Suikoden II: Luca Blight Must Die [Solved]

cj iwakura

I felt like this is more of an H/A thing than a G&T one, because I really don't know much about the game/series to give it proper treatment. I'm still trying to get into this party ridiculously late.

I'm at the part where the group ambushes Luca at nightfall, and I feel like my group hasn't even scratched the surface of taking down this psychopath.

I've been advised to use Humphrey in the past, and I missed the opportunity to recruit him. I'd really rather not restart the game, as it's only going to hold me back from playing Suikoden III even more.

Is there a particular group I should use to make winning this easier? Should I put all my best characters in the main team, or divide them up?

I think my group kind of sucks, because I'm terrible at gathering the 108, but here's who I have at my disposal:

-Hero, Nanami, Miklotov, Camus, Tai Ho, Tsai, Luc, Chaco, Nina, Yoshino, Hai Yo, Kasumi, Viki, Sheena, Shin, Rikimaru, Tomo, Eilie, Rina, Bolgan, Tuta, Hanna, Millie, Shiro, Zamza, Gengen, Kinnison, Freed Y, and Amada.

If there's someone I really need(that I can still get), I wouldn't mind tracking them down, but I'm hoping my current team is adequate.

Nanami's immune to fire, so I figure it couldn't hurt to keep her in the main team front row, hopefully to keep whoever's behind her alive longer.

Blackjack

Nanami, Miklotov, Camus, Luc, Nina or Rina, Hero.

Alternately, go see if you can get Oulan and make the fight a complete joke. But, if you want the good ending, you do need to restart so you can get Humphrey and Futch.

cj iwakura

I still find it hard to believe I can't just go back to the town later and do the Humphrey quest then.

Anyway, I'm trying it with a new assortment. If it turns into another slaughter, I'll see about tracking down Oulan(assuming I can).

Blackjack

Well, you can. But it's after the cutoff point.

cj iwakura

The first two groups keep getting effectively slaughtered before they even break 1k of damage against him, so I guess I have to rely on Hero's team.

Blackjack

It's the only team that matters.

cj iwakura

Aren't the first two teams important for reducing his HP? Especially since Flik's attacks do devastating damage against him?

Blackjack

The first two teams can reduce his HP, but they don't matter in the long run. That's why you should put the strongest people in the hero's team.

cj iwakura

Somewhat unrelated (mid-group 3 attempt 2, going... slowly, but okay, badly, Miklotov just died), but what does it mean when the ability to use a Rune is redded out? Tai Ho's and Miklotov's have always been this way so far.

Blackjack

Generally just that you can't use it. What Runes do you have them with?

cj iwakura

I don't think I've changed Miklotov's at all since I got him.

And I like how even when they dodge, Luca's attacks can't be countered.

From the looks of this current battle(it's down to Hero, Nanami, Tomo, and Tai Ho), I'll be going hunting for this Oulan person. And probably grinding along the way.

Blackjack

I like that you completely ignored my suggested team.

You may not be able to get Oulan. I can't remember if Kuskus is occupied at that point in time, but it probably is.

This is why you need multiple save slots, man.

cj iwakura

I was already in the middle of the attempt when I made the thread. I'll go for the recommendation next(unless he somehow dies this time).

And, no kidding.

But on a brighter note, Tsai has some defense boosting items that seem to be real helpful.

Bremen

Put your highest level characters in the heroes team, particularly anyone with good spell runes. And use the healing powers of the bright shield rune pretty much constantly, even the first level spell will heal a lot of damage thanks to the hero's magic stat and his affinity for the bright shield.


Edit: And keep us updated. This is probably my favorite RPG, and this fight in particular is one of the greatest moments in gaming history.

cj iwakura

Blackjack wrote: »

Nanami, Miklotov, Camus, Luc, Nina or Rina, Hero.

Regarding this, between Camus, Miklotov, and Luc(all Short Range), won't that mean one is effectively unable to attack?

That's usually been the one aspect of the game I've been able to make sense of when planning a group(I still don't fully understand a whole lot of it, mostly the runes and blacksmithing).

Miklotov has the Knight rune, FYI. He wasn't able to use it once during the Luca fight; I could only use him for attacking.

Bremen

The knight rune is passive, I think. IIRC it makes the wearer defend party members low on health (alhough, as mentioned, Luca's attacks break a lot of rules).

And stick Luc in the back. If you have him attack you're doing something wrong. Also, if you havn't changed his loadout he has an action rune that gives him a long range attack, albeit a very weak one.

yurnamehere

cj iwakura wrote: »

Blackjack wrote: »

Nanami, Miklotov, Camus, Luc, Nina or Rina, Hero.

