Red Dragon

Red Dragon, also known as R.Dragon and Red D, is a recurring enemy in the series. It is a Fire-elemental dragon, usually appearing mid to late game, and sometimes appears as a boss. It is generally weak to Ice-elemental attacks, and usually has access to the abilities Atomic Ray and Blaze.

Final Fantasy


Red Dragon is an enemy fought at Mount Gulg, and in the Game Boy Advance and later releases, also at Lifespring Grotto. It primarily focuses on physical attacks, but has access to the powerful Blaze attack. One such Red Dragon guards a chest containing the Flame Mail.

Final Fantasy II


Red Dragon is first fought as a boss at Jade Passage, guarding a chest containing the Yoichi Bow, and later in the secret room and last floor in Pandaemonium. It uses strong physical attacks and the Blaze XVI skill to fight against the player. It is a valuable enemy in that it drops rare equipment, including the Dragon Armor, Dragon Shield, Black Garb, and Holy Lance.

Final Fantasy III


Red Dragon is fought as a rare enemy in Crystal Tower, and in the 3D remakes, in ??? where the Iron Giant is fought. It is a highly dangerous foe, having access to exceptionally powerful physical attacks (of which can inflict Poison in the 3D remakes), Firaga, Blizzaga, and Thundaga. It is an extremely valuable enemy as it can drop the Onion Armor, Onion Shield, and Onion Sword (in the NES version, it does not drop the Onion Sword), in addition to dropping the Elixir.

Final Fantasy IV


Red Dragon is an enemy fought in the Lunar Subterrane, and often attack either alone, in pairs, in threes, or with a Behemoth. It attacks most commonly with physical attacks, but can also attack the entire party with Thermal Rays. It is valued for its rare drops, the Dragon Gloves, Crystal Ring, and Wyvern Lance (in the 3D remakes, the Crystal Ring is a rare steal instead and is replaced by the Red Tail as its rarest drop). Red Dragons are weak to Ice-elemental attacks, and can be inflicted with Berserk and Paralysis.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Red Dragon returns as an enemy first fought as a rare encounter in Yang's Tale at the Impact Crater, then later in the Depths and Subterrane. Two different versions can be fought at the Subterrane, with the version that drops the Red Tail appearing only during a New Moon phase, and is also the version fought at the Impact Crater, albeit much weaker. The normal version drops the same set of items as in the previous game. They fight identically as in their previous appearance.

Final Fantasy V


Red Dragon is an enemy that can be first fought at the Barrier Tower as a possible Monster-in-a-box, and later is fought as a normal enemy at Castle Exdeath and as a possible enemy from one of the toads that accompany Alchymia at Istory Falls. It is unique in that it is an Undead enemy despite not appearing as such, and thus is weak to both Ice-elemental and Holy-elemental attacks, in addition to being weak to Earth-elemental attacks. It attacks with strong physical attacks and Atomic Ray, and when controlled, can use Level 3 Flare which can be learned as a Blue Magic spell. Red Dragons are valuable due to the rare Flame Ring they have to steal, and are a good source of Elixirs.

Final Fantasy VI


Red Dragon is fought as a boss at Phoenix Cave, and in the Game Boy Advance and later remakes, can also be fought at the Dragons' Den and Soul Shrine. In the Phoenix Cave battle, it uses only Fire-elemental attacks against the party, rendering it harmless if equipped properly. Amongst Fira, Firaga, Flare, Fireball, Southern Cross, Flare Star, and Lv 4 Flare, it may also use Eraser on the party if anyone has the Reflect status on. Here, it drops the Murakumo upon defeat.

In the Dragons' Den, it primarily focuses on dealing high damage with physical attacks, but also has access to the abilities Firaga, Flare, Meltdown, Blaze, and Flare Star, as well as Red Fang which inflicts Instant Death. Once it has lost all of its HP, it will cast Ultima on the party. Upon defeat, it drops Terra's ultimate weapon, Apocalypse.

Final Fantasy VII
Red Dragon is a boss fought at Temple of the Ancients. It attacks with a simple physical attack, Tail Whip, and Red Dragon Breath, all of which targets one party member at a time. Upon defeat, Red Dragon drops the Dragon Armlet and Bahamut materia.

Final Fantasy IX


Red Dragon is a boss fought three times throughout Mount Gulug. It attacks by using Dive and the Wind-elemental attacks Twister (learnable as a Blue Magic for Quina) and Aerial Slash, marking its first appearance of not using any Fire-elemental attacks. It is weak to both Ice-elemental and Water-elemental attacks, as well as Dragon Killer and Bird Killer.

Final Fantasy Tactics
Red Dragon is the strongest of the Dragon-family, possessing massive HP and Strength. It innately knows the abilities Charge and Thunder Breath, and is the only Dragon-type that can gain access to the ability Fire Breath when an unit with the Beastmaster skill is nearby. It is a valuable enemy as it can be poached for the Sortilége and Dragon Whisker.

Final Fantasy Adventure
The Red Dragon is an enemy found inside the Temple of Mana. The red dragon's head is the only vulnerable spot, reachable only from below or from the side.

Final Fantasy Explorers
In Final Fantasy Explorers, a Red Dragon serves as the first boss of the game.

Etymology
Roter Drache