Final Fantasy XII Optional Challenges

Espers

There are 13 Espers in the original North American PlayStation 2 release: five acquired during the story and eight found through optional routes. You only need to decide which character will purchase each Esper license. You do not need to plan around Zodiac job classes or hidden licenses because those systems are not part of this version.

Esper Tracker0 of 13 acquired

Check each Esper as you acquire it. Progress is saved in this browser.

1. BeliasStory
   Acquired
2. MateusStory
   Acquired
3. AdrammelechOptional
   Acquired
4. ZaleraOptional
   Acquired
5. CúchulainnOptional
   Acquired
6. ZeromusOptional
   Acquired
7. ExodusOptional
   Acquired
8. ChaosOptional
   Acquired
9. ShemhazaiStory
   Acquired
10. HashmalStory
    Acquired
11. FamfritStory
    Acquired
12. UltimaOptional
    Acquired
13. ZodiarkOptional
    Acquired

Reset tracker

Assigning Esper Licenses

Every character uses the same License BoardBattle SystemEvery character uses a separate copy of the same board; a License grants permission but does not provide the equipment or ability., but an Esper may be purchased by only one character. That character becomes the only party member who can summon it. Assignments are permanent, so choose based on who you actually want to summon the Esper and who can comfortably spend the LPBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve..

Montblanc Rewards

Return to Montblanc in the Clan Hall as your collection grows.

Espers acquired	Reward
4	High ArcanaLootRare Loot used in several top-tier Bazaar recipes; it can also be produced by the repeatable Life Crystal recipe. ×1 and Teleport StoneItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals. ×2
8	Nugget of GemsteelLootRequired for The Sunflower (3 sold) in the Bazaar. ×1 and Teleport StoneItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals. ×2
13	SerpentariusLootRare Loot used in the Tournesol recipe and produced by the repeatable Jewel of the Serpent Bazaar recipe. ×2 and Teleport StoneItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals. ×2

Story Espers

These five cannot be missed. Their full Boss Fight Prep and battle panels live at the point where each fight occurs in the walkthrough.

Belias

• Where: Tomb of Raithwall, Cloister of Flame.
• Battle snapshot: Level 20 with 15,943 HP. Use Water or Aqua ShotAmmunition: ShotWater-elemental gun ammunition available only through the Rain of Tears Bazaar package; pair it with Vega or a stronger gun against Water-vulnerable targets., avoid Fire, and cure Oil before Firaja. Steal Aries GemLootRare Bagoly Loot with no immediate Sandsea use; selling it preserves its hidden Bazaar count., EtherItemRestores 50 MP before Ether Lore and item-effect bonuses., or rare High ArcanaLootRare Loot used in several top-tier Bazaar recipes; it can also be produced by the repeatable Life Crystal recipe..
• Later use: Summon BeliasEsperThe first story Esper, acquired in the Tomb of Raithwall after a level 20 battle; use Water, avoid Fire, cure Oil before Firaja, and assign the Esper to one character on the shared License Board. at the Gigas Gate in the Feywood to open the story route.

See Belias, the Gigas in the Tomb of Raithwall walkthrough for the complete setup and fight.

Mateus

• Where: Stilshrine of Miriam, Ward of Steel.
• Battle snapshot: Level 30 with 34,259 HP and five Ice Azers. Defeat the Azers first, use Lightning, protect against Ice, and remember that MateusEsperThe second story Esper, acquired after the level 30 Stilshrine battle; defeat the five Ice Azers, exploit Lightning, protect against Ice, and assign Mateus to one character on the shared License Board. begins under Reflect.
• Steal: Pisces GemLootRare Piranha and Apsara Loot used in later Bazaar recipes; retain it until the required quantities are planned., ElixirItemFully restores one ally’s HP and MP., or rare High ArcanaLootRare Loot used in several top-tier Bazaar recipes; it can also be produced by the repeatable Life Crystal recipe..

See Mateus in the Stilshrine of Miriam walkthrough for the complete setup and fight.

Shemhazai

• Where: Giruvegan, Gate of Wind.
• Battle snapshot: Level 45 with 91,136 HP. Dispel the opening Haste, protect against Silence, and use neutral physical damage because Barrier Change shifts the current weakness after elemental damage.
• Steal: Sagittarius GemLootRequired for Silver Bow (4 sold) in the Bazaar., Hi-EtherItemRestores 200 MP before Ether Lore and item-effect bonuses., or rare High ArcanaLootRare Loot used in several top-tier Bazaar recipes; it can also be produced by the repeatable Life Crystal recipe..

