Castlevania: Symphony of the Night 
Boss Guide
5/7/00 By VirgilKX@aol.com

I decided that, instead of doing a walkthrough, I would do a boss guide of 
this terrific game.  This should be helpful to you, since, even though you 
can view the bosses stats and tricks to beat them, you can only view them 
after you defeat them.  (This guide could also be helpful to those that are 
trying to win the battles through skill, maybe by using less equipment, or by 
using the Luck cheat.)

Of course, this guide alone won't win you the fights.  You'll need the proper 
equipment and such, but this guide will be very helpful, so that you don't 
have to get the very best equipment, in order to defeat the bosses.

Richter's Game:

Dracula:

Level:  ??
HP:  600.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  0.

Before you start off the game, you will play as Richter, will must defeat 
Dracula. (This bit was taken from the Japanese game, Dracula X, I believe.  
If I'm wrong, someone e-mail me with the true game.) You can defeat him, even 
if you "die" (lose all your HP, and Maria will show up, and give you 
invincibility.), but the true purpose of this battle is to decide Alucard's 
starting stats.

Therefore, you'll want to do good.  Taking damage, time elapsed, and the 
amount of hearts used, all affect how Alucard's stats look.  Dracula has two 
forms, both of which you must kill.  The first form attacks much like he did 
back in Castlevania IV.  There are two seperate ways to kill him.  One being 
the cheap way, and one being the harder way.  I'll explain both:

The cheap way:

Grab the Holy Water in the room with Dracula.  When Dracula appears, press 
triangle to activate the Hydro storm.  This will consume 15 hearts, and most 
likely, will kill his first form in one shot.  Simple.

The harder way:

This will take practice to pull off, but it will save you your hearts, and is 
the better way to do things.  You won't need any special weapons for the 
first part, just some good ol' agility.

When you see Dracula appear, get far from him, but close enough to hit his 
head, then jump and hit Dracula as he appears, and when you land, jump again 
and him him, and then on your third jump, you'll barely miss the fireballs, 
and hit him a third time.  As you can guess, this is not as easy as it 
sounds.  

Of course, this isn't Dracula's only attack.  After three times of this, 
he'll launch two shadow fireballs at you.  You can still manage to hit him 
three times, but you must be good and quick.  When he appears for the fourth 
time, jump and hit him as he appears, land, jump and hit him again, duck, 
jump over the 2nd fireball, and hit him for the third time.  You can usually 
get off two hits, but three is very hard to get.  He'll repeat this pattern, 
three times shooting normal fireballs, and then the fourth time, shooting 
shadow fireballs.  Like I said, it'll take some practice, but eventually, 
you'll leave unscathed.

Dracula's 2nd form is that of a giant gargoyle-like creature.  Your best bet, 
is to have collected the Holy water in the room, and then use the Hydro 
storm.  That's what I do, and it'll save you a lot of time and energy.  While 
the Hydro storm is taking effect, whip Dracula into submission.  The Hydro 
storm will wear off, but you'll be able to kill him easily now.  If he shoots 
fireballs at you, use the air dash to blow right through him.

By the way, the only way you'll be able to get the least amount of time, is 
by retrying the game after you beat it, so that you can skip by all the 
dialogue and such.  The game still tacks on the clock during these 
interludes, thus, lowering your score.

Alucard's game:

Alchemy Labatory - Slogra and Gaibon:

Slogra:

Level:  6.
HP:  200.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  200.

Gaibon:

Level:  6.
HP:  200.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  200.

You'll be using the trusty Short sword and leather shield for this, most 
likely.  It would help to have the Axe for this battle, too.  Hit Slogra (the 
spear wielding monster), whenever he's on the ground, and Gaibon (the flying 
gargoyle) will lift him up into the sky.  Get some free shots by launching 
the Axe at them, or jump up and swing your sword at Slogra.  Move away from 
them though, so that Gaibon doesn't drop Slogra on you.  Hit Slogra again, 
and repeat the above steps.  Soon, Slogra will fall.

Now its just Gaibon.  Have your shield out at all times, so that you can 
block any fireballs of Gaibon's.  Try and hit him in the air if you can, 
while blocking his shots.  When he drops to the ground, try to get close to 
him, so that you can hit him.  Duck and swipe at his feet.  His shots will go 
harmlessly over your head.  Keep this up, and he will reach his red form.  
Basically, he shoots out fireballs faster, and has a powerful fireball.  In 
all though, he is pretty easy to beat, so long as you continue the same 
strategy.

