Possible New Game try

[Kuru]

Should I start a new game? If so, why should I? lol And, what is a good team to take against Ashnard? Last time I played I had a very hard time.

Some characters that I did not use were Oscar, Boyd, Mist, Rofl (ROLF), Shinnon, Brom, Titania, and Astria or Astrid, don't recall her name.

So, any tips from you experts out there will sure come handy. What hurts Ashnard? Why is my Ike so freaking weak against him even at top level?

I thought it was worth a replay because I might buy a Wii and get the other game that follows.

[Ownagepuffs]

Capped Strength Wrath+Resolve Ike w/ Ragnell OHKO's Ashnard.

[Kuru]

Capped Strength Wrath+Resolve Ike w/ Ragnell OHKO's Ashnard.

Seriously? Dang, thanks man. I'll check and see if he's got all that, if not, I'll just restart one of these days. :)

[Radiant head]

For Hard Mode against Ashnard, I just deployed Ike and Nasir. I got tired of him going after characters who can't attack back at him. Ike obviously had no issue pwning all the soldiers, but even Nasir surprisingly held himself pretty well, and was doing a ton of dodging even when untransformed. Both carried a bunch of Elixirs, and Nasir had laguz stones.

As for Ike being strong enough to beat Ashnard, I guess for me it was mostly luck and being able to activate Aether when you need it. It helped that a lot of the soldiers worked as Aether HP fodder during the fight.

Edited January 23, 2015 by Radiant head

[Kirie]

I think you should play the game if you want to play it. But you can totally play Radiant Dawn without replaying PoR first (though I guess if you want to do the data transfer thing or whatever you'd want to have a save file at least). And if you don't feel like playing PoR now, you might feel like playing it after RD.

[Xtremekiwi]

Heh...this reminds me of when I played through PoR the first time. I ended up with an Ike who, at 19/20 had 17 strength. No, seriously. He couldn't even scratch the Black Knight without Aether and could only do one damage to Ashnard WITH a B-level support with Soren (Or was it C-rank? I forget)...

Anyway, just play normally and hope that Ike's strength growth pulls through for him, as otherwise...see above.

[Ownagepuffs]

For Hard Mode against Ashnard, I just deployed Ike and Nasir. I got tired of him going after characters who can't attack back at him. Ike obviously had no issue pwning all the soldiers, but even Nasir surprisingly held himself pretty well, and was doing a ton of dodging even when untransformed. Both carried a bunch of Elixirs, and Nasir had laguz stones.

As for Ike being strong enough to beat Ashnard, I guess for me it was mostly luck and being able to activate Aether when you need it. It helped that a lot of the soldiers worked as Aether HP fodder during the fight.

I had Ike move up the middle by himself and split my teams left and right. It was fun seeing Ike OHKO all of Ashnard's finest.

[Dual Dragons]

Along with Ownagepuff's advice, you can LTC that Endgame map with a good flier + Ike. I think you can do it within five turns or so? Saves you a lot of time especially if you aren't doing Hard mode where Ashnard starts moving and everything.

First Seraph Robe can go to Ike immediately. He likely will not get HP maxed naturally and you get an instant +7 HP to not get Game Over.

Chapter 12--the first ship chapter with ravens--you can completely block ravens from attacking anyone but two units if you deploy all unit slots (at least in Normal mode) and have them aligned along on the sides of the ship so that they form a vertical line and block the pathways the pillars make. Since in PoR attacking a unit on the ship while you're attaking from not on the ship is considered a ranged attack, ravens can't attack unless they are on the ship thus they can only attack two units except Jill not on the ship. You can train the two units who get constantly attacked, two ranged units like Rolf (with forged bow, most likely) and/or Soren (with forged wind tome if need be), and/or Jill so she can start catching up (preferably with a forged Iron/Steel Lance traded to her she can wield without AS loss).

It might help to know exactly which parts where you were having a hard time with and if you want to win the Black Knight fight.

[Dragoncat]

The 3 brothers are the best. Why did you not use them? Seriously, I remember them kicking major butt. Plus triangle attack. Pure awesomeness.

I remember getting lucky and Ike Aethered the crap out of Ashnard...

[Radiant head]

Triangle attack was kind of underwhelming tbh.

[Kuru]

I always have trouble multiquoting, so I will just reply using @.

@Radiant Head I didn't use Nasir that much, but I probably will this time. I remember I used Lethe, though. XD Is she any good to have at the final chapter?

