- Squirrel with a Gun father boss fight: Disable the tank before trying to damage Father.
- First target: Shoot the green wheels, then destroy the green underside targets.
- Turret threat: Defeat or stun the machine gunner so you are not knocked from the tank.
- Finishing method: Open the hatch and throw grenades into it while avoiding the electric bubble.
- Recommended gear: The bomb suit, SMG, Uzi, shotgun, or grenade launcher can all support different tactics.
Squirrel with a Gun father boss fight Overview
The Father encounter is built around a tank rather than a conventional health-bar duel. The vehicle controls the arena, blocks direct access to Father, and creates several hazards that can make the battle feel unusually difficult when approached as a simple shooting contest.
The reliable strategy is to break the tank’s defenses first, climb onto the vehicle, open the hatch, and then attack Father directly. The fight becomes much more manageable once you treat each tank component as a separate objective.
Disable the Tank
- Shoot the green wheels to stop or weaken the tank.
- Attack the green targets underneath.
- Remove the plow and defensive bubble before climbing.
Control the Turret
- The machine gunner can knock you away.
- Use the Uzi or another accurate weapon to stun or defeat him.
- Skipping him is possible, but riskier.
Expose Father
- Shoot the green hatch on top of the tank.
- Use the front of the tank as your climbing route.
- Keep grenades ready before committing to the final attack.
| Encounter Element | What It Does | Recommended Response |
|---|---|---|
| Green wheels | Keeps the tank mobile | Shoot both visible wheel targets |
| Green underside diamonds | Supports the plow and defensive bubble | Move underneath and destroy the exposed targets |
| Machine gunner | Can knock the squirrel from the turret | Stun or defeat him with accurate shots |
| Green hatch | Protects Father | Damage it after the tank defenses are disabled |
| Electric bubble | Punishes careless close-range movement | Retreat after throwing explosives |
Do not rush the turret while the tank is fully protected. Remove the green targets first, then use the opening to climb from the front.
Step-by-Step Tank Disable Sequence
The opening phase is about creating a safe route to the hatch. Your weapon choice matters less than your order of operations. Concentrate on the marked mechanical targets instead of wasting ammunition on the tank’s armored body.
Attack the Green Wheels
Circle the tank and aim for the green wheel targets. Damaging these components limits the tank’s movement and gives you a better opportunity to reposition. Stay mobile because agents and turret fire can continue pressuring you during this phase.
Move Under the Tank
Once the wheels are disabled, approach from underneath. Look for the green diamond targets beneath the vehicle. These targets disable the plow and the protective bubble, removing two important obstacles from the next phase.
Deal With the Machine Gunner
Aim at the gunner positioned above the tank. Several accurate Uzi shots can remove this threat, although other weapons may work. Defeating him prevents repeated knockback when you are attempting to stand on the turret.
Open the Green Hatch
Shoot the green hatch after the tank defenses are down. The hatch is the key transition point: once it opens, Father becomes vulnerable and you no longer need to repeat every defensive-disable step in the same way.
| Phase | Primary Target | Positioning Goal | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | Green wheels | Stay beside or behind the tank | Agents and tank movement |
| Two | Green underside diamonds | Move underneath briefly | Plow and electric defenses |
| Three | Machine gunner | Use cover and accurate shots | Knockback from the turret |
| Four | Green hatch | Climb from the front | Cannon contact and falling |
Treat the cannon barrel as a hazard even when it is not visibly firing. Do not use it as a handhold or stand directly against it while climbing.
How to Damage Father After the Hatch Opens
Opening the hatch changes the fight from a mechanical puzzle into a short attack cycle. The tank may still move, repair, or create dangerous electrical effects, but Father can now be damaged directly.
The safest grenade route is to climb onto the front of the tank, travel toward the back of the turret, and collect the grenades stored on the rear ledge. Drop or throw an explosive through the open hatch, then immediately create distance from the electric bubble.
| Attack Method | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand grenades | Fast, easy to repeat, strong against Father | Requires close access to the hatch | Preferred finishing method |
| SMG or Uzi | Supports bullet jumps and turret control | Requires accurate aerial positioning | Aggressive players |
| Grenade launcher | Damages Father from the ground and controls crowds | Ammunition and aim can be awkward | Safer ranged attempts |
| Shotgun | High damage at close range | Requires dangerous proximity | Short finishing windows |
| Explosive barrels | Can be dropped into the tank | Positioning is less consistent | Alternative environmental tactic |
After the hatch opens, collect grenades from the rear turret ledge, throw them into Father’s opening, retreat from the electric bubble, and repeat. Efficient players may land multiple throws during one opening.
