Metal Gigantuar (Final Fantasy XIII-2)

The Metal Gigantuar is a special enemy from Final Fantasy XIII-2. An elite enemy appearing from a rift, the Metal Gigantuar can easily destroy an unprepared party. Shortly after the battle starts, the Metal Gigantuar will begin counting down from 7. When the count reaches 0, the Metal Gigantuar will use 10,000 needles, dealing damage across the entire party. After a few rounds, it will begin counting down to 10,000 needles again.

Strategy
The Metal Gigantuar is not quite as fearsome a foe as it may first appear, as the right strategy can render it defeated. The Metal Gigantuar only has 7,777 HP, though it has strong resistances. Because of its low HP total, the enemy can be defeated without the party being on the receiving end of too many 10,000 needles.

The player should form the Cerberus, Salvation, and Tortoise paradigms, though Consolidation (SEN-SEN-MED) can work as well, though it requires more work. If Serah and Noel both have Reprieve, then the battle will be that much easier. The player should begin with Cerberus, depleting as much HP from the Metal Gigantuar as possible before its countdown ceases. Once its countdown reaches two, the player should switch to Tortoise or Consolidation and have their party defend.

After the Metal Gigantuar uses 10,000 Needles, the player should switch to Salvation to have the group briefly heal above yellow HP, then switch to Cerberus and resume the assault. The player should repeat this pattern until the Metal Gigantuar is defeated.

Trivia

 * An unused and un-colored version of a cactuar with a mustache is found in the data for Final Fantasy XIII, but this enemy was left unfinished and never used in the final game. A finished version of this model features in Final Fantasy XIII-2 as Metal Gigantuar.

Related enemies

 * Cactuar
 * Giant Cactuar
 * Cactuaroni
 * Flowering Cactuar
 * Metallicactuar
 * Gigantuar