See Gate of Wind and Shemhazai in the Giruvegan walkthrough for the complete setup and fight.

Hashmal

• Where: Pharos at Ridorana, Third Ascent 90F.
• Battle snapshot: Level 50 with 209,060 HP. Keep Float active against Quakeja, use Wind or neutral damage, avoid Earth, and remove DiseaseStatus EffectLowers maximum HP along with damage, preventing ordinary healing from restoring the lost maximum until cured. promptly.
• Steal: Leo GemLootA rare Wild Saurian Steal; the enemy is far stronger than the opening Estersand route, so do not force the attempt for ordinary progress., Hi-EtherItemRestores 200 MP before Ether Lore and item-effect bonuses., or rare High ArcanaLootRare Loot used in several top-tier Bazaar recipes; it can also be produced by the repeatable Life Crystal recipe..

See Hashmal in the Pharos Third Ascent walkthrough for the complete setup and fight.

Famfrit

• Where: Pharos at Ridorana, Womb of the Sun-cryst.
• Battle snapshot: Level 52 with 149,060 HP. Doctor Cid summons FamfritEsperThe level 52, 149,060-HP story Esper summoned by Doctor Cid; block or cure Waterja's Silence, use Fire, avoid Water, and defeat it to make Cid vulnerable again. and becomes immune while it lives, so switch every attacker to the Esper. Use Fire, avoid Water, and block or cure Waterja’s Silence.
• Steal: Aquarius GemLootRare Treant Steal used in later Bazaar recipes; retain it until the required quantities are planned., ElixirItemFully restores one ally’s HP and MP., or rare High ArcanaLootRare Loot used in several top-tier Bazaar recipes; it can also be produced by the repeatable Life Crystal recipe..

See Doctor Cid and Famfrit in the Pharos Third Ascent walkthrough for the complete setup and fight.

Optional Espers

The order below follows a practical progression rather than Esper number. Nothing requires you to defeat each one at the earliest possible moment. If a route or boss feels unreasonable, come back with stronger equipment and a few more levels.

Adrammelech

AdrammelechEsperA Flying optional Esper in Zertinan Caverns; equip ranged weapons, use Ice, block Thundaja's Stop, and keep respawning Shambling Corpses from overwhelming the healer. is available as soon as you can survive the Zertinan Caverns. The Athroza Quicksands entrance from the Ozmone Plain is the simplest approach. Follow the cavern route into Athroza Quicksands, where AdrammelechEsperA Flying optional Esper in Zertinan Caverns; equip ranged weapons, use Ice, block Thundaja's Stop, and keep respawning Shambling Corpses from overwhelming the healer. lives. Er, doesn’t.

Zalera

Complete the Desert Patient and Barheim Key sidequest, then enter Barheim Passage from the Dalmasca Estersand. Work west through the optional passage to Terminus No. 7. ZaleraEsperThe optional Barheim Passage Esper fought under a five-minute timer; block Disable and Sleep, remove Dead Bones, and use neutral damage or Cure-family Magick against the undead boss. waits beyond the save point, and a five-minute timer begins when the fight starts.

Afterward, the west exit provides a useful connection back into the Garamsythe Waterway. Congratulations! Another Esper in a bottle. Er, crystal. Still whatever that is.

Cúchulainn

Complete the Wraith and White Mousse hunts, then use the Sluice Gate KeyKey ItemWhite Mousse hunt reward that unlocks the Garamsythe Waterway controls needed for Cúchulainn and the Dull Fragment route. in Central Waterway Control. Start with all four controls open, then follow this sequence:

1. Close No. 3 and No. 10.
2. Enter No. 3 Cloaca Spur and close No. 1 South Waterway Control.
3. Return to Central Waterway Control. Open No. 3 and No. 10, then close No. 4 and No. 11.
4. Enter No. 4 Cloaca Spur and close No. 1 North Waterway Control.
5. Return to Central Waterway Control. Open No. 11 and close No. 3, leaving the two center controls lit.
6. Save, go straight south into No. 1 Cloaca, buff the party, and step into the center basin.

