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A Paper Mario Challenge Runner’s review of Bug Fables’ combat

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SPOILER WARNING: This review contains spoilers! Don’t read further if you haven’t played the game! I just had a great idea: go play it right now, then come back and read this! Seriously, go play it.

As one of the best in the Paper Mario challenge running business, I’d had my eye on Bug Fables for a while. Once people from my community really started getting into it and recommending I stream it, I decided to take the plunge and wound up playing a very impressive spiritual successor to the first two entries in the Paper Mario series. I liked the story and the characters; honestly, I thought they were better then any Paper Mario game. The music is good, the art is fine, the side quests are great — bottom line: If you’re a fan of Paper Mario, you’re doing yourself a disservice NOT playing this game.

But that’s not what this review is about. This is a review of the game’s combat in regards to challenge running potential and high-level game play. I highly suggest you go play the game first before you read this (or at least have some idea of the medals) because some of these strategies will likely spoil you.

As a disclaimer: when I first started the game, my entire chat told me “Hey, equip the Hard Mode medal, it’s the way the developers intended you to play the game”. If that’s how they wanted it to be played, then I had no choice to oblige. This review is about combat with that medal equipped at all times.

Let’s go over the combat basics. Like Paper Mario and TTYD, you’ve got HP, TP for special attacks (FP), and MP for medals (BP). You fight with Kabbu (a beetle), Vi (a bee), and Leif (a moth). Each one has their own unique basic attacks (Kabbu pierces DEF, Vi can hit flying enemies, and Leif can hit underground enemies) and special skills that use TP and you can equip medals that affect either the entire party of just one character. You can swap the positions of characters at any time (even when a character is knocked out!) as long as all active members haven’t used their turn. However, you only have three set formations: [Vi/Leif/Kabbu], [Kabbu/Vi/Leif], and [Leif/Kabbu/Vi]. Why is this important? Because the character in front gets a natural +1 to their attack power and is targeted more often. 

There are lots of cool medals (badges) you can use!

You can also relay your turn so another character can attack twice, but at a cost of -1 attack power per extra attack a character does. This is an amazing new feature. Got 3 flying enemies? Relay with Kabbu and Leif to Vi and take them all down in one turn. Have a character use a skill, then relay to them to use it again…or use a different skill. It’s pretty sweet.

Relaying a turn to another party member is an essential tool in your arsenal of abilities

Okay, that’s it for the basics. In short… the combat is great. I love the turn relay system combined with the already solid Paper Mario foundation; it all gels together really well with how you approach normal fights and bosses. Being able to relay turns when needed to better utilize a character’s strengths and position them accordingly to better use your medals was very satisfying. I loved being able to figure out strategies and bosses completely blind with only my previous experience to guide me. That was very fun, and I think anyone will feel rewarded once they figure out some dope strategies.
 
Balance wasn’t really a problem as far as normal fights are concerned. I always felt like if something wasn’t working, I could find a way to make it better or had other options to choose from. The bosses and superbosses all had cool moves and one or two unique things about them for the most part. But that’s where the cool stuff ends and my issues with boss AI begin. Maybe this is a “Hard Mode” thing, but a lot of bosses had this pattern: Do things -> start buffing/attacking twice forever/summon minions after x HP is lost. Maybe sometimes they’d use a new move in conjunction with the above, but for the most part many bosses just started attacking more and buffing themselves. Now, of course, not all bosses were like this, but I would say it was enough to be over saturated.

What this lends itself to is the same strategies working all of the time. Tank Do Nothing Kabbu combined with Danger/Poison Vi is ridiculously strong and can wipe almost any boss pretty quickly if you’ve got enough TP-restoring items or both TP Cores equipped. Near the end of my playthrough, I found myself using those strategies to basically obliterate bosses. I was in real danger of a game over maybe a couple times near the end, but honestly, it didn’t feel like it. I felt like I had a pretty easy time because nothing could really stop the aforementioned strategy. This is a pretty big contrast to early and mid game, where bosses felt much more dangerous and I definitely felt in danger of a game over most of the time.

The second issue I had with bosses is that their AI is completely random (for the most part). Now, obviously, bosses have some triggers that are static and you know will come. The problem is that everything else is random, so while you can cook up cool strategies, you can’t fine-tune them like you can in Paper Mario and TTYD. This dampened the experience for me because there are only a few ways to get to an optimal state. I’m totally fine with random boss AI in most other games, but in a game where damage can be so finely tuned, I think having truly random boss AI like this actually takes away from it instead.
  
In Bug Fables, getting into Danger or being Poisoned is where it’s at for damage and defense for your primary attacker. There are a few items that will put you down at 1 HP, but other than that and Weak Stomach, you have to basically wait until a boss deals enough damage (and if you aren’t Kabbu using Taunt, you need to be targeted in the first place). This is how late-game boss battles looked like for me:

1) Attack until bosses put Vi into Danger -> Spam Tornado Toss (you could sub another move here — didn’t really matter)
2) If Vi dies, use Pep Up; otherwise, Do Nothing on Kabbu to restore HP/keep DEF up
3) If Leif is alive, buff Vi or rally to Vi always. Rarely, use Cleanse on beefed up boss

Exhibit A of the aforementioned strategy

This cycle basically destroyed every boss in EX Boss Rush mode without me healing between rounds or using items. I put Miracle Matter on Leif just to make bosses go faster by letting Vi attack more. I would always keep Vi in front because I didn’t care if she died. She took 1-3 damage most of the time thanks to Last Stand x2 and I’d deal 30-50 in one turn if I also gave Kabbu’s turn to Vi. You could supplement other things around this, but the core is the same.

