One of the last quests you can take on in Metaphor: ReFantazio is called "The Apostles of the Apocalypse". This quest has you and your companions making your way to the Disgraced Ruins, located just north of Grand Trad. As a later-game bounty, the challenges within this dungeon may be a bit more demanding, depending on your chosen difficulty setting.
Unlocking "The Apostles of the Apocalypse" Bounty
"The Apostles of the Apocalypse" bounty became available on September 26 and has no deadline for acceptance. You can take it on from any Recruitment Center.
Expect to spend a day traveling to the Disgraced Ruins, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Quest Preparation
As with all bounties, speaking to an informant can provide valuable insights. For this quest, you’ll find the informant at the Hushed Honeybee Inn, where you can purchase information about the Zealot of the Disgraced Ruins for 3,500 reeve. However, we’ll provide you with all the necessary details right here, saving you some cash.
If funds are tight, don’t hesitate to sell any unneeded valuables. It’s essential to have enough reeve, especially since you’ll likely be using merchant abilities that cost reeve. Additionally, ensure you have a good supply of healing items.
Recommended Party Setup
Depending on your difficulty level, you may need to adjust your party strategy for the best results. Here’s a breakdown of the ideal archetypes and their roles:
| Character | Archetype | Position | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protagonist | Healer Lineage | Back | This role is crucial for healing your party, especially using Patra. Consider using Light abilities, as Bandit Chief Cistus is weak to light. Removing debuffs with Dekunda can also be beneficial. |
| Any | Paladin/Any | Front | Paladins offer great defensive skills and Light magic, making them ideal for targeting Bandit Chief Cistus’s weakness. Using Marakukaja to boost defenses is a plus. |
| Any | Merchant Lineage | Back | Merchants can distract Bandit Chief Cistus and the bandits, making them miss their turns. Having a merchant on your team is essential for this task. |
| Any | Berserker/Mage Lineage | Front/Back | A Berserker is ideal for maximizing damage against the secondary boss, while a Mage can deal different elemental damage to the bandits. It’s a good idea to switch members as needed. |
Additionally, equip gear that protects against status ailments, especially against being Enraged.
Finding Bandit Chief Cistus Fervent Zealot
You’ll find Bandit Chief Cistus at the deepest level of the Disgraced Ruins. Fortunately, you don’t need any special conditions to trigger him.
Phase 1: Movesets and Weaknesses
When facing Bandit Chief Cistus, remember he’ll have two bandit allies. You can eliminate them, but he’ll likely summon them back, so it might be wiser to handle them at the end of the encounter.
General Tips for Phase 1:
- At the start of the fight, use Marakukaja to boost your party’s defenses.
- Target Cistus’s weakness to Light with your most potent abilities.
- Make sure to use merchant skills to increase the chances that Cistus and his companions miss their turns due to distractions.
Once you defeat Bandit Chief Cistus, you’ll then need to deal with his surviving bandit allies to finish the fight before transitioning to the next boss battle.
Phase 2: Facing Homo Sondro
For the second phase, switching to a Berserker is crucial as Homo Sondro repels physical and electric attacks. This enemy only has a weakness to Strike, so focus your attacks here.
Homo Sondro Strategy:
- Make full use of your Berserker’s Synthesis Skills.
- Stay vigilant about health, as moves like Slam Shatter and Gakandeon can inflict considerable damage.
- You can also look for opportunities to remove buffs from Homo Sondro; while it may recast them, it uses a turn that you can exploit.
Rewards for Defeating the Bosses
After defeating Bandit Chief Cistus and Homo Sondro, you’ll earn 115,000 reeve and four points of Courage upon handing in the bounty at a Recruitment Center. Additionally, you’ll receive Strength Incense and a Frostbite Axe for taking down Bandit Chief Cistus, and Golden Armor for defeating Homo Sondro. Finally, you’ll obtain the Founder’s Hatchet, which you need to turn in to the Recruitment Center.
With this strategy and preparation, you and your party should be well-equipped to tackle this challenging bounty and come out successful!