Mezzanine

Learn how to defeat Cid Raines, the first l'Cie boss in Final Fantasy XIII's Fifth Ark. Get stats, weaknesses, and strategy tips for this challenging battle.

Alright, so you've made it to the Fifth Ark, and now you're facing down Cid Raines. He's the first l'Cie boss you'll encounter in the game, and he's no joke at level 68. You'll need to be prepared for this one, especially if you're running low on helpful items.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Level / HP: LV 68 / 226,800 HP
• STR / MAG: 136 STR / 172 MAG
• Stagger / Chain Resistance / CP: 300% / 90 Chain Resistance / 6,000 CP
• Vulnerabilities: Physical (Halves) / Magical (Halves)
• Common Drop: Tetradic Crown (100%)
• Rare Drop: None

Phases:

1. Cid Raines has three modes: Offensive Shift (Version A), Defensive Shift (Version B), and Recovery Shift (Version C). He can switch between these modes during the fight.
2. He has a winged form that he gains for the first time during the battle. When this happens, he'll dispel your buffs, remove his own debuffs, and deal damage.
3. He can also enter a guard stance, which prevents you from launching him into the air, even if he's Staggered.

Strategy:

• If you have Fortisols and Aegisols, this fight becomes much easier. Just keep attacking until he's Staggered, then go all out.
• Cid is susceptible to many debuffs, including Pain and Fog. However, he can cleanse these with Esuna, so don't rely on them exclusively.
• Crucially, try to inflict Slow on him. This will significantly reduce the number of attacks he can throw at you, which is vital since he hits hard and fast with devastating combos that can take away more than half your HP.
• Be aware that he can recover his own HP, so you need to maintain consistent pressure.
• If he guards just as you're about to Stagger him or right after, you'll need to wait it out or try to break his guard. You can't launch him while he's guarding.
• When he transforms into his winged form, be ready for him to dispel your buffs and deal area damage. Reapply your buffs as soon as possible.

After the battle, proceed forward and save your game. You'll then need to use a switch to bring an elevator down. Be ready for a fight with three Circuitrons as the elevator descends.