Protector

For other big robots guarding their position, see List of Guarding Foes.

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"Well this is an interesting... thing."

―Matt, Epic Battle Fantasy 4

Protector
Roles	Boss/Miniboss, Summon
Appearances	Epic Battle Fantasy 3 Epic Battle Fantasy 4 Epic Battle Fantasy 5

The Protector is a recurring boss in the Epic Battle Fantasy series. It is a powerful robot built by the ancient Kitten Kingdom to defend their territory, which it continues to do despite the collapse of its creator's civilization.

The Protector made its first appearance in Epic Battle Fantasy 3 as the guardian of the Kitten Kingdom Ruins before returning in the updated versions of Epic Battle Fantasy 4 and 5 as a late-game optional boss; the latter two games also allow it to be used as a summon. Since EBF4's Battle Mountain update, it has been found one screen above the main entrance to the Temple of Godcat, behind a stone door that's opened once all four Blood Orbs can be collected simultaneously (after opening the alternate entrance behind the Goldenbrick Resort weapon shop).. In EBF5, the v2 update reintroduced it as one of the Classic foes found in the Data Bunker; specifically as the boss of the second EBF3 simulation.

Appearance

The Protector is a large, bulky, quadrupedal robot mostly covered with the same off-white stone that appears to make up the architecture of the Kitten Kingdom Ruins; holes in the rock allow its large legs to move freely. The stone has a few noticeable cracks and chips, but is otherwise in surprisingly good condition for its age and lack of maintenance. Its hull is mostly angular, with the major exceptions being curved indentations on top of each knee and a large hump on the back of its body. Two fins protrude from the back of the hump, and the sides have been carved out to accommodate a series of massive engines and exhaust ports. Its "face" consists of a large, round red lens mounted on the front of its body, with a much smaller secondary lens diagonally below it (the latter is sometimes obscured by its left foreleg in battle).

The Protector's main weapon is a huge cannon is mounted on its back, but it has several other weapons concealed on its underside, including a pair of smaller cannons, a large drill, and a powerful beam emitter.

In EBF3 and 5, the Protector's appearance changes as it hits specific HP thresholds. At 64.5% HP, its rocky armor develops a few new cracks and loses a few chunks, most notably half of its left fin, the "heel" of its left foreleg, and one of the protrusions on its right foreleg and left hind leg. At 31.5% HP, it loses half of its right fin, one of the protrusions on its left foreleg, a small chunk of its left "shoulder", and a substantial portion of its left hind "foot".

In EBF4, the Protector has no visual changes as its HP falls; instead, it always appears in its "low HP" state from its other appearances. Additionally, its main eye protrudes from its body more prominently and is surrounded by a ring of silver metal, and a tiny metal fin protrudes from the barrel of its back cannon, resembling an iron sight (although its functionality is questionable, given its mounting in relation to the Protector's apparent targeting systems).

Overview

As befitting its consistent appearances as a late-game boss, the Protector is a powerful opponent with a variety of attacks. Its physical moves include a non-elemental drill stab, two shots from its cannons that deal part-Bomb damage to random targets, and a multi-target Earth-based quake attack. On the magical side of things, it can bombard the party with its back cannon (which deals pure Bomb damage) or Charge up its beam emitter for a hideously powerful multi-target "Hyperlaser" on its next turn. It actually has two beams to choose from, distinguished by their color, element, and special effects: the orange beam is either non-elemental or Bomb-based (depending on the game) and has a good chance to Dispel its victims, while the yellow beam is Thunder-based with a significant Stun risk.

As if it wasn't dangerous enough on its own, the Protector is also capable of summoning backup every few turns. Its minions vary between games, but Runes and Clays are the most common. Eliminating the reinforcements is often useful; aside from giving you less foes to worry about, the Protector may spend some of its turns calling for more foes instead of attacking the party.

The Protector's resistances change between appearances, but it's generally immune to Bio, Poison, Stun, Doom, and Instant Death in addition to having some degree of resistance to Fire and all stat debuffs. Its most recurring weaknesses are Bomb and Water, and its below-average Evade.

