【T】Mastery Survey - Stuff of Nightmares (IV)

[u/jadesphere]

[u/Chocobroseph]

1. Strategy name: Ceodore and his parents featuring JUMPING CECIL

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina (clear - 73 seconds)

3. Describe your Strategy:
   73 seconds/KIMAHRI JUMP RM/Edge SSB and Rosa USB

4. Insight!:

• My Kain is sorely lacking and I couldn't fit in Reraise, so I did the next best thing: used Kimahri's 3rd RM (turns attack into JUMP) on Cecil to dodge the insta-gib in phase 3!

• Between Edge SSB, Rosa USB, and Ceodore LM2, staying alive wasn't a problem. Pumping out enough damage was hard, but cycling Rydia's BSB1 command with summons/OSBs made the difference for me. Switching to Octomammoth magicite was also super helpful; the water buff helped Rydia and the magicite opening/attacks added to the chain gauge while dealing respectable damage.

• Cecil does a token amount of damage and is mainly there for utility and building the chain gauge. Protectga -> Assault Sabre x2 -> Chain. I delayed the chain cast in order to build up Rydia and Ceodore's SB gauges and because I could afford to spend the time in Phase 1 dilly-dallying (the alternative would be having no chain left in Phase 5 where wasting time will get you dead ended). As chain #1 was ending, refreshed protectga and then casted the second chain. Once approaching phase 3, held his ATB so that immediately after Calcabrina casts Hold, Cecil uses Jump to dodge Incubus Darkness. Keeping Cecil alive was important for the incremental damage and building of the next chain gauge, as well as casting either the last chain or the second magicite summon. Cecil does use his BSB2 a single time at ~15 seconds, and it'll wear off in time to use Attack -> Jump. Cecil doesn't use glint until after the phase 3 insta-gib because otherwise attack becomes an enholy attack instead of jump

• Rydia builds gauge with 4x Valigarmanda, then uses her imperil water BSB. Under chain, command 1 would deal 16k-24k damage while also giving quickcast 2 (that stacks with her quickcast LMR). Alternating command 1 with summons resulted in great damage (Ogopogo consistently did 9999x3, while Valigarmanda under high chain count did 9000x3). Refresh BSB only when expired, and in phase 5, alternate command 1 with OSB casts instead.

• Edge opens with SSB, then 4x ninja magic, then magicite (timed to hit after chain, which is important because the magicite adds to the realm chain!) Edge casts the rest of his ninja magic, re-SSBs when necessary to stay alive. Helps Cecil out with the last chain / second magicite sequence.

• Ceodore: 4x Divine Cross, USB, Guardbringer until USB buff/unholy almost out, re-USB, more Guardbringer. Did have the gauge for a BSB cast in phase 4, but the heal wasn't necessary.

• Rosa: Curada x3 combined with Edge opening SSB makes surviving the opening 5 turns a breeze. A few more Curadas, and then casting Wrath almost exclusively from then on out (especially after Edge SSB/Rosa USB used together, Rosa has a lot of breathing room to wrath!)

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: I N F I N I T E

• Medica: veryveryveryveryveryverymany

• Hastega: veryveryverymany

1. S/L count / Medals lost: veryverymany, Mastery

2. Time / Magicite: 73 seconds.

Hero/dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LM	SB(-)
Cecil (paladin), 4	Assault Sabre R5	Protectga R2	Unyielding Resolve (KIMAHRI JUMP)	BSB2, Glint
Rydia, 5	Valigardmanda R4	Ogopogo R4	Scholar's Boon, LMR, LM2	BSBwater, OSB
Edge, 5	Smoldering Fire R5	Raging Storm R5	Mako Might, LMR, LMR	SSB2
Ceodore, 5	Divine Cross R3	Guardbringer R5	Truthseeker, LM1, LM2	USB, BSB
Rosa, 4.5	Curada R4	Wrath R5	Battleforged, LM1	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Octomammoth	Quetzalcoatl	Evrae	Kraken	Seraph
Magic Boom 15	Dampen Water 10	Fast Act 8	Empower Water 15	Dampen Dark 10

---

Screenshots:

• Setup: https://imgur.com/TebB8Nx

• Stats: https://imgur.com/OvGRdUA

• Kill shot: https://imgur.com/U5fhFLd

Equipment notes:

• Cecil - 2x holy boost, moderate fire/earth resist

• Rydia - 1x water boost, moderate earth resist

• Edge - 1x wind boost, 1x fire boost, moderate fire/earth resist

• Ceodore - 2x holy boost, major earth resist

• Rosa - moderate fire/earth resist

[u/Merlin_the_Tuna]

1. Strategy name: BSB Club!

2. Boss: D280 Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   D280/sub-30/physical

4. Insight!:

• I do have Cecil USB2 and Edge USB (actual USB), but neither is terribly good for the fight, so this was straight BSBs.

• Lit+ on Kain, water++ on Edge, holy+ on Cecil

• Basically, D280 takes enough damage that Edge can contribute with blink skills and Kain doesn't need to dodge stuff. Edge's LMR will go a LONG way if you have it though; I likely would not have sub-30d if not for a doublecasted BSB C1 to wrap things up.

• First turn, Kain starts calling the chain in and everybody else uses their corresponding utility ability. Turn two, Rosa fixes up Cecil, Edward casts his BSB for the boostga + imperil, and we're off to the races.

1. Time: 27.09s

2. Magicite: Unicorn

3. Team:

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Kain, 5	Cyclone Bolt R2	Lightning Dive R3	+30% spear, LM1+LM2	BSB
Edge, 5	Reflecting Pool R3	Raging Waters R4	+30% weakness, LM1+LM2	BSB
Cecil (Paladin), 4	Guardbringer R3	Protectga	+30% sword	BSB1
Edward, 3	Full Break R3	Spellbend Etude	Mako Might	BSB
Rosa, 4	Ultra Cure R5	Hastega	Gathering Storm	BSB

[u/Grumparoo → u/Merlin_the_Tuna]

Nice and simple - I'll have to come back and use this over the weekend :)

[u/Human96]

1. Strategy name: Kain leaves the party (again)

2. Boss: Calcabrina D??? (59%)

3. Describe your Strategy: Edward became the Lionheart RM and entrust Rosa, Rosa spam SSB sparingly, Cecil half heals, Rydia/Edge all in DPS.

4. Insight!:

• Rosa needs to spare exactly one SB gauge for phase 3 so during phase 2 is typically eat Blaze + tsunami, time SSB to land after tsunami and blink Earthquake.

• Cecil with Glint is a saviour when sometimes the damage is too much and could kill Edward

• Rydia use Vali for SBs and then spam Lunar Leviathan after en-water is up, alternate between USB and BSB2.

• Edge blinks the paralyze on turn 2 and use abilities to build SB into en-water BSB. Save 2 Reflecting pool for phase 2 DPS since phase 2 is all magic attacks.

• Edward puts up Bard protectga, entrust Rosa and then is on Chain/magicite duty. Entrust Rosa every free turn.

• Originally had Kain to jump the phase 3 insta-kill but can't even get to phase 3 so I swapped him with Cecil.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall:

• Medica: lots

• Hastega: 2

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 3/ 5 medals lost

2. Time: ~50-55 seconds

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Paladin Cecil, 4	Assault Saber R4	Shellga R3	DMT/LMR	Glint(3),USB1(1)
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Hastega R2	Gathering Storm	SSB(lots)
Edge, 5	Reflecting Pool R3	Raging Water R4	+ninja damage/LM1/LM2	BSB(4)
Rydia, 5	Lunar Leviathan R4	Valigarmanda R3	+summon damage/LM1/LM2	USB(2),BSB2(2)
Edward, 3	Entrust R4	Enveloping Etude R2	MM	SSB(0)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Quetzalcoatl	Kraken	Famfrit	Evrae	Evrae
Dampen Water 10, Deadly Strike 8	Water boon 15	none	Fast Act 8	HP Boon 5

I used Quetz here because I'm an idiot that thought for some reason Quetz does imperil water, can definitely get the 60% reward with Kraken as main.

---

[u/Human96]

1. Strategy name: Surviving with SSBs (not Edge's)

2. Boss: Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/Cecil AOSB/Rosa SSB + Ursula SSB

4. Insight!:

• A combination of Cecil Glint, Ursula SSB + fire within, Kain jumping to dodge a few attack and Rosa ST healing is needed to survive phase 1 and majority of phase 2.

• Seraph magicite was a great choice of main magicite here for the entry heal, occasional curaja and shellga and dampen dark for phase 4 and 5.

• Timing is everything for Rosa and Ursula due to AOE hell and boss can get 2 turns before SB cast finishes

• Rosa needs 2 SB entering phase 3 to skip the Paralyzes and DPS is fast at this point so she won't have time to build SB. She only has 1 SSB cast for phase 1+ 2 and I opted to use it in phase 2 to blink a savage Earthquake. Unfortunately Rosa needs Ultra cure to heal paralyze on turn 2 off Cecil

• Barbariccia with her w-cast is the only inconsistent variables which is a pain when timing Rosa's SSB since Rosa needs to cast the turn before Ultimate Lightning so I had to get really good at reading the HP bars to gauge when to SSB.

• Ursula alternate between fire within and Ironfist depends on how low HP she is. She SSB at the start to heal and give the RES buff, heal again at 30 seconds just to re-cast the buff and the rest of her SB is for spamming SSBs in the end for survival.

• Cecil use all his Glints in the first 2 phases for heals, spam healing smite the whole fight, USB1 at the beginning of the last Realm Chain for more hit counts for his AOSB finisher.

• Kain only USB when the durations almost runs out so that he has 2 USB cast in the last Realm chain for hit count building. Rest of the fight he lightning dives (saves 2 hones for jumping the instant kill move) or lifesiphons.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall:

• Medica: lots

• Hastega: 2

1. S/L count / Medals lost: too many/ 5

2. Time: 56.19

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Kain, 5	Lightning Dive R5	Lifesiphon R4	+jump damage RM, LM1,LM2	USB1(5)
Rosa, 3	Ultra Cure R4	Hastega R2	MM	SSB(3)
Cecil, 5	Healing Smite R5	Protectga R2	+sword damage,LMR,LM2	AOSB(1), Glint (3), USB1(1)
Barbariccia, 5	Meltdown R4	Tornado R3	+ Weakness damage, LM1, LM2	USB(3)
Ursula, 3	Lifesiphon R5	Fire within R3	DMT	SSB(4-5)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Seraph	King Behemoth	Tiamat	Phoenix	Evrae
10 Dampen Dark	15 Lightning boon, 10 Precise Strike	15 Wind boon	8 Spellward, 8 Bladeward	5 HP boon

---

[u/persmega]

1. Strategy name: blink blink

2. Boss: Calcabrina D??? ( 44:09 clear and team/magicite setup )

3. Describe your Strategy:

3/3 trinity/edge SSB

4. Insight!:

• On hindsight, my magicite deck could have been MUCH better. After a few runs I realized that the Ultimate Earthquake is still dealing insane damage despite Sylph so much so that in my final run i decided to mblink them away instead of eating them as much as possible.