Regarding this, between Camus, Miklotov, and Luc(all Short Range), won't that mean one is effectively unable to attack?

That's usually been the one aspect of the game I've been able to make sense of when planning a group(I still don't fully understand a whole lot of it, mostly the runes and blacksmithing).

Miklotov has the Knight rune, FYI. He wasn't able to use it once during the Luca fight; I could only use him for attacking.

Luc is short range, but you shouldn't be using him for his staff. He can still cast spells from the back row.

cj iwakura

Kuskus is very occupied. Oulan = not happening. And the party's broke. I guess this'll be down to straight up strategy, unless I decide to invest a lot of hours grinding.

Luc has the Wind and Pixie runes.

Blackjack

Here's how it works. S range can only fight in the front row and can only hit the front row. M range can fight in either row and can only hit the front row. L range can fight in either row and hit either row.

Give Luc a Cyclone Rune (you can get one in Gregminster) and a Pale Gate Rune. That's all he needs, ever. And to be kept in the back row. He needs that, too.

The Knight Rune is a support Rune and can't be used for spells or special attacks. I'm pretty sure it makes the wearer take the hit for a weakened character.

cj iwakura

Don't have either one of those, to my knowledge.

Blackjack

You can get the Cyclone Rune in Gregminster (the place where you got Kasumi--you have to go through the forest to get there) -- Go into the second floor of the inn and talk to the lady there, Sarah. She'll hook you up.

Cade

Luca is one of the best if not best evil character of all time and the fight against him feels epic. Good luck at taking him down, your going to need three solid groups with their weapons near max strength and all leveled up with good protection.

It's so worth it when you beat him so good luck!

cj iwakura

Not sure if we're on the same wavelength, but I went to the Forest Village and ran into Connell(who isn't joining, but a kid at the entrance ran off when I mentioned a strong person).

Gregminster isn't on the list of mirror destinations.

Well, scratch that first part: Wakaba joined.

And Tony.

Blackjack

No, Gregminster isn't teleportable. You have to go into the village (Banner, I believe) and go through the Banner Pass to get there.

cj iwakura

One thing I do like about Suikoden: catching an underleveled character up to speed can be done in no time at all.

Cade

Yeah that's one of the best aspects of the game and other RPG's could learn from it, it's mainly getting the money to make sure their weapons are up as far as you can get and getting them good equipment that is going to take most of the time.

cj iwakura

Blackjack wrote: »

You can get the Cyclone Rune in Gregminster (the place where you got Kasumi--you have to go through the forest to get there) -- Go into the second floor of the inn and talk to the lady there, Sarah. She'll hook you up.

Sarah must be in a stingy mood, because she's just going on about washing clothes.

Hooraydiation

Violence Rune

---

Where Sold: Not Sold
Where Found: Rockaxe (Bookshelf in Appraisal Shop)
Attached To: Nobody
Monster Drop: No drop
Guardian Deity: No Deity
Permanent: No one
Weapon Embed: Not possible

Description: This is a very impressive rune when used properly. It
allows your damage to be multiplied x5 times it's normal capacity
as soon as your hp fall below the halfway mark.

Fury Rune

---

Where Sold: Muse (Rare Finds-Unlimited)
Where Found: L'Renouille
Attached To: Nobody
Monster Drop: Not Dropped
Guardian Diety: D,D,U,U
Permanent: No one
Weapon Embed: Not possible

Description: The Fury Rune is awesome. It beserks your character
and takes away the penalty held by the Double-Strike Rune, giving
you a 1 1/2% increase in your attack rating. You suffer no decrease
in protection when you equip this rune, no increase in damage taken.
Simply put, this rune will make your powerhouse characters excel
past your adversaries.

Warrior Rune

---

Where Sold: Two River City (Rare Finds)
Where Found: Two River
Attached To: Nobody
Monster Drop: No drop
Guardian Deity: R,R,U,U
Permanent: No one
Weapon Embed: Not possible

Description: This is a fairly handy rune to have on hand. It will
reduce your physical defense by 1/2, and add half of that amount to
your strength stat. Meaning, you get a small (but worthy) boost in
your attacks.

These runes are all pretty awesome. I had Warrior and Violence on Viktor and he practically won his fight by himself. I imagine you can do the same so long as you pair him with two people who can keep him and each other alive. The rest of the team can be fodder.

cj iwakura

He bit the dust. Hero/Nanami/Miklotov/Camus/Rina/Luc.

I think it was mostly luck, but it's finally over. Well, except now I've got to run him down.

Thanks all!

Blackjack

I'll laugh super hard if you somehow manage to lose the duel and have to fight him all over again.