One of the first optional side quests you may run into Metaphor: ReFantazio is 'A Bullish Embargo', which sees you travel to the Belega Corridor to defeat the grotesque Guptauros that reside there. This boss is at the end of the dungeon and there are plenty of formidable enemies in between, we recommend getting your party to double digits before trying this one.
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Due to the nature of this area and how the enemies don't take kindly to anyone with a staff or a mace, you are limited in what your party can be. Here's what you need to know.
Pre-Battle Prep
Before you go on this quest, stock up on the town to ensure you have plenty of healing items as there are no vendors in the dungeon. We recommend making sure your party is at least level 10 (on normal difficulty) before attempting this.
Make sure you save your MP and items as much as possible throughout the dungeon to help you in the boss fight.
When you reach Plateau's Mirage, you are in the boss battle doors. You can go to the Akademeia and save here, as well as make sure your archetypes and inherited skills are set correctly.
Recommended party setting
As we mentioned earlier,
taking Mages or Healers into the Belega Corridor will enrage all monsters
in there, including the Grotesque Guptauros, which means it will invoke Rage and use Frenzy more often to decimate your party.
In terms of archetypes and formation, we recommend the following:
Character |
Archetype |
Formation |
Strategy |
---|---|---|---|
Protagonist |
Applicant |
Back |
Healing with Dei as needed, buffing Hulkenberg with Tarukaja and using Blizz if you've inherited it. |
Strohl |
Warrior |
Front |
If his Turn Icon comes up first, pass so Hulkenberg can use Synthesis on his Turn Icon. On any bonus tile icon, you can attack or use items as you wish. |
Hulkenberg |
Knight |
Front |
Using Synthesis to use Jump Thrust with Strohl as often as possible, and if not regular Pierce attacks. |
It's worth making sure the Protagonist has inherited Blizz from Mage to use on their recommended Archetype. You get it at level 2 and can be easily leveled up by using some Hero's Incense before the boss if you haven't already.
We've written this guide based on the archetypes and party members we had available when we tackled this quest almost immediately. You may have other viable options available to you, but the main strategy will pretty much be the same.
Brand Grotesque Guptauro's Moveset And Affinities
Affinities and Weaknesses
Slash |
— |
---|---|
Pierce |
Weak |
Strike |
— |
Fire |
Resist |
Ice |
Weak |
Electrical |
|
Wind |
— |
Light |
— |
Dark |
Move set
Charge |
Starts the next attack. |
---|---|
Attack |
Physical damage to a party member. |
Powerful Pulverizer |
Physical attack on a party member. |
Slam Shatter |
Physical attack on all party members. |
Heavy Rush |
Physical attack on a party member. |
Frenzy |
Deal physical damage to all party members. |
Reckless fee |
Buff effects on Grotesque Guptauros fade. (It uses this instead of Frenzy on easy mode.) |
Combat strategy
Open at polar Hulkenberg with Tarukaja as she does Pierce injurywhich Grotesque Guptauros is weak to. Hulkenberg should use Synthesis to perform Jump Thrustwhich deals medium physical Pierce damage and lowers enemy defenses for three turns. This is basically the move we want to use the most.
If Strohl's Turn Icon appears before Hulkenberg, Pass to give his Turn Icon so Hulkenberg can use Jump Thrust.
Grotesque Guptauros uses a lot of heavy damage physical attacksthus the strategy here is to keep your party healed up at all times while striking at its weaknesses. If you leave your party with low health, a single bad attack can wipe them all out.
When Grotesque Guptauros takes aim and uses Charge, you should guard the next swing icon with all party members as it will drop Frenzy next, attack your entire team, and then follow up with another attack.
It does not use Frenzy in Easy Mode.
I recommend using the main character to heal with the help of Dei, and Strohl with items (or Dei if he's inherited it) as needed on any subsequent Turn Icons not used by Synthesis with Hulkenberg.
On subsequent turns with the main character, or if no healing is needed, use Blizz as much as possible as this is another weakness of Grotesque Guptauros. For Hulkenberg, if you've already used Synthesis that round, only use her standard Pierce attackor items if you need.
You will serve yourself Falchion weapon to defeat Grotesque Guptauros, as well as receive a Brute's Horn as proof of your conquest for completing the quest “A Bullish Embargo”.
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