Final Fantasy XII Walkthrough
Sochen Cave Palace and Old Archades
Sochen Cave Palace
Once inside, equip someone with the Fumarole Weapon: Hand-Bomb A hand-bomb carried rarely by Archaeosaurs and sold at Phon Coast. It needs hand-bomb ammunition and has variable damage, so confirm its License and intended setup first.Stun Bombs Ammunition: Bomb Hand-bomb ammunition with a chance to inflict Stop. Pair it with an equipped hand-bomb such as Fumarole and switch away when Stop is ineffective.
Area Enemies: Sochen Cave Palace - First Visit
Choose an enemy to open its stats and loot chances. Mark, Rare Game, and Trophy badges flag special targets. Choose it again to collapse.
Abysteel Imp Striker Pit Fiend Wendigo Zombie Knight Gorgimera Focalor Iguion Zombie Warlock Crystalbug CubusRare Game
Abysteel Hostile Flying Flying undead. It may begin under Haste; use a ranged weapon, pole, spear, or Magick and do not prolong a Demon Shield Steal attempt in a crowded room.
Chain family Steeling
Level 35–38
LP 1
HP 6,778–7,138
EXP 1,924–2,437
Weakness Holy Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Spiral Incisor Loot Bellwyvern Loot used in higher-grade Bazaar equipment; retain it until the needed recipe quantities are planned.48.0% 80% Teleport Stone Item Consumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals.9.7% 30% Demon Shield Shield A shield carried rarely by Abysteel in Sochen Cave Palace. It absorbs Dark damage, but it still needs a compatible one-handed weapon and the matching Shield License.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Dark Crystal Loot High-grade Dark-aspected Loot. Ixtab carries it as the common Steal; sell Loot deliberately when checking Bazaar unlocks because sold quantities are cumulative.40% 45% 50% 55% Spiral Incisor Loot Bellwyvern Loot used in higher-grade Bazaar equipment; retain it until the needed recipe quantities are planned.25% 30% 35% 40% Red Fang Loot Consumable Loot that deals Fire damage to enemies in range; Thunderbugs and Henne Redmaws can drop it rarely.3% 6% 8% 12% Vampyr Fang Loot Rare Abysteel Loot used with Gemini Gems and Dorsal Fins to unlock Artemis Arrows; keep two if that ammunition is a goal.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Imp Hostile Flying Flying Gargoyle-family enemy. Use ranged attacks, poles, spears, or Magick and clear nearby targets before pursuing its rare Storm Crystal.
Chain family Gargoyle
Level 37–39
LP 1
HP 4,390–4,710
EXP 2,231–2,583
Weakness Ice Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Antidote Item Removes Poison from one target.48.0% 80% 130 Gil 9.7% 30% Storm Crystal Loot Storm Elemental and Martu Entite Loot during Giza’s rains; avoid provoking either dangerous elemental solely to farm it.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Storm Magicite Loot Barheim Loot with no immediate combat use; sell it for gil and Bazaar progress unless a later route reserves it.40% 45% 50% 55% Blue Fang Item A consumable Fang that deals Ice damage to enemies in range. The Paramina Area Enemies panel identifies the rare Lizard drop and rare Baritine Croc Steal that can supply it.25% 30% 35% 40% Demon Feather Loot Imp and Pit Fiend Loot used in later Bazaar equipment; sell deliberately after checking the needed recipe quantities.3% 6% 8% 12% Scorpio Gem Loot Rare Loot used with Charged Gizzards and Wyrm Bones to unlock The Scorpion and its Scorpion Tail; Matriarch Bomb provides a repeatable Steal source.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Striker Hostile Its Maggoty Flesh supports the Diamond Sword Bazaar package. Kagenui is a very rare drop, not a route requirement.
