Final Fantasy XII Reference

Getting Started

Version

This is a walkthrough of Final Fantasy XII. It was developed for the original North American English PlayStation 2 release. Some things may not work on other platforms or later versions.

Walkthrough Notes

While all walkthroughs contain spoilers, what I’ve tried to do here is set the guide up so that you can get the information you need without having to read the whole thing. Please see the points below for things you’ll want to know that DON’T involve spoilers. I recommend reading them before even starting the game. Then play each section first, saving at every possible point. When you finish a section, come back to the walkthrough and see if there is anything you missed.

I’ll include various hints, tips, tricks, and cheats I noticed along the way. The route is divided by reader-useful places and transitions so you can find the part of the journey you actually need.

Points to Remember

Things I wish someone had told me starting out!

• Early on, you’ll receive a Clan PrimerClan SystemTracks hunts, enemy entries, map progress, and Sky Pirate’s Den achievements.. The last option under it is Traveler’s Tips. Refer to this often because it contains valuable information you’ll probably miss otherwise.
• Like many Final Fantasy games, this one has more than just XP. You also get License PointsBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve., which let you use new weapons, armor, Magicks, Technicks, and other abilities on the original game’s single shared License BoardBattle SystemEvery character uses a separate copy of the same board; a License grants permission but does not provide the equipment or ability.. Don’t blow your License PointsBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. on every weapon and armor license you see. For that matter, don’t blow all your gil on every shop upgrade either. Prioritize the abilities and equipment your current plan actually needs.
• Attack this game from the standpoint that you DO want to beat it completely. If you decide not to at some point, you can always stop doing the tough stuff. Otherwise, you may miss something you really need.
• The game sometimes places a VERY powerful neutral monster among a lot of not-so-hard ones. DON’T ATTACK THEM UNTIL YOU’RE READY!!! They are often green, but stealing from one or letting a trapField MechanicA floor hazard revealed by Libra and crossed safely while Float is active. injure it can make it attack you.
• Speaking of trapsField MechanicA floor hazard revealed by Libra and crossed safely while Float is active., use Libra so you can see them. Float keeps the party above floor trapsField MechanicA floor hazard revealed by Libra and crossed safely while Float is active..
• Throughout Ivalice, you’ll encounter enemies that LOOK like other enemies but are a bit harder. After the Hunt ClubHunt SystemThe Phon Coast sidequest that trades 30 Trophy Rare Game trophies among Atak, Blok, and Stok for rewards. opens at Phon Coast, some Rare GameBestiary SystemAn enemy with a special spawn condition; ordinary Rare Game can respawn, while Trophy Rare Game is one-time. carry trophies. If you defeat a particularly hard non-boss enemy, check the BestiaryBestiary SystemThe Clan Primer enemy record used to check classifications, habitats, and unlocked second-page notes. and the Rare GameBestiary SystemAn enemy with a special spawn condition; ordinary Rare Game can respawn, while Trophy Rare Game is one-time. material so you know whether it was part of a finite hunt.
• Don’t open every treasure! In this original release, four linked groups affect the guaranteed Zodiac SpearWeapon: Spear150 Attack. The guaranteed original-release copy is lost if any of four linked treasure groups are opened first.: the treasure outside Old Dalan’s home, the linked treasure in the Royal Palace Cellars, the linked treasure in the Nalbina Dungeon Confiscatory, and the linked treasure group at Phon Coast. The walkthrough will flag each one again where it matters.
• Most enemies with a restore ability only use it once. Don’t flee just because an enemy restores itself and you think you’re hosed.
• Touching a Save CrystalField MechanicRestores HP and MP and permits saving; touching one also breaks a battle Chain. resets your battle-chain level gauge. Walking past most crystals without touching them does not.

When you’re ready, start the walkthrough at Nalbina Fortress.