Final Fantasy XIII Guide
by Ryan WinterhalterSay farewell to tranquility. Join Lightning, Snow, Vanille and crew in restoring peace to Cocoon, one chapter at a time. We'll do our part with character and weapon leveling tips, plus a complete walkthrough with boss fight strategies and more.
Inside this Final Fantasy XIII guide...
» Character & Weapon Leveling» Battle System Breakdown » Game Walkthrough » Mission & Hunts Guide » Achievements & Trophies Tips
© 2010, IGN Entertainment, Inc. May not be sold, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast, in whole or part, without IGN's express permission. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. All rights reserved.
Final Fantasy XIII Guide Contents
Introduction
Battle Basics
Character & Weapon Leveling Paradigms & Battle System Battle Strategies
Walkthrough
Chapter 1 Walkthrough Chapter 2 Walkthrough Chapter 3 Walkthrough Chapter 4 Walkthrough Chapter 5 Walkthrough Chapter 6 Walkthrough Chapter 7 Walkthrough Chapter 8 Walkthrough Chapter 9 Walkthrough Chapter 10 Walkthrough Chapter 11 Walkthrough Chapter 12 Walkthrough Chapter 13 WalkthroughMission Guide
Items & Enemies Appendix
Achievements / Trophies
»
»
»
»
»
»
Final Fantasy XIII Combat & Leveling Basics
Chrystarium System & Character Leveling
Levelling up your characters in Final Fantasy XIII is a linear process. Throughout the first half of the game, each character will only have access to three paradigms. The game provides enough enemies to max out each class before it expands the Chrystarium.
After each character gains access to all of the classes, it is still a good idea to keep leveling them in their original Paradigms. The CP cost of each new ability grows exponentially and you'll need to devote your energy into obtaining the high level abilities in the characters' original Paradigms instead of the low level abilities in new ones.
For example, late in chapter twelve you will run across an extremely powerful enemy, one of deadliest and most powerful in the game. Unless you've leveled up your party, and Vanille's high level Saboteur abilities in particular, you'll have no chance to take this enemy down.
Within the three classes granted to each character, use your own discretion when choosing which ones to focus on first. Study the trees below and choose the path you want to take. You can easily switch focus if you run into difficulties. For example, if, like us, you find that Lightning dies very quickly against the enemies in chapter eleven, focus on the Medic paradigm, so as to boost her HP.
Within each paradigm, feel free to make a beeline for more powerful abilities and temporarily skip branches that may offer immediate and tangible benefits.
Weapons & Weapon Leveling
Each character has access to a variety of weapons in Final Fantasy XIII, and each of these can be upgraded and leveled up two times. Any given weapon can be upgraded to a star rank, meaning that without a special item it is maxed out. However, if you find specific, rare and expensive items, it is possible to transform a star level weapon. Once transformed, it will acquire new abilities. You can then upgrade it to star level again. Once there, the weapon can be transformed into the character's ultimate weapon.
The levelling path for all weapons lead to similar end points, so which weapon you decide to use is a matter of personal preference. A weapon will retain its special characteristics even after being upgraded to an ultimate weapon. For example Lightnings ultimate weapon, Omega weapon, confers an ATB +1 bonus. Her weapon, Apocalypse, slows ATB recovery. Once Apocalypse has been upgraded to Omega Weapon, it wall grant the ATB +1 bonus and slow ATB recovery. Check the weapon chart for more information.
We have listed our recommendations down below. The most important things is that you pick a single weapon per character and stick with it. Upgrading is expensive and there's no sense in wasting recourses on two different weapons when they both have the ability to became an omega weapon.
Recommendations for each character:
Character Weapon Star Level 1 Star Level 2 Req. Materials
Lightning Lionheart Ultima Weapon Omega Weapon Scarletite and Trapezohedron
Snow Power Circle Battle Standard -- Scarletite and Trapezohedron
For quick upgrading, follow these tips:
Buy as many Wicked Fangs as you can. Use them to boost your experience multiplier.
After you've boosted your multiplier buy as many Crankshafts as possible. Cash them in all at once for big experience. Later in the game, you can use Superconductors for even bigger bonuses.
Be aware of when you're nearing your weapons level cap. You don't want to waste experience on a weapon that will be maxed out in 100 XP.
If an item doesn't seem to offer much experience, even in the presence of a large multiplier, check its sell price. Items like Credit Chips and Premium Chips are worth more in Gil than XP.
Paradigms & Battle System
Battle in Final Fantasy XIII is based around Paradigms—basically classes that can be changed on the fly. There are six to choose from.
