Brachioraidos (Final Fantasy IV)

Brachioraidos in an enemy exclusive to Final Fantasy IV Advance. A strong enemy that can be seen on the field, it is one of the game's Superbosses. It is based on the Th'uban from Final Fantasy X, which also shares its name with the Brachiosaur from Final Fantasy VI.

Strategy
Early in the battle, Brachioraidos will cast Scorch, which will do over 9,000 damage and is virtually an instant kill. Its physical attack is powerful as well. Eventually, it will mimic Bahamut and begin to count down to Mega Flare. If attacked during this time, it will cast Protect and Reflect on itself and begin Triple-casting powerful spells off itself, doing severe damage to whatever party member the spells hit. It can use Maelstrom to inflict Near-Fatal on the party, and can use Restore to heal itself for 9,999. It can also counter attacks with Globe 199, which is an instant kill. It can cast status spells on the party as well.

Cecil, Kain, Yang, and Cid should attack while Edge Throws things and Edward uses Chant. It is absolutely essential for Rosa or Porom to be in the party to heal. Rydia may also be useful for her powerful, if unreliable, Asura summon, which can cast Life on the entire party. Otherwise, she and all other mages including Palom should cast Holy or Flare. Kain may be extremely useful in this battle, as the Tornado sometimes caused by his Abel's Lance will kill Brachioraidos instantly, if it is not reflected.

The party should simply pummel Brachioraidos until it casts Reflect and Protect. At this time, Rosa or Porom should cast Reflect on a party member to bounce spells off of them. If the player is unlucky, Triple-cast will hit three party members, but if the player is lucky all three spells may only hit two or even just one party member. Either way, Rosa and Porom should quickly revive the party. This is also the best time to use the Grimoires the party has found, to do 9,999 damage that will ignore Reflect and Protect. If Cecil or Cid are using their ultimate weapons, the player should be careful, as they randomly cast Flare/Holy, and these will be Reflected back at them. Brachioraidos will also use Black Hole, which will remove Reflect from the party, but as the player is likely in dire need of healing at this time, it won't matter.

When Brachioraidos is defeated, it drops the best shield in the game, the Hero's Shield. After defeating Brachioraidos a few times, it might be noticeable that he will be easier, as Hero Shields mop up some elemental damage.

Related Enemies

 * Green Dragon
 * Yellow Dragon

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

 * Green Dragon
 * Yellow Dragon
 * Curse Dragon (Boss)