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After a long departure, the Mana series has returned withVisions of Mana, the first new mainline entry since 2006. After such a long wait, it’s reasonable to assume Visions has taken on a new identity of its own, focusing on larger environments and a combat system that’s equal parts real-time and tactical.
Of course, an enticing combat system needs engaging enemies, and the bosses fit the bill easily. Plenty of the bosses are fun, though they tend to get more complex as the game goes on, with Grapplavine the final barrier between you and your newest party member. Let’s dive in and trim this boss down.
Preparing For Grapplavine
Grapplavine is battled in Chapter Four after reaching the Verdous Bough in the Mylos Woods. After a brief conversation with Julei, a loud noise is heard from the woods and the party is enticed to investigate, finding Grapplavine causing havoc for the Sproutlings.
Grapplavine is battled at Level 22. We wereLevel 25when battling them, though they shouldn’t prove too troubling even if you’re at their level. The party we used was as follows:
Morley and Val are incredibly useful in this battle, thoughyou can swap out Careena for Palamenaif you’d rather have higher magic damage as opposed to buffs and debuffs.
Grapplavine is weak to fireso make sure someone in your active party is in a fire class. They are also susceptible to slashing weapons, which is why we made both Val and Morley our main damage dealers in this encounter. It’s also recommended touse a Fortune or Miracle Cookie before the fightto maximise the experience earned.
Morley’s merchant sisters will appear in the Verdous Bough just before the boss battle, so ensure to check in with them toensure you have the strongest weapons and armour availableto you for the upcoming fight.
Fighting Grapplavine
Phase One
When you first enter the arena, Grapplavine will be stationed right in the very centre, entirely stationary. In this phase,they will primarily shoot vines from the groundto catch you by surprise. This can appear anywhere in the arena, though will always bepreceded by a red warning circlewhere they will appear.
Aside from this, Grapplavine will mainly roar,spewing poison poolsacross the battlefield. During this, they will alsosummon sprouts around the edges of the arena that will attack youas you get close. These sprouts have their own health bars, andtaking all of them down briefly stuns Grapplavine, letting you get in some free hits.
During this stage of the fight, you can target each of Grapplavine’s legs, thoughthe head is where you really want to be aiming. This is their weak point and will always count as a critical hit when attacked there. While Morley should be pulling off Crits hitting anywhere, this is especially helpful for Val.
The most important part of the fight to keep in mind is toalways have Flame Saber active on the whole party. This allows even Careena with her striking weapons to deal increased damage.
Phase Two
Once Grapplavine’sHP is reduced to approximately half, they’ll enter their second phase. Though their weak points and weaknesses remain the same during this stage, they become a must bigger threat for one singular reason -they can move now. Their legs will grow outwards, and their head will form a mouth. It’s pretty unsettling.
In this phase especially you needCareena casting debuffs like Weakness and Defenceless on the bossso you don’t get caught unawares. Their entire moveset changes now, so your tactics in the first phase no longer apply.
Grapplavine gains a multitude of melee attacks now, such asa 360-degree head spin that can be followed up by a jumping attack. This jumping attack can reposition Grapplavine anywhere in the arena, though a red warning circle will appear where they plan on landing.
A good tactic to keep the boss stationary in this phase is the Luna Globe, which should be equipped to Morley, asthis will slow the boss dramatically.
Keep at it and don’t forget touse both your Class Strike and Elemental Break on whoever has a fire classequipped, and the boss should be burned to a crisp in no time.
With Grapplavine defeated, you are rewarded with2,220 Lucre, 13,050 EXP(as well as any bonus EXP you earned), and theWood Sprite Tonicto expand Julei’s Elemental Plot. Congratulations, and enjoy your newest party member!