Chain family Headless
Level 37–38
LP 1
HP 5,129–5,549
EXP 2,329–2,492
Weakness Wind Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Maggoty Flesh Loot Sochen Headless and Zombie Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package; collect four if the Diamond Sword is a goal.48.0% 80% Earth Magicite Loot Common Urutan-Yensa Loot with no original-release Bazaar recipe or later quest use, so it is always safe to sell.9.7% 30% Gemini Gem Loot An uncommon Zaghnal Steal and later Bazaar ingredient; retain three if you plan to unlock Artemis Arrows.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Maggoty Flesh Loot Sochen Headless and Zombie Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package; collect four if the Diamond Sword is a goal.40% 45% 50% 55% Earth Magicite Loot Common Urutan-Yensa Loot with no original-release Bazaar recipe or later quest use, so it is always safe to sell.25% 30% 35% 40% Teleport Stone Item Consumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals.3% 6% 8% 12% Kagenui Weapon: Ninja Sword A ninja sword that can drop very rarely from Sochen Strikers. Treat it as a route bonus, then compare its Attack and License with the party’s current two-handed weapons.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Pit Fiend Hostile Flying Flying Gargoyle-family enemy. Keep Earth or ranged damage ready and treat the rare Scorpio Gem as a bonus.
Chain family Gargoyle
Level 37–39
LP 1
HP 4,390–4,710
EXP 2,231–2,583
Weakness Earth Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Eye Drops Item Removes Blind from one target.48.0% 80% Blue Fang Item A consumable Fang that deals Ice damage to enemies in range. The Paramina Area Enemies panel identifies the rare Lizard drop and rare Baritine Croc Steal that can supply it.9.7% 30% Scorpio Gem Loot Rare Loot used with Charged Gizzards and Wyrm Bones to unlock The Scorpion and its Scorpion Tail; Matriarch Bomb provides a repeatable Steal source.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Wind Magicite Loot A common Dive Talon drop in Dalmasca Westersand; sell it for gil and Bazaar progress without confusing it with a usable Wind spell.40% 45% 50% 55% Remedy Item Cures common negative statuses; Remedy Lore 1, 2, and 3 add progressively harder conditions including Stop, Disease, and Doom.25% 30% 35% 40% Demon Feather Loot Imp and Pit Fiend Loot used in later Bazaar equipment; sell deliberately after checking the needed recipe quantities.3% 6% 8% 12% Scorpio Gem Loot Rare Loot used with Charged Gizzards and Wyrm Bones to unlock The Scorpion and its Scorpion Tail; Matriarch Bomb provides a repeatable Steal source.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Wendigo Hostile Do not use Ice. Its rare Gokuu Pole Steal is optional, and the Temptation Eluded group can be part of Cubus’s spawn condition.
Chain family Headless
Level 37–38
LP 1
HP 5,458–5,878
EXP 2,329–2,492
Weakness Lightning; absorbs Ice Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Ice Magicite Loot Mid-grade Ice-aspected Loot carried by several Paramina enemies. Sell Loot deliberately when checking Bazaar unlocks because sold quantities are cumulative.48.0% 80% Forbidden Flesh Loot Sell 7 with 8 Fire Crystals and 9 Prime Pelts to unlock Nature’s Armory, which contains a Crown of Laurels and Rubber Suit.9.7% 30% Gokuu Pole Weapon: Pole A pole carried rarely by Sochen Wendigos. Treat it as an optional route upgrade and do not prolong the dangerous replacement group solely to force the Steal.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Maggoty Flesh Loot Sochen Headless and Zombie Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package; collect four if the Diamond Sword is a goal.40% 45% 50% 55% Ice Magicite Loot Mid-grade Ice-aspected Loot carried by several Paramina enemies. Sell Loot deliberately when checking Bazaar unlocks because sold quantities are cumulative.25% 30% 35% 40% Hi-Potion Item Restores 400 HP before Potion Lore and item-effect bonuses.3% 6% 8% 12% Gemini Gem Loot An uncommon Zaghnal Steal and later Bazaar ingredient; retain three if you plan to unlock Artemis Arrows.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Zombie Knight Hostile Undead. Healing Magick can damage it, but ordinary attacks are safer when the healer needs MP for the route.
