You've probably reached that point in Metaphor ReFantazio where the game stops holding your hand and starts throwing literal dragons at your face. It's a wake-up call. One minute you're enjoying the political intrigue and the gorgeous UI, and the next, you’re staring at a "Game Over" screen because a giant lizard decided your party looked like a snack. These aren't just random boss fights; the Metaphor ReFantazio dragon trials are a series of high-level challenges found at the three towers—the Tower of Insolence, the Tower of Blind Faith, and the Tower of Hubris.
They’re brutal. Honestly, if you go in underleveled or without a plan, you’re just wasting your time. But the rewards? They are some of the best gear in the game, specifically the legendary equipment for your Archetypes. If you want to stand a chance against the late-game threats, you basically have to clear these out.
Where the Dragon Trials Actually Start
The trials aren't just sitting there waiting for you from day one. You need to unlock them by progressing the main story until you have access to the Gauntlet Runner and the freedom to roam the map during the late-game lull. Most players stumble upon them while trying to finish the "Trials of the Dragon" questline given by Edeni in Virga Island.
✨ Don't miss: Halo Wars 2 Colony: Why This Hunter Pair Still Breaks the Meta
There are three main dragons located at the summits of the towers scattered across the map. You have the Trial of the Dragon: Essence of the Beast (found at the Tower of Insolence), the Trial of the Dragon: Heroes' Rest (Tower of Blind Faith), and the Trial of the Dragon: Bygone Destiny (Tower of Hubris).
Each tower is a gauntlet in itself. You'll fight through floors of high-level mobs just to reach the roof. Don't burn all your MP on the way up. It’s a rookie mistake. Use items or a Mage’s passive MP recovery to stay fresh because the dragons themselves are absolute sponges for damage.
Beating the Devourer of Stars (Tower of Insolence)
This guy is a jerk. The Devourer of Stars is the first major hurdle in the Metaphor ReFantazio dragon trials for many. He’s weak to Pierce damage, which sounds simple enough until he starts spamming "Almighty" attacks that bypass your resistances.
If you’ve been neglecting your Gunner or Dragoon Archetypes, now is the time to dust them off. The trick here isn't just hitting him hard; it’s managing his buffs. He loves to buff his own attack power. If you let him stack those buffs, he will one-shot your entire front line. Use Dekaja or a similar skill to keep him in check.
Also, keep an eye on his "Star" mechanic. He summons small bits of debris that can explode. You have to balance damaging the boss with clearing the field. It’s a juggling act. Wear gear that resists Fire, as he loves to roast the arena.
👉 See also: Why Rainbow 6 Siege Servers Down Errors Keep Killing Your Rank
The Tower of Blind Faith: Dealing with the Hyria Dragon
The Hyria Dragon is arguably the most annoying of the bunch. Why? Because it loves status ailments. It’ll confuse your party, poison them, and then laugh while you attack your own teammates.
You need a dedicated healer with "Patra" or a stockpile of curative items. Seriously, go to the shop and buy everything.
Strategy for Hyria:
- Archetype Choice: Bring a Cleric or Savior. You need the wide-area heals and status clears.
- Elemental Focus: He’s typically weak to Ice. Use your best Blizz-type spells or infused physical attacks.
- Positioning: Keep your fragile casters in the back row. This dragon has a sweeping physical attack that deals massive damage to the front row.
People often forget that row positioning in Metaphor ReFantazio actually matters for damage mitigation. If a character isn't actively hitting a physical weakness, put them in the back. It saves lives.
The Tower of Hubris and the Final Test
This is where things get real. The dragon here is the highest level of the three and requires a very specific setup. If you've been relying on a "balanced" party, you might need to specialize.
By this point, you should have access to the Royal Archetypes. If you don't, go get them. The jump in power between a standard Archetype and a Royal one is the difference between winning and getting stomped. The dragon in the Tower of Hubris has a massive health pool. The fight is a marathon, not a sprint.
Focus on debuffing the dragon's defense. Use Rakunda or similar skills constantly. Every bit of extra damage helps when you're chipping away at thousands of HP. And for the love of everything, don't use elements he reflects. Check your "Informant" notes before the fight. You can buy tips in cities that tell you exactly what each dragon is weak to. It’s the best money you’ll spend in the game.
Why You Shouldn't Skip These Trials
You might be thinking, "Do I really need to do this?"
Technically, no. You can finish the game without clearing the Metaphor ReFantazio dragon trials. But you'll be missing out on the "Dragon-Slaying" weapons. These weapons have high base attack and often come with built-in elemental boosts or crit rates that make the final boss feel like a tutorial.
Plus, there’s a hidden fourth dragon. Yes, really. Once you beat the first three, a final challenge opens up back near Virga Island. This "Secret" boss is the true test of your builds. It rewards you with the best armor in the game, providing massive resistance to almost everything.
📖 Related: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor: Why the Nemesis System Still Deserves Better
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the Weather: In Metaphor ReFantazio, weather affects combat. If it’s stormy or "Calamity" weather, enemies get extra turn icons. Check the calendar. Don't fight a dragon on a bad day.
- Forgetting Synthesis Skills: Some of the strongest moves in the game require two characters to act together. Make sure your party composition allows for high-damage Synthesis skills that hit for "Extreme" damage.
- Hoarding Items: This is the end-game. Use your Megalixirs. Use your Hero Fruits. There is no point in saving them for a sequel that doesn't exist yet.
- Neglecting the Protagonist’s Stats: Ensure your main character has a high "Agility" stat. Going first in these dragon fights allows you to set up shields and buffs before the dragon can move. If the dragon goes first, you’re already playing catch-up.
The dragon trials are a litmus test. They tell you if your party synergy is actually good or if you’ve just been lucky. Take your time, grind out a few levels in the tower's lower floors if you need to, and always keep a backup save before you reach the roof.
Practical Steps for Success
To successfully clear the Metaphor ReFantazio dragon trials, start by visiting the informant in any major city to buy the "Notes on Dragons." This will confirm their elemental weaknesses so you don't waste turns experimenting. Next, ensure your party has at least one member with the "Commander" or "General" Archetype to provide party-wide buffs, as survival is just as important as damage.
Spend time in the Tower of Insolence first, as it's generally considered the most manageable. Once you have the weapon reward from that dragon, use it to power through the Tower of Blind Faith. Finally, only attempt the Tower of Hubris once your primary Archetypes are at least level 15-20 to ensure you have the necessary passive skills to survive the dragon's ultimate attacks.