Boss

From Golden Sun Universe
This article or section has been identified as needing to be either cleaned up, reformatted, or rewritten. Please help us improve it by editing.
A challenging early-game boss by any standard, Saturos will battle Isaac's party atop the Mercury Lighthouse.

A Boss in the Golden Sun series is a powerful enemy that is either an obstacle to continued progress in the game, or is the guardian to some unusual or unique reward. Bosses are stronger than any other enemy in their immediate area, boasting high HP, Attack, and Defense ratings as well as powerful Psynergies and Enemy Abilities, and can only be fought once per game. One notable exception would be the Tempest Lizard, which can be fought any number of times. Boss battles are often obstacles that prevent the player from reaching the next required area of the game, accessible only by defeating the boss (the Tempest Lizard's cousin, the Storm Lizard, being an exception as non-mandatory; it can be "outrun"). However, some reside at the end of seemingly irrelevant caves guarding a treasure or powerful tool, as the "Super-Bosses" do. Examples include: Deadbeard in Golden Sun, Valukar in Golden Sun: The Lost Age, and the Ancient Devil in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn.

Boss Strategies

Bosses in the Golden Sun series usually have extremely damaging attacks (relative to the point in which they are fought) which coincide with their powerful statistics. Should a player approach a boss similarly to a normal random encounter, they are likely to be downed. Thus, bosses require unique strategies in order to both survive the onslaught and successfully counterattack.

Perhaps the most common strategy employed to defeat bosses is the "Summon rush", wherein just before the player encounters the boss, they put all their Djinn on Standby. This allows them to cast many summons in a short period, and, as summons do damage based on a percentage of the opponent's health, their offensive value against bosses is much higher than most other attack options. The biggest drawback to this is that before and after summoning, the player's Adepts will be forced into weaker classes, limiting their offensive and defensive capabilities. Hence the "rush", the player is faced with using up as many summons as possible while their HP is still high, so that they can survive long enough for the Djinni to return to set and finish off the boss. Of course, against specific bosses this strategy is nigh on useless (such as Star Magician, Valukar and the Doom Dragon), but it serves as an effective staple from which the player can add to.

Another, more subtle strategy is the careful use of class setups to take advantage of a boss's weak points. This usually involves the distribution of Djinn to allow an Adept to use more effective Psynergies than would be possible in their base classes, for example changing a Venus Adept to a Ninja in order to make use of certain Jupiter-based Psynergies against an enemy resistant to Venus. In this case, the Adept remains in their best classes, retaining full use of their offensive capabilities. However, this strategy is best effective in later stages of the game, where the amount of Djinn allow access to stronger classes, and where the player has access to the more powerful Psynergies needed to battle effectively. Alternatively, the player may create certain equipment setups designed to take advantage of weapon Unleashes, for example using equipment to ensure a 100% Unleash rate for an Adept wielding the Sol Blade, which has the most powerful Unleash. This technique often ensures higher damage than Psynergy, though still lower than Summons, and ensures that PP is retained for necessary situations. Both styles tend to be more drawn out, and can be severely impeded by Djinn draining attacks, as this eliminates any bonuses.

List of Bosses

Bosses in Golden Sun

The following table lists the details of all bosses fought in the original Golden Sun, sorted by order of appearance (in the cases where order of appearance is optional or unclear, they are listed in ascending order of HP).