Chain family Zombie
Level 36–38
LP 1
HP 3,693–4,053
EXP 1,427–1,747
Weakness Holy; absorbs Dark Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Maggoty Flesh Loot Sochen Headless and Zombie Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package; collect four if the Diamond Sword is a goal.48.0% 80% 80 Gil 9.7% 30% Vanishga Mote Item An item that casts Vanishga on allies in range; Negalmuur can drop it rarely while its summoned Ghasts are being farmed.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Dark Magicite Loot Undead Loot that can appear when Barheim’s Charge is low; sell it for gil and Bazaar progress unless a later route reserves it.40% 45% 50% 55% Maggoty Flesh Loot Sochen Headless and Zombie Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package; collect four if the Diamond Sword is a goal.25% 30% 35% 40% Hypnocrown Mystic Armor Mystic head armor that can drop rarely from Sochen Zombie Knights. Compare its Magick Resist and matching License with the intended caster’s current headgear.3% 6% 8% 12% Capricorn Gem Loot A rare Fideliant Steal in Dalmasca Westersand; keep rare gem Loot until checking later Bazaar requirements.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Gorgimera Hostile Souleater can increase its damage. Its rare Sochen Steal is Hammerhead, but do not hold up a dangerous group for repeated attempts.
Chain family Cockatrice
Level 38–39
LP 1
HP 4,266–4,386
EXP 1,707–1,878
Weakness Wind Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Fire Magicite Loot Mid-grade Fire-aspected Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package. Collect seven before selling because the package may not unlock after only six.48.0% 80% Gold Needle Item Removes Stone or Petrify from one target.9.7% 30% Hammerhead Weapon: Axe / Hammer An axe carried rarely by Sochen Gorgimeras. Its damage varies by attack, so compare the complete setup before farming repeated Steals.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Bundle of Feathers Loot Valuable avion Loot carried by Pyrolisks and Phon Coast Bagolys; sell deliberately after checking the Bazaar packages that use it.40% 45% 50% 55% Fire Magicite Loot Mid-grade Fire-aspected Loot used in the Warped Blade Bazaar package. Collect seven before selling because the package may not unlock after only six.25% 30% 35% 40% Teleport Stone Item Consumed to travel between activated Gate Crystals.3% 6% 8% 12% Taurus Gem Loot Rare Loot from Seekers and other enemies; save it if a later Bazaar recipe plan calls for it.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Focalor Passive Passive until provoked. Defeat at least one for the Bestiary, then leave the rest alone unless you need Dorsal Fins or its item table.
Chain family Piranha
Level 36–37
LP 1
HP 4,513–4,687
EXP 2,135–2,308
Weakness Ice Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Ichthon Scale Loot A rare Rain Dancer drop during Giza’s rains; keep the Loot until checking its later Bazaar use rather than farming it as routine income.48.0% 80% Balance Mote Item Casts Balance without spending MP, damaging foes in range based on the user’s missing HP.9.7% 30% Pisces Gem Loot Rare Piranha and Apsara Loot used in later Bazaar recipes; retain it until the required quantities are planned.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Ichthon Scale Loot A rare Rain Dancer drop during Giza’s rains; keep the Loot until checking its later Bazaar use rather than farming it as routine income.40% 45% 50% 55% Wind Crystal Loot Sylphi Entite Loot; do not provoke the much stronger elemental merely to farm it at this point.25% 30% 35% 40% Power Rod Weapon: Rod A rod that can drop rarely from passive Sochen Focalors. Provoke them only if the Magick-oriented wielder can use its matching License.3% 6% 8% 12% Pisces Gem Loot Rare Piranha and Apsara Loot used in later Bazaar recipes; retain it until the required quantities are planned.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Iguion Hostile The Sochen variant may begin under Confuse instead of Sleep. Remove Confuse before it turns the party against itself.
Chain family Toad
Level 36–38
LP 1
HP 5,129–5,349
EXP 2,329–2,515
Weakness Lightning Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Phoenix Down Item Revives one KO’d ally with 20% maximum HP before Phoenix Lore and item-effect bonuses.48.0% 80% Aries Gem Loot Rare Bagoly Loot with no immediate Sandsea use; selling it preserves its hidden Bazaar count.9.7% 30% Survival Vest Light Armor Light body armor carried rarely by Iguions in Phon Coast; compare its Defense, HP bonus, and matching License before spending time on repeated Steals.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Pointed Horn Loot An uncommon Croakadile Steal during Giza’s rains; sell it for gil and Bazaar progress after checking the relevant recipe quantities.40% 45% 50% 55% Ice Magicite Loot Mid-grade Ice-aspected Loot carried by several Paramina enemies. Sell Loot deliberately when checking Bazaar unlocks because sold quantities are cumulative.25% 30% 35% 40% Eye Drops Item Removes Blind from one target.3% 6% 8% 12% Aries Gem Loot Rare Bagoly Loot with no immediate Sandsea use; selling it preserves its hidden Bazaar count.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Zombie Warlock Hostile Important! Begins under Shell and Faith. Dispel it or defeat it before its Magick overwhelms the party.
