Final Fantasy XII Walkthrough

Rabanastre and Bhujerba

Return Through Dalmasca Estersand

Feel free to continue looking around, if you want. You can walk around and get access to various areas, but you’ll eventually want to end back up in good, ol’ Rabanastre. (You still cannot get past South Bank Village, the guards at Nalbina Fortress, or the Westersand blockade.)

Area Enemies: Dalmasca Estersand - Barheim Exit to Rabanastre

Choose an enemy to open its stats and loot chances. Mark, Rare Game, and Trophy badges flag special targets. Choose it again to collapse.

Cactite

Passive

Important! Its rare Broadsword Steal is a confirmed major early upgrade. Keep stealing if the weapon would materially improve Vaan's damage.

Chain family: Cactus
Level: 1–2
LP: 1
HP: 72–84
EXP: 7–10
Weakness: Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Cactoid

Passive

Important! Its rare Broadsword Steal is a major early upgrade; the Westersand variant may begin asleep.

Chain family: Cactus
Level: 4–8
LP: 1
HP: 112–152
EXP: 31–40
Weakness: Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Wolf

Hostile

Aggressive; pull one away from the pack while Vaan is still weak.

Chain family: Wolf
Level: 2–3
LP: 1
HP: 94–114
EXP: 9–13
Weakness: Earth

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Alpha Wolf

Hostile

A stronger Wolf-family enemy; its rare Westersand Steal is a Wizard’s Hat.

Chain family: Wolf
Level: 8–9 / 12–14
LP: 1
HP: 535–575
EXP: 252–256
Weakness: Earth

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Cockatrice

Hostile

Hits hard this early; lure one away before engaging.

Chain family: Cockatrice
Level: 3–4
LP: 1
HP: 136–152
EXP: 11–15
Weakness: Water

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Wild Saurian

Passive

Important! Do not provoke it this early; it can kill Vaan quickly and grows stronger by eating nearby Wolves.

Chain family: Tyrant
Level: 29–30
LP: 2
HP: About 6,000
EXP: 2,753–2,766
Weakness: Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Ripe Rampager

PassiveRare Game

Has a 33% chance to appear in southwestern Yardang Labyrinth after a Cactoid-family enemy is defeated; its rare drop is a Calot Hat.

Chain family: Mandragora
Level: 4–5
LP: 2
HP: 357–369
EXP: 25–28
Weakness: Fire

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
Item	No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
	40%	45%	50%	55%
	3%	6%	8%	12%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Nekhbet

HostileRare Game

Important! Has a 20% chance to spawn at one of three Sand-swept Naze points after Cockatrices are defeated. It is much stronger than it looks; flee or Steal the Rainbow Egg and fight carefully.

Chain family: Cockatrice
Level: 5–6
LP: 3
HP: 3,936–3,979
EXP: 625–629
Weakness: Water; absorbs Fire

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
Item	No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
	40%	45%	50%	55%
	3%	6%	8%	12%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

appears in Yardang Labyrinth. can appear in the Sand-swept Naze after you defeat there, but it is much stronger than the area’s ordinary enemies. Open either enemy in the panel before deciding whether to engage.

Bazaar Checkpoint: Nalbina After Barheim

The Nalbina merchant is the first convenient seller after the Barheim escape. The Nalbina checkpoint lists the four packages newly enabled by Barheim Loot.

Batch before buying: is shared by and . is shared by and earlier packages. Unlock every package you want from a shared ingredient before buying any of them.
Buy for the route: Restock , , , and status cures. Fill useful Magick, Technick, and Gambit gaps before spending on small equipment upgrades.
Keep: Do not sell . Hold for if the route has already supplied enough.

While technically you could level grind as Vaan if you removed stuff from Fran and Balthier before you approach the city, I don’t typically recommend leaving the city without them. Watch the cut scenes, and you’ll eventually get control again. Save your game in a new slot, and then find the moogles nearby. Learn about , and use that to take you to the Sandsea tavern.

Back in Rabanastre

Shopping time. Just north from there is the Gambit shop, and you can buy stuff now!!! Of course, this guy basically has the same stuff the guy in Nalbina Fortress has, but that’s OK. Buy what you can afford, then get the Technick from the Technicks shop. You can also buy new Magicks: , , , and . The armor shop has , , and a for sale. The weapon shop has a , an , and a , which has no instruments played behind it when it attacks. No, wait. That’s a cappella. Sorry. My mistake. (Editor’s note: Ignore him; he thinks he’s being funny.)

The post-Barheim shop priorities compare the useful Nalbina, Rabanastre, and Bhujerba purchases without asking you to buy every visible upgrade.

Hunting: If you want to hunt, head to the Sandsea and check the Notice Board to start Wraith. Also, go talk to Montblanc in the Clan Hall. You’ll get 150 gil from the Rabanastre Common Council for the Flans, 200 gil from the Rabanastre Healers’ Covent for the Firemane, and 300 gil from “a young lady” for finishing off the Mimic Queen. You can also accept two new hunts here: Cluckatrice and Rocktoise.

