Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago

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Shadow Gaius is more tame than I originally thought. I want to say his general attack range, the hitbox of his Sonic Thrust arte, and Light of Ruin, are his best strengths. Everything else is decently manageable. He has a skill that reflects 50% of the damage dealt back to character who hits him, so after a combo, your HP will always be 1.

His counter of choice will be Sonic Thrust(also in air), Pale Ghost(also in air), Eradication Sweep, his L1+normal attack, Demon Fang, and Calamity Stance; mostly the first two though. After 50%, I've seen him counter with Light of Ruin as well. As long as I'm close to him, Eagle's Rage's invulnerability frames and trajectory can dodge all ground counters except Calamity Stance and Light of Ruin.

Another thing is his Retribution(the spark thing he gets when he guards, then does the kick + upward slash); it doesn't deal damage I don't think(or doesn't kill), but does inflict Bleed, so I have to forego the Risk Ring for the Laurel Crown. I also equipped the Innocent Head/Guard set to nullify his light-based attacks(died to Light of Ruin more than I'd like, as I would have at 2:14 if I didn't have nullifying equipment), as well as reduce TP consumption.

For this take, since I'm using my first playthrough lv 200 file for the Shadow bosses(thus, no Grade Shop options), I just turned on the Double Damage and Triple Critical Grade Shop options, which I'm trying to avoid due to the level reduction. I just didn't want to deal with it for Gaius, since he has a very high HP pool, is a bit tankier in the latter half, and of course, its quicker which = easier. After losing 4 mins into the fight after getting clipped by Light of Ruin when he was practically dead made me renege on the GS option =0v.

Edit from future me: Yeah I could have done this without Double Damage. I was just impatient. This was the 4th boss I did of the Shadow bosses. After completing 17 of them at this time(only Ludger is left), I could redo this without the Grade Shop, but oh well; water under the bridge now =0v...

Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQmeMnoDpaH4ZHRdeuxhv_2V2s5oEAIDV

Modifications made:
- bosses have all weaknesses and resistances removed
- set Leia's Max HP to 1(so I can die in 1 hit)
- set Double Damage and Triple Critical Grade shop options
- set STR and DEX to 9999(this can be done legitimately at endgame)
- changed Chronos 3 encounter to the video's boss and battlefield to Illusionary Darkness; avoids needing to link to deal damage
- - result from above caps the encounter at level 77 by default instead of the enemy's original level(if its higher, and it will be for Shadow bosses)

Music:
Gramatik - Chillaxin' on the Sea
dj Quads - just walkin

BIG THANKS to @Sora3100 for the cheat table to make this run possible =03!