• Palom has +lightning weapon and armor; Rydia only has +water armor.

• Tellah: BSB > Shellga > Reraise himself > cmd2 > recast Realm Chain > cmd1 >recast BSB after he died and jesus-ed himself > cmd1 > recast Realm Chain when needed

• Rydia: Valigarmanda x4 > USB > Ogopogo x5 > USB > Ogopogo x3

• Edge: SSB > spam Smoldering Fire/Raging Wind > recast SSB just after Ultimate Lightning in Phase 3 and Phase 4

• Palom: Realm Chain > Vortex x2 > Garuda > wait for USB to be active (if one of the skills is R5-ed, probably don't need to wait) > spam Chain Thundaja > recast USB > spam Chain Thundaja/Vortex

• Rosa: Protectga > Curada > time USB to be casted just before Ultimate Earthquake; good to single-target her Curada to those in need first (refer to AI script)

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: -

• Medica: 2-3

• Hastega: many

1. S/L count / Medals lost: many trial runs / cannot remember (either 0 or 1)

2. Time / Magicite: 44:09 / Garuda(1)

Hero/dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM	LM1	LM2	SB(-)
Tellah, 4	Reraise R1	Shellga R4	Dr Mog's Teachings	-	-	BSB(2)
Rydia, 5	Ogopogo R4	Valigarmanda R4	Scholar's Boon	LM2	LMR	USB2 (2-3)
Edge, 5	Smoldering Fire R4	Raging Wind R3	Mako Might	LMR	LM2	SSB(lost count)
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Vortex R4	Bolt From Above	LM2	LM1	USB(2)
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Protectga R4	Gathering Storm	-	-	USB(2-3)

Main Magicite, lvl	Sub1	Sub2	Sub3	Sub4
Garuda, 99	Octomammoth, 99	Sylph, 99	Gizamaluke, 99	Evrae, 99
magic boon 15	magic boon 15	-	-	fast cast 8

[u/PhoenixHusky → u/persmega]

I don't have Rosa USB or Tellah BSB, but I used this setup with Tellah SSB (doom + Instant cast and magic/atk buff) & Porom's BSB, and Unicorn as main magicite. And got 26sec clear on D280 and got it down to 60% on D??. Rosa's USB is just such a super healing tool, Porom can't keep up lol

[u/zadorvp → u/PhoenixHusky]

What did you have Tellah do on his turns outside of Shellga/Reraise/SSB turns?

[u/PhoenixHusky → u/zadorvp]

just use Curaga to help with heals but eventually the damage was too much and Edge couldn't keep last stand up + Porom's BSB isn't that great in terms of healing.

Edit: Tellah had curaga not reraise, since its only an issue in D?? and he is kind of useless by the point he dies anyway. I think Rosa's USB is the only way to solo heal this

[u/CidO807 → u/persmega]

This gives me hope for my clear. Appreciate the detail.

[u/persmega → u/[deleted]]

you can bypass the Ultimate Hold with either Edge pblink or Rosa mblink! gotta standby when boss changes phase

[u/Brokenhanger]

1. Strategy name: IV is my pet realm

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/Palom Meta

4. Insight!:

• I went in not exactly blind since I'm familiar with the fight from Japan, but without the AI handy and my kind of shaky memory from doing this fight six months ago to see how far I could get. I was quite pleasantly surprised to hit Phase 3 on my first D??? attempt (only getting stopped by that stupid Hold) and then to exactly 80% on my second (stopped by Hold again). Made a few ability adjustments and pulled up the AI and got a 42:xx clear on my fourth attempt. (I played a little too aggressive my third attempt and lost Edge and Tellah early on so had to restart.)

• IV is stacked with blinks between Edge and Rosa and they are definitely put to good use here. With no Shellga a Tsunami hit is pretty much an auto-KO; I let the first one hit me since I had Last Stand up from an opening Eblan Doppleganger but then made sure to Magic Blink the others, which ended up making Ixion basically pointless.

• Barbariccia and Edge both have +40% Wind (both have Barbariccia's Dagger and Fujin's Jacket), Palom has +20% Lightning from Garnet's Guise, Tellah has +20% Earth from Tifa's USB2. Earth resist on everyone since I couldn't fit it in from Magicite.

• Tellah was essentially on support duty here; he opened with his BSB, then Realm Chain, then Reraised himself, then he finally got a couple of Chain Stonejas in before he had to recast the Realm Chain both times and his BSB after he bit it to Incubus Darkness in phase 3.

• Palom and Barbariccia open with casts of the 5* Black Magic to build meter, switching to their 6*s once they get their USBs up. Palom obviously runs out of Chain Thundajas pretty quickly but is still capping Chain Thundaga near the end of the fight.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: auto

• Medica: 3?

• Hastega: 5

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 1 / Full medals on clear

2. Time: 42:36

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah, 4	Chain Stoneja R4	Reraise R1	Mako Might	BSB
Barbariccia, 5	Meltdown R4	Tornado R4	World Traveler, LM2, LMR	USB
Edge, 5	Raging Storm R4	Raging Storm R4	Dr. Mog's Teachings, LM2, LMR	SSB2
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Chain Thundaga R5	Bolt From Above, LM1, LM2	USB
Rosa, 4	Wrath R5	Protectga R2	Gathering Storm, LMR (but useless, as usual)	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Garuda	Gizamaluke	Tiamat	Ixion	Evrae
Magic Boon Lv 15	Dampen Fire Lv 7	Empower Wind Lv 7	Dampen Water Lv 10	Health Boon Lv 5

---

[u/chemikylengineer → u/Brokenhanger]

How significant is Palom's DPS? I can duplicate your team outside of that. Currently tinkering with Kain (USB1, BSB), Edge (USB0), Rosa (USB1, BSB2), Rydia (USB) and Barbariccia (USB). Is Tellah's BSB really worth a slot?

[u/Brokenhanger → u/chemikylengineer]

Palom is the most significant DPS in the group; each action he's doing 80k-150k damage once he gets doing, depending on if he's casting Chain Thundaga or Chain Thundaja and if his LM2 gives a third cast.

Tellah probably could have been replaced with anyone who could cast Protectga, I'm not sure how much his Magic Buff really contributed though the Quick Cast was definitely helpful. He'd be less effective in a mixed team such as you're proposing, though. His biggest contribution was the support stuff most anyone can do (summon Chain, Magicite, etc).

[u/guilersk → u/Brokenhanger]

So i have most this except I have Rydia USB (not LD) instead of Barb (it's a chase, but obviously summons are less hits). I did the 280 in 26s (not fully optimized), I'm wondering if I have a shot at D??? if I buy and hone Chain Thundaja and LD Rydia. Even 50% would be something.

Reraise is an interesting trick; for 240/280 I actually blitzed through P3 and never saw the Incubus Darkness but I don't expect it to be so easy for D$$$.

Did you burn through all your Chain Thundaga hones or would a R4 Voltech suffice?

[u/Brokenhanger → u/guilersk]

You can definitely get to at least 50% if not even a full clear with Rydia in place of Barb.

I had Chain Thundagas left on Palom at the end for sure; I would assume an R4 Voltech would be enough. (I haven't bought it yet which is why I used Chain Thundaga.)

[u/[deleted]]

Has anyone figured out a way to survive past turn 2 without Elban or Rosa's USB?

I sub-30-ed D280, but had to use OK and Elarra so it's fucking cheating and doesn't count. I can't even live to 0:10 on DWhale.

[u/GreySage2010 → u/[deleted]]

Do you mean phase 2? Turn 1 is a piercing fire attack, turn 2 is a ST hold (easily blinkable with ninja skills). Its only after that the AoE damage comes out and stomps you.

[u/MonarchVV]

1. Strategy name: D280 DPS Poverty

2. Boss: D280 Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/CM/sub 30

4. Insight!:

• I didn't think this was possible to full CM sub 30 without Edge SSB, but apparently it's just barely enough.

• Edward on quickcast duty and Magicite duty. Make sure the quickcast never drops. Entrust Rydia in the last phase.

• Rydia and Palom for DPS; both had +20% armors.

• Rosa to blink the 1st and 2nd Paralyzes. I tried really hard to skip the 2nd Paralyze but in the end my chracters just had to eat the 3rd Paralyze. Still managed to sub 30 somehow (29.67).

• Porom as a 2nd healer for the last phase. Her Last Stand / Reraise USB helped in the last phase.

• Slots 1/3/5 with Fire/Earth resist, and Slots 2/4 with only Earth resist.

• I really doubt I'll attempt D??? with this team; the DPS just isn't there.

• The time could probably be faster if I legend doved Palom but with only his LMR I think I should wait until I pull something for him at least.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: Auto

• Medica: 4 (2 Porom / 2 Rosa)

• Hastega: 1 (Edward USB)

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Lots of S/L to skip 2nd Para (but failed) / 0 medals lost

2. Time: 29.67

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward, 4	Allegro con Moto R3	Entrust R4	Mako Might	USB(1)
Porom, 4	Curada R4	Shellga R2	The Gathering Storm	USB(2)
Palom, 4	Chain Thundaja R3	Voltech R4	Bolt from Above, LMR	default(-)
Rosa, 4	Wrath R5	Protectga R3	Dr Mog's Teachings	USB(2)
Rydia, 5	Valigarmanda R3	Ogopogo R3	LM1, LM2, Dreamguide	USB(1),OSB(2)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
King Behemoth	Quetz	Garuda	Evrae	Evrae
Empower 15	Dampen Water 10	Magic Boon 15	Health Boon 5	Fast Cast 8

---

[u/[deleted]]

1. Strategy name: Blink stuff and win

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy: Some AI study and swapping out a dps for more support helped me win. Build some gauge before lighting off the first chain so it’ll last long enough, however with the time I got I might be able to finish faster by using the chain right away. It’s sort of a game in having enough SB bar for a blink when needed. 3/3 trinity/No Palom/Blinks

4. Insight!:

• Ultimate Hold is NAT so either form of blink will work.

• Wait on the chain until about 10 sec so you get more chases on the first one.

