JP Boss Guide by /u/Zurai001

Multiplayer Enemy AI by /u/TFMurphy

BOSS: Sorceress Gauntlet (VIII)

Difficulties: 160 (Ultimate ) and 220 (Apocalypse )

Mastery Conditions:

• Win with 4 or more party members alive.
• Reduce a Sorceress' DEF.
• Reduce a Sorceress' MAG.

Overview:

• This battle has three waves - the first wave consists of three Novice Sorceresses (aka Sorceress 1), the second wave consists of two Adept Sorceresses (aka Sorceress 2), and the last wave consists of an Elite Sorceress (aka Sorceress 3).
• Novice Sorceresses:
  • Has a combination of single-target and AoE elemental magic attacks.
  • They usually start off their turns by casting Reflect on themselves first.
  • Has a chance to use Dispel on a single target.
  • Weak to Bio.
• Adept Sorceresses:
  • The three attacks you will want to watch out for are Ultimate: Holy, Meltdown (heavy NE magic damage reduces RES), and Ultimate: Flare.
  • When they reach 50% HP for the first time, they will cast Double on self. You can remove this with Dispel.
  • Weak to Ice.
• Elite Sorceress:
  • This is a single target, but is also a DPS race. You have about 5 turns before she uses Ultimate: Ultima. Countdown resets every time she uses it. Unlike the standard single-player version, preventing Ultimate: Ultima is not a medal condition however.
  • Her magic here is pretty much only NE. You will also want to watch out for Ultimate: Meteor which is a piercing NE magical AoE attack.
  • Responds to physical attacks with Counter Tail, which does an amount of AoE PHY damage to the party.
  • At low HP, she will cast Ultimate: Double on self.
  • No elemental weaknesses or resistance.

Tips:

• These fights are heavily magic based - almost little to no physical damage, so you can leave physical migitation at home. Wall should be able to cover the damage from Counter Tail.
• No status effects either (for once) - they just deal a crap ton of magic damage.
• AoE stackable MAG debuffs are really great here (e.g. Fujin BSB, Cait Sith SB1, Faris SB2 - the latter two can also have access to Dancer 5 for Multi Break if required). You can also opt to have a Dancer in your party to debuff the first two waves, then Vaan BSB to deal with the final wave as well.
• Indomitable Blade/Grand Cross can deal with a large number of their attacks as well.
• Other than that, this fight is just a DPS rush, so make sure you have some damage as well.