This guide will help you find and defeat the Cyclops Arges in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. The article includes a video walkthrough (on Hard Difficulty) as well as a written description of the giant’s abilities, tactics on how to kill him as well as all rewards and achievements for completing the quest.
Arges – the Bright One was added to Assassin’s Creed Odyssey for free with the January 2019 Update. This is a one-time-kill boss encounter that provides unique legendary rewards, achievements, and standard Quest XP and Drachmae.
How to find Arges – the Bright One
Arges is located on the most eastern of the Volcanic Islands – Nisiros. It is located east of Anaphi and north of Pephka. You do not need to pick up the quest to get to the enclosed arena, where Cyclops Arges is.
Once you get to the area, the quest will prompt you to activate it and will automatically be given to you if you don’t have it yet.
This is a high-level encounter. I don’t know what is the recommended minimum, but I would not advice you on fighting Arges on high difficulties before you are far into the game or even done with it.
Unlike Steropes, Arges is more powerful and has a nice arsenal of special abilities. More on that in the next section.
How to Defeat Arges – the Bright One
Ranged builds make fighting Arges the Bright One easier, but you can do it with any build. Death Arrows are extremely helpful. You can avoid pretty much all of the special attacks the boss uses against you. Learning the patterns and quick movements is key in this fight, especially on a higher difficulty.
In the video walkthrough attached at the end of the guide, I use a warrior/melee heavy build with a 2-handed weapon.
Once you sneak through the crack in the wall, the Cyclops will be to your right. He’s actually inside a small cave. Before the real fight begins, you have a few seconds to pop up some buffs and prepare yourself for the fight. You can even shoot him a few times.
Hint: Use Death Arrows if you have them available. Aim for the Cyclops’s eye. A well-aimed shot will make him stumble on the ground, giving you extra time to hit him before he rises up again.
Arges has a few key special attacks. I have described them all below for your convenience. Most of them are easy to avoid or cancel.
The Lava surroundings
You are at the bottom of a volcano. Lava is everywhere and if you step on it, even for a second, you will get a burning effect on yourself. As usual, the easiest way to get rid of the ticking damage over time, roll in any direction.
Stomping and Bashing the Ground
Arges starts stomping the ground with his legs. This causes lava spots to appear on your character’s feet. To avoid the attack, simply keep moving and preferably stay away from the boss during this session to avoid complications.
The red spots disappear shortly after the session is over and you can once again use the whole area to navigate. Remember: staying on the move is key to succeeding in this fight.
Rushing forward
When you see Arges put his right hand in front of his eyes, know that the Cyclops is preparing to run towards you. This attack is very dangerous and can one-shot you if you don’t avoid or cancel it out.
Luckily, you can easily prevent him from reaching you by carefully aiming and hitting his eye. This will cause the giant to drop on the floor for a few seconds. While Arges is on the ground, hit him with everything you’ve got.
50% Soft Enrage
At about half of his HP, Arges will get enraged. From this moment his attacks will be quicker, stronger and more frequent. He also starts throwing fireballs at you.
Note: As stated in the comments, something must have changed in a later patch after I published the guide. Arges can now throw fireballs from the beginning of the fight.
Fireballs
These fireballs can one-shot you at high difficulties. To avoid the hit, gain some distance when you see the Cyclops preparing to throw one at you, watch where he aims and throws it, then simply dodge away from that spot.
Simple tips on how to defeat Arges – the Bright One
- Stay on the move. Use ranged abilities. Bring powerful arrows, even if you are not using a Hunter build.
- Aim for the Cyclops’ eye/head. Precise shots will cause him to drop on the ground.
- Hit Arges in the eye with an arrow when he rushes towards you. This will immediately drop the boss to the ground, giving you plenty of time to hit him hard.
- Beware of your surroundings. The lava on the ground is very deadly. If you get a burning effect, roll to cancel it out.
- Hunter builds are useful, but any build will work in experienced hands. My personal favorite is the warrior melee heavy 2-handed build with the massiveMinotaur Axe.
- Arges is a one-time kill boss. If you are struggling to defeat him, gain more levels, upgrade your gear and come back. He will always be there, waiting for you.
- Keep your distance. Learn the patterns of his attacks. One wrong move on higher difficulty level can cause you a reload. Arges is very strong, but also very predictable and slow.
Rewards for completing Cyclops Arges bounty mission
Completing the mission means killing the Cyclops. This will also grant you the following:
- Achievement: Volcanic Sunscreen Achievement
- Legendary Engraving: +25% Elemental Damage but -25% Physical Damage
- Weapon: Hammer of Hephaistos
- Drachmae
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One last interesting fact before I let you go. Did you know that Arges is actually a Greek mythological creature? The Wiki tells us that he was also known as Acmonides and Pyracmon. His name means “bright” (just like in the game, not a surprise) and represents the brightness from lightning. He is one of Gaia’s children by Uranus. In fear, Uranus is said to have locked Arges, along with his brothers, in Tartarus. They were later freed to fashion lightning bolts for Zeus during his attempt to overthrow Cronus
