Disclaimer: This solo is just for fun and is only made possible by modifying the game's code to freeze the in-game timer (eg. Cheat Engine) as the default 10 minutes only allows you to get him to roughly 50% as seen in this run • Lucilius Zero - Siegfr...
While this is not a legitimate clear due to the timer modification, all that matters to me is the thrill of the challenge itself! As someone who has been running solo without AI Lucilius since Version 1.1, the 10 minute timer on Zero really makes it clear that Cygames doesn't care about supporting this playstyle as no character can even get remotely close to clearing in 10 minutes solo without AI. Rather than letting Cygames' timer get in my way, I took matters into my own hands to see this solo to the end! If Version 1.3 really is the final major content update for Relink, I wouldn't be satisfied without at least giving this challenge my best shot. I had to experiment with many different skill and sigil setups, and after figuring out exactly how his new mechanics work (particularly his buffs), I finally cracked the code and cleared the seemingly impossible DPS check!
What makes the DPS check possible to clear is Lucilius' ability to gain either DEF/Regen or ATK/Supp DMG depending on what buffs/debuffs (if any) were cleansed which typically happens after Paradise Lost ends with the laser sweep. For this reason, I take Mirage for an on-demand DEF buff not for survivability but to force Lucilius to heal himself! For example, see 23:14 where after Paradise Lost, he'll do the laser sweep, cleanse buffs/debuffs and then buff himself. If I have Mirage's DEF buff active before this, I can guarantee that Lucilius will gain DEF/Regen. You may be asking yourself, "Doesn't that just prolong the fight for no reason?" Well, without this healing from Regen, it's impossible to break him out of Overdrive before he begins the DPS check! Casting my DEF buff after Paradise Lost three times during his last Overdrive effectively extends his health bar enough to break Overdrive prior to him getting to 10% HP. Breaking him before he hits 10% HP is the key to clearing as Overdrive grants him true 30% DMG reduction after using Absolute Nothing - Final Rebellion which makes the DPS check nigh impossible for any character to overcome alone. During the run I also need to make sure that I deal almost all of my damage when either A. Overdrive is active or B. The Mode meter needs to be filled to activate Overdrive, otherwise I would have to do a 4th round of Regen buff which is a big time loss. This strategy makes the fight last several minutes longer but it is necessary for clearing solo without AI!
I had another idea about skill choices: if Verdrangen's DEF debuff also causes Lucilius to buff himself with DEF/Regen, then Mirage may not be necessary after all and you could slot in the counter skill instead!
I chose to run Enmity instead of Stamina as the mini-labors have a very short timer and require near perfection (and some luck) to clear alone. This is why I initially wait around for the 3 swords labors to time out so I can get the max HP debuff which will boost Enmity to its maximum ATK boost at 1 HP. Dragonslayer's Warpath and Tyranny make most things in this quest one-shot me anyways so Enmity hardly has a drawback. Combo Booster is there to help me hit damage caps when Enmity isn't quite maxed out early in the fight and to help overcome his DMG Cut and DEF buffs in the DPS check. Full Stun Power is a must to build link gauge, interrupt some of his more dangerous combos, and to hit Link Time at the end faster. Autorevive/Guts/Potion Hoarder are able to cover enough mistakes for me to get to the finish line, but it's important to save at least one revive potion and avoid having Autorevive during the DPS check as you will waste a lot of time getting up if you go down during it!
I'm really glad that this was possible to accomplish with the timer removed! I think I've finally done everything I wanted to in Relink. I absolutely love this game's combat and I hope that Cygames can expand upon what they've made here whether it's an update, DLC, or a new game. Thanks for being along for the ride!
Timestamps:
00:00 Video Starts
02:08 Labors Begin
05:55 Labors End
08:42 Absolute Nothing - Final Rebellion I
10:31 Nemesis I
12:36 Dark Gospel I
16:44 Wings of Sin I
19:02 Nemesis II
20:08 Final Rebellion II
21:51 Gopherwood Ark
23:56 Dark Gospel II
27:53 Wings of Sin II
32:06 Dark Gospel III
33:09 Nemesis III & The End (DPS Check)
35:34 Build
Music, in order:
Armored Core 5 VD - Mechanized Memories
Armored Core 6 (Disc 3) - Contact With You (extended)
Armored Core 4 - Thinker (altering edition)
Armored Core 5 VD - Day After Day
Armored Core 6 (Disc 3) - Stain (final version)
Armored Core 6 - Steel Haze (Rusted Pride)
Armored Core 6 (Disc 3) - Takes Me Anywhere
Armored Core 6 - Stargazer
Armored Core 4A - Someone is Always Moving on the Surface
Armored Core Last Raven - The Game