This is a little idea I had because I noticed the constant new threads of basic questions.

So I wanted to make a thread where you post your questions here and the other members can reply instead of creating a new thread.

But please, only post questions that relate to the gameplay. Such as, where to find items/weapons/hunts/espers.

Ex.
-"Where can I find the esper Belias?"

Then the other members, and myself can reply with the answers.

-"The Tomb of Raithwall"



Please DO NOT post questions relating the storyline of the game.

Do not ask about the game's ending/cutscene/dialouge/charcter's actions.

Hopefully, we can make this work and keep it resourceful for people that need to know an answer.

I have the first two main espers in the game just to let you know where I'm at and I'd like to know if there are any secret ones that I am able to get as of now.

Yeah...if you have been completing any of the hunts up until now then you should be able to find them

I meant could you tell me where JUST ONE is

what do i get if i collect lots of chops? is there some kind of uberprize?

I meant could you tell me where JUST ONE is

One that you can get is in the Zeritan Caverns (in a southern area in the Dalmasca Westersand.) Make sure your characters are at least 33-34. There's no prerequisite for the fight to occur, either.

I've been waiting for a rainy day to head into Zeritan. Just so happens that it poored down rain here in northern Ohio :)

Sorry fot the DP but I was wondering how much does much damage "Protect" protects you from.

It is a certain percentage based off of level and magick power.

what do i get if i collect lots of chops? is there some kind of uberprize?

If you collect 28 of them (i think its 28) you get a sandalwood chop.

If you collect 28 of them (i think its 28) you get a sandalwood chop.

You didn't really answer his question.

Once you get a sandalwood chop, you can get into the last section of Arcadia, where the upper class live. I forget what it's called. Once there, you can participiate in a couple of quests you couldn't otherwise. There's a guy there that will pay you (give you items maybe?) for doing Rare Mark hunting (not just regular mark hunts like you do for your clan, I mean the quest you get from the Bangaa in the Phon Coast camp where you hunt RARE monsters).

Also, one of the chocobos from the Chocobo gathering quest is there. I haven't finished either quest, but that's all I've found to do with my Sandalwood chop. There aren't any secret shops or anything like I'd hoped there would be.

Protect is 25% physical damage reduction flat.

You didn't really answer his question.

Once you get a sandalwood chop, you can get into the last section of Arcadia, where the upper class live. I forget what it's called. Once there, you can participiate in a couple of quests you couldn't otherwise. There's a guy there that will pay you (give you items maybe?) for doing Rare Mark hunting (not just regular mark hunts like you do for your clan, I mean the quest you get from the Bangaa in the Phon Coast camp where you hunt RARE monsters).

Also, one of the chocobos from the Chocobo gathering quest is there. I haven't finished either quest, but that's all I've found to do with my Sandalwood chop. There aren't any secret shops or anything like I'd hoped there would be.

He never asked what it did, he just asked what you would get, so yes, i did answer his question. :)

Didn't go in depth because I havent bothered to see what extra stuff you can get with it.

Does this game have any sort of blue magic whatsoever? I noticed 1000 Needles on the license board, but that's apparently a Technick.

Does this game have any sort of blue magic whatsoever? I noticed 1000 Needles on the license board, but that's apparently a Technick.

Nope no blue magic persay though like you said 1000 needles is there. But you learn it just like any other tecknick, by getting a license, not from monsters like Blue magic. As for the scroll, you have it from bazaar I think?

As for the scroll, you have it from bazaar I think?

No, you have to buy it as a regular item from the merchant in the Mosphoran Highwaste. Kinda expensive too if I remember correctly.

Mosphoran Highwaste, eh? Well, I've made may my way there, so I'll stop buy there as soon as I can, and I'll gather up enough gil. I want that ability.

where can I find the Deathbringer sword? I read in some walkthrough that it could be found by tripping a certain trap in the Feywood (in the section right before the gate to Giruvegan). I tripped every trap I could find and it still didn't show up - I think it's one of those cases where the Japanese version (the walkthrough I read was a translation) has items in different places than the American version.

Speaking of 1000 needles - does that always just do 1000 damage? Or does that damage scale with level? I was considering getting it earlier on, but now all of my characters can routinely cause more than 1500 dmg a hit with standard attacks, so I kind of forgot about it.

To get Deathbringer you need the Barheim Key. I will explain teh rest once you confirm you do infact have the Barheim Key, but if you need help with that PM me or something.

Also, I have never used 1000 Needles, I kind of thought it would suck.

I kinda want 1000 Needles because right now my characters generally aren't doing 1000 damage with most general attacks. If it works like 1000 Needles always did in past FF games, then yeah, it should always do 1000 damage. I don't know though.

is final fanstasy VII is a fun game to play?

OMG ROTFL!!!!! Is this a joke account or what?

1000 Needles always does 1000 pts of damage, it's not like the Jumbo Cactuar's 1000 Needles attack in FFVIII where it's based on level. The bad thing is that it sometimes misses. For me, it'll usually hit 2 out of 3 times.

also, lmao about the FFVII comment.

My questions is about the Bazaar items...

In order to un-lock an especific item, do you have to sell all of the required items at the same time or can I just sell everything I have and when the missing items are sold then the Bazaar item is un-locked?

BTW, does this furum act wierd on Firefox 2 or is it just me? I cant find the new thread button!

To get Deathbringer you need the Barheim Key. I will explain teh rest once you confirm you do infact have the Barheim Key, but if you need help with that PM me or something.

Also, I have never used 1000 Needles, I kind of thought it would suck.

How do you get it? (i have the barheim key) I dont have the guide so i have no idea if the sword is even good but if you have to do something special to get it i assume it is.

"My questions is about the Bazaar items...

In order to un-lock an especific item, do you have to sell all of the required items at the same time or can I just sell everything I have and when the missing items are sold then the Bazaar item is un-locked?

BTW, does this furum act wierd on Firefox 2 or is it just me? I cant find the new thread button! "

Firefox is overrated.

The answer to your other question is no. You can unlock bazaar items even if you sell things one at a time. But take note: there can only be one unique bazaar item for sale at any time. That means.... say you sold 3x blah blah blah and 3x bleh bleh bleh to unlock a SuperGunAwesomeShit, you would see exactly 1 for sale in the bazaar even of you sold 10,000 blahs and blehs.

Also,
If two recipes share an ingredient, sell the ingredient needed by both recipes LAST to unlock both items at once. This is particularly useful when you want to unlock Tournesol, since it lowers the amount of High Arcana you need from 6 to 3.

I would like to know where that Bartheim Key is also. And Firefox 2.0 works fine for me. It's a very nice browser. Not sure what the deal with those problems is.

I would like to know where that Bartheim Key is also. And Firefox 2.0 works fine for me. It's a very nice browser. Not sure what the deal with those problems is.


For the barheim key you have to talk with dantro's wife in the south village in the estersand after you do the flowering cactoid mark. There is a wounded Bangaa in her house and she will use the cactus flower u get from beating the flowering cactoid mark to help heal him. She will send you on simple errands to get other items as well - nothing difficult. When the Bangaa is healed he'll give you the barheim key.

Combos? Someone want to explain them to me? Why is it sometimes my characters will attack 3 times instead of the usual 1. Elaborate if possible. Thanks.


Slick

The_Great --- I swear I completed that task. As far as I know, I should be well past that. I've already continued with that quest and gained access to the Mosphoran Highwaste. The flowering cactoid turned into a new cactoid. Yet, I don't recall getting any key. Did I miss something important, and if so, is there still a way to salvage it? I don't know --- I'm pretty sure I don't have the sucker, because I seem to recall trying to get into that area last night and not being able to. I'll check though.


l33t --- as far as I can tell, combos are randomly determined. However --- I do know one thing --- I recall reading in the game that those combos only happen if you use a short-range weapon. Distance weapons such as bows and guns won't do combos.

For the Barheim Key:

Agent, I think you got as far as giving the flower to Dantro's wife. After you do that, talk to young man on the dock and he will say something about how his dad has gone missing. After some more conversation he will take you to the North Bank Village.
Here there will be a small scene where the villagers are being held hostages by cactoids. They say how they want their son and they will let the villagers go once their son is found.
Return to the South Bank Village and talk to Dantro's wife.
Then, go behind her house and you will see a small flower and the "!!!" icon will appear. Vaan will pull the flower up and it will actually be a cactoid. Return to the North Bank Village and return the missing cactoid to its family.
Return to the South Bank Village and talk to Dantro's Wife again. She will ask you to collect some type of clams. Run along the shore of the South Bank Village and pick up the "Mysterious Glints" along the way. Once you have about 2 or 3 talk to Dantro's wife. She will then ask you to go to the Outpost where Dantro is located to pick up another item.
Go speak to Dantro and look around the Outpost for the needed item, upon returing to the South Bank Village talk to Dantro's wife. She will thank you for your help. Go behind her house and talk to the Bangaa back there. He will give you the Barheim Key.
I hope that clears things up.

Obtaining the Deathbringer:

This is really simple. Enter the Barheim Passage and make your way through until you reach the room that splits into two ways. You should remember this room from your first trip through the Barheim Passage.
One way leads to a Teleport Crystal and the other leads to the Deathbringer. Go to the Crystal first, just because it is nice and orange.
After touching the crystal and saving, it is a good idea to set everyone's gambits to
Steal: Party Leader's Target

Head back down the passage you did not go down earlier. Once there, it splits into two ways again. Just keep going straight.
In the next area you should run and see an Adamantoise. Run a little further down and look behind a giant rock, there should be a Mimic treasure chest. I believe the monster is called something like, "Ithuro." If it just a normal treasure go back to the Teleport Crystal and try again.
If the chest is in fact a mimic, steal from it like no other. Within a few tries you should obtain the Deathbringer.
I believe the Sword has 95 attack and On Hit: KO

It is excellent and worth the trouble.

Joey --- you're kinda right. I've already done all of that find the flower and it turns out to be a cactoid stuff. But I never got any further than that. I will go back and talk the Wife again as soon as I have a chance. Thanks!


Edit --- is there anything special I should know when it comes to Quickenings? I've basically been hitting R2 like crazy when one isn't actually being cast and hitting the button as soon as any available one comes up, because that seems to be the thing to do? But is there anything else I need to be doing? Sometimes I seem to get lucky and get a really nice chain, other times, I get crap.

Joey --- you're kinda right. I've already done all of that find the flower and it turns out to be a cactoid stuff. But I never got any further than that. I will go back and talk the Wife again as soon as I have a chance. Thanks!


