Part 127: Fight, for Everlasting Peace
Rock the Omni-Blue Mage - Part 16: Fight, for Everlasting PeacePreviously...
Exdeath was killed by a combination of maxing out his level and then spiking with Level 5 Death
A combination that made Rock's job all too easy.
Of course, he forgot there was one last fight, one last crown to earn...
Neo Exdeath.
Rock can mix all he wants, but Neo Exdeath still has a nasty trick up his sleeve.
Delta Attack will turn Rock into his namesake, regardless of whether he's wearing the Bone Mail or has Dragon's Kiss.
The upside to this is that it can be reflected, so Dragon Defense takes care of it.
The downside is that Neo Exdeath keeps Dispel handy.
Rock's best bet at surviving Neo Exdeath actually comes during the Exdeath fight.
Since Exdeath effectively can't harm Rock much, he can take his sweet time !Mixing up buffs, such as Dragon's Kiss, Goliath Tonic, Dragon Power, etc.
In short, he needs to get crunk.
Once sufficiently juiced on Walter's supply, it's time for Rock to roll on Neo Exdeath.
First step is to nullify as much of Neo's threats as possible. Casting Level 2 Old hits the back part, effectively weakening its magic attacks to manageable 300-400HP levels, while slowing it down.
Next is to !Mix a Dark Sigh on the frontmost part, blinding it and negating its physicals - hence why Rock is still Mini.
The bottom part can also be hit with Old when using the Ancient Sword, but in Rock's current state, it's not advised to spend too much time (if any) on attempting to do so.
Of course, the biggest threat is the top middle part - the one that casts Grand Cross aka status fuckery roulette.
Unfortunately, Rock doesn't have any tricks for this one. It's just down to a damage race to kill it before it lands something undesirable on Rock, and as such he unloads his extra Dark Matters for some quick, hard numbers.
Even with the Hermes Sandals equipped, Rock is still going to eat at least 2 Grand Crosses before the part dies off.
As impressive as it is, Rock manages to get out unharmed and to continue the fight.
Neo Exdeath will also bust out Almagest on occasion, and it still hits fairly hard, but it's mitigated through the effects of Goliath Tonic, Dragon Defense/Mighty Guard and White Wind.
The main order for this fight is to take Neo's ability to use Grand Cross first and the physical, Dispel using part second, followed by the Almagest part before finishing the vulnerable back part.
Delta Attack is a constant threat throughout the fight, and Rock can't avoid a death if Dragon Defense gets dispelled beforehand. Almagest is easily handled by Succubus Kisses or White Wind, and the rear part gets neutered with a Reflect.
This message is Rock's cue to brace for another Grand Cross. Luckily, each time Neo used it, he came out unscathed.
Once the supply of Dark Matters run out, Rock switches to Aeroga. While not quite as hard hitting as the Shadow Flare !Mix, it still hits for a respectable 2K damage.
With each segment having at least 50K HP, Rock is going to run out of MP eventually, even with the Golden Hairpin.
When that happens, a quick !Mix of Balm of Gilead maxes it back out.
Around this point in the fight, Rock is halfway through. The Grand Cross and Dispel parts have been eliminated, leaving only Almagest and -aga spells behind.
Final Fantasy Wikia posted:
Finally, Neo Exdeath uses Delta Attack during the game's final battle, and not only can it be reflected but upon doing so it will instantly destroy one of Neo Exdeath's four sections, regardless of where it hits; this can only be done once per battle, however.
That is an outright lie, as the reflected Delta Attack landed on the back part, the only part that does not have the Heavy flag and is currently afflicted with Old, and only did double-digit damage.
68, to be specific.
Some close calls, frantic White Winds and more Aerogas later, Rock takes out Neo's Almagest ability.
In loving memory of Mimir, Rock condemns Neo Exdeath to inevitable Doom.
Rock
KEN
Exdeath is desperate. Rock calmly defends.
Be it Meteor, Comet or some other last ditch effort, Rock uses what he has spent so long mastering to survive.
To thrive in the hellish faces of demonic adversity itself.
30 Blue Magic spells learned. From the humble Goblin Punch to the legendary Mighty Guard.
Trying new gear and ability combinations. Matching wits against beasts thought nigh impossible to beat, only to claim effortless victories.
30 seconds seems like a lifetime to Rock, yet the countdown does eventually hit zero.
BOSS DEATHS: 6
TOTAL BOSS DEATHS: 32
ENDING LEVEL: 48
TRIPLE CROWN VICTORY
The End