SMT: Nocturne Hardtype - The Harlot (Low Level)

The Hardlot Rules: This is a low level run of zombero's hardtype mod: https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3299/ The aim is to keep XP gain as low as possible without affecting my sanity. Hard mode, obviously No stat boosting items All other game mechanics are fair game! Hardtype changes: HP: 5000 → 18500 Attack → Attack All Mazionga → Maziodyne Makajamon → Taunt Death Lust → Babylon Goblet (Non-damaging Almighty spell that lowers accuracy/evasion and inflicts panic) Beast Roar → Death Lust (Conufusing name change aside, this now inflicts Charm. HP healing has been lowered to 6% but her vastly increased HP pool means it restores a whopping 1110 HP per use) Easily the most hyped and popular fight of this mod, and it's hard to argue with the consensus. zombero's reimagining exposes a unique and fun attack script that is barely noticeable in vanilla due to how quickly she dies. To start with she uses Dragon Eye and Focus every 4th round, and she'll also throw in a Dekunda if she's been debuffed. It's essential to keep all buffs maxed out so you can deal respectable damage and survive those scary Dragon Eye rounds. If this means going a couple of rounds without damaging her occasionally then so be it. Once you knock her HP below ~40%, she ups the ante and starts using Dragon Eye Focus every other round. She still continues to throw a Dekunda every 4th round if necessary, a side effect of this being that she at least no longer uses it in conjunction with Dragon Eye. All of my previous skill grinding really pays off here, and for the first time Debilitate and elemental boosts are more than just a luxury but a necessity to have any chance of outpacing her sustain. Even with this setup it's still possible to get caught in a healing loop if you're unlucky with Death Lust spam, especially during the berserk phase towards the end. Fortunately a good window to attack opens whenever she uses elec spells and loses all her turns, and after several close calls she blows it at the very end. This fight really has everything: you need a well-built team with good resistances, you need to maximise your damage output to outpace her healing, and buffs are a survival necessity rather than a way of breaking the game. My only gripe is that it makes me want more from some of the other midgame bosses!