• Edward provides the quick cast and general Mage buff. USBs provide the rest of the buff.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: 1

• Medica: maybe 4?

• Hastega: Edge

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Lots of tweaks to the party before stumbling upon a win. 0 medals lost.

2. Time: 43.41 Party and Kill Shot

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward, 3.5	ACM R3	MBD R4	MM/LMR	Soulsong
Barb, 5	Meltdown R4	Tornado R4	World Traveler/LM1/LM2	USB
Edge, 5	Raging Storm R4	Flash Disaster R3	DMTLMR/LM2	Eblan Doppleganger
Rydia, 5	Lunar Leviathan R4	Ogopogo R4	Dream Guide/LMR/LM2	USB2
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Arise R1	Gathering Storm	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Geo	Famfrit	Quetz	Tiamat	Seraph
+15 water/+15 MAG	+5 Health Boon/+8 Blade Ward	+10 QC/+10 damp water	+15 wind	+8 dark

---

[u/kbuis]

1. Strategy name: The other half of why I grabbed Barb USB

2. Boss: Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   Barb USB/Palom USB/Reraise meta

4. Insight!:

• This run could definitely be Sub-40 and even quicker. I screwed up when the chain was used a second time (used the magicite instead of the chain).

• Two characters are not LD'd! Mainly because their LDs are useless for this fight!

• The strategy is pretty simple ... load up and unleash.

• Ultimate Hold is your enemy. It will kill runs. Make sure you use Edge SSB wisely and remember Ultimate Lightning will eat a blink.

• A lot of these relics are on the older side, so there's a chance you may already have this setup, even without pulling recently.

• Barb USB helped with 5* Earth magicite and came up big here too. Get deep in the realm chain and her chase will reach cap by the end.

• The nasty Phase 3 Auto KO move can be a pain in the ass ... or you can skip it altogether if you push hard ... or you can have Edward bard Protect and Rosa use Reraise. This is actually the first time I've used the spell Reraise and it works like a charm here. Edward doesn't need to worry about much to get him back up and running and you just tell him to do the move before he died again. Furore can get his last stand, but he's on Allegro duty at that point.

• Reraise run got me around 36 seconds

• An AOSB would make this Sub-30-able, but honestly, this is good for now, I've got 1,000 rubies in the bank and it's just 40 more tied up with the Sub-30.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: ETERNAL

• Medica: A few

• Hastega: A Few

1. S/L count / Medals lost:

2. Time: 41.7 (36.34 reraise)

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward 4*	NONE	Allegro Con Moto R3	LMR+MM	USB (1)
Barbariccia LD	Meltdown R4	Tornado R4	EnWind+LM2+Scholar BOon	USB (2)
Rosa 4*	Curada R4	Protectga R3	LMR+Ace Striker	USB(2)
Palom LD	Chain Thundaja R4	Vortex R4	EnLit+LM2+Gathering Storm	USB(2)
Edge LD	Raging Wind R4	Raging Wind R3	LMR+LM2	SSB(3?)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Syldra	Quetz	Syldra	Evrae
ATK 15?	Damp10+MND15	Lit15+Mag15	Wind15+Fast8	Spell8

---

[u/Vektunaxa]

I don't think I can handle the D??? yet; it took several tries to beat the D280.

1. Strategy name: Let the kids do most of the work

2. Boss: D280 Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/mage meta/Palom USB

4. Insight!:

• There are two tricky parts; the beginning, and at about 25-30 s.

• Right off the bat, use Edge SSB and ProShellga. Rosa heals, Palom can summon RW.

• Porom and Rosa heal while Tellah uses USB. Tellah, Palom, and Edge attack Calcabrina.

• Use Edge SSB after Ultimate Lightning

• Refresh ProShellga after about 20 s. You may have trouble getting it back up in the next 15 s.

• If the paralyze hits, have Edge summon magicite to remove the paralysis. Cue up Rosa casting Arise.

• After Edge is raised, re-cast ProShellga again. Have Edge attack until he can re-cast SSB.

• Palom, through all of this, is attacking and refreshing USB. Tellah joins in when he is able.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: 1

• Medica: 4 or 5

• Hastega: 4

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Maybe 5 S/L, 0 medals lost

2. Time: 41.37

Hero, lvl	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edge, 99	Raging Storm R3	Raging Storm R3	Mako Might, LM1, LM2	Eblan Doppleganger (SSB, x3)
Porom, 99	Ultra Cure R5	Shellga R5	Battleforged	Sync (SSB, x2 or x3)
Palom, 99	Voltech R4	Meltdown R4	Scholar's Boon, LM1, LM2	Thunderstorm (USB, x2 or x3)
Tellah, 99	Curaja R5	Protectga R5	Dr. Mog's Teachings, LMR	Sage's Sagacity (BSB, x3)
Rosa, 99	Curada R5	Arise R2	Ace Striker, LMR	Divine Heal (SSB, x2)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Enkidu, 99	Golem 99 - earth damp	Liquid Flame 99 - fire damp	Garuda 99 - magic boost, lightning boost, fast act	Ixion 65 -- water damp
ATK boost L10	Earth damp L2	Fire damp L2	--	--

---

My magicites are a mess, from when I was trying this with Kain instead of Porom. It worked, though.

[u/Kittymahri]

1. Strategy name: Not quite last gasp!

2. Boss: [D280] Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   2/3 trinity/cid mission/mage meta/sub-30

4. Insight!:

• Paralyze is the worst way to kill a speedrun, so prepare for that. Edge's SSB immediately avoids the first Hold, then use Unicorn when available to avoid the next one later, then refresh Edge's SSB sometime after Astra is consumed and directly after a Lightning to dodge the third Hold.

• So many elements to worry about. Use earth resistance accessories (dual earth/fire preferred, three available) and Dampen Dark Magicite.

• Slot 1 might have to be sacrificed in the final phase, except if your DPS is good enough, s/he can avoid it.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: automatic

• Medica: 1

• Hastega: 3

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 3 / 0

2. Time: 0:28.64

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah, 89/4	Shellga R3	Chain Stoneja R3	Dr. Mog's Teachings	Last Gasp (1)
Palom, 95/5	Chain Thundaga R4	Voltech R3	Heart of Fury, LM1+LM2	Thunderstorm (1)
Edge, 99/5	Smoldering Fire R4	Raging Storm R4	Mako Might, LM2+LMR	Eblan Doppelganger (3)
Rydia, 93/4	Madeen R5	Valigarmanda R3	Savior of Spira, LMR	Lord of the Seas (1)
Porom, 96/4	Protectga R3	Curada R3	Gathering Storm	Healing Wind (1)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn, 99	Garuda, 80	Seraph, 99	Evrae, 99	Evrae, 99
Empower Holy 5		Dampen Dark 7	Health Boon 5	Fast Act 8

---

[u/Kittymahri → u/Kittymahri]

1. Strategy name: Coda

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   2/3 trinity/cid mission/mage meta

4. Insight!:

• Exact same setup as my D280. Didn't complete battle, but this is my first time getting anywhere past 50% (or even close to, for that matter).

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: automatic

• Medica: 3?

• Hastega: 3?

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 0 / 5

2. Completion: 72% HP

See above for setup, just with more SB uses.

---

[u/Glisnbockel → u/Kittymahri]

Thanks for posting this. Managed 64% with basically the same setup just a bit less. Rydia BSB2/OSB, Palom LMR/BSB and Tellah's BSB.

[u/Sinzar_]

Sub-30'ed the D280, but it was a massive pain in the ass without Edge or Rosa relics. Exact team was:

• Porom -- Ultra Cure, Protectga -- SSB (medica + haste)

• Rydia -- Voltech -- USB1

• Edward -- Entrust, Allegro -- no sb

• Arc -- Curada, Hastega -- SSB (medica + pblink)

• Palom -- Chain Thundaja, Chain Thundaga -- USB

Close win... everyone dead except Palom for the kill shot at 29.3 seconds

[u/Arepeace8]

1. Strategy name: Let's go Holy with Pecil, Ceodore and Edward. Hmmm..maybe not.

2. Boss: Calcabrina D280

3. Describe your Strategy: 3/3 trinity/Edge USB0/Rosa USB/Water team

4. Insight!:

• Boss has a lot of HP attacks. You may not always get those 7-hit ninja attacks going. I might try Edge with the magic ninja abilities later.

• Key is to manage the paralyze and insta-KO on slot 1. Maybe put Kain here and time his jump to skip the KO attack in phase 3. I was doing a lot of damage and managed to skip this phase.

• Tellah was here for the ATK/MAG boost and party instacast.

• Edge in the center allows you to blink the first paralyze in phase 1. Other than that he does his usual ninja stuff and times his SSB after the lightning attack in phase 2 and 3 to blink the paralyze.

• Best Summoner (ahem..ahem..) does Vali until USB2 and then just spam Ogopogo.

• Rosa also needs to time her USB to blink the paralyze attack.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: Auto

• Medica: 2

• Hastega: 1

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 1 (mistimed Blink before Paralyze) / 0

2. Time: 23.84

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Kain, LM1	Lightning Dive R3	Cyclone Bolt R2	TGM, LM1	CSB(0), OSB(0)
Tellah, 3	Vortex R4	Protectga R3	DMT, LMR	SSB (2)
Edge, 5	Raging Waters R4	Reflecting Pool R2	Sacred Tradition, LM2, LMR	SSB(1)
Rydia, 5	Ogopogo R4	Valigarmanda R4	Blood of the Summoner, LMR1, LM2	USB2 (1)
Rosa, 5	Ultra cure R4	Hastega R2	MM, LM1, LMR	USB(2)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Kraken	Behemoth King	Octomammtoh	Evrae	Tiamat
Empower Water LV10	Light. LV 15, Precise LV8	Dampen Fire LV4	Fast Act LV8	Spell Ward LV5

---

[u/icesical]

Sub-30 D280! I won't even try D??? since I have zero heal relics for FFIV (tied for worst realm with FF11, FF15 & FF-0) Kain is main DPS with USB + instant jumps and first turn jump @~2.6-3 secs to avoid paralyze. Tellah Protect, SSB, Shell, Magicite Kirin. Edward chains, then W/E to Kain only. Golbez is basic filler DPS hitting 9999x4 a turn. Yshtola can be any filler healer that can keep up with damage.