Edit --- is there anything special I should know when it comes to Quickenings? I've basically been hitting R2 like crazy when one isn't actually being cast and hitting the button as soon as any available one comes up, because that seems to be the thing to do? But is there anything else I need to be doing? Sometimes I seem to get lucky and get a really nice chain, other times, I get crap.


Yeah you probably finished the little quest but didnt talk to her that final time.

As for the quickenings its all about luck. Only advice I can give is to not press R2 too fast, nothing sucks more than missing a mist charge because you were jamming R2. Check the thread titled "Mist Charge" for more in depth explanation of the mist charges etc...

The Great --- yeah, I know. It's taken care of now. I have the key.

Also, thanks. I will definitely check into that Mist Charge thread. I've pretty much been pressing R2 like wild, so now that I know there's a strategy to it, maybe I can take some of the luck element out of it...

Turns out that it was my AdBlock and NoScript plugnins, I added some new rules and its all good. I use Firefox for everything but Windows Updates and Hotmail!

So soul ring, if I resell 3x blah blah blah and 3x bleh bleh bleh do I get another SuperGunAwesomeShit to buy or is it a one time deal?

Nope no blue magic persay though like you said 1000 needles is there. But you learn it just like any other tecknick, by getting a license, not from monsters like Blue magic. As for the scroll, you have it from bazaar I think?

Thank god, I've always despised blue magic.

No thanks --- I've always adored Blue Magic.

No thanks --- I've always adored Blue Magic.

To each their own. I eventually find however, that whichever game it is, no matter how good the abilities I eventually ignore the blue magic character. The exception being Kimari, but that's because he's ultimate weapon was just so damn good.

You should try FFIX's Quina --- Lv5 Death kills every enemy in Kuja's underground lair except the boss and it also works wonders on Grand Dragons. Pumpkin Head, Matra Magic and Auto-Life are especially useful too. And FFVII would have been a lot more trouble for me without White Wind and Big Guard.


Back on topic now, I suppose...

You should try FFIX's Quina --- Lv5 Death kills every enemy in Kuja's underground lair except the boss and it also works wonders on Grand Dragons. Pumpkin Head, Matra Magic and Auto-Life are especially useful too. And FFVII would have been a lot more trouble for me without White Wind and Big Guard.


Back on topic now, I suppose...

One last off topic post:

Quina's abilities do kick ass. I just got so tired of cooking things after a while.

Ok question, I have Belias and Matues, is my next esper target Andrsomething in Zert. caves?

Ok question, I have Belias and Matues, is my next esper target Andrsomething in Zert. caves?

Yes, Andremelech.

Thanx Olde

I beat Andremelech last night. If you're around 30-40 in levels and have a decent license board, magicks and technicks, it's not too tough. I just pounded Quickenings and when he put up the paling, I just kept my characters alive until the Paling went down and I was able to switch out for another set of Quickenings. The hardest part was actually getting the heck out of there afterwards and back to the save point, while trying to avoid too much damage from the Shambling Corpses.

I found Blizzaga to work wonders on him.

I don't have the third-level elemental magicks yet.

I tried my hand at him last night and alomost beat him but when I got my second quickenings off, I just noticed that he had his paling up so he was totally immune to it. I decided to zone out real quick to get my bearings and raise my dead and when I came back in, he had full health, <I am such the dumb arse>. I will try him again and get him down a little more than I did before I let loose my first quickenings which took off more than 75% of his health. By the way I am level 39 on all and he still kicks my ass.

He healed himself? That's weird. He never pulled that trick on me. Ouch.

I cant believe everyone has so much problems with Adrammalech, he was so easy for me. There was a thread devoted entirely to him but it has fallen to a later page. o_O

Anyway, I am having major problems with another esper: Zeromus (the one in the stilshrine of miriam). With the magic barrier and all those damned undead he raises I can barely get him to half hp before my entire party is killed. Anyone have tips on how to beat him? My party is levels 53-54 btw.

Zeromus? Chalk up another past FF reference. Zeromus was the final boss in FFIV.

I cant believe everyone has so much problems with Adrammalech, he was so easy for me. There was a thread devoted entirely to him but it has fallen to a later page. o_O

Anyway, I am having major problems with another esper: Zeromus (the one in the stilshrine of miriam). With the magic barrier and all those damned undead he raises I can barely get him to half hp before my entire party is killed. Anyone have tips on how to beat him? My party is levels 53-54 btw.

Jezus you should be kickin his ass, whats the problem with him? i cant remember to much from him. when i did that esper i didnt even have bubble, have you got bubble, use bubble, pheonix downs to revive chars instead of using raise or arise. Make sure you cast haste protect bubble and shell on every1 just before the fight.

When and if you get him down a third or so use quickenings, if you get a good string it should wipeout all the zombies, use the time to revive your party and continue to bash him again, concentrate all your attacks on zeromus not the zombies and have 1 char cast curaja constantly then if you manage to get him down a third again use quickenings. If all go's well should'nt be much left of him.

Jezus you should be kickin his ass, whats the problem with him? i cant remember to much from him. when i did that esper i didnt even have bubble, have you got bubble, use bubble, pheonix downs to revive chars instead of using raise or arise. Make sure you cast haste protect bubble and shell on every1 just before the fight.

When and if you get him down a third or so use quickenings, if you get a good string it should wipeout all the zombies, use the time to revive your party and continue to bash him again, concentrate all your attacks on zeromus not the zombies and have 1 char cast curaja constantly then if you manage to get him down a third again use quickenings. If all go's well should'nt be much left of him.

Thats a good idea, to put on my spells before the fight. I completely forgot i could do that. There is no way to use curaja though as all magic is sealed for the fight. However, if i put on bubble, protect and shell b4 the fight i should have no problem. Thanks for the tip.

Oh, you weren't putting up protective spells before the fight? Yeah, you should. I always do that. Haste, Regen, Protect, Shell, Libra --- whatever you can get.

I am having major problems with another esper: Zeromus (the one in the stilshrine of miriam). With the magic barrier and all those damned undead he raises I can barely get him to half hp before my entire party is killed. Anyone have tips on how to beat him? My party is levels 53-54 btw.

Zeromus is quite hard, but still doesn't make it into my Top 3 most difficult Esper battles.

Always defeat the Dark Lords before targetting Zeromus for two reasons. 1. If you get the chain high enough, your party will get healed when you defeat them. 2. If you do defeat all the Dark Lords, there'll be about 30 seconds where Zeromus is all by himself, which is a fair amount of time to do some focused damage.

The book recommends equipping Pheasant Netsukes to increase the potency of restorative items. Keep in mind that it's impossible to dispel his status effects.

You might also want to try technicks. Namely, Souleater (risky though) and Shades Of Black, even 1000 Needles. If you've got Revive, you could also use that if one of your party members has low HP, but I personally don't like using it.

Also, since you have no other use for MP, use QUICKENINGS! With all the MP licenses, you're bound to get many Mist Charges during the battle. Stock up on X-potions and Phoenix Downs, and remember that the esper battles only get harder ;)

OMG NO WAY!!! Don't tell me they get harder, I finally just beat Adrammalech(sp?) after several tries. And when I did that, I had performed 4 different quickenings. The funny part of that was the last 2 I did, I started with a party of 3 and just before the quickening went off, 2 of them died, I was frustrated as hell. When all was said and done, Penelo was the last one standing, alive that is. So now I have to look forward to harder battles, this is going to get FUN.

OMG NO WAY!!! Don't tell me they get harder, I finally just beat Adrammalech(sp?) after several tries. And when I did that, I had performed 4 different quickenings. The funny part of that was the last 2 I did, I started with a party of 3 and just before the quickening went off, 2 of them died, I was frustrated as hell. When all was said and done, Penelo was the last one standing, alive that is. So now I have to look forward to harder battles, this is going to get FUN.

Adrammalech is a bitch compared to zeromus Lol.

Also: If you have one character about to perform a mist attack, and one or two other members die, you can quickly switch in reserve characters to take their place, you just have to be quick. (assuming you have some reserve characters left lol)

Olde: Yeah i was killing the dark lords when it got too crowded. I ended up with like a 25 chain i think, but the stupid blue powerup things werent healing me enough lol. Also, i did use the quickenings. I pounded the shit out of him in fact lol. Unfortunatel one of them i got screwed and was only able to get a single mist off, which sucked. I had him down to within an inch of his health by using the quickenings and balance motes to kill off the dark lords lol.

When i face him again today im sure he will have no chance because i will use my spells before the fight.

Okay, if Adrammalech is a bitch compared to Zeromus, then can somebody please tell me how I can unlock this esper and collect it and become all powerful like Kefka? ("I'm all powerful! I'm collecting magicite!")


I saw in the earlier post that it's in the Stilshrine of Miriam, but how do you unlock it? Is there anything special you need to do? I haven't been back there since I left.

Okay, if Adrammalech is a bitch compared to Zeromus, then can somebody please tell me how I can unlock this esper and collect it and become all powerful like Kefka? ("I'm all powerful! I'm collecting magicite!")


I saw in the earlier post that it's in the Stilshrine of Miriam, but how do you unlock it? Is there anything special you need to do? I haven't been back there since I left.

To unlock zeromus you need 'The stone of the condemner' from the mt-bur-omisace section, after the attack talk to some1 outside the temple they should give it to you. Use the stone on the way stone at the stilshrine of mirium.

Okay, I have that stone. Thanks for the info!

Adrammalech is a bitch compared to zeromus


Are you sure you're not thinking Zalera? Cuz I thought Andremelech was about as hard as Zalera, but I thought Zeromus was much harder. For Andremelech all you really need is Blizzara or Blizzaga. And there's no restrictions either (ie Time Limit, Magick Barrier, etc.).

In fact, I don't see what the fuss over Andremelech is in the first place. Do you even need long-range weapons to hit him? I can't remember right now.

I think I might agree with Olde. I tried fighting Zeromus last night and I made a decent crack at him, but I didn't beat him. Those Dark Lords that pop up all over the place really screw things up. I think I'm going to need more power before I have a good chance on that one.

Are you sure you're not thinking Zalera? Cuz I thought Andremelech was about as hard as Zalera, but I thought Zeromus was much harder. For Andremelech all you really need is Blizzara or Blizzaga. And there's no restrictions either (ie Time Limit, Magick Barrier, etc.).

In fact, I don't see what the fuss over Andremelech is in the first place. Do you even need long-range weapons to hit him? I can't remember right now.

By saying adrammalech was a bitch, i meant that he was weak as hell.

Adrammalech was, by far, the easiest of all the espers to kill. ONE (possibly two, dont really remember anymore) mist combo took him out for me, it was rediculous. I couldnt believe he was dead. When the animation came up, i thought he was going to do some super attack to me, but he just died. Very dissapointing, especially after all the posts on this board about how hard he supposedly was. Zalera wasn't difficult either, but it took longer to kill him then adrammalech.

