How to Defeat Arena Vulcan in Octopath Traveler: CotC

Here's a guide for Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. We will explain how to defeat Vulcan in the Arena.

We have uploaded a video to YouTube.

Vulcan, Dancer, and Scholar's Weaknesses & Basic Information

Ultimately, you'll want to defeat Vulcan and the Tactics Scholar early, so forming a party centered around Sword, Bow, and Ice will make the battle easier.

Vulcan's Actions

Basic Actions

When Vulcan is Alone / Or below half HP

Autonomous Spiritstone

Tactics Scholar & Cunning Dancer's Actions

Here's a brief overview.

Tactics Scholar

Focuses on Dark-elemental attacks, lowers elemental defense for all front row allies, etc.

Cunning Dancer

Focuses on buffing enemies: Light Resistance Down, Elemental Attack and Speed Up, AoE Dark-elemental attacks, etc.

Tips for Defeating Vulcan

Preparations

Since elemental attacks are the main threat, equip armor with high elemental defense, such as robes and hoods (minimum Byakuya series or better).

SP recovery accessories are helpful for Sword/Ice attackers and healers.

Battle Start

Defeat the companions first (start with the Tactics Scholar).

Maintain debuffs, elemental defense buffs, and automatic healing. Debuffing Vulcan is especially crucial.

Reduce Vulcan's HP without Defeating the Second Companion

If you defeat the second companion, Vulcan will summon an "Autonomous Spiritstone." Therefore, first reduce Vulcan's HP to roughly above half. Leave the second companion on the verge of defeat.

After summoning the Autonomous Spiritstone, it's even better if you can adjust your breaks to occur before Vulcan enters the red health zone.

After Summoning the Autonomous Spiritstone

Ignore the Autonomous Spiritstone. Be careful, as using AoE Ice magic, etc., will highly likely trigger a weakness counterattack.

Break Vulcan just before it enters the red health zone and defeat it quickly (because its elemental attack increases in the red zone, dealing around 3000 damage).

↓Reference video uploaded.

Video Content Explanation

Party Composition and Skill Selection

Viola

"Anti-Attack," "Anti-Guard," and "Double Wide Burst" are recommended! Constantly debuffing Vulcan is almost essential since allies' buffs are dispelled.

Fior

"Triple Slash" for chipping, "Collapse Charge" for damage dealing.

Millard

Raises elemental defense for all front row allies with "Aura of Protection" and acts as an instant healer. Since automatic healing is dispelled, an instant healer is essential.

Lionel

Primarily uses "Guardian's Rage." Second sword damage dealer.

Gilderoy

Early "Bolt Spike" is just lucky if it inflicts paralysis. "Heal Spike" would have been better than "Chain Lightning." Primarily uses "Continuous Thrust."

After defeating the first companion, serves as a chipper to recover SP for sword users.

Sofia

Ice-elemental breaker and damage dealer. Random and AoE attacks are sealed once the Autonomous Spiritstone appears.

Molrusso

Automatic healing is still strong early on. After the Autonomous Spiritstone appears, I considered single-target healing, but the break reduction from the triple attack proved useful.

Scarecrow

Included from early to mid-game to defeat companions. Other bow characters are also fine.

Particularly Strong Characters for the Vulcan Battle

Fior

Excellent sword damage.

Viola

Essential as a debuffer and shield reducer.

Millard

Elemental defense booster and healer.

Key Points

Equipping accessories that increase elemental defense and HP seems to provide more stability. As you can see in the video, while you might not die, your HP can be reduced to the red zone. In many cases, if you stay alive, you can manage. Once Vulcan is alone, its attack power is immense, so a strategy to defeat it quickly is crucial.

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