Outer Wall - Doppleganger10:

Level:  10.
HP:  120.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  500.

You'll probably still be using the short sword for this foe. (although its 
possible you picked up the Jewel knuckles along the way... still, use the 
short sword, simply because you don't want to get in close encounters with 
him) As the name suggests, this is a clone of you.  

Have your shield out at all times.  Jump toward him and diagonally hit him.  
Take a few steps back.  Repeat.  This is the basic pattern you can use to 
beat him.  It works fairly well, although sometimes he'll jump at you, or 
swing his sword at you.  If he does jump make sure to catch him in the 
mid-air with a slash.  Don't try to corner him, because he'll use the wing 
smash, and it will HURT.  Take it nice and slow, hitting him in the air, and 
using the above pattern.  Additionaly, you can use the Holy water to trap.  
Lay it down on the ground, as he approaches.  It won't take too much to kill 
him.

Chapel - Hippograph

Level:  16.
HP:  800.
Strong VS.:  Thunder.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  800.

This bird isn't too bad.  When it flies in the air, keep in your scope, so 
you know where it lands.  When it's on the ground, get in close, duck, and 
attack it.  You'll avoid its fire, too.  Watch out when he's on the ground 
sometimes, though, since he may decide to dive at you.  If he hatches an egg, 
destroy it.  You can try to attack this beast in the air, although you may 
get hit when he decides to land.  That's all there is to it.

Clock Tower - Karasuman

Level:  22.
HP:  500.
Strong VS.:  Dark.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  1,000.

Probably one of the easiest bosses, if you know what you're doing.  The cheap 
and easy way, is to beat it into submission, by repeatedly hitting it, so 
that you don't allow it to touch the ground.  If he starts charging up, and 
then flies into the air, get below him, so that the bats don't hit you.  Try 
to stay below him, in case he's airborne.  He might try to shoot out beams, 
which will hit you, unless you're below him.  In any event, the key to 
winning is to just keep hitting him.

Coloseum - Minotaur and Werewolf

(Stats unavaliable at this time)

Now here's a tough team.  This tag team will certainly give you a run for 
your money, even if you know what to do.  Concentrate your attacks on one of 
them, until it falls.  I would go after the Werewolf first.  When the 
Minotaur throws his axe, run toward him and jump over him when he does the 
uppercut.  You'll avoid their duo attack that way.  When either of them kneel 
down, prepare to jump, because they'll dive to opposite sides of the room.  
Watch out for the Minotaur's jumping axe attack.  You should try to keep both 
of them in your sights, so that you know what to expect.  The Werewolf may 
also try launching a fireball, which will rebound off the Minotaur.  After 
defeating the Werewolf (which shouldn't take too much), you'll still have 
your hands full with the Minotaur.  Attack him with caution.  His axe will 
keep you at bay, and he can do a short range petrify breath attack.  He'll 
still do most of the attacks he did, when the Werewolf was alive, so keep an 
eye out.  Attack him when he uppercuts, or when he leaps in the air.  I 
wouldn't try to attack him when he's just standing there, because of his axe. 
 It can hurt.  You might even be able to get a good hit in while he's diving 
at you.  Be patient, and he'll fall soon enough.

Enchanted Library - Lesser Demon

Level:  20.
HP:  400.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  Dark.
Weak VS.:  Holy.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  100.

After the Minotaur and the Werewolf, this guy isn't too bad.  When he's 
roaming around on the ground, jump and strike at him, run back, jump and 
strike at him, and repeat.  This is to avoid the swipes he may throw at you.  
When he goes airborne, jump and slash him when you can.  He may try to summon 
a monster, (at which point he is invincible) and if he does, destroy the 
monster, and continue attacking him.  Keep up the pace, and he'll die out.

Olrox's Quarters - Olrox

Level:  25.
HP:  666.
Strong VS.:  Dark.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  500.