Okay, sounds like Zalera's a pushover then. Where do I go for that one? Don't tell me if he's not available to me yet. I just reached the Tchita Uplands.

Hes not really a pushover, he just wasnt as hard as zeromus. If i remember correctly, he summons minions too, they just arent as tough. I actually dont even remember where i found zalera lol. I know i found him on accident, just like adrammalech, but i cannot remember where atm. o_O

Edit: Now i remember. He was in the barheim passage. He was pretty deep in there, cant be much more specific than that though, thats all i remember.

Ah, Barheim Passage. I haven't really explored too deeply in there yet. May try it later.

Zalera was easy but he kept casting Kill, KO'ing a party member, so stock up on Phoenix Downs before you fight him.
Also, if you have fought the Bloodwing, he is near there, you just have to follow through the hidden area.

Haven't fought the Bloodwing. Sounds like I might want to look into killing two birds with one stone, as such.

OK just killed zermous finally. Wasn't so bad this time around although he still put up a fight. Megalixer ftw. ^^

Also got another esper, the one from giruvegan. Have to say she isnt nearly worth the 2 full bars of mana that it takes to summon her. She did her super move on a mythril golem and it didnt even do any dmg wtf. She also died to a pack of couerls in about 5 seconds. o_O

Although its fun finding and killing the espers i sure as hell hope they start getting useful because right now they are sucking pretty bad.

I don't have any megalixirs yet, I don't think, but I do have elixirs. Maybe I should be less stingy about using my items. I've always been an item hog...

By saying adrammalech was a bitch, i meant that he was weak as hell. Adrammalech was, by far, the easiest of all the espers to kill.

Totally agree. Well, actually, I thought he was about as easy as Belias.


Also got another esper, the one from giruvegan. Have to say she isnt nearly worth the 2 full bars of mana that it takes to summon her.

Was that the one you get in the main story line? Yeah, she's really useless. I only summoned her once, and needless to say, she failed miserably.

I just got the magicks Bravery, Faith and Bubble from the Clan shop in the Muthru Bazaar and Rabanastre. I can tell already that these magicks are going to be extremely helpful when it comes Marks and esper fighting. Bubble doubles max HP and Bravery/Faith improve physical/magical attack. And I already have the Licenses for them on most of my characters. Anyway, if anyone doesn't have those magicks yet and they're available to you, make sure to get them right away!


BTW --- while I'm here --- what's the trick when it comes to Maliris in the Zertinian Caverns? How do you get it to show up?

Although its fun finding and killing the espers i sure as hell hope they start getting useful because right now they are sucking pretty bad.

I agree completely. Granted, I only have a few espers so far, but I never use them (other than Belias against the Ring Wyrm) - they just don't seem useful. Perhaps if they weren't gambit-only characters they might prove flexible enough to be worthwhile.

what's the trick when it comes to Maliris in the Zertinian Caverns? How do you get it to show up?

Wipe out all of the enemies in that room and just hang out for a few minutes (seems like forever). He pops up out of the sand when you head into a corner (sorry I can't be too specific on which corner - I believe there's a crack of light coming in through the wall, and it seems like the sand slopes up a bit right there) if you've waited long enough. Hope that helps.

After clearing out "Invitation to Heresy" in Zertinan Caverns, which can be most easily accessed via the SW exit of "Shimmering Horizons" in the Dalmasca Westersand, look for the largest room in the area (there will be sunlight shining down from above) and head into the corner. If Marilith doesn't drop down from above, make sure that you cleared out "Invitation to Heresy"--it may take a few minutes for the mark to spawn, anyway.

Even though it was Slowed and Blinded, I remember healing a lot. If you're pretty early into the game, expect your hardest battle yet.

Okay, I thought it might be something like that, but I didn't want to be waiting as long as I seemed to have been. Thanks.


Oh --- and I know exactly where this is and I am very far in the game and get the feeling this thing is going to be a huge pushover.

Yeah I had to wait for it for about 5 minutes. So you really have to be patient.

I didn't have to wait at all! Once I figured out the area you guys were talking about, the sucker showed up right away this time after I cleared all the enemies. Guess I just got lucky. Oh --- and at my point in the game, Maliris was a total pansy / pushover. I didn't even bother with Quickenings. Just physical attacks on Gambit and some magicks every once in a while. Bio seemed to work well.

By the way, you dont have to clear out Invitation to Heresy to get Marilith to pop up. I killed him last night simply by waiting in the sunlight and he just sprouted up within seconds. I knew where to go and am positive that I did not kill all monsters in there first. And yes at level 49, he is a pushover, LOL. I too used no quickenings agains him.

Okay, since I'm not going to be fighting him for a little while, I may as well ask --- where in the Nabreus Deadlands do you find Atomos and what do you have to get it to show up?

Atomos is in the Mosphoran (sp?) Highwaste and he in the area right before the Salikawood.

He's in the Highwaste? No, I don't think that's right, unless I'm thinking of another mark. The one I'm after is in the Nabreus Deadlands. The description tells me that he's in an area of high grasses and heavy fog.

Oh --- whichever one it was in the Highwaste, I already took it down.

Ohh, you are looking for the Golem or Goliath thing.
Ok, go into the large circular area, the one before the teleport crystal. There should be a large rock that blocks off part of the area. Go near it and look at the banks on the Northern end. Walk along the bank and through the fog there should be a trail.
Just follow this trail into the next area and it is straightforward from there.

BE WARNED:

There are tons and tons of undead enemies that continue spawning near this mark and they tend to use spells like Protectga and Reflectga which also effects the Golem/Goliath.

That is the best of description I can give.

Great, thanks! I'll keep all that in mind.

Speaking of that particular mark... Roblon, I think it is, there's a door behind him. Anyone go in there?

I do believe Roblon is the name of the man who posts the bill for that Mark --- the petitioner.

Yes Roblon is in the Deadlands, I too am on this hunt. Joey is right Atomos is in the highwaste, rather an easy fight he was. I havent tried Roblon yet, I am thinking of taking out Trickster first. Any strategy for that hunt?

Again, Roblon is the name of the petitioner.

Agent, Morgen is the name of the Petitioner, Roblon is the name of the actual Mark itself. Check out the site I provided in this thread, plus I know that its the name given in the game as well.

'K, I was going by Joey's info, sorry.

Bad joey!! LOL j/k

So....nobody's been in the door behind Roblon then?

Tell you what --- after I fight the sucker later this evening, I'll give it a go.

The door thing behind the roblon is just a shrine i think, it has an item that lets you open 1 of the doors in the necrohol of nabudis, not sure what item it is but its part of the chaos esper mini-adventure side quest thing 0_o

I cannot keep track of names because not only do I not care, but there are quite a few of marks that look exactly like the Roblon.

But I never understood how you opened the door behind him...

I just got FF12 yesterday and for some reason I can't access the menu or the maps. Are you supposed to press select(map) and triangle(menu), or did I misunderstand the tutorial? I've just reached the estersand to fight the rogue tomato, if that helps at all.

Right, select should be your map and triangle should be your menu. And start button is pause. You might want to try pushing some other buttons and see if you can get your menu and if you can, check your configuration settings. You might also want to check and see if your controller is still working properly for other games.

Oh, and X brings up the battle menu usually, unless you're selecting something or talking to someone, etc.

I just got FF12 yesterday and for some reason I can't access the menu or the maps. Are you supposed to press select(map) and triangle(menu), or did I misunderstand the tutorial? I've just reached the estersand to fight the rogue tomato, if that helps at all.

You aren't alone apparently:

http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/final_fantasy_xii_mech.txt

Check out the appendix.

The upshot is that you need to use a different controller.

I can't count how many times I've said this before --- direct links to GameFAQs don't work. You need to give us the title of the FAQ and link to the GameFAQs section for Final Fantasy XII.

I can't count how many times I've said this before --- direct links to GameFAQs don't work. You need to give us the title of the FAQ and link to the GameFAQs section for Final Fantasy XII.


My bad. Didn't know.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/game/459841.html

The FAQ is called: Game Mechanics FAQ

Again, see the Appendix.

I've been playing ff12 for 3 days now and I've just reached the part where I found Mjern and defeated that 50k hp drake boss. I've got a few questions in my mind that I would like to ask.

1) Is there a way to know which part of the game requires what best suitable level? Cos there is no way I could tell if I'm behind level or not.

2) I'm kinda stuck at the mistknack thingy, the highest dmg I've dealt is 300+ only...how do I use it? I only see the R2 button thingy..am I supposed to keep pressing R2? And I've noticed that when a character has 2 mistknacks added, his mp increased 2 fold, will it increase 3 fold with 3 mistknacks?

3) There is 3 places I went past without getting the espers(belias temple, cave at the sand dunes part and another cave at osmone plains)..so I've only got belias..is it possible getting them when I get stronger?

4) If an esper dies, can we use pheonix down or revive it or we need to get to another crystal to be able to summon it?

5) I'm not sure what is the mistknack and esper mp cost, it seems to me that it consumes alot of my mp.

6) I've not fought the first wall in the temple(20k hp) where I got belias, can I fight it again in the future when I got stronger? I heard it opens up another path leading to a hidden weapon.

Thanks!

Germ --- check the threads titled Mist Charges and The Quickenings Thread. These are going to answer a lot of your questions and I think they're both still on the first page.

BTW --- not sure where this "mistknacks" thing is coming from unless that's one of those fan translations directly from the Japanese version. It's Mist Charges.

How about 1, 3, 4 and 6?

1. If your characters are getting run over, then it's probably too low.

3. Far as I know, just come back later

4. Just get yourself another Mist Charge. Your espers are probably going to die anyway, probably better to just forget about them until you get stronger.

6. No idea, probably.

can you change the camera controls?

Nope sorry. I noticed that as soon as I started the game. I wanted to invert the look but you can't. You will just have to deal.

As for the demon wall, yes... you're better off running from it the first time, but come back when you're stronger and there's a path behind it. Plus, go see Montblanc in the clan hall to get a reward for killing it.

The FAQ is called: Game Mechanics FAQ

Again, see the Appendix.

Ah, thank you. Problem solved.

As for the demon wall, yes... you're better off running from it the first time, but come back when you're stronger and there's a path behind it...

You may be able to come back later, but you're not necessarily better off doing that. There is a save crystal right before you reach the first wall, so save first then give it a shot - you've got nothing to lose.