Spoiler warning: The following section(s) contain plot details that some people may not wish to learn before reaching this point in the game on their own.
IconNameLocationHP PP Attack Defense Agility Luck Elemental Power Resistance RewardsNotes
Mystery Woman Vale 260030050201340105
100
175
127
100
72
N/AThis battle is unwinnable.
Fights alongside Mystery Man
Mystery Man Vale 30002606322940110175
127
100
72
N/AThis battle is unwinnable.
Fights alongside Mystery Woman
Bandit Vault 244N/A4682038072
72
72
72
36 Exp
46 coins
Bandit’s Sword
Fights alongside two “Thief” enemies
Tret Kolima Forest 7103689273028105175
100
72
25
226 Exp
700 coins
Potion
Saturos Mercury Lighthouse 1200160113355140110175
127
100
72
331 Exp
800 coins
Psy Crystal
Mia will regenerate 4 pp per turn during this battle
Killer Ape Mogall Forest 100045156499426100
80
80
127
72
72
25
460 Exp
1500 coins
Douse Drop
Hydros Statue Altin Peak 130080156536230125193
100
100
25
496 Exp
2400 coins
Lucky Medal
Grants access to the Lifting Gem
Manticore Lamakan Desert 170083168486136115
95
175
100
100
25
590 Exp
3400 coins
Psy Crystal
Acts twice per turn
Kraken Tolbi-bound Ship 240046216608021115
95
175
100
100
25
711 Exp
5200 coins
Water of Life
Acts twice per turn
Toadonpa Lunpa Fortress 2800N/A266528218115
85
175
100
100
25
999 Exp
3200 coins
Psy Crystal
Regenerates 80 HP per turn
Storm Lizard Suhalla Desert 2900422918611222110152
100
100
48
1300 Exp
6100 coins
Psy Crystal
Acts twice per turn
Tempest Lizard Suhalla Desert 3000452959411426110152
100
100
48
1360 Exp
6400 coins
Potion
Acts twice per turn
Menardi Venus Lighthouse 260030038913422050105
100
95
175
127
100
72
3000 Exp
3600 coins
Fights alongside Saturos; Isaac will regenerate 4 pp per turn during this battle
Saturos Venus Lighthouse 300026040914016050110175
127
100
72
3000 Exp
3600 coins
Fights alongside Menardi; Isaac will regenerate 4 pp per turn during this battle
Fusion Dragon Venus Lighthouse 500050043915019050110
100
175
127
127
72
N/AActs twice per turn; Isaac will regenerate 4 pp per turn during this battle
Deadbeard Crossbone Isle 600060046817818060130
120
110
193
152
127
72
8000 Exp
9000 coins
Water of life
Access to Demon Mail
Acts twice per turn

Bosses in The Lost Age

The following table lists the details of all bosses fought in Golden Sun: The Lost Age, sorted by order of appearance (in the cases where order of appearance is optional or unclear, they are listed in ascending order of HP).

Spoiler warning: The following section(s) contain plot details that some people may not wish to learn before reaching this point in the game on their own.
IconNameLocationHPPPAttackDefenseAgilityLuckElemental PowerResistanceRewardsNotes
ChestbeaterKandorean Temple 155N/A44112024 N/A 72
48
48
25
40 Exp
28 coins
Nut (one only)
Three are fought at once
King ScorpionYampi Desert 1064N/A101323940 95 100
72
72
48
440 Exp
228 coins
Vial

BriggsAlhafra 984N/A129297642 100 100
100
100
100
333 Exp
891 coins
Vial
Fights alongside (and can summon) Sea Fighter monsters
Aqua HydraLemurian Ship 277670173386344 115 175
100
100
25
963 Exp
1612 coins
Vial

