How to Beat All Trials of the Dragon in Metaphor: ReFantazio

Key Takeaways

1. Strategic Party Setup is Crucial: Each Dragon trial requires a unique combination of skills, resistances, and buffs to counter the bosses’ elemental strengths and weaknesses effectively.
2. Item and Accessory Management: Properly equipping items like Venomward Charms, Fire-resistant gear, and anti-status accessories can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
3. Skill Inheritance and Timing: Using Skill Inheritance and timing your attacks with buffs and debuffs ensures you maximize damage and maintain control during challenging phases.

In Metaphor: ReFantazio, the Trials of the Dragon are some of the most formidable endgame challenges. These four trials test your combat mastery, strategy, and resource management to their fullest. Starting with the Skybound Avatar Conquest quest and moving through each trial, this guide will walk you through the best tactics, items, and party compositions to ensure victory. Completing these trials not only rewards you with valuable gear and experience but also prepares you for the climactic battle with Louis.

Getting Started with the Trials of the Dragon

To access these trials, players must complete the Skybound Avatar Conquest quest and revisit Grand Trad, where they can challenge the Trials of the Dragon at various dungeon summits. This guide covers each trial in order of difficulty, offering insight into ideal party composition and item requirements to make these battles more manageable.

Overview of Trials

• Trial of the Dragon: Mad Mischief – Devourer of Nations
• Trial of the Dragon: Bygone Legacy – Devourer of Stars
• Trial of the Dragon: Heroes’ Rest – Devourer of Flames
• Trial of the Dragon: Essence of Power – Elegy of the Soul

Each trial is unique, featuring different enemies, elemental resistances, and specific challenges.

Trial of the Dragon: Mad Mischief – Devourer of Nations

Location and Preparation To start, speak with Gabby Mustari at Angler’s Inn Square in Port Brilehaven to receive the Mad Mischief quest. Head to the Forsaken Tower, where you’ll encounter the level 70 boss, the Devourer of Nations. This boss is resistant to Fire and inflicts Paralysis, so strategic preparation is essential.

Recommended Party Composition

1. Protagonist (Prince) – Primary damage dealer with Medica, Pen Patra, Gold Rush, and Almighty Boost skills.
2. Strohl (Royal Knight/Warlord) – Buff specialist with Matarukaja, Marakukaja, and Masukukaja, plus Frigid Fortress for Ice vulnerability.
3. Junah (Royal Masked Dancer) – Debuff manager with Rakunda, Dekaja, and Debilitate.
4. Hulkenberg (Royal Knight) – Additional damage support with Blizzaton from the Elemental Master Archetype.

Battle Strategy

• Equip Venomward Charms on the protagonist and Polarity Magnets on the rest of the party to counter Paralysis.
• Start with Hero’s Cry for an extra four turn icons.
• Have Strohl use Frigid Fortress to expose the boss’s vulnerability to Ice, maximizing damage from Hulkenberg’s Blizzaton.
• Junah’s Ice-Blue Dance boosts Ice damage, while Dekaja removes buffs from the boss, ensuring control over the fight.
• Watch out for Great Dragon Shriek, as this move grants the boss six additional turns.

With persistence, you’ll overcome the Devourer of Nations and earn the Cardinal Dragon Raiment.

Trial of the Dragon: Bygone Legacy – Devourer of Stars

Location and Preparation For this quest, speak with Enraged Mustari at Blue Sky Bridge in Altabury Heights. Journey to the Tower of Insolence to face the Devourer of Stars, a boss resistant to everything except Almighty damage. Equip accessories that prevent Poison and Hex status effects.

Recommended Party Composition This setup mirrors the previous battle, but pay special attention to skills that counter the boss’s high-damage abilities.

Battle Strategy

• Equip Dark-resistant armor and Venomward Charms.
• Start with Hero’s Cry and rely on Almighty skills until Ice-Blue Dance from Junah is active, then incorporate Ice attacks.
• Catherina, if available at Bond Rank 7, opens the fight with Superior Opening Volley, dealing 5,000 damage.
• Use Pen Patra to heal from Poison and Hex, and Dekunda to clear debuffs from Miasma Whorl and Roar.

After a steady battle, you’ll earn the Cardinal Dragon Robe upon victory.

Trial of the Dragon: Heroes’ Rest – Devourer of Flames

Location and Preparation Located in the Spire of Blind Faith on Virga Island, the Devourer of Flames is best tackled last, as gear from previous trials significantly aids in managing this boss’s intense Fire damage.

Recommended Gear

• Flameseal Corselet – Acquired from Port Brilehaven.
• Cardinal Dragon Raiment and Robe – Previous rewards from other trials.
• Crimson Split Shoes – Obtainable from St. Fermis Church by purifying Pure White Shoes.

Battle Strategy

1. Equip Fire-resistant gear to nullify the boss’s Fire attacks. If the boss targets an ally with Crimson Split Shoes, it loses three turns.
2. Inherit Dekunda on Junah to remove debuffs the boss frequently applies.
3. Utilize Strohl and Hulkenberg’s Ice attacks to exploit vulnerabilities after applying Frigid Fortress.

Upon victory, you’ll receive the Cardinal Dragon Armour.

Trial of the Dragon: Essence of Power – Elegy of the Soul

Location and Preparation The final challenge awaits at the Dragon Temple. Elegy of the Soul is a level 75 boss with shifting elemental weaknesses that require careful adaptation throughout the battle.

Recommended Party Composition and Strategy

• Avoid items that Repel Magic or Physical attacks, as Armageddon’s Final Sire can wipe out your party.
• Junah should be ready with Dekaja to dispel buffs the boss gains upon shifting Archetypes.
• Maintain aggressive offense; prolonged fights increase the risk of Armageddon’s Final Sire, forcing a restart.
• Watch for specific weaknesses imposed by the boss and use corresponding skills and healing to mitigate these effects.

Defeating this boss rewards you with the Radiant Crystal and the Entrusted Trophy/Achievement, a mark of completing all Dragon Trials.

FAQs

What level should my party be for the Trials of the Dragon? Aim for a minimum of level 70. Each boss is powerful, and at lower levels, you may struggle with their high-damage skills and debuffs.

Can I start the Trials in any order? Yes, but it’s highly recommended to complete Heroes’ Rest last, as the gear from previous trials greatly aids in countering this boss’s Fire attacks.

What are the best items for status resistance? Venomward Charms and Polarity Magnets are essential for resisting Paralysis, Poison, and Hex. Additionally, Flameseal Corselet and Crimson Split Shoes are invaluable for countering Fire damage during the Devourer of Flames battle.

How do I manage buffs and debuffs? Using Dekaja and Dekunda on party members like Junah ensures you can consistently dispel the boss’s buffs and your team’s debuffs.

With the right preparation, gear, and party composition, conquering each Trial of the Dragon in Metaphor: ReFantazio is achievable. Remember to exploit each boss’s weaknesses, carefully manage your buffs and debuffs, and equip the appropriate gear for each fight. Completing these trials not only awards valuable items but prepares you for the climactic showdown, giving you the experience and equipment necessary to take on the game’s most formidable foes.