Metaphor: ReFantazio features a variety of intriguing late-game challenges, primarily in the shape of dragons. While the main storyline gives you only a brief view of these majestic beasts, as you delve deeper into the game’s final stages, you’ll encounter many more, each presenting unique trials and rewards.
At the pinnacle of difficulty is the Redscale Apocalypse Dragon, a hidden superboss that represents one of the toughest challenges in the game. This fearsome creature can be quite daunting for the unprepared, yet it rewards players with valuable treasures upon victory. Just make sure to avoid getting caught under its claws during the fight.
Unlocking the Redscale Apocalypse Dragon Boss Fight
The Redscale Dragon is exclusive to New Game Plus, meaning it’s a unique feature you can only access during a second playthrough, in addition to the new Regicide difficulty mode. If you’re seeking a serious challenge, you can initiate a fresh game on this difficulty and face the Dragon early on without much build-up. The moment you gain access to the Akademeia, look for a red unsealed book near Plato’s resting area. Interacting with this book will kick off the battle.
Although this book can be seen during your first playthrough, More will prevent you from interacting with it for good reason.
Details and Move Set of the Redscale Apocalypse Dragon
This boss doesn’t have any specific weaknesses and shares some moves with other draconic foes you might have faced in the game. Here’s a breakdown of its attacks:
| Attack | Effect |
|---|---|
| Dragon’s Contempt | Gains one extra Turn Icon permanently and two Half Turn Icons after each use. |
| Great Dragon’s Wrath | Increases Attack by 2 stages for 3 turns. |
| Dekunda | Removes all debuffs from itself. |
| Heat Riser | Increases Attack, Defense, and Hit/Evasion for 3 turns. |
| Tetrakarn | Reflects one Strike/Slash/Pierce attack. |
| War Cry | Decreases enemies’ Attack/Defense by 2 stages for 3 turns. |
| Makarakarn | Reflects one magical attack (non-Almighty). |
| Hyper | The next magical attack will inflict more than double damage. |
| Exorcist’s Light | Deals magical light damage to a single enemy. |
| Hadean Icecrag | Inflicts magical ice damage to all enemies. |
| Whirlwind Tail | Deals physical wind damage to all enemies. |
| Crusher Tail | Inflicts physical strike damage to all enemies. |
| Icy Breath | Inflicts magical ice damage to all enemies, with a chance to inflict frostbite. |
| Boltbreath | Causes magical electric damage to all enemies, with a potential shock effect. |
| Toxin Breath | Delivers magical dark damage to all enemies, possibly inflicting Forget. |
| Puppeteer’s Claw | Deals physical slash damage to one enemy, with a chance to confuse. |
| Ripping Claw | Inflicts physical fire damage to one enemy. |
| Iceclaw Slash | Deals physical ice damage to one enemy. |
| Purple Toxiclaw | Delivers physical slash damage with a chance to poison. |
| Sturdy Darkclaw | Inflicts physical dark damage to one enemy, reducing its Attack. |
| Loathsome Claw | Deals physical Almighty damage to one enemy. |
| Bewitching Blaze | Can charm all enemies. |
| Distinct Black Howl | Inflicts hex on all enemies. |
| Ill Wind | Deals 9999 Almighty damage to all enemies. |
While it seems overwhelming, keep a close watch on Dragon’s Contempt. After it uses it for the fourth time (at about 10% HP), the Dragon will use Ill Wind on its subsequent turn, ending the battle immediately. If anyone evades it, the Dragon will continue using it until you are defeated.
Preparing for Battle
The perfect time to confront the Dragon is on the final day, although you can challenge it whenever you are ready. Make sure to gear up by gathering essential food items and equipment throughout your playthrough.