There are definitely other cool strategies I haven’t explored that utilize Sleep or something or using Berserk or what-have-you (I used a really dope Taunt Kabbu HP Regen setup on the Mini-Boss Rush and it was pretty effective and fun), but the core of my problem is… there’s not a lot of cool ways to get to the state you want to be at to activate Medals you have. You’re either using Big Mistake/something to active Weak Stomach or the status you want to inflict on yourself, or you’re waiting for bosses to just deal enough damage to put you in that range. If they die, just use Kabbu’s Pep Up which puts them in perfect Danger (and waiting for a character to die just so Kabbu can do that is RNG and…yeah). It’s very samey, and because bosses are basically random you can’t manipulate cool positioning or damage you deal to direct them as the battle goes on and you’re just waiting sometimes for things to start happening while not even feeling threatened. The only way to really do that is through Kabbu’s Taunt, but sometimes they could roll to use AoE moves and ruin that anyway. You could be waiting 2-4 extra turns just to get your strategy rolling unless you use one of the few ways to force it to start.

This is a stark contrast to TTYD, where you can do some pretty wild stuff to get into Danger/Peril while also taking/dealing the exact damage you need to and using the exact amount of FP you have to emerge victorious. Point Swap + Double Dip, using a move + Point Swap, KO’ing a partner with Point Swap to force attacks onto Mario, Trial Stew, Poison Shroom, manipulating specific phases that give you extra turns to setup, taking damage on purpose while Charging, using clever DEF to go from full HP -> Danger -> Peril… there are a LOT of ways to craft a cool or interesting strategy or one that just gets into Peril, and that to me is more interesting than what I did for most of Bug Fables’ end game.

With all of this said, I still found the entire end game experience very fun, but most of the cool stuff that bosses have gets shut down by the same things by then and it’s just a waiting game to get there instead of a cool mapped out strategy you can implement with 100% or near-100% certainty, which was a little disappointing. To add onto this, most of the secret codes to impose extra challenges are only slightly different and probably don’t change this cycle (except maybe for MYSTERY which randomizes all Medals). 

So what does that mean for challenge running this game? In my opinion, I think the game still has a lot of challenge running potential. The secret codes on their own aside as challenges, you can use them to do some other cool things like Level Zero, maybe a “Character Alone” run? You can try and use no Danger/Poison or ban Miracle Matter. You could “lock” your formation and see how to play around that. Some won’t change too much, but the fact I can name all of these right now and feel like I’m only scratching the surface means there’s a lot of potential for this game and that’s really exciting! There are quite a few people in my community and I’m sure the Bug Fables’ community that have been challenge running this game for a while, so there’s definitely interest and the game having built-in modifiers only helps. I’ll definitely be doing quite a bit of challenge running for this game myself because combat is super fun to play despite the few issues I had with it during my first play through. Who knows… maybe my opinion will change once I really sink my teeth into some challenge runs!

Just Sayin’

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A Master’s Strategy Guide (Master Quest pre-final release strategies)

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A few months ago, a difficulty mod for Paper Mario 64 came out titled “Paper Mario Master Quest”. This mod is made for the best of the best players (basically, elite-level challenge runners and higher). As a way to see how I approach strategizing and show off the mod, I streamed my entire playthrough live, including parts where I strategized. As I progressed, I posted other strategies I found for bosses and mini-bosses along with refined versions of the ones I used on stream. I’ve decided to keep them all here for a general reference on strategizing in Master Quest. These strategies, for the most part, will be obsolete in the final version of Master Quest. However, I do hope you find these useful if you’re looking for some inspiration if you’re stuck on a boss in Master Quest.

I do not have every boss and mini-boss. Many of them I did not need to perform turn-by-turn strategies. However, for the ones I do show, there will also be a video link so you can see some of the strategies in action. Not all of the fights have videos — some of them I created after beating them. If you’re interested in seeing more, I highly encourage you to check out my play through of the mod, which is all up on YouTube.

This will be a long post, so use these quick search terms to find a particular boss or mini-boss.

[KB] — Koopa Bros.
[BZ] — Buzzar
[TK] — Tutankoopa
[TB] — Tubba Blubba
[AG] – Anti Guy
[BLG] — Big Lantern Ghost
[GG] — General Guy
[RR] — Raphael the Raven
[LP] — Lava Piranha
[LL] — Lakilulu
[HP] — Huff N. Puff
[M1] — Master 1st Form
[LEE] — Lee

***
[KB] — KOOPA BROS.
[Classic Double Dip Variation]
STATS
10 HP, 20 FP
Badges: Power Jump, Double Dip (3 BP, 6 with FP Plus)
Items: POW Block, Fire Flower, Thunder Bolt*One of Dennis Hopper’s attacks needs to be guarded.

T1: Power Jump, Bomb [Hopper: 8, Mario: 6, FP used: 5]
T2: Power Jump, Body Slam [Hopper: 4, Mario: 1/2, FP used: 7]
T3: Bomb [Hopper destroyed], Thunder Bolt [Tower knocked down, Mario: 1/2, FP used: 10]
T4: Swap to Kooper, Power Shell [G: 6, Y: 5, B: 6, R: 5, FP used: 12]
T5: Shell Toss, Double Dip (POW Block, Fire Flower) [All KO’d except Black]
T6: Hammer [Black KO’d]

[Mushrooms Galore]
STATS
10 HP, 10 FP
Badges: Power Jump (1 BP, 4 with FP Plus)
Items: POW Block, Fire Flower, Thunder Bolt, Mushroom x2

*One of Dennis Hopper’s attacks needs to be guarded.

T1: Power Jump, Bomb [Hopper: 8, Mario: 6, FP used: 5]
T2: Hammer, Body Slam [Hopper: 6, Mario: 1/2, FP used: 5]
T3: Mushroom, Body Slam [Hopper: 5, Mario: 1/2, FP used: 5]
T4: Mushroom, Body Slam [Hopper: 4, Mario: 1/2, FP used: 5]
T5: Bomb [Hopper destroyed], Thunder Bolt [Tower knocked down, Mario: 1/2, FP used: 8]
T6: Fire Flower, Swap to Kooper [G: 5, Y: 4, B: 4, R: 4, FP used: 8]
T7: POW Block, Power Shell [All KO’d except Green/Black, FP used: 10]
T8: Hammer [Green KO’d], Shell Toss [Black KO’d]
***

***
[BZ] — BUZZAR
[Pro Mode Dizzy Dial Variation] —— Click here to see this strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 20 FP
BADGES: Power Jump, Double Dip, Damage Dodge (6 BP, 9 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Dizzy Dial x2, Fried Shroom x2, Cake, Fire Flower

T1: Power Jump, Shell Shot (B: 46, M: 9, FP: 14)
T2: Buzzar uses Grapple Drop (M: 5/9)
T3: Double Dip (Fried Shroom, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 38, M: 4, FP: 10)
T4: Refresh, Shell Shot (B: 33, M: 6/10, FP: 13)
T5: Power Jump, Shell Shot (B: 24, M: 2/6, FP: 7)
T6: Double Dip (Fried Shroom, Cake), Shell Shot (B: 19, M: 2/4/8/10, FP: 16)
T7: Double Dip (Dizzy Dial x2), Shell Shot (B: 14, M: 2/4/8/10, FP: 8)
T8: Power Jump, Shell Shot (B: 5, M: 2/4/8/10, FP: 2)
T9: Power Jump (miss AC), Sky Dive [KO]

[Double Dip Stall]
STATS
10 HP, 30 FP
BADGES: Power Jump, Double Dip, Damage Dodge (6 BP, 9 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Spicy Soup x2, Fire Flower x7, Fried Shroom x1

*Grapple Drop needs to be dodged T4 or T6

T1: Double Dip (Fire Flower x2), Shell Shot (B: 44, M: 9, FP: 22)
T2: Buzzar uses Grapple Drop (M: 5/9)
T3: Double Dip (Spicy Soup, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 36, M: 3/4: FP: 20)
T4: Double Dip (Spicy Soup, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 28, M: 1/2/7/8, FP: 18)

IF GRAPPLE DROP MISS
T5: Double Dip (Fire Flower x2), Shell Shot (B: 17, M: 3/4, FP: 10)
T6: Double Dip (Fried Shroom, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 9, M: 1/2/7/8, FP: 6)
T7: Power Jump, Shell Shot [KO]

T5: Double Dip (Fried Shroom, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 20, M: 3/4, FP: 14)
T6: Double Dip (Fire Flower x2), Shell Shot (B: 9, M: 3/4, FP: 6)
T7: Power Jump, Shell Shot [KO]

[Gamblers Double Dip?!]
STATS
10 HP, 25 FP
BADGES: Gambler’s Jump, Double Dip, Damage Dodge, Power Jump (7 BP, 10 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Spicy Soup x2, Fire Flower x4, Fried Shroom x2

*Gambler’s Jump must deal 5+5

T1: Gambler’s Jump, Shell Shot (B: 40, M: 9, FP: 18)
T2: Buzzar uses Grapple Drop (M: 5/9)
T3: Double Dip (Fried Shroom, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 32, M: 4, FP: 14)
T4: Double Dip (Spicy Soup, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 24, M: 2/8, FP: 12)
T5: Double Dip (Spicy Soup, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 16, M: 2/6, FP: 10)
T6: Double Dip (Fried Shroom, Fire Flower), Shell Shot (B: 8, M: 2/4/10, FP: 6)
T7: Power Jump (miss AC), Shell Shot [KO]
***

***
[TK] — TUTANKOOPA
[Dizzy Chomp] —— Click here to see this strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 20 FP
BADGES: Smash Charge, Quake Hammer, Double Dip, Hammer Throw (6 BP, 9 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Dizzy Dial, Dusty Hammer x2, Cake

*Chomp needs to be inflicted with Dizzy T2

T1: Smash Charge, Shell Shot (T: 40, C: 7, M: 10, FP: 15) +2
T2: Double Dip (Dizzy Dial, Dusty Hammer Chomp), Shell Shot (T: 35, C: 4, M:  9, FP: 7)
T3: Quake Hammer, Shell Shot (T: 26, M: 9, FP: 0) [Chomp KO’d]
T4: Cake, Shell Shot (T: 21, M: 8, FP: 11)
T5: Smash Charge, Sky Dive (T: 19, C: 7, M: 8, FP: 10) +2
T6: Quake Hammer, Sky Dive (T: 13, C: 3, M: 2, FP: 7)
T7: Dusty Hammer Chomp, Shell Shot (T: 6, M: 2, FP: 3) [Chomp KO’d]
T8: Hammer Throw, Sky Dive [KO]

[Double Dipped Offense]
STATS
10 HP, 20 FP
BADGES: Double Dip, Flower Saver (7 BP, 10 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Dusty Hammer x5, POW Block x3

T1: Double Dip (Dusty Hammer x2), Shell Shot (T: 34, C: 7, M: 10, FP: 14)
T2: Double Dip (Dusty Hammer Chomp, POW Block), Shell Shot (T: 27, C: 2, M: 4, FP: 8)
T3: Double Dip (POW Block, Dusty Hammer), Shell Shot (T: 17, M: 4, FP: 2) [Chomp KO’d]
T4: Refresh, Sky Dive (T: 15, M: 10, FP: 9)
T5: Double Dip (Dusty Hammer, POW Block), Shell Shot (T: 5, C: 7, M: 10, FP: 3)
T6: Shell Shot [Tutankoopa KO’d, KO’ing Chomp]
***

***
[TB] — TUBBA BLUBBA
[Charge Attack -> Peril] HEART —— Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 20 FP
BADGES: Double Dip, Mega Rush, Power Jump, Flower Saver (9 BP, 15 with 2 FP Plus)
ITEMS: Shooting Star, Repel Gel, Thunderbolt, Snowman Doll x2

*Tubba Blubba’s Heart must be Shrunk T4

T1: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Repel Gel), Power Bomb (T: 34, Both RC: 8, M: 10, FP: 10)
T2: Swap to Bow, Outta Sight (T: 34, Both RC: 8, M: 10, FP: 7)
T3: Double Dip (Snowman Doll x2) (T: 26, M: 10, FP: 4) [Both Red Clubbas KO’d]
T4: Thunder Bolt, Smack (T: 20, M: 1, FP: 4) Don’t Guard Charge Attack
T5: Power Jump, Smack [T: 5; Heart Flees]

BODY
STATS
10 HP, 20 FP
BADGES: Mega Rush, Power Rush, Power Jump, Double Dip, Hammer Throw (6 BP, 12 with 2 FP Plus)
ITEMS: Thunderbolt x2, Snowman Doll x2, Mushroom

T1: Double Dip (Thunderbolt, Snowman Doll), Smack (T: 30, M: 6/7, FP: 16) T+1
T2: Double Dip (Thunderbolt, Snowman Doll), Smack (T: 20, M: 1/2/3/4, FP: 12) T+2 Don’t Guard if Body Slam
T3: Mushroom, Smack (T: 15, M: 1/2/3/4/5, FP: 12) Don’t Guard if Body Slam if at 7 HP after Mushroom

IF 1 HP
T4: Power Jump, Smack [KO]

IF IN DANGER
T4: Hammer Throw, Outta Sight (T: 8, M: 2/3/4/5, FP: 5)
T5: Power Jump [KO]

[Red Clubba -> Peril] HEART
STATS
15 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: Double Dip, Mega Rush, Multibounce, Power Jump (5 BP, 14 with 2 FP Plus and HP Plus)
ITEMS: Snowman Doll x2

T1: Double Dip (Snowman Doll x2), Smack (T: 27, Both RC: 12, M: 1, FP: 11) Guard last 3 attacks of multi-attack and/or normal attack from both Red Clubbas
T2: Multibounce, Outta Sight (T: 21, Both RC: 6, M: 1, FP: 5)
T3: Multibounce (T: 15, M: 1, FP: 3) [Both Red Clubbas KO’d]
T4: Power Jump [T: 5; Heart Flees]

BODY
STATS
15 HP, 10 FP
BADGES: Power Jump, Double Dip, Damage Dodge (7 BP, 13 with FP Plus and HP Plus)
ITEMS: Thunderbolt x2, Snowman Doll x3

T1: Double Dip (Thunderbolt, Snowman Doll), Smack (T: 30, M: 12/13, FP: 6) T+1
T2: Power Jump, Smack (T: 19, M: 9/10/11, FP: 4) T+2
T3: Double Dip (Thunderbolt, Snowman Doll), Smack (T: 9, M: 5/6/7/8, FP: 0) T+3
T4: Snowman Doll, Smack [KO]

[Kappy’s Precarious Situation] BODY
STATS
1/10 HP, 25/30 FP, 18 BP
BADGES: Power Jump, Damage Dodge, FP Plus x2, Mega Rush, Power Rush, Power Jump, Double Dip (15 BP)
ITEMS: Snowman Doll x2, Thunder Rage, Cake

*Mario cannot be shrunk T2
**Tubba Blubba must use Body Slam T3

T1: Refresh, Outta Sight (T: 40, M: 8, FP: 30) T+1
T2: Double Dip (Thunder Rage, Snowman Doll) (T: 35, M: 5, FP: 26) T+2 Don’t guard if Hand Slam
T3: Hammer, Smack (T: 24, M: 1, FP: 26) T+3
T4: Jump, Outta Sight (T: 12, M: 1, FP: 22) T+4
T5: Jump [KO]
***

***
[AG] — ANTI GUY
[Bombette First Strike] — Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: Power Jump, Mega Rush, Flower Saver, Zap Tap, Quick Change (14 BP, 20 with two FP Plus)
ITEMS: Mushroom

*Anti Guy needs to be Shrunk T1 or T2

T0: First Strike with Bombette (AG: 44, M: 10, FP: 15)
T1: Power Bomb, Power Jump (AG: 31, M: 3, FP: 7)
T2: Mushroom, Bomb (AG: 24, M: 1, FP: 5)
T3: Jump, Outta Sight (AG: 12, M: 1, FP: 2)
T4: Jump [KO]

