You’ve spent hours trekking through the dust of Koboh. You’ve fought Bedlam Raiders until your thumbs are sore, and now you’re finally here. The Grand Observatory. This is where things get real in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. If you think you’re just going to walk in and confront Dagan at Koboh observatory without a plan, you are in for a very rude awakening. This isn't just another boss fight; it’s the emotional and mechanical peak of Cal Kestis’s second outing. It’s messy. It’s cinematic. It’s also incredibly frustrating if you don’t know how the game's parry windows actually work at this stage.
Dagan Gera is a jerk. Let's just put that out there. He’s a High Republic Jedi who went off the deep end because he couldn't let go of Tanalorr. By the time you reach the top of the mountain, he’s not just a fallen Jedi; he’s a manifestation of pure, unadulterated obsession.
The Long Climb to the Grand Observatory
Getting to the fight is half the battle. Seriously. The Koboh Observatory is a sprawling vertical nightmare of rotating wings, grappling points, and those annoying balloons that require the upgraded ascension cable. You’ll spend a good chunk of time navigating the Upper Observatory and the Research Heights.
The level design here is peak Respawn Entertainment. It’s dizzying. One minute you’re wall-running over a literal abyss, and the next you’re being ambushed by an Imperial DT Sentry Droid. You have to use the balloons. Use them or fall. It's that simple. Most players get stuck on the section involving the rotating central arm. The trick is timing your grapple so you aren't flung into the stratosphere.
Honestly, the atmosphere is what does it for me. The wind is howling. The music swells with those ominous, low-frequency strings. You can feel the weight of the confrontation coming. Bode Akuna is there with you, dropping quips that feel increasingly hollow as you realize just how high the stakes are.
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What Happens When You Finally Confront Dagan at Koboh Observatory
The fight starts with a cutscene that highlights just how far Dagan has fallen. He’s missing an arm, but he uses the Force to manifest a ghostly, psychic limb to dual-wield. It’s terrifying. It’s cool. It’s also a total pain to read his attack patterns because the "spirit arm" moves with a slight delay compared to his physical body.
This is the third and final encounter with Dagan. He’s pulled out all the stops.
The Phase One Shuffle
In the beginning, Dagan is aggressive but predictable. He uses a lot of wide sweeps. If you’ve been practicing your parries, you’ll be fine here. But don’t get cocky. He has this one move where he spins his lightsaber around his body like a helicopter blade. If you try to jump over it too early, he’ll catch you on the way down.
Wait for the red glint. When Dagan turns red, he’s doing an unblockable. In this phase, it’s usually a thrust or a heavy overhead slam. Side-step, don’t back-roll. If you back-roll, he’ll just close the gap with a Force Dash before you can recover your stamina.
The World Turns Upside Down
Halfway through, the fight gets weird. Dagan starts using the Force to mess with your perception. The floor disappears. You’re fighting on the walls. It’s a gimmick, sure, but it’s a brilliant one that forces you to rethink your spatial awareness.
You’ll see "clones" of Dagan. These are illusions. They die in one hit. Don’t waste your Force meter on them. Use a simple wide-swinging attack—the Double-Bladed stance is god-tier here—to clear the illusions while keeping your eyes on the real Dagan. He’ll usually be lurking in the back, preparing a massive Force shockwave.
Stance Selection: What Actually Works?
Look, everyone has their favorite stance. I get it. But for this specific fight, some choices are objectively better than others.
- Blaster Stance: Surprisingly effective. You can chip away at his block meter from a distance while he’s doing his flashy "I'm a dark Jedi" monologues.
- Crossguard: Too slow. Unless you’re a parry god, Dagan will punish your recovery frames every single time.
- Dual Wield: The best choice for aggressive players. You can cancel your attacks into a parry, which is vital when Dagan starts his multi-hit combos in phase three.
- Double-Bladed: Great for the illusion phase, but lacks the single-target "oomph" you need for the final stretch.
I personally found that swapping between Dual Wield and Blaster gave me the best balance. You need to be able to react instantly. Dagan doesn't give you "turns" like a Dark Souls boss; he just keeps coming.
The Narrative Weight of the Fight
Why are we even here? Tanalorr. This mythical planet represents hope for Cal and obsession for Dagan. It’s a mirror. Cal sees what he could become if he lets his desperation to defeat the Empire override his humanity.
The dialogue during the fight is actually important. Dagan isn't just screaming; he’s trying to justify his betrayal. He thinks the Jedi Council failed him. He’s not entirely wrong, which makes him a compelling villain. But his solution—basically becoming a warlord—is obviously the wrong move.
When you finally finish the fight, it doesn’t feel like a total victory. It feels heavy. The cinematic that follows is one of the best in the game, tying up Dagan's arc while setting the stage for the final, even more shocking betrayal that defines the game's third act.
Survival Tips for the Final Phase
Phase three is a nightmare. Dagan starts using "Force Orbs" that chase you around the arena. They deal massive damage and stagger you.
- Prioritize the Orbs: If you see a glowing ball of purple energy, run. Don't try to block it.
- Bode’s Assistance: Use Bode. Press the companion button whenever it’s off cooldown. Bode’s distraction can give you those two seconds you need to heal or land a heavy hit.
- The Force Slow: Save your Super Meter (Slow) for when Dagan is at about 10% health. He becomes hyper-aggressive at the end. Slowing down time is the only way to guarantee those final hits without getting caught in a desperation combo.
Many players forget that the environment is your friend. You’re on a platform in the sky. While you can’t knock Dagan off (believe me, I tried), you can use the open space to bait his dash attacks. If he misses a dash, he has a long recovery time. That’s your window.
Common Mistakes People Make
Most people die because they get greedy. You see Dagan's block meter is low, so you swing four times. On the fourth swing, he parries you, kicks you in the chest, and follows up with an unblockable grab.
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Stop doing that.
Hit him twice. Back off. Let him move. This fight is a dance, not a race. Another mistake? Ignoring the perk system. Before you head up to the observatory, make sure you have perks that boost your block recovery and Force regeneration. "Dexterity" is a must-have if you’re using the Dual Wield stance.
Also, don't ignore the tactical guide. If you've fought him before, the game literally tells you that he’s vulnerable after his leaping attacks. Listen to the game.
Moving Toward the End Game
Once you confront Dagan at Koboh observatory and finish the business, the game shifts gears. You aren't just a survivor anymore; you're someone with a target on your back. The path to Tanalorr is open, but the price is high.
If you're struggling with the platforming or the combat, don't be afraid to drop the difficulty for this one fight. The "Grand Master" setting is rewarding, but Dagan’s third phase can feel a bit cheap with the tracking on his projectiles. There is no shame in seeing the story without smashing your controller.
Actionable Next Steps
- Upgrade your Stim Canisters: If you have fewer than seven stims, go back and explore Koboh. You’re going to need them for Dagan's third phase.
- Respec your Skills: Go to a meditation point and put points into the "Versatility" skill if you plan on swapping stances mid-fight.
- Practice Parrying: Head to the shattered moon and fight some of the high-tier droids there. If you can parry a BX Commando Droid consistently, you can handle Dagan.
- Check your Perks: Make sure you aren't wearing perks that increase damage taken in exchange for damage dealt. In this fight, survival is more important than raw power.
The Koboh Observatory is a point of no return for the story's pacing. Once Dagan is dealt with, the final act of Jedi: Survivor begins in earnest. Prepare yourself. It only gets harder from here.