SerpentGaia Rock 35361602497613546 110 152
100
100
48
1995 Exp
2898 coins
Access to Cloud Brand
Regenerates HP at one of the following amounts per turn; 2430, 810, 270, 90, 30
Can act two or three times per turn
AvimanderChampa 379287281899441 115 175
100
100
25
2176 Exp
1330 coins
Acts twice per turn
PoseidonSea of Time 490516230210018547 115 175
100
100
25
2930 Exp
3762 coins
Psy Crystal
Is invulnerable until the Trident is used
Acts twice per turn
MoapaTrial Road 3042N/A354219 / 174 / 12018140 100 100
100
100
100
1670 Exp
2460 coins
Fights alongside two Knight monster
KarstJupiter Lighthouse 318632035410723550 105
100
175
127
100
72
2813 Exp
5280 coins
Dark Matter
Fights alongside Agatio
Player's team enters battle over time
Winning the battle is non-mandatory
AgatioJupiter Lighthouse 424828037711417846 110
175
127
100
72
3000 Exp
3740 coins
Fights alongside Karst
Player's team enters battle over time
Winning the battle is non-mandatory
Flame DragonMars Lighthouse 534832038913421555 115
175
100
100
25
2502 Exp
1872 coins
Psy Crystal (one only)
Fights alongside other Flame Dragon
Regenerates 4 PP per turn
Flame DragonMars Lighthouse 572425040013715848 115
175
100
100
25
2502 Exp
1521 coins
Psy Crystal (one only)
Fights alongside other Flame Dragon
Regenerates 4 PP per turn
Star MagicianTreasure Isle 748656046013926852 105
95
180
150
130
72
7866 Exp
5566 coins
Access to the Azul Summon Tablet
Fights alongside (and can summon) four Ball monsters
Acts twice per turn
SentinelIslet Cave 873678060821617154 120
110
193
152
127
72
10538 Exp
6144 coins
Access to the Catastrophe Summon Tablet
Regenerates 200 HP per turn
Regenerates 30 PP per turn
Acts three times per turn
Is immune to Psynergy
ValukarYampi Desert Cave 12960N/A550 17520646 105
95
95
85
175
100
100
60
8702 Exp
4980 coins
Access to the Daedalus Summon Tablet
Acts twice per turn
Can summon using the player’s standby Djinn
Doom DragonMars Lighthouse 13200 (5000 + 4200 + 4000)500470 15520050 110
105
195
175
130
98
N/A Abilities and statistics change over the course of the battle
DullahanAnemos Inner Sanctum 1600030067626924159 110
100
100
100
190
150
130
110
15600 Exp
6775 coins
Access to the Iris Summon Tablet
Regenerates 200 HP per turn
Regenerates 100 PP per turn
Acts three times per turn

Bosses in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn

The following table lists the details of all bosses fought Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, sorted by order of appearance (in the cases where order of appearance is optional or unclear, they are listed in ascending order of HP).