Grenade Route
Use the front of the tank to climb because the rear side is higher and more difficult to reach. Once on top, move behind the turret rather than directly across the cannon. The grenade supply is located on a ledge toward the back of the turret.
Aim for the hatch, not the outer armor. After the explosive enters the opening, run away from the electric effect before preparing the next throw. If the tank begins moving, stay patient and use the next safe approach rather than jumping blindly onto the barrel.
Direct Weapon Route
A direct weapon attack can also work after the hatch is open. The SMG or Uzi supports weapon jumps that can place the squirrel above the opening. From there, fire downward at Father and reload during a jump if necessary.
This method is faster for players comfortable with aerial movement, but it exposes you to more knockback and positioning errors. Grenades are generally easier to execute because they allow you to attack and retreat without maintaining a firing angle.
Loadouts, Defensive Gear, and Troubleshooting
The encounter rewards equipment that reduces the punishment for small mistakes. A bomb suit is especially useful because player reports associate it with protection from explosion damage and some tank-related hazards. It also makes grenade handling less stressful when you are operating near the vehicle.
The SMG and Uzi are strong all-purpose choices. The SMG works well for bullet jumps and sustained fire, while the Uzi is useful for quickly removing the machine gunner. A grenade launcher provides crowd control and can damage Father from below, giving you another option when climbing feels unsafe.
Bomb Suit
- Reduces concern about explosive damage.
- Useful when collecting grenades.
- Helps during risky close-range attempts.
SMG
- Reliable for boss encounters.
- Supports bullet-jump attacks.
- Can damage Father during aerial passes.
Uzi
- Strong against the machine gunner.
- Useful for weapon jumps.
- Effective during the opening phase.
Grenade Launcher
- Damages Father from the ground.
- Controls surrounding agents.
- Offers a ranged alternative to climbing.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| You are knocked from the tank | Machine gunner remains active | Stun or defeat the gunner first |
| The cannon kills you while climbing | Contact with the barrel or unsafe jump | Climb from the front and avoid the barrel |
| Father is not taking damage | Hatch is still closed | Return to the green hatch objective |
| You run out of attack opportunities | Electric bubble forces you away | Throw, retreat, and repeat instead of staying close |
| You fall through the arena | Possible collision or level issue | Restart the encounter and verify the game installation if it repeats |
| Agents overwhelm you | Too much time spent aiming at the tank | Use the grenade launcher or reposition before continuing |
Falling through the floor, weapons dropping through the arena, or unexplained instant deaths can indicate a collision issue rather than a failed tactic. Restarting the encounter may be more efficient than repeating the same unsafe route.
Victory Checklist and FAQ
Use the following checklist before attempting the fight again. The goal is to turn the encounter into repeatable objectives rather than an extended scramble around the tank.
Father Boss Fight Checklist:
- Equip the bomb suit if available
- Bring an SMG or Uzi for the machine gunner
- Disable the green wheels
- Destroy the green underside targets
- Open the hatch and collect grenades from the rear turret ledge
- Throw explosives into Father’s hatch and retreat from the electric bubble
Recommended Encounter Order
| Order | Objective | Completion Signal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Disable the wheels | Tank movement is reduced |
| 2 | Destroy underside targets | Plow and bubble defenses are disabled |
| 3 | Remove the machine gunner | Knockback pressure is reduced |
| 4 | Open the hatch | Father becomes vulnerable |
| 5 | Attack Father | Grenades or direct fire damage the boss |
| 6 | Retreat and repeat | Electric bubble is avoided |
For additional player-tested tactics, consult the Steam Community discussion about the first tank boss fight. The discussion includes grenade, SMG, Uzi, shotgun, grenade-launcher, and explosive-barrel approaches.
Q: What is the first target in the Squirrel with a Gun father boss fight?
Start by shooting the green wheels on the tank. After that, move underneath and destroy the green diamond targets that disable the plow and protective bubble.
Q: Do I need to defeat the machine gunner?
You can skip him, but defeating or stunning him is recommended because he can knock you away while you are climbing or standing on the turret.
Q: Where are the grenades used against Father?
The tank has a supply of grenades on a ledge toward the back of the turret. Climb from the front, move behind the turret, and use those grenades through the open hatch.
Q: Can I damage Father without throwing grenades?
Yes. The SMG or Uzi can support weapon jumps and direct fire, while a grenade launcher can damage Father from the ground. Grenades are usually the simpler close-range option.
The encounter is easier when you separate it into two jobs: disable the tank, then attack Father. Avoid the cannon barrel, control the machine gunner, and retreat after each explosive throw.