Shinryu Studies

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Quick FAQ

What's changed?

What do you get for beating a stage?

I just started, can I do Shinryu?

DISCLAIMER - The information below is not a list of meta characters or must pulls. Characters listed are "keys" to solving the puzzle of the Shinryu stage, and you should review our Roles page for alternatives if you lack them! Review the boss notes & character notes to understand the puzzle. You still need a balanced roster of damage dealers & supports work with your FR and key characters to complete the stage. We have done our best to give you information to make your transition to Shinryu difficulty more smooth, but this research is not necessarily holistic and is intended to be easily understood and actionable.

New Crystal Quests are out now! New Infographic, oooooo!

Read up on the Quests, the points, the Sparkles, THE DRAMA on our new Crystal Quests page! Thank you and taste the painbow!

Looking for guides on Dimension's End: Transcendence? Check out our Transcendence page!

"Beginner's Guide to Shinryu" video by ScottOng

(Click to go to the video)

"Preparation For Shinryu Difficulty" by Destroth

(Click for infographic)

For older Lufenias or Lufenia+ fights see

Lufenia Archive / Lufenia+ Research 

Arciela Heretics

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Diabolos Spiritus

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Jessie Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Ch 6 Part 2 (Yda BT Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Ch 6 Part 1 (Leonora Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Ignis Raid (Rags of Stigma)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Relm Heretics (Scarlet Witch)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Alexander Spiritus

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Kadaj IW

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

6 Warrior Area 8

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Fusoya Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 5 Part 2 (Fujin BT/Zidane FR)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 5 Part 1 (Selh'teus debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Strago BT Raid

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Enna Kros IW

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Leviathan Spiritus

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Kelger Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Queen Raid

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Jihl Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 4 Pt 2 (Reno BT/Vincent FR Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 4 Pt 1 (Weiss Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Dorgann Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 3 Part 2 (Rosa Debut & D4RE to Defy VII)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 3 Part 1 (Astos Debut & D4RE to Defy VI)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

6 Warrior Area 7 (D4RE to Defy V)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Sephiroth IW (D4RE to Defy IV)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Ifrit Spiritus (D4RE to Defy III)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Lightning IW (D4RE to Defy II)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

6 Warrior Area 6 (D4RE to Defy I)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Shantotto IW

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 2 Part 2 (Iris Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Act 4 Chapter 2 Part 1 (Leo BTFR Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Reks Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Shiva Spiritus (Dar3 to Defy 7)

tl;dr - You need Melee, Ranged and Magic Imperils and DEF ignore to be able to finish the fight. DEF ignore can be handled by a Lv 50 Summon + Auron LDCA. Helpful units listed below.

Imperils List:

They will try to petrify you at the start of the fight and when their HP hits 59% & 29%. It can be evaded, but the petrification can be very nasty if it lands in Force Time (Irvine LDCA can help, Rydia LDCA is also great if you run Edgar in party)

At 89%, 49% and 19%, you cannot lower their HP until they use Howl/Howl+. Once they Howl (they will once you hit the HP thresholds listed so you don't have to do anything extra for this), you can lower their HP as normal. To beat the fight, however, you will need to deal Weapon Weakness DMG while they have all 3 Weapon Imperil types on them. Howl+ also asks for DEF ignore attacks (Edgar, Raines, Beatrix, Auron were popular choices. Locke BT effect can also enable DEF ignore which can also help cancel their FR should it trigger, but he has no FR atm.)

Simple timeline:

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Cor Lost Chapter (Dar3 to Defy 5)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

6 Warrior Area 5 (Balthier BT/Twins FR & Dar3 to Defy 4)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Destroth's Team suggestions

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Paine IW (Dar3 to Defy 2)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Act 4 Ch 1 Pt 2 (Quina Frogs)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Act 4 Ch 1 Pt 1 (Dar3 to Defy 7)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Rubicante Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Mog Intersecting Wills

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Bahamut Spiritus

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Six Warrior Area 4

FOCUS THE DRAGON! It is the actual lose condition of this fight. Raijin LDCA, Cater LDCA or Setzer LDCA all heavily mitigate the Knight's danger, however nothing can take away the Dragon's immortality in Force Time if the Knight is already gone. Aggressive teams can utilize a FR Gauge charger like Penelo or Hope and Cancel FR time on the Knight. Defensive/off-turn teams are already handling the Knight so no worries there.

