Neo Exdeath ( Final Fantasy V ) Neo Exdeath is the final boss of " Final Fantasy V " . When Exdeath ' s tree form is consumed by the Void , Neo Exdeath emerges , a being that seeks to " consume and turn all to nothingness , so that it , too , can disappear " . The battle ' s background is the only fully animated battle background in " Final Fantasy V " , similar to the final battle of " Final Fantasy IV " . It is possible to avoid facing Neo Exdeath altogether by employing a few tricks on his previous form . The game ' s ending is slightly different depending on which party members ( if any ) are knocked out at the end the battle . Defeating Neo Exdeath earns the player the " Warriors of Light " achievement in the mobile and Steam versions . If no one is KO ' d by the end of the battle the player gains the achievement " The Real Letter . " Battle . Neo Exdeath is split between four body parts : the front is the horned humanoid , the top is the region between the red and canine creatures , the middle target is near to the grinning horned skull , and the back are the two skeletal figures . Neo Exdeath attacks quickly and relentlessly , using a variety of status ailments , physical attacks , magic attacks , defensive spells , the almighty Almagest spell , and his dangerous Grand Cross attack . Neo Exdeath ' s most dangerous attacks , Almagest and Grand Cross , have signs of being prepared beforehand . If Neo Exdeath begins to shake he is preparing to perform Almagest . If he says " The laws of the universe mean nothing ! " and darkens in color , he is preparing to perform Grand Cross . The Front section largely performs physical attacks , the Top section performs Grand Cross , the Middle section uses Almagest , and the Back section can perform Delta Attack . When only one part of the four is remaining , it will use Meteor on every turn until it dies . Strategy . The best strategy is to attack each section one part at a time . The Front section has the least HP , but should be focused on thirdly due to its lack of powerful attacks . For healing , the best strategy is to have a White Mage with Doublecast . Since this is the last battle , items ( and gil if the party has Zeninage ) can be used with reckless abandon , unless the player is playing the GBA , mobile or Steam versions and wants to do the bonus dungeon that opens after the game is completed . These versions ' Gladiator ' s Finisher attack can be used to easily damage Neo Exdeath . A Cannoneer ' s Dragon Cannon also does great damage ( Blitzshot + Dragon Fang ) . If the player is at a low level or is finding it difficult to beat the final boss , they may consider using this strategy : The party should have a character with the Mix ability and enter the battle with Exdeath ' s first form and mix a Hi - Potion with a Dragon Fang to cast " Dragon Power " on an ally and raise the character ' s level by 20 for the remainder of the battle . This may be cast as many times as needed to reach level 99 . During this time a White Mage should be healing the party . Flare and Holy should now deal more than 6000 damage points . After defeating Exdeath ' s first form they enter the fight with the second form while still at level 99 . If the player needs further help they can mix an Elixir with a Dragon Fang to cast " Giant Drink " which doubles the allies ' maximum HP . Golem can be summoned to block Exdeath ' s physical attacks . The cheapest method is to make the party all Mimes with one equipped with the Summon and Doublecast commands . The characters can summon Bahamut twice and keep miming each other . Alternatively , the player can choose to replace one of the Bahamuts with Curaga . The battle is also fairly easy if the characters have mastered Ninja , Ranger , and Samurai . In the Freelancer class the character can equip Rapid Fire , and Zeninage . Having mastered Ninja all party members will already have Dualwield . The first form is easily defeated by using Rapid Fire five to six times and the second form is defeated by tossing gil . This should kill him before he has a chance to use his Grand Cross attack . The Rapid Fire can also be used in conjunction with Mystic Knight ' s spellblade with Flare . Although it is overall not a good idea to use one - hit KO moves on bosses , the summon Odin ' s Zantetsuken attack can one - shot Exdeath ' s back portion , but only if used through the Magic Lamp ; otherwise Odin will use Gungnir . Additionally , the Blue Magic spell Doom will also work . When one part of the four is remaining , it will use the powerful spell Meteor on every turn until it dies . After destroying two parts of Neo Exdeath , it is better to split the attacks on the remaining two instead of killing one part only to avoid the constant Meteor attacks . Musical theme . The music that plays during the confrontation of Neo Exdeath is " The Final Battle " . It was known as " Neo Exdeath " in The Black Mages ' . Other appearances . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Neo Exdeath is available in " Dissidia Final Fantasy " as a Player Icon . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Exdeath ' s second alternate outfit is based on artwork of Neo Exdeath , and his EX Mode appearance is based on Neo Exdeath ' s in - game sprite . Non - " Final Fantasy " guest appearances . " Puzzle & Dragons " . Neo Exdeath appears in " Puzzle and Dragons " as part of the " Final Fantasy " collaboration . The collaboration event happened in the North American version from 2 to 15 November , 2015 . Etymology . This signifies Neo Exdeath ' s " reborn " stage .