When you are done wandering around as just Vaan, go to Migelo’s Sundries and look for Penelo. You’ll be told to go talk to Old Dalan (DON’T OPEN THE CHEST!). After you receive the , you’ll head to the northwest corner of Lowtown, well, not quite, but close. Look on your map. Watch a bunch of cut scenes, then Basch will join your party. You’ll need to find Balthier and Fran. Wanna guess where they are? Hit up Dalan, and he’ll tell you they needed a meal and a drink, which basically means the Sandsea. Use the , and go find ‘em on the second floor.

Optional Hunts Before Bhujerba

Now that you have a full party, why not take advantage of it and have a few fair hunts? This is where I do all the hunts that are available before leaving for Bhujerba. Rocktoise can be accepted now, but you cannot finish it until the Lhusu Mines route opens Site 2.

Area Enemies: Giza Plains - Cluckatrice Hunt

Choose an enemy to open its stats and loot chances. Mark, Rare Game, and Trophy badges flag special targets. Choose it again to collapse.

Hyena

Hostile

Aggressive; pull one away from the pack while Vaan is still weak.

Chain family: Wolf
Level: 2–3
LP: 1
HP: 95–115
EXP: 9–11
Weakness: Water

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Giza Rabbit

Passive

Will not attack unless provoked and may cast Cure on a nearby low-HP party member.

Chain family: Dreamhare
Level: 1–2
LP: 1
HP: 85–105
EXP: 7–9
Weakness: Fire

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Urstrix

Hostile

One original-PS2 route FAQ reports Protect at spawn; Magick remains useful if its Defense is raised.

Chain family: Urstrix
Level: 3–4
LP: 1
HP: 170–190
EXP: 24–26
Weakness: Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Slaven

Hostile

May spawn asleep; if awake, attack from range and move the targeted character away from its heavier hits.

Chain family: Slaven
Level: 4–5
LP: 1
HP: 280–302
EXP: 26–31
Weakness: Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
50 Gil	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Drop chances
No chain	Chain Lv 1	Chain Lv 2	Chain Lv 3
40%	45%	50%	55%
25%	30%	35%	40%
3%	6%	8%	12%
1%	2%	3%	5%

Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.

Chickatrice

Hostile

Three accompany Cluckatrice. Defeat them first while curing Petrify and other disabling statuses.

Chain family: Cockatrice
Level: 13
LP: 1
HP: 3,067
EXP: 0
Weakness: Earth; absorbs Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Cluckatrice

HostileMark

Important! Begins under Protect and may begin under Haste. Cure Petrify promptly, and defeat all three Chickatrices to complete the hunt.

Chain family: Cockatrice
Level: 15
LP: 6
HP: 7,509
EXP: 0
Weakness: Earth; absorbs Wind

Steal chances
Item	Normal
	48.0%
	9.7%
	3%

Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success; chains do not affect Steal.

Use the Clan Centurio and Hunts page for Wraith, Cluckatrice, and Rocktoise prep, strategy, rewards, and Accepted/Completed tracking. Wraith can use , Cluckatrice arrives with three after you clear Gizas North Bank, and Rocktoise is reasonable to defer if it hits too hard when Site 2 opens.

If you DO go on some hunts, be sure to return to Montblanc in the Clan Hall to receive your 3 and 2 . If you’ve completed four hunts, you can now buy from the Clan Provisioner. If you also used the zone-out glitch earlier and managed to earn at least 15 , you can get Auto-Haste by unlocking Wind Walkers () in the . Just buy and immediately sell back 33 along with 15 .

Don’t forget to equip everyone again; Basch has LP to distribute. If you can afford it, the will be useful in Bhujerba. I usually start the Cluckatrice hunt at this time. Head to Southgate, but talk to the Lovestruck Man near the fountain first. See Vaan Juan for more about this sidequest.

If you take down the Cluckatrice, you’ll receive a as part of your reward. This item is used in only one recipe in the . If you sell it, you can buy 10 . This is a repeatable recipe, btw. If you get another , you can do it again.

Westgate Aerodrome

When you’re ready to leave, head out by going to Westgate, saving, and entering the Aerodrome. Talk to Balthier in the Aerodrome, and tell him you’re ready to leave.

The Skycity of Bhujerba

Wander around. See the sights. Smell the… Well, maybe not that. See what you can buy, and don’t be afraid to spend what you need to, to get the good merchandise. Be sure you find the representative of the Cartographers’ Guild outside the armor shop. Buy BOTH the map of the city AND the map of the Lhusu Mines. There is new armor, new weapons, new Technicks, etc. Ironically, I saw no new Gambits. If you don’t have the money for this, don’t worry. You will soon.

You’ll also run into Lamont very quickly. He’ll join your party. This is a good thing. ;) Just make your way around to where the Lhusu Mines entrance is. Save, and head in. I went in with my characters all at about level 16 (Basch at 18, Lamont at 17).