Super Mario RPG Switch Restricted Weapons/No Deaths Run - Barrel Volcano/Czar Dragon/Zombone
1Original version video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVZeJaT8-M4
General rules on playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO2o0_k4kOryFUHsFDdkj9f0n2YfuNKar
I was ready to use items on the boss battle, but thankfully, things never came to that. I'll get to why.
I don't use Snowy on the virtually mandatory encounters on the way to the Hinopio/Cinder Toad/Pyroad (the Stumpet is actually now skippable with a couple of methods because of which encounter with a Stumpet is otherwise completely in the way now from hitbox correction but I don't have a handle on either of the methods) because I wanted to avoid milking that "win quickly" button that applies to the bulk of Barrel Volcano. You see that I end up simply showing how much better communicated things are with Stumpet's VERY dangerous attacks than they were in the original. Also, no Special variant enemies came up and I'm glad
In the original, I had used Peach in place of Mallow for Czar Dragon/Zombone just because of how dangerous the powerful non-elemental AoE attacks (Czar Dragon's Water Blast at 159 TMATK and Zombone's Boulder at 152 TMATK) that come out whenever they feel like it were. Even here, things can still involve luck in how much item usage becomes necessitated, but at least the MUCH better inventory reduces the issues there.
Czar Dragon is pretty much the same fight, but up against not only the inventory system but also physical attack splash that quickly disposes of the Helios if you get a Sweetspot timing off. Just don't forget to Thought Peek a Helio in addition to Czar Dragon himself. I can also mention that Czar Dragon has only 100 FP, so like with Speardovich, you can just weather the Water Blasts if you can and eventually Czar Dragon can no longer magic AoE you.
Zombone is significantly nerfed, and not just beyond being no longer forced to start off with Boulder. Storm and Blast were nasty, and still can be, but now they're blockable even if it is with confusing timing in both cases, less so in Storm's case. And wouldn't you know it, all 3 of Zombone's magic attacks cost more than 10 FP each, with Boulder's cost being 18. Oh, and Zombone has 100 FP AGAIN. Suddenly, that 100 Magic DEF of his makes much better sense and we don't have to rely on Group Hug or Mute (yes, the latter works on Zombone) any longer. See? Options!
Of course, you may want to consider saving the party healing items for the next part. I can mention that if you exit Barrel Volcano to restock at Tadpole Pond and then reenter, Czar Dragon does stay dead, but the Stumpet and the Stompillar in the way will both respawn. Also, I use Geno and Peach simply to manage setup for the next part.