Epic Battle Fantasy 3

Contrary to its name, the Protector doesn't do a whole lot to stop the party from ransacking the Kitten Kingdom Ruins, but it more than compensates with its efforts to stop them from reaching Volcano Peak. On the physical side of things, it can hit one player with its drill (although it's slightly inaccurate), two random players with its cannons, or the entire party at once with a Ground Pound; the latter attack also casts Eruption or Rockslide on a random target for extra damage output. Its magic attacks are all multi-target and more accurate than normal; it primarily uses a Bomb-based explosion from its back cannon, but it can also charge up a huge laser beam that has a very high chance to Dispel anyone that survives its massive non-elemental damage. As its HP falls, it gains access to a second type of Hyperlaser; this one has a much lower status chance (although a 20% Stun chance is still rather concerning) and can be mitigated with Thunder resistance, but it has even higher power than the other beam.

Like most bosses, the Protector has no shortage of backup to call upon. It can summon a variety of ruin-dwelling foes to assist it, including Thunderbirds, elite Clays, and Slingers, but its signature minions are the Runes it fires from its cannon. Every several turns, it will attempt to deploy four random Runes; if it is unable to (due to one or more spots being occupied by other foes), the "extra" Runes will immediately explode on the party, acting like additional uses of Mega Blast. As a result of this, the player will have to weigh the risks of consistently picking off the Protector's reinforcements against letting the party suffer up to four consecutive Mega Blasts when it launches its Runes and its side of the battlefield is already full.

If fought on Epic difficulty, the Protector gives itself an enormous Magic Attack buff when it charges up either Hyperlaser, making them and its Mega Blast attacks substantially more dangerous. Its Yellow Hyperlaser also summons a Thunderstorm to add a little more damage and another chance to Stun the party (although the 5% infliction chance is negligible).

The Protector's weaknesses include Thunder, Bomb, and Water (in ascending order of severity), but it is immune to Poison and Earth and highly resistant to Fire and Holy. It is also immune to Berserk, Poison, Stun, Doom, and Instant Death, and its stats cannot be debuffed below -20%.

Epic Battle Fantasy 4

Don't let the visible ravages of time fool you; between poor Evade, high HP, and strong base offenses, the Protector is every bit the walking tank it was built to be. Initially, it prefers to use physical attacks, including a random-targeting part-Bomb attack with a high Burn chance and a slightly inaccurate part-Earth attack that hits the entire party with a slightly boosted critical hit rate and a small chance to Stagger them. It also has a multi-target magic attack that deals pure Bomb damage and carries a slight Stagger chance; it will use this attack consecutively if it runs out of space on its side to summon its helper Runes.

After losing a little more than a third of its health, the Protector will begin using its particle cannon for hideously powerful multi-target magic attacks; fortunately, it telegraphs them by giving itself a Charge one turn prior. The orange beam deals Bomb damage and will frequently Dispel the party; the yellow beam is Thunder-based and slightly weaker, but its high Stun chance is even more crippling to the player's chances of victory. On higher difficulty levels, both beams have an amplified status chance, and their Charging turn also gives the Protector Defend status.

The Protector is immune to Fire, Thunder, Bio, and Wind, but it's very weak to Ice, Earth, Bomb, and Water. It also has a strong resistance to all stat debuffs, as well as immunity to all status effects besides Weaken, Tired, Curse, Wet, and Dispel. "More Foe Resistance" removes its Water weakness while making it immune to Holy and debuffs to Accuracy and Magic Attack.

The Protector is notable for having a 50% chance of dropping two Steroids: a Honeycomb and Sushi.

Epic Battle Fantasy 5

The Protector draws heavily from its original appearance in EBF3, with a few adjustments to make it a worthy optional challenge for players. Its basic physical attack is a single-target drill stab that deals heavy non-elemental damage, but it can also fire dual cannons at two random party members for mostly Bomb-based damage or shake the ground hard enough to inflict physical Earth damage on the entire party. The latter attack will immediately be followed by either Rockslide or Eruption on a random player; both are strongly elemental, and the latter has a small chance to debuff the victim's Defence.

