Days Gone: How to Defeat the Breaker Boss and Survive the Airplane Crash Site
Learn the best strategies to defeat the powerful Breaker boss in Days Gone. This guide covers the airplane crash site mission, environmental tactics, and how to secure the antibiotics for Boozer.
In the brutal, post-apocalyptic world of Days Gone, survival isn't just about managing your fuel or clearing out small swarms of Freakers. Occasionally, the game throws a massive curveball your way in the form of an 'Elite' enemy. Perhaps the most intimidating of these early on is the Breaker.
Muscular, resilient, and deceptively fast, the Breaker serves as a terrifying gatekeeper during one of the game's most emotional narrative arcs. In this guide, we’re breaking down the intense boss fight at the airplane crash site, where Deacon St. John must secure life-saving antibiotics for his best friend, Boozer. If you've been struggling with this encounter, or if you're preparing for your first playthrough, this walkthrough will give you the edge you need to survive.
The Mission: A Desperate Search for Antibiotics
At this point in the story, the stakes couldn't be higher. Boozer’s infection is worsening, and the Lost Lake camp's supplies are dwindling. Deacon’s journey takes him to a remote mountain pass, the site of a tragic airplane crash that reportedly contains a stash of medical supplies.
As Deacon arrives at the crash site (), the atmosphere is heavy with rain and tension. The wreckage of the plane is scattered across a clearing, creating a natural arena for what is about to be one of your toughest fights yet. The environment is littered with debris, providing both obstacles and opportunities for a resourceful survivor.
Meet the Breaker: A New Breed of Terror
Just as Deacon nears the objective, the game introduces the Breaker in a bone-chilling cutscene (). Unlike the standard 'Swarmers' you’ve encountered, the Breaker is a tank. It is essentially a Freaker on steroids—literally. These creatures have mutated to possess immense physical strength and a pain tolerance that makes them nearly unstoppable in a straight-forward fight.
Key Characteristics of the Breaker:
- Massive Health Pool: It can take several magazines of ammo or multiple explosive hits to bring down.
- High Aggression: Once it spots you, it will charge relentlessly, covering distances faster than you might expect.
- Grapple Attacks: If it gets close, it can trigger a struggle animation that drains significant health and requires quick button-mashing to escape.
- Resistance to Stun: While smaller enemies reel from every hit, the Breaker often shrugs off damage unless it's sustained or high-impact.
Phase 1: Ranged Tactics and Environmental Hazards ()
The initial phase of the fight is all about distance and awareness. As seen in the gameplay, the best way to start this encounter is by staying mobile and using the environment to your advantage.
- Utilize Stealth Initially: If you have the opportunity to land a heavy hit or a high-powered rifle shot before the Breaker fully engages, you’ll have a slight head start. However, once the roar happens, the stealth phase is effectively over.
- Explosive Barrels: Scattered around the airplane wreckage are red fuel barrels. These are your best friends in this fight. Position yourself so the Breaker is between you and a barrel. Wait for the beast to pass near one, then fire. The explosion deals massive damage and, more importantly, staggers the Breaker, giving you a vital window to reload, heal, or craft more supplies.
- Focus Mode: Use Deacon’s Focus ability to slow down time. This is the most efficient way to land critical headshots. Standard body shots do very little damage to a Breaker’s thick hide, so aiming for the face is mandatory for conserving ammunition.
Phase 2: The Dance of Death — Melee and Dodging ()
Eventually, you will run out of barrels or the Breaker will close the distance. This is where the fight becomes a high-stakes rhythm game. You cannot outrun a Breaker forever; you must learn to dance with it.
- The Roll is Life: You cannot block a Breaker’s swing. You must time your rolls perfectly. Wait for the Breaker to raise its arms to strike, then roll toward its side or back. Never roll directly away, as its reach is longer than you think and its forward momentum will often catch you at the end of your animation.
- Melee Counter-Attacks: After a successful dodge, you have a split-second window to land one or two hits with a craftable melee weapon, such as the Spiked Bat or Sawblade Axe. Don’t get greedy; the Breaker recovers quickly and will punish you if you overstay your welcome in melee range.
- Stamina Management: Keep a close eye on your stamina bar. If you empty it by rolling too much or sprinting constantly, you’ll be a sitting duck. Use stamina cocktails if necessary to keep your energy up.
After a grueling exchange of fire and steel, the Breaker will finally collapse, marking your hard-fought victory ().
Securing the Supplies ()
With the Breaker dead, the immediate threat is gone, but the mission isn't over. Deacon must locate the medical box within the plane's wreckage. Because the antibiotics box is a heavy item, Deacon is forced to carry it at a walking pace through the forest back to his bike.
This segment highlights the game’s survival horror roots. The forest is dark, the rain is pouring, and every rustle in the bushes feels like another Breaker might jump out. Navigating through the woods while carrying the crate () requires patience. You are vulnerable while carrying the box, so keep your ears open for the sounds of approaching Freakers or wolves.
The Journey Home: Return to Lost Lake ()
After securing the antibiotics on his motorcycle (), Deacon begins the long ride back to the Lost Lake camp. This cinematic journey serves as a 'breather' after the high-octane boss fight, allowing the player to soak in the atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. The rainy, winding roads and the sound of the drifter bike create a sense of relief—the mission was a success, and help is on the way.
Upon arrival at Lost Lake (), the game transitions into a narrative-heavy cutscene. Deacon meets with Rikki Patil, the camp’s mechanic and a key ally. The interaction here is crucial for character development; it shows Deacon’s growing commitment to the camp and his unwavering loyalty to Boozer. Delivering the medicine isn't just a mission objective; it's a testament to the bond between the two 'brothers' of the Mongrels MC. It's moments like these that elevate Days Gone from a simple action game to a compelling human drama.
Pro-Tips for Fighting Breakers in the Wild
While the airplane crash site is your first major encounter, it won't be your last. If you encounter a Breaker later in the game during open-world exploration, keep these expert tips in mind:
- Use Residue Bolts: If you have the Crossbow, a Residue Bolt can turn a Breaker against other Freakers. This is incredibly effective for clearing Hordes, as the Breaker will do the heavy lifting for you before eventually succumbing to the swarm.
- The Executioner Skill: This is a game-changer. If you have the 'Executioner' skill unlocked in the Melee tree, you can actually stealth-kill a Breaker. Sneak up behind them or use a Smoke Bomb to disorient them, and you can take them out with a single prompt, saving massive amounts of ammo.
- Fire is Effective: Molotovs deal damage over time and can cause the Breaker to panic briefly. While it won't stop them forever, it can interrupt a charge and give you time to reposition.
Conclusion
The Breaker boss fight at the airplane crash site is a defining moment in Days Gone. It tests your combat proficiency, your resource management, and your nerves. Successfully defeating this behemoth and bringing the medicine back to Boozer marks a turning point in Deacon's journey from a lone drifter to a vital member of a community.
Have you faced the Breaker yet? What was your strategy for surviving the crash site? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to subscribe for more Days Gone guides and walkthroughs!
