Final Fantasy XII Walkthrough

Giza Plains and Palace Preparations

Dalmasca Estersand

After a short cut scene, you’ll have pretty much free rein here. If you want to level up, use the config menu to set battle speed to fast; it’ll make life more bearable.

Take a second to explore the Area Enemies Panel up there - you’ll be seeing those throughout the walkthrough. It will tell you what you can steal from each enemy, how likely the steal is to succeed, and what kind of lootInventory SystemEnemy material sold for gil and Bazaar progress; Monographs and the Canopic Jar add separate Loot slots. you can expect. Special enemies will be called out as well.

You can either go straight after the Rogue Tomato or you can level up a bit. I recommend the latter. Learn how the chainBattle SystemDefeating consecutive enemies of the same family improves their normal drops; a different family, town, or touched Save Crystal breaks it. system and stealing system work. If you are a low level and go after some wolvesEnemyA hostile level 2 to 3 enemy in The Stepping with 94 to 114 HP, 9 to 13 EXP, and 1 LP; it is weak to Earth. or CockatriceEnemyA hostile level 3 to 4 enemy in The Stepping with 136 to 152 HP, 11 to 15 EXP, and 1 LP; it is weak to Water., don’t take on a full pack. Get close enough to draw one away and take them on one at a time. Avoid the Wild SaurianEnemyA passive level 29 to 30 dinosaur with about 6,000 HP, 2,753 to 2,766 EXP, and 2 LP; it is weak to Wind, but do not provoke it this early. (the big dinosaur looking thing) completely at this time… Unless you want to see what the Game Over screen looks like, I guess.

If you happen to get the rare BroadswordWeapon: Sword15 Attack and requires Swords 1. It is sold in Rabanastre for 400 gil and can be a rare Cactite Steal in the original game. steal from a cactiteEnemyA passive level 1 to 2 enemy in The Stepping with 72 to 84 HP, 7 to 10 EXP, and 1 LP; it is weak to Wind., you will need to learn the Swords 1 license (15 LPBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve.) before you can equip it. You’ll notice various treasure chests around here. One of those occasionally has an EscutcheonShield6 Evade and requires Shields 1. It can appear in an early The Stepping treasure and is also the output of Gilt Shield. (shield) inside. If you happen across that, you can equip it once you learn the license Light Armor 2.

As you get more license pointsBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. you may want to learn a few more skills. Some good choices for LPBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. are the White Magick 1License BoardAllows a character who owns them to cast Cure and Blindna; unlocking the License does not buy either Magick. -> White Magick 2 -> HP+50 route and the PoachTechnickDefeats an enemy in HP Critical for alternate Loot while forfeiting EXP, LP, gil, and normal drops. -> TravelerTechnickDeals fixed area damage based on steps since its last use; the counter resets after use or 1,000 steps. -> Shield BlockLicense BoardEach of three Licenses adds 5 percentage points to a compatible shield’s physical and Magick block chances. -> Battle LoreLicense BoardPermanently adds 1 Strength per License. -> HP+100License BoardPermanently adds 100 to that character's maximum HP. -> Red SpiralQuickeningVaan’s rank 1 Quickening; consumes one Mist Charge during a chain. route. If you do want to level up, don’t forget to go back to Rabanastre and save at the crystal.

After each set of kills, look in your Clan Primer’sClan SystemTracks hunts, enemy entries, map progress, and Sky Pirate’s Den achievements. BestiaryBestiary SystemThe Clan Primer enemy record used to check classifications, habitats, and unlocked second-page notes.. You can learn two things from the bestiaryBestiary SystemThe Clan Primer enemy record used to check classifications, habitats, and unlocked second-page notes.. First, for each enemy you kill, you’ll get some extra information about that beast. Second - if you have killed enough - you’ll get some general information regarding the game. Notice the “02” by the Dire RatEnemyVaan must defeat three in Overflow Cloaca; the later palace-approach rats can be chained for a Leather Shield and robbed of Rat Pelts or a rare Libra Gem.? That means you have to kill two more Dire RatsEnemyVaan must defeat three in Overflow Cloaca; the later palace-approach rats can be chained for a Leather Shield and robbed of Rat Pelts or a rare Libra Gem. to get the extra information associated with that animal.

