How to find and defeat the Hive Mother in Core Keeper

After defeating the three initial bosses and activating the core in Core Keeper, players have the option to continue the story and confront the bosses beyond the wall or take the time to gain more combat experience by defeating various optional bosses, including the Hive Mother.

How to Find and Defeat the Hive Mother in Core Keeper

The Hive Mother can be found in the Larva Hive biome. You can easily identify this area on the map by its salmon color, and both the walls and floor will give you a slight sense of unease. She will be located in a spacious room, albeit somewhat hidden, so it may take some time to locate her.

Along the way, you will encounter numerous worms and larvae that will attack you with acid and engage you in close combat, so stay alert. Once you find the room where the Hive Mother resides, it is advisable to clear the area with a hoe to avoid getting burned by the acid on the ground.

This boss won’t be too difficult if you are well-equipped with healing potions, armor made of the highest materials you currently possess—likely iron—and both melee and ranged weapons. Her attacks are straightforward, but you will need to be skilled enough to defeat the surrounding enemies while managing the acid on your path during the fight.

Rewards for Defeating the Hive Mother

The rewards from this boss vary based on your luck, as each item has a drop percentage. Below is a list of items that have a 100% drop rate when defeated.

The following items are guaranteed to drop:

• Hive Mother Chest – 1x (100% drop rate)
• Larva Meat – 1x (100% drop rate)

Additionally, you may receive various armor pieces (which are of particular interest), rings, necklaces, and even other items such as ancient gems, mechanical parts, and materials that can be smelted.