BOSS FIGHTS - Level 75+
By this time I will assume you already have softcap stats and at least one skill at 90. If not, your account is probably screwed. Go back to the previous tips before deciding to restart. If you're still unfamiliar with the terms here go to TERMINOLOGY and FAQ.
Everything in this section is based from experience. I'm a gunner, so I can only explain the point of view of a gunner. I had to ask a veteran swordie and mage for their experience. If you think you found a flaw or a better technique then please do share.
Boss Types
Before engaging your enemy, you should know your enemy first.
Switching
In order to survive bosses stronger than you, sometimes you have to switch allies, equipment, and class/skills. It may sound like a tedious task (it is), but aside from saving your ass it can also save energy and dusts if you only want to cap. There are countless examples of players that might have won their boss battle, even only by 2 digits of HP remaining, if only they switched.
When to use the Talisman
One of the perks of getting to level 75 is the talisman. You have to be level 90 on one class and equip it for the talisman to appear in MB (1% drop rate). Once you have it it must stay in your inventory, not bank, so you can use it. As with other items in inventory the talisman responds to hotkeys, and you can use it only ONCE per fight, so use it wisely. Talisman damage is based on weapon equipped, not class:
Running "slow" and "fast"
Full switching or ally only, as long as you stopped attacking to switch something, is considered slowing down. A fast run, on the other hand, is just tali and skill 60. Some people hold "S" for faster skill casting. Your speed depends on your available play time, account strength, boss's remaining HP, and most importantly the other hitters of your guild.
We mostly use "run" on FW. Before running you should know if there are any hitters running as well. We try to divide the boss's HP according to a hitters damage ability, so no one is cut from capping, and you can at least coin cap. If you're on the lower end of levels, bear in mind the other people waiting for you especially the heavy hitters/boss killers.
By this time I will assume you already have softcap stats and at least one skill at 90. If not, your account is probably screwed. Go back to the previous tips before deciding to restart. If you're still unfamiliar with the terms here go to TERMINOLOGY and FAQ.
Everything in this section is based from experience. I'm a gunner, so I can only explain the point of view of a gunner. I had to ask a veteran swordie and mage for their experience. If you think you found a flaw or a better technique then please do share.
Boss Types
Before engaging your enemy, you should know your enemy first.
- Possessed bosses that you randomly encounter in towns must be killed fast. If you die you have to go look for it and fight its full HP again.
- Guild bosses like the ones in mines, Isendel and hell requires guild effort to rage and kill. 1 mob = 0.25% rage, so you need to kill 400 mobs (excluding random encounters) to rage the boss. You can rage again after the boss is killed. These bosses have a weaker and stronger skill.
- 10-round bosses are Alien Mothership, FW Fortress, Mystic Bosses, Fallen, and Poseidon. The first 9 rounds of the battle are "safety rounds". On the 10th round they will start attacking you with a 1-hit KO skill. The only way to survive it is to block or with dolls. Like guild bosses, you have to kill mobs to rage. For FW, Fallen, and Poseidon, 1 mob = 1%, so 100 mobs to rage the boss. You start the boss battle with 100% rage. After the first fight it will go down to 90%, and so on. Once it reaches 0% you have to kill mobs again to 100%. We call this whole process a "run", like running in laps. For MW you need to kill 3 players, and in AI 1-3 mobs.
- "Global" bosses are Mystic Bosses, Fallen and Poseidon. Any player in that server within range can attack, but you must be in a guild to see them. Once dead, players must wait for 3 hours before these bosses revive. Aside from the boss itself, the challenge here is to beat the other players for the rankings.
- MA bosses must be killed on first encounter. If you die you'll be booted out of the MA and will need another arena pass (AP) to enter.
Switching
In order to survive bosses stronger than you, sometimes you have to switch allies, equipment, and class/skills. It may sound like a tedious task (it is), but aside from saving your ass it can also save energy and dusts if you only want to cap. There are countless examples of players that might have won their boss battle, even only by 2 digits of HP remaining, if only they switched.
- Allies - You can see the full list of premium allies at level 90. If you are unsure about which ally to buy, go to FAQ. Switch your weaken ally on first round, wait until it casts 3 weakens, then switch out your copy ally until the end of battle.
- Equipment - Sometimes you have to sacrifice damage for more HP. Aside from your main weapon and armor you should have a back-up life weapon and/or armor in your bank. As a gunner, my life weapon is also my healing staff, so it's always in my inventory. Before the battle, equip your life armor. On the first round, switch to your healing staff then heal, then switch back to your main weapon. For armors, some people ask about defense vs life. At some point, maybe around 300, the additional def beyond that becomes insignificant, while con gives the same amount of HP per point.
- Class/skills - You must have the appropriate weapon of each class to use their skill. The level 60 skills stack with each other and you only have to cast them once. Their cumulative effect lasts for the duration of the fight. On the first round use the Divine Light first for shield, second round Banish Dance for block, then Big Bang on third. Dragon Lord's Call Bunnies will work with any weapon, so you may use it on the fourth round. Then switch back to your main class.
- It is only recommended to do full switching if you think you can survive a boss's stronger attack with it, or when you are in MA. You do not need to do all of the above switchings. It takes at least four rounds to finish your set-up, and you're not even sure about weaken. With 10-round bosses those first four rounds are already wasted. Limit your switching from surviving to dealing out the max possible damage you can.
- There is no word-by-word instruction for a class or a level when switching. It is based on your current stats and equipment, and is purely trial and error. Let experience be your best teacher.
When to use the Talisman
One of the perks of getting to level 75 is the talisman. You have to be level 90 on one class and equip it for the talisman to appear in MB (1% drop rate). Once you have it it must stay in your inventory, not bank, so you can use it. As with other items in inventory the talisman responds to hotkeys, and you can use it only ONCE per fight, so use it wisely. Talisman damage is based on weapon equipped, not class:
- Sword - You need to survive until round 21 for max talisman damage.
- Staff - Try to get your HP as close to 1 as possible, but don't get yourself killed trying. The lower your HP the higher the talisman damage. It fully heals HP after use, so don't worry about that red bar.
- Bow/Gun - Although gunner talisman gives full 5x damage on first round, you may want to use Big Bang first for crit bonus. It'll increase the talisman damage a bit.
Running "slow" and "fast"
Full switching or ally only, as long as you stopped attacking to switch something, is considered slowing down. A fast run, on the other hand, is just tali and skill 60. Some people hold "S" for faster skill casting. Your speed depends on your available play time, account strength, boss's remaining HP, and most importantly the other hitters of your guild.
We mostly use "run" on FW. Before running you should know if there are any hitters running as well. We try to divide the boss's HP according to a hitters damage ability, so no one is cut from capping, and you can at least coin cap. If you're on the lower end of levels, bear in mind the other people waiting for you especially the heavy hitters/boss killers.