While you are killing wolvesEnemyA hostile level 2 to 3 enemy in The Stepping with 94 to 114 HP, 9 to 13 EXP, and 1 LP; it is weak to Earth. and cactitesEnemyA passive level 1 to 2 enemy in The Stepping with 72 to 84 HP, 7 to 10 EXP, and 1 LP; it is weak to Wind., be sure to head to the outpost (it’s one screen to the north-east). You can talk to folks and open the treasures. If you examine every shiny thing (Mysterious glint), you should be able to find: 4 Gil, 1 Gil, 5 gil, 12 Gil, 5 Gil, 3 Gil, 3 Gil, and 10 Gil. You can restore HP by “resting” for 100 gil, but it doesn’t respawn monsters (that requires a power cycle - meaning a save/reset will reset your chain levelBattle SystemThe hidden drop-quality tier from 0 through 3; higher levels improve normal drop rates and can add recovery bonuses.). I found I could reset the game and keep doing the same cycle to get enough license pointsBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. to buff up Vaan quite a bit.

Rogue Tomato

To find the Rogue Tomato, head straight forward from the Rabanastre entrance, toward a little u-shaped alcove just below the middle of the screen. Try to steal, then go after him. After a few hits, watch the cliff cut scene and head to the area below the cliff there. You can steal again, then finish him off. As a post-fight reward you’ll end up with a Handful of Galbana LiliesKey ItemThe proof collected after defeating Rogue Tomato; it is surrendered automatically when Rabanastre reopens.. Head back to Rabanastre, save your game, then talk to Kytes.

If you didn’t level up here, don’t worry. There will be plenty of time later. Some games I’m still level 2-3. One time I was at level 8, had a BroadswordWeapon: Sword15 Attack and requires Swords 1. It is sold in Rabanastre for 400 gil and can be a rare Cactite Steal in the original game. and EscutcheonShield6 Evade and requires Shields 1. It can appear in an early The Stepping treasure and is also the output of Gilt Shield., had learned LibraTechnick / Status EffectReveals traps plus a susceptible target’s HP, level, and elemental information while active., First AidTechnickRestores up to 20% maximum HP to an ally in HP Critical and misses other targets., PoachTechnickDefeats an enemy in HP Critical for alternate Loot while forfeiting EXP, LP, gil, and normal drops., TravelerTechnickDeals fixed area damage based on steps since its last use; the counter resets after use or 1,000 steps., Shield BlockLicense BoardEach of three Licenses adds 5 percentage points to a compatible shield’s physical and Magick block chances., Battle LoreLicense BoardPermanently adds 1 Strength per License., HP+100License BoardPermanently adds 100 to that character's maximum HP., Remedy Lore 1License BoardThe first of three Remedy upgrades; it expands the statuses a Remedy can cure, while later tiers add harder conditions including Disease, Doom, and Stop., Battle LoreLicense BoardPermanently adds 1 Strength per License., Phoenix LoreLicense BoardImproves the HP restored by Phoenix Downs; multiple Phoenix Lore Licenses stack., Accessories 1License BoardAllows a character to equip first-tier accessories such as the Orrachea Armlet; the License does not provide the accessory itself., and White Magick 1License BoardAllows a character who owns them to cast Cure and Blindna; unlocking the License does not buy either Magick..

Once you finish the Rogue Tomato markHunt SystemA contracted hunt accepted from its petitioner after reading the notice board. and claim your reward, you’ll get a Teleport StoneItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals.. Don’t use these early on in the game. Walking and fighting enemies allows you to build up massive amounts of LPBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. that you can use to level up your party. If you don’t have a lot of Weapons, Armor, Technicks, etc, use the LPBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. you get to apply buffs. Adding a few hundred HP can be practically more beneficial than a slightly better shield or armor.

Back in Rabanastre

Watch the cut scenes and learn about a rather Vayne figure and listen to Vaan’s eloquence which I believe inspired George Lucas in the Star Wars prequels. Eventually you’ll learn that it’s time to pay Dalan a visit (he’s in Lowtown), but there are some things to consider before heading there.

