Mario & Luigi: Brothership Guide | How to Kill a Sharkbone

If you're having trouble defeating a Sharkbone and obtaining a Bone drop to complete the fossil and Bone side quest, this guide has got you covered. I tackled this quest as soon as it became available, right after connecting Offandin Island with Mario and Luigi at level 31. While it’s easier to complete at a higher level, it’s definitely possible to succeed earlier if you’re eager to finish it.

Preparation

Before the battle, make sure to equip the right battle plugs. With the four slots available, I equipped the used the following:

1. Loot Booster: Essential for increasing your chances of getting the Bone drop.
2. Treasure Specs: While I forgot to equip it, this accessory would help boost your loot chances.
3. Not Dropping: Protects you from being one-hit KO’d by Shark Bones.
4. Performance Bonus: Useful for maximizing damage and killing one Shark Bone quickly before it escapes.

I also started with Auto Excellent to guarantee perfect Bros Attacks. As the fight progresses, you could switch to plugs like Auto Mushroom, Auto Syrup Jar, or Dizyinga. Keep in mind that while dizzying Sharkbones' prevents them from escaping, it reduces the damage dealt by jump and hammer attacks. It’s a trade-off, so decide based on your strategy.

Dodging Shark Bones' Attacks

Rumbling Attack: When the ground rumbles, have both Bros jump immediately after the rumbling stops. Quick reaction is key, even without Easy Peasy Counters.

Hammer Alternation: Alternate hammer strikes between Mario and Luigi. Press and hold the button briefly before releasing for effective counters.

Final Turn Prediction: Watch the Shark Bone’s movement closely:

• If it stays smooth, jump over it.
• If it rises slightly and debris flies, stay grounded to avoid its leap.

The game gives just enough time to react, so stay focused.

Dealing Damage

To maximize your chances of success, focus all your attacks on one Sharkbone and ignore the other. Keep an eye on their positions, as they can switch places. Fortunately, the game defaults your attack target to the one you previously hit, making this easier to manage.

It took me several attempts to kill Sharkbone before it escaped. Mario’s Red Shell attack is highly effective, and I alternated it with Luigi’s Jump Helmet. When Mario took damage, I used Gobl Boots DX for health recovery after jump attacks and mixed in dizzying attacks for variety.

With all that being said, I managed to defeat a Sharkbone after dealing 1,126 damage over seven attacks. Luckily, it dropped the Bone on my first successful attempt, so I can’t speak about the drop rate. With persistence, you’ll eventually secure the Bone and complete the quest. Good luck!

Also, check our Mario & Luigi: Brothership Review