Chapter 27 (spoilers)

[hbarret]

I'm on chapter 15 now, and I'm trying to get ready for the BK. Mist is level 4 or so, and I'm using her in every fight, and Ike is levelling up ok so far, and I've kept all of my stat boosting items. Last time I played I tried to beat him with a 20/20 Ike but Aether just didn't activate enough. This time though I really want to beat him and get Nasir, so does anyone have any tips on preparation, and tactics for the actual battle itself?

[Lord Glenn]

Ike doesn't need to be 20/20, though it does help. I've almost always had an Ike that was sub-20/15 and I've still beaten him(albeit with restarts if I get cheap'd by Luna or something), though with a Mist that was capable enough to fend for herself against the reinforcements and keep Ike's HP up. Of course, the main issue is making sure Ike's Strength, Speed, and Defense are enough up to par(being capped helps a bit) to deal enough damage and minimize even the Black Knight's regular attacks.

As for preparation, the only thing that comes to my mind would be to try to get Mist to be a decently level'd Valkyrie (I also tend to actually let her go off and fight for experience as well. Getting EXP while building that frail Sword rank is always a good thing.) by the time you get to the beginning of 27. Bonus Experience will probably be what you're going to want to invest in to get her close to promotion, since I've always found that it's hard getting more than 1 level by healing in a chapter(if even getting 1 level, that is).

As for tactics, while Aether is the important part, I generally play defensively in the fight. The Black Knight can wipe Ike out in 2 or 3 hits, IIRC, and you aren't going to want him hitting Ike during the Enemy Phase when you're already at low health. As such, I generally attack the Black Knight on the first turn, have Mist heal Ike, and then keep Mist healing Ike after the Black Knight's assaults on the Enemy Phase, while Ike generally Waits or uses an Elixir(if needed). Attacking from a distance doesn't do too much to help, since Aether can't activate from a distance. Granted, Luna then can't either, but it severely hampers your damage output. Hopefully, if you're lucky enough Aether will proceed to save Ike's ass and end the fight quickly. If it doesn't... then, you'll have to restart, most likely.

[Kick@55_3000]

I do hear that instead of using Aether, using Adept and Wrath works too. Give Ike those two skills and have Ike attack from a distance (since Ike won't have Aether and this prevents the BK from activating Luna). The outcome of the fight will still depend on luck (activating Adept and criticalling with Wrath), but I thought I should bring this strategy up while I'm on the topic.

[caleb723]

For the most part, just listen to what Glenn says.  I'm not sure about this, though. 

The Black Knight can wipe Ike out in 2 or 3 hits, IIRC

Personally, as I always stat-abuse Ike and Mist, they're both 20/20 by the time of the BK fight, and Ike has max Hp, Str, Skl, Spd, Def, and Res.  (Thank goodness for RD transfers...)

I have yet to try the good ol' Adept and Wrath combo, as I always use the Miracle+Aether skill set.  >_> I'm something of a traditionalist, I guess, because I have never once lost, or never once not had Ike at 20/20 by that point, though I've gotten close to losing my first time...

As long as your Ike is ranging, you need to watch out for that annoying Bishop, whenever he appears.  If you can kill him before he heals BK, be sure and do it.

I don't remember: can Ike win (assuming he doesn't miss) without an Aether?  if you aren't using Mist and have to Elixir abuse, I don't think you can, but if you're attacking both on your turn and countering on the enemy's turn...

Wish I hadn't loaned my copy to my cousin, who has yet to finish a single video game... T.T

Sorry I couldn't be of much help.

[Pukachi]

Wrath is useless because you can't critical the Black Knight as long as he holds Alondite.

But even if Wrath could add to the critical rate past that...if you really hate Aether for some reason or another then good luck with that.

[Kick@55_3000]

Wrath is useless because you can't critical the Black Knight as long as he holds Alondite.

But even if Wrath could add to the critical rate past that...if you really hate Aether for some reason or another then good luck with that.

Wrath's critical bypasses the critical protection provided by Alondite, Ragnell, Gurgurant, etc.

[YokaiKnight]

Everyone's covered the two main skill strategies (Aether or Wrath+Adept), so I'll just add that you should figure out how much damage the Black Knight can do with Luna manually, and know how much Mist can heal with Physic. Give Ike Elixir so Mist can kill the bishop while he still gets a counterattack.

[hbarret]

Ok i did it, thanks for the tips guys. In the end Ike was 20/20 and had maxed str, skl, spd, and def. It took me a few attempts to do it, but eventually he Aether activated a few times and killed the BK. It actually seemed to happen more when I turned the battle animations off. 

[Areth]

*attempts to resist the urge to spoil the mood*

Congratulations on your victory, and good luck with the rest of the game. Not that you'll need it...