[-] Talk to the master when you’re ready
After talking to the master, you’ll have two teams for the mission - Team Natsu and Team Erza. Team Erza has fixed members but you can choose two other allies to join Natsu, Wendy, and Lucy for the upcoming escort/protection mission. I recommend bringing along Juvia and Gray. Make sure the participating members have lacrimas properly equipped. After selecting your team members and after the brief cutscene, you’ll be facing the first member of the Nine Demon Gates of Tartaros.
Boss | Weaknesses | Resistances |
---|---|---|
Nine Demon Gates, Jackal | Ice | Demon |
This major boss battle has several phases but you’ll be breezing through this especially if you have a full team of adequately-leveled characters. You can’t take advantage of Jackal’s weakness in the early phases since you’ll be forced to fight him with specific characters.
For the first phase, you’ll be using Natsu alone. As a standard tactic in 1v1 battles, use skills that will grant the Counter stance. Have Natsu use Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon Fist to damage and counter Jackal. If you have a full Fairy Gauge, you can start with a solo Magic Chain instead. Once you deal enough damage, there will be a brief cutscene, then proceed in pummeling him until his HP is depleted.
For the second phase, your other allies will join you in battle. Natsu will also obtain a temporary command called “Eat Explosive Flames”. Use that command whenever Jackal inflicts an explosive sigil. Have Wendy use her ATK Buff for the party. If you have brought Gray and Juvia, then you’ll be able to deal extra damage against the enemy. Jackal has some annoying AoE attacks but as long as you heal up, you won’t have problems eliminating him.
After the battle, watch through the following cutscenes until the control switches over to Team Erza. After the scene, you’ll have to face a large group of demon swordsmen. These guys are pretty much pushovers, especially with the combined might of Erza and Mira. Keep using Erza’s Photon Slicer to quickly melt the enemies. After the battle, watch through more cutscenes and the episode will end.