Shiva (Final Fantasy V boss)

Shiva is an optional boss in Final Fantasy V. The party can find her in Castle Walse behind a waterfall in the back. Upon her defeat, the party can summon her into battle. Shiva is also one of the forms Metamorph can morph into.

Challenging Shiva as soon as the battle becomes available is not advisable as the party is yet to acquire the Summoner job, so even if the player wins, they will not be able to summon her.

Battle
Shiva is accompanied by three Ice Commanders who can easily kill an under prepared team. She will be using spells like Blizzara, which will likewise easily kill the party if not prepared. Having half the party in the front row and half in the back helps, as Shiva can only target a single row with her Blizzara spell. Shiva will always cast Blizzara on the party (~90 damage), then Blizzara on an individual (~200 damage), then repeat.

Strategy
The best time to battle Shiva is after coming back after going to Karnak. The party will be able to use Fira and summon Ifrit. The player can also break a Flame Rod to deal around 1200 damage to the entire enemy group, killing the Ice Commanders instantly and bringing Shiva down to critical health.

If the player does challenge her as soon as the battle becomes available, they should have two Black Mages cast Fire while the Knights and Monks keep on attacking. The Ice Commanders should be defeated first and once they are gone, the party can fully concentrate on Shiva.

"Paladins" can also make this fight possible early on. If the player has all four characters learn !White (level 1 works fine), use them as Knights equipped with Mythril Swords (stealable from Ice Soldiers), and wear the best buyable armor, they will be able to alternate between Cure and attack to win.

It is also possible to acquire Flame Rods as soon as the Shiva battle is available, rather than wait until Karnak to buy them. The Ricard Mage in Walse Tower occasionally drops Flame Rods, which can then be used as an item in the Shiva battle to win with little effort, even at very low levels.

Related Enemies

 * Metamorph
 * Bahamut
 * Catoblepas
 * Carbuncle
 * Golem
 * Ifrit
 * Leviathan
 * Odin
 * Ramuh
 * Titan

Shiva (Final Fantasy V)