not careful. Don’t waste ammo shooting at them. Instead, use Undertow to knock them off the ship. It’s fast, efficient, and spares you the risk of direct confrontation.
Be cautious and deliberate—these enemies can appear without warning, and a single mistake can cost you the run. Keeping them off the ship should be your priority whenever they spawn.
Mid-Battle Strategy – Managing Waves and Ammo
The repeater makes a strong primary weapon choice since it’s frequently dropped by enemies during the fight. You’ll rarely run out of ammo this way. When the next barge arrives, don’t waste the Songbird—take it out manually. Any decent weapon can handle it, and you’ll want to save your Songbird cooldown for tougher targets.
As the waves continue, stay central on the deck and let the enemy come to you. Use Return to Sender liberally—there’s plenty of Salts scattered around the ship. Replenish frequently and don’t hesitate to burn through them.
Zeppelins and the Songbird – Know When to Strike
When a Zeppelin appears, rush to the center deck and use the Songbird to target it. Be mindful: using the Songbird against a Zeppelin triggers a long cooldown. After that, you’ll have to hold your own for a while.
Once you’ve destroyed the Zeppelin, clean up any foot soldiers. These lesser enemies can be dangerous in groups or when attacking from behind while you focus on larger threats. Stay mobile, and always check your flanks.
Patriots will also appear during this phase. Ignore them unless they’re right in your path—they only target the ship itself, not you. When you do engage them, aim for the red gears on their backs. That’s their weak point and makes them much easier to bring down. Use your chaingun for fast takedowns.
Late Game – Zeppelins, Patriots, and Chaos
As more Zeppelins arrive, alternate between using the Songbird and your weapons to take them down. When Songbird is on cooldown, focus on precision fire—only shoot at the Zeppelin’s gun to deal damage.
Eventually, you’ll reach the most chaotic phase. Head to the back of the ship while dodging incoming fire and avoiding heavy resistance. Once there, prioritize clearing out minor enemies before tackling the Patriots again.
You’ll need their ammo for what’s coming next. As the final wave of rocket enemies hits, knock off any that are near the railings using Undertow. For those in the center deck, the chaingun is your best option—burn them down quickly and stay on the move.
Final Phase – The Gunless Zeppelin and Wrap-Up
One final gunless Zeppelin will make an appearance. Call in the Songbird to deal with it, then turn your attention to any remaining foot soldiers. Clean them up methodically. By this point, you’ve done the hard work—now it’s just mopping up.
Once the deck is clear, the battle is over.
Closing Tips
- Always prioritize rocket launcher enemies. They’re the most dangerous foes.
- Don’t panic when under fire from minor enemies. They do minimal damage.
- Use Return to Sender as often as needed. You’ll be constantly resupplied with Salts.
- Save the Songbird for Zeppelins and large clusters. Don’t waste it on single targets.
- Ignore Patriots unless they become unavoidable. They attack the ship, not you.
Master these steps, and you’ll walk away from Columbia’s last stand victorious. Good luck out there—and watch the skies.
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