Deathgaze (Final Fantasy VI)

Deathgaze, also known as Doom Gaze, is a boss in Final Fantasy VI. It strikes randomly when flying in the Falcon on the world map of the World of Ruin, and will battle for a few turns before fleeing. Unlike other bosses, Deathgaze's HP does not restore between battles, and after repeated encounters the party can eventually slay it. 
The party will receive the Bahamut magicite when Deathgaze is defeated. Defeating Deathgaze in the 2014 version earned the Wish You Were Here achievement.
== Stats ==
==Location==
Deathgaze spawns randomly on a single tile on the overworld, and will only appear when flying on the Falcon. Deathgaze does not move normally, but whenever the player goes onto the deck of the airship or lands it, Deathgaze changes location. The most effective and simple way to find it is to board the Falcon, nudge the airship to orient at a slight sideways angle, and then fly continuously forward in this direction, searching each tile as thoroughly as possible.
In the Pixel Remaster port, Deathgaze is visible on the world map when flying in the Falcon as a dark orb of energy surrounded by a vortex. However, going onto the deck or landing the airship still causes its location to change.
== Battle ==
Deathgaze has high HP, and depending on when the player fights him, the level of difficulty varies. It has Auto-Shell. Deathgaze opens by casting Lv.5 Death, instantly killing any party members with a level a multiple of five. It then uses Death, Blizzaga or a normal attack, and on its second turn Aero or Death. On its third turn Deathgaze has a two in three chance to flee.
The trick to defeating it is that Deathgaze does not recover its lost health when it flees, so the party can chase it around and weaken it over time. Until the player defeats Deathgaze it is recommended they save before flying the Falcon anywhere in case they encounter Deathgaze.
=== Strategy ===
Firaga, Holy, and Ultima spells work well against it; so does Gau's Io Rage, which has Flare Star and will always deal 9,999 HP damage to Deathgaze. The Meteor spell is less effective, because of the high physical defense. Another useful strategy is to throw Flame Rods or Holy Rods since they ignore Deathgaze's high defenses and Auto-Shell.
In the SNES version, Deathgaze is easily defeated with the Vanish-Doom tactic, but using X-Zone on it with Vanish would prevent the game from recognizing him as beaten. Contrary to popular belief, this does not cause the player to permanently miss the Bahamut magicite; while they won't get it for that battle, Deathgaze's death script never running also means Deathgaze is not flagged as defeated, and continues to appear at random, so he will still give the magicite whenever he is beaten properly.
== Formations ==
Number	Enemies 	Encounter flags 	Encounter flags 	Encounter flags 	Encounter flags 	Introduction flag 	Musical theme 	Magic AP
Number	Enemies 	Normal 	Back 	Surrounded 	Side 	Introduction flag 	Musical theme 	Magic AP
 	Deathgaze 	 	 	 	 	Sides, individual 	The Decisive Battle 	0
 	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.	Hide start messages.
== AI script ==
At beginning of battle: Lv. 5 Death (100%)
Attack Turns:
1st Turn: Attack (33%) or Death (33%) or Blizzaga (33%)
2nd Turn: Death (33%) or Aero (66%)
3rd Turn: Target: Self
:Flee (66%)
If attacked by anything: Attack (33%)
== Other appearances ==
=== Pictlogica Final Fantasy ===
Deathgaze from Final Fantasy VI appears as an enemy in Pictlogica Final Fantasy.
=== Final Fantasy Record Keeper ===
Deathgaze from Final Fantasy VI appears as an enemy in Final Fantasy Record Keeper.
=== Final Fantasy Trading Card Game ===
Deathgaze from Final Fantasy VI appears with a wind-elemental card.
==Behind the scenes==
Deathgaze appears in the U.S. commercial for the Super Nintendo version of Final Fantasy VI, along with other monsters that resemble the Magna Roader.
Deathgaze was originally planned to have changes in his attacks depending on his status, but the changes were removed with texts in the game data being the only thing left. When silenced, Deathgaze would be unable to use Blizzaga; when blinded, he would be unable to use Death; and an unknown situation would cut his claws, making him unable to use Venom Claw.
== Gallery ==
Doomgaze.jpg|Artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.
DoomGaze 2.jpg|Alternate artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.
FFVI-NA-SNES-Advert.jpg|Deathgaze, Ifrit, Typhon, Number 128, and Magna Roader in NA advertisement.
FFVI Aero EA.png|Aero.
FFVI IOS Deathgaze.png|The battle in the iOS/Android version.
Final Fantasy VI Deathgaze on map.jpg|Deathgaze visible on the map in Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster.
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Category:Bosses in Final Fantasy VI