Solosseum Level 27: Monstrous Meltdown Guide

[fadingtrails]

This mini-guide has been improved and published as the Solosseum Slog Level 27 Guide.

 

This is a guide for Level 27 of Solosseum Slog, which is part of the Tale of a Timeless Tome DLC. With a time limit of 17 minutes, Monstrous Meltdown is considered to be the most difficult level in the DLC, particularly because of its final fight. I recently made a video guide focusing on that battle, but people tend to ask how to get past the first three stages of the level more quickly, which is why I'm posting this mini-guide.

 

For a full guide to the DLC check out the Tale of a Timeless Tome DLC Trophy Guide by LucasIIGD.

 

The following assumes an understanding of the game's mechanics on the part of the reader. I won't be explaining every detail, but anyone is welcome to ask questions or otherwise comment on the guide's merit. I'm not an expert, but I hope this will give anyone struggling with this part of the DLC the information needed to beat it.

 

One thing I should add is that, unlike many other guides, I don't put any emphasis on having the best gear in the game. They require a lot of grinding to get, which really isn't necessary. Making good use of what I picked up over the course of the game saw me finish the level with 8 minutes to spare. There's plenty of leeway if you have a good strategy.

 

Before I get into the specifics of each battle, I should explain which Martial Arts I use and how they're set up.

 

1) Wizard's Companion

 

 

If you've reached Level 27 of the Solosseum, you should have 18/20 points to spend at the Specialist's Training Ground (pictured). I have everything unlocked but Faster Caster and Stout Heart. This is mostly down to personal preference. I found having WC locked at four casts makes it easier to use. With Faster Caster I tend to struggle getting all the (optimal) casts in within the time limit. Stout Heart will make you less likely to be interrupted but at the cost of spell strength, which is why I don't go for it. Also, make sure to upgrade your spells as much as possible at the Spellworks.

 

The different cast types are:

• Spell Stringer (Purple)
• Spell Strengthener (Blue)
• Extra Spell Cast

Each of them have standard and powered up (!) versions. My preference being:

 

Extra Spell Cast! > Spell Stringer/Strengthener! > Extra Spell Cast > Spell Stringer/Strengthener

 

If, at any point during battle, you think your spellcasting is about to be interrupted, use Extra Spell Casts only, as they will still count.

 

2) Gizmo Supremo

 

 

I always equip GS on supporting characters. The Miracle Cure and Utility Belt will keep me in business if I'm using spells, though you'll have to switch characters to access their improved items. Baby Black Hole and Impactotron are useful against mobs, with the latter also doing huge damage to bosses. Use them when bosses are in a stun state.

 

3) Ding Dong Discipline

 

 

In this guide DDD is suggested for the final boss battle only, so it's optimized for fighting a single foe. In slowdown phases this setup will allow you to get five normal attacks in, with one final heavy attack. When meleeing outside of slowdown phases remember to always use heavy attacks. Be sure to boost them in the Tactic Tweaker!

 

 

Battle 1: Lost Souls

 

Vulnerabilities: Light

Martial Arts: Wizard's Companion + 2X Gizmo Supremo OR 3X Gizmo Supremo

Higgledies: not important

Suggested party:

• Evan: Wizard's Companion, Single best magic weapon, Astra spell
• Tani: Gizmo Supremo, Best melee weapons, Windwhirl ability
• Bracken or your best melee option, with Tani's setup

Note that while it's okay to use weapons and spells of an element your opponents aren't weak to, you should never use the element opposite to their weakness. Also, I generally don't think status effect weaknesses are worth exploiting.

 

Lost Souls are a mob of enemies which blow themselves up, causing fire damage and knocking you down. For this reason you'll want to keep your distance. The video below shows two ways of dealing with them. Astra has a huge area of effect, so don't worry about targeting enemies. If you choose to use Gizmo Supremo (shown from 4:40 onward), Baby Black Hole will bind the enemies in one place for you to follow up with an Impactotron, or an ability of your choice.

 

 

 

Battle 2: Mossy Monument/Crystal Crypt

 

Vulnerabilities: Melee and either Wind or Fire

Martial Arts: Wizard's Companion + 2X Gizmo Supremo

Higgledies: boost magic offense and lower the boss' magic defense, but this isn't essential

Suggested party:

• If weak to Fire, use Evan: WC and Fireball
• If weak to Wind, use Leander: WC and Spark Spike, Mind of the Magos

Note that enemies' weaknesses can change from one run to the next, which in Level 27 is true for battles two and four.