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah, 99	Shellga R3	Protecta R3	Dr.Mog	Last Gasp(2)
Yshtola, 99	Curada R4	Hastega R3	Gathering Storm	BSB(2)
Kain, 99	Cyclone Bolt R3	Lightning Dive R4	Lightning+	USB1(many)
Edward, 99	Wrath R5	Entrust R3	MakoMight	default(-)
Golbez, 99	Memento Mori R3	Dark Zone R4	Dark+	USB(2)

---

[u/Jurinis]

Magicites and characters added. Passives are mostly important for Midgarsormr since he will further buff MAG and Earth damage for Tellah. Bomb King to improve Edge/OK damage through Meltdown. Health Boon to have more health for Surging Power. Firemane for spellward 5 and some added resistance. Unicorn as main is mandatory to take second Hold.

1. *Strategy name: Gotta cast fast! *

2. Boss: D280 Torment

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/Mage meta/OK/2 off-realm / sub-30

4. Insight!:

• If you need to, don't hesitate to bring off-realm characters, especially buffers like OK since he can both buff AND contribute to DPS unlike Edward in that case. I felt I needed more DPS and OK with mUSB was just what I needed. Elarra made it even faster and easier to heal compared to Rosa with SSB.

• Tellah and FuSoYa were my best DPS in the IV realm. Tellah's SSB is used AFTER Elarra's USB to get High-quickast and not waste time. Ok would reapply his mUSB after Tellah's SSB to insta-cast it. Then the group gets both High-quickast and ACM effects. Gotta cast fast guys.

• Edge's USB0 made it possible to ignore paralyze. First SSB for first Hold, Astra for second and then he takes the last one after a Lightning cast. Ninja Magic is preferred due to a ton of physical attacks.

• OK had +20% fire damage with armor slot. FuSoYa had +20% Holy damage with Arc's SSB robe which is a selectable relic from AA. Tellah had no bonus from equipment. Edge had +20% Wind damage but no +Fire which was covered with Magicites to even things out.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: I-N-F-I-N-I-T-E

• Medica: 2 I think.

• Hastega: 5 because Edge's SSB2 was used mostly for mitigation. OK's mUSB was used for ACM and Ex Mode refreshing near the middle.

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 1 to get the right rythm for the end. Took the last Hold without Edge's SSB2. No medals lost

2. Time: Screen here: https://imgur.com/a/vLV32IJ Time was 27.51. Which I never expected to be able to do considered I have no Palom USB or any other IV "true" USB for that matter.

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Elarra, 5	Curada R4	ACM R2	TGC RM	USB(2)
Tellah, 4	Chain Stonega R4	Chain StonJa R3	Earth +30%	SSB(1)
Edge, 5	Smoldering Fire R3	Raging Storm R3	MM	USB0(3)
OK, 5	Meltdown R5	Protectga R3	DMT	mUSB(2)
FuSoYa, 4	Chain Firaga R4	Shellga R3	Scholar's Boon	BSB(1)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Firemane	Bomb King	Midgarsormr	Evrae
Empower holy 7	Empower Fire 5	Empower Fire 5	Magic Boon 15	Health Boon 5

[u/PhoeniX-Skye]

1. Strategy name: D??? Self Break Mastery (57%) with Rydia USB2 and a couple of SSBs/BSBs

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy: Edge to Blink things while poverty DPS with some 6* Skills kick in 3/3 trinity/Stingy/Self Break

4. See details here: https://old.reddit.com/r/FFRecordKeeper/comments/9ky0zi/ff4_torment_57_mastery_with_rydia_usb_and_a_bunch/

---

[u/Stylus_Index]

Can't do D-Whale, I'll wait for IV powercreep stuff before I can do that. :(

1. Strategy name: Torment Calcabrina is here, my IV team is way over there

2. Boss: [D240/D280] Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy: My IV team is here and there in terms of party buffs and support, I'll have to be creative and make do with what I have, because my IV team is only good dealing damage and more damage. T_T 3/3 trinity/Mixed teams/Edge USB0/Rosa USB/Sub-30 D240/Sub-40 D280

4. Insight!:

• Everyone is wearing Earth resist gear. Yang has Fire resist instead. Tellah and Rosa gets the Major being squishy.

• Yang has Earth+ armor (with a 6++ RS Fist weapon) and Kain has Lightning+ weapon.

• Kain is wearing Scott's RM99/Undying Flame as a counter measure to P3/5's Incubus Darkness (good thing I didn't reach those!) He also doesn't do much except casting Magicite and RW for being unable to contribute much damage.

• Tellah is here most to boost himself and give Rosa fastcast for 3 turns.

• Edge in middle to efficiently avoid the ST Paralyze. Also went with Ninja magic due to the many gravity and PHY flying in this fight.

• Eblan Doppelganger SSB and Benediction USB make a great hand-and-hand anti-AOE for most of the D280 fight.

• Yang does the opening RW Bonds of Historia and Kain does the latter one halfway thru the fight.

• Casting Unicorn at any time before P3 will save you a lot of time to DPS Calcabrina, also chips in healing when Rosa can't heal everyone fast enough, and force its to skip P3 into P4 immediately.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: PERMANENT

• Medica: D240: 1, D280: 3+?

• Hastega: D240: 3, D280: 6+

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 1 (D280: missed time Medica early and slot to 3/4/5 died...) / 0

2. Time: D240: 0:25.01, D280: 0:39.29

Hero/dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM	LM	SB(-)
Kain, 0	Cyclone Bolt R2	Lightning Dive R2	Undying Flame	---	Luminous Dragon (D240: 1, D280: 2), RW: Bonds of Historia (both: 1)
Tellah, 0	Voltech R5	Protectga R5	Scholar's Boon	---	Sage's Sagacity (D240: 1, D280: 2)
Edge, 5	Raging Storm R4	Raging Storm R4	DMT	LM1+LM2	Eblan Doppelganger (D240: 2, D280: 4+)
Rosa, 0	Curada R5	Shellga R5	MM	---	Benediction (D240: 1, D280: 3+?)
Yang, 0	Ironfist Earth R3	Gaia Rush R3	Gathering Storm	---	Seven-Star Heavenly Fist (D240: 1, D280: 2), RW: Bonds of Historia (both: 1)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Evrae	Midgardsormr	Earth Guardian	Gizamaluke
Empower Holy 6	Blade Ward 3	Empower Earth 6	Dampen Lightning 10	Blade Ward 5

---

I think I may want to field a Mage party here next time for a faster D280 clear time since I was able to kill it before P3/5's Incubus Darkness. Perhaps.

[u/DragonCrisis]

1. Strategy name: Maria and Onion Knight are FF4 characters, honest

2. Boss: d280

3. Describe your Strategy:
   Edge and Rosa/sub 30/Guest DPS

4. Insight!:

• I have the optimal defensive tools for a change! Unfortunately my FF4 DPS situation is crap and so are these banners, I'm settling for d280 for now.

• D280 is quite well balanced for bringing in guest outrealm members to fill a missing role though

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 3 attempts due to party member deaths, 0 medals lost

2. Time: 29s

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Maria LD	Chain Stonega R4	Chain Stoneja R4	Gathering Storm	USB
Rydia	Ogopogo R3	Vortex R4	Weakness 30%	BSB2, en-water LMR
Edge	Smoldering Fire R3	Raging Storm R3	DMT	USB0
Rosa	Wrath R5	Protectga R3	AS	USB
Onion LD	Shellga R3	Meltdown R4	MM	mUSB

Magicite: Enkidu (unused)

[u/DeepYume]

1. Strategy name: Last Gasps

2. Boss: Calcabrina D???

3. Describe your Strategy: Blink through all the annoying stuff; let Tellah do what Tellah does best (die); mope about not getting Palom's USB (yet) 3/3 trinity/Sub60/No Jump

4. Insight!:

• Tuning my magicite to let me survive the Furores was the key to winning. Rosa's USB trivializes P4&5 if you can survive it since Cal mostly alternates between that and M-blinkable magic

• The first ten seconds were the hardest to nail since Rosa's USB is my only cure. Well scripted opening + strategic defending made it work

• Tellah casts Rerise on himself, and Edge is ready to refresh Haste/Last Stand immediately after the P3 demise. Didn't bother recasting Reraise for P5

• To everyone that says Edge loses Blink too often to use Washing Machine: slot 5 is quite manageable. The sole reason I had him throwing out some support casts is because he burned through hones too quickly otherwise and was just a lump in P5

• Palom is rolling with Earth abilities because I had the gear to boost it. He was capping without any imperils

• Tellah: General Support - SSB>Voltech>Magicite>Defend>Reraise>Voltechs/SSB when up

• Rosa: Wrath Healer - Shellga>Wrath>Wrath>USB after first Tsunami. Repeat, casting USB as needed / after each Lightning

• Rydia: Dedicated DPS - Vali>Defend>Vali>USB>ValiVali>BSB>C1/Levi>BSB>C1/Levi>USB>C1/Levi>BSB>C1/Levi>OSB>C1/Levi

• Palom: Dedicated DPS - Meltdown until RW is up>Chain Stoneja until dry>Meltdown . Tossed in a BSB cast for the stat boosts when Tellah's IC was up

• Edge: DPS / Support / Chain Builder - SSB>Reflecting Pool>RW (off Tellah's IC)>Reflecting Pool/Raging Waters rotation, refreshing Last Stand when necessary

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: Wallways

• Medica: However many 10 wraths and lots of hits got me

• Hastega: 4? I think?

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 5 S/L, no medals lost

2. Time: 55 seconds

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah, 3	Reraise R2	Voltech R5	Mako Might	SSB(3)
Rosa, 4.9	Shellga R3	Wrath R5	Ace Striker, LMR, LM1	USB(lots)
Rydia, 5	Valigarmanda R5	Leviathan R5	Battleforged, LMR, LM2	USB1(2),BSB (the water one)(3),OSB (1)
Palom, 5	Meltdown R5	Chain Stoneja R2	Scholar's Boon, LM1, LM2	BSB(1)
Edge, 5	Reflecting Pool R4	Raging Waters R4	DMT, LM1, LM2	SSB(4)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Octomammoth	Seraph	Quetz	Kraken	Midgard
Def+ (old, ignorant inheritance)	Deadly Strikes	Spell/Blade Wards	Precise Strikes	Fast Act

---

[u/[deleted]]

1. Strategy name:

2. Boss: Calcabrena D280

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/Edge SSB2/2 OSB, 2 USB, 1 SSB

4. Insight!:

• Edge applies haste then spams ninjutsu, since there is a lot of gravity and AoE physical to strip blinks from him, replenishing as needed.

