Gold in the Cave
Everything you need to know about the Gold in the Cave Raid!
Last updated: 19/08/2024
Introduction
This goofy goober we call “Gold In The Cave” (from here on out, just “Gold”) and it’s the third boss of the 1.4 Mane’s Bulletin. It isn’t seen anywhere else. Its Afflatus is Spirit, so the standard is to run any type of team into it, though 6 does absolutely excel at this fight due to his Afflatus Advantage.
- Allies gain +30% DMG Dealt and heal the lower HP% ally for 10% Max HP after casting an Ultimate. So utilizing characters that can cast their Ultimate often will help you pump more damage as well as stay alive.
- Allies gain +1 Moxie and 20% DMG Heal for 2 rounds every round if the boss has at least 2 [Stats Down], [Neg Status] or if mobs are under the effect of [Control], which greatly benefits a number of debuff Supports and especially 6, who has Afflatus advantage as well as debuffs.
- When Gold isn’t under the effect of [Stats Down] or [Neg Status] its DMG Dealt is increased by 15%, and if it has 3 or less of them its Pen Rate is also increased by 15%. This encourages the player to inflict debuffs frequently and often, so look for characters with consistent cards that apply these.
- Before being attacked by an Ultimate, Gold loses its unique buffs, further enhancing the useability of characters that can cast their Ultimate frequently.
- If any of Gold’s unique buffs reach 5 stacks, their [Disarm] effect is extended to 2 rounds instead of 1.
- In Endless Mode, at the end of the round, Gold inflicts a layer of [Dispersion] on all enemies. This is a layered debuff that decreases their Incantation Might, and the layers only disappear when the character casts an Ultimate.
Teambuilding
MELANIA/KAALAA TEAM
Carry
Carry
Support
Any other healer.
Sustain
TEAM EXPLANATION
This team focused around both Melania and Kaalaa Baunaa, though the latter can be swapped out for characters such as A Knight. This composition capitalizes on 6’s release and excellent usage in this fight to, in combination with a set of powerful Carry characters, rush the boss into the high tiers.
- Melania is the queen of Mane’s Bulletin, with a kit that perfectly synergizes with the game mode’s extended single-target fights with high amounts of HP. She can quickly ramp her [Fixed Plan], stacking up to turn her Ultimate into a fast-charging nuke.
- Joining in the ramping game is Kaalaa Baunaa, who utilizes the extra AP to rapidly cycle her own Ultimate through her actions, quickly stacking up [Full Moon] to provide herself with even more damage and even a way to upgrade her own cards with [Incantation Empowerment II].
- 6 can be used in pretty much every team due to the versatility of his buffs, debuffs and access to semi-on-demand [Incantation Empowerment] for your Carry. This especially helps in this fight, as frequently casting Ultimates on the boss keeps their buffs (and damage) lowered. In addition, his sheer application of debuffs allow him to solo most of the mechanics in this fight.
- A mighty surprising option for the healer slot, Necrologist provides the biggest +DMG Dealt buff in the game at Portray 1 (40%) and 5 (50%) and with the extra AP in 4-man content. In this fight specifically, where Crit isn’t necessarily needed, Necrologist’s [Prayer] buff and dispel helps keep this team afloat in the later stages of Endless Mode.
For other options:
- A Knight - With the release of the “Balance, Please” psychube, A Knight enjoyed a great upgrade to his damage output. In addition, with this boss having ads and 6 commonly in its comp, A Knight is one of the few characters who can ramp their Ultimate extremely quickly while providing extra support in the form of his [Rousing Morale] on-kill.
- Shamane - In case you’re lacking 6 and a consistent debuffer, Shamane can accomplish much the same with his consistent debuffing and generous single-target output. In addition, his [Nature’s Blessing] effect synergizes with the mechanics of this fight that require you to cast your Ultimate often.
- Bkornblume - For much the same reason that Shamane is effective, Bkornblume is effective (especially when running A Knight). She doesn't get access to her Ultimate as frequently as Shamane does, so there’s that to take into consideration.
- Tooth Fairy - Surprisingly not used over Necrologist in this team, but not by much of an edge. Tooth Fairy is a staple healer when it comes to Reverse 1999, though she doesn’t excel in this team as much as Necrologist does.
- Healers - As a rule of thumb, very few healers are restricted to particular teams, as their main role is to keep the team alive. It is also not uncommon for Endless teams to feature 2 healers, one occupying a Support slot.
PLANT TEAM
Carry
Support
Support
Sustain
TEAM EXPLANATION
A team focused around the Plant Afflatus and Druvis’ reintroduction into the meta following Jessica’s release. The team is focused around consistency, funnily enough, providing a healthy mix of offense and defense while easily maneuvering around this fight’s mechanics.
- Jessica is here as the only 6-star Plant Carry and also a [Poison] inflictor in order to keep Gold from gaining its +15% DMG Dealt and Pen Rate buffs. The single target nature of Mane’s Bulletin and extra AP with a 4th person allows Jessica to more easily cycle her Ultimate to keep [Poison] inflicted.
- Joining at her side are An-an Lee and Bkornblume. An-an provides consistent hybrid buffing split between offense and defense, card upgrading for Tuning and AP-friendliness. Bkornblume instead keeps the boss debuffed, outputs high single-target damage and is surprisingly tanky under the effects of her Insight 3 in this team especially.
- Druvis may seem like an odd pick here, considering that Gold cannot be controlled. Druvis, however, provides something else here: consistent teamwide healing through her [Circle of Life] effect and surprising amounts of damage through her Insight 1.
For other options:
- Sotheby - Applicable here if you are focusing on a more damage oriented variant of this team. Trading Druvis’ sustain or An-an’s buffing for Sotheby does mean Jessica has an easier time maximizing her single-target damage, but you’re losing out on defensive cornerstones that are important in Endless Mode.
- Necrologist - Can also be used here, though in place of An-an, to provide a greater +DMG Dealt buff and trade the -DMG Taken buff for [Prayer]’s revival effect. To note is that Necrologist will lose out on Druvis’ [Circle of Life] effect which may make her squishier than you intend her to be.
- 6 - 6 can be used in pretty much every team due to the versatility of his buffs, debuffs and access to semi-on-demand [Incantation Empowerment] for your Carry. This especially helps in this fight, as frequently casting Ultimates on the boss keeps their buffs (and damage) lowered. In addition, his sheer application of debuffs allow him to solo most of the mechanics in this fight.