 

Although this boss is weak to melee and his moves can be exploited with DDD, you'll find he still takes good damage from magic attacks, which is a way more straightforward method.

 

When the fight starts he will immediately charge for reinforcements, so the first thing you want to do is hit him with a spell and interrupt him.

 

 

 

Battle 3: Nightmare Rook

 

Vulnerabilities: Wind

Martial Arts: Wizard's Companion + 2X Gizmo Supremo

Higgledies: none recommended for this fight

Suggested party:

• Leander: WC and Spark Spike, Mind of the Magos
• Any depending on best available gear

Like the previous boss, Nightmare Rook will start the fight charging, so hit him with a spell before you use Mind of the Magos. The fight seems pretty easy, until he starts using melee attacks. You're likely to get interrupted in this fight, which is why I don't suggest bothering with higgledies. Try to read his attacks and keep your distance. If you think your spells will get interrupted, prioritize Extra Spell Casts. If Nightmare Rook is directly above you, Spark Spike is likely to miss, so mind your positioning.

 

 

Battle 4: Cetus

 

Vulnerabilities: Melee combined with either Light-Sleep or Dark-Poison

Martial Arts: Ding Dong Discipline + 2X Gizmo Supremo

Higgledies: "Flimsy Flimsy!", and/or melee boosts, see image

Suggested party: Highly dependant on available gear; bring your best melee party

• Evan: DDD, best Light/Dark imbued weapon, Flurry
• If weak to poison, use Tani: GS, Poisoning or Light/Dark imbued weapon, Arrow Rain for poison chance

It's critical you equip an imbued melee weapon, but only on your party leader. By now you should have unlocked some of these through Solosseum Slog, though you'll have to craft them in the Evermore weapon shop. Both the Slithy Sword and Godhead Sword shown in the video can be obtained this way. That is if you don't have any already.

 

Alternatively, if you have a powerful melee weapon that isn't imbued with the appropriate element, you can use higgledies to add the element to your attacks; but don't forget to keep activating the effect.

 

In terms of gear it's important to equip as many melee boosts as possible. I end up with 1900+ melee strength, but Cetus can be beaten with less than that.

 

Strategy:

Time stamps can be found in video description/comments section.

 

- Heavy attacks: boost heavy attacks (triangle) in the Tactic Tweaker and remember to stick with them throughout the fight, with the exception of slowdown phases.

 

- Poison: arguably worth exploiting if your supporting characters have appropriate gear that boost status effect chance; the Gloopy Curry food also helps here. Note that you'll have no chance of poisoning Cetus if it's not shown as being a vulnerability.

 

- Flimsy, Flimsy!: remember to keep debuffing Cetus; as long as a debuff is active, its icon will show under his HP gauge.

 

- Charge break (3:25): Cetus will regularly charge for reinforcements, indicated by a purple aura. You'll want to save your Zing - and therefore your abilities - for when this happens.

 

- Ding Dong Discipline (4:11): watch Cetus' movements while you're hitting him as his lunging move is relatively easy to exploit for a dodge. You'll be able to get five normal attacks in followed by a heavy attack for massive damage. Later in the fight, Cetus will quickly move in and out of the ground giving you an opportunity to dodge toward him and get a heavy attack in (6:48). This is more difficult, and the surrounding rocks can hit you hard, so consider this to be optional.

 

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by fadingtrails

[fadingtrails]

For some general Solosseum Slog pointers, check out this post I made in the Optimization help thread.

 

Youtuber OhRichard has some good character guides. These were created before the all of the DLC was released, though, so equipment shown isn't optimal.

Edited January 9, 2020 by fadingtrails

[JavaNext]

Just wanted to thank you for the guide, it was really helpful. Honestly, without this guide (along with others) I would never have been able to finish this...

 

The main game was super easy so I didn't pay much attention to stats and weaknesses, and when I started this DLC it felt overwhelming to actually try and figure all the mechanics out. Anyway, only 3 to go. Thanks again.

[LucasIIGD]

Heey that's a nice and wonderful guide, can I will add it into my guide ?

[fadingtrails]

I'm really glad the guide is useful, so thanks guys. I'm fine with any part of it being used in other guides, Lucas.

[butterfly_boy]

Because of you I got the 100% trophies

thank you 

[thedarkness91]

Thanks for the guide guys! 

Edited September 10, 2019 by thedarkness91