*Spoiler Warning - sort of*
I beat the first wall my first time through the Tomb (2nd attempt) and the Demonsbane at the end of the hidden passage (including Broadaxe drops from the Tallows therein) are a huge attack damage advantage. Just remember, if you don't get the treasure you're looking for, keep trying - having the grimoire for flans helps here (sorry, I don't remember the name of it) as it increases the chance you'll get broadaxe drops as you go back and forth to the treasure chest.

Okay, a while back, somebody was yapping about some sort of uber-weapon --- something you could only get if you didn't open certain treasure chests. They seemed to think it was only for Vaan, but I recall whoever it was being told that it can be used by anyone. Anyone recall what the deal was with this?

that weapon is the zodiac spear. you can still get it if you opened the chests, but the odds are much much lower that it will be there. anyone can use it if you license it. it does kick ass. i wish i had 3 of them.

Sweetness, I already have it.

My understanding was that you can only get the spear if you HAVEN'T opened any of those 4 chests (which of course I discovered too late). Can anyone else confirm that the Zodiac Spear is still obtainable if you've opened some/all of the chests? If so I know where my next stop is :)

can't confirm that cause i didn't open the chests and got the spear. but i've read posts where people claim to have gotten it after opening the chests. they could be lying.

I wasn't even trying to get the spear and didn't even know where it was before I got it. I think I opened like anywhere from two-four chests before I got it! No joke.

/me grins ear to ear

Thanks Agent, I thought all hope was lost for acquiring that bad boy.

Ok.... so where is it? (allegedly) :)

In the Necrohol of Nabudis there's a room plugged full of treasure chests/pots/whatever - it's in one of those. Sorry I can't be more specific.

I actually believe that the Zodiac Spear you can get (and open the chests), is in the hidden section of the Henne Mines.

I actually believe that the Zodiac Spear you can get (and open the chests), is in the hidden section of the Henne Mines.

I believe there's only one location to obtain the Zodiac Spear:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSoLzL2jN6A


Edit: you're right Joey, I just confirmed this. Once the path to Zodiark is unlocked in the Henne Mines you can access a "hidden stash" which of course contains the Zodiac Spear.

Okay, I've already got the Zodiac Spear (which I can confirm I did get from the Necrohol), but without too much spoiler detail, what is this Zodiark and how do you unlock it? I remember the Geomancer in Jahara mentioning a secret in the Henne Mines, but he said I wasn't strong enough for it yet.

Without too much spoiler info hmmm, well it's not part of the actual storyline anyway soooo: you need to acquire 10 espers then speak with Geomancer Yugelo again in order to access the secret area in the Henne Mines. Once there, you can acquire a Zodiac Spear and battle Zodiark, a high level esper.

Since you already have the spear from Nabudis, I'm not sure if there will be a second one available in Henne or not - maybe someone can help us out with that tidbit?

Okay, ten espers. Thanks.

I have a question because Im lazy right now.

How do I get into Geruvegan or w/e. Im guessing Gigas is an Esper I must obtain to get in, but Im not sure what to do.

Help please.

Im guessing Gigas is an Esper I must obtain to get in, but Im not sure what to do.

Belias is a Gigas. So summon him, then examine the door.

Ha, thats kind of funny. I haven't been paying much attention to the espers and thought Belias' name was Gigas, but when I seen it was Belias, I scrapped the idea of summoning him.

Thanks for the help.

No prob.

How do you get into the phase 2 area of the Henne mines? I cant seem to figure this out..

You need to obtain 10 espers then visit the garif cheif, i think its the cheif anyway, 1 of them will open the phase 2 door for you.

Ok so i read this thread like every time someone posts on it and i have got alot of info and i just wanted to say thank you for all the info that i get from here al though i just started playing the game like a week ago and i am not very far

Could someone explain what the Collecter's Edition is exactly and what is unique about it?

Tin case and a Bouns DVD with some extra features such as: some art work, interviews with the staff, and a brief history of the Final Fantasy series. Really nothing special but it is nice to have it.

I just spent 30 - 40 minutes entering, exiting and re-entering the Westersands trying to bring on a sandstorm - no luck. Can anyone tell me if there is a better way to do this? Is there any way to increase the odds of a sandstorm occurring or is this just completely random?

I do believe it is completely random. Walking in and out of the area doesn't do the trick though. Teleport/Airship your way to another area then try coming back to Rabanastre.
Not a definite solution just an idea.

Why do you need a sandstorm anyway?

Thanks Joey, I'll give that a shot.

I'm trying to bring up a sandstorm as I read that's the only time that the Gnoma Entites are out - the Gnoma Halcyon (sp?) is the last ingredient I need in order to get the Ultima Blade.

Yeah, I've encountered a Gnoma Entite before when there's a sandstorm. Wasn't able to beat it though --- still too early in the game. I had to run away.

I had the same problem with another Entite further west early in the game, Salomon (sp?) I believe it was (orange in colour) - gave it a shot but it handed my ass to me - just barely got out in time.

Well I've been trekking back and forth to the Westersand for about 2 hours and still no sign of a sandstorm - starting to wonder if the sword is actually worth this much trouble, but I guess I'm too far into it to give up now. Anyone else have any thoughts on what more I can do to bring this on?

I'm not sure. Maybe it's something that you just need to leave alone for a while. Try going off and doing stuff somewhere else for a while and then come back to it.


And Entites --- yeah, I actually ended up getting a Game Over on one before. They're really not so tough once you've built up your party some, but even around early 30s or so, they're still tough unless you're really lucky / good. Much beyond that though, and they start to get easier. And of course, by that point, standard Elementals are a piece of cake.


Is this really the only way to get that sword?

how do you get to ixion?

anyone?

I'm not sure. Maybe it's something that you just need to leave alone for a while. Try going off and doing stuff somewhere else for a while and then come back to it...

Thanks - sounds like good advice at this point as I was considering heading that direction now anyway - took a couple of side trips to get Cuchulainn and Exodus, still no luck - think I'll take on a couple of hunts and if there's still no storm I'll move the storyline forward and try again.


...Is this really the only way to get that sword?

LOL, good question - I got hung up on trying to get this b/c of another thread I was reading (Thread 35486); sounded like an interesting task, collecting these items and all, so I didn't even look into other methods - guess I was just tired of hunts, espers, etc. at the time and wanted to take on something new. Talk about Forest for the Trees syndrom :-P

Ixion: (Taken from GameFAQS)


Pharos-Subterra

Ixion can appear randomly on any of the subterra floors. The easiest way to
spawn him is to ride the elevator by the gate crystal to Penumbra and back up.
You'll know he's spawned when there are no swarming monsters around the ring

If you fight him in the center ring(where you get off the elevator) he'll have
the lesser HP total. Just run around the ring when you find no monsters and
he'll eventually teleport to you.


I hope that helps.

Okay, I suppose I could just check a walkthrough, but since I have some other stuff to take care of anyway, I suppose I'll just ask here. I know there's a secret path on the Mosphoran Highwaste related to those Shrines. Which Shrines do I activate to get that set up? Also, where's the secret chocobo path?

this is s dumb question i started the game not long ago and the guide im using from online suggests to get Libra but its unlocked but i dont know where to purchase this at. I look at all the vendors in Rabanatre and nothing.. confuzzeled...

Actually, I don't think the Technick shop in Rabanastre sells Libra. Try heading a little ways through the Estersand to Nalbina Town and see if the Technick shop there has it. Alternatively, you can also get an accessory that has it, but that's only useful really early in the game.

I dont see any Nalbina town to the east.. am i missing something? i went as far east as i could go. Im to the point where i need to go to the aerodrome but i need to get libra first...

You need to head to East Gate into the Estersand. It's where you fought the Rogue Tomato. After that, you come into a village, you want to continue through that village into another area of the Estersand. Explore that area that you're in now and you'll eventually come to Nalbina Town. There'll be a Gate Crystal just inside and if you go a little further, you'll enter the town/fortress proper.


Once you get Libra, you'll want to set the Gambit Ally:Any ---> Libra as soon as possible. Or Self ---> Libra for each character, if you're obsessive like me and never want to be without it. It's actually not required though. Libra gives you additional target information and also reveals hidden traps. It's highly useful, but definitely not required. Oh, and if it's not being sold in the Technick shop in Nalbina, then just continue on with the aerodrome. You should be heading to Bhujerba next and I would imagine you can get it at the technickery there.

okay thanks ill check it out again. I didnt see any city out east but ill try again. is it an actualy outpost?

only city il've found requires a ferry to get across the water

nvm i found the fork i missed... looking to see if i can get libra here.

arg i cant find libra anywhere.... i never even saw a technique guy in rabanatre.... lol confuzzeled still why this thing is telling me to have that tech if i cant find it..


OMG it was in rabantre.... i could never find the shop cause it was right by the magic shop

Yeah, you blew way past it, but I see you found it eventually. Hopefully you got it there, if not, just move on with the playthrough, you'll get it eventually.


Are you familiar with hitting Select to bring up the full-screen map? If not, you should get used to using both it and the minimap right away, it's really useful. And make sure to buy maps from Cartographer's Guild whenever possible. Some maps are found in urns, but others can only be gained from Cartographer's Guild.

I'm in the Feywood, I'm Lvl 50.

How do I open the Gigas Gate?

x_O

Kushiels --- each type of shop has its own icon. You should familiarize yourself with those icons. Also, if you hit X when the larger map is up, it will list all shops.


Egg --- summon Belias then have at it.

yea i got it all figured out now. im at the boss ghig or whatever his name is after rescuing lady ashe... though hes hell...

i do have 2 characters fran and vaan with their quickenings well both of them have only one. it says only 3 are aloud a character so are their 3 ONLY per character or certain ones i should get and certain ones not to bother with?

and any tips on this boss... hes driving me crazy

Okay, I suppose I could just check a walkthrough, but since I have some other stuff to take care of anyway, I suppose I'll just ask here. I know there's a secret path on the Mosphoran Highwaste related to those Shrines. Which Shrines do I activate to get that set up? Also, where's the secret chocobo path?

Hey Agent, are you talking about getting to Exodus? If so, I grabbed the Chocobo in the north end of Rays of Ashen Light and found the path south of there in Empyrean Way. I noticed that the path was actually marked on the area map with an exclamation mark, but I'm not sure when that happened - maybe after activating the shrine.

The three shrines you need to activate are Shrine of the South Wind (to open up the Chocobo path), Shrine of the North Wind and Shrine of the Northwest Wind (to create a path to Exodus himself).

Bene --- yeah, that would be what I'm after. Thanks for the info.

No problem. I just went through that about a week ago, so if you have any more questions it's still pretty fresh in my mind. Best of luck.

Yeah, I have questions all right. Where do I find the West and North Wind Shrines? I've only been able to find the Northwest one. I'm about 40 floors up on the Pharos now, but I'd like to have a go at this once I get back down.