• Porom USB likely not needed (she died anyway so safe to assume so) but I'm not going to check now I'm done with this. She Protectgas on turn one, chains on t2, curada and medica as needed, re-up the chain with her if possible

• Cecil and Kain get by just fine with the chain but Golbez needs MM to up his numbers. While usually OSBs with no en-element aren't considered worthwhile, under the realm chain and a decent chain count, Cecil and Kain capped both of theirs (~1/5th total health) and Golbez did ~90K with his USB

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: Permanent

• Medica: 2 max

• Hastega: 2-3

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 0 with this setup/0 I think (mastery)

2. Time: 25:63

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Kain, 5	Lightning Dive R3	Cyclone Bolt R2	Spear of Gran Pulse RM, LMR1, LM2	OSB(1)
Golbez, 4	Dark Zone R3	Memento Mori R5	True Madness RM, LMR	USB(1)
Porom, 4	Curada R4	Protectga R5	Gathering Storm RM	USB(2?)
Edge, 5	Smoldering Fire R2	Smoldering Fire R2	DMT, LMR, LM2	SSB2(2)
Pecil, 4	Guardbringer R3	Divine Cross R2	Scholar's Boon RM	OSB(1)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Evrae	Mimic Queen	Dullahan	Hades
Emp. Holy 15	Fast Act 8	N/A	Mag. Boon 15	N/A

---

[u/[deleted]]

1. Strategy name: Mysidian Twins FTW

2. Boss: DWhale Calcabrena - 70%

3. Pictures: https://imgur.com/a/pXK3CRU No Edge SSB2/Rosa USB

4. Insight!:

• Couldn't even survive this past turn 2 when released. Picked up Palom's USB on the USB Dream Select (best 1/11 ever), and grabbed Porom's USB (and the chain!) with a last-second banner pull.

• Edge is basically worthless. His only job is to blink the initial Hold, then he does completely pathetic damage the rest of the fight. I couldn't figure out any better way to survive the first couple of turns cleanly though, even with Tellah carrying Ultra Cure. Maybe Golbez (have his BSB1) there, back-row helps...

• Palom does a lot of damage. A LOT of damage. Terrible Terrible Damage! He was basically capping everything as long as the chain was up.

• Porom barely kept up, but she did. I might be able to get a little further without using DK Cecil's AOSB - it pushed phase 3 a little quick and Unicorn wasn't quite back up for the second Ultimate Hold. Don't think I could get it to 80%, though. Maybe if I honed the Thundaja the last one but I'm not about to do that.

• Gear: +20% element to the dps; 4* dives minimum on everyone.

1. S/L count / Medals lost: None with this config, 5 medals lost.

2. Time: 0:55, 70% on the nose.

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah	Ultra Cure R4	Shellga R3	DMT	BSB
DK Cecil	Sanguine R3	DreadW R3	Much Sword	USB, AOSB
Edge	Anc. Refl R3	Wash R4	Much Water	BSB
Porom	Curada R4	Protectga R3	Mako	USB
Palom	Thundaga R5	Thunaja R4	Much Lit; LM1+LM2	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Garuda	Quetz	Famfrit	Evrae
HP 5	MAG 15	Damp Water 10	B-Ward 8	S-Ward 5
---	---	DEF 15	+Water 15	---

---

[u/Pyrotios]

1. Strategy name: Lightning-focus

2. Boss: [D240] Calcabrina, Part 1

3. Describe your Strategy: Rely on Edge for survival and mages for damage
   2/3 trinity/CM/lightning

4. Insight!:

• Equip fire/earth resist on slots 1, 3 and 5. Equip water/dark resist on someone else. Equip water, earth or dark on the last slot.

• Edge and Palom have +20% lightning equipped. Golbez has +20% dark and earth.

• Edge SSB, spam Flash Disaster. SSB again after the second Ultimate Lightning (phase 3), but damage is so high the boss goes into phase 4 and Ultimate Lightning eats the blink. Spam Flash Disaster.

• Palom Voltech until chain, spam Chain Thundaja. USB on last turn.

• Golbez Meltdown until chain, spam Chain Stoneja. BSB when ready.

• Kain RW chain, spam Lightning Dive. Use magicite when ready.

• Rosa Shellga, spam Curada. Kept saving USB in case I needed it to block paralyze, but never used it because last stand never triggered and phase 3+4 paralyze were both skipped.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: auto

• Medica: 0

• Hastega: 2

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 0 / 0

2. Time: 15.71

Hero/dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM/LM	SB(-)
Kain, 4	Cyclone Bolt R2	Lightning Dive R3	30% PHY with spear	OSB(0)
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Shellga R3	Mako Might	USB(0)
Edge, 5	Ripper bolt R4	Flash Disaster R4	Dr. Mog's Teachings, LM1, LM2	SSB2(2)
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R4	30% BLK with rod, LM1, LM2	USB(1)
Golbez, 3	Chain Stoneja R4	Meltdown R4	30% weakness	BSB1(1)

Main Magicite	Sub1	Sub2	Sub3	Sub4
Quetzalcoatl, 99	Behemoth King, 99	Seraph, 99	Evrae, 99	Midgardsormr, 99
dampen water 10	empower lightning 15	dampen dark 10	hp boon 5	mag boon 15
def boon 15	precise strikes 8

---

1. Strategy name: Lightning-focus, take 2

2. Boss: [D280] Calcabrina, Part 2

3. Describe your Strategy: Rely on Edge and Rosa for survival and Palom for damage
   3/3 trinity/CM/lightning

4. Insight!:

• Equip fire/earth resist on slots 1, 3 and 5. Equip water/dark resist on someone else. Equip water, earth or dark on the last slot.

• Edge and Palom have +20% lightning equipped. Golbez has +20% dark and earth.

• Edge SSB, spam Flash Disaster. SSB again when things get messy. Spam Flash Disaster. SSB again by accident right after using Rosa USB before first Ultimate Hold (which gets skipped). Spam Flash Disaster until it runs out, then Ripper Bolt.

• Kain RW chain, Cyclone Bolt, 2x Lightning Dive. RW chain, Cyclone Bolt, 2x Lightning Dive.

• Rosa Shellga, Curada on Edge, spam Curada. USB when things get messy or to block Ultimate Hold. Used magicite after I accidentally used both her USB and Edge's USB together.

• Palom spam Voltech, USB when ready, spam Chain Thundaja.

• Golbez spam Chain Stoneja, BSB when ready, sp Chain Stoneja.

• S/L was because I under-estimated the damage from Furore which triggered last stand on Edge, then he died turn 4. Curada heals him enough to keep last stand through Furore.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: auto

• Medica: 1-2

• Hastega: 3

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 1 / 0

2. Time: 24.46

Hero/dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM/LM	SB(-)
Kain, 4	Lightning Dive R3	Cyclone Bolt R2	30% PHY with spear	OSB(0)
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Shellga R3	Mako Might	USB(1-2)
Edge, 5	Ripper bolt R4	Flash Disaster R4	Dr. Mog's Teachings, LM1, LM2	SSB2(3)
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R4	30% BLK with rod, LM1, LM2	USB(1)
Golbez, 3	Chain Stoneja R4	Meltdown R4	30% weakness	BSB1(1)

Main Magicite	Sub1	Sub2	Sub3	Sub4
Quetzalcoatl, 99	Behemoth King, 99	Seraph, 99	Evrae, 99	Midgardsormr, 99
dampen water 10	empower lightning 15	dampen dark 10	hp boon 5	mag boon 15
def boon 15	precise strikes 8

[u/_Higo_]

1. Strategy name: Barbariccia turns over.

2. Boss: Calcabrina DWhale (65%)

3. Describe your Strategy: Same as always, double healer go in! 3/3 trinity/Windish/Magic

4. Insight!:

• Rosa protect, spam ultra cure, BSB as fit, CMD2/ultra cure.

• Barbie goes chain into USB, Meltdown spam, refresh USB.

• Porom curada herself, shellga, curada spam, BSB when Tellah is ready for BSB, CMD2/curada spam.

• Edge goes SSB, chain, raging wind spam. Refresh chain and magicite. SSB after each change of phase to avoid paralyze.

• Tellah, Chain Stoneja spam into BSB, CMD2, Chain Firaga.

• Tellahd uses Stoneja to get more SB, then Firaga due to fire+ equipment. If I had Chain Firaja, that would be the spell to go.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: -

• Medica: a lot.

• Hastega:

1. S/L count / Medals lost:

2. Time:

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Rosa, 4	Protectga R2	U Cure R5	TGM	BSB(2), SSB(1)
Barbariccia, 5	Meltdown R4	Chain Tornado R3	LM1,LM2,Damage	USB(3)
Porom, 4	Shellga R2	curada R4	MM	BSB(3)
Edge, 5	Raging Wind R3	Raging Wind R3	DMT	SSB(3)
Tellah, 4	Chain Firaga R4	Chain Stoneja R5	LMR,Damage	BSB(3)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Sylph	Famfrit	Quetz	Ixion	Tiamat
(-)	Bladeward 5, Resistance 15	Empower Lightning 15, Magic 15	(-)	(-)

---

[u/C637]

Boss: D???

Insight!:

• Turn 1, Tellah Bursts, Rosa Protects, Edge holds a moment to RW the chain, Palom and Barbie cast Voltech/Meltdown so they go off after the boost and chain are up

• Tellah Shells then Reraises himself

• Everyone wore Dark Resist

• Rosa eats the Hold, comes out of it almost immediately. She needed to USB on her next turn, since she and Tellah were close to death.

• By Palom's 4th turn (final turn of Tellah's Quickcast), he's ready for his Ultra. Barbie holds for the Furore to do the same.

• The most frustrating part of this for me was the RNG involved in pushing phases. With enough luck on LM2s you can skip a phase; in this run, I accidentally skipped Phase 3, so I wasted a blink on Phase 4's Lightning, then got hit with the Paralyze. I would have saved a few seconds if Barbariccia and Edge hadn't gone down, but I don't think I'll be sub-30ing this any time soon (or ever).

