The curse of Astos will follow you to your dying day!
Astos
Astos is the evil king of the Dark Elves in the original Final Fantasy. He is fought as a boss in the Western Keep where he is found disguised as a king.
From Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls to 20th Anniversary Edition, Astos reappears in the Whisperwind Cove.
Stats[]
AI script[]
Action | Probability |
---|---|
Attack | 11.11% |
Sleep | 11.11% |
Dark | 11.11% |
Slow | 11.11% |
Fira | 11.11% |
Thundara | 11.11% |
Haste | 11.11% |
Slowra | 11.11% |
Death | 11.11% |
Prior to Pixel Remaster and starting from the WonderSwan Color version (including PS1, GBA and PSP):
Action | Probability | Cycle |
---|---|---|
Attack | 52.00% | |
Magic | 48.00% | Death → Slowra → Haste → Fira → Thundara → Slow → Dark → Sleep |
Prior to WSC (including NES):
Action | Probability | Cycle |
---|---|---|
Attack | 25.00% | |
Magic | 75.00% | Death → Slowra → Haste → Fira → Thundara → Slow → Dark → Sleep |
Story[]
Astos and his cronies attack Elfheim before the Warriors of Light arrive, placing a curse on the Prince of Elfheim (that puts him in an endless sleep) and sacking the treasury. He steals Matoya's Crystal Eye to prevent her from making a potion to revive the Prince, and poses as a weak old king in the Western Keep and tricks the Warriors of Light into recovering the Crown from the dangerous depths of the Marsh Cave. When the Warriors return, Astos shows his true form, but the Light Warriors destroy him.
Within the Whisperwind Cove, in a room with flame-like spirits that must be calmed so they can go rest in peace, one of those souls is Astos, seeking revenge and attacking the party. After his soul is destroyed, he curses the Warriors of Light before fading away.
Battle[]
Unlike Garland, Astos is the first truly challenging boss players are likely to face, particularly in the NES, MSX and "classic mode" Final Fantasy Origins versions. While his HP pool is still unimpressive, his physical and magical defense are high.
Astos tends to lead off with Death, which will most likely kill a party member as the spell is almost guaranteed to succeed. If the fight drags on Astos can cast Death repeatedly, which can make short work of a party and leave them unable to damage him fast enough to win. Astos can use Slowra alongside both Fira and Thundara.
If Astos is encountered in the Whisperwind Cove, he will retain the same stats and attacks as before, and since the Light Warriors will have grown more powerful by this point, the fight will be short.
Strategy[]
Being on level 8 or 9, with a generous helping of Mythril Swords on those who can use them, is typically the recommended level for Astos to not present much of a roadblock.
If the player has a Red or White Mage they can cast Silence at the beginning of the battle to prevent Astos's spells, particularly Death; without them, he simply has an average-for-his-level physical attack, even when hasted.
Either way, physical attackers should use Attack after having Haste cast upon them. If Astos is not silenced, Red and White Mages should spread around NulShock and NulBlaze, and heal where necessary. Black Mages should prioritize Haste and can then follow up with tier 2 attack magic. In versions where it is not bugged, they can also grant Temper stacks to allied physical fighters.
From Dawn of Souls and onward, Phoenix Downs or the spell Life can be used in case Astos lands Death; however, players of the NES, MSX or Origins (normal) versions, will simply have to adapt (or reset; using a Tent outside Astos's Castle is recommended for "save-scumming" the initial Death use).
From Dawn of Souls to 20th Anniversary Edition, the player can attain a Cockatrice Claw by finishing in third place in the ship's 15 Puzzle. This item has a small chance of an instant KO.
Other appearances[]
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]
Astos appears in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
Astos appears as an enemy.
Mobius Final Fantasy[]
Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin[]
Astos appears as one of the main supporting characters in Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin.
The party seeks out Astos at the Western keep, because they believe that he knows the location of the four crystals. After they meet him he spends the rest of the game subtly guiding Jack and the Party to achieve their goals. Upon meeting him, Astos claims to be king of the dark elves, but in reality he was originally an elf who was kidnapped by the Lufenians. He was then altered and mass produced into an organic reconnaissance unit tasked with measuring darkness and assisting the Lufenians wherever they saw fit.
Astos later appears as one of the last bosses of the main game in the form of Ultima Weapon origin.
Non-Final Fantasy appearances[]
Captain N: The Game Master[]
Astos appears in the 34th episode "The Fractured Fantasy of Captain N" under the disguise of a friar who has the Light Crystal guarded within his castle, trying to overthrow the Prince and take his kingdom. His true form is revealed by the light of the crystal. Astos wields a sword like a staff and the sword's design is similar to the North American version of the Final Fantasy IV logo of the Super Nintendo. His sword function as a normal sword, but the pommel of the sword is a magical jewel that can shoot a beam of energy and cast enchantments.
Behind the scenes[]
Astos's likeness inspired the appearance of the Dark Elf in Final Fantasy IV. The PSP battle sprites of the two are identical.
While decidedly different in appearance, Astos and the other dark elves are based on the drow from Dungeons and Dragons.