Rush In and Challenge Foes to Single Combat
Gaius has access to long-range artes, but he fights most effectively at close range. Before you engage your foes, boost Gaius’s Physical Attack with an arte like Chakra Circle or Savage Beckoning, then create an opening with an arte like Demon Fang or Soaring Demon Fang so you can rush in to melee range. The Sonic Thrust arte provides a good way to close the distance quickly.
Gaius also has lots of artes that prop up fallen foes, so make combos out of knocking foes down with the second stage of Gaius’s 
+ 
attack and following up with a Pale Ghost or a close-range Demon Fang (provided you hit the target with the sword itself).
Boss Tactics—Strengthen Your Guard and Focus on Counterattacks
Gaius can learn a variety of skills related to guarding, with artes like Solid Guard and All Guard allowing him to take only minimal damage from even the strongest of boss attacks. This complements his special ability beautifully, so focus on guarding enemy strikes and retaliating with Retribution for heavy damage.
Master timing your foe’s attacks so you can counterattack with Retribution.
Recommended Skills
| Solid Guard | Damage is reduced by 50% when guarding or using Magic Guard. |
|---|---|
| Power Charge | If you guard or use Magic Guard for 0.75 seconds, the next arte you use in a combo will cost 25% less TP and provide +1 AC. |
| Power Charge 2 | If you guard or use Magic Guard for 2 seconds, the first hit of your next attack will hit an enemy weakness and provide +1 AC. |
| Power Charge 3 | If you guard or use Magic Guard for 4.5 seconds, the first hit of your next non-spirit-arte attack will always stagger your foe and provide +1 AC. |
| All Guard | When using Magic Guard, both Physical Attack and Artes Attack damage is reduced. |
| Perfect Guard | When you perform a successful Flash Guard, you receive no damage. |
| Flash Guard | When you guard at the last moment, damage is reduced by 90%. Does not work with All Guard. |
| TP Restoration Guard | When you perform a successful Flash Guard, you recover 10% of your max TP. |
| Guard Impact | Deals damage to nearby foes when you guard at the last moment. Will not trigger if you receive no damage. |
Special—Activate Skills that Trigger on Back-Steps
When the skill Avenger Plus is active, Gaius can trigger Retribution after back-stepping away from an enemy attack. Pair that skill with Momentary Gain, and doing so will increase your AC as well. Momentary Gain 2 will allow you to gain 3 AC with each successful evasion, enabling longer combos.
Keep your guard up and time your back-steps for when your enemy launches an attack.