Rubicante (Final Fantasy IV 2D)

Rubicante, originally known as Rubicant, is a storyline boss in Final Fantasy IV. An honorable warrior known as the Autarch of Flame, he is one of Golbez's four Archfiends.

First Encounter
Rubicante is first encountered in the Tower of Babil after witnessing the deaths of Edge's parents. Before battle, the party should equip Ice-elemental armor to protect themselves against Rubicante's attacks.

The battle will begin after Rubicante heals the party. As a fire-elemental enemy, he is weak to Ice-elemental weapons and magic spells. However, whenever he hides behind his cloak, all magic except Fire will heal him rather than do damage.

Rubicante counters all physical attacks with Fira against the whole party. Rubicante also has access to his signature attack, Inferno, which hits one party member for Fire-elemental damage; possibly enough to knock out any ally without adequate Fire protection. When hiding behind his cloak, Rubicante is limited to a comparatively weak physical attack and Fira.

Blizzara and Flood are recommended whenever Rubicante is vulnerable to Ice as well as using the Icebrand or Kain's Jump attack. Casting a Fire spell on him while his cloak is up will cause him to cast Raise on all party members.

DS Strategy
Rubicante will cast Inferno on the party, which not only heals himself but deals a large amount of damage to the party (enough to knock out everyone except Cecil and possibly Kain). Rubicante only casts this when his cloak is open. He closes his cloak if Edge steals from him, during which he will resort only to physical attacks. Rubicante will counter-attack with Fira, so dealing a lot of damage in single attacks (such as Kain's Jump) would be a good way to go about the battle; additionally, having Kain and Cecil equipped with an Ice Shield or Ice Mail would effectively reduce the damage from Rubicante's Fire-based attacks. For reasons unspecified, Quake will not trigger the Fira counterattack; should Rubicante's cloak be closed, this should be Rydia's spell of choice.

Rubicante counters with Blizzara on himself after a summon is used, which will heal him if he is wrapped in his cloak, but will backfire if his cloak is open. A few well-timed casts of Shiva or Dragon will easily defeat him.

Related Enemies

 * Barbariccia
 * Scarmiglione
 * Cagnazzo

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

 * Rubicante
 * Scarmiglione
 * Barbariccia
 * Cagnazzo