@Kirie I will actually replay this game because it is also one of my favorites, but not my all time favorite.

@Xtremekiwi Yeah, I probably didn't cap his stats. When Ashnards rushes to Ike (I was playing HM), I am ashamed to say he doesn't even do 2 damage. Maybe I don't have his right skills. I will search for the game later and then have a look and tell you all how Ike looks. Right now I can't because I am here atm.

@ OnawgePuffs I will probably try your strategy. I forgot some things about this game, though. You get Ragnell by default, right? Or am I supposed to do something special to get it? Also, is Mist any good for the final chapter? And what about the nobles? I heard that they can put a hurt on Ashnard.

@DuelDragons I will give most stat boosting items to Ike for sure this time. I tend to give those to the units I like, like Lethe and others. Yeah, I love Lethe. Also, let it be known that I don't have trouble getting to the end game, it's just that Ashnard is a bitch. LOL Sorry about that, I usually don't curse. The map I do have trouble with, or the character, that is, is the Black Knight. I've never been able to defeat him, not that I remember. He's beatable right? What I will do is train Jill, cause I also like her. Who doesn't like flying units? XD

@Dragoncat Are you sure the three brothers are the best? I thought they sucked, especially Oscar, but I also did not know they were the ones who performed the triangle attack...until now. XD Haha, wow, I really need to sit down and play this game again. I might have really rushed it those several times I played it.

Also, thanks for replying. I will keep you informed of how it goes. I will start playing later today. Knowing how good I am with some strategy, I will be at the end soon enough.

[Mekkah]

Three brothers: Oscar and Boyd are good, Rolf is bad.

If you don't want to deal with an RNG screwed Ike, don't bother. Instead, just run from the Black Knight, put Resolve/Wrath on Nasir and watch all your troubles disappear.

[Radiant head]

@Radiant Head I didn't use Nasir that much, but I probably will this time. I remember I used Lethe, though. XD Is she any good to have at the final chapter?

I dunno, I'm kind of biased against non-royal Laguz. I guess Lethe would be good for taking out Daein fodder, but I used Nasir because he's the only person besides Ike and Giffca/Naesala/Tibarn who can hurt Ashnard.

Three brothers: Oscar and Boyd are good, Rolf is bad.

If you don't want to deal with an RNG screwed Ike, don't bother. Instead, just run from the Black Knight, put Resolve/Wrath on Nasir and watch all your troubles disappear.

I think Nasir dies if you run away from Black Knight.

[Dragoncat]

Three brothers: Oscar and Boyd are good, Rolf is bad.

Rolf is okay if you take the time to train him.

And triangle attack. If you want to use it, give Oscar bows when he promotes. You'll also have to do the "three brothers" base convo, dunno which chapter it appears in though, so try to promote Oscar and Boyd ASAP (they all need bows) so you don't miss out. Yeah, it's not overly useful, but it's cool so why not?

Edited January 23, 2015 by Dragoncat

[Radiant head]

I'd also highly recommend giving Oscar and Boyd Iron forges.

[Dual Dragons]

I didn't use Nasir that much, but I probably will this time. I remember I used Lethe, though. XD Is she any good to have at the final chapter?

If you never beated the Black Knight, you never had Nasir. And I'm sure you can make Lethe work for the Daein mooks at Endgame. I normally wouldn't recommend non-royal Laguz except possibly Ranulf because of the Transformation gauge (easily fixed by Demi Band but loss of stats) and locked to one-range weapon, but you got to have fun, right?

You get Ragnell by default, right? Or am I supposed to do something special to get it? Also, is Mist any good for the final chapter? And what about the nobles? I heard that they can put a hurt on Ashnard.

Ragnell is by default. Personally I like using Mist for Endgame because I've usually trained her sword rank to max so she can magic sword spam and Physic if necessary. Nobles can harm Ashnard. I like using Tibarn but Giffca probably works too. If you got any remaining stat boosters, you can probably give them to them (Tibarn will need Speedwings to not get doubled by Ashnard second form).

The map I do have trouble with, or the character, that is, is the Black Knight. I've never been able to defeat him, not that I remember. He's beatable right? What I will do is train Jill, cause I also like her. Who doesn't like flying units? XD

Very much beatable, but I wouldn't be able to recall any other good strats for him. I usually Aether him but maybe you can start using Wrath and some other skill if you don't think you can land all hits on BK or Aether's proc is too unreliable for your tastes. It's unfortunate you just get Resolve at that map.

