Super Mario RPG Switch Remake - Low Level Part 13: Speardovich
17Challenge playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbSv8zSDR9c1MMIPTlZnOvI4eiDzyABR_
Quite a tricky boss if you go in unprepared. Revealed to be an elaborate ruse on a large scale involving all citizens of Seaside Town, Speardovich (Yaridovich in the OG SMRPG) minces no actions by immediately attacking with Water Blast, non-elemental and unblockable MT spell that will always wipe out Mario and do the same to all other non-Bowser allies if they haven't been buffed by a Bracer prior. Luckily for us, Peach outspeeds the boss at base level, and so does anyone who happens to be equipped with the Zoom Shoes accessory - in our case, the sacrificial lamb that is Mario.
Water Blast may be used by the boss again in addition to blockable single-target attacks. Peach's ability to heal both herself and Bowser for just 4 FP is invaluable and guarantees our survival before the boss has summoned his duplicate. Timing becomes pivotal then, as both duplicates have physical blows, of both regular and special variety, that will OHKO Peach on a not-quite-perfect block even under Bracer's buff. Enemies do hit really hard at this stage, and even random mooks in the area immediately following this one can take out Bowser (Bowser!) in a single strike. Us being underlevelled is clearly visible at this point.
In addition to his exclusive status of a tank, Bowser is also the only one who can do any serious damage to the boss with his physical... that is, unless items are involved. In preparation for this battle (or, rather, before Johnny) I farm a lot, and I mean A LOT, of coins to purchase everything Seaside Town shops offer, since they happen to expire after Johnny is defeated - all in ten copies, which is the maximum possible number.
The most potent of these items are Ice Bombs, hurting the boss for 140 damage, 210 after an Energizer use. Knowing the boss has 1,5K HP, seven of these followed by Bowser's normal attack is sufficient to end the battle. I refrain from attacking and block when the duplicates run amok, which has dubious value at best, as it doesn't seem that any of the inflicted damage is factored when the duplicates rejoin, nor can you feasibly KO one of them (would there even be a point?).
Beating Speardovich gives us access to some new gear, the most notable of which is Mario's Lucky Hammer. With this +0 attack weapon (guess we can't count on Mario dealing any damage any longer, eh? Sarcasm intended), we can generate Lucky procs without fearing the Lucky Jewel will break. Very handy indeed to retain everybody's current levels.