Are you ready to assist a weary woman in Metaphor: ReFantazio? You definitely should! She’s been through quite a lot. All she needs are seven Dragonthistle Berries to complete the “Soldier’s Solace” side quest for her, located in Brilehaven. It sounds straightforward, but there’s an optional dungeon waiting for you: Gracia Forest.
This guide will walk you through Gracia Forest from start to finish. It’s not the longest area in Metaphor: ReFantazio, but we’ve highlighted the important enemies and treasure. We’ll also cover the boss encounter with Kokasados, so you can wrap up “Soldier’s Solace” quickly.
How to Start “Soldier’s Solace”
As you exit the Spider’s Den in Brilehaven the morning after the tournament events, keep an eye out for a woman with a quest icon above her head, just a short distance away.
She’ll reveal her troubles and request your help in gathering seven Dragonthistle Berries from Gracia Forest, which will be marked on your map. Let’s get moving – it’s that simple!
Before you leave, we suggest you
take on any additional dungeon-related side quests, to save yourself travel time later. Completing them all in one trip is more efficient.
Gracia Forest: Before the Plateau
Enemy | Notes |
|---|---|
Canibaflo | This enemy uses Pollen Attack to deal light Almighty damage to all members of your party, lowering their Hit and Evasion. It can also use Numbing Pollen which may inflict Paralysis. It attacks using Cyclo and Gacyclo for single-target and area Wind damage. Resistant to Electric but weak to Fire. |
Raptor Corvo | This enemy strikes with Rush and Heavy Rush for light physical damage. Its spells, Kandera, are available for both single target and multiple enemies. Weak against Pierce. |
Manjula | The Manjula uses Stinger Frenzy for medium Pierce damage. Its Poison Needle and Numbing Needle attacks are weak Pierce with chances of inflicting Poison or Paralysis. It can also enhance its Attack and Defense with War Cry and inflict party-wide medium Fire damage with Fire Breath. It is weak to Ice. |
Spear Noble Malmorta | This enemy resists Slash and Pierce. However, it has a weakness to Dark. Using synthesis Mamudo against three or more of these enemies is beneficial. |
Kadablich | Kadablich repels Pierce attacks and is weak to Light. It can steal Sanctor’s Vigour and utilizes Life Steal to recover some HP. The Curse Chant can inflict a party-wide Hex ailment, and its Mudoon spell might instakill. |
Chat with the Tired Adventurer as you enter the forest. He’ll remind you to make sure you have weapons and skills that can hit from a distance.
Start by taking the west path at the fork to gain some EXP from the
Raptor Corvos, as there’s nothing else to fight here.
Next, head east. Your first encounter will be with a Canibaflo. It can be tough if you’re not well-prepared; having strong Fire magic and a way to recover team debuffs will make this battle easier.
Collect the first Dragonthistle Berry nearby, and continue on. You’ll meet Loveless next. Eliminate the weak birds you find in the area, and you’ll get the second Dragonthistle Berry as a reward. Defeat another Canibaflo and… wait, are we already at the Plateau?
Watch out for the Manjula, a chimera-type enemy, that may ambush you here. To the south from the Plateau, there are three paths to the east. The middle path leads only to Talkative Tooth, so choose the lowest path.
Try to steal a Chimera Armor from the Manjula, which has DEF 220 and provides Endurance +5. It’s quite valuable!
Follow the path down to find a Ruby, then head north.
Gracia Forest: After the Plateau
Your third Dragonthistle Berry is situated up the path toward a dead end on the right. Watch for birds that might ambush you before you can strike them down. Proceed north.
Continue moving north to reach a dead end where you will find a Gold Beetle!
At the junction, turn west to bypass a swarm of hornets and take the south path to find your fourth Dragonthistle Berry at the end. Keep going north to discover the fifth Dragonthistle Berry located at a south dead end in the next wider area.
Again, move north; a duo of Canibaflos will charge at you, so be ready to take them out swiftly. You’ll find the sixth Dragonthistle Berry by following this path all the way to its west end. Once you collect it, turn around and head south into another expansive area.
Beware of multiple Canibaflos that tend to cluster here, accompanied by weaker enemies. If you can stun them near the less challenging foes, it might lead to a battle that yields useful Magla Pills.
Keep moving forward while watching out for another Manjula. Make sure to heal and use MP-restoring items if necessary, as you’re about to confront the formidable Kokasados!
Boss: Kokasados
Character | Archetype | Formation | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
Protagonist | Magic Seeker | Front | Heal as necessary, and when available, use the synthesis Fireblade Rider to maximize damage. Otherwise, rely on powerful spells. |
Strohl | Gunner | Back | Employ Hex Shot and other Shot skills for Pierce damage. Use Heismay’s support when possible for Mania Bullet. |
Hulkenberg | Commander | Front | Maintain a consistent Marakukaja to enhance the team’s Defense, preventing Kokasados’ one-hit KO attacks. Aid the protagonist with Fireblade Rider, and frequently utilize Pierce attacks. |
Heismay | Thief | Front | Cast Tarunda several times to reduce Kokasados’ Attack. Support Strohl in crafting the Mania Bullet. |
This battle isn’t as challenging if you’re adequately prepared. The key is having Rakukaja or a similar skill handy to enhance your team’s Defense.
In ordinary situations, that’s a typical necessity; however, against Kokasados, Defense-boosting buffs are critical. When the game alerts you that Kokasados is targeting a character without Rakukaja, and then it freezes in place, that character is likely about to face a devastating blow.
Assign Hulkenberg as Commander (or General) to cast Marakukaja, and you will be well protected. This spell raises defenses for the entire party.
Kokasados’ other attacks are primarily physical slash-based or Wind-based. Expect its Gacyclo to deal medium Wind damage across the party, while the Powerful Pulverizer strikes a single target with heavy physical damage.
Utilizing Pierce attacks is crucial. Ensure your Gunner fires off skills like Hex Shot every turn, or synergize with a Thief/Assassin—like Heismay—for Mania Bullet, which delivers substantial Pierce damage.
The protagonist, acting as your Magic Seeker, should unleash your strongest spells, and employ Fireblade Rider with Hulkenberg whenever it is available. The protagonist may only need to heal once using an inherited Medica, a spell targeting the entire party for medium HP recovery.
Completing the Quest
Returning the Dragonthistle Berries won’t revive the woman’s son, but they will aid others in need. Speak to her where you initially found her in Brilehaven, and she will reward you with 30,000 reeve and a Dragonblood Sap, which completely restores the HP and MP of one ally.
And that concludes your adventure in the “Soldier’s Solace” quest in Metaphor: ReFantazio! Keep up the fantastic work, adventurer.