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Act 3 Interlude (Neon Debut)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Warrior of Light IW

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Kuja IW

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Ramuh Spiritus

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Sice Lost Chapter

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Machina IW

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Act 3 Finale Pt 2 - CoD 6 Warrior (Iroha BT/OK FR debuts)

ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

Xcaliblur's Infographic

Destroth's Team suggestions

Rydia Mission Dungeon

🔎ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

🔢 Xcaliblur's and Destroth's Fight Infographic & Team suggestions

Beatrix IW

🔎ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

🔢 Xcaliblur's and Destroth's Fight Infographic & Team suggestions

Act 3 Finale Pt 1 (JACK GARLAND debut)

🔎ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

🔢 Xcaliblur's and Destroth's Fight Infographic & Team suggestions

Maria IW

Don't get confused, maybe bring a tank. That's it.

Enna Kros Lost Chapter

🔢 Xcaliblur's and Destroth's Fight Infographic with Team suggestions

Pandemonium Spiritus

🔎ScottOng's Fight Cheatsheet

🔢 Xcaliblur's and Destroth's Fight Infographic & Team suggestions

Aranea Intersecting Wills

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic 

6 Warrior Quest Area 3

🔢 Xcaliblur's and Destroth's Fight Infographic with Team suggestions

(Note: Rampage Machine can still warp while in Red Aura which will result in a wipe)

Act 3 Ch 10 Pt 2 (Hope FR)

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic 

Vaan Intersecting Wills

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic 

Act 3 Ch 10 Pt 1 (Minwu Debut)

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic 

Aerith Intersecting Wills

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic 

Llyud Lost Chapter

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic

Brothers Spiritus

 🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic

Vayne Intersecting Wills

Golbez 

(90M HP)

Ardyn

(90M HP)

Force Gauge Thresholds

Force Weakness: Melee Force Ability + Force Time

HP Thresholds (Golbez)

HP Thresholds (Ardyn)

Notes 

Spooky Stuff

Community Resources

🎺 Call to Arms

🔎 ScottOng & Destroth's Fight & Teams Infographic

🔢 Xcaliblur's Fight Infographic 

6 Warrior Quest Area 2 (Yuri BT/FR debut)

Dimensional Whale Zombie 

(90M HP)Immune to Paralyze & Launch

Dimensional Dullahan

(90M HP, yes, he's back)Immune to Paralyze & Launch

Force Gauge Thresholds

Force Weakness: Use a Holy + Magic Force Attack with Force Time to Pause FR Effects

Community Guides

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms

HP Thresholds (Whale)

Spooky Stuff to Look Out For

HP Thresholds (Dullahan)

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Sabin Story (Act 3 Chapter 9 Part 2)

Immune to mBRV Down

Force Weakness

Force Gauge Thresholds

Community Guides

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms

HP Thresholds & Mechanics (Junction Griever - 80M* HP, Irvine Manakin - 70M HP)

HP Thresholds

Notes: 

Spooky Stuff

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Iroha Intersecting Wills

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Lunafreya Story (Act 3 Chapter 9 Part 1)

Immune to launch

Force Weakness

Force Gauge Thresholds

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms

HP Thresholds & Mechanics (1x 85M + 1x 65M HP)

HP Thresholds

Spooky Stuff

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Reno Intersecting Wills

Force Weakness

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms

Force Gauge Thresholds

HP Thresholds & Mechanics (2x 70M HP)

HP Thresholds

Spooky Stuff

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Gentle Fist (Ursula Lost Chapter)

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Divine Odin

Force Weakness

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms

Force Gauge Mechanics

HP Thresholds & Mechanics (110M HP)

HP Thresholds at : 89%, 79%, 69%, 49%, 39%, 19%, 9% 

Stacks and Effects

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic

Desch Intersecting Wills

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic 

Six-Warrior Area 1

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic 

Act 3 Ch 8 Pt 2 - Braska FR Shinryu

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic 

Krile IW (Wrapped in Kindness)

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic 

Act 3 Ch 8 Pt 1 - Kain BT/FR Debut

Community Guides 

📚 DissidiaInfo Boss Guide

🎺 Call to Arms 

🔢 Understanding the fight w/ Xcaliblur's Infographic 

🔎 Prepare Party with Destroth's Strategy Infographic 

Table of Contents 

for your convenience, or just click the first link to jump right to them!

If you see anything you feel is in error or confusing, reach out to us so we can fix it for everyone!