History Main / BrokenArmorBossBattle

*** The Helmaroc King wears a metal mask that Link must shatter with the [[DropTheHammer Skull Hammer]] before he can damage him properly.

* ''G-VideoGame/{{Darius}}'': [[MeaningfulName Absolute Defender]] has a {{Deflector Shield|s}} that makes him invulnerable to your attacks. You have to destroy his regenerating shield generator in order to properly damage him.

* [[MeaningfulName Absolute Defender]] from ''G-VideoGame/{{Darius}}''. You have to destroy his regenerating shield generator in order to properly damage him.

* Helicopter bosses (such as the WarmUpBoss) from ''VideoGame/NightStriker'' have a forcefield that can take quite a few hits. Once it's down, you have to hit the heli or else it'll put its shield back up in a short time (and if you do hit it, it regenerates the shield). The good news is that these helis have only three hit points, unless it's the FinalBoss of stage R, which has more.

* ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamLand'': During the [[spoiler:DiscOneFinalBoss battle against the Grand Doomer, it'll coat itself in impenetrable stone armor when its health bar is nearly depleted. This forces Kirby to grab the [[SuperMode Ultra Sword ability]], the only thing that can actually break it, in order to defeat the extradimensional threat for good. [[spoiler: A similar segment happens later in the game when Kirby fights the ''real'' FinalBoss, [[TreacherousQuestGiver Magolor]].]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Should change its name to "Glass Jawdad"]]

[[folder:Shoot-'Em-Ups]]

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'': Sludge Like is covered in thick sludge that renders it impervious to attack. Its weak point is only exposed if Link uses Sidon's power, a splash fruit or an opal to wash it off with a blast of water.

* ''VideoGame/DoomEternal'': The main body of the Doom Hunter is protected by a shield generator which must be temporarily disabled by the Plasma Rifle before the boss can take damage. The Doom Hunter eventually abandons its sled once it has taken enough damage, losing access to the energy shield in the process.

* The primary attack of one of ''VideoGame/Splatoon1'''s bosses, the Octostomp, was to slam down on the ground, [[TacticalSuicideBoss which left its exposed back-tentacle open]] [[AttackItsWeakPoint to be shot by the player]], after they ink his sides to swim up them. Its souped-up variant for ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'', the Neo Octostomp, now wears an ink-proof coat which prevents this maneuver, but the coat's buckle on the boss's face can be shot off to remove the coat and ink up his sides once again.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': In the fight against Metal Gear Rex, you have to destroy Ray's sensor dish in order for the vulnerable interior to be exposed.

Sometimes, a boss has impervious armor you have to destroy before you can deal damage to them. This concept can take a number of forms. At its most basic, it acts simply as an addition to the boss' health pool -- attack until their armor is depleted, then continue until their health is gone as well. Most of the time, however, attacks will have no impact whatsoever until the armor is removed, which may be done in a number of ways. Sometimes you need certain items or weapons to defeat them with; bombs or other explosives are a common choice. Occasionally, the "armor" is SomeKindOfForceField instead of physical plating, requiring the disabling of whatever is keeping it running before the boss can be attacked. In some cases, the armor will reform after a set period of time and need to be cleared off again.

See also ArmorPiercingAttack, AntiArmor and DestructibleArmor.

** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': The Helmasaur King's face is covered by a large helmet that protects its only vulnerable spot, and which Link needs to break apart before he can defeat the beast. Its counterpart in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'', the Gemesaur King, is completely cloaked in armor -- masses of rock and crystals cover every part of its body, and all of its armor needs to be blasted off with bombs before Link can attack the weak spot in the monster's forehead and actually cause it damage.
** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening'':

** ''Videogame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'':

* ''Videogame/MetalGearSolid'': In the fight against Metal Gear Rex, you have to destroy Ray's sensor dish in order for the vulnerable interior to be exposed.