Grand Strategy

Master the Grand Strategy skirmishes and the final boss fight against the Horned One in Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom. Get tips and strategies to succeed!

Alright, let's dive into the "Grand Strategy" part of Chapter 9 in Ni no Kuni II. This section is all about tackling some big skirmishes and then facing off against a major boss. Don't worry, we'll break it down step-by-step so you can come out on top!

First Skirmish: Bolstering Your Forces

You'll start with a skirmish that's level 21. Make sure you've got enough Kingsguilders to bolster your troops, and take a good look around. If you've been keeping up with sidequests and other skirmishes, these enemies should feel pretty manageable. You'll face three hammer units, one spear unit, and a sorceress. Once you've defeated them all, there's a short scene, and then you'll regain control.

Second Skirmish: Pushing Through Gates

Pass through the gate, and more enemy units will appear. This time, it's a lancer unit, another sorceress, and two more hammer units. They shouldn't give you too much trouble. After this, you'll get another quick scene. Keep going past the second gate, and surprise, more enemies! This wave includes three sword units, a spear unit, and one more sorceress. Be careful with those sword units; they act a bit like Porcs, so watch out.

Third Skirmish: Defending Against Multiple Directions

Approach the barrier, and after another short scene, enemies will start coming at you from three different directions. You'll have a sorceress from the west, a hammer from the east, and a sword from the south. After you defeat these, more will spawn, often different types, so stay alert and adapt your strategy. This pattern of enemies coming from the three directions will continue for a bit. Keep an eye out for when the towers start coming down – that means you're facing one final wave before the skirmish ends.

Overworld Exploration and Loot

Once you're back on the world map, your next big goal is to approach the Horned One. But before you do, take a moment to explore the surrounding area for some nice loot. Head east to find a chest containing a Sovereign Soreaway. If you head south, you'll encounter some enemies, but keep going down the path until you spot a blue chest holding the Confusing Blackwing Bow. At the southern end of this path, you'll find a Trip Door leading to the Nazcaan Coast, and your airship is also nearby if you need to leave. For a final bit of exploration, head back north and look west to find a Tainted Monster, a level 53 Dahlia (a sylph-type). Defeating it will earn you a purple Spiteful Staff. Once you've grabbed all this, it's time to approach the Horned One to continue the story.

The Final Fight: The Horned One Boss Skirmish

This is it – the big showdown! This skirmish is level 23, and you're up against an actual boss. The Horned One's weak spot is its chest area. Its main attacks involve its fists: the left fist slams down, and the right arm sweeps across the ground. Both of these are pretty slow, so you should be able to dodge them easily by moving away.

Boss Mechanics and Strategy

While you're focusing on the Horned One, keep an eye on your allies emerging from the command posts to the east and west. Some enemy units will try to destroy these, but your priority should be the boss. As the fight progresses, the Horned One will unleash more powerful attacks. Watch out for a large sweeping laser attack across the ground, and another one where it floats in the air. This aerial laser attack fires thinner beams straight ahead and leaves behind small mines that explode after a short delay. These mines can be dangerous, so be ready to move!

Dodging Projectiles and Managing Resources

Another annoying move involves the Horned One shooting large meteor-like objects that crash down. You'll see targets on the ground showing where they'll land, similar to cannon shots, so they're avoidable but hit hard. Remember those command posts on either side? Allies and siege towers will contribute to the fight. Crucially, keep an eye on your might gauge in the lower right corner. Always save some might for sprinting – it's essential for dodging the boss's big attacks.

Victory and the Next Step

Once you finally defeat the Horned One, with Lofty's help, you'll enter the beast, leading you into the final dungeon: the Belly of the Beast. You're almost there!