HP: 1800      EXP: 10000      DIFFICULTY:

Sephiroth is an optional boss in Olympus Coliseum that becomes available after sealing the Keyhole in Hollow Bastion (you are not required to complete/win the Phil Cup, Pegasus Cup, Hercules Cup, or Hades Cup to unlock it, but completing these beforehand is recommended). When you're ready to attempt the match, talk to Phil and select the ??? / Platinum Match. Winning the match will net Sora the One Winged Angel keychain.

Preparing for the Platinum Match

It is strongly recommended that Sora is level 75 or higher before attempting this match. Sora should have the Dodge Roll and Glide ability equipped and many Elixirs on hand. Having the Strike Raid special ability and Leaf Bracer equipped will work to your advantage. Be sure to set Aero and Cure in your shortcuts menu. Equip a keychain that boosts MP and with a longer reach like Ultima Weapon or Diamond Dust, and equip any and all accessories that increase defense and reduce dark damage, like the Crystal Crown and Gaia Bangle.

Phase 1 Strategy

Sephiroth's sword has incredible range, and it can make contact with Sora from pretty far away. Approaching from the ground is not advised! Back away from Sephiroth to cast Aero magic at the start of the match. Sephiroth starts by slowly approaching Sora and slicing horizontally or with a forward slash; rather than dodge roll, use High Jump to avoid the attack, then strike with a complete aerial combo.

Sephiroth will retaliate after receiving damage from four consetive non-finisher hits. If your third hit is a combo finisher, he will then retaliate after taking four additional hits instead. In phase 1, Sephiroth can retaliate using his horizontal slash, his forward slash, or pillars of fire. Do your best to dodge roll to safety after dealing your combos or use Strike Raid to avoid damage.

If you find yourself in the middle of his pillars of fire attack, you can strike Sephiroth to stagger him or cast Cure near the end of the attack. Sephiroth will always use a horizontal or forward slash, then follow up with pillars of fire after being struck with a combo finisher.

Phase 2 Strategy

Sephiroth will leap across the arena at the start of phase 2 and taunt Sora by saying "Come." He will then teleport and cast Heartless Angel. Use your lock-on to locate and strike Sephiroth as quickly as possible. If you don't strike Sephiroth before the spell is cast (i.e. the halo appearing above Sora's head), Sora will be left with zero MP and one HP, at which point an Elixir should be used as quickly as possible.

After being struck with (or preventing) Heartless Angel, Sephiroth will always run toward Sora and slash horizontally; jump over this attack and deal a four-hit combo, then dodge roll away to avoid his counter-attack. After doing this twice, Sephiroth will use his Octoslash attack; there are a few ways to deal with this attack:

1. If you have a high-deflection keychain equipped (like Ultima Weapon, Olympia, Divine Rose, Three Wishes), you can use the Guard ability to deflect most of Sephiroth's sword swings.
2. Activate the Strike Raid ability near the beginning of Sephiroth's attack and use the follow-up commands to remain invincible through the entire attack.
3. Bizkit047 method: Use your combo to push Sephiroth into a corner of the arena, then move toward the opposite end. When Sephiroth begins Octoslash, use High Jump and attack to deflect his fifth sword swing; dodge roll toward Sephiroth during his ninth sword swing; finally, jump and attack Sephiroth during his final downward slash attack.
4. WillJV2 method: When Sephiroth begins Octoslash, run toward him and use High Jump to avoid the first swing; dodge roll toward Sephiroth during his fifth AND ninth sword swing; finally, jump and attack Sephiroth during his final downward slash attack.

Sephiroth will repeat this pattern (Heartless Angel ➔ run & slash x2 ➔ Octoslash) until phase 3 is reached.

Phase 3 Strategy

When Sephiroth starts to teleport around the arena in quick succession, phase 3 of the match has commenced. He will then cast Meteor, causing six meteorites to drop and cause tremors; use High Jump and Glide to avoid damage. The meteorites will start to rotate around the arena; as long as Sora is positioned on the perimeter of the arena, you'll only need to dodge roll toward the outer-most meteorite to avoid it. You can dodge roll toward the center of the arena just before the final explosion to avoid damage.

After the Meteor attack, Sephiroth will always run in a wide circle and use a new flying slash attack that homes in on your position; keep your distance, then strike with a four-hit combo while Sephiroth lands. Sephiroth will counter-attack after the fourth hit, so be sure to dodge roll to safety. Sephiroth can counter with his flying slash and Heartless Angel (or his attacks from phase 1), so always dodge roll and be ready to close the distance.