[Hammer First Strike]
STATS
15 HP, 10 FP
BADGES: Mega Rush, Damage Dodge, Zap Tap, Power Jump, Flower Saver, Hammer Throw (15 BP, 18 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Hot Shroom

T0: Hammer First Strike (AG: 46, M: 15, FP: 10)
T1: Power Jump, Smack (AG: 34, M: 1: FP: 9)
T2: Jump, Outta Sight (AG: 22, M: 1, FP: 6)
T3: Hot Shroom (AG: 21, M: 1, FP: 6)
T4: Jump, Outta Sight (AG: 9, M: 1, FP: 3)
T5: Hammer Throw [KO]
***

***
[BLG] — BIG LANTERN GHOST
[Mushrooms Are Good] —— Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: Defend Plus, Damage Dodge, Double Dip, Flower Saver, Quick Change, Mega Rush, Jump Charge, Power Jump (20 BP, 26 with two FP Plus)
ITEMS: Egg Missile x4, Mushroom

T1: Headbonk, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (BLG: 34, M: 10, FP: 12)
T2: Jump, Headbonk (miss AC) (BLG: 32, M: 8, FP: 12) [Goombario out for 2 turns]
T3: Jump Charge (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 11) +2
T4: Jump Charge (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 10) +4 [Goombario can move]
T5: Jump Charge, Outta Sight (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 6) +6
T6: Mushroom (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 46 +6
T7: Headbonk, Power Jump (BLG: 16, M: 1, FP: 5)
T8: Headbonk, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) [KO]

[Spicy Spicy Soup]
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: Damage Dodge, Double Dip, Quick Change, Mega Rush, Jump Charge, Power Jump (11 BP, 17 with two FP Plus)
ITEMS: Egg Missile x4, Dried Shroom, Spicy Soup

T1: Headbonk, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (BLG: 34, M: 10, FP: 11)
T2: Jump, Headbonk (miss AC) (BLG: 32, M: 7, FP: 11) [Goombario out for 2 turns]
T3: Jump Charge (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 10) +2
T4: Jump Charge (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 9) +4 [Goombario can move]
T5: Jump Charge, Outta Sight (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 4) +6
T6: Double Dip (Dried Shroom, Spicy Soup) (BLG: 32, M: 1, FP: 6) +6
T7: Headbonk, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (BLG: 16, M: 1, FP: 2) +6
T8: Headbonk, Power Jump [KO]

[Double Attacked Peril]
STATS
15 HP, 10 FP
BADGES: Damage Dodge, Double Dip, Flower Saver, Mega Rush, Power Jump (12 BP, 18 with FP Plus and HP Plus)
ITEMS: Egg Missile x5, Dried Shroom

T1: Headbonk, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (BLG: 34, M: 15, FP: 7)
T2: Headbonk, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (BLG: 18, M: 9, FP: 4) [Goombario out for 2 turns]
T3: Double Dip (Dried Shroom, Egg Missile) (BLG: 10, M: 1, FP: 1)
T4: Power Jump [KO]
***

***
[GG] — GENERAL GUY —— This is a really complicated strategy and can be hard to follow; this link has it in (hopefully) better formatting: https://pastebin.com/E6Pw5Wim
[Shy Stack Peril]
STATS
10 HP, 25 FP
BADGES: Multibounce, Mega Rush, Flower Saver, Double Dip, Hammer Charge, Quake Hammer, Quick Change, Damage Dodge, Power Smash (22 BP, 28 w/two FP Plus)
ITEMS: Koopasta, Egg Missile x7, Shooting Star x2

T1: Hammer Charge, Smack (SGS: 10, M: 1, FP: 24) +2 *Guard one of the Shy Squad’s attacks
T2: Turbo Charge, Jump [SGS KO] (M: 1, FP: 20)
T3: Quake Hammer [SG KO] (M: 1, FP: 18)
T4: Multibounce, Outta Sight (SS: 6, M: 1, FP: 14)
T5: Multibounce [SS KO] (M: 1, FP: 13)
T6: Double Dip (Egg Missile, Koopasta), Electro Dash (GG: 49, M: 6, FP: 22) Guard only if Bulb

IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED
T7: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash [Pyro KO’d] (GG: 38, M: 2, FP: 19) Guard only if Bulb

    IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T8: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 38, M: 5, FP: 22) Guard only if Bulb

IF 2ND PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T9: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 22, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 22, M: 2, FP: 16) Guard only if Bulb
T11: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Outta Sight (GG: 6, M: 2, FP: 10)
T12: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T9: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile), Outta Sight (GG: 24, M: 5, FP: 16)
T10: {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile) [Pyro + Spy KO]  (GG: 10, M: 1, FP: 13) Guard only if Bulb

IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T11: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T11: Air Lift, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) [All KO]

    IF NO SUMMON

T11: Egg Missile, Electro Dash [KO]

IF NO SUMMON

T9: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 22, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb

IF 2ND PYRO GUY SUMMONED OR NO SUMMON

T10: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 22, M: 2, FP: 16) Guard only if Bulb
T11: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Outta Sight (GG: 6, M: 2, FP: 10)
T12: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile), Outta Sight (GG: 10, M: 1, FP: 9)
T11: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile) [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T7: Air Lift, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 33, M: 2, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T8: Air Lift, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 33, M: 5, FP: 18) Guard only if Bulb

  IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T9: Air Lift, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 17, M: 1, FP: 11) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Egg Missile, Outta Sight (GG: 9, M: 1: FP: 8)
T11: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

  IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T9: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash (GG: 22, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Outta Sight (GG: 6, M: 1, FP: 9)
T11: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

  IF NO SUMMON

T9: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) Electro Dash (GG: 14, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Egg Missile, Shooting Star), Outta Sight [GG KO]
T11: Power Smash [KO]

    IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T8: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 33, M: 5, FP: 18) Guard only if Bulb

IF 2ND PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T9: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 17, M: 1, FP: 11) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 17, M: 2, FP: 12) Guard only if Bulb
T11: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash [miss AC] [GG KO] (M: 2, FP: 9)
T12: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T9: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile), Outta Sight (GG: 19, M: 5, FP: 12)
T10: {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile) [Pyro + Spy KO]  (GG: 5, M: 1, FP: 9) Guard only if Bulb

  IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T11: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T11: Air Lift, Egg Missile [All KO]

IF NO SUMMON

T11: Egg Missile [KO]

  IF NO SUMMON

T9: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 17, M: 1, FP: 11) Guard only if Bulb

IF 2ND PYRO GUY SUMMONED OR NO SUMMON

T10: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 17, M: 2, FP: 12) Guard only if Bulb
T11: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash [miss AC] [GG KO] (M: 2, FP: 9)
T12: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

     IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile), Outta Sight (GG: 3, M: 1, FP: 9)
T11: Shooting Star [All KO]

  IF NO SUMMON

T8: Refresh, Electro Dash (GG: 30, M: 5, FP: 22) Guard only if Bulb

IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T9: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 14, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2), Electro Dash [All KO]

    IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T9: Air Lift, {swap to Watt} Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 14, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2), Electro Dash [All KO]

  IF NO SUMMON

T9: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash (GG: 11, M: 1, FP: 19) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

IF NO SUMMON

T7: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash (GG: 30, M: 2, FP: 19) Guard only if Bulb

  IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T8: Dizzy Shell, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 30, M: 5, FP: 22) Guard only if Bulb

  IF 2ND PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T9: Dizzy Shell, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 14, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2), Electro Dash [All KO]

  IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T9: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile), Outta Sight (GG: 16, M: 5, FP: 9)
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Egg Missile) [Pyro + Spy KO] (GG: 2, M: 1, FP: 6) Guard only if Bulb

  IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T11: Egg Missile, Electro Dash [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T11: Air Lift, Egg Missile [All KO]

IF NO SUMMON

T11: Electro Dash [KO]

    IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T8: Air Lift, {swap to Watt} Refresh (GG: 30, M: 5, FP: 22) Guard only if Bulb

IF PYRO GUY SUMMONED

T9: Dizzy Shell, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 14, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2), Electro Dash [All KO]

IF SPY GUY SUMMONED

T9: Air Lift, Double Dip (Egg Missile x2) (GG: 14, M: 1, FP: 15) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2), Electro Dash [All KO]

IF NO SUMMON

T9: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Electro Dash (GG: 11, M: 1, FP: 19) Guard only if Bulb
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]

IF NO SUMMON

T8: Refresh, Electro Dash (GG: 27, M: 5, FP: 25) Guard only if Bulb
T9: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Outta Sight (GG: 11, M: 5, FP: 19)
T10: Double Dip (Shooting Star x2) [All KO]
***

***
[RR] — RAPHAEL THE RAVEN
[Hustle Drink -> Power Bounce]
STATS
10 HP, 25 FP
BADGES: Power Bounce, All or Nothing, Dodge Master, Mega Rush, Flower Fanatic, Quick Change, Double Dip, Power Jump (24 BP, 30 w/two FP Plus)
ITEMS: Egg Missile x2, Hustle Drink, Repel Gel

Raphael must use Double Stomp T1

T1: Double Dip (Egg Missile, Hustle Drink), Water Block (R: 72, M: 1, FP: 20) *Guard one of the stomps
T2: Power Bounce x2 (both 3-cap), Outta Sight (R: 36, M: 1, FP: 10)
T3: Double Dip (Egg Missile, Repel Gel) (R: 28, M: 1, FP: 8)
T4: Power Bounce, Outta Sight (R: 10, M: 1, FP: 2)
T5: Power Jump [KO]

[Repel Gel -> Outta Sight Loop]
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: All or Nothing, Mega Rush, Flower Fanatic, Defend Plus, Quick Change, Double Dip (23 BP, 29 w/two FP Plus)
ITEMS: Egg Missile x4, Repel Gel x2

Raphael must use Double Stomp T1

T1: Double Dip (Egg Missile x2), Shell Shot (R: 58, M: 1, FP: 11) *Guard one of the stomps
T2: Jump, Outta Sight (R: 44, M: 1, FP: 9)
T3: Double Dip (Egg Missile, Repel Gel) (R: 36, M: 1, FP: 7)
T4: Jump, Outta Sight (R: 22, M: 1, FP: 5)
T5: Double Dip (Egg Missile, Repel Gel) (R: 14, M: 1, FP: 3)
T6: Jump [KO]
***

***
[LP] — LAVA PIRANHA
[Hustle Drink -> Power Bounce] —— Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: All or Nothing, Ice Power, Quake Hammer, Fire Shield, Mega Rush, Double Dip, Flower Saver, Power Bounce, Quick Change (26 BP, 29 with FP Plus)
ITEMS: Hustle Drink, Super Shroom, Shroom Cake x2, Snowman Doll x2, Shooting Star