Chain family Zombie
Level 36–38
LP 1
HP 7,625–7,985
EXP 2,693–3,013
Weakness Holy; absorbs Dark Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Dark Crystal Loot High-grade Dark-aspected Loot. Ixtab carries it as the common Steal; sell Loot deliberately when checking Bazaar unlocks because sold quantities are cumulative.48.0% 80% 200 Gil 9.7% 30% Capricorn Gem Loot A rare Fideliant Steal in Dalmasca Westersand; keep rare gem Loot until checking later Bazaar requirements.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Dark Crystal Loot High-grade Dark-aspected Loot. Ixtab carries it as the common Steal; sell Loot deliberately when checking Bazaar unlocks because sold quantities are cumulative.40% 45% 50% 55% Forbidden Flesh Loot Sell 7 with 8 Fire Crystals and 9 Prime Pelts to unlock Nature’s Armory, which contains a Crown of Laurels and Rubber Suit.25% 30% 35% 40% Alarm Clock Item Removes Sleep from one target.3% 6% 8% 12% Capricorn Gem Loot A rare Fideliant Steal in Dalmasca Westersand; keep rare gem Loot until checking later Bazaar requirements.1% 2% 3% 5%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Crystalbug Hostile Important! This one-time enemy masquerades as a blue Save Crystal in The Acolyte’s Burden. Steal first, defeat it through Restore, then use the real crystal it leaves behind.
Chain family Crystalbug
Level 38
LP 10
HP 3,589
EXP 0
Weakness Halves all elements Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Feystone Loot Rare Loot from Entites and Elementals and an ingredient in the repeatable High Arcana recipe.9.7% 30% Ether Item Restores 50 MP before Ether Lore and item-effect bonuses.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Cubus Hostile Rare Game Important! Rare Game: Temptation Eluded must load its 25% Wendigo and Pit Fiend group; defeat every one to make Cubus appear. Clear Oil before Fire lands.
Chain family Flan
Level 37–38
LP 11
HP 32,386–32,616
EXP 4,092–4,264
Weakness Water; absorbs Fire Steal chances Item Normal Thief's Cuffs Silver Liquid Loot Cubus’s Steal and a later Bazaar ingredient; keep it until the planned recipe quantities are known.3% 6%
Normal Steal checks rare to common and stops at the first success. Thief's Cuffs can take multiple items; chains do not affect Steal.
Drop chances Item No chain Chain Lv 1 Chain Lv 2 Chain Lv 3 Green Liquid Loot Loot from Flans and Tallows. Sell two with three Dark Stones and two Fish Scales for Marksman’s Delight, or three with four Water Stones and one Yensa Scale for Rain of Tears. Because both recipes use Green Liquid, unlock both before buying either package if you want both.40% 45% 50% 55% Holy Mote Item An item that casts Holy damage without spending MP. Cubus can drop one, but the low chance does not justify a mandatory farm.3% 6% 8% 12%
Each item gets its own independent roll. Chain level, not raw chain count, controls these rates.
Flying enemies: Abysteel, Imp, and Pit Fiend need ranged attacks, poles, spears, or Magick.Undead: Abysteel, Zombie Knight, and Zombie Warlock are weak to Holy and absorb Dark. Zombie Warlock begins under Shell and Faith, so Dispel it or defeat it quickly.Focalor: It is passive until provoked. Defeat at least one for the Bestiary, then leave the rest alone unless you need its items.Cubus: Temptation Eluded must load the 25% Wendigo and Pit Fiend group instead of Strikers and Imps. Defeat every enemy in that group to make this repeatable Rare Game appear. It absorbs Fire, is weak to Water, and can combine Oil with Fire damage.
