Pugilist Archetype

Unlock and master the Pugilist Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio! Learn its skills, synthesis abilities, and how to best utilize its HP-scaling power.

Alright, let's talk about the Pugilist Archetype in Metaphor: ReFantazio. This one's pretty straightforward to get, but it's got some unique mechanics you'll want to understand.

How to Unlock the Pugilist

You'll unlock the Pugilist by getting Catherina’s bond up to Rank 3. This happens pretty late in the game, around month 07, during a mandatory story fight on your Gauntlet Runner journey. Don't worry, you literally can't miss this one. On top of that, you'll need the Brawler Archetype to be at Rank 20, and then you'll have to shell out 9,200 MAG to purchase the Pugilist.

Pugilist Skills Breakdown

The Pugilist comes with 7 distinct skills:

• Surprise Upset: This is a passive skill for your Hero. It makes strong enemies in the overworld easier to stun, which is super handy for getting the upper hand early.
• Crushing Fist: This skill deals medium physical Strike damage to a single target. What's cool is its power scales with how much HP you have left – the less HP, the harder it hits! (Uses 149 HP)
• High Voltage: Another passive. It boosts your critical hit rate when you knock out an enemy and start a Squad Battle.
• Power Thrust: This one deals medium physical Pierce damage to one enemy and also lowers their Defence for 3 turns. (Uses 149 HP)
• Spirit of Adversity: A passive skill that increases your critical hit rate when you're low on health, specifically when you're mortally wounded.
• Strike Boost: A passive skill that flat-out increases your Strike Attack by 20%. Pretty self-explanatory and always useful.
• Dodge Master: This passive makes it so enemies can't critically hit you. A great defensive buff!

Since most of these damage skills use HP instead of MP, you'll definitely want to pair the Pugilist with a Healer or another party member who can effectively use items to keep your HP topped up. It's all about managing that health pool!

Pugilist Synthesis Skills

The Pugilist also offers two Synthesis Skills:

• Tiger Eruption Fist: This skill hits all enemies 2-4 times with weak physical Strike damage. It requires allies from the Warrior, Brawler, or Berserker Lineages. (Uses 234 HP)
• Super Energy Ray: This deals extreme physical Light damage to a single enemy. Like Crushing Fist, its power is proportional to your remaining HP. It needs allies from the Seeker, Mage, or Healer Lineages. (Uses 186 HP)

Keep these in mind when you're building your party, especially when you're looking to tackle tougher content!