Caius Ballad (Lightning Returns boss)

Caius Ballad is a boss in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. He is fought at the end of the Temple of the Goddess, and unlike the other main quest bosses, does not become more powerful if fought on a later date. Defeating him earns the Chaos's Revenge weapon, excellent for staggering enemies.
== Stats ==
== Battle ==
Caius switches between Commando and Ravager. In Commando mode, Caius will predominantly use physical attacks, and while in Ravager mode, he will use magical attacks. His stagger bar is more effectively built using physical attacks while he is in Commando mode, and vice versa for magical attacks when he is in Ravager mode. Caius can be staggered up to four times but he will gain a resistance to the element that staggered him after recovering.
Caius enters Commando mode at the beginning of the battle. Every time he switches to Commando mode, he opens with a Megaflare. Thereafter, Caius uses a combination of 1 or 3 Blast Waves, 2–5 hit sword combos (which may or may not include a knockback or a rising slash), 2–4 Gravitons in a row, a Giga-Graviton, a Pulsar Burst, and an Eye of Bahamut attack. The amount of abilities he uses in a single combo varies and depends on his health; the lower he is, the more attacks he will unleash.
After a while, Caius will switch to his Ravager mode, during which he will use "Readying", then "Gathering Energy", then finally "Ready!" in preparation of his strongest magic combo, consisting of Flare, Chill, Surge, and Tornado. Caius will use at least 3 to all 4 of them in a random order. Afterwards, he returns into Commando mode.
Before each stage of preparation (Readying/Gathering Energy/Ready!), Caius will unleash a combination of magical attacks, consisting of Flamesparka, Frostburna, Icestorma, Thunderstorma, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Aeroga, and Inferno. These combinations consist of at least 2–4 magical attacks depending on his health. Rarely will he continue to use Eye of Bahamut in Ravager mode. The lower his health is, the faster he will go through his preparation stages, sometimes skipping his regular magic combos to go straight into his strongest magic combo.
In either role, he can cast Absolution to remove current debuffs while placing buffs on himself: Body and Soul to buff himself plus regaining some health, and Invigorate to refresh the stagger bar on himself. Caius can also summon Bahamut for a powerful magical attack.
Early in the battle Caius's attacks will be slow and easy to anticipate, but once his health drops below 66%, he will start using abilities more frequently and cast status changes, either weakening Lightning, or strengthening himself. At 33% of his health, he will regularly heal himself and his attacks come out even faster. One of the enhancements Caius will cast on himself is Veil, and afterward will be virtually immune to debilitation abilities.
=== Strategy ===
Sacred Knight is a powerful defensive garb that strengthens all forms of guard and comes with defensive strikes that allow Lightning to guard while striking. To acquire this garb, players must complete "The Grail of Valhalla" quest. Solid alternatives would be Paladin or Dragoon.
Amazon Warrior is a strong physical attacking garb that comes with Speed Slash and a normal Guard, but should not be used to defend from Caius's chain of attacks. However, if Sacred Knight or Paladin is still recovering ATB, Amazon Warrior's Guard is better than no Guard at all. Some alternative physical attacker garbs include Soldier of Peace, Rhapsody in Rose, Splendid Admiral, Velvet Bouncer, Dragon's Blood, and Innocence. Midnight Mauve is a solid choice for dealing magic damage. Fira can help quickly stagger Caius while he is in Ravager mode. Other potential useful garbs for magically attacking are Witching Hour, Intruder, Loyal Servant, and Black Mage.
Guarding is a must in this battle. Lightning's health can drop quickly if she is not careful. When Caius begins to chain several attacks, Lightning must be guarding by then, otherwise, if Caius lands any blows, it will be too late to defend, and she will have to wait until the end of his attacks while receiving massive damage.
When dealing with Megaflare it is important to be in a defensive garb and attempt to perfectly guard against the attack. Too soon will result in heavy damage, while too late will result in either massive damage or Lightning crumbling in one hit.
While Caius is in Commando mode, one should use physical attacks, and while he is in Ravager mode, players should focus on magic attacks. Periodically the player should switch into their defensive garb and defend against Caius's attacks, and then switch back into an offensive garb as soon as Caius has finished.
Debilitation abilities work when Caius does not have Veil up, and the player should take advantage of any of the garbs' special abilities, such as Transform Protect from Innocence. If Caius is staggered at any time during combat, one should send Lightning into Overclock and unleash a barrage of devastating attacks.
==Quotes==
Servant of the cursed darkness.
Master of shadow of all.
The wings of darkness.
Bahamut!
—Megaflare
There's no escape!
Embrace the terror!
Dark Chaos!
You cannot stop me!
Disperse into Chaos!
Join the goddess in death!
Your time is short!
You cannot stop me!
What's mine is yours!
Save if you can!
Lose yourself in battle.
You cannot save me!
—Other attacks
What!?
—Knockback
== Gallery ==
Caius-Summons-LRFFXIII.jpg|Caius summons.
Eye-of-Bahamut-LRFFXIII.jpg|Eye of Bahamut.
LRFFXIII Commando Mode.png|Commando Mode.
LRFFXIII Blast Wave.png|Blast Wave.
LRFFXIII Pulsar Burst.png|Pulsar Burst.
LRFFXIII Graviton.png|Graviton.
== Related enemies ==
=== Final Fantasy XIII-2 ===
* Caius Ballad
Category:Bosses in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII