Defeating Gilgamesh

Hello, and thank you for viewing my guide to killing Gilgamesh, the Master Swordsman!

BEFORE YOU START: DO NOT FORGET TO STEAL FROM GILGAMESH!!! GENJI ARMOR IS WONDERFUL AND THIS IS YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO GET IT!!!

There are some things you'll need: 99 Phoenix Downs, all characters with minimal MP usage, all characters with 3 Quickenings, 2 or 3 Gambits slots, and all keys to the Lhusu Mines. You'll also need the ability to gain MP by recieving and dealing damage. You may want to bring several Elixers or Hi-Ethers. I STRONGLY SUGGEST HAVING ALL PARTY MEMBERS WEARING BUBBLE BELTS!!!

Here are the spells you'll be needing on your 3 main fighters:
Haste, Protect, Arise, Dispel, Esuna or Esunaga, and Curaja

Before entering either battle, use both Haste and Protect on your party members.

Gambits on everybody:
1: Ally: Any- Phoenix Down
2: Foe: Party Leader's Target- Attack
3: Foe: Nearest Visible- Attack

Fight One: Gilgamesh tests you
Once entering, the muscular six-armed warrior will leap onto the bridge and land, quite painfully for sure, on his head. He will stand, say a few lines, and then the battle will begin.

Make sure to cast Dispel on Enkidu as soon as possible. I recommend killing Enkidu right away to get rid of any complications. Once this is finished, focus your attacks on Gilgamesh. Once a character dies, your Gambits will instantly revive him or her, so not too much is required. This fight is simple, just pound on both of them until they die. Gilgamesh will run at the end of the fight, hiding away in the furthest reaches of Lhusu Mines. If you can survive to get there without Libra or healing, you should be able to kill Gilgamesh and Enkidu for the second time.

Gilgamesh: Fight Two- Gilgamesh Fights Again!
This time he's no pushover, and Enkidu is prepared to destroy your forces. Same basic strategy, but chances are you'll run out of Phoenix Downs after killing Enkidu and hurting Gilgamesh a little. This is when you replace the gambit Ally: Any- Phoenix Down with Ally: Any- Arise.

Before entering there is a save crystal. Save and heal, then prepare your party. Haste, Protect, a few deep breaths...

When first entering, you'll notice a difference. Enkidu is using Protect, not Shell. Dispel Enkidu, and lay into him with everything you've got. Let me tell you how strong he is... How many License Points have you gotten from the strongest monster you've killed? Enkidu gives you around 42, and he isn't even the main target! Watch out for Enkidu's Growl spell, it buffs him up(Protect, Shell, Faith, Bravery, and I think Haste) and requires another Dispel. Once Enkidu dies this fight becomes long and boring. Gilgamesh should be hitting around 2.3k per normal attack(See why I suggested Bubble Belts?) and will hit until they die if he performs a combo.

Esuna or Esunaga become absolute musts during this fight, as Gilgamesh loves to render your party useless(Sleep, Disable, Petrify). To avoid this, I suggest having one or two party members have one handed weapons and Crystal Shields to cure your friends. Try not to leave using Arise to one party member, as it will drain their MP quickly. After a while, Gilgamesh will use a new special attack which will hit about 6000-7000 (fun, fun...). Luckily it only hit's about 50-75% of the time and only targets one party member. After a while, a very long, boring while, Gilgamesh should finally die. If he leaves a sword behind, don't get all excited. You don't get to have it.

Closing Cutscene: Gilgamesh... still lives...?
If he left the sword behind, you can examine it.
Sword of Legends: It appears to be an ordinary Sword of Legends...
Once you try to leave, Gilgamesh will peek around, eventually sneaking out and grabbing his sword and dashing off of the screen.

My party stats: Three characters used:
Vaan-48-Claymore, Gigas equipment, Bubble Belt

Fran-48-Runeblade, Black Mask, Gigas chestplate, Bubble Belt, Crystal Shield

Basch-47-Golden Axe, Platinum equipment, Bbble Belt, Crystal Shield (He also stole a Genji Armor during the 2nd fight which he equipped)

Balthier was not used, but he was 26 with Fomalhut and Wyrm Shot

Ashe was not used, but with Volcano and Bombs that sap health

Penelo was not used, but with Euclid's Sextant and Bangle

Well, I hope this guide helped some. Don't give up if you can't do it at first, it took me a few tries until I got it right. Your rewards from this are decent, 4300 Gil and the sword Masamune with 93 attack which frequently combos.(Store buys for for ZERO Gil)

If you have any further questions or comments, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I've completed nearly all of the basic Mark Hunts, so feel free to ask about any of them!
I'm just a guy obsessed with FF12 and Gilgamesh.