Conquering Deathshead in Wolfenstein: A No-Nonsense Guide
So, you’ve met General Wilhelm “Deathshead” Strasse in Wolfenstein. He is not pleasant. He has robotic chaos and is the final step to taking down the Nazi war machine. Defeating him needs the right tools and aggressive tactics. Let’s explore how to send him packing.
Deathshead Fight Strategy: Unleash the Fury
Against Deathshead, subtlety is useless. You need a full-frontal assault. Think of yourself as the apex predator. Deathshead is target practice. Here’s the battle plan:
- Embrace the Rockets: Equip dual-wielded rocket launchers. Channel your inner pyromaniac. Rain rockets down on him, as if at an explosive parade. Consistency matters. Never let up.
- Grenades and Shotguns: Your Best Friends: When rockets are low, use grenades and shotguns on Deathshead’s metallic face. Think of it as a forceful ‘hello.’ These work well for close to medium-range fights.
- Cover is for Cowards (Sometimes): Maybe not always for cowards. Taking cover helps when reloading. But don’t get comfy. Aggression is vital. Pop out, unleash chaos, then duck back. , you’re the hunter.
Essentially, overwhelm him with firepower. He may be the big bad boss, but with enough rockets and grenades, he will crumble. For more detailed insights, check the IGN guide on General Deathshead.
Navigating the Final Boss Fight: Two Phases of Pain
The showdown with Deathshead has two phases. The first act is a tease – he is invulnerable. Save your ammo. Here’s how to progress like a Wolfenstein veteran:
- Phase One: The Impenetrable Tank: In the first phase, Deathshead is shielded. He can’t be damaged directly. Think of this as the warm-up.
- LKW to the Rescue: Fence Breaching 101: Grab your Laserkraftwerk (LKW) and cut a hole through the fence. This is your entrance into the real fight.
- Stairway to Heaven (or at least, Cannon Access): After breaching the fence, find stairs on either side. These lead to higher ground and cannon access.
- Grenade Gambit: Stun and Succeed: Before going up, toss a grenade at Deathshead. This will stun him, giving you a head start.
- Cannon Fire: Blimp Down! At the top, jump onto one of the cannons. Target and shoot down the blimps powering Deathshead’s shield. They are his energy source.
- Blimp Location: Left Side Strategy: For the left blimp, adjust aim upwards and slightly left. Look for the red objective marker. Zero in on that and shoot.
Master these steps to transition from dodging an invincible foe to dismantling his defenses. You can find more detailed walkthroughs on the Wolfenstein Wiki’s page on Chapter 16.
Disabling Deathshead’s Annoying Shield: A Blimp-Busting Mission
Let’s talk shield takedowns because it’s key to hurting Deathshead. This is not just blasting; it’s about being strategic:
- Protective Glass: Your Tactical Advantage: The protective glass in the arena? It’s useful. Use it for cover while planning moves and using the Laserkraftwerk.
- Laserkraftwerk Precision: Fence Cutting Time: Use the Laserkraftwerk again to cut through the fence carefully. Accuracy is key for a clean opening.
- Turret Time: Your Blimp-Destroying Buddy: After cutting through, go left or right along the path. Find turrets for blimp destruction. They pack a punch.
- Blimp Elimination: Shields Down!: Use the turrets to target the blimps. Unleash fire until they are wreckage. Shields down; Deathshead is vulnerable.
Taking down the shield shifts the fight from stalemate to brawl where your arsenal makes a difference.
Deathshead Unmasked: More Than Just a Mad Scientist
Who is this Deathshead guy anyway? He has a backstory, albeit disturbing.
- Physical Oddities: The Look of Evil: Deathshead is not winning beauty contests. He is old, bald, and short. His face is scarred, showing survival of many near-death experiences including a zeppelin crash.
- The Architect of Nazi Domination: Role in the Story: General Wilhelm “Deathshead” Strasse leads the SS Special Projects Division as a deranged researcher. He is the mastermind behind Nazi victory in WWII due to his advanced technology.
- Revenge is a Dish Best Served Hot (and with Rockets): when he lobotomized your squate? That sets up motivation for revenge. Wanting him gone is understandable.
Deathshead’s backstory adds depth to the fight. He isn’t just a boss; he symbolizes Nazi scientific horror for B.J. Who voices him? It’s Dwight Schultz, as seen on IMDb’s Wolfenstein character page. This knowledge adds satisfaction to defeating him.
The Fate of Fergus or Wyatt: Deathshead’s Cruelty on Display
Deathshead’s evil is personal and twisted. His actions with Fergus or Wyatt show his depravity:
- Capture and Cruelty: A Gruesome Choice: Fergus and Wyatt B.J. for the assault on Deathshead’s Compound, but one gets captured. This sets up a grim choice affecting the narrative.
- Fergus’s Stoic End: Dissection with Dignity: If you chose Fergus, he faces capture with acceptance. He goes to dissection with resignation, like a veteran facing a final battle.
- Wyatt’s Horror: Brain Extraction and Robotic Resurrection?: If Wyatt is captured, he meets a horrific end too. Fergus and B.J. watch in horror as Deathshead dissects Wyatt, intending to implant his brain into a robot later.
These scenes show stakes and B.J.’s personal vendetta against Deathshead. It’s about avenging comrades and confronting pure evil.
The Explosive Finale: Deathshead’s Demise and a Dying Wish
The final moments with Deathshead are dramatic:
- Robot Rumble and the Stabbing Solution: After battling him in robot form, you get the prompt to stab him. This moment of catharsis is key.
- Grenade Gambit: Deathshead’s Last Act of Defiance: In desperation, Deathshead sets off a grenade. It’s a last “screw you”, ensuring he goes out in a blaze of glory.
- Deathshead Down, B.J. Wounded: A Hero’s Plea: The ending is bittersweet. Deathshead is dead; B.J. is mortally wounded. In dying breaths, he instructs Wyatt or Fergus to drop bombs on Deathshead’s compound.
- Post-Credits Void: Nothing to See Here: Don’t wait for a secret scene after credits. There’s nothing. The ending is definitive.
The ending leaves a sense of loss but a cost of victory. You defeated Deathshead with rockets and grenades. Now, bask in the success of Nazi-smashing victory.
