[The Dirge Begins] FF VII Megathread

#####Previous Megathread:

• [As the Sky Falls (FF VIII)]

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#####Other links:

• [JP Zurai Guide] by u/Zurai001

• [Relic Discussion] by u/Sandslice

• [Enemy Stats & AI] by u/tfmurphy

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Been a while since we had a full-fledged FF VII event! This time we'll be exploring Dirge of Cerberus, which I have never played. We do get a new character in Shelke, FF VII's third 5* support, and known throughout the sub for her LM2 and how instrumental it is for speed runs (although she won't get her LD for quite some time).

Event starts: 3 August
Event ends: 13 August
Event format: Classic/Elite

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#####Rewards Highlights

• Characters: Vincent, Red XIII, Tifa, Barret, Shelke
• MC1: Vincent, Red XIII, Tifa, Barret, Shelke
• MC2: Vincent, Red XIII, Tifa, Barret, Shelke
• HoR: 1x Hero Soul, 1x MC1 Lode, 1x MC2 Lode, 1x MC3 Lode
• Abilities: None
• Record Sphere: Shelke
• Wardrobe Record: None
• Legend Sphere: Vincent, Red XIII

Major	P	W	B	S	NE	F	I	L	E	Wi	H	D	Total
#	3	-	8	-	-	5	1	1	2	-	-	5	25
Crystal	P	W	B	S	NE	F	I	L	E	Wi	H	D	Total
#	1	-	1	-	-	1	-	1	-	1	-	1	6

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Below stats are for Elite dungeons.

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#####01: Raid on Kalm

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.
Dragonfly	32,000	None

Target Score:

1. Defeat the Dragonfly without being KO’d.

Notes:

• Dragonfly has FARAWAY STATUS, so don't be silly and try to solo it with someone incapable of ranged attacks.

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#####02: Deadly Battle on Desecrated Ground

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.
Pegasus Riders	12,085	None

Target Score:

1. Defeat the Pegasus Riders without being KO'ed.

Notes:

• You'll have to fight three waves here, consisting of 2/2/1 Pegasus Rider(s).

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#####03: On the Edge, Embraced by Silence

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.
Heavy Soldier	72,602	None
DG Soldier	13,890	None

Target Score:

1. Defeat the bosses without being KO’d.

Notes:

• You'll face the Heavy Soldier and two DG Soldiers - you only need to defeat Heavy Soldier to end the battle.

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#####04: A Girl Named Shelke 56 STAM (18/18/19)

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.
Shelke	106,489	None

Target Score:

1. Defeat Shelke without being KO’d.

Notes:

• CID MISSION: Complete A Girl Named Shelke (Classic) with a party consisting of FF VII characters which must include Vincent!! Note this is the classic stage and Vincent is required.

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#####05: Azul the Cerulean 58 STAM (19/19/20)

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Azul	130,109	None	All

Target Score:

1. Defeat Azul without being KO’d.

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Battle of Church Square (+)

40 STAM (20/20)

Target Score Summary: Attack

Round 1	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Dragonfly	129,670	None	All

Target Scores:

1. Defeat the Dragonfly without being KO'ed.
2. Lower the Dragonfly's Attack.

Note(s):

• Remember that Dragonfly has faraway status, so bring ranged abilities/magic to this fight. Everything here is physical based, so leave Shellga at home.

Round 2	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Crimson Hound	80,488	None	All
Guard Hound	22,997	None	All

Target Scores:

1. Defeat the Crimson Hound without being KO'ed.
2. Lower the Crimson Hound's Attack.

Note(s):

• Again, another 100% physical fight, The Guard Hounds will respawn and you only need to defeat Crimson Hound to end the battle, so focus fire your abilities/SB's.

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Darting Around the Wilderness (++)

20 STAM

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Pegasus Riders	36,000	None	All

Target Scores:

1. Lower a Pegasus Rider's Attack.
2. Lower a Pegasus Rider's Defense.
3. Lower a Pegasus Rider's Resistance.

Note(s):

• Same fight as before with souped up stats. 100% physical, and 3 waves of 2/2/1 Pegasus Rider(s).

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Heavy Soldier (+++)

40 STAM

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Heavy Soldier	149,627	None	All
DG Soldier	29,277	None	All

Target Scores:

1. Lower the Heavy Soldier's Attack.
2. Lower the Heavy Soldier's Defense.
3. Lower the Heavy Soldier's Resistance.

Note(s):

• Again, souped up stats from a previous fight... noticing a trend? 100% physical, and only need to defeat Heavy Soldier to end the battle.