Basically, you’ve got the run of Rabanastre, Lowtown, and the various areas outside. The Garamsythe Waterway and the Royal Palace page will be tough, and you cannot back out, so why not take on some optional work and raise your level a bit?

• First things first, go and get your due for killing off the Rogue Tomato. That’s at the Sandsea, in case you’d forgotten. You’ll get 300 Gil, a Teleport StoneItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals., and two PotionsItemRestores 100 HP before Potion Lore and item-effect bonuses.. Go look at the Notice Board again to see two new MarksHunt SystemA contracted hunt accepted from its petitioner after reading the notice board. that have been unlocked: Thextera and Flowering Cactoid.
• Take this opportunity to unlock some monographs. You probably cannot afford them yet, but that shouldn’t stop you from unlocking them.
• Find the moogle from the Cartographers’ Guild near the fountain and buy some maps.
• Visit all the shops in Rabanastre. If you take the east exit and go north two screens, you can get decent weapons/armor at Nalbina Town (like an Iron SwordWeapon: SwordAn early Nalbina sword listed at 24 Attack, requiring Swords 2 and costing 1,200 gil; compare it with the equipped weapon before buying.). If you have 1300 Gil, go ahead and buy CureWhite Magick8 MP. Restores a small amount of HP to one ally and damages an undead target., FireBlack Magick / Element8 MP. Deals Fire-elemental damage to one target., ThunderBlack Magick8 MP. Deals Lightning-elemental damage to one target., and BlizzardBlack Magick8 MP. Deals Ice-elemental damage to one target. Magicks, plus the LibraTechnick / Status EffectReveals traps plus a susceptible target’s HP, level, and elemental information while active. Technick over at the Technicks shop.
• IMPORTANT - How To Sell LootInventory SystemEnemy material sold for gil and Bazaar progress; Monographs and the Canopic Jar add separate Loot slots.: Be sure to see Efficient Selling in the Bazaar, Loot, and Monographs section. Selling all your lootInventory SystemEnemy material sold for gil and Bazaar progress; Monographs and the Canopic Jar add separate Loot slots. at once is safe; buying a BazaarShop SystemSelling Loot increments hidden ingredient counters and unlocks packages; buying a package resets every ingredient counter it used. package is what resets the sold counters for every ingredient it uses. If several wanted recipes share lootInventory SystemEnemy material sold for gil and Bazaar progress; Monographs and the Canopic Jar add separate Loot slots., unlock all of them before buying any of them. Also, don’t sell your Teleport StonesItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals. until much later in the game; they’re rare and very useful.

But what if you don’t have enough Gil to support the big spender lifestyle yet? You could run around outside and fight enemies and grind the normal way (See the Area Enemies panels below), or you could exploit the game a bit (See the Optional: DustiaRare GameAppears in Corridor of Sand when any party member enters below 10% maximum HP; a Phoenix Down defeats it instantly for 1,098 EXP and 3 LP. Zone-Out Leveling section a bit further down).

Area Enemies: Dalmasca Estersand

Area Enemies: Giza (Dry)

Area Enemies: Dalmasca Westersand

• In the westersand, follow the west wall from Rabanastre. The first location change you come to should look like a dead end. The Rare GameBestiary SystemAn enemy with a special spawn condition; ordinary Rare Game can respawn, while Trophy Rare Game is one-time. Lindbur WolfRare GameAppears in Shimmering Horizons after enough Wolves are defeated; Steal can yield the 45-Attack Wind-elemental Gladius. here has the rare steal GladiusWeapon: Dagger45 Attack, requires Daggers 3, and deals Wind-elemental damage; it is a rare Steal from Lindbur Wolf.. See the notes above (e.g., you have to kill 20 wolves before it will spawn.)
• Overpowered weapons: If you get the GladiusWeapon: Dagger45 Attack, requires Daggers 3, and deals Wind-elemental damage; it is a rare Steal from Lindbur Wolf. above, level up a bit, and buy BlindGreen Magick / Status Effect10 MP. Attempts to halve one target’s normal attack accuracy. Magick from Nalbina, you can go after the WerewolvesEnemyA level 19 to 21 Starfall Field enemy with 2,526 to 2,570 HP; avoid it early unless deliberately farming the rare Kotetsu drop. in the Giza Plains. Blind them and then attack them - try not to fight two at the same time. I was able to get three KotetsuWeapon: Katana50 Attack and requires Katana 1; it is a very rare Werewolf drop that can be farmed early but is never required. ninja swords before moving on. It will be easier later, but technically it can be done now.

