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I haven't finished the Niflheim underworld quest yet - that's why I'm asking this:

If you've beaten the sword dancer all 3 times previously, does he show up again? I mean, after you beat him at Iselia, he goes back to the underworld - which is where you are.

No, They're only three appearances. After he gives you the sword (the best in the game, mind you) he goes away forever.

For you to kill enough enemies to actually make the nebilim better than the sword dancer sword(can't remember the name), you'd have to play through the game and transfer your kills a few times. Until then, it's just better to stick with that. And it's really hard to tell when each is better anyways, the nebilim doesn't really keep track for you to know just how strong it is. You have to just rely on what you think. I actually got to the dark dragon at the end of the game and fought random enemies until Lloyd was the only one left in my party(That took a long time) I saved and went in with the sword dancer sword, used magic lens and struck once. Recorded how much damage I did and did the same for nebilim. This was my third time through the game and the nebilim did more damage. So in that case, yes Nebilim is better. But think if it had been my first time through the game.

The blade in question is the 'Kusanagi' by the way. Each of the three items you receive from the Sword Dancer is a representation of three legendery artifacts from Japanese Mythology.

Sorry, I'm a factoid-monger.

But yeah...Nebilim has the potential to do ridiculous amounts of damage, but only after ridiculous amounts of work. I'd still use the Kusanagi, myself. Actually, I'd probably just use the Material Blades, just on the principle that they look so damn cool. Falcon's crest doesn't hurt either.

I prefer the Valkyrie Saber. It's equal to the Kusanagi - it just switches the slash/thrust values. As I use the Sword Rain series a lot, it works better for me than the Kusanagi

Finish advanced class in the coliseum multiple times (~3) as Lloyd. This is after beating Seles, that runthrough doesn't count

eek Popsicle sticks...covered in...fudge. I'm surprised they're permitted in Valhalla, then...

Well, it's probably because you haven't leveled up enough. Try gaining a few levels, getting some new techs and equipment and trying again. Just don't wait too long...The Sword Dancer in the mines disappears after you go to Tethe'alla for the first time, and the second form found in Gaoraccia (Sp?) disappears after the fight with Yuan and Botta. The third form (In Iselia forest) will remain until you beat the game. However, if you don't fight one, the consecutive forms will not appear.