OPTIONAL BOSS: SWORD DANCER #1

Learn the best strategies and party setups to overcome the challenging optional boss, Sword Dancer #1, on the Ossa Trail in Tales of Symphonia.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Name: Sword Dancer #1
• Location: Ossa Trail
• HP: 8,888
• TP: 38
• ATK: 600
• DEF: 75
• XP: 150
• Gald: 2000
• Items dropped: EX Gem Lv1, EX Gem Lv2
• Steal: EX Gem Lv3
• Elemental Info: Weak to Light, Strong against None.

Phases:

1. The Sword Dancer has one phase but hits incredibly hard, capable of defeating party members in a single blow.

Strategy:

• Party Setup: Set your strategies as follows:
  • Colette: Attack Freely, At Once, Don't Pursue. Turn off all techs except Angel Feathers.
  • Raine: Attack Freely, Heal, Don't Pursue. Turn off all techs except First Aid.
  • Kratos: Attack Freely, Heal, Skills and Magic (to keep him from getting too close). Turn off all techs except First Aid.
• Your Role (Lloyd): You'll be the main attacker. Focus on a basic combo: 3 normal attacks followed by Sword Rain, then Fierce Demon Fang or Double Demon Fang. If the Sword Dancer starts blocking your normal attacks, meaning you're only doing 2 damage per hit of Sword Rain, forget the techs and guard immediately. Guarding will reduce the damage you take to around 350 if he hits you.
• Support: Have Kratos and Raine focus on healing constantly. Colette should use Angel Feathers, which are significantly more powerful than your attacks, and provide you with Orange Gels and Life Bottles. If you fall in battle, have Colette use a Life Bottle on you immediately. Keep Colette using Orange Gels and Life Bottles throughout the fight.
• Unison Attack: If you manage to land the combo (3 attacks + 2 techs), use a Unison Attack. It's crucial to have Colette use her Angel Feathers during this to maximize its power.
• Difficulty: This is a very difficult fight. The recommended party levels are around Lloyd 16, Raine 15, Colette 15, and Kratos 15, but even then, it's a close call. Be patient and persistent; after about 5 minutes of intense effort, you should be able to defeat the Sword Dancer.

After defeating Sword Dancer #1, you'll receive the Yata Mirror. You can then return to the World Map and travel to Izoold.