Jill is favorite character. Who doesn't like flying units indeed.

Are you sure the three brothers are the best? I thought they sucked, especially Oscar, but I also did not know they were the ones who performed the triangle attack...until now. XD

Between Oscar and Rolf, Oscar's better, I'd say. I've gotten pretty screwed with him in the past but others say he's solid and looking at his growths, he should be. It's training Rolf and still using him while he's low-leveled around chapter 10 that puts him as the worst of the three.

Don't forget Elincia, Tanith, and promoted Marcia can Triangle Attack too. That's also activated by a Info convo if Marcia is promoted, I believe.

I think Nasir dies if you run away from Black Knight.

I'm pretty sure he still lives but you just get Ena.

Edited January 23, 2015 by Dual Dragons

[Kuru]

If you never beated the Black Knight, you never had Nasir. And I'm sure you can make Lethe work for the Daein mooks at Endgame. I normally wouldn't recommend non-royal Laguz except possibly Ranulf because of the Transformation gauge (easily fixed by Demi Band but loss of stats) and locked to one-range weapon, but you got to have fun, right?

Ragnell is by default. Personally I like using Mist for Endgame because I've usually trained her sword rank to max so she can magic sword spam and Physic if necessary. Nobles can harm Ashnard. I like using Tibarn but Giffca probably works too. If you got any remaining stat boosters, you can probably give them to them (Tibarn will need Speedwings to not get doubled by Ashnard second form).

Very much beatable, but I wouldn't be able to recall any other good strats for him. I usually Aether him but maybe you can start using Wrath and some other skill if you don't think you can land all hits on BK or Aether's proc is too unreliable for your tastes. It's unfortunate you just get Resolve at that map.

Jill is favorite character. Who doesn't like flying units indeed.

Between Oscar and Rolf, Oscar's better, I'd say. I've gotten pretty screwed with him in the past but others say he's solid and looking at his growths, he should be. It's training Rolf and still using him while he's low-leveled around chapter 10 that puts him as the worst of the three.

Don't forget Elincia, Tanith, and promoted Marcia can Triangle Attack too. That's also activated by a Info convo if Marcia is promoted, I believe.

I'm pretty sure he still lives but you just get Ena.

Yeah, the name Nasir I thought was confusing. I was thinking about Ranulf. No, I never got Nasir then, because I don't recall pwning the Black Knight. I wanted to, but I couldn't damage him. So I just ran. Also, I still don't understand much about skills. You can move them around to other members? Or are they to remain with who learns them? Sorry I ask too much, I just rushed the playthroughs I had. lol

Frankly, I don't even remember how I beat the game. I did, but it must have been on normal, because I don't remember using those characters. I remember that I took most of the team I had at the highest levels. I didn't train many of the ones I was getting every map. For this new try I will surely train Mist.

For the Black Knight battle, so Ike or Nasir then? I'll probably do what Mekkah said, if I happen to have a weak Ike again.

And I really don't like Rolf, but for the triangle attack, guess I will train him. But I might not, as I really don't use Triangle attack anyway.

@Dragoncat, I will try to get that triangle attack. Just 'cause. :) Any other secrets I should be aware of? I really haven't read any strategy guides for this game. I played it like three times and left it in the shadows. Thus I know little of it.

@ Radiant head By Iron Forges you mean iron forged weapons?

[Radiant head]

Yessir.

If you don't like Rolf, don't bother with the triangle attack, because it's really meh. I tried it once, and they couldn't even ORKO a myrmidion.

If you're playing NM, go with Tibarn, but for HM, I think (haven't tried this) Giffca is the strongest one and hence ideal for fighting Berserk Ashnard. Naesala I didn't find very useful. I mean he's a good dodge tank if you put your party inside the fountain and have him guard one of the entrances, but that's it.

[Kuru]

Yessir.

If you don't like Rolf, don't bother with the triangle attack, because it's really meh. I tried it once, and they couldn't even ORKO a myrmidion.

If you're playing NM, go with Tibarn, but for HM, I think (haven't tried this) Giffca is the strongest one and hence ideal for fighting Berserk Ashnard. Naesala I didn't find very useful. I mean he's a good dodge tank if you put your party inside the fountain and have him guard one of the entrances, but that's it.

