Tips For Gulcasa [SUPER OLD DON'T READ THIS], (Updated 9/3/08) Options

[Raijinili]

First, there are going to be spoilers here. Gulcasa spoilers. Spoilers up to battlefield 45. It's mostly just gameplay-related stuff, but this is your warning.

Basically, this is just a list of things to help people with Gulcasa. And it actually has less to do with Gulcasa, and more to do with making Genocide bearable or preventing it altogether. Because, you know, getting killed by Genocide has a rather nasty damage bonus...

• 1-on-1 = win
  You can get this effect from various items (Kill Blade and Zolfy, for example) It will pretty much ensure your victory when he uses Genocide, so of course that's useful.
• Ace Guard
  You can use Ace Guard at the start of a union to start with an advantage against Gulcasa in later clashes in the union. Having more members in your unit is always useful, since you won't die quite as fast. Meaning, you may kill him before he can kill you.
• Banshee's Cry
  It lowers the enemy's attack to one star while it's activated. Like Ace Guard, it will help your units survive for longer, and hopefully through Genocide if it doesn't allow you to kill him before he uses it.
• Bloody Claw
  Since you often fight Gulcasa at night, you'll be able to use Bloody Claw. Bloody Claw kills off the head unit for the enemy, so they can't use skills or anything. That means no Genocide.
• Bow users
  When bow users attack, the opposing side cannot counter. This makes them somewhat useful against Gulcasa. Just be sure to move them away so they wont end up in a union when he's attacking you.
• Chariot
  Only somewhat useful. It's more of a thing to soften the blow once he uses genocide. It really has limited usefulness because of how it works and the fact that Gulcasa is a large unit type, but it's better than nothing. Plus, it can equalize the battle if you get unlucky in the initial charge.
• Dragon Eater
  This axe for Milanor is good against dragon-mounted units like Gulcasa.
• Dragon Killer
  Dragon Killer lets you do more damage to dragon-mounted units, which Gulcasa is. Simple enough, right? It should be noted that Dragon Killer gives a huge bonus for morale damage if it's still in effect by the time you beat the battle. You definitely want this if Gulcasa is giving you trouble.
• Durant Class Change
  With Durant's class change, you should no longer be at such a large disadvantage to Gulcasa. At least, Durant wont be.
• Earthquake
  Earthquake halves the enemy's units and it rounds down, so just use Earthquake and Gulcasa should be down to two units. Not as useful as it was in the GBA version, where he would be down to 1, but still worth considering in the PSP version.
• Equipment
  Equipment can raise stats and bestow various effects, so you should not overlook it if you're having problems with Gulcasa (or any other hard battle, for that matter).
• Fortune
  Gulcasa tends to have average luck. If you send in a bunch of high-luck characters (Nietzsche, Rosary) and keep Fortune in effect for as long as you can, you should fare better than if you hadn't used it. But keep in mind that his luck isn't always so low. Check his stats before using Fortune if you don't want to end up making a huge mistake.
• Frozen River
  If you freeze a river in a battle with Gulcasa and lure him onto it, he'll get a negative terrain effect, which is good. Trap him on the ice (it's actually probably not necessary to trap him since the enemy AI likes to start unions as soon as possible) and you'll be getting rid of his morale faster. Which means less "Oh god, kill him before he uses Genocide. Please. KILL HIM QUICK ARGH YOU SUCK <insert character here>" outbursts.
• Item Break
  Removing Gulcasa's weapon is useful. It will put down his stats. Simple. Plus, Item Break gives you a bonus if you win the clash you break the enemy's weapon in.
• Jihad/Crusade
  I really don't see any need to explain how Crusade will help you. Insant win.
• Kiss of Death
  Kiss of Death is, essentially, your Genocide. The good thing: It prevents the enemy from using any skills until Kiss of Death ends, it weakens the enemy, it strengthens you, and you can still use the aggression bar. The bad thing: If you don't end the skirmish within 7.77 seconds your head will die. That is why you should use it with caution. But it's probably one of the most useful things you can use against him. Especially since you can delay Genocide (and any card skill) with it. Really, just try not to use this when you have low REP/NV except as a last ditch effort to stop him from using Genocide when you would probably lose anyway. It's better to die from Kiss of Death than to die from Genocide, generally.
• Lump-users
  They aren't weak to scythes, so they will not have to deal with any weapon disadvantage.
• Mind Change
  Stealing a few of his units and taking them as your own should give you an advantage. But keep in mind that only Durant and Gordon can use Mind Change on Gulcasa.
• Nietzsche on water
  Nietzsche on water is great because of her effects. She's better on water. Just watch out for Gulcasa when he's in Rage, since Nietzsche is weak to fire. If you give her an item that voids fire, she will be fantastic.
• Oblivious Dawn
  Oblivious Dawn is wonderful against Gulcasa. Since it lowers the Rage gauge, you can use it to prevent Genocide altogether.
• Scythe Users
  Of course, scythes aren't weak to scythes. Characters such as Mistel will definitely have an easier time against Gulcasa.
• Shield Barrier
  Use Shield Barrier at the start if possible. You wont take any damage while it's in effect, so all of your units will be safe for when he uses Genocide.
• Status Effects
  Gulcasa is vulnerable to status effects (except for Sleep and Petrify) until battlefield 44. Cursing him with Gravity Chaos or Poisoning him with Poison Breath are your best options and are the most likely to help you win.
• Staff Users
  Staff users do not have any weakness to scythes. Therefore, they'll be a bit more useful against Gulcasa since they wont be quite as weak.
• Steal
  Removing Gulcasa's equipment will usually lower his stats. Plus, if you win in that union skirmish, you'll get a damage bonus from successfully stealing.
• Void Fire
  Rosary always has this effect, and there are some items that give it, as well. It will save you from everything except for Flash Attacks when he's in Rage, because his Rage element is fire.
• Battlefield 32-specific help
  
  » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «
  I don't remember who exactly discovered this, but it's extremely useful during the part where Yggdra is leaving with Joachim. Simply move Gordon one space to the left of the bridge he starts on. You'll notice that Gulcasa will move all of his units into position for a massive union, but will not move forward to attack you. So you can wait this part out safely and be ready to take him on when he loses High status.

Feel free to add to this list and such if you think of anything else.