Five Sochen treasure chests can supply Foe: fire-weak, Foe: ice-weak, Foe: earth-weak, Foe: water-weak, and Foe: lightning-weak before shops sell them.
Each chest has a 70% chance to appear and a 5% gil result. The Falls of Time and Temptation Eluded chests have a 47.5% chance of holding a Hi-Potion and a 47.5% chance of holding the listed Gambit. The Doubt Abandoned chest splits its two non-gil results evenly between two Gambits. Open any chest you encounter, but do not reload repeatedly unless a particular target rule solves a current problem.
At the back of Doubt Abandoned, use the Soul Ward Key to continue. Watch the cutscene, then you’ll have to fight a lot of the little guys.
The Mandragoras
Gear: Use bows, crossbows, guns, poles, spears, or other ranged options so the party can keep attacking when the bosses scatter. Nishijin Belt Accessory Makes the wearer immune to Sleep.Bowline Sash Accessory Makes the wearer immune to Confuse.Ribbon Accessory Blocks every negative status except Instant Death, X-Zone, and Stone.optional early Cerobi Steppe detour can supply one before this fight if you are willing to farm a low-odds chest.Gambits :gambits with Smelling Salts Item Removes Confuse from one target.Alarm Clocks Item Removes Sleep from one target.Antidotes Item Removes Poison from one target.Echo Herbs Item Removes Silence from one target.Status: Stop can land on some of them. Use it to reduce the number of moving targets rather than trying to maintain it on all five.Elements: Mandragora Prince Boss Part A Fire-weak member of the five Mandragoras. In the Feywood it can be raised to level 99 by its companions’ Mystery Waltz, so keep the group together and finish it promptly.Alraune King Boss Part A Wind-weak member of the five Mandragoras. In the Feywood, eliminate it early because Mystery Waltz can permanently raise nearby Mandragoras’ levels.Onion Queen Boss Part An Earth-weak member of the five Mandragoras. It supports the group with Magick and can be raised to level 99 by its companions’ Mystery Waltz.Pumpkin Star Boss Part An Ice-weak member of the five Mandragoras. In the Feywood, eliminate it early because Mystery Waltz can permanently raise nearby Mandragoras’ levels.Topstalk Boss Part A Water-weak member of the five Mandragoras. In the Feywood, eliminate it early because Mystery Waltz can permanently raise nearby Mandragoras’ levels.Steal: Each boss carries one unique uncommon item. Thief’s Cuffs Accessory Improves Steal success and allows multiple items from one target: common 80%, uncommon 30%, and rare 6%.
Level / HP All five are level 37 with 9,069 HP each. Steal Mandragora Prince carries Four-leaf Clover Loot Mandragora Prince’s Sochen boss Steal. Two combine with two Bomb Shells to unlock the Turtleshell Choker Bazaar package.Alraune King carries Gimble Stalk Loot Alraune King’s Sochen boss Steal. A second later can unlock the Amber Armlet Bazaar package, so keep it if that accessory matters.Pumpkin Star carries Jack-o’-Lantern Loot Pumpkin Star’s Sochen boss Steal. Selling one unlocks the repeatable Fire-bird’s Whisper package of ten Phoenix Downs.Topstalk carries Tomato Stalk Loot Topstalk’s Sochen boss Steal. Two are used in the Firefly Bazaar package, so keep it if that accessory matters.Onion Queen ‘s Steal is unresolved between Onion Loot Onion Queen Loot with no known use in the guide's actionable Bazaar recipes; sell it when gil matters.Screamroot Loot Mandragora-family Loot used in Potion Crate and Samurai’s Katana. Shared Bazaar counters can consume it across recipes, so sell only the quantity required for the package you want.Bazaar recipe around it.Weak / Absorbs Fire for Mandragora Prince , Wind for Alraune King , Earth for Onion Queen , Ice for Pumpkin Star , and Water for Topstalk . No absorptions need to be routed around. Reward 5 LP from each boss. Montblanc later awards 1,600 gil for the victory. Drops None. Strategy Attack one target at a time and keep ranged attackers working while the group scatters. Stop whichever bosses permit it, recover immediately from Pollen statuses, and do not let Steal attempts pull the party in five directions.
