The Warrior's Path

• Enter the BCNM by targeting the Iron Gate in Sealion's Den.

First off, Cherukiki (WHM), Makki-Chebukki (RNG), and Kukki-Chebukki (BLM) are impervious to physical damage and are resistant to all forms of magic; however, they can be somewhat distracted. In truth, these three bratty Tarutarus make this BCNM much harder than it actually needs to be (it's already moderately difficult). Nothing's worse than getting Tenzen down right where you want him and having Cherukiki cast an ill-timed Cure IV or Cure V.

They will Paralyze your tank, Silence your mages and your Avatars, while they cast Protect, Haste, and Shell on Tenzen. They have ranged attacks that do substantial damage to your mages (around 100 per hit) and cast -aga spells on your entire party.

Tenzen is a whole other set of problems. Like many other NMs in FFXI, Tenzen can use his two-hour ability (Meikyo Shisui) more than once. Although I've never seen him use it more than twice, it doesn't matter. If he gets around to using it for the second time, your entire party is finished.

Tenzen can create a devastating Lv.4 Skillchain with himself called Cosmic Elucidation. Even if some of your party members happen to survive his Cosmic Elucidation, they will be ejected from the BCNM and have it explained to them in their log that they "were overwhelmed by Cosmic Elucidation".

It seems to me that if you rush Tenzen at the beginning of the BCNM and drop his HP to below 50% before he has used Meikyo Shisui then we will use Cosmic Elucidation on his first Meikyo Shisui.

If you take it slow, then he will usually use Meikyo Shisui twice, finishing with Cosmic Elucidation on his second attempt. Interestingly, before his HP drops below 50%, you can successfully disrupt his first Meikyo Shisui. However, there is no (known) way that you can disrupt his second Meikyo Shisui. When he goes for the win with Cosmic Elucidation then there is nothing you can do to stop him.

To add insult to injury, Tenzen will eat a Shogun Riceball around 75% or 50% HP. This food effect, which greatly enhances his defense, can not be dispelled. In fact, "greatly enhances" is putting it lightly. Your normal melee attacks will be decreased by more than half. Weaponskills that did around 700 damage will not start to around 350-400.

Taking this into account, it's best to do your physical, melee damage to him at the start of the BCNM and save your magical attacks for after.

Next Mission: Garden of Antiquity (CoP 8-1)

Cutscene Compendium

• 1) The Warrior's Path (1) — Goblin Footprint; Sealion's Den (H-6)
• 2) The Warrior's Path (2) — Goblin Footprint; Sealion's Den (H-6)
• 3) The Warrior's Path (1) — Goblin Footprint; Al'Taieu (H-12)
• 4) The Warrior's Path (2) — Goblin Footprint; Al'Taieu (H-12)