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Metaphor: ReFantaziohas plenty of interesting late-game challenges in the form of dragons. While you only get a glimpse of these creatures during the main story, you can find many others as you approach the game’s final days, each offering interesting rewards if you overcome their trials.
The most powerful is the Redscale Apocalypse Dragon, the game’s secret superboss which stands as one of the biggest challenges available. This mighty creature is intimidating to those unprepared, but also offers valuable treasures if you manage to overcome it. Just be careful not to be dragged under its claws by accident.
How To Unlock The Redscale Apocalypse Dragon Boss Fight
The Redscale Dragon is exclusive to New Game Plus. It is actually the only new feature from a second playthrough, aside from the Regicide difficulty. If you’re going for a real challenge, you can start a new game on said difficulty and attempt the fight, tuning it to its maximum difficulty.
Despite the danger it poses, the Dragon fight is availablefairly early into your new journey. As soon as you get access to the Akademeia, you’ll notice ared unsealed book next to where Plato sleeps.Interacting with this book and choosing to read it immediately initiates the fight.
The book can be found inside the Akademeia during your first playthrough, butMore won’t allow you to touch it. And for a good reason.
Redscale Apocalypse Dragon Information And Moveset
This boss has no weaknessesand shares some movements withother draconic enemies you might have previously fought. Here’s the full list of attacks.
Effect
Dragon’s Contempt
Gains one extra Turn Icon permanently. Also gains 2 Half Turn Icons after using it. Used every time it loses around 25% HP.
Increases Attack, Defense and Hit/Evasion for 3 turns.
Ill Wind
9999 Almighty damage to all enemies.
It sounds like a lot, butyou only need to pay attention toDragon’s Contempt. Once the Dragon uses it for the fourth time (around 10% of HP),they’ll always use Ill Wind during their turn, immediately ending the fight.If someone dodges it, they’ll keep using it until you die.
Pre-Battle Preparations
The final day is the perfect moment to fight the Dragon, but you can do it any time you want. You’ll want some preparation beforehand, like certain food items and equipment, so you should get ready during your whole playthrough.
There are various ways to tackle this boss fight, andhere’s the team and equipment we used in this fight.
Junah:
Basilio:
Don’t try equipping any items that Repels attacks,or the Dragon will immediately open with Ill Wind during its first turn and wipe you. Resistances and Blocks are fine to use.
We recommend fighting at Level 80 or higher, with all Archetypes maximized. Characters and items can be swapped at will, adapting to your own strategies. Resistance to Charm and Confuse is mandatory.
Buy a few Ambrosia andcook some Almighty Golden Stewsto bring to the fight. Some MP-restoring items (such as Cursed Love Ballad) are also welcome.
Level up all Royal Archetypes to Rank 20 and speak with More to get the Chronicle of the End item. This unlocks theArmageddon’s Final Sire Synthesis, which can be useful to finish off the boss.
Bringat least one Sublime Spoonfulto ensure your victory. This dish can be made with the following ingredients:
Lord of the Lake and Queen’s Honey Jar areboth obtained by fishing with a Rat’s Tail, while Gauntlet Shrooms can be randomly obtained by checking the pantry every day on the Gauntlet Runner.
Since you’ll need some cooking items,you must finish item preparations before heading to the Tyrant’s Star, or you won’t be able to cook anymore.
How To Beat The Redscale Apocalypse Dragon
The strategy revolves aroundBasilio doing the most damage, with the Protagonist serving as a secondary attackerand supporter. Hulkenberg is the team’s shield and healer, while Junah provides the extra support needed.
During your first turn, you must do the following:
Your rotation consists of Basilio usingWanton Destruction > Charge > Wanton Destructionrepeatedly. Thanks to his huge Strike damage boosts, he’ll be dealing huge chunks of damage with each attack. The boss will never lose its Strike weakness, making it easier for you to set up the next hit.
To complement this damage, the Protagonist should use hisFire Art synthesis moveafter applying a Fire weakness with Junah’s Hellfire Dance. He won’t hit as hard as Basilio, but it’s also a huge chunk of health. During free turns (without weakness), you can either Pass or use items as needed.
Junah should be applying her multiple debuffs with Vidyartha, while also setting up some buffs for the team.Her Ruin’s Flameflower is perfect for removing Heat Riser.If she couldn’t debuff on her turn, Basilio can do it instead with Peerless War Cry.
Finally, Hulkenberg ensures her teammates won’t be hit directly by spamming Holy Knight’s Proclamation. She also has some debuffs andcan heal by using Ambrosia(which will heal for 100% HP thanks to Item Connoisseur).
You can alsogive the Protagonist and Hulkenberg different inherited skills, as they’ll often have free turns and can put them to use with more buffs/debuffs.
The cycle is simple to maintain, with Basilio dropping huge nuke bombs and the Protagonist helping him on the sidelines.Things can get messy as the Dragon’s HP falls, but as long as you keep buffs/debuffs up, Hulkenberg will be able to take as many hits as needed and heal against AoE hits.
Your biggest threats will be status effects. However,Unshaken Will ensures you are safe from them, so focus on wearing the Dragon down.
Once you see Dragon’s Contempt for the third time, get ready to finish the battle.Hit once more with Basilio and use another Synthesis with the Protagonist to beat it for good.
If you want to be extra safe,use a Sublime Spoonful and activate Armageddon’s Final Sire instead, which will be more than enough damage to finish it off.
With enough Sublime Spoonfuls,you can beat it in a single turn. This eliminates the need for Hulkenberg, and you can bring another damage dealer instead.
Rewards For Beating The Redscale Dragon
The Redscale Apocalypse Dragon drops theHero King’s Ringonce defeated, and More also awards you with theGaius Regalia. The Ring nullifies all damage affinities (except Almighty), while the Regalia fully recovers your HP and MP after each battle.
Gaius Regalia is excellent if you’re aiming to do some grinding, and the Hero King’s Ring is perfect forfighting the empowered version of the game’s final boss, which can be arguably harder than this fearsome dragon.
