Video Games, I love when you lose and try something different. Lose again and learn another way to try... Here I'll talk about one of these experiences.
In my previous post about Final Fantasy IV, I talked about how this game bosses are puzzles. Yesterday I played a good example of this, one boss in the game: Dr. Lugae is what I call "interesting puzzle."
But the post can spoil the strategy to win this boss in Hard Mode (PC ver.)
(Never tested on Normal mode.)
So, 20 hours into the game one of the bosses is a strange doctor, pictured in the post images, at first he uses a cyborg to fight the heroes... The cyborg battle had an easy trick to it, and by the 6th time I could defeat it without taking any damage. (except the scripted one.)
When the cyborg is defeated, the doctor gets angrey and transforms into a dinosaur-like, machine?
"Playtime is over"
That's where the challenge begins, I fought him at least 6 times until I knew the trick... Below is modified version of my experience with this boss, I don't remember the exact number of battles or their order.
The Most Bitter Kill, Is Overkill
- The first Defeat:
I didn't even know how he did that... I lost before I even knew what happened. I knew the battle before was too easy!!
Now I have to prepare better.
- The second Defeat:
Again?!
The attack he used? "Reverse Gas?" ...I heard of the attack reverse before, didn't Tellah have it? Oh my... !!!
Later learned that Tellah (who's one of the early game part members) never had Reverse. But the Freak Out is what matters here.
- The third Defeat:
I confirmed: Dr. Lugae uses "Reverse" then spends the next turns using recovering magic on me... "This boss will be harder than I thought." But knowing his pattern is a good way to make a strategy around it.
Reverse is an ability that converts damages into recovery and healing into damage... I decided to do some grinding so my characters become fast enough to act before Dr. Lugae uses that attack.
"Reverse Gas"
The Day of Comeback
So I loaded from the previous save point, and went to battle monsters until the area became too easy... Nothing can beat me now.
- The fourth Defeat:
Knowing I have to prevent the enemy from using "Reverse Gas" I decided to use "Reflect," that way my party won't get affe--- NO!!!
Why does he has to use Reverse before the battle actually starts?!... I can't even revive my fallen party members!! I can't win.
"What about all my grinding?!" ...There must be a trick! Let's battle again.
- The fifth Defeat:
Two turns, I learned.
I only have two turns to before my party is wiped out, or three if I'm lucky... Cecil may live a turn after that but what can he do alone? Not only I have to think of a strategy that can damage the enemy... I have to come up with one that needs two turns of each party member.
Even knowing I have two turns doesn't change the fact that I can't damage him, when the boss uses reverse, only healing attack can affect him... right?
If only I have a spell that can heal full HP, I don't think Curaga (my most powerful healing magic at the time) can damage him enough in two turns.
Ah, wait!! I got it!!
- The Winning Strategy:
If "Phoenix Down" damages me instead of reviving my characters, won't items damage him too? Just before the battle I got Elixir (Yup, the most powerful healing Item.) It's too valuable that most players would rather lose than use it. Since I won't be using it for healing either-way... Why not try it here?
- As Expected Of Elixir:
[Cicel uses Elixir]
[Dr.Lugae takes 9999 damage]
[Rydia uses Elixir]
[Dr.Lugae takes 9999 damage]
Clash, Bang, Boom!!
[Dr.Lugae is Defeated]
Of course, there are other strategies that I'm sure could defeat that boss, but didn't try. Like using Curaja with Rosa (I didn't have it at the time.) Or keeping attacking your own party to keep them from dying (was going to try this if Elixir failed.)
The boss will use Reverse again to dispel it after some time, so the only challenge of this boss is keeping the party alive while in that state.
Conclusion
Had to kill this poor Cyborg like 6 times already... What an overkill!
I kind of wanted to give a complete example to what I said in my previous FFIV post that bosses are like puzzle games, though this post is written mostly for my excitement.
So, those were my attempts as I learned how to beat that one boss, It usually goes like this in RPGs... Did you have a similar experience?
What do you think?