Spoiler warning: The following section(s) contain plot details that some people may not wish to learn before reaching this point in the game on their own.
IconName LocationHP PP Attack Defense Agility Luck Elemental Power Resistance RewardsNotes
Tangle Bloom Abandoned Mine 300038101238 105100
72
48
7
143 EXP
77 coins
Psy Crystal
Dim Dragon Psynergy Training Grounds 320044121330 105
80
175
100
72
25
179 EXP
60 coins
Nut
Dim Dragon Plus Psynergy Training Grounds 500049121335 105
80
175
100
72
25
267 EXP
80 coins
Nut
Optional;
Upgraded version of the Dim Dragon
Stealthy Scout Konpa Cave 3540117294228 N/A72
72
72
72
266 EXP
142 coins
Psy Grenade
Fights in a group of three.
Sand Prince Alchemy Well 123990162476436 125
95
193
100
100
25
1540 EXP
825 coins
Ku-Tsung Ayuthay 8310208497638 80
80
90
90
90
90
854 EXP
672 coins
Rice Ration
Fights alongside Ku-Embra.
Ku-Embra Ayuthay 8980207507038 80
80
90
90
90
90
793 EXP
90 coins
Plump Dumpling
Fights alongside Ku-Tsung.
Ice Queen Harapa Ruins 16031322496310440 125100
193
25
100
2402 EXP
1236 coins
Turns into the Ice Queen Stone upon defeat.
Sludge Phantasmal Bog 19064432111314742 9572
152
100
25
6859 EXP
1179 coins
Crush Tusk
Mountain Roc Talon Peak 313614734611311445 110
95
95
175
100
72
25
12,582 EXP
140 coins
Recovers 60 HP per turn in its normal form; recovers 150 HP per turn in Stone Molt form.
Blados Belinsk Ruins 1931039412218042 N/A100
127
72
100
7994 EXP
1152 coins
Spark Shuriken
Fights alongside Chalis.
Chalis Belinsk Ruins 1830038212016045 N/A100
72
127
100
7708 EXP
1728 coins
Illusion Perfume
Fights alongside Blados.
Blados Apollo Sanctum 3052051422330346 N/A100
127
72
100
0 EXP
0 coins
Fights alongside Chalis and the Chaos Hound; either he and Chalis or the Chaos Hound must be defeated.
Chalis Apollo Sanctum 2892049522927048 N/A100
72
127
100
0 EXP
0 coins
Fights alongside Blados and the Chaos Hound; either she and Blados or the Chaos Hound must be defeated.
Chaos Hound Apollo Sanctum 3374051823525441 100
85
72
100
100
127
-Fights alongside Blados and Chalis; either it or Blados and Chalis must be defeated.
Chaos Chimera Apollo Sanctum 9640053624731548 110
95
190
130
175
98
Acts three times per round;
Regenerates 30 HP per turn (the amount increases to 100 HP per turn once its HP falls below half its maximum;
Number of available skills increases as the battle progresses.
Ogre Titan 1 Burning Island Cave 964054622320234 10048
48
25
72
7840 Exp
558 coins
Ogre Titan 2 Burning Island Cave 1928058623521336 10048
48
25
72
9800 Exp
774 coins
Joins Ogre Titan 1 after the first turn of battle
Ogre Titan 3 Burning Island Cave 4016059123822538 10048
48
25
72
11,760 Exp
930 coins
Replaces one of the previous Ogre Titans in battle when they are defeated
Ogre Titan 4 Burning Island Cave 8033061424023640 10048
48
25
72
13,720 Exp
1116 coins
Replaces one of the previous Ogre Titans in battle when they are defeated
Ogre Titan 5 Burning Island Cave 16066063724224742 10048
48
25
72
15,680 Exp
1674 coins
Acts twice per turn;
Replaces one of the previous Ogre Titans in battle when they are defeated.
Ancient Devil Otka Island 11,78340048223933047 100
85
85
127
100
100
72
55,216 Exp
3438 coins
Acts twice per turn
Star Magician Lost Ship 959569048018735453 105
95
127
180
72
150
42,630 Exp
4049 coins
Acts twice per turn;
Allows the player to use the Azul summon upon defeat.
Dullahan Crossbone Isle 1600035165732529756 110
100
100
100
150
190
130
110
58,800 Exp
4732 coins
Acts three times per turn;
Regererates 200 HP and 100 PP at the end of every turn
Bosses
Bosses in Golden Sun
Vault BanditsTretSaturosKiller ApeHydros StatueManticoreKrakenAzartSatrageNavampaToadonpaStorm LizardTempest LizardSaturos and MenardiFinal bossDeadbeard
Bosses in Golden Sun: The Lost Age
ChestbeatersKing ScorpionBriggs and Sea FightersAqua HydraSerpentAvimanderPoseidonMoapa and KnightsKarst and AgatioFlame DragonsFinal bossValukarSentinelStar MagicianDullahan
Bosses in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Tangle BloomDim DragonDim Dragon PlusStealthy ScoutsSand PrinceKu-Tsung and Ku-EmbraIce QueenSludgeMountain RocBlados and ChalisBlados, Chaos Hound, and ChalisFinal bossOgre TitansAncient DevilStar MagicianDullahan
Gameplay elements and mechanics
Collectibles: ArtifactsBroken EquipmentClass ItemsCoinsConsumable ItemsCursed EquipmentEquipmentForgeable ItemsPsynergy ItemsQuest ItemsRusty WeaponsStat Items
Travel: BlacksmithsBoat (TLA)Boat (DD)Fortune TellersInnsItem ShopsPsynergy StonesSanctumsSummon TabletsTreasure ChestsUmbra GearWings of Anemos
Combat: AdeptsAttackBeastformBossesClassesDefendDjinn (Master List) • ElementsEnemy Abilities (GS, TLA)Enemy Abilities (DD)LevelMad PlantsMimicsMonstersPsynergyStatus ConditionsStatsSummonsUnleashes (List) (Mastery Requirements (DD))
Information: AtlasDjinn GuideEncyclopediaSun SagaTravel LogUmbra MapWorld Map (GS, TLA)World Map (DD)
Minigames: ColossoLucky DiceLucky Medal FountainsLucky WheelsPsynergy Training GroundsSuper Lucky DiceTrial Road
Modes: Battle ModeEasy ModeHard ModeDebug Mode
Features: Data TransferSound TestThe Reunion
Other: Debug RoomsGlitches (GS)Glitches (TLA)Glitches (DD)Optional DungeonsPermanently Missable ContentRandom Number GeneratorTroubleshooting (GS, TLA) Troubleshooting (DD)Unacquirable ItemsUnacquirable PsynergyWalkthrough (GS)Walkthrough (TLA)Walkthrough (DD)