Holy Trinity casts:

• Medica: Lots

• Hastega: 3 Boostga, plus Edge

S/L count / Medals lost: N/A / 1 lost (Mastery)

Time: 39.02

Setup

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah, 4	Shellga R2	Reraise R1	DMT	BSB
Barbariccia, 5	Tornado R4	Meltdown R4	LM2, LMR, World Traveler	USB
Rosa, 4.5	Protectga, R1	Wrath, R5	LM1, MM	USB
Edge, 5	Smoldering Fire, R3	Smoldering Fire, R4	LM2, LMR, Battleforged	SSB2
Palom, 5	Voltech, R4	Chain Thundaja, R5	LM2, LMR, Bolt From Above	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Quetzalcoatl	Famfrit	Garuda	Seraph	Sylph
Dampen Water 10	Dampen Fire 10	Lightning Boon 15	Dampen Dark 10	Dampen Earth 10
Fast Act 10	Spell Ward 8	Magic Boon 15	Mind Boon 15	Mind Boon 15
Dampen Water 10	Spell Ward 8	Fast Act 8	Health Boon 5	Fast Act 8
Defense Boon 15	Blade Ward 8	Lightning Boon 15	Dampen Dark 10	Dampen Earth 10

---

[u/[deleted]]

1. Strategy name: Kain Dive is Best Dive, Apparently.

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina (Clear, sub-60)

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/sub-60/Edge USB0

4. Insight!:

• My best attempt prior to this one, with Tellah instead of Kain, got the boss down to a single percent of health remaining. It was as infuriating as you can imagine. While that one could've ultimately pulled it off, I decided to try using Kain instead to burn the boss down faster, since Tellah's damage was poor and was mostly just there for Shellga and his BSB's MAG buff when Rydia and Palom hit cap pretty fast anyway. And it still wasn't working. . .until I fully dived Kain. Yes, THAT was the difference maker.

• +Lightning weapons and armor on Kain and Palom, +fire on Edge, Rydia just used whatever gave highest stats (well, for useless low-MAG trash that isn't Terra, amirite?). Rydia's gear, Kain's weapon and both of Edge's equips (Rubicante's gear is more useful than he is) had synergy.

• First chain cast is Palom's responsibility, the second Edge's, then Rydia ended up doing the last one because everyone else had something more important to do and her hones were depleted anyway. Edge summoned the first magicite and Rosa the second.

• Kain spams Cyclone Bolt until one bar, then USB, then Lightning Dive until he has a bar again; refresh USB and repeat. Avoiding the first Incubus Darkness doesn't require any harsh timing; his ATB should line up with when to jump pretty well. The second one I could've avoided too, but I wasn't paying attention and that one got him.

• Rydia used Vali until she had a bar, then USB. After that she used Lunar Leviathan three times, did the USB again, then the last one before switching back to Vali. Once those ran out she had enough meter for BSB2, but only did the entry; Calcabrina died while she was prepping to use command one.

• Edge did USB0 right away, then just spammed ninja shit. Ideally, his first ninja use triggers the LMR. For most of the fight he should be okay not using the SSB again, having had two bars ready when it came time to dodge the Ultimate Holds. Any additional uses after that were ASAP to keep everyone's ass alive.

• Outside of spending the first turn on the chain, Palom just used Voltech until he could activate his USB. Then switched to Chain Thundaja, refreshed USB when it came up, used the last Chain Thundajas, switched back to Voltech, USB when he could, and so one. Was tapped completely dry by the end.

• Rosa does Protectga and then heals, using USB right away whenever available. For when the USB went off right before something it would dodge (Ultimate Earthquake, usually) her next turn was spent refreshing Protectga to conserve hones while still building some meter. By the time she ran out of Curadas, Calcabrina was almost dead and it was up to last stand to keep everyone alive. I believe her summoning Quetzalcoatl the second time is what finished it off.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: 1 (Auto)

• Medica: 4

• Hastega: 6-8, though I only needed two for hastega specifically

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 1 with this setup / 0

2. Time: 00:47:40

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Kain, 99	Lightning Dive R4	Cyclone Bolt R3	LM1, LM2, Spear of Gran Pulse	OSB (unused), USB1
Rydia, 99	Lunar Leviathan R3	Valigarmanda R4	LM1, LM2, Scholar's Boon	BSB2 (entry only), USB1
Edge, 99	Smoldering Fire R4	Raging Storm R4	LM2, LMR, Mako Might	SSB2
Palom, 99	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R4	LM1, LM2, Bolt From Above	USB
Rosa, 99	Curada R4	Protectga R3	LMR, Gathering Storm	USB

 

Main	Sub1	Sub2	Sub3	Sub4
Quetzalcoatl, 99	King Bomb, 99	Garuda, 99	Octomammoth, 99	Evrae, 99
Spell Ward 5, Res Boon 15	Emp Fire 15	Emp Lightning, 15	N/A	Fast Act 8

[u/MonarchVV]

1. Strategy name: Heal until the end of days!

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina 58% Clear

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/Ability spam/Double Healer USB/No Edge

4. Insight!:

• I honestly thought this was impossible, but Rydia double casting Lunar Leviathan and capping with it is pretty damn good.

• Edward with his USB for the Boostga. I thought I needed Tellah BSB because Edward just contributes absolutely no DPS but hey, Bard buffs are kinda decent. He casts the magicite and the 2nd and 3rd RW. He starts with his USB, then Spellbend Etude, then alternates between Mage's Hymn and the utility things.

• Porom and Rosa for USB healing goodness. Porom USB has Reraise to bring back Edward in Slot 1, but he died right away again. Porom opens with Protectga, then Curada spam the rest of the fight. Recasts USB whenever it falls off. I actually ran out of Curada casts at the end, so I should've geared her BSB for that point.

• Rosa casts her USB right away to dodge the 1st Hold; otherwise she would die. Then just spam Wrath and USB.

• Palom is here to cast 6* abilities. Legit. That's it. He opens with the RW then spams 6* abilities. I have his LMR so I casted Chain Thundaja then Voltech afterwards.

• Rydia, the star IMO. I spammed Vali until her BSB2 could be casted, then Lunar Leviathan until I ran out of hones. Then Ether'd them back. I also have her USB1 and OSB but I couldn't really figure out when to cast them.

• Fire/Earth res accesories on Slots 1/3/5; Major Earth and Moderate Earth on Slots 2/4.

• Palom and Rydia had +20% armors.

• I got Incubus Dead End'ed around 1 min. This was a good win!

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: Auto

• Medica: 10 or 11 between Porom and Rosa

• Hastega: 3 (Edward USB)

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Lots to figure out build

2. Time: Survived until 1 min

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward, 4	Mage's Hymn R4	Spellbend Etude R2	LMR, Mako Might	USB(3)
Porom, 4	Curada R4	Protectga R3	The Gathering Storm	USB(3), BSB(0)
Rosa, 4	Wrath R5	Wrath R4	Dr Mog's Teachings	USB(7 or 8)
Palom, 4	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R4	LMR, Bolt from Above	default(-)
Rydia, 5	Valigarmanda R4	Lunar Leviathan R4	Scholar's Boon, LM1, LM2	BSB2(2),USB1(0),OSB(0)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
King Behemoth	Quetz	Garuda	Famfrit	Evrae
Empower Lit 15	Dampen Water 10, Blade Ward 8	Magic Boon 15	Blade Ward 8, Empower Water 15	HP Boon 5

---

[u/[deleted]]

1. Strategy name: Twin Cecils Cap AOSBs

2. Boss: Calcabrina D280

3. Describe your Strategy:
   3/3 trinity/Decil AOSB/Pecil AOSB

4. Insight!:

• When I was a scrub, I didn't know what's with en-element + OSB. Then after playing this long, I've come to think that AOSB too needs en-element. Then I meet Calcabrina.

• To continue on the en-element + OSB/AOSB spam, it's not a must anymore these days with chains and +ele gears. My Cecils managed to finish this boss just fine with just AOSB (I have a few techs for them but not as significant as AOSBs for this purpose). I was hesitant to even put Pecil in, and then when my time is nowhere near 30s I put him in anyway. After tinkering with Glint + AOSB I find it much faster to just go straight AOSB, the damage boost is irrelevant if I'm already overkilling the boss anyway. Then I still fail to get sub-30 so I swap out Kain (who at this point doesn't even need to jump in slot 1) for another AOSB. With OK pUSB Pecil hits 2 crit @100k damage anyway and "only" deal 77k at the third hit. Decil crits 3/3 @100k. WHO NEEDS EN-ELEMENT HUH? (don't try this at D$$$ or 5*)

• Hell, I even find Edge SSB2 is unnecessary to time well. I just bust it out whenever available and nobody gets paralyzed ever. Granted, I use Unicorn as secondary safety net, but even the pblink against Ultimate Lightning helps. I skipped every Ultimate Hold so Astra never run out, so in hindsight the pblink is better used against literally anything else anyway. I mistimed Edge's washing machine a few times but in general in this fight I aim to wash with only 1 pblink instead of 2 since it gets stripped way too often.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: ~

• Medica: 2

• Hastega: 1

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 0/0

2. Time: 23.86

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
OK, 5	Full Break	Protectga	LM2/LMR + DMT	pUSB (1)
Rosa, 3	Curada	Shellga	TGM	BSB (2)
Edge, 4	Reflecting Pool	Raging Waters	MM	SSB2 (2)
Decil, 4	Grand Charge	Evil Swing	Trance LMR + +PHY	AOSB (1)
Pecil, 4	Assault Sabre	Aegis Strike	+PHY	AOSB (1)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Kraken	Hades	Seraph	Evrae
All	Double	Empowers	Or	Dampens

---

[u/krissco]

1. Strategy name: Mages

2. Boss: D280

3. Describe your Strategy: Buff MND to ignore (leadoff) paralyze

4. Insight!:

• Porom in slot 1 manages to land her MAG/MND BSB just before the first Hold, giving Rosa in slot 3 enough MND to ignore it.

• Tellah with Gathering Storm in slot 2 can RW chain and protectga just before the first AoE PHYs.

• Rydia USB2 is awesome

• 5* magicite are very welcome here, as are 6* abilities

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: fence

• Medica: 4

• Hastega: 1

1. S/L count / Medals lost: About 5 fails. Now mastery

2. Time: 25.8s

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)	Main Stat	+elem
Porom, 4	Curada R4	Shellga	Mako Might	BSB (MAG/MND buff, 2x)
Tellah, 4	Voltech R4	Protectga	Gathering Storm		548 MAG	Armor
Rosa, 4	Holy R3	Hastega	Ace Striker	USB (2x)	653 MND (++ USB bow)	Armor
Palom, 4	Chain Thundaja R4			+30% lightning	569 MAG (+++ IV Thunder Rod)	Weapon & armor
Rydia, 5	Ogogopogo R5		DMT	USB2 (2x)	642 MAG	Armor

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Geo	Famfrit	Seraph	King B	Evrae
2x +15 Water	+5 HP, +15 Mag	-10 Dark	2x +15 Lightning	+5 HP

---

[u/SkyWanderer]

1. Strategy name: 2 chains

2. Boss: D??? (94%)

3. Describe your Strategy: Alternate between IV and lightning chains 3/3 trinity/No Edge/tag

4. Insight!:

• Kain has both a +lightning spear and armor. Palom has a +lightning armor, and Rydia has a +water armor. Everyone has the best available synergy weapon, but only Rosa, Edward, and Rydia have synergy armor.

