Final Fantasy IV / Boss strategies

Final Fantasy IV: Boss strategies and elemental responses

Counter the Four Fiends, manage the CPU and keep healing sustainable.

Edition covered

Guides cover Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster’s 2D campaign. They do not cover the DS/PC 3D remake’s Augments or the additional GBA/PSP dungeons and party systems. Pictures show the Pixel Remaster release.

5 bosses · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.

Boss strategies

Boss

Mist Dragon

Important behavior: Changes into mist. Response: Stop attacking until its body returns.

Reference

Boss

Cagnazzo

Important behavior: Gathers water for an attack. Response: Use lightning to disrupt the preparation.

Reference

Boss

Barbariccia

Important behavior: Enters a whirlwind defense. Response: Use Kain’s Jump to break the stance.

Reference

Boss

Rubicante

Important behavior: Closes his cloak. Response: Avoid feeding his protected phase with ice attacks.

Reference

Boss

CPU

Important behavior: Support nodes affect its behavior. Response: Kill the Defense Node, then focus CPU while one node remains.

Reference

Quick notes

Read the Four Fiends’ battle rules. Several memorable bosses punish repeating the same attack without watching their stance.
Prepare recovery for the kind of damage. A healer needs enough MP and time to act.
Handle the CPU by controlling its support nodes. The CPU encounter includes an Attack Node and Defense Node.
Use the last battles as a resource test. Late fights are long enough that damage, healing and revival all need sustainable plans.

Prepare recovery for the kind of damage

Battle preparation by problem
Problem	Tool	Why it helps
Heavy physical damage	Rows and Protect	Reduces pressure on fragile party members.
Repeated elemental damage	Matching resistant equipment	Cuts the damage before healing is needed.
Slow recovery	Healing items on several characters	Prevents the entire party depending on one turn.
Status pressure	Remedies and suitable protection	Keeps commands available.
Long boss fight	MP items and full preparation	Sustains healing after the opening turns.

Useful tip

Use targeted attacks in the CPU fight; a full-party spell can destroy the node you meant to keep.

References

Guide references
Reference	Website
Square Enix: Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster	store.steampowered.com
RPG Site: FFIV route and missable locations	www.rpgsite.net
Square Enix: Pixel Remaster updates	www.square-enix-games.com