The Protector is also armed with some magical attacks, including Bomb-based explosives fired from its back cannon. Initially, it will fire three shots at a time, but it upgrades to a four-shot barrage after losing about half of its HP. Its deadliest magic weapon is the particle cannon on its underside, which can fire two types of multi-target beam if allowed to gain a Charge. The orange beam is non-elemental and has a high chance to Dispel the party; the yellow beam deals Thunder damage and has a small but significant risk of a full-party Stun.

At higher difficulty levels, the Protector gets a better infliction chance on Eruption and the Yellow Hyperlaser; the latter is particularly notable for gaining a 150% Stun chance, making immunity or Bless support almost a requirement to avoid being immobilized. Both of its Charge moves give it an enormous Magic Attack buff, allowing the subsequent laser to hit literally twice as hard while giving its Mega Blast and Quad Blast a substantial boost unless the party debuffs it immediately.

The Protector has below-average Evade, but above-average Accuracy, allowing both it and the party a greater chance of hitting their marks. As a Classic foe, it does not respect Lovable players. Unlike its previous appearances, it is unable to fire Runes out of its cannon; instead, it passively summons Clays (and Slingers, if Foe Remix is enabled) every few turns, summoning more quickly the less foes are on the field. As in EBF3, the backup will be able to act on the same turn they arrive.

The Protector absorbs Thunder, resists Fire and Holy, and is immune to Earth, Bio, Wind, and every single status effect, including Invisible and Enchanted. It's also quite resistant to all stat debuffs besides HP. On the other hand, it's weak to Water, Dark, and (to a lesser extent) Bomb. "More Foe Resistance" makes it immune to Holy and neutral to Dark while slightly increasing its non-HP debuff resistance.

Statistics

Epic Battle Fantasy 3

	Protector	Ancient Guardian	EBF3
	Stores energy and unleashes massive particle beams. Summons Runes.

Statistics
Base Statistics								Exp	AP	Gold
	2500	4	4	4	4	4	3.8	1000	120	800
Elemental Resistance
	70%	-80%	-	-120%	-	100%	100%	-	70%	-90%
Status Resistance
	100%	100%	-	-	100%	100%	100%
Debuff Resistance
	-	-	-	-	-	-

Item Drop Rate
Icon				-	-	-	-
Name	Light Rune	Gold Plate	Gold Plate	-	-	-	-
Chance	100%	80%	60%	-	-	-	-

Protector cannot be debuffed further than to -20% of a stat.

Epic Battle Fantasy 4

	Protector	EBF4
	A guardian of ancient ruins, built using cat technology. Uses bomb, thunder and earth attacks. Summons Plasma and Barrier Runes.

Statistics
Base Statistics								Exp	AP	SP	Gold	Hit2HP
	4500	6.6	4	6.6	4	4	3.5	1000	65	65	650	50
Elemental Resistance
	100%	100%	-80%	-80%	100%	-80%	100%	-80%	-	-
Status Resistance
	100%	100%	100%	-	100%	-	100%	100%	-	-	-	100%
Debuff Resistance
	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%

Item Drop Rate
Icon							-
Name	Plasma Ball	RAM Chip	Plutonium Core	Titanium	Honeycomb	Sushi	-
Chance	100%	100%	100%	100%	50%	50%	-

Status Damage
Damage taken from status effects, in % of maximum health (per turn), including elemental resistances:
Burn	Poison	Doom (if Death fails)	Regen
Immune	Immune	Immune	-33.(3)%
Final damage is randomized by ±5% (except for Doom) and rounded down.

Statistics with More Foe Resistance enabled.

	Protector	EBF4
	A guardian of ancient ruins, built using cat technology. Uses bomb, thunder and earth attacks. Summons Plasma and Barrier Runes.

Statistics
Base Statistics								Exp	AP	SP	Gold	Hit2HP
	4500	6.6	4	6.6	4	4	3.5	1000	65	65	650	50
Elemental Resistance
	100%	100%	-80%	-80%	100%	-80%	100%	-	100%	-
Status Resistance
	100%	100%	100%	-	100%	-	100%	100%	-	-	-	100%
Debuff Resistance
	50%	100%	50%	50%	100%	50%

Item Drop Rate
Icon							-
Name	Plasma Ball	RAM Chip	Plutonium Core	Titanium	Honeycomb	Sushi	-
Chance	100%	100%	100%	100%	50%	50%	-

Status Damage
Damage taken from status effects, in % of maximum health (per turn), including elemental resistances:
Burn	Poison	Doom (if Death fails)	Regen
Immune	Immune	Immune	-33.(3)%
Final damage is randomized by ±5% (except for Doom) and rounded down.

Epic Battle Fantasy 5

	Protector	EBF5
	A prehistoric machine from the ruins of the Kitten Kingdom. It attacks with powerful non-elemental and thunder beams.

Statistics
Base Statistics								Exp	AP	SP	Gold	Hit2HP	Catch
	2511	4	4	4	4	4.3	3.8	0	0	30	0	6	4
Elemental Resistance
	50%	200%	-	100%	100%	-50%	-80%	100%	50%	-80%
Status Resistance
	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Debuff Resistance
	-	40%	40%	40%	40%	40%	40%

Item Drop Rate
Icon
Name	Metal Gear	Metal Gear	Metal Gear	P2 Processor	Plutonium Core
Chance	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Status Damage
Damage taken from status effects, in % of maximum health (per turn), including elemental resistances:
Burn	Scorch	Poison	Virus	Doom (if Death fails)	Regen
Immune	Immune	Immune	Immune	Immune	-4%
Damage taken from first four is decreased by 30% on Easy and 65% on Zero difficulties. Final damage is randomized by ±5% (except for Doom) and rounded down.

Statistics with More Foe Resistance enabled.

	Protector	EBF5
	A prehistoric machine from the ruins of the Kitten Kingdom. It attacks with powerful non-elemental and thunder beams.

Statistics
Base Statistics								Exp	AP	SP	Gold	Hit2HP	Catch
	2511	4	4	4	4	4.3	3.8	0	0	30	0	6	4
Elemental Resistance
	50%	200%	-	100%	100%	-50%	-80%	100%	100%	-
Status Resistance
	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Debuff Resistance
	-	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%	50%

Item Drop Rate
Icon
Name	Metal Gear	Metal Gear	Metal Gear	P2 Processor	Plutonium Core
Chance	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%

Status Damage
Damage taken from status effects, in % of maximum health (per turn), including elemental resistances:
Burn	Scorch	Poison	Virus	Doom (if Death fails)	Regen
Immune	Immune	Immune	Immune	Immune	-4%
Damage taken from first four is decreased by 30% on Easy and 65% on Zero difficulties. Final damage is randomized by ±5% (except for Doom) and rounded down.

As with all the Classic foes, the Protector is immune to both Invisible and Enchanted.

Attacks and Abilities

Epic Battle Fantasy 3

Attack List
Attack	Target	Power	Type	Element	Status Effect			Acc	Crit	RdF
Stab	Single	69		----	--	--	--	90%	30%	10%
Double Barrel	Random	200/2		80%	--	--	--	100%	10%	10%
Ground Pound	All	30		100%	--	--	--	120%	10%	10%
Notes: Is immediately followed by casting either Rockslide or Eruption on a random player.
Rockslide	Single	40/3		80%	--	--	--	90%	20%	50%
Notes: May be used only in conjunction with Ground Pound.
Eruption	Single	48		50%	--	--	--	100%	10%	10%
Notes: May be used only in conjunction with Ground Pound.
Mega Blast (Hand Bomb)	All	50		100%	--	--	--	110%	10%	20%
Charge	Self	--	--	----	--	--	--	--	--	--
Notes: Charges to fire Orange Hyperlaser. On Epic difficulty, also buffs Magic Attack by 70%.
Thunder Charge	Self	--	--	----	--	--	--	--	--	--
Notes: Charges to fire Yellow Hyperlaser. On Epic difficulty, also buffs Magic Attack by 70%.
Orange Hyperlaser	All	140		----	100%	--		120%	10%	10%
Notes: Requires and expends Charge.
Yellow Hyperlaser	All	200		100%	20%	1x		120%	10%	10%
Notes: Requires and expends Thunder Charge. On Epic difficulty, is immediately followed by Thunderstorm.
Thunderstorm	All	25/5		100%	5%	1x		100%	10%	10%
Notes: May be used only in conjunction with Yellow Hyperlaser.
Launch Runes	Varies	--	--	----	--	--	--	--	--	--
Notes: Attempts to summon 4 random Runes. For every Rune that couldn't be spawned, uses Mega Blast.

