Why DS version is harder than GBA version?

[dragoon1028]

I have beaten the GBA version of this game with no trouble. But when it comes to the DS version, i cant get past Barbberrica(?). Im truly disgraced as a gamer. Anyone have any advice for this fight??

[LowCaloriePie]

Well, the DS version is generally regarded as the hardest version of the game (arguably with the exception of the original), whereas the GBA version is generally regarded as the easiest.

• HP: 12371 / XP: 61855 / Gil: 10000
• Suggested Party Level: 28-31

This is an interesting fight. Barbariccia has a very nasty counterattack, so you want to attack as little as possible. As you probably can already expect, this means that you want Yang doing the attacking. Also of note is that she will frequently go into a tornado form. During this form, nothing can hit her except for Kain's Jump attack. Jump also knocks her out of the form so damage can resume. Armed with this knowledge you can probably figure out the basic strategy.

Yang uses Hermes Sandals on himself, Focuses three times and attacks (only when in normal form). Kain is kept on standby (try to use Cry during downtime) and should Jump as soon as she goes into tornado form. Cecil Covers Rosa and defends, healing as is needed. Cecil will help with damage by counterattacking whenever he gets hit, which is nice. Cid should use Spider Silk on Barbariccia only when Rosa is available to immediately cure everyone back up because she'll counter it with Maelstrom which drops everyone to single digit health. Rosa should Dualcast Protect/Shell on your party when she isn't healing. That's basically all there is to this fight. It will take time but you'll get the win. It shouldn't take more than 3 or 4 fully Focused attacks, maybe 5 at the most.

GameFAQs: Final Fantasy IV (DS) FAQ/Walkthrough by SBAllen