It took a decent amount of work to kill these guys off, then I realized all my guys were using swords. Switching to bows/crossbows/etc. made a fairly huge difference. As for the guys who are scattering like cockroaches, some of them could be Stopped, but if you cannot keep Mandragora Prince from Pollen-ing your guys, you’ll likely have a hard time at this one. I recommend using something like a Nishijin Belt Accessory Makes the wearer immune to Sleep.
The Acolyte’s Burden and the Map
Once you’ve beaten them, take either the west or east exit into The Acolyte’s Burden. The blue Save Crystal is actually a Crystalbug Enemy A one-time Stilshrine enemy disguised as a green Save Crystal; Steal a Feystone or Ether, keep attacking through Restore, then use the real crystal it leaves behind.Feystone Loot Rare Loot from Entites and Elementals and an ingredient in the repeatable High Arcana recipe.Ether Item Restores 50 MP before Ether Lore and item-effect bonuses.Save Crystal will appear after the fight.
You can return to the Tchita Uplands and talk to the boy and his father, now reunited, for 1,000 gil and three Remedies . Otherwise, continue north, head east to Mirror of the Soul, and take the right-hand path leading northeast. There is an urn along the tunnel here.
Optional: Pilgrim’s Door and the Ninja Sword
There’s a way to get a pretty nice ninja sword here, if you are either into completing all sidequests or using ninja swords.
The weapon chest appears once and gives either Iga Blade Weapon: Ninja Sword A 67-Attack Dark-elemental ninja sword from the one-time Pilgrim’s Door chest. It shares the chest evenly with Koga Blade when Diamond Armlet is not equipped.Koga Blade Weapon: Ninja Sword A 67-Attack Earth-elemental ninja sword from the one-time Pilgrim’s Door chest. It shares the chest evenly with Iga Blade when Diamond Armlet is not equipped.
Do not equip Diamond Armlet Accessory Changes treasure contents when equipped by an active party member; it can improve or worsen a specific original-release chest.Knot of Rust Item Deals random non-elemental damage and adds the amount dealt to Dark Matter’s stored-damage total; four can be collected in the Nalbina Dungeon Stockade.
Make a save state before opening the one-time chest. If it gives the other blade, reload, perform an action that advances the random state, such as casting Cure, save state again, and reopen it. Keep a normal save from the Crystalbug in case a save state preserves an unwanted result.
Optional: Open the Ascetic’s Door
The Door of Hours puzzle opens the western Ascetic’s Door for a much later visit. There is nothing you need to fight there now, but this takes very little time while you are already here.
Ahriman
Head north to the far edge of Destiny’s March and buff up before entering Hall of Shadowlight.
Gear: Bowline Sash Accessory Makes the wearer immune to Confuse.Jackboots Accessory Makes the wearer immune to Immobilize.Gambits :Esuna White Magick 24 MP. Removes many common negative statuses from one ally, but not every condition.Remedy Item Cures common negative statuses; Remedy Lore 1, 2, and 3 add progressively harder conditions including Stop, Disease, and Doom.Buffs: Shell is the priority. Protect, Haste, Bubble, and Regen support the party if MP and time allow.Status: Nihopalaoa Accessory Reverses restorative item effects, allowing Remedies and recovery items to inflict statuses or damage.Remedy Item Cures common negative statuses; Remedy Lore 1, 2, and 3 add progressively harder conditions including Stop, Disease, and Doom.Steal: The real boss carries Sky Jewel Loot Rare Cultsworn Lich drop used in the later Attenuated Greatsword Bazaar package; save seven if you plan to craft Save the Queen.Death Powder Loot Ahriman’s uncommon Steal and an ingredient in Ultima Blade. Keep two if that Bazaar weapon is a goal.Maduin Gear Mystic Armor Mystic body armor with 31 Defense and +8 Magick. Ahriman carries it as a rare Steal, but repeated attempts are optional.Sky Jewel Loot Rare Cultsworn Lich drop used in the later Attenuated Greatsword Bazaar package; save seven if you plan to craft Save the Queen.Death Powder Loot Ahriman’s uncommon Steal and an ingredient in Ultima Blade. Keep two if that Bazaar weapon is a goal.Ultima Blade Weapon: Greatsword A high-attack greatsword unlocked through the Ultimate Blade Bazaar package. It is two-handed, so compare its License and loss of shield defense with the intended wielder’s current setup.