You want to kill this guy if only because he is ugly. Eeeew. If you beat him with Vaan using Excalibur, he might sit on it.

Zeromus

After Judge Bergan, speak to the Acolyte directly in front of you at Mt Bur-Omisace to receive the Stone of the CondemnerKey ItemOpens the Stilshrine route to the optional Esper Zeromus.. Return to the Stilshrine of Miriam, use the Way Stone in the Ward of Measure, and choose the new destination. ZeromusEsperThe optional Stilshrine Esper reached with the Stone of the Condemner; Magicks are sealed, so equip Pheasant Netsuke, build item-only recovery Gambits, and enter with full Mist Charges. waits in the Throne of Veiled Gods.

No Magick. Sucks, nee? If the Dark LordsEnemyA Stilshrine undead that can be chained after Zeromus for Blood-darkened Bones and Dark Crystals; avoid Nightwalkers while preserving the Chain. become the real problem, leave, improve the item setup, and return. Le sigh.

Exodus

ExodusEsperThe optional Mosphoran Highwaste Esper; items are sealed, Reflect complicates Magick, and a low-HP Paling forces the party to switch from weapons to non-elemental spells. becomes available after the Salikawood gate to the Phon Coast opens. At Mosphoran Highwaste’s Babbling Vale, activate the Shrine of the South Wind, then follow this route:

1. Follow the northern wall east into Rays of Ashen Light and feed the Wayward Chocobo Gysahl GreensItemUsed to rent or interact with chocobos on routes that permit chocobo travel..
2. Ride south one area, follow the right-hand wall through the Chocobo-only path, and continue west until forced to dismount.
3. Return down into Babbling Vale. Activate the Shrine of the West Wind and break the Weathered Rock at the north end to open the shortcut.
4. Activate the Shrine of the Northwest Wind near the Caravaner and Learned Man, then save.
5. Return west to Skyreach Ridge, clear the VulturesEnemyA Flying, Earth-weak Mosphoran enemy; use ranged attacks or Magick and finish it before its low-HP Kamikaze., buff before leaving the area, and take the north path into Empyrean Seat.

While approaching ExodusEsperThe optional Mosphoran Highwaste Esper; items are sealed, Reflect complicates Magick, and a low-HP Paling forces the party to switch from weapons to non-elemental spells., DheedTrophy Rare GameDheed is one of the 30 submittable Trophy Rare Game. may appear in Skyreach Ridge. Stealing a Mirage VestLight ArmorLight Armor 11 body armor with 45 Defense, 800 HP, 10 Vitality, and 10 Speed. Dheed in Skyreach Ridge carries it as a rare Steal, making the Exodus trip an early chance to obtain one. and adding a Cat-ear HoodAccessoryAdds 20 Vitality and 50 Speed. can produce 99 Speed on the right character. I don’t know how much good 99 Speed does, but hey, 99!

Chaos

First assemble the three medallions through Nabreus Medallions and the Necrohol. Use the Medallion of BraveryKey ItemOpens the Door of Horrors in the Necrohol of Nabudis for the Humbaba Mistant encounter; save before consuming it at the sealed door. to defeat Humbaba Mistant and the Medallion of LoveKey ItemOpens the Door of Loathing in the Necrohol of Nabudis for the Fury encounter; save before consuming it at the sealed door. to defeat Fury. Those victories restore the Lusterless MedallionKey ItemChanges into the Medallion of Might after both Fury and Humbaba Mistant are defeated, allowing the party to open the sealed route to Chaos. as the Medallion of MightKey ItemForms after Fury and Humbaba Mistant are defeated, then opens the final sealed Necrohol route to Chaos., which opens the sealed route to ChaosEsperThe optional Necrohol Esper behind the three-medallion quest; Attack is sealed, so prepare Telekinesis, Gil Toss, Technicks, or non-elemental Magick and remove the four Chaosjets first..

The irony of finding Bacchus’s WineItemAttempts to inflict Berserk, doubling charge speed and raising normal attack damage by 50% while removing direct control. here is that Attack is precisely what you cannot do. Dance around the outside, recover the party, and keep the non-Attack damage coming.