T1: Chill Out, Water Block (LP: 50, B1: 14, B2: 14, M: 4, FP: 11)
T2: Double Dip (Super Shroom, Snowman Doll), Electro Dash (LP: 43, B1: 10, B2: 10, M: 4, FP: 8)
T3: Double Dip (Shooting Star, Snowman Doll) [Both Buds KO], Electro Dash (LP: 30, M: 1, FP: 5) *Don’t guard
T4: Jump, Outta Sight (LP: 16, M: 1, FP: 2)
T5: Shroom Cake (LP: 16, M: 2, FP: 12) *Don’t guard
T6: Turbo Charge, Refresh (LP: 16, M: 1, FP: 15) *Don’t guard
T7: Water Block, Jump [Phase 1 End] (FP: 11)

— PHASE 2 —

T8: Double Dip (Shroom Cake, Hustle Drink), Tidal Wave (7 buttons) (LP: 45, B1: 7, B2: 7, M: 1, FP: 6) *Don’t guard for Mario
T9: Power Bounce (3-cap), Jump [KO]

[Charged UP!]
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: Damage Dodge, Hammer Throw, Ice Power, Fire Shield, Mega Rush, Double Dip, Flower Fanatic, Power Bounce, Quick Change, Jump Charge, Dodge Master (28 BP)
ITEMS: Snowman Doll x3, Spaghetti x2, Koopasta, Dusty Hammer, Fried Shroom

T1: Double Dip (Snowman Doll x2), Air Raid [Both Buds KO] (LP: 39, B1: 14, B2: 14, M: 4, FP: 7)
T2: Double Dip (Spaghetti, Dusty Hammer) Water Block (LP: 36, M: 6, FP: 7)
T3: Chill Out, Shell Shot (LP: 29, M: 5, FP: 5)
T4: Jump Charge, Smack (LP: 24, M: 4, FP: 4)
T5: Jump Charge, Smack (LP: 19, M: 3, FP: 3)
T6: Jump Charge, Outta Sight (LP: 19, M: 3, FP: 0)
T7: Koopasta (LP: 19, M: 4, FP: 15)
T8: Shell Shot, Fried Shroom (LP: 12, M: 2, FP; 15) *Don’t guard
T9: Turbo Charge, Refresh (LP: 11, M: 1, FP: 15) *Don’t guard
T10: Water Block, Hammer Throw [Phase 1 End] (FP: 11)

— PHASE 2 —

T11: Double Dip (Spaghetti, Snowman Doll), Tidal Wave (5 buttons) (LP: 43, B1: 1, B2: 1, M: 1, FP: 6) *Don’t guard for Mario
T12: Power Bounce (4-cap) [KO]
***

***
[LL] — LAKILULU
[HP Drain (Heavy FP ver)] —— Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 45 FP
BADGES: Mega Rush, HP Drain, Power Bounce, Last Stand, Quick Change, Damage Dodge x2, Super Jump Charge, Jump Charge, Flower Fanatic (29 BP)
ITEMS: None

T1: Super Jump Charge, Fan Smack (Lu: 70, M: 3, FP: 38)
T2: Super Jump Charge, Fan Smack (Lu: 60, La: 50, M: 1, FP: 31) *Lakilester enters
T3: Turbo Charge, Power Bounce [4 bounces] (Lu: 28, La: 50, M: 3, FP: 24)
T4: Super Jump Charge, Fan Smack (Lu: 28, La: 40, M: 1, FP: 17)
T5: Power Bounce [4 bounces], Fan Smack (Lu: 28, La: 5, M: 3, FP: 9)
T6: Jump Charge, Smack [Lakilester KO] (Lu: 28, M: 1, FP: 8)
T7: Power Bounce [3 bounces], Fan Smack [KO]

[HP Drain (Low FP ver)]
STATS
10 HP, 5 FP
BADGES: Mega Rush, HP Drain, Last Stand, Damage Dodge x2, All or Nothing, Super Jump Charge (19 BP)
ITEMS: None

T1: Super Jump Charge, Smack (Lu: 74, M: 3, FP: 0)
T2: Star Storm, Smack (Lu: 61, M: 1, FP: 0) *Lakilester enters
T3: Jump, Smack (Lu: 37, La: 50, M: 1, FP: 0)
T4: Jump, Smack (Lu: 37, La: 32, M: 1, FP: 0)
T5: Jump, Smack (Lu: 37, La: 14, M: 1: FP: 0)
T6: Jump, Smack [Lakilester KO] (Lu: 37, M: 1, FP: 0)
T7: Jump, Smack (Lu: 19, M: 1, FP: 0)
T8: Jump, Smack (Lu: 1, M: 1, FP: 0)
T9: Smack [KO]
***

***
[HP] — HUFF N. PUFF
[Super Boots] —— Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 40 FP
BADGES: All or Nothing, Mega Rush, Power Bounce, Dodge Master, Last Stand, Defend Plus, Double Dip, Quick Change, Jump Charge, Super Jump Charge, Flower Saver (29 BP)
ITEMS: Stone Cap x2, Yoshi Cookie, Maple Syrup

