How to Conquer Nemesis in RE3’s NEST: A Comprehensive Guide

The final confrontation with Nemesis in the NEST facility in Resident Evil 3 is arguably the most challenging and intense encounter in the game. This hulking bioweapon, relentless and monstrous, tests your skills, resource management, and strategic thinking. Beating Nemesis in RE3’s NEST requires a specific approach, leveraging the environment and employing the right weapons at the right time. Here’s your definitive guide to surviving this brutal final battle:

Phase One: Generator Takedown

The fight initiates with Nemesis in his third, heavily mutated form. He’s a hulking beast, and your initial goal is not to outright defeat him, but to expose his weakness. Nemesis will position himself on one of the four generators located around the perimeter. Your objective is to identify the generator he’s standing on and shoot its red control panel. This will trigger an electric shockwave.

• Focus on the Red Panels: Once Nemesis is positioned, do not waste ammo shooting at him. Carefully observe which of the four generators he is near and immediately start firing at the red control panel.
• Timing is Crucial: This shockwave will briefly incapacitate Nemesis, allowing you to unload your most powerful weapons on his exposed body.
• Repeat the Cycle: Nemesis will get back up and relocate. You will need to repeat the process of identifying his generator, hitting the red panel, and exploiting the opening.

Phase Two: Exploiting Vulnerability

After Nemesis is stunned by the electrical shock, it’s time to go all-out with your most powerful attacks.

• Unleash Heavy Weaponry: This is your best opportunity to damage him. Utilize the Magnum, the Grenade Launcher with its various rounds, or even the Shotgun at close range. Prioritize weapons that deal significant damage.
• Maintain Distance: Try to keep a reasonable distance to avoid being easily hit by his attacks, but do get close when stunned. The electric shock will buy you some time.
• Be Mindful of Ammo: Ensure you have enough ammo, and don’t waste ammunition. Make every shot count and alternate weapons based on the rounds you have.

Phase Three: The Final Blow

After several cycles of damaging Nemesis during his stunned state, you’ll begin to whittle his health down. The final push is essentially a repeat of the previous steps, only more focused:

• Focus Fire: Once you’ve damaged him enough, he’ll become more erratic. The key here is to maintain focus, use the generators and their red panels to stun him.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Use Grenades: While the Grenade Launcher is ideal for this entire fight, a well-placed grenade can also do good damage and help manage zombies.
• Finishing Him Off: With enough damage, Nemesis will finally succumb. Keep hitting those red panels, use your heavy weapons and explosives to finish the job.

General Tips and Strategies

• Weapon Management is Key: As mentioned above use all the heavy weapons such as the Grenade Launcher, and Magnum.
• Conserve Resources: Do not waste ammunition on the first phase. Wait until you’ve stunned him before using heavy ammunition.
• Use the Environment: Use the environment to your advantage, utilize the shock wave from the generators, and don’t hesitate to run around to put some space in between you and Nemesis.
• Stay Mobile: Don’t stand still. Nemesis has some pretty devastating attacks that will be easy to avoid if you are mobile.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What weapons are best against Nemesis in his final form?

The Magnum, the Grenade Launcher (especially with Mine and Flame Rounds), and the Shotgun are the most effective weapons. Alternate between these for maximum damage output.

2. Can I kill Nemesis with the knife?

While it’s possible, defeating Nemesis with just the knife is incredibly difficult and time-consuming. It’s not practical for most players. You would need about 90 slashes and be constantly dodging which is not recommended for the NEST final fight.

3. How many shots does it take to down Nemesis?

It’s very difficult to put an exact number on it. The amount of damage you inflict per shot varies by the weapon. In the final fight, your strategy should be to damage him after using the generators, not just to unload rounds on him.

4. Does Nemesis drop anything good when defeated in the NEST?

While Nemesis drops items throughout the game after certain fights, his drops in the NEST are tied to the final encounter. So, there isn’t any one thing he drops during the final NEST fight.

5. What is Nemesis’s main weakness?

Nemesis is especially vulnerable to explosive damage. The Grenade Launcher is your best friend when fighting this boss.

6. How many times do I fight Nemesis in the NEST?

You fight Nemesis only once in the NEST area, and that’s his final and most difficult boss fight.

7. Can I run away from Nemesis during the NEST battle?

During the NEST final boss fight, you cannot run away and hide, you must complete the fight.

8. Can I stun Nemesis in other encounters like I can in the NEST?

Yes, in most encounters, you can stun Nemesis temporarily by dealing enough damage or by using specific environmental interactions, but the NEST uses the generators which is unique to that battle.

9. Should I fight Nemesis every time I encounter him?

Fighting Nemesis is optional in most encounters. It depends on your resources, skills, and desired reward. If you are confident and have the supplies, fighting him has rewards, especially for subsequent playthroughs.

10. Does Nemesis stop chasing you eventually if you run?

Nemesis will chase you through a few rooms but will disappear after a while, only to reappear in a scripted event. He doesn’t chase you through the entire game if you successfully evade him. However, in the NEST battle, you have to complete the battle to progress.

11. Why is Nemesis chasing Jill?

Nemesis is programmed by Umbrella Corporation to eliminate all surviving S.T.A.R.S. members from the mansion incident. He’s specifically targeting Jill Valentine as she is one of the S.T.A.R.S. members who survived the Arklay Mansion incident.

12. Is it better to run or fight Nemesis in general?

Generally, running is better to conserve resources, but fighting Nemesis can provide valuable item drops, weapon upgrades, and a chance to learn his attack patterns. It’s a risk versus reward situation.

13. How do you dodge Nemesis’s attacks?

Practice. Nemesis has very telegraphed attacks. Most attacks will be avoided by simply moving to the left or right, or if he is about to dash, time the dodge in advance.

14. What’s the easiest way to learn Nemesis’s fighting patterns?

Save before encounters. This allows you to attempt fights multiple times and learn to predict his movements and how best to avoid them.

15. Is Nemesis in Resident Evil 3 connected to Resident Evil 4’s plot?

Yes, Nemesis’s creation is tied to the T-Virus and has some connections to the Las Plagas in Resident Evil 4, showing how Umbrella is experimenting with viruses. The remake actually highlighted this connection.

Mastering the Nemesis battle in the NEST area is a significant accomplishment in Resident Evil 3. By understanding his mechanics, using the environment to your advantage, and employing the right tactics, you will be able to prevail and survive the final encounter. Now, go forth and show that Umbrella monstrosity who’s boss!