Jumbo Cactuar (Final Fantasy VIII)

Jumbo Cactuar is an optional boss in Final Fantasy VIII. He pops up as a curious green cactus in the Cactuar Island which can be reached after the player retrieves the Ragnarok airship. After defeating the Jumbo Cactuar, a new Guardian Force, Cactuar, is available to the party.

Battle
A dangerous boss in high levels, Jumbo Cactuar has attacks that mirror the regular Cactuar's attack, 10,000 Needles, but its only used for countering. When Jumbo Cactuar is on the last 5% of its health, a message will display: 'Jumbo Cactuar is hesitating...'. This means that the Jumbo Cactuar is attempting to flee the battle, so players have to unleash as much damage as possible, in the form of Limit Breaks and whatnot, to defeat it. Jumbo Cactuar will succeed in running away if less than 2% of its HP remains.

Jumbo Cactuar is weak against Water element so Leviathan and Water spells work well. The player can draw-cast Meltdown to decrease Jumbo Cactuar's defence. Squall's Renzokuken has a special animation for Jumbo Cactuar and it will always hit the maximum 8 hits. One of the fastest ways to defeat Jumbo Cactuar, especially after the 'Jumbo Cactuar is hesitating...' message has been displayed, is to summon Cerberus and cast Water three times in succession.

Because of Jumbo Cactuar's 10,000 Needles attack, it's easy to use Limit Breaks when reviving characters with Phoenix Downs or Life spells, however, it might be smart to dedicate one team member as a healer and keep them in high health throughout the battle, as Jumbo Cactuar's Ker Plunk can wipe out the entire party at low health.

Trivia

 * Jumbo Cactuar was last seen in a blue waffle on the north side of your uncles posterior.

Related Enemies
Kaktorius (FFVIII)
 * Cactuar