The Final Battle
If you took the time portal inside Lavos's shell after the Black Omen, you'll wind up back at the End of Time. Gaspar congratulates you on freeing Zeal; the villagers who complained about the Black Omen now just talk about the weather. Depending on which period you destroyed the Black Omen in, you can go back and face it again - but all bosses except Zeal herself are gone, and Lavos's outer shell is already destroyed.
Not much left at this point aside from fighting Lavos. You can still collect Clones and Poyozo Dolls for everyone except Crono (if you didn't save him). Keep in mind: since you went through the Black Omen, beating Lavos activates New Game+. A few special items don't carry over, and neither does money - spend your cash on items you can sell. After defeating Ozzie, Medina offers the best rates compared to resale value.
When you're ready, fly the Epoch into Lavos, take the bucket at the End of Time, or go through another version of the Black Omen. The outer shell disappears if you've beaten it before, but Lavos still has two forms to go.
Boss Refights
This phase happens during all Lavos fights except the Ocean Palace and if you crash the Epoch into Lavos in 1999 A.D. Easy way to skip Phase 1 and the shell: fly the Epoch to 1999 A.D. and crash through. But if you want New Game+, you have to beat the shell at the end of the Black Omen.
During Phase 1, Lavos mimics each major boss you've fought. Extra "bits" imitate their various parts. Each form is as strong as when you originally fought it; the Dragon Tank should only take 1-2 hits per part at your level. You can heal up between each fight. Make sure you have status protection so Chaos doesn't ruin everything.
Lavos (Phase 1)
Lavos mimics nine bosses. The mimics have the same elemental resistances and counters as before.
- Dragon Tank: Left side heals, right side charges, middle fires missiles. Kill the sides first.
- Guardian: Sides counter and modify attacks. Either kill the sides repeatedly, or focus only on the center.
- Heckran: Immune to physical. Magic only - Luminaire, Dark Matter, Fire II work.
- Zombor: Top partially absorbs Lightning; bottom absorbs Shadow. Casts MP Buster on defeat.
- Masamune: Use Crono's Slash to dissipate stored wind energy.
- Nizbel: Hit with Lightning to stun and lower defense.
- Magus: Immune to all magic except the element it casts. Barrier matches the spell it's about to use. Masamune lowers magic defense.
- Azala/Black Tyranno: Destroy the shoulder piece (Azala mimic) first, then the center.
- Giga Gaia: Destroy the hands, then focus on the center.
Having Magus along makes the Magus mimic simpler since he has all elemental magic types. Most fights are easy compared to your current levels. Heal and restore MP when you need it. After all nine mimics, you fight the shell for real.
Lavos Shell
Lavos (Phase 2)
The shell's true form. Toned down from the Ocean Palace fight - less damage, less HP. He opens with Destruction Rains from the Heavens, then continues with Chaotic Zone and Needle Spin.
- Even with the best equipment, he can deal 300-400 damage at a time
- Heal often; remove Chaos status immediately when inflicted
- Use Luminaire, Dark Matter, and Flare for best damage
- Shock works well too if you've raised Robo's magic stat
Inside Lavos's shell there's a save point and a time portal back to the End of Time. You'll exit by the bucket and can return to fight Lavos anytime with the outer shell already defeated. Use a Shelter, save, and prepare your final party. This is the point of no return.
Lavos Second Form
Inner Lavos
Three parts: body and two arms. The humanoid creature that's been feeding on the planet's energy.
- Body's defense is too high at first - attack the arms with your strongest magic
- Kill both arms simultaneously to avoid Curse (removes status immunity)
- Left arm has 4,000 more HP than right; time your damage accordingly
- Body removes defense when it casts Obstacle
- Watch for Shadow Doom Blaze - massive damage to the party
- Status-immune helmets or armor are highly recommended
Body attacks: Laser Beams (~400 physical damage), Crystal Explosion (~100-300 fire), Obstacle (~100-200 lightning + Chaos), Shadow Slay (~50-100 + Poison), Shadow Doom Blaze (~100-400 fire), Evil Emanation (damage boost).
Arm attacks: Right arm heals the body for ~1,500 HP; both arms use Curse to remove status immunity. The last part of the fight spams status moves. Defeat both arms at the same time to prevent Curse from landing.
Lavos Core
A cutscene plays with dialogue to and from your characters. Lavos's final form is a humanoid with two bits surrounding it. This is the most dangerous fight in the game.
Lavos Core
Three parts. The humanoid in the center is a decoy. The true Core is the small bit on the right - but its defense starts maxed. You'll only deal 1 damage until it lowers defenses.
- Kill the Left Bit first - it can remove status immunity and heals the center. It absorbs magic; use physical attacks only. Calculate who can one-shot it (2,000 HP): Crono with Rainbow + Prism Specs, Confuse, Triple Kick.
- When the Left Bit or Center Pod dies, the Right Bit lowers its defense to charge Active Life (revives destroyed parts)
- Attack the Right Bit during this window with your strongest single-target attacks
- When Active Life completes, the Right Bit's defense goes back to max
- Repeat: kill Left Bit → attack Right Bit during revival → repeat until Right Bit dies
Left Bit attacks: Physical attack (~100 damage), Heal (1,000 HP to center), Drain MP (~10 MP), Protective Seal (removes status immunity). If you destroy only the Center Pod, the Left Bit counters every attack.
Center Pod attacks: Punch (~200-999 damage), Crying Heavens (~200-1,600 lightning - White Vest/Mail heals instead!), and Time Warp which changes the background and determines the super attack: Spell (random status, Leene Square), Evil Star (halves HP, Magus's Castle), Dreamless (100-500 magic damage, Lab Ruins), Invading Light (Slow, Mammon Machine), Grand Stone (250-950 physical, Hunting Range).
Right Bit (Core) attacks: Prisma Drain (~100 damage), shuts off defense, Active Life (revives pods), restores defense. If you have Rage Band or Frenzy Band equipped, you can counter the pseudo-attacks when it lowers/restores defense.
Victory and Endings
Once the Right Bit's HP reaches zero, Lavos dies. The time portal around him shatters; you'll see a silhouette of the Left Bit appear for a second as you fade away (suggesting it may have survived). Sit back and enjoy the ending.
The Main Ending plays if you challenge Lavos during this chapter with Crono alive. Several variations exist depending on whether you crashed the Epoch, spared Magus, completed Fiona's quest, and how many cats you have. The theme: Crono and company get honored for saving the past and have a farewell party.
The Reunion Ending plays if you reach this chapter without Crono - possible but unlikely on a first playthrough.
Quick Reference
Phase 1 - Boss Refights:
- Dragon Tank - kill sides first
- Guardian - kill sides or focus center
- Heckran - magic only
- Zombor - top absorbs Lightning, bottom absorbs Shadow
- Masamune - Slash to dissipate energy
- Nizbel - Lightning lowers defense
- Magus - barrier matches spell element, Masamune lowers defense
- Azala/Black Tyranno - kill Azala first
- Giga Gaia - kill hands first
Phase 2 - Shell (10,000 HP): Heal through Chaotic Zone and Needle Spin. Use Luminaire, Dark Matter, Flare.
Second Form (20,000/12,000/8,000 HP): Kill both arms simultaneously to prevent Curse. Then attack body.
Lavos Core (2,000/10,000/30,000 HP): The Core is the RIGHT bit. Kill Left Bit (physical only), attack Right Bit while defense is down, repeat. Center is a decoy.