Good question - I'm still just friggin' around trying to get a sandstorm in the westersand so I'll make a trip to Mosphoran in a sec and get the locations for ya.

Update:
-------
Okay, needless to say, all of the shrines are in the Babbling Vale area. Interesting tidbit, I see now that as you activate the shrines they are marked on your area map with that purple "gear" icon, and the paths that they reveal are marked with the exclamation mark icons. I also realized that I got one of the shrines wrong in my earlier post (edited now).

The Shrine of the South Wind is the first one you come to if you enter Babbling Vale from the south - this is the one that opens the Chocobo path if I'm not mistaken (judging from the location - also the one I got wrong earlier). The Shrine of the Northwest Wind is the one you'll see if you look north-east from the teleport crystal (not sure why it's on the east and named west). The Shrine of the West Wind is actually located appx. northwest of the teleport crystal; look up - the one you can't get to initially. You have to take the Chocobo path to the "hidden" area to the west - "SkyReach Ridge" - dismount and cross into the Babbling Vale where you can activate the Shrine of the West Wind then you can finally hit that damned weathered rock to create a path from the hidden area to Babbling Vale.

Once you've done that I'd suggest saving at the teleport crystal before you head back and take on Exodus. He wasn't really difficult, but better safe than sorry. You should see all kinds of icons on the area map now - just follow the exclamation marks to get to Exodus. If you need any more help just let me know.

Hope that helps.

The sandstorm? When I wanted to a sandstorm to fight that Earth Wyrm thing, or whatever it was, I went to the area bordering the Westersand and Estersand. I tried to get through it, but it said that a fierce sandstorm blocked my advance. When I returned to the Westersand area I was in before, the sandstorm had started up there.

Thanks for the info on the Shrines!

My pleasure.

I had the same issue early-on when I was exploring ahead of the story - couldn't get from the Estersand to the Westersand b/c of that sandstorm. Just tried it again per your advice but still no luck - teleported to the South Bank village and headed north then west - can get through now since the Wyrm is gone, but still no sandstorm. Walked back to the South Bank village and ported to Rabanstre, and again no sandstorm in the Westersand - accepted the Ancient Man of Mystery hunt while I was there though - hopefully the sandstorm starts up after this one Kupo ;)

Okay, surely GameFAQs has something about this, I'm gonna go take a look at that and see if I can get this info... Hmm, okay, somebody on this here (http://www.final-fantasy-12.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-309.html) says that a sandstorm shows up once every thirty minutes. Another conflicts and says that it's a 1% chance.

I'm in Giruvegan I owned the boss at the begining after the teleport stone, and have managed to go through many of the "mazes". Including invisible green floors and gates that must be switched. I am currently at the next Blue Cyrstal where I have looked throughout the entire room and found the only possible door is one of the sword things where the red light comes down and opens it. (x_O Sorry for not being able to explain this with greater detail) Except it won't let me open it, I can't even touch it, read it, nothing. My action icon (!!!) doesn't even appear. Any information on where do I go/do would be greatly appreciated.

If you go up to the second level of the map right after that blue save crystal there is another secret green path. This map is split into a few levels, on the second level up to your left when entering from the blue save crystal, you make a right and to your right from there it should look like it goes out into space. You just walk forward there and another secret walkway appears leading you to the boss, and another teleport stone. That's the best I can describe it. If you have trouble just walk to the edges of all those areas on that map, and you should be able to trigger it.

Thanks, I'll try that out... right now!

Thanks for the previous help forevercloud.

Now I am trying to get to the tower, where the Sun-Cryst is. Do I have to go through the Nabudis Dealands? I have and now I am stuck in the Necrohol of Nabudis trying to find various "Medallions, with inscriptions". Where are these medallions? Am I even supposed to be going this way?
Help would be appreciated once more.

The Tower? Then I assume you have The Strahl, right? You need to get yourself to an Aerodrome, stat, and set a course.


Oh, Bene, your Mosphoran tip worked great. Exodus was a complete pushover, but it was worth it to go there. I'm one esper away now from access to the secret area in the Henne Mines and I found a Rare Game.

Yea, like Agent said Egg, you're in the wrong area. Getting to the Sun-Cryst has absolutely nothing to do with the Necrohol of Nabudis. The whole finding the medallions sidequest is something completely different. Just take the strahl to the Ridorana Cataract and make your way up into that tower there. Then you climb the tower, and once at the top, have the best story development in the game. Atleast until the ending.

I have the Strahl and the weird stone that lets me go over some weird word.
:l I need to get to the tower at Ridorana.

Edit: Oh now I see the Ridorana, It's been all the way to the right this entire time.

Thanks. :D

You need to visit either the Private Airships booth at any Aerodrome or an Anchor. Board the Strahl and tell it to navigate to Ridorana --- offhand I believe it's in the general area of the southeast. It's the Jaqd you'll be flying through.

Hey, thanks for the tip that was posted about Ixion. He was too strong for me, but I did manage to find an fight Phoenix. Man, that's a nightmare of a place, though. And the Magick Pots are stupid --- why would you even put that monster in this game unless it's going to give booku EXP like the ones in FFVII? I only intend to fight two to get it for the Clan Primer, and I've already got one.


Okay, two items:

A.) There's an Altar of Night in that area, but it says you need a specific number of those Black Orbs to activate it, but what's the correct number? I don't wanna screw it up.

B.) There's an area in the Lhusu Mines --- Site 6, I believe, that's completely disconnected from the others. How do you get to this area?

B) Site 6? I only remember site 9 and site 11 as being side areas.
For site 9, do the Antlion quest. If you're beating Magick Pots, Antlion will be no problem for you.
For Site 11, you need to find a key off of Phon Coast (after the Antlion quest you'll get hints about it). This is used to face Gilgamesh a second time. He's much harder btw.

The Keys are easy to get Agent first one to site 9 you get when you accept and finish Antlion hunt which sets up for Key 11. Go to Phon coast look for a Bhujerbain or however you say it there is a shiny next to him that is the key but you can't get it until after Antlion hunt is done.
As for the Sandstorm after you kill the dragon in Wyrm Lair it becomes ALOT less likely to happen it still does from what some people say but I haven't been able to get one and I tried for an hour just going back and forth to westersand from Rabanstre. The dragon if still alive makes it alot easier to get them just go to its lair then back out to get a SandStorm. But yeah I have actually posted a request for a cheat to control weather because it is too hard and unlikely to happen after the Wyrm is dead. So tough Luck.
As for the Alters of Night yeah they are a PAIN in the. But the way I did it was to put one in each time you will never screw up that way and it only takes time but the game pauses to let you do it which can help a lot in the later stages. Just put 1 in at a time I ended up wasting 5 orbs on a 3 orb requirment because I tried to rush it is just safer and easier in the long run.
As for the Magic pots if you kill them they give something like 113 LP or so and Megaelixirs you can also steal back your elixir so it is worth it to finish off your LP Board.

Yes, ninja is right, it is safer to just put them in one at a time although if you're in a rush I will gladly post the orb requirements. Penumbra- NE-18, NW-9, SE-3, SW-6. Umbra- NE-15, NW9, SE-15, SW-18. Abyssal- NE-15, NW-21, SE-27, SW-12. Coming to a grand total of 158. Definitely a pain in the ass. Although Agent, you are able to beat the magick pots but can not beat Ixion? I though Ixion was easier than they were.

All you have to do is give the damn Magick Pot an Elixir and it just starts bouncing around like crazy and you can finish it off with a few attacks. Haven't you faced Magic Pots in past FFs?


P.S.: That's wonderful info about getting Megalixir and Elixir back from the Pot, very cool.


Anyway, thanks for all the tips. Wow, that's a lot of orbs.


Oh, and I am not talking about any of the sites in the Lhusu Mines you guys mentioned. I already beat all that stuff. There is an area that is 100% disconnected from everything else --- no paths leading to it, and I'm pretty sure it's site 6. It's near path leading up to the Gate Crystal.

I think I know what you are talking about there a bunch of Pandoras in there in fact the only Pandoras I have found In Lhusu. There is a Secert Path to it I don't remeber where but I think its below it Map speaking just look around for a part that continues beyond the map. You cross the dead zone then hit a screen change and there you are. You will know it because there are a mix of Pandoras and regular chests there.

According to Loki over at the site linked below, the chance of getting a sandstorm in the Westersand seems to be greater if you enter from Giza Plains. I can't speak directly to it, as I haven't defeated Earth Tyrant yet, but I just fought two Gnoma Entites and got my Halcyon and Earth Crystals. I entered from Giza both times and it only took two entrances each time. If they come that fast pre-Earth Tyrant, I'm willing to wager that it's the only way to get one post, that lets you keep your sanity.

I don't (think I) need anymore sandstorms but let me know if this has any validity cause I'm curious.

http://www.twobrothersandasister.com/?p=350

Hmm first time I heard that think I will test out tonight for you be back in like 30 min.

what about this question,..

i read real quick n a walk through somewhere,.that if you get all the "POWER" gambits,.that it'll boost your party's strenth,immencely,.

since i brought the game home,."gambit's" been like strait up blasphemy,.. so i bought an assload of them,..

which ones is it reffering to? i figured just the ones that say "FOE",..

any takers?? or do i need my own thread,.u got 24 hours before i try something else,.i don't want to dissrespectanybody,. but i was just needing to know this,..

Okay just tried while Giza is Dry with 15 attempts so no it doesn't work for Dry I will try Wet another day.

Pagan they meant License which are called aguments they boost healing items, magic, attack, Hp, quickness in battle, Etc. Someone was either just trying to fool you or wrote the wrong name in. Gambits only affect what you party usually what the 2 other characters do. An example would be Ally:Any Phoenix Down which is the one of the best to have on all the time. Another would be Ally:Hp<60% cure-or whatever health item you want- which is also good. Gambits are the AI commands its how you tell your party to do something like cast magic or attack without you going in and giving each a command one at a time it saves us from the reapation some other FFs have been responsible for.

As for each Foe means what is your target doing or is like weak aganist fire is one, inflicted with a status so forth. Ally means all other playeble characters or a paticular Character which would have the heeding Ally:Fran and the like. Ally has pretty much the same selections to make as foe. Self just means the Whatever it is directly releates to the that character. An example of all 3 types is Ally:Mp<10% ether, Foe:Flying telekensis, and Self:Blind eyedrops. Now becareful you can't completly automate your party because if say you have on the party leader Foe:Nearest Attack and you get close to an active foe-one witha orange red bar- the leader will automatically move to engage that Foe. Also some things like Steal create problems if you try to Automate them. But there are some advantages like say Foe:Leaders target Attack on your 2 other characters they will then attack the same things you do with no commands otherwise they will just sit there doing nothing other then what their Gambits say or you tell them to do.

