Alchemist/Hunter Mission (Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!)
The Alchemist/Hunter Mission is a two-part mission in Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage and its remake, Spyro Reignite Trilogy, this mission is an orb challenge in the level Fracture Hills, in Autumn Planes, the second hub-world of the game. This mission is infamous for being mind-numbingly tedious, and its overall high difficulty.
Summary
In the first part of this two-part mission, the Player will have to escort the Alchemist and keep the Earthshapers away from him so that he can use the potion to free Hunter after encasing his feet in rock. If the player doesn't keep the Earthshapers at bay, they will cause the Alchemist to drop the potion, forcing the player to start again.
In the second part of this two-part mission, the Player will help Hunter take out the Earthshapers by head bashing them after they get stunned by Hunter's arrow. If the Player does not head bash the Earthshaper in that small window, they will get back up, forcing the Player to start from the beginning.
Why This Two-Part Mission Sucks
- The Alchemist will walk in an erratic pattern, meaning that it is very easy to lose track of him.
- The Alchemist will walk into every single Earthshaper in this area.
- If the Alchemist takes a single hit from the Earthshaper, not only will the Alchemist drop the potion, but you will have to start the entire mission all over again.
- In the PS1 version of Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage, these a very frustrating glitch that if the Player is in the Earthshaper's way before a cut scene plays when the Earthshaper smashes the Alchemist, making him drop the potion, Spyro will get damaged by the Earthshaper, coasting him a hit-point, yea that's right...Spyro takes damage from a cut scene.
- Thankfully in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy remake of this game, the Earthshapers don't damage the Player after hitting the Alchemist.
- To add insult to injury, Hunter is right next to the starting point where the Alchemist was! This basically means that the Alchemist took a long and dangerous path full of Earthshapers to an area that is literally a couple feet from were he started out from.
- After being stunned by Hunter, the Earthshapers will only be down for a few seconds, so you (as Spyro) must be quick to defeat them.
- Sometimes Hunter will shoot more than just one Earthshaper, so the Player could lose track on which Earthshaper Hunter has stunned with an arrow.
- If you don't head bash an Earthshaper in time, it will get back up and laugh, forcing you to start all over again.
- If you thought all of this was bad, it gets worse: Players will institutionally do the Alchemist mission in the initial visit, given how easy it is to 100% Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage. Here's the thing: the mission that follows cannot be started at that point since Spyro doesn't have the Headbash move, which you wouldn't know until you complete the escort segment, plus the Head Bash isn't learned until you arrive in Winter Tundra. And to rub salt in the wound, you have play the escort segment again when you return with the Head Bash move!
- Considering that Fracture Hills has a gimmick of freeing the Syters from stone, this means that you (as Spyro) also have to free them on the way to the two-part mission.
Redeeming Qualities
- You get two Orbs for this two-part mission, so it will be worth it.
- Going back to the mission with the permanent Superflame ability is incredibly satisfying.
Tips
- Do not attempt to do this mission on your first playthrough, wait until you get the head bash ability to do this mission, as there is also the Hunter mission.
- Keep an eye on an Earthshaper, you (as Spyro) will be able to know where the Alchemist is as the Earthshaper will raise its pick axe to hit the Alchemist.