Julius: Difference between revisions

In order to provide for adequate defense, both Sora and Riku should equip [[Leaf Bracer]], [[Once More]], [[Second Chance]], [[Blindness Block]], [[Poison Block]], and [[Confusion Block]]. Equipping several [[Thunder Screen]] is beneficial too, as it will reduce the damage inflicted by Julius's thunder-enhanced punches, as will be maxing out [[Magic Haste]] to lessen the reloading time of [[Cure]] commands and spells. Their decks should both have at least Curaga or two [[Elixir]] commands; as Elixirs are item commands and have no reload time, they would be unaffected by the reload-slowing effect and would be the best command to have active if it is inflicted. Note that in the HD remasters, the reload-slowing effect instead fully disables the currently-selected command. Increasing the Max HP of both characters is important, so make sure to clear both characters' Secret Portals for another boost. Although the character's Spirits will not be able to assist them directly, all active abilities will remain enabled during the battle.

Immediately dodge away from Julius when the battle begins. One can also use Counter Rush, but it must be used at the first opportunity and isn't guaranteed to stop Julius's combo. Once his first combo is over, cast a Balloon-type spell, and then return to dodging. Repeat this technique, and rather than risking it all to fight while at low HP, make sure to immediately find a safe spot and use Curaga or an Elixir. Whenever Julius appears vulnerable, such as after a body slam, use either Sonic Blade or Ars Arcanum to deal large amounts of damage to him. These commands leave Sora open for damage afterward, however, so make sure to dodge out of the way as soon as the attack ends. He can also use Firaga Burst to deal extra damage, it leaves him vulnerable, but the big fireball will stay. If Julius jumps up to the tallest building and jumps off of it, watch his icon on the map to avoid the attack. If it lands, it will do great damage to Sora. A good way to dodge this attack is by using Superglide to fly around the arena. If Sora should get grabbed by Julius and belched upon, he will be affected by up to three different status effects at a time, such as Blind, Poison, and Confuse. However, after a certain number of Sora's attacks hit Julius, he will falter for a few seconds. As such, if Sora is grabbed right after casting a Balloon command and it causes Julius to falter, Sora will be released, allowing for an escape. Julius also can stand still after several attacks in a row, allowing more damage.

When Julius begins to summon lightning from the sky, make sure that Sora's health is more than half full, and block the bolts coming down on you. Julius will now have a lot more range to his attacks, so be sure to keep a distance and dodge away, or Block from any lightning that comes in Sora's direction. If he manages to make Julius flinch while he's charging up, the charging effects won't be canceled. If Julius does his jump attack while charged, getting hit will cause the currently selected command on the deck to be disabled and enter a super-slow recharge time or be completely disabled, making it even more important that the player uses Superglide to dodge this attack or have their Attack and Magic Haste abilities maxed out before the fight. Make sure that a healing command is not selected when Julius begins this attack, as losing them often leads to the end of the battle if you are unfortunate to not have any items. Make also sure that Julius doesn't hit a pole once he dives while Sora is gliding, as the currently selected command will be affected by that hit as well.

In order to provide for adequate defense, Riku should equip [[Dark Barrier]] and [[Dark Roll]]. To boost his strength, he should also equip the [[Unbound]] Keyblade and purchase [[Attack Gain LV3]], [[Magic Gain LV3]], and [[Drop Decelerator LV3]] when Sora drops. His Command Deck should be filled with several [[Balloon]]-type commands, as well as [[Dark Firaga]], [[Firaga Burst]] or [[Meteor Crash]].

Immediately chain multiple Dark Rolls together to avoid the physical attacks Julius uses to open the battle.Cast Balloon-type spells or Dark Firaga if it is safe to do so between the towering monster's combos, and with any luck, he will head straight into the path of Riku's attacks as he attempts to hit him. Julius's standard left-to-right slap attacks and single punches are relatively weak, but the series of punches he unleashes after clapping his fists together must be watched for. Each of these can be countered with Dark Barrier and a Counter Aura used right at the end, but it's also safe to just use Dark Roll to dodge if Riku is too far.

Julius's leaping body-slam cannot be countered, so Riku must dodge to avoid it. However, it provides a good window for Riku to use Meteor Crash, Firaga Burst or launch a barrage of Balloons and Dark Firagas. If Julius begins to run around the battlefield, skidding to a stop every few seconds as he changes direction, chain multiple Dark Rolls together and get as far away from him as possible, as even his skidding deals damage. If Julius leaps onto the tall building at the end of the Fountain Plaza, disengage the Lock-On feature so that the camera focuses on Riku and the area in front of him rather than Julius and the area behind Riku, and chain multiple Dark Rolls together away from the building to avoid the deadly shockwaves triggered by Julius's landing. Lastly, should Julius grab Riku and breathe on him, he will dish out several status ailments such as Blind, Poison, and Confuse that cannot be extinguished without a Panacea. Because these only last for a few seconds, however, it is recommended to simply restore Riku back to full health and let Poison do its dirty work, healing again once the status ailment has dissipated.

After about six of Julius's HP bars have been depleted, the battlefield grows dark and Julius surrounds his fists with electricity. Carefully time Dark Rolls to avoid the lightning bolts that come crashing down on Riku, or chain several Dark Barriers together to defend against them. If he manages to make Julius flinch while he's charging up, the charging effects won't be canceled. Because Julius's attacks are much more powerful in his charged-up state (adding Thunder damage on top of physical) and come more frequently with greater range (and also have a chance of slowing down command reload times), the player should disregard offense for the time being and merely chain Dark Rolls together to avoid the boss (be extremely careful not to accidentally trigger Flowmotion, as this leaves Riku vulnerable). Julius leaps off of the building more often in this state, so always remember to disengage Lock-On and get as far away from him as possible when this happens. When Julius's fists cease to glow, resume the previous strategy of dodging his attacks and following up with Balloon-type spells or Dark Firaga. Julius will enter this more powerful state at random intervals from this point onward as his HP continues to dwindle, but once he is on his last couple of bars, his last charge will remain until the end, so continue using Balloon and Dark Firaga from a distance until his HP finally hits 0.