Here is a team setup and equipment suggestion for tackling this fight:
Protagonist:
- Weapon: King’s Sovereignty
- Armor: Cardinal Dragon Armor
- Gear: Reverent Crown
- Accessory: Overlord’s Sash
- Archetype: Prince (Arcane Unity, Sense of Kinship, Magic Circle, Unshaken Will)
Hulkenberg:
- Weapon: Save the King
- Armor: Sunstalo Plate
- Gear: Kaiser’s Pickelhaube
- Accessory: Venomward Charm
- Archetype: Royal Knight (Ironclad Bond, Item Connoisseur, Unshaken Will, Sturdy Stance)
Junah:
- Weapon: Heroine’s Fan
- Armor: Cardinal Dragon Robe
- Gear: Divine Light Gloves
- Accessory: Trickster Mask
- Archetype: Royal Masked Dancer (Sense of Kinship, Magic Circle, Unshaken Will, Formation of Vigor)
Basilio:
- Weapon: Axe of the Old God
- Armor: Cardinal Dragon Armors
- Gear: Rakshasa’s Hands
- Accessory: Venomward Charm
- Archetype: Royal Berserker (Sense of Kinship, Heat Up, Strike Boost, Unshaken Will)
Important Tip: Avoid equipping items that repel attacks, as the Dragon will immediately counter with Ill Wind on its first move, defeating you instantly. Resistances and Blocks are viable, however.
Strategy to Defeat the Redscale Apocalypse Dragon
It’s advisable to be at Level 80 or above, with all Archetypes fully upgraded. Players can swap characters and items freely to adapt to various strategies. Ensure resistance to Charm and Confuse is established.
Stock up on Ambrosia and prepare some Almighty Golden Stews for restorative help during the battle. Consider leveling all Royal Archetypes to Rank 20 and conversing with More to acquire Chronicle of the End, unlocking the Armageddon’s Final Sire Synthesis for additional damage.
Don’t forget to bring at least one Sublime Spoonful, made from the following ingredients:
- 1 Lord of the Lake
- 3 Queen’s Honey Jars
- 3 Gauntlet Shrooms
You can obtain both the Lord of the Lake and Queen’s Honey Jar by fishing with a Rat’s Tail, while Gauntlet Shrooms can be found by checking the pantry daily on the Gauntlet Runner.
Note: Ensure you complete item preparations before heading to the Tyrant’s Star, as cooking will not be possible once you enter.
Winning the Fight
Your battle plan should focus on Basilio dealing the majority of the damage, with the Protagonist as a secondary attacker and supporter, Hulkenberg acting as the shield and healer, and Junah providing additional support.
In your first turn, follow this sequence:
- Use Vidyartha with Junah.
- Activate Hero’s Cry with the Protagonist for bonus turns.
- Employ Wanton Destruction with Basilio.
- Activate Holy Knight’s Proclamation with Hulkenberg.
- Use Formation of Vigor with Junah.
- Have the Protagonist use an Almighty Golden Stew.
- Perform Charge with Basilio.
- Execute Thunderstrike Thrust with Hulkenberg.
If using Reverent Crown, opt for Hellfire Dance with Junah. If the Protagonist outpaces her, pass your turn.
Basilio should continue using Wanton Destruction > Charge > Wanton Destruction to maximize damage. The boss will maintain its Strike weakness, facilitating the setup for successive attacks.
During free turns, you can pass or use items as necessary. Junah should continue applying debuffs with Vidyartha while managing team buffs. If necessary, she can neutralize Heat Riser with Ruin’s Flameflower. Otherwise, Basilio can step in with Peerless War Cry.
Hulkenberg’s role is vital for team durability by spamming Holy Knight’s Proclamation. She can also heal using Ambrosia effectively due to Item Connoisseur ensuring full health restoration.
Maintain this cycle with Basilio relentlessly dealing high damage while the Protagonist assists from the sidelines. While it may get chaotic as the Dragon’s HP dwindles, keeping up buffs and debuffs should allow Hulkenberg to withstand numerous attacks and recover from AoE damage.
Watch out for status ailments. However, with Unshaken Will, you can focus on draining the Dragon’s health. When Dragon’s Contempt appears for the third time, prepare for the finishing blow. Hit once more with Basilio and follow up with another Synthesis using the Protagonist to claim victory.
If you want to play it safe, activate Armageddon’s Final Sire after using a Sublime Spoonful, which should deliver ample damage to secure your win.
Rewards for Conquering the Redscale Dragon
After defeating the Redscale Apocalypse Dragon, you will receive the Hero King’s Ring, alongside the Gaius Regalia as a reward from More. The Ring eliminates all damage types except Almighty, while the Regalia restores your HP and MP after each battle.
The Gaius Regalia is invaluable for grinding, while the Hero King’s Ring is particularly useful for tackling the enhanced version of the game’s final boss, which could pose an even greater challenge than this formidable dragon.
