OPTIONAL BOSS: SWORD DANCER #3 (2)

Learn the best strategy to defeat the optional Sword Dancer #3 boss in Tales of Symphonia. Get tips on party setup, spell deactivation, and dodging powerful attacks.

Alright, let's talk about the Sword Dancer #3 optional boss in Iselia Forest. This guy hits like a truck, so you'll want to be prepared. Don't underestimate him; his physical attacks can chunk you for 150+ damage even while guarding, and over 500 if you're not. And that's before we even get to his devastating spells!

Stats / Weaknesses:

• Name: Sword Dancer #3
• Location: Iselia Forest
• HP: 99,999
• TP: 888
• ATK: ???
• DEF: ???
• XP: 15,000
• Gald: 30,000
• Items dropped: EX Gem Lv1, EX Gem Lv2
• Steal: ???
• Elemental Info.: Weak to Light, All-Attack: None, Strong: None

Phases:

1. This is a single-phase boss fight, but its attacks are incredibly powerful and varied.

Strategy:

• Party Setup: The source suggests a party of Lloyd (Level 64), Raine (Level 64), Genis (Level 63), and Zelos (Level 63). Your levels might vary, but aim for around the mid-60s if possible.
• Genis' Spells: To keep things focused and powerful, deactivate all of Genis' spells except for Explosion, Cyclone, Ground Dasher, Indignation, Gravity Well, and Force Field.
• Zelos' Spells: For Zelos, it's best to deactivate everything except Guardian, First Aid, Healing Stream, and Healing Wind. This keeps him focused on support.
• Strategy Settings:
  
  • Genis: Attack Freely, At Once, Don't Pursue
  • Raine: Attack Freely, Heal, Don't Pursue
  • Zelos: Attack Freely, Heal, Skills and Magic (this setting helps prevent him from getting too close to the boss)
• Dodging Indignation: The Sword Dancer's most dangerous spell is Indignation. When you see "Indignation" appear on the screen and Genis isn't casting it, immediately run out of the circular area of effect.
• Canceling Spells: Try to interrupt the Sword Dancer's Indignation with a Unison Attack.
• Recommended Artes: Use Sword Rain: Beta, Ray, Lightning Blade, and Ground Dasher. Combining these can lead to powerful attacks like Prism Stars (a combo of Raine's Ray and Genis' Ground Dasher).
• Item Usage: During the fight, the source mentions using 3 Lemon Gels, 8 Pineapple Gels, 9 Life Bottles, 1 Energy Tablet, and 1 Spirit Bottle. Keep these handy!

• After this tough fight, Lloyd will receive his second-best weapon in the game, the 'Kusanagi Blade'.