Epic Battle Fantasy 4

Attack List
Attack	Target	Power	Type	Element	Status Effect			Acc	Crit	RdF
Stab	Single	120		----	--	--	--	100%	10%	10%
Double Barrel	Random	120/2		50%	100%	3x		100%	10%	10%
Ground Pound	All	50		50%	20%	--		90%	10%	20%
Mega Blast	All	70		100%	20%	--		100%	10%	10%
Bomb Charge	Self	--	--	----	--	3x		--	--	--
Notes: Charges to fire Orange Hyperlaser. On Hard and Epic difficulties, also applies Defend.
Thunder Charge	Self	--	--	----	--	3x		--	--	--
Notes: Charges to fire Yellow Hyperlaser. On Hard and Epic difficulties, also applies Defend.
Orange Hyperlaser	All	220		100%	70%	--		120%	10%	10%
Notes: Requires and expends Bomb Charge. On Hard and Epic difficulties, status chance is increased to 100%.
Yellow Hyperlaser	All	180		100%	50%	1x		120%	10%	10%
Notes: Requires and expends Thunder Charge. On Hard and Epic difficulties, status chance is increased to 80%.
Launch Runes	Varies	--	--	----	--	--	--	--	--	--
Notes: Attempts to summon 4 Runes, which can be Plasma or Barrier. For every Rune that couldn't be spawned, uses Big Blast.
Big Blast	All	40		100%	20%	--		100%	10%	10%
Notes: May be used only in conjunction with Launch Runes.

Epic Battle Fantasy 5

Attack List
Attack	Target	Power	Type	Element	Status Effect			Acc	Crit	RdF
Stab	Single	170		----	--	--	--	100%	10%	10%
Double Barrel	Random	260/2		75%	--	--	--	100%	10%	10%
Ground Pound	All	120		100%	--	--	--	120%	10%	10%
Notes: Will cast either Rockslide (2/3) or Eruption (1/3) immediately after using this attack.
Rockslide	Single	70/3		75%	--	--	--	80%	10%	10%
Notes: Is only used immediately after Ground Pound.
Eruption	Single	70		75%	25%	30%		120%	10%	10%
Notes: Is only used immediately after Ground Pound. Debuff chance increased to 50% on Hard or Epic difficulties.
Mega Blast (Hand Bomb)	Random	420/3		100%	--	--	--	150%	10%	10%
Notes: Will not target the same player twice in a row unless they have Target or no other targets are available.
Quad Blast (Hand Bomb)	Random	560/4		100%	--	--	--	150%	10%	10%
Notes: Will not target the same player twice in a row unless they have Target or no other targets are available.
Charge	Self	--	--	----	--	1x		--	--	--
Notes: Charges to fire Orange Hyperlaser. Also gives a 100% Magic Attack buff on Hard or Epic difficulties.
Orange Hyperlaser	All	250		----	100%	--		150%	10%	10%
Notes: Requires and expends Charge.
Thunder Charge	Self	--	--	----	--	1x		--	--	--
Notes: Charges to fire Yellow Hyperlaser. Also gives a 100% Magic Attack buff on Hard or Epic difficulties.
Yellow Hyperlaser	All	280		100%	30%	1x		150%	10%	10%
Notes: Requires and expends Charge. Status chance increased to 150% on Hard or Epic difficulties.

Battle Logic

The following describes general logic of the enemy and attack patterns, with chances of each attack to be used. Conditions are listed from highest to lowest priority unless specified otherwise.