T1: Jump Charge (H: 120, M: 2, FP: 38)
T2: Jump Charge, Comfy Cloud (H: 120, M: 4, FP: 28) *Guard on 3
T3: Super Jump Charge, Turbo Charge (H: 120, M: 1, FP: 20)
T4: Power Bounce, Outta Sight (H: 77, M: 1, FP: 12)
T5: Double Dip (Maple Syrup, Stone Cap) (H: 77, M: 1, FP: 19)
T6: Air Raid (H: 71 -> 91, M: 1, FP: 12)
T7: Chill Out, Fan Smack (H: 81, M: 1: FP: 7) *Guard on 3
T8: Jump, Smack (H: 56, M: 1, FP: 7)
T9: Double Dip (Yoshi Cookie, Stone Cap), Fan Smack (H: 46, M: 10, FP: 29)
T10: Air Raid (H: 40 -> 46, M: 10, FP: 22)
T11: Jump Charge (H: 46, M: 10, FP: 20)
T12: Jump Charge, Outta Sight (H: 46, M: 10, FP: 15)
T13: Super Jump Charge (H: 46, M: 4, FP: 11)
T14: Refresh, Water Block (H: 46, M: 7, FP: 14) *Guard on 3
T15: Turbo Charge (H: 46, M: 1, FP: 10)
T16: Fan Smack, Power Bounce [KO]

[Ultra Boots]
STATS
10 HP, 25 FP
BADGES: Mega Rush, Power Bounce, Dodge Master, Last Stand, Defend Plus, Double Dip, Quick Change, Jump Charge, Super Jump Charge, Flower Fanatic (27 BP, 30 w/FP Plus)
ITEMS: Stone Cap x2, Yoshi Cookie, Cake, Spicy Soup

T1: Jump Charge (H: 120, M: 2, FP: 24)
T2: Jump Charge, Comfy Cloud (H: 120, M: 4, FP: 16) *Guard on 3
T3: Super Jump Charge, Turbo Charge (H: 120, M: 1, FP: 10)
T4: Power Bounce, Outta Sight (H: 77, M: 1, FP: 4)
T5: Double Dip (Cake, Stone Cap) (H: 77, M: 1, FP: 15)
T6: Air Raid (H: 71 -> 91, M: 1, FP: 9)
T7: Chill Out, Fan Smack (H: 81, M: 1: FP: 5) *Guard on 3
T8: Jump, Smack (H: 56, M: 1, FP: 6)
T9: Double Dip (Yoshi Cookie, Stone Cap), Fan Smack (H: 46, M: 10, FP: 21)
T10: Air Raid (H: 40 -> 46, M: 10, FP: 15)
T11: Jump Charge (H: 46, M: 10, FP: 14)
T12: Jump Charge, Outta Sight (H: 46, M: 10, FP: 11)
T13: Super Jump Charge (H: 46, M: 4, FP: 8)
T14: Spicy Soup, Turbo Charge (H: 46, M: 4, FP: 11) *Guard on 3
T15: Water Block (H: 46, M: 1, FP: 8)
T16: Fan Smack, Power Bounce [KO]
***

***
[M1] — MASTER 1ST FORM
[Egg Missile]
STATS
10 HP, 5 FP
BADGES: Mega Rush, Damage Dodge, Flower Fanatic, Quick Change, Defend Plus (19 BP)
ITEMS: Egg Missile x4T1: Egg Missile, Charge (Mt: 72, M: 10, FP: 4) +2 [Master @ 1 ATK]
T2: Egg Missile, Charge (Mt: 64, M: 10, FP: 3) +4 [Master @ 2 ATK]
T3: Egg Missile, Charge (Mt: 56, M: 10, FP: 2) +6 [Master @ 3 ATK]
T4: Egg Missile, Headbonk (Mt: 32, M: 7, FP: 2) [Master @ 6 ATK]
T5: Hammer, Headbonk (Mt: 24, M: 1, FP: 2) [Master @ 9 ATK]
T6: Jump, Outta Sight (Mt: 12, M: 1, FP: 0) [Master @ 11 ATK]
T7: Jump [KO]

[Jump Charge]
STATS
10 HP, 10 FP
BADGES; Jump Charge, Mega Rush, Power Rush, Flower Fanatic, Flower Finder, All or Nothing, Quick Change (26 BP, 29 w/FP Plus)
ITEMS: None

T1: Jump Charge, Shell Shot (Mt: 74, M: 9, FP: 8) +2 [Master @ 1 ATK] *Don’t guard
T2: Jump Charge, Shell Shot (Mt: 68, M: 7, FP: 6) +4 [Master @ 2 ATK] *Don’t guard
T3: Jump Charge, Shell Shot (Mt: 62, M: 5, FP: 4) +6 [Master @ 3 ATK]
T4: Power Smash, Shell Shot (Mt: 46, M: 1, FP: 2) +6 [Master @ 5 ATK]
T5: Mushroom, Shell Shot (Mt: 40, M: 1, FP: 1) +6 [Master @ 6 ATK]
T6: Jump, Outta Sight (Mt: 14, M: 1, FP: 0) [Master @ 8 ATK]
T7: Jump [KO]
***

***
[LEE] — LEE
[Sushie] —— Click here to see the strategy in action
STATS
10 HP, 15 FP
BADGES: Super Jump Charge, Power Bounce, Damage Dodge, All or Nothing, Mega Rush, Zap Tap, Flower Fanatic (26 BP, 29 w/FP Plus)
ITEMS: None*Lee must transform into Sushie

T1: Fan Smack, Super Jump Charge (L: 39, M: 1, FP: 8)
T2: Fan Smack, Power Bounce (4 bounces) [KO]
***

Thanks to Emperor_Thamz and the rest of the team for Master Quest for making this mod.

Just Sayin’