This boss can be pretty tough.  It has two forms.  (You may have the Sword 
familar.  If so, have him out, so that you can get some extra hits in.) The 
first is a green, almost human like sorcerer form, and the 2nd is a giant 
green monster.  Whenever you go to attack him while he's on the ground, duck, 
so that you don't get hit by his energy blast.  He summons up bats, and 
flaming skulls.  Destroy them as they appear, and continue attacking him.  
Try to get in some hits while he's gliding towards the other room.  He can 
also summon up waves of fire.  Get into a position where there is no fire 
swarming on the ground, and duck.  This will allow to avoid the walls of 
fire, and the possibility of him shooting out an energy blast.  Strike at him 
when you can.  When you finally weaken him enough, he'll do a transformation, 
into his green monster form.  This can get a little tough.  Try to have your 
shield out at all times, to avoid his sudden wave-fireball attack.  Also, 
when you see a wave of energy fly from his mouth, try using triangle to dodge 
back, and then move forward if he tries it again.  It may take some practice 
to get the hang of.  Basically, you'll want to keep swiping at him, but keep 
some distance at the same time, because he may try to take a swipe at you.  
He'll start getting more aggresive after he's taken a lot of damage, 
resulting in a faster fireball fury, or constant energy blasts.  As long as 
you can avoid his energy blasts, and duck/have your shield out when he does 
his fireball attack, you can avoid the blunt of his attacks, and come out on 
top.

Underground Caverns - Succubus

Level:  25.
HP:  666.
Strong VS.:  Dark.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  2,000.

Not really that tough.  Jump up to attack her, and keep pounding her.  Try to 
keep underneath her, so that you don't get hit by the tentacles she shoots 
out.  Also, she may try to make duplicates of herself.  Just destroy the 
duplicates until you find the real one.  She'll fall rather quickly.

Underground Caverns - Scylla Wyrm

Level:  10.
HP:  130.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  Water.
Weak VS.:  Thunder.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  100.

A piece of cake to beat.  Simply strike at it when it gets close, and before 
you know it, the beast is dead, however...

Scylla:

Level:  14.
HP:  200.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  Thunder.
Absorb:  Water.
Exp:  500.

... the Scylla Wyrm was really part of another beast, the Scylla, which 
becomes quite apparent when you reach the room with it.  If you have the Holy 
water, step back, and throw it on the pillar on the right.  The Scylla wyrms 
will be destroyed as they fly into it, eventually eliminating all of them.  
Then, move in, and just jump and hack at the main beast's body.  You'll 
destroy it quickly.

Abadoned Mine - Cereberus

Level:  24.
HP:  800.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  Ice.
Absorb:  Fire.
Exp:  1,500.

It helps if you picked up the Holy Water in the beginning of this area.  If 
not, you can still beat him, but it might take a little longer.  If you do 
have the Holy Water, stand on a ledge above the beast, and throw it down on 
him.  You'll avoid his diagonal shots, and his horizontal shots.  A few 
volleys of Holy Water, and it'll be over before you can blink.  Another way 
you can beat him, is get in close, duck, and swipe at him.  You'll avoid any 
shots he dishes out at you.  As he moves back, try to sneak in and get a few 
more shots off, but try to watch it.  You might get caught up in his 
horizontal shots.  Adjust yourself as necessary, if he leaps over you.  Easy 
enough.

Catacombs - Granfalloon

Level:  28.
HP:  400.
Strong VS.:  Dark.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  Holy.
Absorb:  None.
Exp:  3,000.

Your eyes aren't deceiving you.  Yes, this being is litterally composed of 
dead bodies.  Probably one of the sickiest beings you'll see in this game.  
The screams add all the more enjoyment, too.  The Axe is the weapon of 
choice, although you can do fine with the Holy Water too.  Your first 
objective is to skin off some of his 'skin'.  Take the Axe and chuck at its 
body.  Bodies will come flying off as you attack it, but they can be 
destroyed with little or no effort.  Get a few swipes in with your weapon of 
choice as well, until parts start to break off.  You'll want to reach the 
middle part, and get rid of that, so that you can start doing some real 
damage.  Once you've exposed the middle area, being attacking at it.  Use the 
Axe, or just jump up and strike it.  When you see a tentacle open up, get out 
of the way of it, because it'll fire a powerful laser.  This can be avoided 
easily, provided you're paying good attention.  Hack away at any bodies that 
are in your way, and only concentrate your attacks on the middle body.  Don't 
try to skin off the rest of his body, because if you do, he'll go berserk, 
sending out sporadic waves of lasers, which are damn near impossible to 
avoid, or predict, even if you have the Power of Mist.  Just go after the 
middle part, and eventually, it'll fall.

Castle Keep - Richter Belmont

Level:  48.
HP:  400.
Strong VS.:  Holy and Stone.(??)
Weak VS.:  Dark.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  0.

