caster equal to their level (level 9 = 9 HP damage).

A comprehensive guide to the Bordo Lakeside battle in Tactics Ogre: Reborn, including enemy levels, recommended lineups, and strategies for acquiring valuable loot like Chain Armour and Crossbows.

Battle 14 - Bordo Lakeside

PRE-MISSION ADVICE: You have the height advantage here. Consider Denim's left to be the 'front line'. You'll have six chances at getting some dropped Chain Armour in this battle, so it's likely everyone who has it will have replaced their Leather Armour after this. One of the enemy Archers has a Crossbow as well, which is worth aiming for.

LINEUP:

Back Row: Cleric (C), Presance (P), Sara (S), Voltel (V), Canopus

Front Row: Ghost (G), Archer (A), Wizard (W), Denim (D), Berzerker (B)

STRATEGY: Head to Denim's left, where you'll end up on the best terrain to make your stand before the enemy catches up to you. You'll meet them at that good choke point near the river in the centre, where your fighters can easily hold off the first few foes to arrive while you also rain arrows and magic at them from afar. The two Hawk Men will naturally come after your Ghost, but you can easily wipe them out from a distance as well. Remember to utilize your Cleric's WindShot ability and Presance's LightBow when you have good openings early on in the battle and no one is greatly injured. Try not to heal minor damage (around 30 HP) when Kachua will be better off gaining the experience for doing so.

Try to get at least one Luck Card (-2) during the course of the battle (two being ideal) for your generic Archer. The boss (Genzo) in this mission is level 10, while the rest of his troops are level 9. The Golem would be more threatening if it had a high amount of HP to match its towering defences. Your height advantage should allow you to get off a few indirect attacks as your foes try to get in striking distance. Note that the Octopus is hard to hurt while it's in the water; but it's easy to lure it out. You'll have no problems focusing on damaging two to three enemies at a time, and Canopus with a Spear should get a chance to hit two folk at once if you plan things out. Don't forget to try and get a Crossbow from one of the enemy Archers here. If they aren't already, your whole team will reach level 9 in this battle, while whoever finishes off the leader will get to level 10 (as long as you have 25 EXP). Genzo will heal himself if his HP gets too low and he has the chance, but as usual make sure you've collected any scattered Stat Cards before finishing him off. Genzo's Matou Claw is *NOT* a guaranteed drop; you might get a useless Stat Card or his other equipment. Save beforehand if you want his weapon. You'll also get close to 3,000 Goth for felling all your opponents.

AFTERWARD: You should give your new Crossbow to your Berzerker; he'll be losing some Physical and Magic Resistance points, but its power matches a Great Bow, and he'll likely have a higher attack than either of your Archers. A Berzerker is quite strong defence-wise anyway, so now he'll also be useful from a distance as well which makes him quite versatile. Stick with the Berzerker for the Crossbow. Try and give him a couple of Vitality Cards over the next couple of battles. If you are concerned about his Weight you can equip an Orb over his Armour (especially if it's only Leather) to decrease it. Just try to give your Berzerker another Vitality Card when you get the chance.

NOTES:

• You can get another Wind Ring at Bordo Lakeside now. The terrain needs to be burned, and then have your low-LUK character pick it up (save beforehand, naturally). If this is your second one give it to Presance, and if it's your third then hand it over to your Wizard.
• RANDOM BATTLE ENCOUNTERS:
• 1x Berzerker + 1x Lizard Man + 1x Dragon + 1x Octopus
• 1x Berzerker + 1x Cleric + 1x Dragon + 1x Octopus
• 1x Berzerker + 1x Faerie + 1x Dragon + 1x Octopus