16. Oh yeah I remember Luin now, the town that got wasted by the Desians led by Kvar and where you recruited Sheena. I remember the little rebuilding sidequest too but I never got around to finishing it.
I know your pain too when it comes to Yuan and Botta Peachy, they weren't too hard until Yuan started using Indignation and I couldn't get out of the blast zone in time, I usually went after Yuan first and foremost due to how dangerous that spell was, and yes the dragons were a royal pain in the ass particularly the ones that flew around which I believe was right after you killed Rodyle and Mithos came in with Aska. I loved the fighting music in that battle though. Oh yeah I thought it was Welgaia for a second there TBH lol.
Now the EX Gems I don't remember all too well, I usually went with using different playstyles like with Sword Rain and Sonic Blade on the same moveset until I unlocked a move like Sonic Sword Rain, and Raining Tiger Blade is amazing. Wait I might remember Tiger Rage now but just barely. Yeah the ones with lightning protruding from the blades were what I was thinking, pretty useful at the time too when I believe I was in a set of mines to get something for Altessa, something to do with Presea's Exsphere.
Funny thing is though the Angel Tears had a higher attack boost than Flamberge and the Vorpal Sword lol, used them against Kratos in the final fight against him and beat him in about 30 seconds hahaha.
Nice! Now Nibelheim I've been dying to go into back then especially since you got to face Yuan, Angel Mode Kratos, and Mithos all at once in one of the boss fights. Maybe I'll be fighting them in Mania mode too, that'll be a blast hahaha.