Level / HP Level 38 / 62,149 HP. Each image is level 38 with 700 HP. Steal Sky Jewel Loot Rare Cultsworn Lich drop used in the later Attenuated Greatsword Bazaar package; save seven if you plan to craft Save the Queen.Death Powder Loot Ahriman’s uncommon Steal and an ingredient in Ultima Blade. Keep two if that Bazaar weapon is a goal.Maduin Gear Mystic Armor Mystic body armor with 31 Defense and +8 Magick. Ahriman carries it as a rare Steal, but repeated attempts are optional.Sky Jewel Loot Rare Cultsworn Lich drop used in the later Attenuated Greatsword Bazaar package; save seven if you plan to craft Save the Queen.Weak / Absorbs Weak to Holy and absorbs Dark. Slow can work. Reward 28 LP from the real boss; images yield 0 LP . Montblanc later awards 1,600 gil. Drops None. Strategy Keep Shell and status recovery active, use Foe: highest max HP to find the original after Divide, and keep ranged attackers moving when it teleports. Clear Confuse and Immobilize promptly and stop stealing if the images destabilize the fight.
Try to steal a Sky Jewel Loot Rare Cultsworn Lich drop used in the later Attenuated Greatsword Bazaar package; save seven if you plan to craft Save the Queen.Death Powder Loot Ahriman’s uncommon Steal and an ingredient in Ultima Blade. Keep two if that Bazaar weapon is a goal.Nihopalaoa Accessory Reverses restorative item effects, allowing Remedies and recovery items to inflict statuses or damage.Remedy Item Cures common negative statuses; Remedy Lore 1, 2, and 3 add progressively harder conditions including Stop, Disease, and Doom.Sky Jewels Loot Rare Cultsworn Lich drop used in the later Attenuated Greatsword Bazaar package; save seven if you plan to craft Save the Queen.Esuna White Magick 24 MP. Removes many common negative statuses from one ally, but not every condition.
Search the room for treasure. With Diamond Armlet Accessory Changes treasure contents when equipped by an active party member; it can improve or worsen a specific original-release chest.Phoenix Down Item Revives one KO’d ally with 20% maximum HP before Phoenix Lore and item-effect bonuses.Elixirs Item Fully restores one ally’s HP and MP.trap in the very next area.
In Temptation Eluded, the ordinary group is Strikers and Imps. If Wendigos and Pit Fiends loaded instead, defeating every one makes Cubus Enemy A Water-weak repeatable Rare Game in Temptation Eluded; steal Silver Liquid and clear Oil before its Fire damage lands.Bestiary entry or Silver Liquid Loot Cubus’s Steal and a later Bazaar ingredient; keep it until the planned recipe quantities are known.
Fight your way north and grab the treasure in the next area. In the Chamber of the Chosen, touch the Disused Pedestal, get on the elevator, and use the Gate Crystal at the top. You’ll have to turn around to see it.
Montblanc: Collect 1,600 gil for the Mandragoras and another 1,600 gil for Ahriman.Technicks: Bonecrusher Technick Attempts to defeat one target by sacrificing some user HP; a miss can KO the user.Addle Technick Repeatedly reduces one target’s Magick Power, though many powerful enemies are immune.Bonecrusher risks the user’s HP for a chance to defeat one target; Addle repeatedly lowers Magick Power when the target is not immune.Hunts: There are no new hunts at this exact checkpoint.Other options: You can work on available Espers or earlier sidequests. The hidden Necrohol merchant still has only Ether in his rotating stock until a later shop phase.
Old Archades
There’s a store here where you can buy some new stuff. Get three Pheasant Netsuke Accessory Doubles the effect of Potions, Ethers, and Soleil, Rime, and Lightning Fangs.
Watch the cutscene. When it’s finished, talk to everyone in this area, well, if you want background info, that is. At least talk to the Moogles and find the shady Seeq who’s “selling” them; he’s west of them.
Head west when you’re ready. You’ll be in the Alley of Muted Sighs. Archades is to the south of this, but you’ll have to get past some guards first.
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