Also remeber that the Order the Gambits are determines their importance. An example is if Ally:Hp<10% Cure is above Foe:Leader's Target Attack then they will stop doing their Attack and instead heal themselves when they hit 10% same goes if the Foe is above the Ally even if the Hp hits 10% their gambits tell them to Attack before healing. A good idea is to keep all attacks at the bottom Heal revive at the top and Status heal in the middle. It can be a pain to watch your party stop to heal themselves bt in the long run it will keep you alive longer and in good Standing.

i dig the auto attack,. but the rest is auto play<<not jiven it personally,.

damn,.that suxx,.i had all tat shit first,.i was gaining levls hard core,till i found the 'doubles licence pts." accessory,..

also suxx the espers are all shitty in this one,.thanx alot man!! much appreciated,..

Rev --- thanks for the info. I already found Pandora in the Necrohol, so I don't think I'll be needing much there, but thanks.

No I wasn't meaning go there as in find the Pandora entry for the list but rather as in you know you are in the right place thing. Since as I said the Entry says Lhusu mine and that place is the only one I know of that has them beyond the Necro. So I was using it as a mark here you are thing should have been more clear.

But I think you don't have to fight an enemy to get it to show up in the right section --- once you fight any enemy in a section, from what I recall, all enemies that are native to that section show up in it instead of ???. But I intend to stop by there anyway --- I don't like to have grey areas on my map.

Oh, Bene, your Mosphoran tip worked great. Exodus was a complete pushover, but it was worth it to go there. I'm one esper away now from access to the secret area in the Henne Mines and I found a Rare Game.

Happy to help (sorry for the delay - been away for a bit). Best of luck with the esper in the mines - if you manage to come across another Zodiac Spear once you get in there I'd be interested to hear about it.

I still need to gain one more esper before I can get access to that area.

Which ones I have them all so I know where they are.
Belias, Mateus, Shemhazai, Hashmal, and Famfrit you get in the main plot and will have them all by the time you finish Pharos.
Adrammelech is in the Zertinan Caverns, Cuchulainn is in the waterway finish the haunting and pudding hunts to be able to get him, Chaos is in the Necrohol of Nabudis and you need to do the Medallion side quest go to Dalans to start, Zalera is in a hidden part of Barheim Passage near the exit to the Waterway, Zeromus is in the Stilshrine talk to one of the elderly priest things after Bergan to get the key to him then hit the first waystone, Exodus is in the Highwaste on top of the mountain use the shrines to get there, Ultima is in the great crystal in Giruvegan look in Gamefaqs for a map its easier to explain that way, and Zodiark is in Henne mine.
You only need 10 Espers to gain permission for Zodiark though I suggest getting them all for the levels Zodiark was hard nearly killed me so many times and I was level 71 or so. My hint Bring Dark absorbing equipment since his most powerful attack is Dark based with a random death spell throw in. You could lose none or all it is random. Bring a full stock of supplies and Confuse stopping stuff just to get to Zodiark I nearly died when Vaan got Confused and used tournesol on everyone before being cured. And the enemies are level 70 or so and have an unlimited spawn rate near the end and if you kill a monster even an already undead one you have a good chance of a Ghost monster being spawned so watch out.

You're right, Reva. I didn't mention the state of the Giza Plains when I was sandstorm hunting. It was the rains, so you can try it if you'd like. I'll be taking down the Earth Tyrant in short order myself, so if you don't get a chance, I'll certainly share what I find out when I do.

I'll go after the Waterway esper.

Open the slucie gates you first need to make the west and east side viable via gate control you can only do one at a time since you have a 2 gate actiive limit the circles on the ground near the controls tell you if it travable or not. Find in the west area first the first needed gate control don't worry these ones dont effect the limit. It will open a partians gate the screens that block you but dont stop water. Once you find it in the wes do the same thing in the east section. You need to be on the toptier to find them none of them are in the canal ways. After you open both gates change the Gate control to clear the area directly south of you from the Slucie gate control. Go down there to a large square/rectangle area you will see a stair leading down into the canal with an open Partians gate thats the one you want. Cuchulainn will show up after you walk in a little bit.He is not very hard or at least physically he is not what he does have is a sap affect on the field and a lot of status inflictions to use aganist you. Keep a very close eye on your HP I nearly died aganist him because I focused on his HP and not my own which got saped to nothing lucky switching in my weaker party paid off. Beware if I remember right he can inflict Sap on a character so that character will have a double sap going and will die very quickly if you are not carefull. Kill Cuchulainn as Fast as you can to win this without it getting ugly. And that is all I have for you.

You need to worry about the Flan, I don't know if thats what they're calling it in this game?, he summons and I think he might use disable as well. Not entirely sure about the second one, but be careful basically. It's really not all that hard though.

I forgot about the flan thanks. Yeah he really isn't all that hard its just his stupid status affects that can really kill you and invert which he uses semi-regularly.

It's all right, you guys can forget all the bonus strategy tips on that, really. I've already taken care of all that stuff --- I'm post-Pharos. I'm into dealing with stuff like Behemoth King and all that now. I just need the esper, which I'm sure will be a puss to take down.

He can be and more then likely will be its his stupid Field effect and Status that we are warning you about. Rememeber The first Demon in FFT Chulacin or something along that line? Cuchulainn is his remake and all the problems from FFT come back to haunt in this. An example that knocked my characters out fast was Flan on both sides He Inverts Hp Mp on Fran Hp field effect is saping her and the flan hit her once and she died. He abuses big time Invert and with Sap ALWAYS on he is dangerous in the extreme when he does it. So Kill him fast hard and nasty or he will make you pay in pounds of blood. That is what we were trying to warn you about.

I'm in the Third Ascent of the Ridorana Cataract or whatever. There are some poles you can trigger that teleport you (Not Waystones). And I have tried everyone of them but I still can't seem to advance in the map. I've been through the one of sacrifice, in which you have to stay alive and withhold the onslaught then the magicks binding the door will fade. You get the map for the third ascent there as well. And through all the others but these enemies are so damn strong and I thought I was Overleveled, so It's sop hard to just go around scouting everywhere.

There is quite a bit of them and actually as you advance in the green one (I believe) different colored poles become available. Which way is the correct way? I can't seem to find it. x_O

By the way, Did anyone enjoy killing the green fire people, where once you killd a certain amount you could pass over certain bridges. I thought it was very creative.

Go up and yes all who have beaten Pharos have done it you have to though there is a secert if you Kill the Deidar after you finish the bridge on floor 35 and no Brainpan you open a bridge to a fool's facade and a treasure. As for the third ascent I know what you are talking about they have colors and glyphs right the key is Black, Green, Red, and sacrifice then hidden colorless glyphless one. If you screw up twice you go to a room with a map urn and a bunch of word pillars. The pillars tell you the order for each. But watch out a lot of Undead monsters will come in until the gate loses its magic then RUN and go to the black. Look around for alot of fool's facades they give you a slightly easier more rewarding path to follow just do the order Black green Red Pink-sacrifice- and colorless-it looks white with a reflective sphere-. The colorless is in a fool facade in the upper left of the map area and location.

Rememeber The first Demon in FFT Chulacin or something along that line?
No, I've never played Tactics. Yes, I know this game is set in the world of Tactics and I should play it.


He Inverts Hp Mp on Fran Hp field effect is saping her and the flan hit her once and she died. He abuses big time Invert and with Sap ALWAYS on he is dangerous in the extreme when he does it.
Noted, but I've had other enemies pull this trick on me and still beat them okay. I'm not really worried, even if it knocks one character out, there's always Arise, plus my reserve party.

Blaphesmy you haven't played FFT!? Go NOW PLAY FFT. Really some of the things brought up, nearly all the espers, a few monster lists, several loot items, Monster attacks, and hints of the game are in FFT. Though my one problem is does FFXII happen before or after FFT? You see the last battleground in FFT is an Airship graveyard though they appear the standard Airship boat design from FFVI on down considering the time of the games devlopment its an EH moment. So does it happen before all the tech gets dug up and refitted for everyday life? or is it FFXII tech IS the dug up tech? We may never know since from what I rememeber about the dating system its different from one game to the next like FFXII happens 705 BI while FFT happens after the 50 year war and start to end of the Lion War. FFT is also FFs first true landscape roaming battle. So Agent you should play it just to fill in the some of the small blanks. I would suggest a ROM or something of the like since now a days it is like the Orignal Valkyrie Proflie for PSone very hard to find I purely lucked out big time with my copy of FFT. I gave it out to a Friend of mine then I lost contact with them and had to get a new copy I lucked in a pawn shop one day.

I was thinking of playing it after I get done messing around XII to my satisfaction.

Tactics is great. Tactics Advance, not so much, at least IMO. Though based on your avatar it might be worth checking out for Montblanc's rise to power. The clan is only beginning when Advance starts. I assume the rise to power happens over the course of that game, or in the intervening time between it and XII. I honestly don't know, I played the first battle of Advance and threw a fit. I was under the false impression that it was a straight port of Tactics, which is a really stupid assumption--PSX game on GBA, yeah that makes sense :-P

But Tactics is coming to PSP now, so a replay is finally in my future. To keep this on topic, how much relevent stuff is in Advance, Reva? I know Tactics is chock full, like you said.

FFTA has no connection to FFT and FFXII beyond names. FFTA to clarify has a plot that you play a young boy recently moved in you and your new friends a tomboy your brother and a sickly child gather to read a Fantasy book said book turns out to be magical. When the Sickly boy later that night makes a wish that Life was like that book it grants it. The young boy whose Name I have forgotten works with Montblanc to restore the world to what it is supposue to be. And to let you in on something if you screw up in a few places Montblanc will die and his younger brother Nono takes his place sorry Agent. Judges, Vierra, Nus, Banaga, Clans, and a few of the espers not found in FFT are introduced in this game. I never finished got sidetracked big time by College so I can't say more then about roughly Half way in. Oh and Cid is playable and a Judge in this game one of the cooler characters though he requires special things to join. It has a system that I didn't like that restrict the players choice like field effect break the rules too much the Judge throws that person in Jail for a time. Each battle is ruled by a Judge and no characters can die except in one nasty thief town where Montblanc can die. The player can alter or bend the rules a little a little bit into the game but not as well as I would have liked and one of the reasons I stopped. But I shall not Pass Judgement on it that is for those who have finished it. But beyond the Name of Ivalice and a few other things like Zodiac condtions there is little to link FFTA to FFT.
Zodiac condtions are basically if you are born in this time it makes you strong and weak aganist this element. Lets take mine for instance Taurus I am strong in earth weak aganist wind. You get to enter a Birthday and Name for both Main characters in FFT and FFTA it doesn't really effect anything in the long run I felt its just a cool feature. I always try to get one for each 12-13- Zodiacs.
As for FFT I really like to play for the pleroa of Warrior women you gather I think you gather 4 Permanent Heronies Agrias Oaks a Hot bloodied Blond Holy Knight, Rafa a Dark skinned Assassin priestess, Meliadoul Tingle the Daughter of the Main villian and extremely Hot Bloodied though honorable Shrine Knight, Reis a Dragon tamer turned Dragon that you can turn back into human taken by Beowulf yes he is awesome touch his woman and be less of a man. You can also pick up alot of other Hero units and regular grunts. Very nice intresting plot with a church consiparcy that if you are believer in a Messiah like the christians, Catholics so for may not like My only problem with it is the lack of Character devolpment of the Hero units after they join beyond bits and pieces. As well as the Fact beyond Attack you have to learn everything lets repeat EVERYTHING inculding Potions and so forth Can be a pain in the kester. But other then that a good game for when it was devolped so don't expect FFXII graphics but a nice complex plot sure.