The time has come to fight Richter.  Of course, your objective here isn't to 
kill him, it is to break the curse on him.  In order to do that, you must 
equip the Holy Glasses, in order to see the Orb controlling him.  Get the 
Gold Ring from the Succubus in the Underground Caverns, and the Silver Ring 
from behind Maria in the hallway in the Chapel. (need the Spike-Breaking 
armor to get through) Once you have those two items, return to the room where 
you first met Maria.  Equip them on yourself, and the path below will open 
up.  You'll Maria down there, and she will give you the Holy Glasses.  Once 
you've equipped the Holy Glasses, attack the Orb above Richter.  With little 
effort, it'll break, releasing the curse on Richter.  

Now, if you actually want to kill Richter (maybe to see the other ending), 
then equip a dark-based sword, because his element is holy.  (Morgemil will 
do quite nicely) He'll cheap you to death, first with a Holy Cross attack, 
and then by trying to corner you with his Holy Water and whip attacks.  A few 
shots from the Morgemil will do the job.  Then he'll unleash a Hydro Storm, 
which will hit you no matter what.  Hit him when you can, and he'll be 
finished.  Of course, this will net you one of the least favorable endings, 
so the true way, is by defeating the Orb that controls him.

Reverse Castle

Your job is far from over.  After saving Richter, you must head to the 
Reverse Castle, which is the same as the castle you're in now, except that 
it's been litterally turned upside-down.  New bosses have been issued in 
(except for the Reverse Keep), and Dracula lies in wait somewhere.  Your new 
objective now, is to find Dracula's 5 body parts, and then bring them to the 
Clock room where you used the Gold and Silver Rings at. The way to Dracula 
will open then.  

Reverse Clock Tower - Darkwing Bat

Level:  35.
HP:  600.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  1,200.

An easy introduction boss to the Reverse Castle.  Strike at it sporadically, 
meaning, hit it, move back, hit it again, move away.  This is to prevent him 
from grappling onto you, or by making any sudden moves, and damaging you.  
When he moves into a corner, and starts flapping his wings, try to duck in 
the opposite corner, or better yet, get behind him, and hit him for some free 
shots.  Won't take long to kill him.  You'll get the Ring of Vlad for beating 
him.

Reverse Outer Wall - The Creature

Level:  40.
HP:  1,100.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  Thunder.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  2,500.

Resembles Frankenstein.  Slash at it, and use triangle to move back when he 
raises its axe.  When you see it kneel down, get ready to jump, because its 
going to roll across the floor, hitting the wall, and then rolling back to 
the other wall.  Jump over it as it approaches you, and see if you can get in 
a diagonal hit when you land.  When he stands back up, continue attacking.  
Nothing to it.  The Tooth of Vlad is your prize.

Death Wing's Lair (Olrox's Quarters) - Akmodan II

Level:  40.
HP:  1,200.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  Stone, poison, and curse.
Weak VS.:  Holy and fire.
Absorb:  Dark.
Exp.:  2,500.

Another easy boss.  Attack at him from a distance, because he is surrounded 
with poison mist.  Also, he can hit you with his arm, or grapple onto you, 
and throw you into the wall.  Try using the Axe, the Holy Water, or any other 
special weapon here.  You can use your main weapon to strike at him, without 
getting hit by the poison mist, if you're good.  You'll get the Rib of Vlad 
as the treasure for beating him.

Anti Chapel - Medusa

Level:  40.
HP:  1,100.
Strong VS.:  Physical attacks.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  Stone.
Exp.:  2,500.

ANOTHER easy boss.  Get in real close, duck, and swipe at her.  Move in as 
she moves back, and duck and swipe.  You'll back her into the corner, where 
she'll be real easy to finish off.  Her main attacks consist of a petrify 
beam, and a sword slash (the reasons for the ducking).  You'll get the 4th 
body part, the Heart of Vlad.  Move on.

Reverce Coloseum - Trevor, Grant, and Sylpha

Fake Trevor:

Level:  41.
HP:  1,200.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  1,000.

Fake Grant:

Level:  41.
HP:  800.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  1,200.

Fake Sypha:

Level:  42.
HP:  1,000.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  1,500.

Remember these guys from Castlevania III?  They're not the real thing, but 
rather, demon copies of the heroes from the legendary adventure/game.  
Concentrate your attacks on one of them, until he or she falls.  Grant goes 
down pretty easily, since he's the weakest.  Knock him down from the ceiling, 
and pound away on him.  He should go down with little to no effort. When 
attacking Trevor, duck and swipe at his legs, while avoiding his Holy Water 
attacks.  You can counter this by using the Axe, or some Holy Water of your 
own.  Meanwhile, Sylpha will be trying to hit you with her Fire and Ice 
spells.  As long as you try to keep away from her, you can be safe.  When it 
comes time to attack her, though, move in, and jump/attack at her.  If she's 
the only one left, she'll try to create zombie clones.  Kill them off, and 
continue attacking her.  The key to winning this battle, is to play smart.  
Don't rush in and attack, but be patient, and get your hits in when you can.