I thought a triangle attack was always a sure death, a critical sure death. Haha, but yeah, if they can't even handle a myrmidon, I might as well just forget about it.

I'm gonna go hard mode. Normal mode is too easy, in my opinion.

[Ownagepuffs]

@ OnawgePuffs I will probably try your strategy. I forgot some things about this game, though. You get Ragnell by default, right? Or am I supposed to do something special to get it? Also, is Mist any good for the final chapter? And what about the nobles? I heard that they can put a hurt on Ashnard.

First things first it's not my strategy so I can't take credit for it. Resolve/Wrath Ike is like super OG strats, lol. You get Ragnell at the end of C27 automatically. Mist is good, but not as a combat unit. She is a staff wielder on a horse, which is pretty awesome.

If you're on Hard mode, the nobles are kinda lame because they come way too late. Assuming you're using Resolve/Wrath, Ashnard will be dead by the time they get to him. Oh and Giffca is probably the best of the 3 since he does the most damage (but Tibarn's the coolest~)

On Normal mode they join from the start of the chapter so they can contribute way more. Tibarn is probably more useful on Normal since he flies. You can take the Royals into the trial maps which is hella bomb.

[Radiant head]

On a tangent, I love Giffca's convo with Ashnard. Ashnard is wondering where Cain is, and Giffca basically says Ashnard isn't worth Cain's time, and his shadow is suffice.

Makes it chilling when you get to actually use Cain in RD.

Edited January 24, 2015 by Radiant head

[Dual Dragons]

Also, I still don't understand much about skills. You can move them around to other members? Or are they to remain with who learns them? Sorry I ask too much, I just rushed the playthroughs I had. lol

No worries.

In PoR, skills can't be added and removed at will. If you assign a skill onto a unit, be sure it's the one you want at least for a while. If you remove any removeable skill, it's lost permanently.

For the Black Knight battle, so Ike or Nasir then? I'll probably do what Mekkah said, if I happen to have a weak Ike again.

I'm not sure what you mean here. Nasir doesn't participate in that fight. Ike and Mist do.

If you mean between getting Ena or Nasir, Nasir definitely. Pretty much higher level and stats all around except Strength (equal) and Hit Rate of weapon (Ena's beats Nasir's by 15). Nasir also comes with Nihil.

Though problem with both of them is even though they can harm Ashnard, they won't in Hard. Both get doubled and do like 30 damage when Ashanrd's Def is 35.

And I really don't like Rolf, but for the triangle attack, guess I will train him. But I might not, as I really don't use Triangle attack anyway.

Even in Hard and felt like training the three brothers, I found very little opportune moments or necessary moments to use the Bro Triangle Attack. They have to align up and be equipping a bow, which, unless you have units left to trade Boyd and Oscar to equip another weapon, leaves them open for Enemy Phase.

If you want to, go ahead. The only things I can say for the Bro Triangle Attack is, yeah, have Oscar learn bows on promotion and have the one with the highest Strength (probably Boyd) activate it.

Naesala I didn't find very useful.

Lies.

Naesala is good for that mad cash. That one coin to transfer to RD.

/joke

Edited January 24, 2015 by Dual Dragons

[Kuru]

Okay, guys and girls, thanks for the awesome tips. I will surely keep all this in mind. In fact, if I run into trouble, I will come rushing to this thread and read on what you all have said. I really appreciate the help.

[BrightBow]

I'm not sure what you mean here. Nasir doesn't participate in that fight. Ike and Mist do.

If you mean between getting Ena or Nasir, Nasir definitely. Pretty much higher level and stats all around except Strength (equal) and Hit Rate of weapon (Ena's beats Nasir's by 15). Nasir also comes with Nihil.

Though problem with both of them is even though they can harm Ashnard, they won't in Hard. Both get doubled and do like 30 damage when Ashanrd's Def is 35.

Are they really that bad? Nasir, with his 40 atk should deal 5 points of damage against Ashnard and his 25 speed should prevent him from being doubled if he transforms normally. But I don't know how the stat reduction of the Demi Band is calculated.

[Kuru]

So what do I need to do in order to get Nasir? Just defeat the Black Knight? Also, he aint beatable when you first encounter him in that ship chapter, right? I usually just run away because none of my team members can hurt him. I think the map I am talking about is when Zihark joins.

I started my game, btw. I am on chapter 2. Ike gained good levels, especially in strength. :)