Optional: Dustia Zone-Out Leveling

Emulator Note: Dustia Timing Safety Net

If you’re using an emulator, make a save state in Galtea Downs just before crossing into Corridor of Sand. If the EXP and LPBattle SystemLP earned from defeated enemies is spent on Licenses, and permanent party members also earn it while in reserve. notification appears before you cross back over the border, reload that state and try the kill-and-cross sequence again. You can also use save states before reducing Vaan’s HP, just in case.

Old Dalan and Giza Plains

Now it’s time to head to Dalan’s place in old town (QUICK REMINDER: DON’T OPEN THE CHEST OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE!) You’ll talk to Dalan, and he’ll tell you about a magicked stone that can help you get into the Fete. But it needs a SunstoneKey ItemThe completed Giza Plains Key Item; take it to Old Dalan so he can charge the Crescent Stone.. Leave his house (don’t open that chest!!!) Hang a right, talk to the Jolly Seeq, and head out the doorway there to Southgate. Save if you want, then head out onto the plains.

Head due south from the gate and you should find yourself in the Nomad Village. Talk to the Village Elder (Brunoa). She’ll point out Masyua to you. Go talk to her. Listen to her offer. She’ll ask you to go find Jinn (he’s got the SunstonesKey ItemThe completed Giza Plains Key Item; take it to Old Dalan so he can charge the Crescent Stone.). You’ll eventually end up with Penelo in your party, and then you can do whatever you want. Talk to Camina there. She’ll tell you Jinn is in the Crystal Glade. Leave the village and head down to the most southern part of the Giza Plains (use your map). The Crystal Glade is the place with the big crystal in it. When you leave the village, Penelo will give you some stuff. I got three PotionsItemRestores 100 HP before Potion Lore and item-effect bonuses. and two Phoenix DownsItemRevives one KO’d ally with 20% maximum HP before Phoenix Lore and item-effect bonuses..

Penelo

Be sure to set up Penelo’s Licenses, and equip stuff for her. Be ready to UNEQUIP it, though. She tries to tell you about Gambits, but you can’t really use them. All you can do is turn on/off the USE of gambits via the menu that pops up when you press ‘X’ in the field. Try it, and enable Vaan’s Gambits. If you enable it, your character will actually go AFTER your targets, but that’s about it. Actually enabling individual Gambits comes much later.

Jinn and the Sunstone

Make your way to the Crystal and talk to Jinn. Explain the situation to him. He’ll give you a ShadestoneKey ItemJinn’s Key Item for absorbing light from Giza Plains Dark Crystals; filling it to 100% turns it into the Sunstone.. You’ll see that there are 4 of the large crystals. Go and “examine” the crystals that now show up on your map. Start with the lower right, and work your way around the map in a counter-clockwise direction. You’ll get 50 gil, two PotionsItemRestores 100 HP before Potion Lore and item-effect bonuses., and two Teleport StonesItemConsumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals.. Feel free to save your game in the Nomad Village, and level-up using Penelo if you want, but I’d really recommend against it. You’ll see why later. Just head back to Rabanastre.

Be sure to UNEQUIP anything from Penelo that you don’t have 3 of. Then, go talk to Dalan (take the Southgate-Lowtown entrance - DON’T OPEN THAT CHEST). Penelo will leave as soon as you approach Dalan’s house. “The signet yearns for Sunstone’s strength, to light the clouded way.” After you talk to Dalan, head to Storehouse No. 5 (don’t open that chest!) You’ll get two PotionsItemRestores 100 HP before Potion Lore and item-effect bonuses. and four phials of Eye DropsItemRemoves Blind from one target. from Kytes. Open the door.