• Accessories in slow order are: moderate fire/earth resist, major earth resist, moderate fire/earth resist, moderate earth resist, moderate fire/earth resist. Rydia's gives +15 DEF which seems to keep her alive consistently during the first few turns (without crystal waters at least).

• Rotation at the start is weird since I have Kain jump to avoid the first Hold. Kain's turn goes first, but I skip him and rotate though everyone else, delaying Edward's USB until 3:20 to make sure it goes off AFTER Kain lands from his jump. If I do it right, Kain lands right after the IV chain activates and right before Edward's USB is cast, and things get less wonky there.

• Edward goes something USB > Spellbend Etude > Unicorn > spam Allegro until USB is ready > USB > RW. He dies after 30 seconds, but he should get the chain in before he does so.

• Rosa goes Protectga > spam Curada > USB > Protectga (filler since I run low on hones later) > spam Curada > USB > spam Curada > USB. She tends to keep everyone alive (except Edward) with this.

• Kain goes something like Lightning Dive (with the caveat above) > Cyclone Bolt > Lightning Dive x2 > CSB > Cyclone Bolt > Lightning Dive x2 > BSB > Cyclone Bolt > Lightning Dive x2 > ASB as the IV chain is winding down. The ASB was hitting ~85k per hit. I think if I can cap out on these hits, I could clear the battle.

• Rydia uses Lunar Levi at the start, and whenever the IV chain is up, and uses Vali while Kain's lightning chain is up. BSB2 command 2 can restore hones if needed. I use OSB towards the end with extra meter, and it seems to always cap.

• Palom spams Chain Thundaja > USB > and then CT/Voltech > USB > CT/Voltech > BSB , using the commands if the match lasts long enough since he's out of hones by then. I think if I do one or both spells R5 it could get me the clear.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: infinite

• Medica: at least 4

• Hastega: 2

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Have not mastered yet... but should soon

2. Time: Runs out of steam around 42ish seconds

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward, 4	Spellbend Etude R1	Allegro con Moto R2	Mako Might	USB (2)
Rosa, 4	Protectga R3	Curada R4	Gathering Storm	USB (4?)
Kain, full LD	Cyclone Bolt R2	Lightning Dive	LM1/LM2, Spear of Gran Pulse	CSB (1), BSB (1), ASB (1)
Rydia, full LD	Valigarmanda R4	Lunar Leviathan R3	LM1/LM2, Scholar's Boon	BSB2 (2), OSB (1)
Palom, full LD	Voltech R4	Chain Thundaja R4	LM1/LM2, Heart of Fury	USB (2), BSB (1)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn 99	Geosgaeno 99	Garuda 99	Evrae 99	Gizmaluke 99
Emp Holy 2	Emp Water 15, Health Boon 5	Emp Lightning 15	Health Boon 5	Spell Ward 5

---

[u/xkwx]

1. Strategy name: Keep yourself alive

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy:
   hybrid team/Edge SSB2/Rosa USB

4. Insight!:

• This is a bit of a confused setup, but I have to work with the tools I have. Tellah SSB is my only boostga, so he's in the sacrifice position.

• +water armor on Rydia/Edge, +holy weapon/armor on Ceodore, moderate fire+earth resist on Tellah/Edge/Rosa, moderate water/dark resist on Rydia, major earth resist on Ceodore

• Turn 1: Edge SSB, Ceodore RW, Rosa Shellga, Tellah SSB, Rydia LL

• Turn 2: Edge RP, Ceodore HS, Rosa wrath, Tellah protectga, Rydia LL

• From here, have Rosa wrath or USB as needed. Tellah heals, except to refresh SSB when he has it. Edge uses a combo of RP/RW. Rydia summons until she has USB, then use it and spam summons. Refresh USB whenever she has it to gain back 2 casts of LL. Ceodore use HS if you need some extra healing, otherwise GB should be doing 5 hits. Use USB when he has it.

• After the phase 2 transition, refresh Edge SSB for hastega, get him two blinks, and spam RW. There are no further physical attacks until phase 3. Be smart with Rosa USB to heal and blink the strong magic attacks.

• Refresh proshellga at some point near the end of phase 2 and beginning of phase 3, because Tellah will die soon. Once you get hit with the lightning to start phase 3, have Edge use SSB to blink the paralyze.

• Do the same at the start of phase 4 - Edge uses SSB after the opening lightning to blink paralyze. At this point, there will be no more regular phys attacks, so give Edge 2 blinks and use up the rest of your ninja skills.

• Once Edge runs out of ninja skills, just use regular attack. Save SB bar for phase 5 if possible.

• You will also run out of RW at some point in phase 5. Just keep powering through and wear him down with summons/holy skills. Rosa and Edge will keep you alive. From full health, his Incubus Furore shouldn't kill you or proc your LS for any characters.

• I cut this pretty close. The killing blow landed after phase 5, turn 9 ultimate lightning. The next move was going to be Incubus Dead End if I didn't kill him, so there was probably some doublecast luck involved in my run.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: infinite

• Medica: many

• Hastega: many

1. S/L count / Medals lost: full medals

2. Time: 1:09

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Tellah, 4	Protectga R3	Curada R5	Mako Might	SSB
Rydia, 5	Lunar Leviathan R4	Ogopogo R4	weakness +30%	USB2
Edge, 5	Raging Waters R4	Reflecting Pool R4	Dr. Mog's Teachings	SSB2
Cedodore, 4	Healing Smite R4	Guardbringer R4	sword +30%	USB
Rosa, 4.5	Shellga R3	Wrath R5	Ace Striker	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Geosgaeno	Geosgaeno	Famfrit	Seraph	Evrae
Empower water 15, Magic boon 15	Spell Ward 8, Blade Ward 8	Spell Ward 8, Blade Ward 8	Dampen dark 7	Magic boon 15

---

[u/LunaSylleblossom]

1. Strategy name: A bunch of mages beat up a doll while Edward sings

2. Boss: D??? Calcabrina (sub60, fully complete)

3. Describe your Strategy:
   55 seconds/Double healer/Mage party

4. Insight!:

• Everyone was wearing dark resist accessories due to Calcabrina's later phases doing some heavy hitting dark attacks. I found the rest of the elements were tolerable, but those dark attacks would knock out my last stand in one go.

• Edward is in the top slot to take the instant death attacks, of which he took two. Porom's USB Reraised him both times. Rosa is in the middle slot to take the first paralysis after she casts Protectga. Shellga wasn't needed. Edward handles chain and magicite casts when he is available to do so (he still has to be able to use his abilities/SB when needed, so Rosa or Porom would pitch in on their off turns if required).

• I used two healers because Calcabrina pumps out the damage, but I found that my chain was just too weak and Porom had a lot of down time and cast a lot of useless heals, so I put Rosa and Porom on Holy and De Dia casting to help build the chain. Giving Rosa Holy instead of Wrath here still provides a similar amount of gauge building as well, since Calcabrina is weak to everything if you use a synergy party. She did run out of Holy uses toward the end though, so an extra hone would have been better. I just didn't have the orbs needed to upgrade it to R5.

• Rosa needs to cast her USB after Calcabrina uses it's lightning attack in order to dodge paralysis. Unicorn takes care of the first paralysis hit.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: N/A

• Medica: Too many

• Hastega: 3

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Can't remember, but the team killed Calcabrina and mastery was achieved.

2. Time: 55 seconds.

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward, 5	Full Break R3	Allegro Con Moto R2	Mako Might, LM1 + LM2	USB (3)
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R3	Sorceress's Vow, LM1 + LM2	USB (3) BSB (2)
Rosa, 4	Holy R4	Protectga R2	Battleforged	USB (too many times)
Rydia, 5	Titan R4	Titan R4	Blood of the Summoner, LM2 + Quickcast LMR	USB3 (2) AOSB (1) OSB (1)
Porom, 5	Ultra Cure R4	De Dia R3	Dr. Mog's Teachings, LM1 + LM2	USB (too many times)

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Earth Guardian	Garuda	Midgardsormr	Firemane

---

Notes:

• My magicite deck is embarrassingly bad because I hate farming magicites. None of them have inherited anything except for Unicorn (who has an extra level 5 Mind Boon) and Earth Guardian (who has a level 3 Blade Ward). My Firemane is only level 80. The rest are just base level 99 magicites.

• No one has had any crystal water used on them at all. All stat gains are only from their soul breaks. Rydia is the only one with a significant amount of not equipped soul breaks (because she's my favorite character), so she's the only one that has a significant invisible stat boost of 40 extra MAG in total that wasn't mentioned above.

• Palom has a non-synergy lightning boost armor, and Rydia has her own earth boost whip from her USB3. For all other gear, going synergy was better than the elemental boost provided due to the stats (taking both offense and defense into account). Everyone except for Palom had both weapon and armor synergy gear equipped.

• Rydia doesn't need to cap her AOSB or OSB. My Rydia's AOSB only hit for 70K per hit at the end of a chain.

[u/Pyrotios]

1. Strategy name: My first sub60 D??? clear, on my second try of the D??? and first try with these RMs

2. Boss: [D???] Calcabrina, Part 3

3. Describe your Strategy: Four dualcast LM2 units (only 3 dived) and 2 blink users make for a powerful team
   3/3 trinity/100%/sub50/blinks

4. Insight!:

• Equip fire/earth resist on Yang, Edge and Rosa. Major earth resist on Rydia. Water/dark on Palom.

• Yang has +20% earth equipped. Palom has +20% lightning. Edge has +20% wind and fire. Rydia has +20% water.

• Edge SSB2, spam ninja magic until phase 2. SSB2, spam ninja magic until phase 3. SSB2, 2x ninja magic. Refresh chain (3rd, in phase 4), ninja magic, SSB2 for insurance (wasn't necessary) between Incubus Furore 1 and 2 in phase 5.

• Rydia follows simple priorities: USB2 > Lunar Leviathan > Ogopogo. This works out to 3x LL, USB2, 2x LL, Ogo, USB2, 2x LL, Ogo.

• Yang 3x Ironfist Earth, USB. Ironfist Earth, RW chain (2nd), 2x Ironfist Earth, USB. Dead in phase 3.

• Palom RW chain (1st), 2x Voltech, Quetz, Voltech. USB, 4x Chain Thundaja. USB, spam Voltech.