Necromancy Labotory - Beezelbub

Level:  44.
HP:  2,000.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  Holy.
Absorb:  Dark.
Exp.:  4,444.

Lord of the flies.  This boss can hurt you pretty badly, by sending out it's 
mutant flies after you.  They take off a good portion of damage if they hit 
you.  Its highly recommended you have the Axe for this fight, but you can win 
without it.  Start off by hacking away at its legs, until they both go down.  
Equip something like the Topaz Circlet to protect you from the poison damage, 
and kill any flies that get in your way.  After you taken out the legs, go 
for the arms.  Use your Axe to hit them, or you can try jumping up to hit 
them, just be extremely careful you don't get hit by the flies.  After this, 
turn into a bat, and do a Wing Smash into Beezelbub's main body (Hold X, then 
do a counter-clockwise rotation from the up position, then go to right.  Can 
be done clockwise to fly left, also.), hitting him for a good amount of 
damage.  Turn back into a Bat, and do it again.  If it looks like some flies 
are going to hit you, try turning into the mist to avoid them.  It should 
only take about 3 - 5 Wing Smashes to finish him off. (Also try using the 
Axe, since this is a less riskier move, and it's much easier to beat him with)

Reverce Caverns - Doppleganger40

Level:  40.
HP:  777.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  2,001.

Your evil clone is back.  He's stronger, but then again, so are you.  You can 
actually beat him quite easily, too.  He'll go mid-air a lot, and when he 
does, catch him with a slash.  He'll jump again, and you'll slash him.  If 
done right, you can go the whole battle like this, and beat him very easily.  
If not, just watch for his attacks.  He can do a bouncing ball attack, and 
his sword his poison-tipped.  Also, same as before, don't get him caught in a 
corner, or else he'll Wing Smash you.  

Cave - Death

Level:  66.
HP:  888.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  Holy.
Absorb:  Dark.
Exp.:  4,444.

Death is back, and this time, you'll have to kill him.  Don't be shy, get 
right in there and hack away at him.  Destroy the sickles if they're in your 
way.  Eventually, he'll try some other attacks.  One is where he'll launch 
two energy balls.  Get out of their slow reach, and wait until they stop 
moving toward you.  Continue attacking.  Then he'll launch two red sickles.  
Move to each side of the room to avoid them (which pretty much means, stay 
with Death), it may take some practice, but not too tough to get used to.  
Once he's taken enough damage, he may try a final desperate energy attack.  
This can be hard to avoid, so your best bet is to just wail away on him.  
Then he'll enter in his 2nd form.  Get in there and slash at him.  When he 
raises both sickles get out of the way, because he'll slam them down.  When 
one of his hands go up, try ducking, or getting to the either side of him, 
because he'll boomerang one of his sickles.  This form should go down easily 
enough, so long as you don't take too much damage, of course.  The Eye of 
Vlad is the last piece of the puzzle, so now you can go and fight Dracula, 
but you'll want some more challenge, right?  Move onward. (besides, you can 
pick up the Alucard Sword along the way to the Inverted Catacombs)

Inverted Catacombs - Galamoth

Level:  50.
HP:  6,666.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  None.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  9,999.

