Help Trouble with Mateus

[Ikas]

This boss is a real pain in the ass.

I need some recommendations.

First of all, by this point I have all 6 characters up to Level 25-26. I have aquired 2 quickenings for Fran, Basch and Penelo. I currently have around 400 licence points for each character - anything specific I should get on the board?

I also need a recommendation on what gambits I should have set up. And then, the strategy I should take. The first thing I do is perform a quickening and try to get rid of all the elementals summoned at the beginning.

I have the War Hammer for Basch and Balthier, a Crossbow for Ashe, Bowgun for Penelo, Demonsbane for Vaan, Longbow for Fran. I also have 30,000 Gil. Each character has over 1000 HP.

I can't seem to win. The boss always pummels me with those dreadful 'special attacks'.

What should I do?

Please and thanks.

 

[Saix]

I can't remember what levels I fought Mateus at unfortunately, but I seem to recall them being late 20s or so. You can afford the Ice Shield (you can also get lucky and get it from random drops/Steal command) and some Lightning Spears. Mateus and her entourage are weak to electricity, and those weapons make mincemeat of him very, very quickly.

Don't bother maintaining Shell, but definitely have it active on every party member you're going to use, and just have a spell-caster focus on healing incrementally so you can survive Blizzaja.

You're probably doing this anyway, but set up your Gambits so that party members attack the leader's target. This will be beneficial when taking out Mateus' allies first.

As for points, just make sure you're able to access the above weapon/armour licenses, as well as some buffs towards the bottom of the upper license board (HP increases, block chance, etc etc). Gambits should be supportive of your leader - complimentary damage focusing on physical attacks, and healing once you're at 60% or so, considering you're having trouble.

Failing that, get out there and train against those dragon-things.

 

[Sum1sgruj]

Simplified:

-Concentrate on the small ice thingies 1st
-Protect you're allies against ice (Ice shield, Shell)

Other than that, you just have to mosh your way through it. Don't get too technical.