I though tactics was phenomenal. It adds a lot of levels off difficulty, atleast the last time I played it I found it hard, and awesome characters. One of my favorite ff games, and definitely well worth it to play through no matter the graphical handicaps.

The kid's name in TA is Marche, I remember that much :-P

To veer this back on track, the official guide says that in order to get Old Dalan in your Den you have to possess all the maps and have cleared them (i.e., no grey areas left), while the online FAQs I've read claim that you simply need to own the maps.

Anybody know which is correct? Also, if you missed the Rabanastre Palace map you can supposedly purchase it in Old Archades.

I got the map since it was my very first map urn at was like what in the...Oh thats what it does.
As for Dalan I still have to get him I think I have just Hellwyrm's cave to do since I think I have been in every room in the game that you can be.

I do know that places you can only visit once (e.g., Nalbina Dungeons, the Leviathan), places that don't have maps (The Great Crystal), and the Bahamut don't count.

If you have all the maps and still don't have him, I'm going to conclude that you have clear all the maps. That's cool, not like I wasn't going to anyway :-D

No that is not true I have read in all of them that Hellwyrm cave which is another room has to be opened I have not done that yet so hold your horses on the jump. I will look into in the next few days i have the key and directions needed just haven't done it yet and I am toying with the idea of a new game I will check on tuesday or so and get back to you on it.

Not a problem. Take your time.

thanks to this site,.i just now beat the game,my first time through,. & with the exceptio of th phon coast trophy hunts,. i've narly hunted everything,. but i need the location of pylraster & behemoth king and any rare espers/side quests,. i'm sure there's still plenty to do,. i heard something about some fishing side quest,. is this even benefitial? or is it just another something to do?

Okay alot to cover so I will pick and choose and direct you elsewhere for your answers.
First espers look back I posted on page 8 a where and which Esper thing its not 100% coverage but it tells you where most espers are and a hint on how to get to them.

The fishing guide is a sidequest and if you have killed Yizmat the last mark and Omega in the cyrstal hidden boss drop or have a reward in badges. Complete the fishing game to get another badge sell all 3 and earn the Wyrmhero sword not a great weapon but not bad either.
To start the game complete all the events in Eastersand village with the boat crossing nets you the barhiem key as well. Talk to the man on the pier to the left then go to the port Balofheim go to the aerodome section while on the way to the dome you will see a man to the left fishing talk to him a few times admire his fishing pole he will say its one of a kind and that he is getting hungry go towards the dome but not in after you can no longer see the man go back he will be gone but his rod is still there claim it and give it to the man in the village. This opens up the game.

Behemoth King is in Feywoods before you enter Giruvegan first kill all monsters in both sections with the shrines in them that point towards giruvegan. Then go back to the place near the gate he should be in the middle and he is HUGE so you can't miss him if he isn't there there are still monsters in one of the areas. Also the same method to find all the royalty vegs the ones you kill upon entering Sochen Palace. Just go towards the other area not the one with the Gigas gate but the other one they wander around the shrines go up to where you killed the plant boss to reset them pain in the butt. The Behemoth King switches between Magic shield and pailing and non-elemental attacks work the best.

Pylraster is at the Pharos. Go to the warp cyrstal then go outside where you fought the zombie dragon and there he is.

As for the rare game I am still working on that I plan to make a new game tonight and just have fun so don't expect a complete list yet but I do have a few. and they all give trophies
Disma Lhusu mine near where you fight Gilgamesh 2nd time
Aspidochelon Cerobi steppe where all the admantitan are looks no different from the Admantitan and appears randomly
Dreadguard Feywoods near the plant monster mixed in with the mirror knights a bit larger.
Bull chocobo Sandsea use the warp cyrstal for the sandsea make it so you are facing the cyrstal go right and there he is.
Melt Henne mine where you turn the lever going towards the warp cyrstal not sure what casuses him got the Flan I think first time then Melt second.
Crystal Knight somewhere in the secert part of the great cyrstal found him while searching for Ultima.
Alteci Zertinan caverns I think a kill chain since I had a huge one going on the horses and he apperaed so good luck.
And thats all I have found so far.

Reva --- I have to admit, your explanations are a little long-winded and not really well laid-out, at least to me. I tried your info to get that Waterway esper, but got completely lost. If you don't mind, I think I'm just going to head over to GameFAQs. I need specific locations / names and step by step instructions.

I am doing it from memory but yeah go ahead I have no complaints after all I am failable. And I give short detail because I want to still let the player discover the answer I just point in the right direction is all.

AS for being long winded I usually cover alot of different material like above in my posts. I should probably space them to make it easier in fact thats just what I will do.

Yeah, that's definitely a start, adding in some spacing. Thanks. Anyway, I do appreciate all of the help you're giving --- I just find it a bit hard to follow at times and I worry others might find it that way as well.

how do you cast curative spells,or life spells/items etc,. on undead emeny's? is there some stupid gambit? cause it won't let me<<<i hate gambits

Gambit Foe:Undead Cure or whatever it is you want some enemies are immune and or cast reflect after the first hit.

No prob Agent I get writting and then I forget to do spacing when I jump to a new theme because I am use to going back and tabing it in to show. I will try to fix that.

Edit I found a Music video named Final Fantasy XII Sunrize its in my opnion better then the Pre-game intro we get and better music besides.

thank you very much sir,..much appreciated info,.& i think your explanation above,will keep me plenty buisy for a little while,.thanks again

also,.in my opinion,.people all over the internet abriviate,.& almost nobody uses prfect spelling/punctuation,. i just think agent needs to take heed of the 4:20 & chill out a little bit,..

by the way,.agent,.you must get payed very well,.for taking your job so0O seriously,..

**lights up the blunt** here dawgg,.take a few hits,."anybody else want some?".......

~~peace out

pagan --- we are not "all over the Internet" here at FFShrine. We aspire to a higher standard. If you can't deal with that, GTFO.

And yes, I am paid in spades --- the satisfaction of telling off dumbfucks like you.

No thanks have had way too much BETTER crap in my system when I was younger. As for Agent each their own and he was right bunching up my post like that made it hard to read and find what you wanted. But as for spelling errors yeah I have no excuse at all for mine but I just can't find the energy it would take namely typing up what I want to say in Word fighting it on the Names of places and some of the strange ways it wants to structure my senteces then copying and pasting it to be posted. But thats just me I take blame for all my errors except where I know for a fact I am not wrong. Once again to each their own.

Well back to that map completion, has anyone done it yet? And also, do you need to have every map owned or can you explore them without actually buying/discovering map urns.

And yes Pagan, learn to type. It makes it so much easier to follow anything that is said on here, plus it's just dumb to type like that. gOt iT bUdDeEE?

forever --- in my experience, you don't have to have the puchased / urn maps, but it helps. If you don't have them, then you basically have to guess it. And unexplored areas just don't show up. If you have the map, then unexplored areas show up in sort of grayish. Of course, it's really whatever you wanna do, it's not like completing the map gives you anything.

Yes it does Agent Old Dalan figure which lets you if you collect all the Sky pirate den figures finish off your rank in the clan beyond Knights of the round I haven't finished all of them but I know it needs all Figures and 1 million points or so to advance beyond Knights of the round.

Oh, well that's interesting. Well, I'd say I've made good progress on that --- of course, I still have a long way to go on a lot of things.

Ah, I see. Well I'd better get working on finding my way around the rest of these maps and seeing if I can discover the urns. The urns definitely sound like they make this map completion a lot easier.

By the time you kill Yizmat the ultimate Mark you should have most of the Figures at least 4 or so from elite hunts. You get one for magic, tech, and Lp board completion as in have them avabile like buy the magic or tech. Actually here we go.
Vaan-50 steals
Penelo-Have 100,000 gil
Ashe-Average level 50
Basch- 500 enemies slain
Balither-attack 300 times
Fran-cast magic 200 times
Belias-all 13 espers
Ultima-get ultima
Zodiark-get Zodiark
Montblanc-get a 50 kill chain
Vayne-perform tech skills 100 times
Vossler-All techs
Cyrstal-all magic
Rasler-Full Lp board(Have all espers to do it and a full Lp board)
Gurdy-spend 1,000,000 gil
Migelo-Sell 1,000 loot items
Mimic-All Rare items in Bazaar like Monographs and the Jar
Gabranth-All quickening finishes done
Ba'Gamnan-Full monster list don't need to get second page just the monster
Behemoth King-Kill him
Deathgaze-Kill him
Fafnir-Kill him
Gilgamesh-Kill Him
Trickster-Kill him
Hell wyrm-Kill him
Yizmat-Kill him
Carrot-Kill Her
Old Dalan- Finish all maps and Hellwyrm location(either fill in all grey or go into each room a little confusion on which)
Reks-Get 500,000 clan points

I looked it up I will be honest. Most of them you will get as a norm like Basch and Balither by the end of the game. The 4 hardest to get are Old Dalan, Ba'gamnan, Hellwyrm, and Yizmat. Yizmat and Hellwyrm because of their diffuculty or hard to find location. Old Dalan because of the confusion on what it takes to get him. Ba'Gamnan because you have to kill Yizmat, Hellwyrm, all rare game, and Omega to complete and someone runs into problems in those areas with an occasional sandstorm entite trouble.

So hope it helps.

Ah, many thanks. I have a lot of those so far. Now I have a question, the hell wyrm. I have the guide and for some reason cant find it in there, I just bought it so maybe I missed it some where. But I've been looking around and if somebody could give me some info or point me in right direction because I'm not sure if I'm just retarded or what, but I don't know where that dude is.

