Ruins and Ruler of Time

Learn how to defeat the Ruler of Time boss in I Am Setsuna. This guide covers its annoying defenses, powerful attacks, and recommended party setups.

Alright, so you've made it to the Laniff Ruins and you're ready to take on the Ruler of Time! To even get this boss to show up, you'll need to have completed all the character sidequests first, which means you'll have fought all the other bosses in here already. Make sure you've got plenty of Ethers and Potions stocked up, because you'll need to defeat all the bosses in one go before facing this final one in the ruins.

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Defense: Very High
• Skills: Space-Time Wall (evades physical), Space-Time Mirror (repels magic), Pinpoint Laser (lowers one target's HP significantly but not to zero), Scatter Laser (halves all targets' current HP), Long-Range Punch (single target damage, 450-500 HP), Speed Up Time (single target damage, ~200 HP, removes buffs), Machine Gun Punch (six hits, 80-90 damage each).
• Weaknesses: None explicitly stated, but physical and magical defenses can be bypassed by waiting for its buffs to expire.

Phases:

1. Initial Buffs: The Ruler of Time almost always starts with Space-Time Wall and Space-Time Mirror. These last for a few turns. You can't attack effectively during this time, so just buff your party or wait them out.
2. Attacks: Once the buffs wear off, it will start using its various laser and punch attacks. Pinpoint Laser and Scatter Laser are dangerous for lowering HP, but won't kill you outright. Long-Range Punch hits hard on a single target. Speed Up Time can be annoying as it removes your buffs. Machine Gun Punch is its most dangerous move, capable of taking out squishier characters in one combo if it crits.

Strategy:

• Party Composition: Setsuna is a great choice here. Her Cure II is strong, and Prayer is super useful when your party is close together. Using Luminaire with Momentum can put Auto-Revive on everyone, which is a lifesaver. For your other two slots, Endir is recommended for his buffs like Radiance and Battlecry, plus Aura for backup healing.
• Patience is Key: Don't try to force damage when Space-Time Wall or Space-Time Mirror are active. It's better to use this time to heal up, re-apply buffs, or just wait for the defenses to drop.
• Watch Your HP: Keep an eye on your party's health, especially after Scatter Laser or if Machine Gun Punch starts connecting. Be ready to heal immediately.
• Buff Management: Speed Up Time can strip your buffs, so be prepared to re-apply them if necessary.
• Auto-Revive: If you can get Auto-Revive up on your party, it can give you a much-needed safety net if you get overwhelmed.