Deltarune Chapter 3: Beat Tenna Boss Guide (July 2025)
After waiting over three years since Chapter 2, Deltarune fans can finally face off against the charismatic yet challenging TV show host, Tenna! As the main antagonist of Chapter 3: Late Night, this 3D TV-headed Darkner provides one of the most unique boss battles in the entire series. I've spent hours perfecting strategies to defeat him, and I'm here to share everything you need to know to emerge victorious.
Unlike traditional RPG bosses, Tenna transforms the battle into an entertaining yet demanding game show where you'll need to master multiple minigames while managing your party's health. Whether you're aiming for a pacifist run, hunting for the secret boss, or just want to progress the story, this guide has you covered!
Table of Contents
Deltarune Chapter 3: Quick Boss Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Boss Name | Mr. "Ant" Tenna |
| Chapter | 3: Late Night |
| Win Condition | Earn 1000 points |
| Difficulty | Medium-Hard |
| Can Be Spared | Yes (Pacifist Route) |
| Can Be Recruited | Yes (With conditions) |
| Secret Boss After | The Roaring Knight |
How to Beat Tenna Boss in Deltarune Chapter 3?
The Tenna boss fight in Deltarune Chapter 3 is unlike any other battle you've encountered. Instead of traditional combat, you'll need to earn 1000 points through a combination of ACT commands and minigames. Here's my comprehensive strategy after beating him multiple times:
Phase 1: Understanding the Battle Mechanics
When the battle begins, Tenna proclaims that you need 1000 points to win. This isn't just flavor text - it's the actual victory condition! You have two main ways to earn points:
- "I Love TV" ACT Command - Grants a small amount of points instantly (usually 20-50)
- Minigame Challenges - Spend TP to play various minigames for larger point rewards
The key to victory is balancing your TP usage, health management, and point accumulation. I recommend starting each turn by checking your current point total and planning accordingly.
Phase 2: Mastering the Minigames
Throughout the battle, you'll encounter several minigames that test different skills:
Lightners Live: TV-Time (Rhythm Game)
- Match falling notes by pressing the correct buttons in time
- Each successful note earns points
- Missing notes causes damage to your party
- Pro tip: Use both hands with Z and Right Arrow for better accuracy
Susiezilla vs Tenna
- Move Susie to dodge Tenna's attacks
- Strike back after he misses for counter damage
- Goal: Land 3 hits on Tenna
- Each successful dodge and counter earns points
Susiezilla Saves Ralsei
- Ralsei is tied up with explosives in the center
- Attack small Tennas on ropes before they reach him
- Missing attacks results in party damage
- Focus on timing over speed
Shoot the Targets
- Your party dons "Sharpshooter" outfits
- Fire bullets at flying Tenna projectiles
- Destroyed targets grant points
- Your bullets can also weaken incoming attacks
Phase 3: The Grand Finale
Once you reach 1000 points, Tenna announces the "Grand Finale" and "Final Episode." This is where things get intense! He launches a rapid-fire barrage of minigames, switching between them randomly. The key to surviving this phase:
- Heal your party completely before triggering the finale
- Stay focused - the rapid switches are designed to disorient you
- Prioritize dodging over perfect scores
- Save some healing items for emergencies
After surviving the minigame marathon, you'll enter the final shooting phase where you directly attack Tenna's TV head while dodging star patterns.
Best Strategy for Each Difficulty
Pacifist Route Strategy
If you're going for a pacifist run:
- Focus entirely on the ACT commands and minigames
- Stock up on healing items before the battle
- Defend frequently to build TP for more minigame opportunities
- Aim for perfect scores in minigames to minimize turns needed
Normal Route Strategy
For a balanced approach:
- Mix ACT commands with occasional attacks
- Use Susie's Rude Buster when Tenna's defense is lowered
- Keep Ralsei on healing duty
- Play minigames when TP is high
Speedrun Strategy
If you're trying to beat Tenna quickly:
- Skip defending and go straight for minigames
- Accept taking damage for faster point accumulation
- Use the most efficient minigames (Rhythm game typically gives the most points)
- Have a full inventory of healing items
Essential Tips and Tricks
After multiple playthroughs, here are my top tips for conquering this unique boss:
- Save TP for Minigames - Each minigame costs TP, so don't waste it on unnecessary spells
- Practice Makes Perfect - If you're struggling, you can replay minigames in the Green Room after each round
- Controller Swapping - During certain story segments, Susie can swap controllers, affecting minigame difficulty
- S-Rank Benefits - Getting S-ranks in earlier rounds gives you access to special items that help in the boss fight
- Audio Cues - Many attacks have audio tells - play with sound on!
