Balogar

**Balogar** is a character in *Octopath Traveler*. He is an optional boss at the end of the Shrine of the Runeblade. Once defeated, he will bestow the Runelord job.

## Story

Balogar is one of the gods of the Orsterra pantheon. The tome *Trial of the Twelve, Volume VII* describes how the twelve gods sealed away a “terrible power,” the thirteenth god Galdera.

## Battle

Balogar will begin battle with 2 actions per turn and 5 shields. After recovering from a break, Balogar will increase his shields by 2 up to a maximum of 9.

If not broken beforehand, on his first action of the battle, he will lock three weaknesses. At above 50% health, he may change the weaknesses which are locked. At below 50% health, Balogar will unlock all weaknesses. He will also use **Runestorm,** which makes his runes target the entire party instead of a single target.

* ***Balogar is protected by the power of the runes...*:** Used at the start of the battle. Sets Balogar's weaknesses to the following: .
* ***Balogar stands imposingly before you...*:** Used when Balogar recovers from a break. Balogar gains 2 additional shields, up to a maximum of 9.
* ***Oho! What say you to this?*:** Used once Balogar reaches 75% of his maximum HP. Sets Balogar's weaknesses to the following: .

* **Attack:** Physical damage, single target.
* **Rune of Flame:** Elemental damage, . Single target.
* **Rune of Ice:** Elemental damage, . Single target. Chance to inflict  **Sleep** for 2-5 turns.
* **Rune of Thunder:** Elemental damage, . Single target. Chance to inflict  **Unconsciousness** for 2-5 turns.
* **Rune of Wind:** Elemental damage, . Single target. Inflicts  **Decreased Physical Defense** and  **Decreased Elemental Defense** for 3 turns.
* **Rune of Light:** Elemental damage, . Single target. Inflicts  **Decreased Speed** and  **Decreased Evasion** for 3 turns.
* **Rune of Darkness:** Elemental damage, . Single target. Chance to inflict  **Blindness** for 2-5 turns.

* **Runestorm:**  Used once Balogar reaches 50% of his maximum HP. Followed immediately by **The runes scatter, leaving you an opening!** For the remainder of the battle, all Rune abilities are replaced with Runestorm abilities which target the entire party instead of single targets. Enables the use of **Runelord's Resolve**.
	+ ***The runes scatter, leaving you an opening!*:** Unlocks all weaknesses.

* **Runestorm: Flame:** Elemental damage, . Targets entire party.
* **Runestorm: Ice:** Elemental damage, . Targets entire party. Chance to inflict  **Sleep** for 2-5 turns.
* **Runestorm: Thunder:** Elemental damage, . Targets entire party. Chance to inflict  **Unconsciousness** for 2-5 turns.
* **Runestorm: Wind:** Elemental damage, . Targets entire party. Inflicts  **Decreased Physical Defense** and  **Decreased Elemental Defense** for 3 turns.
* **Runestorm: Light:** Elemental damage, . Targets entire party. Inflicts  **Decreased Speed** and  **Decreased Evasion** for 3 turns.
* **Runestorm: Darkness:** Elemental damage, . Targets entire party. Chance to inflict  **Blindness** for 2-5 turns.

* ***All the elements are united!*:** Balogar enters boost mode for 1 turn. Uses **Runelord's Resolve** if not broken before Balogar's next action.
	+ **Runelord’s Resolve:** Elemental damage. Single target. Inflicts all 6 types of elemental damage on a single target in the order: . Chance to apply ailments associated with each elemental rune.

## Strategy

While Balogar’s runes deal elemental damage, they are considered physical attacks and such cannot be reflected with Reflective Veil. Pairing Incite with Sidestep will negate all of Balogar's attacks prior to Runestorm.

A good strategy to defeat Balogar could be to have 2 travelers with both the Apothecary and Merchant jobs, and the Support Skill Eye for an Eye. Sidestep will easily negate all of Balogar’s attacks, and Balogar has no way of dealing with status effects, so Empoison can slowly sap his health. Eye for an Eye will work even if the attack being countered is dodged, meaning Balogar’s shields can be broken while you are avoiding his attacks.

## Quotes

"*Thou wouldst learn the lost secrets I hold...? Then first, thou must prove thy worth!*" —*Before battle*
"*Oho, what say you to this?*" —*Changing locked weaknesses*

## Gallery

Balogar BattlefieldConcept art of Balogar.