Epic Battle Fantasy 3

• 4th turn and then every 6th turn → Passively summons two exemplars of either of the following into slots 1 and 5: Thunderbird level 25, Black Clay level 24, Light Clay level 24, Gunslinger level 24, Swordslinger level 24.

• 7th turn and then every 6th turn → Launch Runes;
• Charged → Orange Hyperlaser;
• Thunder-Charged → Yellow Hyperlaser;
• >64.5% HP → Stab (1/5), Double Barrel (1/5), Ground Pound (1/5), Mega Blast (1/5), Charge (1/5);
• ≤64.5% HP → Stab (1/6), Double Barrel (1/6), Ground Pound (1/6), Mega Blast (1/6), Charge (1/6), Thunder Charge (1/6).

Epic Battle Fantasy 4

• 4th and then every 3rd turn → Launch Runes;
• Bomb-Charged → Orange Hyperlaser;
• Thunder-Charged → Yellow Hyperlaser;
• >65% HP → Stab (1/4), Double Barrel (1/4), Ground Pound (1/4), Mega Blast (1/4);
• ≤65% to >32% HP → Stab (1/6), Double Barrel (1/6), Ground Pound (1/6), Mega Blast (1/6), Bomb Charge (1/6), Thunder Charge (1/6);
• ≤32% HP → Stab (1/4), Ground Pound (1/4), Bomb Charge (1/4), Thunder Charge (1/4).

Epic Battle Fantasy 5

Start of turn:

• Summon score ≥ 3;
  • <32% HP → Summons either a Light or Dark Clay.
  • <65% HP → Summons either a Red, Blue, Light or Dark Clay; if Foe Remix is enabled, summons either a Light Clay, a Dark Clay, a Swordslinger or a Gunslinger instead.
  • Otherwise → Summons either a Red or Blue Clay; if Foe Remix is enabled, summons either a Gunslinger or a Swordslinger instead.

* Summon Score increases by 1 if there's 2 other foes left, by 2 if 1, and by 3 if no other foes are left (checked at the start of the Protector's turn), and resets to 0 after summoning foes. Unlike most other similar bosses, the score increase happens after the summon check, essentially delaying its resummoning by 1 turn.

*Summoned foes will be at the same level as the Protector.

Action

• If Thunder Charge was used last turn → Yellow Hyperlaser;
• If Charge was used last turn → Orange Hyperlaser;
• <49% HP → Stab (1/6), Ground Pound (1/6), Mega Blast (1/6), Quad Blast (1/6), Charge (1/6), Thunder Charge (1/6);
• <65% HP → Stab (1/6), Double Barrel (1/6), Ground Pound (1/6), Mega Blast (1/6), Charge (1/6), Thunder Charge (1/6);
• Otherwise → Stab (1/5), Double Barrel (1/5), Ground Pound (1/5), Mega Blast (1/5), Charge (1/5).

Counter (only if Counter-Attacking Foes is enabled)

• 25%;
  • <39% HP → Ground Pound;
  • Otherwise → Double Barrel.

Additionally, like all the Classic foes, the Protector ignores the Lovable status on players.

Strategy

Equipment

Earth and Bomb resistance are vital for defending against the majority of the Protector's attacks. Stun resistance is also advisable if one wishes to avoid being stunned by the Protector's Yellow Hyperlaser attack. Bomb-based skills and weapons are especially useful for dealing with most of the enemies summoned by the Protector, as well as dealing more damage to the Protector itself.

Matt

• Hats: Genji Helmet, Soldier Helmet
• Armors: Genji Armor, Army Jacket
• Swords: Dragon Killer, Gaia Axe

Natalie

• Hats: Thunder Bauble, Star Hairclip
• Armors: Green Dress, Camo Skirt
• Staves: Thunder Spear

Lance

• Hats: Genji Helmet, Soldier Helmet
• Armors: Genji Armor, Army Jacket
• Guns: Thunder Core, Heavy Claw, God Hand

Battle

While dealing as much damage to the Protector as possible is vital, it's also important to play defensively and use healing spells and defense buffs often to withstand attacks from the Protector and its allies. Additionally, the players should dispose of any foes summoned by the Protector as quickly as possible, as many of them are high-tier foes that can cause major problems if left unchecked. Runes in particularly should be handled with great care as they will suicide bomb the players if brought down to critical health; it's important to get the hang of using skills that can take them out completely.