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####[BONUS BATTLES]

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Pack Beasts (Ultimate)

(60 STAM)

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Crimson Hound	200,000	None (including Interrupt)	All
Guard Hound	44,000	None (including Interrupt)	All

Target Scores:

1. Lower the Crimson Hound's Attack.
2. Lower the Crimson Hound's Defense.
3. Lower the Crimson Hound's Resistance.

Note(s):

• You'll face the Crimson Hound, accompanied by three Guard Hounds (but you only need to defeat Crimson Hound to end the battle). The Guard Hounds will respawn a couple of turns after you defeat them.
• As is the theme with this event, everything here is 100% physical based - leave Shellga at home.
• All except one of the Guard Hounds' moves can be tauntilated. Crimson uses mixed PHY and NAT (as well as AoE attacks).
• Overall, a very simple Ultimate with a paltry amount of HP. Just blow him up.

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Azul's Threat (Ultimate ++)

(1 STAM)

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Azul	350,000	None (including Interrupt)	All

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (> 20% HP):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
90%	90%	90%	90%	90%	90%	90%	90%	90%

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (< 20% HP):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%

Target Scores:

1. Lower Azul's Attack.
2. Lower Azul's Defense.
3. Lower Azul's Resistance.

Note(s):

• Again, another 100% physical fight - leave Shellga/MBD at home.
• Azul has mixed ST and AoE physical attacks, and his most dangerous attacks are ranged, so keep that in mind).
• In the fight, there are three explosive barrels (which I assume has to do with the proper fight in Dirge of Cerberus). If you defeat a barrel, it will do ~75K damage to Azul and cause him to take 10% more damage from fire attacks. However, the barrel has 108K health, so kind of counterproductive... I'd just ignore them and go with heavy ST attacks on Azul.
• Note that Azul has slight Omni-resist which ramps up considerably when below 20% HP, so if you are looking to time an en-element OSB, make sure you do it before the 20% mark.
• CID MISSION: Complete Azul's Threat (Ultimate++) in a party of FF VII heroes only! Given the 100% physical focus on this fight, Yuffie is a good choice her for Mug Bloodlust for the additional debuff, especially against Azul's defense piercing attack. Other than that, the 100% physical nature means you have more ability slots to play with here - overall, a fairly easy CM.

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Shelke the Transparent (Apocalypse +)

(1 STAM)

Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Shelke	450,000	None	All

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (> 70% HP (A+) or > 80% HP (JS)):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%	30%

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (40%<x<70% HP (A+) or 50%<x<80% (JS)):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
40%	40%	40%	40%	40%	40%	40%	40%	40%

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (< 40% (A+) or < 50% (JS)):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
50%	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%

Target Scores:

1. Lower Shelke's Attack.
2. Lower Shelke's Defense.
3. Lower Shelke's Resistance.

Note(s):

• Again, this is another 100% physical fight. Shelke also has Omni-resist, and she takes slightly more damage as she gets weaker - note the different % HP totals for both A+ and JS.
• At each phase transition (70% and 40% for A+), similar to our last A+ battle against Edea, Shelke will use Countertek (AoE Regular Dispel). Make sure to refresh Protect and Haste after she uses it!
• Note she has a 10/20/30% chance to counter physical attacks with a fairly strong ST physical attack of her own. None of her attacks are ranged either, so back-row characters here will help to cut down on damage.
• Not really much else to say - besides for the Dispel, fairly standard fight.
• Jump Start Notes: Except for the different HP thresholds for entering weak/very weak (which does change when Shelke uses Dispel), same fight as the A+.

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####[D220 Multiplayer]

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Boss	HP	Status Vuln.	Break Resist
Crimson Hound	886,298	None (including Interrupt)	All
Guard Hound	77,070	None (including Interrupt)	All

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (Crimson Hound):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
150%	50%		50%		50%	50%		50%

#####Elemental Vulnerabilities (Guard Hound):

Fire	Ice	Lightning	Earth	Wind	Water	Holy	Dark	Poison
150%

Target Scores:

1. Defeat Crimson Hound with at least 4 or more heroes not KO'ed.
2. Lower Crimson Hound's Attack.
3. Lower Crimson Hound's Defense.

Notes:

• This is a 100% physical fight, so no need for Shellga/MBD.
• Both the Crimson and Guard Hound's attacks have been beefed up - Crimson Hound now multiple AoE attacks, as well as a front row attack which has a small chance to inflict paralyze. Definitely slot Ultra Cure on your healer.
• The Guard Hound also has the same Front Row AoE paralyze attack, as well as an AoE attack which can inflict interrupt.
• These guys hit really hard! Definitely bring max physical mitigation/breaks, your front row characters are quite vulnerable in this fight, which is unavoidable in MP.
• Killing the Guard Hounds will give you a couple turns as a breather - just remember to debuff them again when they respawn.

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For full rewards, featured relics, boss stats, videos and tips/strategies, please visit the guide at http://ffrk.kongbakpao.com/event-124/

If you spot any mistakes or have suggestions on how to improve the quality of my guides, feel free to comment here and I'll do my best to address them ASAP!