Uploaded January 2019 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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No commentary version
Commentated version: youtu.be/0Blt3SQoZ3E

8-1 Equip either the Ground Dash or the Dark Hold. I prefer the Dark Hold so here is my strategy with it.
When Heatnix creates the lava, go on the ground at the bottom level. Make sure you don't get hit by Pegasus on your way there and be quick, otherwise Heatnix might create the lava at the top of the screen and your likely to have to reset the whole thing. While Heatnix swims in the lava, keep switching platforms quickly to prepare for Heatninx or Pegasus rising up. Practice to learn when Heatnix will rise up and position yourself properly. Spam mid-level charged shots on Heatnix. Heatnix will almost always go to create lava after he has been spitting many fireballs in a row. When he spits many fireballs, prepare to go to the bottom level for the upcoming lava.
When at 1/2 health, Heatnix has a chance of adding the God Bird attack to his arsenal. The idea is to wait for him to be close to 1/3 and use he Dark Hold to freeze both Maverick and spam mid-level charged shots on Heatnix to try and quickly kill him before he gets to use the God Bird attack.
After Heatnix is dead, get rid of Pegasus. His diving attacks are more dangerous here because of the layout of the room. Dash to the sides and jump depending on what he does. You need a bit of luck here.

8-2 Bring the Magma Blade.
Spam mid-level charged shots on Wolfang or Necrobat (Only if you get opportunities on Necrobat). When Wolfang is close to being at 1/2 health, prepare the charged Magma Blade. Fire the charged Magma Blade to hit Wolfang. The shots come out on the same vertical level as you so move around so the fire hits Wolfang. While the fire is moving across the screen, charge the Magma Blade again to keep hitting Wolfang over and over again until he dies. Finish off Necrobat.

8-3 The worst part of this stage. Bring the Crescent Shot and keep charging it. You worst enemy is the water physics from X5 and Whale's ability to push you in spikes (Instant death) when he is almost dead.
Watch Metal Shark and wait for him to do his attack where he swims along the surface of the ground. When he does this, jump over to Whale's face and fire the charged Crecent Shot. Try to stay in front of Whale to keep hitting him with the weapon. If you see Metal Shark doing the same ground swimming attack, jump and hover high enough to clear Shark and stay right next to Whale to keep hitting him.
If you see Metal Shark jump diagonally to go on top of you and try to drop on you, move away from whatever you were doing to dodge it. Try to remain on the ground otherwise Shark will likely hit you in the air with his attacks.
If Shark does 2 hammer drops in a row, the third or fourth time he will go underground. When he is underground, go to the left wall and prepare to dash out of the way when he pops out.
Return to hitting Whale at any opportunity. (Except when Shark is doing hammer drops.)
You need luck in this fight because if Shark decides to spam metal anchors, you'll likely be overwhelmed.
When Whale is about at 1/3 health, stay close to him with a charged Crescent Shot attack always ready. Because you need to deal as much damage to him as possible to avoid having to deal with his final attack where he pushes you in the spikes.
I like to go to the top of the left wall (Out of Shark's way) and hit Whale as soon as he comes back on screen for his final atttack, drop down and hit him again before he gets to align himself with X.
Hopefully Whale will die before he can push you off.
To take out Shark, you'll need to learn to dodge his attacks. Most of them are easy. Except his final attack where he summons old Mavericks. Keep using mid-level charged shots to deal damage and dash jumping to dodge.
Blast Hornet - Position yourself under Shark or under Hornet and fire charged shots so the plasma trail will destroy the small hornets. Focus on that before going back to attacking Shark.
Magna Centipede - Jumping in the right rhythm to attack Shark allows you to dodge Centipede's shurikens but you need to practice that.
Sting Chameleon - This what you want Shark to do. It's essentially a freeby. Go to the wall and spam mid charged shots on Shark while Chameleon's attacks harmlessly pass below you.

Hard Mode bosses deal more damage (especially collision damage) and they take less damage as well. You have to practice and learn how the bosses work. A lot.

Mega Man X Legacy Collection
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