Equipment

Bomb and Thunder resistance/immunity is all but necessary, as the party will be hammered constantly by these elements. Stun and Dispel resistance is recommended as well. Bomb skills are important to have for hitting the common weakness of both the Protector and the Runes it spawns. Water and Ice skills can be useful as well.

Battle

High Defence is key to surviving the Protector's initial onslaught of physical attacks. Unlike with most backup foes, Runes should be dispatched as quickly as possible (Air Strike and Big Blast are very effective at doing this). Otherwise, they can buff the boss and other enemies. Plasma Runes provide offensive buffs while Barrier Runes provide defensive buffs, but both are equally dangerous. Another reason to dispatch the Runes quickly is to prevent the Praetorian from bombing the party with additional shells if it cannot summon more Runes.

If the player has complete immunity to Thunder and Bomb, the Praetorian's laser attacks actually become a non-issue besides the possible Stun or Dispel. On a similar token, it is somewhat less necessary to keep dispatching Runes, as the Praetorian's additional blasts will not harm the party.

Offensively, the player can target the Protector's Bomb weakness, which it shares with the Runes. Alternatively, the player can aim for its Water weakness and inflict Wet to increase the severity of its Ice weakness too. A final, perhaps unorthodox, strategy involves using Giga Drill. If only Barrier Runes are present, the Protector is likely to get a wealth of defensive buffs. This will allow Giga Drill to deal blistering damage due to both its defensive buffs and its Earth weakness. It becomes even more apparent on Hard and Epic difficulties where the Protector applies Defend on itself whenever Charging up a laser.

Equipment

(To be added)

Battle

Due to the simulation using EBF3 rules (i.e. reinforcements can act on the same turn as they arrive), it's best to incapacitate the Clays instead of killing them. Stunning them with a status build is effective enough, but in a pinch, Syphon can disable some of their skills (particularly the Light Clay's incredibly annoying support magic).

If the Protector charges itself up, the Angel Mirror summon can protect the party from its Hyperlasers; mind the associated status effects and any active Clays, however. On higher difficulties, the Red Flybot summon can turn its massive Magic Attack buff against it; in absence of that, Purging Flame off of a debuff build is the party's best bet to counteract the buff.

(To be expanded upon)

Summon

"Armor-piercing exploding-laser! Hell yeah!"

―Lance, Epic Battle Fantasy 4

The Protector is available as a summon; prior to the Battle Mountain update, it could be obtained from the bottom-right chest in the Lost Ruins. The update has switched its location with the Supernova Limit Break — it is now obtained from the right-side chest on the four Blood Orb pedestals screen, right after defeating the Protector boss. To access the chest, four Blood Orbs must be placed on the pedestals in front of the gate.

When called upon, the Protector charges itself up and uses its Orange Hyperlaser to hit the enemies. This attack technically consists of two parts; a non-damaging attempt to Dispel all foes, and a powerful magical Bomb attack. Both parts of the attack have high Accuracy.

	Protector							SP
	Targets all foes. May dispel the targets before dealing damage.							125	Cured
Target	Power	Type	Element	Status Effect			Acc	Crit	RdF
All	-- 320	--	100%	80% --	-- --	--	150%	-- 10%	-- 10%

Epic Battle Fantasy 5

The Protector can be captured and used as a summon. It uses its Yellow Hyperlaser to fry all foes with powerful magical Thunder damage; if they survive, there's a very high chance that they'll suffer three turns of Stun.

	Protector							SP
	Blasts all foes with a powerful magical thunder beam. Anything that survives will be stunned for several turns.							115	Cured
Target	Power	Type	Element	Status Effect			Acc	Crit	RdF
All	295		100%	200%	3x		100%	10%	10%

Trivia

• The Protector summon in EBF4 depicts its EBF3 appearance, presumably because it predates the Protector's reintroduction (and slight redesign) in the Battle Mountain update.