Final Fantasy VI Bosses

Storm Dragon is the toughest dragon out of the bunch, and the specific scourge of the average "Low-Level Game" players (those who intentionally keep their levels low for a challenge) because one of Storm Dragon's attacks is the non-elemental, unblockable Leaf Swirl attack, which you can't prevent Storm Dragon from using. Luckily, you probably have at least one Minerva Bustier wearer in your party at this point, and, since you just found a Thunder Shield that can be equipped on any given party member (except for Umaro, the useless piece of muscle that he is), you should have at least two party members capable of nullifying the Wind element.

Storm Dragon can use three attacks normally: Battle, Wind Slash, and Leaf Swirl. Leaf Swirl and Wind Slash are about alike in power and they're both unblockable. Leaf Swirl, however, is non-elemental, whereas Wind Slash is Wind-elemental. As soon as Storm Dragon dives beneath 15360 Hit Points, he'll drop Wind Slash and Leaf Swirl in favor of more physicals (he'll start using !Wing Saber here as well) - Aero and Cyclonic. Aero is about 1.2 times as powerful as Wind Slash, but 2.4 times as powerful when used on a single target (which will only happen if all the other characters are Wounded or in the air due to a Jump attack). Cyclonic, as you know from Wyvern and Platinum Dragon, is a multi-target percentage-based attack that will remove 93.75% of the targets current HP. Memento Rings and Safety Bits block the effects of Cyclonic, as do Leaf Swirls with the Instant-Death Protection property.

At the start, summon Golem or Fenrir to protect against the physical attacks Storm Dragon uses. Zona Seeker's Wall really helps against Wind Slash and Leaf Swirl, but you should invest in individual Shell castings if you don't have Zona Seeker ready. Next, you'll want to use Rasp a few times to take care of Storm Dragon's MP; when it's gone (you can check with Libra, or keep track with a calculator), Storm Dragon won't be able to cast Aero or Cyclonic in its 'dangerous' (second) phase. If one of your party members has learned the Hastega spell from Quetzalli, make use of it, by all means.

That said and done, just start beating him! Terra's Morph can help boost the damage of her spells (and halve the damage done to her by the magical spells, even though only Leaf Swirl should ever damage Terra if you've played your cards right). Since Storm Dragon is weak against the Lightning-element, Thundara, Tri-Disaster, and Thundaga all hurt very nicely. Storm Dragon is rather strong and not to be taken lightly, especially since he won't succumb to your status ailment spells, but with the proper set-up, you shouldn't have a lot of problems. Expand Full Strategy

When we met the Storm Dragon in Mt. Zozo, it was already the nastiest of the eight. There are Redux dragons more threatening than Storm Dragon (Redux), but this one got some tricks up its proverbial sleeves, make no mistake. Storm Dragon (Redux) is one slick bastard; not so insecure it needs to be all big and stuff, and everything on that body is sharper than its evolutionary pattern should have required it to be. The provocative pterosaur will randomly use physical attacks, the powerful !Icarus Wing, the well-known Wind Slash and Leaf Swirl, the non-elemental and unblockable attack. Any damage done to him may be countered by up to two physical attacks, so you'll likely see more physical attacks coming from him than magical attacks.

Once Storm Dragon (Redux) hits 25600 HP he'll 'cloak himself in wind!' and set Image and Haste on himself. This move is so uncharacteristically idiotic for Storm Dragon (Redux)' generally intelligent repertoire I see no way but blaming it on the game designers. Haste won't work because Storm Dragon is immune to Slow; a common goof they should've known about by now. However, the attempt at setting the Image status is even more embarrassing, since the creature is specifically immune to Image itself. That's hard to miss. In addition, Image wouldn't really have done anything for Storm Dragon (Redux), seeing as how its Evasion was already perfect to begin with.

Past this point, his AI script darkens, including two attacks every turn and more powerful attacks. There's a higher frequency of !Icarus Wing, it will start to feature Aero and the Tornado spell (which will always miss on Storm Dragon (Redux), obviously). Leaf Swirl will stop appearing, so for those of you who brought a 255 Defense Gau or Mog to this fight that also nullifies or absorbs Wind-elemental attacks, you're in the clear at this point.

Thunder Shields across the board! They're really the only thing that successfully deals with Wind-elemental attacks (apart from the Paladin Shield), so I hope you have enough of 'em. Throw up the Maginot Line as well; this is vital. Remember the Maginot Line? Fenrir, Golem, Prayer Beads, Protect. Hastega is great in order to keep up with Storm Dragon (Redux)' speed, which even without his Haste status is quite impressive. Then, go on the offense.

Storm Dragon (Redux)' main trump card is its perfect Evasion and Magic Evasion rating of 80, meaning that even relatively accurate spells such as Thundaga will miss more often than not. Luckily mostly just Thundaga casters that will experience trouble, as Dragon Horn Jumpers, Master's Scroll Attackers and those using Bushido, Blitz or Throw will have little problem delivering unblockable attacks. Gau's attacks will require a Sniper Eye to make his physical hit, but you may not want to spend a Relic slot for it, focusing on his magical attack instead. Luridan's Rock Slide and Io's Flare Star are unblockable attacks while the Io Rage will even nullify Wind-elemental attacks if Gau's equipment won't let him. The Io Rage is a great choice for Gogo as well. Expand Full Strategy