Bravely Default 2 boasts no less than 24 jobs in its versatile job system. Only two or three jobs are optional, requiring the player to go off the beaten path to claim them via side quests or chase the true ending for the ultimate Asterisk. The rest of the jobs are unlocked through simple story progression, and the final Asterisk players will claim this way is that of the Hellblade job. One of the great joys of Bravely Default 2 is collecting Asterisks and creating unique job combinations for the party characters, meaning that the fun is only just beginning when the player obtains the late-game Hellblade job.
The boss standing between the player and the Hellblade Asterisk is a familiar foe named Adam. This is a confrontation many chapters in the making, building up since a supposedly unwinnable encounter during the prologue. Finally finding themselves in the city of Holograd in Chapter 4, players will soon venture into the most labyrinthine dungeon thus far in Bravely Default 2. It is important to note that the save point leading to the 4th floor of the dungeon is a point of no return in the game's story. A prudent player will keep an extra save file at this location.
How to Beat Adam in Bravely Default 2 (Chapter 4)
By this point in the game, the player should only utilize jobs that have been leveled to the max when entering a boss fight. Being able to utilize all of a job's abilities and their second specialty is of vital importance. If a player's favorite jobs aren't up to snuff just yet, some additional grinding might be in order. Some particularly useful jobs to bring to the Adam fight are Bard and Oracle, in addition to staples such as White Mage or Vanguard.
Adam can unleash some devastating damage, so protecting the party with White Mage walls or Bard defensive buffs will keep players in the fight. This may seem foolish, as Adam will counter buffing abilities with his Elemental Blades attack. However, this is one of several abilities that Adam must spend his own HP to cast. Baiting it often is a valid strategy, but only if the player is prepared to heal or tank through it. If brute force sounds preferable, the player could opt to strike Adam with heavy hits from the Vanguard or other axe-wielding jobs. The axe is Adam's only vulnerability, and in fact, he will take reduced damage from swords as well as fire, water, and dark elements.
One final obstacle in the Adam fight comes in the form of a last-ditch attack called Death Storm that he will use when he falls to critical HP. There is a very real chance that this will annihilate the party, but it can be negated using the Noble Sacrifice support ability from the Oracle job, or the Reraise ability from Spirit Master. Otherwise, a strong defense is the best option.
With the Hellblade Asterisk in hand, the player will have access to terrifying damage potential. This job is very reminiscent of the classic Dark Knight job of Final Fantasy fame, being a double-edged sword that doles out damage in exchange for HP. But with a good strategy and clever use of the many sub-jobs, Hellblade is an extremely effective tool in the adventurer's arsenal.
Bravely Default 2 is available now on Nintendo Switch.