You're probably staring at that locked survivor slot in the Seekers of the Storm DLC and wondering why the game doesn't just tell you what to do. It's frustrating. Honestly, Risk of Rain 2 has always been a bit cryptic, but figuring out risk of rain 2 how to unlock false son is a whole different level of "where do I even start?" You can't just stumble into this one by accident while looping for three hours.
It requires a specific route. A specific item. And a very specific boss fight that will probably end your run if you aren't prepared.
The False Son isn't just a new character; he's a powerhouse. He's tanky, he deals absurd amounts of damage with his club, and his Lunar spikes make him feel like a boss even when you're the one playing him. But before you can start melting Mithrix with a giant laser beam, you have to actually beat the False Son at the peak of the world.
The Prerequisites You Can't Skip
First things first: you need the Seekers of the Storm DLC. If you don't have it, the new stages won't show up, and the False Son remains a myth.
The second thing you need is a Halcyon Seed. This is the part where most people get stuck. You don't get the seed from a chest. You don't get it from a random drop. You have to earn it by defeating Aurelionite.
To find Aurelionite, keep an eye out for a Halcyon Shrine. These look like gold-trimmed pillars and they cost gold to activate. They usually spawn on the first or second stage of a loop. You pour money into it, it summons some stone golems, and eventually, a golden portal appears after you finish the teleporter event. Go through that portal to the Gilded Coast.
Why the Gilded Coast is Mandatory
You're there to kill the big guy. Aurelionite is tough, especially if you go in early without much mobility. Once he's dead, he drops the Halcyon Seed. This yellow boss item is your "ticket" to the False Son. Keep it safe. If you're playing on a long run and accidentally scrap it or lose it to a 3D printer, you’re basically starting over. You need that seed in your inventory when you reach the final boss of the DLC.
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Some players think you can just take the "Green Path" and he'll show up. Nope. Without that seed, the altar at the end won't react to you the way you want it to.
Navigating the Path of the Colossus
This is where the new map logic comes in. To get to the False Son, you need to find the "Green Portals" or the prayer shrines that lead to the new stages. Specifically, you are looking to reach the Prime Meridian.
The game introduced a branching path system. Instead of going through the standard teleporter to the next stage, you'll see a green orb floating around the teleporter. Taking this path leads you through stages like Shattered Abode and Reformed Altar.
Reaching the Prime Meridian
Eventually, you will reach the Prime Meridian. This is the snowy, mountainous climb that looks vastly different from the moon (Commencement).
The weather here is a mechanic. It's not just for aesthetics. As you climb, the storm gets worse. If you don't stay near the "braziers" or heat sources, you'll start taking chip damage or dealing with vision issues. It’s a literal uphill battle.
The stage is vertical. You’ll be jumping across floating platforms and winding paths. If you have low mobility—looking at you, Engineer—this part is a nightmare. Load up on Hopoo Feathers or Wax Quails before you get here. Honestly, just grab a Milky Chrysalis if you're worried about the platforming.
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The Confrontation: Beating the False Son
Once you reach the very top of the Prime Meridian, you'll find an arena with a massive statue. This is where risk of rain 2 how to unlock false son becomes a test of skill.
If you have the Halcyon Seed, Aurelionite will actually spawn in to help you. This is the "secret" interaction. Aurelionite will fight alongside you against the False Son.
The False Son boss fight has multiple phases:
- Phase One: He's aggressive. He’ll swing his club and try to close the distance. He also uses a beam attack that can shred your health in seconds. Hide behind the pillars. Seriously. Don't try to face-tank the laser.
- The Lunar Spikes: He’ll throw spikes that stick into the ground or you. If they hit you, they slow you down and deal damage over time.
- The Charged State: Occasionally, he’ll start glowing with Lunar energy. This is your cue to back off or prepare for a heavy hit.
The Finishing Blow
When the False Son's health drops to zero, he doesn't just die like a normal boss. There's a moment of clarity. Because you brought the Halcyon Seed, the "corruption" or the Lunar influence is challenged.
After the fight, you don't go to an ending screen immediately. You need to interact with the altar or the remains. If you did it correctly—having the seed and winning the fight—the achievement "The False Son" will pop up on the bottom right of your screen.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
People often get confused about the difficulty. Does it matter if you're on Drizzle, Rainstorm, or Monsoon?
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No. You can unlock the False Son on Drizzle. If you're just looking to get the character and don't care about the challenge, set it to the easiest difficulty, grab a Command Artifact, and stack 20 Soldier's Syringes. It makes the process much less stressful.
Another big mistake is skipping the Gilded Coast. Players think they can "find" the seed later or that the False Son might spawn without it. He won't. He is the boss of the Prime Meridian regardless, but the specific unlock trigger is tied to the presence of Aurelionite (via the seed) during that encounter.
The "Born in Lunar Sunlight" Challenge
Unlock criteria can sometimes get mixed up with his secondary skills. To unlock the character himself, you just need the kill with the seed. To unlock his alternate skins or skills, you'll need to do things like reaching the Prime Meridian in under 15 minutes or getting a specific number of kills with his Lunar spikes. Don't worry about those on your first unlock run. Just focus on surviving the climb.
Why the False Son is Worth the Effort
Once you've finished the run, go back to the character select screen. You'll see him there.
He plays like a "Juggernaut" class. His primary attack is a massive overhead swing. His secondary is the Lunar Spike, which is great for crowd control. But his utility is where it gets interesting—he has a dash that applies armor, making him incredibly hard to kill if you time it right.
His special, Laser of the Father, is arguably one of the coolest moves in the game. He charges up and fires a massive beam of golden and blue energy. It procs items like crazy. If you have a few Ukuleles or an AtG Missile, the screen will basically turn into a fireworks show.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Run
To make this as easy as possible, follow this exact checklist:
- Start a run with the Artifact of Command (if you want it easy). This ensures you can get mobility items early.
- Look for a Halcyon Shrine on Stage 1 or 2. Do not leave the stage until you find one. If it doesn't spawn, restart.
- Enter the Gold Portal. Defeat Aurelionite and pick up the Halcyon Seed.
- Find a Green Portal. These appear after teleporter events or via specific shrines. You need to enter the "DLC path."
- Progress to the Prime Meridian. This is usually the third or fourth stage in the DLC loop.
- Climb to the summit. Use the braziers to stay warm and avoid the environmental damage.
- Defeat the False Son. Use the pillars for cover when he fires his laser. Let Aurelionite draw aggro while you chip away at his health.
Once the boss falls and the prompt appears, you are done. You can either finish the run or die; the character is yours forever. Go to the main menu, select the False Son, and start your next run. You'll find that his playstyle is a refreshing change of pace from the high-mobility, squishy survivors like Huntress or Mercenary. He is a boss playing as a survivor, and he feels every bit as powerful as he looks.