The Criosphynx is a secret boss (maybe even a super boss) in Chrono Cross. Considering this game had an updated port to multiple systems with the title Radical Dreams, new players may have encountered this guy by accident. We’re here to teach you how to answer his riddles and more.
What is the Criosphynx and How to Beat It
This enemy is located in the EARTH DRAGON ISLE in ANOTHER WORLD. In order to make it appear, the player must activate the SAND BOIL in the Earth Dragon Isle, but in HOME WORLD. So, you can encounter this guy anytime in your playthrough when you meet the condition.
There are two ways to beat this guy and one of them is by brute force. Be warned, if you take this route, you really need to be prepared because this is a tough battle ahead. Attack him on the first turn, and he will be aggressive, and you either beat him or die. You can get one of the best items in the game, the Sunglasses, when you beat him.
The other method of beating him is by answering his riddles, like the mythical Sphinx this boss is based on. These answers are the same for the original PS1 version and the Radical Dreamers update.
How to Beat It by Answering the Riddles
When you go through the path of answering the riddle, you will not be able to get the Sunglasses. However, this method of beating him is by easier than fighting him. He doesn’t give you anything when he is defeated, and he will not appear again.
If you wan to answer the riddle, you need to DEFEND on the first turn. Do not attack him, and wait for him to ask the riddle. The riddle will always be in the same order, so you must now attack him with an Elemental Technique, which are the answers to the riddle. Do it in the order listed below and you’ll beat him. Also, DO NOT ATTACK HIM during the riddles. Just use an Elemental Technique and not your basic attack, because he will fight back.
Answers to the Riddles
| RIDDLES | ANSWERS |
| Auburn nay the burn, iron pyrite nay the fool, all that glitters is nay… But silence be… | YELLOW |
| In my anger, I see… Both the rag to charge at, and the flat to stop at. Blushing, I walk the royal carpet. | RED |
| It isn’t easy being… A friend of the planet, With the jealous monster’s eyes giving me a sign to proceed! | GREEN |
| Mare et caelum et viola, give me a melancholy gloom, but a first prize ribbon, make me feel I’ve royal blood! | BLUE |
| Like pontoon nay the knave, or Jolly Roger nay the bones, even the top rank of self-defense, be no protection from the Plague | BLACK |
| What the extorted one is bled, with knuckles of fear. The plumage of a coward when faced with the hottest of heat | WHITE |