Ultima

The path to UltimaEsperThe optional Esper at the Great Crystal's Crystal Peak; absorb Holyja with White Masks or Sage's Rings, clear Reverse before healing, and adapt as the battlefield seals command categories in sequence. opens after the Treaty-BladeKey ItemLate-route Key Item used to operate Great Crystal gates and unlocks the final major shop phase.. The Great Crystal Optional Route covers Gate Scorpio and the first timed-gate route to Excalibur. UltimaEsperThe optional Esper at the Great Crystal's Crystal Peak; absorb Holyja with White Masks or Sage's Rings, clear Reverse before healing, and adapt as the battlefield seals command categories in sequence. requires continuing deeper through the upper Crystal gate network to Crystal Peak. Use the Great Crystal map rather than trusting the in-game map to be useful. It isn’t.

Route to Crystal Peak

1. From Way Stone VIII, take the middle path to Way Stone IX. Use it to reach Way Stone XX.
2. From Way Stone XX, take the path directly ahead and clear the Mom BombsEnemyA high-level, Water-weak upper Great Crystal Bomb that absorbs Fire; defeat the group before Self-Destruct, Chain Reaction, or Mass-Destruct turns it into an explosion problem. from the two-area route before starting the timer.
3. Touch the Sagittarius Gate Stone, run back to Way Stone XX, and pass through Gate Sagittarius II on the right.
4. Continue to Way Stone XII and use it to reach Way Stone XIV.
5. Take the rising path to the Leo Gate Stone. Touch it, run back, take the other path, and continue along the only available route.
6. At the split used for Excalibur, take the first path on the left instead. Follow the only path to Gate Leo II and open it before the timer expires.
7. Defeat the Ash Wyrm, take the first path on the right, and continue to Way Stone XV. Use it to reach Way Stone XVI.
8. From Way Stone XVI, take the center path and touch the Libra Gate Stone. Run back, take the path on the right, and open Gate Libra I before fighting the enemies there.
9. Follow the newly opened rising path. At the three-way split, take the left path. On the next platform, take the left path first for the optional treasure, then return.
10. Touch the Capricorn Gate Stone. Run back to Way Stone XVI by taking the first right on the intervening platform, then take the remaining path from XVI and open Gate Capricorn I.
11. Touch the Virgo Gate Stone, run back one area to Way Stone XVI, and take the center path, which is immediately right as you enter.
12. On the next platform, turn left. Open Gate Virgo I on the right before fighting the enemies, then take the newly opened descending path and turn left.
13. Use Way Stone XVII to reach Way Stone XVIII. Follow the only route to the Gate CrystalField MechanicA Save Crystal that also enables Teleport Stone travel to other activated Gate Crystals. and save.
14. Of the three paths other than the one you arrived on, take the middle route to Crystal Peak and UltimaEsperThe optional Esper at the Great Crystal's Crystal Peak; absorb Holyja with White Masks or Sage's Rings, clear Reverse before healing, and adapt as the battlefield seals command categories in sequence..

Clear enemies before each timed gate run. A battle at the wrong moment is a lousy way to learn the timer.

If you can survive the Great Crystal and this fight, you deserve her. Now get out alive.

Zodiark

Complete The Mine Flayer hunt and acquire at least ten Espers. Then speak to Geomancer Yugelu in Jahara’s Lull of the Land. He opens the gate from Ore Separation into the eastern Henne Mines. Getting to this guy is half the trouble.

Teleport to the Henne Mines, go north to Ore Separation, and take the newly opened east path through Phase 2 Dig, Crossover C, Pithead Junction C, Phase 2 Shaft, Special Charter Shaft, and Special Charter Dig. Keep Float active because the route is packed with trapsField MechanicA floor hazard revealed by Libra and crossed safely while Float is active., and obtain the Henne CandleKey ItemExpands the Henne Mines map to show the sealed eastern routes; collect it from the Phase 2 Dig urn before continuing toward Zodiark. from the urn in Phase 2 Dig.

If ZodiarkEsperThe eastern Henne Mines Esper unlocked after The Mine Flayer and ten Espers; survive Darkja, avoid repeatedly using Dispel, use Holy early, and switch damage types with its barriers and affinity change. completes all 13 Espers, return to Montblanc for Eurek’s two SerpentariusLootRare Loot used in the Tournesol recipe and produced by the repeatable Jewel of the Serpent Bazaar recipe. and two Teleport StonesItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals..