Quote Originally Posted by Big D View Post
I honestly can't conceive how it's possible to complete the late-game boss fights with such low-level characters. When your team's so weak that even the most rudimentary monster could one-hit your entire party, how do you possibly stand up to the likes of Dr Cid, Gabranth and Vayne?
I think a reason why it is feasible (I haven't attempted the challenge myself) is that several of your key stats essentially depend on your equipment and change little (or not at all) with levelling up. You can see that in effect, even if you don't attempt the challenge, if you try to go for fiends with much higher levels than you. From the moment you get the Dawn Shard, you can get your hands on some pieces of equipment that are among the best of the game. I've gone after every esper available before reaching the second visit to Bur-Omisace with lower levels than I had recommended until now, but because I had made it a priority to get high-end defense equipment (in particular from the reopened Barheim Passage), I did manage with more ease than when I had characters with levels higher by 10 or more 0_o

The only two real issues with not levelling up are low HPs and MPs. But then from the moment you've unlocked the augments licenses you don't really need that many MPs anymore as they recharge quickly, and the HP augments, coupled with Light Armor equipment and Bubble (that you actually can obtain fairly early in the game from the Clan Centurio merchant at the Bazaar if you dilligently follow up on the available Hunts) can give you a pretty substential amount of HP (I guess around 4000 - 5000). In all, not an issue against the story bosses, although fighting Yiazmat or Omega probably require extra-tight strategy and can get pretty ugly....

My only issue with that strategy is that you de facto cannot get the Ashe icon in the Sky Pirate Den (as she's the one marking your passing level 50)