It's possible to beat Olmec without bombs and without a lot of careful movement, but if you're not an experienced caver, bombs can really help speed up the boss process. This time around, Olmec appears early in Biome 3-1. Jungle and Volcana both lead you to Olmec, and there are a few simple strategies you can use to make this fight a lot easier. There is also help to find, and NPCs that will make it easier to fight this guy.
20 tips and tricks for the first biome | Beginner's Guide | Safe and easy method to rob the trader | 30 Second Tutorial Speedrun Guide | Track Star Trophy | How To Get The 1-Hit KO Excalibur Sword | How To Get The Kapala Healing Knife | How To Access The City Of Gold And The More Secret Methods Of Money | How To Unlock Each Bonus Character | All Shortcut Locations and Requirements | How To Fight The Secret Final Boss | Sunken City and Hundun Location Guide
# 1: Unlock the shortcut
First of all, the residence is actually one of the most difficult areas in the game! To reach Olmec you will need to complete the Dwelling and the Jungle / Volcana - you can cut your journey time in half with a shortcut.
The shortcut lady appears in the tunnel after completing the accommodation. Whether you go to Jungle or Volcana, it's the exact same tunnel of shortcuts. The shortcut tunnel requires three donations to unlock: 2000 gold, a bomb, and 10000 gold.
You need to make at least three visits to the lower accommodation, then you can start from the shortcut. Olmec doesn't need any bombs or rope or anything - and there is no boss fight at the end of Jungle. Basically, it's a good way to facilitate the practice against the Olmecs.
# 2: kill the giant spider for sticky bombs
I recommend taking the Jungle Route (left door) to find the giant spiders. These huge enemies can be dangerous, but they offer one of the most useful upgrades in the game. Killing them drops a sticky paste that turns your bombs into sticky bombs - they will stick to anything they hit.
It's absurdly useful for breaking exact blocks or defeating boss enemies in later stages. And you can use bombs to detonate blocks under Olmec during battle, speeding up his demise. Remember, you can't throw bombs straight down. It's at a steep angle.
# 3: find the sisters for bonus rewards
For bonus rewards, you can discover lost sisters. These NPCs are located in special cave rooms in the jungle. Each will give you a random rope or bomb for saving them - but not at first. Saving a sister causes them to thank you, then they disappear.
To collect your reward, reach the Olmec lair and climb the rope to the right. It leads to a small alcove where the sisters will be waiting for you. For each of them that you save, you will receive a bundle of ropes or bombs. There are three in total, so check out each side piece as you explore the jungle.
These NPCs can also spawn in Volcana, but they've spawned much more regularly for me in the jungle.
# 4: Get the Eye of Udjat to reach the useful optional areas
If you're looking for bombs and ropes to make the battle easier, you'll want to visit the Black Market or Vlad's Castle. The black market gives you access to virtually as many bombs or ropes as your heart desires if you're up for a fight - or have a lot of cash.
Vlad's Castle is a little different. Here you can get the cloak - a special item that allows you to slowly fall. This is very useful, but the Black Market Jetpack can be even more useful if you have enough money to buy it.
The Black Market and Vlad's Castle are only accessible with the Eye of Udjat. This item can be found in 1-2 or 1-3 - look for a golden key in the level, then use the golden key in the same level it appears. There is a cave room with a locked chest. The Udjat Eye doesn't just unlock both slots, it also shows you all of the gems in the walls. If you have any extra bombs or see a bomb vendor, go ahead and start blowing up the walls.
# 5: Learn the Pattern - Left / Right
The trickiest part of Olmec is simply learning his model. He stomps pretty fast, and it can be really easy to get caught if you have to jump. Don't stay in a pit that's too deep. Instead, force it to stomp in two sections by baiting it - a left and right stomp.
Make sure these areas are side by side, but don't overlap too much. Always try to run from upper level to lower level when Olmec is about to collapse. Jumping can be dangerous!
Olmec can break up to five blocks at a time. Make sure you bait it left / right with 8-10 blocks to get plenty of room. You don't want to accidentally crash!
