In the early hours of Optional bosses are pretty common in Metaphor, ranging from wandering mini-bosses who can be defeated in a few turns, to hidden superbosses who lie in wait for players brave enough to challenge them. This one lies somewhere in between.

Resting near the end of the game's second dungeon, Fire Dragon Mauna sleeps peacefully atop a pile of treasure. Strohl and Grius both warn the protagonist against waking it up, but Gallica notices the glimmer of a distant chest, and suggests that engaging it might be a viable strategy - if the protagonist is ready for a difficult battle. So it all comes down to the player's willingness to fight it, with a little consideration for their sneaking skills.

What Happens If You Sneak Past The Dragon

Let Sleeping Dragons Lie

If the player decides to sneak past the dragon, that's precisely what'll happen. They'll have to follow a slightly longer route around the room, circumnavigating the dragon's makeshift bed of treasure. However, it'll only take slightly longer to get through - unless they run directly at it, most players will find it hard to wake the dragon unintentionally, so it's still totally possible to rush to the exit and continue on to the next room.

As a consequence of following this route, though, the player will have to avoid a small group of Homo Tenta enemies. If they're ever spotted, they'll have to start from the beginning of the room. This is entirely possible, but can be a bit annoying. Ultimately, though, the only thing the player misses out on by not fighting the dragon is the treasure and EXP it provides (see below for a full list thereof). There's no impact on their relationships with their companions in Metaphor: ReFantazio, their completion of the dungeon, or their final story outcome.

What Happens If You Fight The Dragon

Fire Dragon Mauna Tips & Rewards

If the player does decide to fight the sleeping dragon in Metaphor: ReFantazio, all they'll have to do to engage it is charge directly at it. What ensues is an ittedly difficult, but very winnable fight, with a handful of excellent rewards at the end. Grius will have an immediate negative reaction, but this doesn't impact the player's relationship with him throughout the rest of the game.

By this point in the game, players should only have three Archetypes unlocked: Seeker, Warrior, and Mage. Options are scarce here, but it'd be a good idea to have at least one of each Archetype in the party. If the player has already unlocked inherited skills and can spare the magla, they may also want to study Mage with their other two characters so they can equip the inherited skill Blizz. Make sure the Seeker is full up on MP, using the Magla Potion gained from beating Homo Fulquilo if necessary, before engaging the dragon.

At the beginning of battle, the player should put their Seeker in the back row - they'll spend most of the battle healing and buffing their allies with Tarukaja, so raw strength isn't necessary. Meanwhile, the Warrior should attack with Diagonal Slash on each turn to keep up a steady pace of damage. Most importantly, though, the Mage should cast Blizz on the dragon whenever an opportunity presents itself. This will strike its weakness, dealing extra damage and granting the party an extra turn.

If low on MP, it's also possible to hit the dragon's weakness by using Ice Chunks, consumable items that deal ice damage.

The Seeker's main focus should be on the party's HP, but don't forget to pay attention to the turn order as well. If it looks like they're about to take their last turn for the round, and everyone's in good health, the Seeker should use Guard. This will prevent their weakness to fire from being exploited, ensuring that the dragon gets as few extra turns as possible. After a few turns of this, the dragon will fall, and players will be treated to the following rewards:

• 263 EXP
• 210 A-EXP
• 1,000 Magla
• 1,000 Reeves
• Amethyst
• Onyx
• Glossy Fur
• Grand Iron
• Dragon's Indignation (greatsword)

Most of these are just crafting materials that won't be useful for a while yet, but Dragon's Indignation is a worthy reward. This is a high-powered greatsword, with 111 attack, and by far the best weapon for Warriors that can be found in the early hours of Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Which Choice Is Best

You Should Fight The Sleeping Dragon In Metaphor: ReFantazio

If for no other reason than to obtain Dragon's Indignation, waking and fighting the Nord Mines dragon is invaluable to any Metaphor: ReFantazio playthrough. The fight is winnable with the right party composition, and shouldn't even burn through all that much MP. This will be the final battle of this dungeon, with an opportunity to rest and recharge immediately following, so don't worry about depleting all the available resources and running into a wall further on.

Dragon's Indignation is also one of the best weapons in the early game of Metaphor: ReFantazio. While players will eventually be able to buy much better greatswords, Dragon's Indignation will likely carry any Warrior character through the first few dungeons with ease. Players will also get a great deal of EXP, cash, and magla, which is incredibly helpful in gearing up for the sections of Metaphor: ReFantazio.