Astaroth (Final Fantasy II)

Astaroth is one of four bosses in Pandaemonium in Final Fantasy II that is guarding a treasure chest containing a Ribbon. It takes the appearance of a fallen angel, and is quite powerful.

Strategy
Astaroth is a very dangerous foe, wielding a potent drain effect on every physical blow, and also utilizes high-level spells, such as Aero 16, Fire 16, and Drain 16. Your best bet is to equip a melee character with a blood sword, and use Berserk and Haste on him or her, then cast Blink and Shield on all your characters to minimize Asteroth's regeneration from Drain. He may score a few solid hits while you're casting these preparatory spells, so it may be useful to employ a second mage in casting Cure on the whole party during this time.

Astaroth resists most elemental black magic, so once the protective spells are cast, start pounding him with your highest-level Ultima, Flare, Poison, or Holy spells, and Drain might be worth a shot to steal back any HP he may have siphoned from your party. As always, make sure at least one character is devoted to watching over your party's health, and hack away at the enemy with your melee characters, and Astaroth should fall.

Etymology
Astaroth in demonology is the prince of Hell. In art, in the Dictionnaire Infernal, Astaroth is depicted as a nude man with dragon-like wings, hands and feet, a second pair of feathered wings after the main, wearing a crown, holding a serpent in one hand, and riding a wolf or dog.

Related Enemies

 * Lucifer