Final Fantasy IV [PC] Playthrough #091, NG++: Dwarven Castle: Calcabrina and Golbez; Rydia Returns

This is video #091 in my playthrough of Final Fantasy IV for the PC. This is episode 9 of the third playthrough. I am playing on Hard mode. Final Fantasy IV [PC] Playlist:    • Final Fantasy IV [PC] Playthrough   Previously, in the Tower of Zot, the party lost Tellah when he cast Meteor on Golbez. However, they did regain Kain and Rosa. After defeating Barbariccia, the elemental archfiend of wind, they returned to Baron. Kain handed over the Magma Stone. The party used this at the well in Agart to open the way to the Underworld. As they entered the Underworld, though, they were caught in the crossfire between the Red Wings and the Dwarven tanks. The Enterprise came down near the Dwarven Castle. Now, the party will enter the Dwarven Castle. Underworld: The party resumes just outside the Dwarven Castle in the Underworld. They have already prepared by unequipping Cid. After preparing their abilities for the upcoming boss battle, the party enters the castle. Dwarven Castle (time 1:12): Some scenes take place when the party approaches the king in the Throne Room north of the entrance hall. The ruler introduces himself as King Giott. He is pretty accommodating and informative, considering that he only just met the party. Cid leaves the party to repair the Enterprise and fit it for flying over magma. When the party goes to the Crystal Chamber in the castle, they learn that some dolls have been brought to life to steal it! It is boss time against Calcabrina! To start out, the party sees three Calcas and three Brinas. If one or two survivors are left alive, they will combine into a larger form, the Calcabrina. It can counter physical attacks, so putting Blink on all physical attackers is a good idea. Rosa can also put Hold on the Calcabrina. At the end of the battle, Kain reaches Level 34. Rosa jumps from Level 28 to Level 30. She learns the White Magic spell Berserk. Cecil reaches Level 35 and learns the White Magic spell Esuna. Another scene takes place after the battle. None other than Golbez appears. Of course, he cannot resist sharing his villainous plot. Afterwards, it is time to fight Golbez. However, after a few seconds, a scripted event takes place. Golbez nearly annihilates the party through cheap means, but the party has unexpected help from Rydia! After Rydia returns, the fight truly begins. Having Phoenix on Kain really helps the party recover fast. In the 3D versions of the game, Golbez can use Barrier Shift. This makes him weak to one element while absorbing all other elements. The "proper" approach to this fight is to have Cecil or Rosa use Libra to determine Golbez's current weakness so that Rydia can exploit it with a Summon. However, my party is powerful enough to take him out outright. Yang should use non-elemental claws. At the end of the battle, Kain reaches Level 35. Rosa reaches Level 31 and learns the White Magic spell Curaga. Cecil reaches Level 36. Yang reaches Level 37. More scenes take place after the battle. Great to see Rydia again! She rejoins the party, this time for good. Unfortunately, Golbez recovers and steals the Crystal. Drat. The party talks to King Giott afterwards. One Crystal remains, but it is well protected. Giott asks the party to infiltrate the Tower of Babil to reclaim the other seven Crystals. Meanwhile, the Dwarven tanks will create a diversion. When they agree, he gives them a Draw Attacks augment. We regain control of the party in the Throne Room. Rydia rejoins the party at Level 30. She comes equipped with a Whip, a Gold Hairpin, a Luminous Robe, and a Rune Armlet. Rydia has lost the use of White Magic. She now has the Black Magic spells Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Sleep, Poison, Pig, Blizzara, Fira, Thundara, Stop, Bio, Toad, Quake, Drain, and Warp. She also has the Summons Chocobo, Shiva, Ramuh, Ifrit, Titan, and Dragon, as well as Mindflayer, Cockatrice, Bomb, and Goblin. She now has the Bardsongs Lullaby, Alluring Air, Silent Verse, Life's Anthem, Toadsong, and Hog Call. She sets up her abilities. The party explores the Dwarven Castle. At the inn west of the entrance hall, they stock up on a few sundries. Just west of the inn counter, they find a hidden container with 5,000 gil along the northern wall. On floor 2F of the West Tower, they find a Bacchus's Wine in one of the southern pots. On floor 3F of the West Tower, they find chests with the following: a Hi-Potion, an Elixir, an Ether, and a Black Belt Gi. Yang equips the Black Belt Gi. On floor 1F of the East Tower, there is a chest in the northwest with a Dwarven Axe. On floor 2F of the East Tower, a lone pot on the western side of the stairways contains a Bacchus's Wine. On floor 3F of the East Tower, the party finds chests with the following: an Ether, a Power Armlet, an Elixir, and a Silver Hourglass. Kain equips the Power Armlet. The description is continued in the comments.