The slew of easy bosses ends with Galamoth.  Galamoth is a strictly optional 
fight, and for good reason, too.  Packing 6,666 HP, standing two screens 
tall, and able to give/take the damage, this fight is not one you can breeze 
by, even if you are at a good enough level.  First off, you'll will want/NEED 
the Beryl Circlet equipped here.  This will restore HP by lighting damage, 
and he uses a few lighting attacks.  (Find it by going to the beginning area 
in the Inverted Castle, and break the rocks where you see the Merman in the 
regular Castle.  Both sides should be now broken.  Now, starting from side, 
turn into the wolf, and move to the other side.  From there, turn into the 
bat, and go back to the side you started at.  I hope this makes sense... if 
it doesn't contact me, and I'll try to be of further assistance.  Now, a wall 
will break in the northeast corner (speaking from the Inverted castle).  The 
Beryl Circlet will be inside.) You'll also want the best stuff equipped.  The 
Twilight Cloak, Alucard Sword, Alucard Mail, Dragon Helm and the Alucard 
Shield should be the best possible lineup.  For your two relics, try 
equipping the Moonstone or the Sunstone to increase your stats.  If you were 
lucky enough to find a Ring of Varda from the Paranthropus in the Inverted 
Outer Wall, EQUIP IT.  This will raise your stats to God-like levels.  For 
the other accesory, try something that increases attack and/or defense.  It's 
up to you.  Being at a high level will also be a big factor in this fight.  
At, or around, 50 is fine.  Now, its time to fight!  When he kneels forward 
with his staff, he'll do a big lighting attack.  With your Beryl Circlet 
equipped, you'll absorb this for HP restoration.  Get in there and hack away 
at his legs.  If you're doing around 40 or 50 of damage, you're fine.  With 
the Ring of Varda equipped, you'll get at least close to 100 easy.  When he 
raises his staff high in the air, get all the way to the corner, because he's 
throwing out shadow energy balls at you.  These do NOT restore your HP with 
the Beryl Circlet, so watch it.  If they look like they're getting too close, 
transform into the Mist.  When he stops, resume attacking.  He can also 
thrust his staff down on you, but this shouldn't be too much of a problem.  
(For extra hits, try equipping the Shield Rod and Alucard Shield, then press 
Square and Circle at the same time, to get the Alucard Shield powered up.  
Then hold the shield near his legs.  It'll hurt him for a good amount of 
damage, hopefully.) He is also vulnerable to attacks in his head, so you can 
try mixing things up by Wing Smashing his head.  If you're not doing around 
40 or 50, you may need to level up, or find the right equipment.  (If you do 
need to level up, try fighting the Guardians near the Clock room where the 
final confrontation with Dracula will take place) Keep up the damage, and 
avoid his lethal shadow ball attacks, and eventually, he'll die out.  Believe 
me though, it WILL take some time.

Final Battles

Its time to take on Shaft and Dracula now.  Reach the Clock Room (the same 
one where you met Maria in the regular castle) in the Inverted Castle, and 
with the 5 body parts in hand, unlock the area 'above'.  If you had little or 
no trouble with Galamoth, Shaft and Dracula won't be too tough to take down.

Fighting Shaft:

Level:  88.
HP:  1,300.
Strong VS.:  None.
Immune:  Poison.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  None.
Exp.:  0.

He may be a Dark Priest, but with your equipment, and such (assuming it's 
good), he's rather weak.  Avoid the balls floating around him, and attack 
him.  If you can catch it in time, watch for two of his energy balls to turn 
to fire, and then duck in the corner, so that they don't hit you.  Next watch 
for his energy balls to start bouncing around the room.  Try to avoid them, 
or use the Mist power.  When he charges his energy balls up with electricity, 
turn into the Mist to avoid getting shocked.  It really shouldn't take long.

Fighting Dracula:

Level:  98.
HP:  9,998.
Strong VS.:  Fire and Thunder.
Immune:  Poison.
Weak VS.:  None.
Absorb:  Dark.
Exp.:  0.

Dracula posseses hit points close to 10,000 HP, so if your stats are a bit 
weak, this battle could drag on.  Bring your Sword Familar with you, to get 
in extra attacks.  His first attack will be trying to swipe at you.  Stay in 
the middle, and avoid the claw swipes when he attacks.  Get in your attacks 
when possible.  Then, when you see energy charging in the middle, he's 
summoning a monster decoy to squash (and squash you), so duck in the middle 
to avoid this.  Then he'll move into the backround, and charge up a huge 
energy ball.  Turn into the wolf on one side, and run to the other when it 
gets close, or simply turn into the Mist to avoid this.  Turn into the Mist 
when he comes back, because all three of his skulls be trying to hit you.  
Then he'll have a delta attack, and pound you with energy triangles.  As long 
as you're in the Mist, you can avoid this.  He then repeats all of his 
attacks, so repeat your patterns of attack/defense as well.  With good skill, 
equipment, and levels, Dracula won't be tough to defeat, even with his high 
HP.  Dracula will fall, and you will have beaten the game!  Congratulations!

I hope this boss guide helped you out a bit.  One day, I plan on making a 
walkthrough... maybe.  

By the way, if you wish to use this guide, simply ask.  I will allow you to, 
so long as you give ample credit where it's due.  That's not too much to ask, 
is it?

Copyright 2000 
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a trademark of Konami.

