How to Defeat the Fire Dragon Mauna in Metaphor: ReFantazio – Complete Guide

If you’ve ventured into the treacherous Nord Mines in Metaphor: ReFantazio, you may have stumbled upon a sleeping dragon named Fire Dragon Mauna. This formidable beast might seem invincible at first glance, but with the right strategy, you can take it down and reap its valuable rewards. Whether you’ve accidentally woken the dragon or you’re boldly challenging it head-on, this guide will walk you through how to beat the Fire Dragon and unlock the treasure beyond.

Preparing for the Battle

Before facing the Fire Dragon Mauna, preparation is key. This battle isn’t just about brute strength; it requires careful planning and knowledge of the dragon’s weaknesses and attack patterns. Here’s how you can set yourself up for success.

Levelling Up the Right Archetypes

One of the most crucial aspects of preparation is ensuring that your Mage Archetype is levelled up to Rank 2. Why? The dragon has a significant weakness to Ice-based attacks, and the Mage’s Blizz spell is the perfect way to exploit this. Without this ability, you’re fighting an uphill battle.

Blizz

• Cost: 4 MP
• Archetype: Mage
• Effect: Deals weak Ice magic damage to one enemy

If you don’t have the Blizz ability yet, don’t panic. You can also purchase Ice Chunks from Gallinago the Peddler at the Nord Mines Storehouse for 270 Reeves each. These handy items deal 100 Ice damage per chunk, and five of them should be enough to help turn the tide in your favour.

Stocking Up on Healing Items and Skills

The Fire Dragon is not just a damage dealer, it’s a tank. It’s going to take some time to bring it down, so you’ll need to stay on top of healing throughout the fight. Be sure to stock up on healing items and, if possible, bring a Seeker or Healer archetype into the battle.

Seeker Healing Skills

• Dei (Cost: 4 MP) – Weak HP recovery for one ally
• Medi (Cost: 10 MP) – Weak HP recovery for all allies (Healer archetype)

It’s also smart to assign a dedicated healer in your party. A Seeker can heal individual allies with Dei, while a Healer can support the entire team with Medi. Make sure to monitor your health, as the dragon’s Tail Swipe can deal heavy damage to a full row of your party.

Starting the Fight – Approaching the Fire Dragon

There are two main ways to trigger the battle with Fire Dragon Mauna in Metaphor: ReFantazio. One is through stealth, where the dragon is meant to be avoided but can be awakened if you accidentally engage grunt enemies nearby. The second, more daring approach is to directly challenge the dragon head-on. Either way, once the fight begins, you’ll need to be prepared for a fierce showdown.

Dragon’s Attacks and Weaknesses

The Fire Dragon Mauna comes equipped with a deadly arsenal of attacks that target both individual characters and entire rows of your party. Here’s a breakdown of the dragon’s key moves and how to counter them.

Key Attacks to Watch Out For

• Scratch – A single-target melee attack with the dragon’s claw.
• Fireball – A fire-based magic attack that targets one of your party members. Beware, as this can exploit the Seeker’s weakness to Fire, granting the dragon an extra turn.
• Tail Swipe – A row-wide melee attack that damages all party members in a given row.

Exploiting the Dragon’s Weakness

The Fire Dragon Mauna is weak to Ice-based attacks, making your Mage’s Blizz spell incredibly valuable in this fight. Each time you land an Ice attack, you’ll not only deal heavy damage but also earn a bonus turn, giving you a much-needed advantage. Don’t forget to keep your Mage’s MP in check; using Magla Pills can restore MP when you’re running low.

Battle Strategy – Formations and Tactics

Let’s talk tactics. To emerge victorious, you’ll need to place your characters strategically and manage their turns wisely.

Optimal Formations

• Back Row Strategy: Place your Mage and Seeker in the back row to minimize damage from the dragon’s physical attacks. You could also position your Warrior in the back, but be aware that this will make them vulnerable to the Tail Swipe, which can hit every party member in the row.
• Front Row Tanking: Keep your Warrior in the front row to soak up damage from the dragon’s physical attacks. Warriors are resilient and can handle the hits, allowing your back-row characters to focus on offense and healing.

Prioritizing Healing and Damage

• Mage’s Role: Your Mage should cast Blizz at every opportunity to exploit the dragon’s weakness and gain extra turns.
• Seeker’s Role: The Seeker should prioritize healing with Dei and use items like Magla Pills to keep the Mage’s MP topped up. If the fight is going well, the Seeker can also chip away at the dragon’s health with physical attacks like Cyc.
• Warrior’s Role: The Warrior should focus on basic attacks and skills like Diagonal Slash to chip away at the dragon’s health. If needed, the Warrior can also use items to support the Mage or Seeker.

Always block with your Seeker at the end of a turn if there’s no need for healing. This will reduce the impact of the Fire Dragon’s attacks, especially when they target the Seeker’s fire weakness.

Countering the Fire Dragon’s Deadliest Moves

One of the most challenging aspects of this fight is dealing with the dragon’s Tail Swipe, which can deal heavy damage to a row of your party members. To mitigate this, keep a close eye on your formation and be ready to heal immediately after the dragon uses this move. Also, remember that the dragon’s Fireball attack can exploit your Seeker’s weakness to Fire, so be prepared to block or heal to avoid giving the dragon an extra turn.

Victory and Rewards

After a hard-fought battle, you’ll finally take down the Fire Dragon Mauna and be handsomely rewarded for your efforts. Here’s what you can expect to receive:

• 263 EXP
• 210 A-EXP
• 1000 MAG
• 1000 Cash
• Amethyst – A valuable item you can sell for 3000 Cash

The dragon was also guarding some highly sought-after treasure. You’ll find three blue items:

• Grand Iron
• Glossy Fur
• Onyx

These sellable items can fetch a total of 2255 Cash at a vendor, making this fight well worth the effort.

But the real prize is the golden chest that contains the Dragon’s Indignation Sword. This powerful weapon is perfect for your Warrior and will give you a significant boost as you continue your journey through Metaphor: ReFantazio.

FAQs

Q: What level should I be to defeat the Fire Dragon Mauna? A: It’s recommended to have your Mage Archetype at Rank 2 so you can exploit the dragon’s weakness to Ice. If you’re under-levelled, be sure to stock up on Ice Chunks and healing items before the battle.

Q: Can I defeat the Fire Dragon Mauna without a Mage? A: While it’s possible, the fight will be much harder. The Mage’s Ice spells exploit the dragon’s main weakness, giving you a significant advantage. Without Ice attacks, you’ll need to rely on healing and physical attacks, which makes the fight more difficult and drawn out.

Q: What should I do if my party is weak to fire? A: If your Seeker or other party members are weak to fire, use their final turn to block, reducing the damage from the dragon’s fire-based attacks and preventing it from getting a bonus turn.

Q: What are the key items I’ll receive after defeating the Fire Dragon? A: In addition to EXP, A-EXP, and Cash, you’ll receive the Dragon’s Indignation Sword, Grand Iron, Glossy Fur, Onyx, and an Amethyst, which can be sold for a considerable amount of money.

Q: Is it worth fighting the Fire Dragon Mauna early in the game? A: Absolutely. The rewards, especially the Dragon’s Indignation Sword, provide a significant power boost for your party. Just be sure to prepare adequately before taking on this challenging boss.