First you need the key find the wyrm philospher after the Vyrral hunt and he will give it to you in exchange for the scale. He is in the same place as the Vyrral examine one of the windMills.

Go to Sochen Palace. The place where all the rooms are connected to each other with that door that is locked in the west is where you want to go. But you must use the caves to get to the east room look on the map you will see the path go to the east room. Now from East room going through the Doors of Hours go in a clock wise pattern East to South, South to West, West to North, North to east. Once back in East a message of heard a door opening far off should pop up. If you don't get that you screwed up go back out through the Uplands exisit then back to the East room using the CAVES. DO NOT USE THE + PASSAGE AT ALL.

And there is your dragon it is also the place for Yizmat you have to kill Hellwyrm to get Montblanc to open the Elite Hunt Yizmat.

I have un update on the Sandstorm situation. I just fell Earth Tyrant, and I actually got a sandstorm on my way out out of his den. :-P

Entering from Giza Plains during the Rains, I have ellicited a sandstorm, on average, every 4th entry, with as few as 2 entries.

Hope this works for Bene

Thank you, I just got the key and unlocked the door so I shall be attempting this fight shortly.

I have un update on the Sandstorm situation. I just fell Earth Tyrant, and I actually got a sandstorm on my way out out of his den. :-P

Entering from Giza Plains during the Rains, I have ellicited a sandstorm, on average, every 4th entry, with as few as 2 entries.

Hope this works for Bene

Thanks K, I haven't tried that yet and it's some new info that I haven't come across so far - will try it out tonight and let you know.

EDIT
------

After weeks of searching, this has finally brought about a sandstorm - it took about 30 - 45 minutes of zoning from Giza to the Westersand, but it worked - I found a Gnoma Entite within seconds, but alas, no Gnoma Halcyon (used Thief's Cuffs to steal, no luck, and unfortunately no halcyon from the drop either). K-Negative, you're the man (or woman) - I'm going to keep at this until I get one - will report back shortly.

Hey, Bene --- how about you just exit to another area within the Westersand and then come back? As long as the sandstorm's still there, the Entite is a respawn --- just try stealing from it again --- wash, rinse, repeat, but don't lose the sandstorm. That's the tactic I read. Just don't kill it!

That's what I'm working on now - I've killed 3 Gnoma Entites since this worked and it's all been from simply moving from one area of the Westersand to the next.

It seems like each area I enter has an Entite (not sure if this is the norm; maybe I'm just getting lucky) - my goal was just to steal, then if unsuccessful, zone out twice and come back to face the Entite again and try stealing the Halcyon, but every time I change zones I manage to find another Entite - not complaining, it's just that I only end up stealing an Earth Crystal, and if it drops anything it's just an Arcana.

I'm going to try facing it, stealing, then re-zoning without killing it since the stealing-killing-zoning method hasn't yielded favorable results yet.

Will report back with more details shortly.

'K, good luck. BTW, obviously the halcyon is a rare drop / steal --- have you managed to acquire all the other halcyons? I don't have any.

Agent do you have the monographs? Talk to most Merchnat one of each type 50 times complete the Therax Hunt and examine the Hunt board 50 times to get each. They really do help ALOT on getting the rare drops. The entite graph you need to talk to a Seller about 100 times I think to get it. They are all Bazaar items and say crest of the knight and such.

I am aware of the monographs and earned most of them simply through general shopping, but recently became aware of how that method of getting them works from a guy in one of the shops in Rabanastre. I have four monographs --- are there anymore I should know about? I'm really not sure if I have the one for the entites --- is there a specific seller I need to be talking to?


P.S.: If it helps, I do have the Sky Pirate's Den for getting all rare bazaar items.

There 8 in total and here is how to get them if I make less sense then normal I am sick so please bear with it. Sorry. Okay first each is called Grimoire in the Bazaar and one is Morbid Urn. It works like this Name, How to obtain, and what it Helps drop rare. Happy hunting.

Hunter Monograph-thextera Hunt Helps Beast/Avion

knight's Monograph-talk to any weapon merchant over 30 times Giants/Insect

Warmage Monograph-Read hunt board more then 20 times Amorphs/Undead

Mage monograph- Talk to any Magic seller over 25 times Fiend

Scholar Monograph- talk to any Armor seller over 15 times Construct

Dragoon Monograph-Read Hunt board over 40 times Dragons/Plants

Sage Monograph-Talk to any Seller over 100 times Elementals

Canopic Jar- Sell Phobos Glaze, Horakhty's flame, and Demios Clay. Enemies drop Arcana

Edit- the game supposedly keeps track of your talk recorded so I have been told you can go many plays and then pick it up on cumaltive instead of just sitting there going to shop screen and back out again until the Bazaar good becomes avabile like I did. I have no idea if this is true or not so good luck. They really aren't all that much it takes about an hour to do or so if you just sit and do it and thats with long winded speaches from the seller.

All right, I'm pretty sure I have most, if not all of those, but there may be one or two I'm missing. I'll write it down. Oh, BTW, regarding Thextera --- I discovered that after doing that one, you have to talk to a guy in the bazaar and then he'll put it in there. I discovered it by accident while looking for info about the Windvane for the Earth Dragon quest.

You have to talk to the pettiioner himself that is the guy and I don't remeber if you have to talk to him once the hunt is done or Talk to him then track him down in Muthru Bazaar to get him to place it in.

Pretty sure you have to track him down in the Muthru Bazaar --- I completed that hunt a long time ago, but never got the Monograph until I talked to him then.


Anyway, it turned out I was missing three and I got all of them within about five-ten minutes at most, because the game does indeed keep track of it throughout. Whenever I next play this game, I'll make sure to just get all of them right away. (Well, as soon as enough gil becomes available anyway.)

do i need to have a diamond armlet equipped in order to get good treasures from the henne mines(zodiack part) and the floors under the pharos where the seer mark is at?

You do not have to have a diamond armlet equipped, I acquired fomalhaut, ribbon, and Ultima Blade from the Subterra without having diamond armlet equipped. Also I got the Zodiac Spear in the Henne Mines East Section without having diamond armlet equipped. So I guess the armlet can't hurt your chances, but it is most definitely not a necesity.

Actually I think the Diamnod Armlet hurts your chances in getting Rare treasure like that. I had on the Armlet doing the Crystal for excalibur and a few other places like Henne mine and all I got was Gil while wearing it never any nice Equipment. And it happened everytime I went for rare treasure so I wonder if the Treasure is non-attanabile when the Armlet is equiped. And we are talking about me spending an hour to 2 just going for the Excalibur alone nothing else and I still got gil everytime.

Yeah, what's the point of that Armlet? I too am beginning to wonder if it actually just hurts your chances of getting the good stuff.

Oh, BTW, I got the Waterway esper, so I now have access to that area of the Henne Mines. It wasn't the pushover I expected, to be sure. My party was never in any real danger of losing, but the sucker sure does have a lot of status effects and stuff to throw at you.

Thanks, Bene but remember it was Loki on that site I linked. I'm working on getting the Mardu Halcyon right now. I obviously don't have the Thief Cuff's but I'm up for the challenge.

We know thats why we warned you its not his power its the field effect and status aliments that will get you. But glad you did it. Now which 2 espers are you missing for there a grand total of 13
of them. If you are doing this before the end of the Game I suggest you get to level 70 or so I was at that level and still nearly died just getting to him. Equip Dark absorbing and Magic avoiding stuff Like Black Masks and Aegis Shield to help survive him and getting to him. His main spell Darkja is Dark based but it also has a Death spell in it that hits at random you could lose everyone, no one, or 1 or 2 so come in with a FULL supply of phoenix downs they are faster then life spells and less likey to hit the lag motion effect that plagues FFXII. Go look at Zodiark thread for more strategy to help you.

K you can buy the Theif's cuff at Mt-Bur-omisace I think. They are also a hunt reward and a Bazaar item if I rememeber correctly. I have had Mine for awhile so I am not 100% postive but I do have 6 total so I think you can buy them at the Mt.

It's fine, my A-Team is all Level 74 and I'm aware of equpping dark-resistent equipment, but thanks.

As for Thief's Cuffs, I think the moogle in Eruyt Village sells them. Either that, or yeah, Omisace. They're really cheap, no reason to be without them.

Yep, Omisace. Please remember I'm not there yet. I'm in Giza during the Rains, just after Raithwall. Yes, I can take down Entites. I'm level 42 and it isn't exactly pretty or timely, but I can do it pretty efficiently. I've already got my Gnoma and Mardu entries complete, I'm just trying for the halcyon.

I read about someone who had to steal 40 times with the cuffs to get a Gnoma Halcyon. Took me 3 times, no cuffs. Probabilities work in mysterious ways :-P

I already took down Gil Snapper (thank you Nihopalaoa + Elixer!!), but I'd like to take him down clean on subsequent playthroughs. Is the secret to harming him Dispel? I tamed him with a Nihopalaoa + Remedy and whacked away for 10 minutes without any damage to show for it :-\

Good god, proceed through the plot, stop making things difficult for yourself.

That just wouldn't be my style.

I found out that you can buy the cuffs in Mosphoran. If the merchant isn't plot dependent I think I'll track him down. I've had access to the Highwaste since I ran off Deweg and Gibbs for July in Nalbina. I've only been hanging out in the first two areas, poaching Wary Wolf for Hell-Gate's Flames.

Hmm. I never considered running of Deweg and Gibbs for July. I usually gain access to the Highwaste by helping out the sick man in the Estersand and then you get access to a ferry that can take you there. I didn't even know it was possible to gain access that way. Fascinating.

Um well I know that you can get atleast Excalibur while having the diamond armlet equipped. Can't say about the other ones. I had diamond armlet on and get Excalibur on my second try, probably just really lucky. I don't know if it honestly makes it impossible to get certain items, except for the Zodiac Spear in Necrohol. You can not obtain that with the diamond armlet equipped.

Doing so after Raithwall (rent a Chocobo and ride him into Gibbs), but before reaching Mosphoran (in the storyline) will make July give you a Salamand Halcyon when you reach Archades.

So, it is available at the same time Patient in the Desert can be finished (technically Cactuar Family if you want to parse the side-quest into parts like the guide does). In fact, if you can run past the Humbaba's it might be easier than taking down the Wild Saurians to get at the Valeblossum Dews you need.

I wonder if Cactuar Family would play out if you "came in the back door." Probably wouldn't.

Edit: My that last sentence is dumb. It wouldn't play out, they would be still be off with the Cactaur family. Deserted village, hmmmmm.