Introduction
Facing Corpius, the first boss in Metroid Dread, can be daunting for new players. This three-phase encounter demands a mix of precise movement, counterattacks, and strategic use of missiles. In this guide, we’ll break down each phase of the fight, highlighting key strategies and tips to help you defeat Corpius quickly and efficiently.

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Phase 1: Toxic Gas and Tail Attacks

Key Attacks to Watch For:

1. Toxic Gas Projectiles:
   • Indication: Corpius will spit green toxic orbs into the air.
   • Counter: Shoot them mid-air to both negate the attack and collect health and missile drops. This is a crucial opportunity to restock resources.
2. Tail Whip:
   • Indication: Listen for a rattlesnake-like noise and watch for Corpius’s tail to shake.
   • Counter: Jump backward to avoid. Being proactive with jumps can prevent unnecessary damage.
3. Tail Slam (Key Opportunity):
   • Indication: Corpius raises his tail high and pauses momentarily before slamming it down.
   • Optimal Strategy: Position yourself directly under the tail and fire missiles into Corpius’s face. This is the best window for maximizing damage.

Pro Tips for Phase 1:

• Prioritize shooting toxic gas projectiles to maintain high health and missile counts.
• Stay grounded during tail whips, only jumping when you hear the distinct rattling.

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Phase 2: Invisibility and Weak Spots

Corpius shifts tactics by turning invisible, exposing a glowing weak spot on his tail.

Key Adjustments:

1. Tail Weak Spot:
   • Indication: A glowing target appears on his tail.
   • Counter: Maintain distance and fire missiles at the weak spot. This allows you to deal consistent damage without risking close-range attacks.
2. Slide Counter Opportunity:
   • Indication: Corpius reappears with an opening between his legs.
   • Optimal Strategy:
     • Slide: Use the slide move to pass underneath him.
     • Counter: Prepare to press the counter button immediately after sliding.
     • Missile Burst: During the counter animation, spam missiles to maximize damage. This is the single most effective moment to unload your missile reserves.

Pro Tips for Phase 2:

• Practice sliding and countering to ensure a smooth and damaging transition.
• Prioritize missiles over the beam during counter windows for maximum burst damage.

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Phase 3: Expanded Moveset and Environmental Threats

In this final phase, Corpius combines all previous attacks with two new ones.

New Attack Patterns:

1. Toxic Gas Floor Attack:
   • Indication: Corpius sprays a toxic gas cloud on the ground.
   • Counter:
     • Run to the farthest wall and cling to it.
     • Unload missiles at Corpius while hanging. Acting quickly gives you more time to deal damage before having to reposition.
2. Wall Tail Slam:
   • Indication: Corpius slams his tail against the wall, attempting to corner you.
   • Counter:
     • Wait for the tail to get close, then jump over it.
     • Use this opening to shoot missiles into the exposed areas.
3. Invisible Assault:
   • Tactic: Corpius goes invisible again, cycling through all previous attacks.
   • Strategy: Focus on countering the slide attack for another missile burst opportunity.

Final Counter:

• After Corpius reappears, prepare for another slide and counter sequence.
• Unleash every missile you have left during this final animation for a swift kill.

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Key Tips for Success

• Missile Management: Don’t hesitate to use missiles generously—ammo refills are frequent during the fight.
• Stay Calm: The most dangerous part of the fight is panic-induced mistakes. Memorize the patterns and stick to the plan.
• Counter Opportunities: Mastering the counter timing will significantly reduce the fight duration.

Summary:
Defeating Corpius hinges on efficient missile use, recognizing attack patterns, and capitalizing on counter opportunities. Practice each phase, focus on counter windows, and you’ll conquer this first boss with ease.

Good luck, bounty hunter—your adventure is just beginning!