How to Defeat The Hive Mother in Core Keeper

Avoid the acid if you want to defeat The Hive Mother in Core Keeper.

One of the most exciting aspects of playing Core Keeper is exploring the many biomes of the world and facing the many mobs and bosses. The Hive Mother is one of the bosses available at the start of the game, and she is present inside the Clay Caves biome. 

She is not the easiest boss to find, but you will instantly recognize her by her pink tendrils stretching across the room. Even though she looks more gross than fierce, she puts up a fight for any player that is not prepared for it. Here is everything you need to know to defeat The Hive Mother in Core Keeper.

How to Find The Hive Mother in Core Keeper

To locate The Hive Mother in Core Keeper, go to the statue for Glurch the Abominous Mass, and get the Hive Mother Scanner for 5 Ancient Gemstones and 5 Mechanical Parts. The Hive Mother Scanner scans the world for the Hive Mother. You should see the location on the minimap on the top-right of your screen. The location is random, so you can dig your way over to her once you find the location from the scanner.

Defeating The Hive Mother in Core Keeper

To defeat The Hive Mother in Core Keeper, set up a small base next to her so you have a respawn point, then clear a 30×30 square around the boss. Run out of the area when The Hive Mother uses her acid attack, then run back into the room and attack in-between acid attacks. To make defeating her easier, destroy the larva she spawns before it hatches. See below for an in-depth guide on how to accomplish this.

Digging a 30×30 Square

The Hive Mother sits in the middle of the room, ignoring the player until she is attacked. This is good news for you, as it allows you to prepare to fight her much easier. You will first want to set up a small base with a bed nearby, just in case she kills you – better than walking back if you are defeated.

Next, take a shovel and clear away the room, making it into about a 30×30 square with The Hive Mother in the middle. Use the areas on the outside of the square to block her in. This will make it much easier to deal with her core mechanic. Lastly, make sure you have some quality weapons. Once this is finished, it’s time to face The Hive Mother.

Attacking The Hive Mother

The Hive Mother will only attack once she is provoked, so start the fight when you are ready. Upon aggroing on you, she will begin to fire a ball of acid marked where it will land, and the player needs to avoid it. This acid stays on the ground, which is why the area was cleared beforehand. 

Screenshot via Core Keeper

If the player takes too long to kill The Hive Mother, there will be too much acid to deal with, and they will perish. Therefore, it is advised to smack The Hive Mother a few times with a melee weapon and then run outside the room while she targets you with her acid. Once she is open to attack, rush in and get a few more hits. Rinse and repeat.

Lastly, she will periodically spawn larvae which will attack the player. These come randomly from eggs inside her chamber. If you have enough damage, you can destroy the eggs before they hatch. Slay the larva, continue to dodge her acid, and smack her when she is open to attack.

With enough damage, she will eventually succumb to her injuries, and the player will emerge victorious.

Learn how to defeat Ghorm the Devourer in our guide here.