How to Unlock the Secret Boss?
Defeating Tenna isn't the end! The Roaring Knight awaits as Chapter 3's secret boss. To unlock this challenging encounter:
- Achieve S-Rank on all three TV show rounds
- Find the Ice Key in the S-rank room after Round 1
- Collect the Shadow Mantle in the foggy Green Room area
- Save immediately after defeating Tenna
- Reload and face the Roaring Knight with the Shadow Mantle equipped
Without the Shadow Mantle, the Roaring Knight will one-shot your party members, making victory nearly impossible.
Recruiting Tenna for Chapter 4
Want to add Tenna to your Castle Town? Here's how:
Requirements:
- Spare and recruit Pippins throughout Chapter 3
- Spare and recruit Shadowguy enemies
- Use the controller to shred papers for working Shadowguys
- Achieve the point threshold in the final battle
- Choose to spare Tenna after victory
If successful, Susie will repair Tenna off-screen, and he'll appear in Castle Town during Chapter 4, asking you to find him a new owner!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I've seen many players struggle with these issues:
- Ignoring TP Management - Running out of TP means no minigames and slower point gain
- Panic During Channel Changing - The rapid switches are meant to confuse you; stay calm
- Forgetting to Heal - The Grand Finale is brutal if you enter with low HP
- Missing S-Rank Opportunities - These unlock crucial items for the secret boss
- Not Saving Before the Roaring Knight - You only get one shot at preparation
Attack Patterns and How to Counter Them
Understanding Tenna's attack patterns is crucial for survival:
Weather Bounce
- Cloud and moon fall from the top
- Use your umbrella to bounce them
- Yellow clouds create lightning when they hit the ground
- Counter: Small, controlled movements work best
Channel Changing Attack
- Rapid minigame switches lasting 3-8 seconds each
- Direct damage instead of X marks for failures
- 21 total switches before the final phase
- Counter: Focus on survival over perfection
Star Barrage (Final Phase)
- Tenna launches star patterns while you shoot
- Stars can be destroyed with your bullets
- Multiple waves with increasing speed
- Counter: Prioritize defense, then offense
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I beat Tenna without playing minigames?
A: Technically yes, but it would take an extremely long time using only the "I Love TV" command. Minigames are practically required for a reasonable completion time.
Q: What happens if I kill Tenna instead of sparing him?
A: Tenna is the first main boss who can actually die (previous bosses like Berdly survived even in genocide routes). Killing him prevents his appearance in Chapter 4 and affects your route.
Q: Is the Shadow Mantle required for the secret boss?
A: While not technically required, the Roaring Knight deals massive damage without it. Only extremely skilled players can win without the Shadow Mantle.
Q: How many points do minigames typically give?
A: It varies by performance: Perfect runs can give 100-200 points, while poor performance might only yield 20-50 points.
Q: Can I retry if I fail?
A: Yes! The game auto-saves before the battle, and you can retry immediately. There's even special dialogue acknowledging multiple attempts.
Final Thoughts
The Tenna boss fight represents everything that makes Deltarune special - it's creative, challenging, and completely subverts traditional RPG boss expectations. While the 1000-point requirement might seem daunting at first, with practice and the right strategy, you'll be shouting "I Love TV" with genuine enthusiasm!
Remember, Deltarune is about the journey, not just the destination. Take time to enjoy Tenna's personality, the creative minigames, and Toby Fox's incredible attention to detail. Whether you're going for a pacifist run, hunting secrets, or just trying to progress the story, this theatrical showdown will surely be a highlight of your Chapter 3 experience.
Good luck, and may your ratings be forever in your favor! For more gaming guides and tips, be sure to check out our other boss guides and stay tuned for our upcoming Deltarune Chapter 4 coverage!