The Ascent
67 Achievements
15-20h
PS5
Zell is dead
Take down Zell
1.4%
How to unlock the Zell is dead achievement in The Ascent - Definitive Guide
NOTE: Per thatNoseyParker, this achievement only unlocks for the player that delivered the final blow on Zell, meaning that multiple playthroughs are required for everyone in a group to get this (it’s possible that the host can just delete their local save data and have the group go through the last area 2/3 times but attempt that at your own risk; you’ll probably be able to do it safely if everyone disconnects to the main menu prior to the local save deletion). This issue is also present in solo play: if Zell jumps to an invalid position (the pillar thingies), which will immediately kill him, the achievement will not pop and you’ll have to delete your local save data to avoid a second playthrough for this.
Additionally multiple people have reported the ending cutscene not triggering upon defeating Zell. According to bkm360 this is due to one less enemy spawning at the start of the fight if you immediately move after the cutscene right before the fight. Wait “half a second” before moving and you should be fine.
I found beating this boss (on Hard at least) to be 10% skill, 10% knowing what to do, and 80% builds: it is extremely tough to beat Zell without a proper build due to his squadmates’ absurd damage output and health. Fortunately I ended up piecing a build together to make this fight a breeze on any difficulty; here’s what you’re gonna want (some parts of this are taken from packetloss X as they make the fight much faster than my original build).Additionally multiple people have reported the ending cutscene not triggering upon defeating Zell. According to bkm360 this is due to one less enemy spawning at the start of the fight if you immediately move after the cutscene right before the fight. Wait “half a second” before moving and you should be fine.
Augmentations: Joyrun Dragon and Lock-On Fire
Passives: Vitasigns Booster (+25 health) and Speedheal Mod
Weapons: Dealbreaker and Rock Crusher (preferably on Mk.10, there’s way more than enough Superior Components in the DLC area for that to be easy to get sorted)
Tactical: Rejuvenation Field
I’d also recommend maxing out the Vitality Signs, Body Battery, and Critical Hit Rate skills to give yourself the biggest advantage possible. Take whatever you wish for your armour.
When the fight starts, immediately press the bumper tied to the Joyrun Dragon to activate it and put Zell’s squadmates in Stasis (Zell himself is immune to Stasis). Wail on them with the Rock Crusher’s normal attack until you have gotten the light blue bar on their health to about halfway each, at that point they’ll either die upon exiting Stasis or will have basically no health left. After that, activate Rejuvenation Field to heal any damage you may have taken and get close to Zell for him to jump away, which will deactivate his shield. Equip the Dealbreaker (make sure the mag is full) and activate Lock-On Fire. Fire on Zell and he’ll be dead in a couple seconds before he has the chance to call for reinforcements. The achievement will pop shortly after the ending cutscene begins.
Video guide by packetloss X (do note that they use a different melee weapon and modules, but that shouldn’t really change anything):
16 Comments
In coop, this only unlocked for the host, though I suspect it may be because they got the final hit and not because they were host. Either way, I now need to do the full game and dlc again ugh
By thatNoseyParker on 20 Aug 2022 15:04
Considering that this achievement did not pop for me when Zell died via jumping to the small pillars it’s probably unlocked for whoever does the final blow. Guide’s been updated with this information added.
By ChiflaGoodluck on 20 Aug 2022 15:14
Video going over the game stopping glitch that many players have suffered at this point in the game.
This guide was translated automatically.
Glitchy final boss, after killing the trophy did not drop. I couldn’t kill it the first time, maybe the loading from the CT had something to do with it
For completing the task they gave trophies, as well as for completing all the main tasks too.
For completing the task they gave trophies, as well as for completing all the main tasks too.
1 Comment
I didn’t get a trophy, but I played in co-op, the trophy went to the person on the team who dealt the last blow to the boss.
You can knock out everyone on the team, the main thing is that there are enemies in addition to Zell. We kill Zell, get the trophy, exit the game, load again, fight with the boss again, the last hit must be dealt by the one who has not yet received the trophy, and so on until everyone on the team receives the trophy.
You can knock out everyone on the team, the main thing is that there are enemies in addition to Zell. We kill Zell, get the trophy, exit the game, load again, fight with the boss again, the last hit must be dealt by the one who has not yet received the trophy, and so on until everyone on the team receives the trophy.
By EduardoElrick on 20 Mar 2023 19:33