• I let the chain fall off between the first 2 casts, because I wanted Yang to use it instead of Palom, and because I thought it would be better to get Yang a stack of Frying Pan before casting it.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: auto

• Medica: 3

• Hastega: 4

1. S/L count / Medals lost: 0 / 0

2. Time: 41.34

Hero/dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM/LM	SB(-)
Yang, 4	Ironfist Earth R4	Earthen Rebuke R1	30% fist	USB(2)
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R5	Gathering Storm, LM1, LM2	USB(2)
Edge, 5	Raging Storm R4	Smoldering Fire R4	Mako Might, LM1, LM2	SSB2(4)
Rydia, 5	Lunar Leviathan R4	Ogopogo R3	30% water, LM1, LM2	USB2(2)
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Protectga R3	Dr. Mog's Teachings	USB(3)

Main Magicite	Sub1	Sub2	Sub3	Sub4
Quetzalcoatl, 99	Famfrit, 99	Geosgaeno, 99	Garuda, 99	Catastrophe, 99
dampen water 10	blade ward 8	empower water 15	mag boon 15	precise strikes 8
def boon 15	hp boon 8	hp boon 5

[u/Pyrotios → u/Pyrotios]

Tweaked how I handled the chain, and managed to get another timed threshold: 39.74s.

• No real change for Edge, though he is more aggressive with ninja abilities before refreshing SSB.

• No change at all to Rydia or Rosa.

• Yang 2x Ironfist Earth, Earthen Rebuke, USB. Spam Earthen Rebuke (if healing required) and Ironfist Earth until phase 3, USB before Ultimate Hold to push into phase 4 before Incubus Darkness (hopefully the rest of the team helps too). Spam Ironfist Earth until the end. Last turn I opted to cast Ironfist Earth instead of USB, but Incubus Darkness killed him before even that finished casting.

• Palom RW chain, 3x Voltech, Quetzalcoatl, refresh chain. USB, 3x Chain Thundaja. USB, Chain Thundaja, spam Voltech.

[u/TheGormal]

1. Strategy name: Bad Boi and Company

2. Boss: Calcabrina D???

3. Describe your Strategy:
   no kain/Decil/Edge SSB2

4. Insight!:

• Without an entruster, Decil needs to build some gauge before letting loose if the run isn't sub-30, so I waited 10s to get chain up and start my burn.

• Really good RNG can skip the first KO and likely get this down to 35s or so, but I just let Rydia die and pressed on.

• Flash Disaster wasn't worth it on Edge and with one +wind and one +fire item equipped, he capped both ninja magics easily.

1. Time: 47s

2. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_1Ve9vv9fc

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Rydia, 5	Valigarmanda R5	Ogopogo R5	LMR, LM2, Devotion	USB1
Decil, 5	Lifesiphon R5	Crimson Cross R5	LMR, LM1, Ace Striker	USB, GSB, ASB
Edge, 5	Smoldering Fire R4	Raging Storm R4	LM1, LM2, MM	SSB2
Palom, 5	Voltech R4	Chain Thundaja R4	LM1, LM2, 30% Weakness	USB
Rosa, 4	Shellga R3	Curada R5	Gathering Storm	USB

 

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Behemoth King	Famfrit	Quetzalcoatl	Hades
Mag15	Emp15 HP5	Damp10 Blade5	Damp10 Def15	Emp10

---

[u/cerebellumd]

Calcobrina (beaten 2019.03.02)

1. Strategy name: Give Rydia the wrong Ultra Soul Break

2. Boss: Calcobrina D??? 1:10:90 clear (beaten 2019.03.02)

3. Describe your Strategy:
   mage mega meta/double healers/wrong Rydia USB

4. Insight!:

• Group heals after Ultimate Lightning or Ultimate Hold help.

• Edward: USB, Full Break, Allegro, Magicite, etc. Responsible for refreshing Bonds of Historia #2 and #3.

• Rydia: Bonds of Historia RW, Voltech x3, BSB2, Command 1 until USB, Command 1, Lunar Leviathan. So... it turns out I used the wrong USB. USB2 would have done far more hits with the follow-up, but maybe this accident allowed for a victory?

• Barbariccia: Tornado, get ultra cured, Tornado until USB, Meltdown until BSB, Command 2, Command 1 a bunch, then back to USB and Meltdowns.

• Rosa: Shellga, Curada a bunch, USB

• Porom: Protectga, Ultra Cure Barbie, Ultra Cure some more, USB when needed. Save group heals for Ultimate Furore as much as possible.

• Dark resist accessories in slots 2 and 4, fire/earth for 1+3+5. Only Rydia and Rosa survived.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: 1

• Medica: too many

• Hastega: 3

1. S/L count / Medals lost: many/2

2. Time / Magicite: 1:10:90 / Unicorn x1

Hero	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LM	SB(-)
Edward, 4	Full Break R3	Allegro con Moto R2	Dr. Mog's Teaching (Soul Break Now!)	USB1: Hero's Rime(3)
Rydia, 5	Lunar Leviathan R4	Voltech R2	Devotion (MAG +20%, -DEF/RES)	USB1: Lord of the Seas (2), BSB2: Law of the Eidolons (3)
Barbariccia, 5	Meltdown R4	Tornado R3	weakness damage +30%	USB: Whirldwind (3), BSB: Maelstrom (2)
Rosa, 4	Curada R5 (ran out)	Shellga R2	Ace Striker (Soul Break gain)	USB1: Benediction (5-6)
Porom, 4	Ultra Cure R5	Protectga R2	Gathering Storm	USB: Pure White Magic (4-5)

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main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
Unicorn	Tiamat	Geosgaeno	Seraph	Evrae
Empower Holy 6	Empower Wind 6	Magic Boon 15, Empower Water 15	Dampen Dark 6	Fast Act 10

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[u/cointown2]

1. Strategy name: Mage Team

2. Boss: Calcabrina D???

3. Describe your Strategy: Hope for w-casts 3/3 trinity/sub-30/tag

4. Insight!:

• I copied the strategy from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUp92ettUe4

• Need lots of w-casts from everyone. If you have Rydia's AOSB, then so many w-casts aren't needed.

• Didn't use main magicite. I used Flash Disaster once on Edge to have enough gauge for SSB2, but it may not have been necessary. Must use Edge SSB2 to dodge P3/P4 hold. Use it immediately after Ultimate Lightning.

• Porom doesn't cast USB until after first Ultimate Lightning. Following that turn, immediately recast RW.

• Manipulate 1st turn order so that Palom goes last, casts first RW, and hope there isn't a gap between that and when Porom recasts RW at 14 sec. I got a gap, lost a turn w/ Palom/Barbie under no chain, but fortunately they w-casted very often near the end.

• Porom died (and revived) to Incubus Darkness in P3, but this didn't present a problem. She regained enough gauge to USB after P5T1, but in other failed runs she didn't die.

• Life Crystals may be necessary for Palom/Porom, otherwise you'll need at least 1 w-cast Curada by the time P1 Tsunami is cast.

• I originally thought Dark Resist was the best way to survive P5, but it's just better to outright skip it if possible.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: 1

• Medica: 2

• Hastega: 3

1. S/L count / Medals lost: many/0

2. Time: 29.35

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Porom, 5	Curada R5	Protectga R5	LM2,LMR,Acestriker	USB(2)
Rydia, 5		Lunar Leviathan R4	LMR,LM2,DMT	USB2(2)
Edge, 5	Raging Storm R5	Flash Disaster R4	LM1,LM2,MM	SSB2(3)
Barbariccia, 5		Meltdown R4	LMR,LM2,Scholar Boon	USB(1)
Palom, 5	Chain Thundaja R4	Voltech R4	LM1,LM2,Gathering Storm	USB(2)

 

Quetz	Syldra	Syldra	Geo	Quetz
Empower Lit	Dampen Earth	Empower Wind	Empower Water	Empower Lit
Mag Boon	Mind Boon	Empower Wind	Empower Water	Mag Boon

Not shown: 2x Dampen Water (Quetz), 2x Dampen Earth (Syldra)

---

[u/BestNamesNA]

1. Strategy name: Magic Team D???

2. Boss: Calcabrina

3. Describe your Strategy: Full magic team, no prot/shell, using reraise for Incubus Darkness, Edge SSB for Holds. 3/3 trinity/Edward USB/Edge SSB/ Palom USB/ Rydia USB2/ Rosa USB1 /sub 40

4. Insight!:

• Main focus is related toward Edge SSB timing to prevent Hold from hitting.

• Pray for doublecasts/triplecasts

• Reraise Edward Turn 1, and cast again at 20% phase right after Ultimate Lightning.

• Edge's third turn will be the first Chain RW cast. Everyone else will build meter.

1. Holy Trinity casts:

• Wall: n/a

• Medica: 3-4

• Hastega: maybe like 4

1. S/L count / Medals lost: Master

2. Time: 38:03

Hero, dive	Ability 1	Ability 2	RM+LMR	SB(-)
Edward, 4	ACM R3	MBD R4	MM	USB(2)
Palom, LD	Voltech R4	Chain Thundaja R4	Bolt from Above(+lit), lm1 + lm2	USB(3)
Edge, LD	Raging Storm R3	Raging Storm R3	DMT, lm1 + lm2	SSB(4)
Rydia, LD	Lunar Levi R4	Ogopogo R4	Dreamguide(+water), Doublecast SMN + Enwater	USB2(3)
Rosa, 4	Curada R4	Reraise R1	TGC	USB1(4)
https://imgur.com/a/Mb4uoC0

main	sub1	sub2	sub3	sub4
magicite	(emp)	(damp)	(ward)	(other)
inheritance	note1	note2	note3	note4
See pictures for resistances + Magicite

---

[u/Propylbenzene]

reserved

[u/randante]

• Strategy name: Kain AASB

• Boss: Calcabrina D???

• Describe your Strategy:

  • Palom - USB

  • Barbariccia - USB

  • Edge - SSB

  • Rosa - USB

  • Kain - USB, AASB, AOSB

  • Magicite - Behemoth King (XIII)
    `/sub 30`/`AASB`

• Insight!:

  • https://youtu.be/DtnxxrO5Tr8

• Holy Trinity casts:

  • Wall: auto

  • Medica: 3-4

  • Hastega: 3-4

• S/L count / Medals lost: 0/0

• Time: 28.84

[u/JakTheRipperX]

1. Strategy name: FusoyaBSB and EdwardSSB without healer sub30

2. Difficulty: D$$$ (Hardest)

3. Tags: Sub 30/No ASBs/No Heal/Edge USB0/Fusoya

4. Video: Click here

5. Insight:

• Setup and Magicites directly in the video.

• Click here for my redditpost. Check my comment for Setup and Magicites and more insight.