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Boss Guide: Marni's Excavatron

Strategy guide for defeating Marni's Excavatron, a mechanical quarry boss. Covers Force Palm stagger tactic, burrowing attack timing, and serpentine evasion.

intermediate 20 viewsMar 23, 2026

Quest: Stolen Quarry (House Roberts questline)

Location: Karin Quarry

Reward: Mining Knuckledrill + Gold Vein Map

OVERVIEW

Marni's Excavatron is a mechanical drilling boss found deep inside Karin Quarry, occupied by Bleed Bandits. It's part of the House Roberts' "Stolen Quarry" quest that unlocks in Chapter 2. Depending on your quest order, this might be your first proper boss fight.

The Excavatron hits incredibly hard β€” a couple of good drill strikes can kill you outright. It also stun-locks you when its drills connect, chaining attacks that drain your health before you can react. However, there's one skill that completely trivializes this fight.

PREPARATION β€” THE KEY TO VICTORY

The single most important thing: unlock Level 3 Force Palm (the "Expertise" node in the skill tree).

Why this matters: Level 3 Force Palm gives you a three-strike combo. On the third hit, you'll hear a loud metallic "thonk" and the Excavatron gets stunned, giving you a safe window to unload damage.

If you don't have Force Palm Level 3 yet, progress the Chapter 2 quest "Unexpected Gift" first β€” it's quick and unlocks the Focus ability which you'll also need here.

Other prep:

  • - Bring 50+ Grilled Meat (this boss hits very hard)
  • - Equip Sword and Shield (blocking is essential)
  • - The Sword of the Lord (from Kailok) pairs well with this fight's rhythm

THE STRATEGY β€” FORCE PALM LOOP

The entire fight boils down to one repeatable loop:

  • Keep distance and wait for the Excavatron to finish an attack
  • Close in and hit it with the Level 3 Force Palm combo (three strikes)
  • On the third strike, the machine gets stunned (you'll hear the "thonk")
  • While stunned, land a full light attack combo for damage
  • Back away to safe distance
  • Use Focus to recharge your Spirit
  • Repeat from step 1

This loop is extremely safe and consistent. The stun window is generous enough for a full combo, and Focus lets you always have Spirit ready for the next Force Palm.

DEALING WITH THE DRILL CHASE

The Excavatron's most dangerous move: it burrows underground and chases you, stabbing upward as it goes.

How to survive:

  • - Sprint to stay ahead of the drill stabs
  • - The stabs follow a predictable path with ground effects showing its trajectory
  • - On the final stab, the machine resurfaces β€” dodge roll at this moment to avoid getting hit
  • - The deceptive part: the visual effects disappear BEFORE the final eruption. Don't stop running when you see the effects vanish β€” keep sprinting through the pause, then dodge when it actually surfaces

ARENA MANAGEMENT

There are Bleed Bandit enemies in the arena alongside the Excavatron. Kill two of them but leave one alive β€” this prevents more from spawning. Fighting the Excavatron with constant adds is significantly harder.

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • - Don't rush the Excavatron head-on. It punishes aggressive approaches with devastating drill combos
  • - Shield blocking works against its surface attacks but won't save you from the burrowing drill
  • - If you're struggling without Force Palm Level 3, you can still win with pure block-and-punish, but it takes much longer and requires more healing items

REWARD

  • - Mining Knuckledrill β€” unique drill weapon
  • - Gold Vein Map β€” reveals ore deposit locations on your map
Boss Guide: Kailok, the Hornsplitter