Commando
Commandos are the backbone of your damage dealing. They primarily use physical attacks. Commandos will not boost the chain gauge of most enemies. Instead, they will stabilize it, giving you time to recharge your ATB meter. While damage or spells from other Paradigms may spike the chain gauge, it will deplete so fast that you'll have to start all over again. Hitting an enemy with at attack from a Commando slows the rate at which the gauge decreases.
You never want more than one Commando at a time in a party. In most fights you are going to want to focus on a single enemy. However, if you have two Commandos, the AI will choose two separate enemies to attack.
The last advantage that Commandos have is not apparent until the enemy has been staggered. Most Commandos, with the exception of Sazh, have an attack that will throw a staggered enemy up in the air. Once there, the enemy is helpless and will not hit the ground as long as you continuously attack it.
Vanille Belladonna Wand Malboro Wand Nirvana Uraninite and Trapezohedron
Sazh Antares Deluxes Fomalhaut Elites Total Eclipses Uraninite and Trapezohedron
Hope Otshirvani Urubutsin Nue Scarletite and Trapezohedron
Fang Pandoran Spear Calamity Spear Kain's Lance Scarletite and Trapezohedron
Character & Weapon Leveling Paradigms & Battle System Battle Strategies
It is possible to stagger an enemy and then suspend it in the air indefinitely.
Ravager
Ravagers are damage dealing mages. They use elemental attacks to spike the chain gauge of enemies. When you have a staggered enemy, you'll usually want to switch as many party members as possible to Ravager, keeping one as a Commando so you can air juggle.
The biggest weakness of Ravagers is that their damage will cause the chain gauge to deplete very quickly. If you want to stagger enemies later in the game, you will need at least one Commando to help stabilize the gauge.
Medic
Medics are mages that use curative magic. You'll want at least one, but preferably two party members who can act as Medics. You can also use Medics to raise comrades and dispel status effects. When a battle looks hopeless a Commando/Medic/Sentinel party can take down almost any enemy...eventually.
Sentinel
Sentinels are the tanks of your party. In the early game, their skills may seem unnecessary, but as you progress, you will face more and more battles that can only be one through proper use of the Sentinel Paradigm.
Sentinels will bait enemies to focus fire on them, freeing the rest of the party from damage and animation interrupting attacks. On top of this, Sentinels have an ability that will mitigate most of the damage they receive. In exchange for this, the amount of damage Sentinels can deal is extremely limited.
Use Sentinels in all battles where the enemy can kill you in one hit. Even if you don't use the Sentinel role for the entire battle, it can be advantageous to have one in your party when it's time to heal, buff your party or de-buff enemies.
Saboteur
Saboteurs will inflict devastating status effects on enemies. While status effects may have been next to useless in previous Final Fantasy games, they are indispensable in Final Fantasy XIII.
Use Saboteurs when you are facing down enemies with high resistances to damage. Their slow ability can save the day when you're facing a large number of fast enemies.
In the late game, Saboteurs can be used to kill some enemies almost instantly. The second strongest enemy in the game can be taken down in seconds with the Saboteur's Death spell (see chapter 12 walkthrough and the Mission guide for details.)
Synergist
Synergists are the opposite of Saboteurs. Whereas the latter cast harmful status effects on enemies, the former buff your party with powerful stat boosting spells.
Synergists are perhaps the least used class in the game. You often have no control of what buffs are cast, or when, and the AI prefers to spread the love evenly, rather than buffing a single character at a time.
Synergists are absolutely necessary for a handful of boss battles throughout the game, but you will rarely find yourself using them against run-of-the-mill enemies.
Battle Strategies
Speed is the key to success in Final Fantasy XIII. Follow these tips for success in almost any battle.
Balance your Ravagers out with a Commando. Although Ravagers can take advantage of enemy elemental weaknesses, you'll need to Commando to stabilize the chain gauge.
Staggering enemies is the name of the game. At least 80% of the enemies you kill will be staggered when you dispatch them. Pick one enemy in a group, focus on staggering it, kill it and move on to the next.
Don't bother with manually entering commands. In most cases the AI can take care of itself. It will know who to heal and when. It will automatically adjust to target enemy weakness. It will even switch to area of effect attacks when facing large groups of enemies. Save your energy for looking at the bigger picture. That way, you can switch Paradigms at just the right moment.
Scan, scan, scan, scan. Every time you encounter a new enemy, scan it at least once. Preferably twice. The first scan will reveal elemental weaknesses and the second scan will reveal status effect
resistances. You don't have to bother to analyze this information. Once you've scanned an enemy, the AI will automatically target its weaknesses and avoid resistances.
Learn how long it takes to switch Paradigms. An Paradigm change does take a small amount of time to carry out. If you change at the wrong moment you may find that you've interrupted an important attack, or worse, an important healing spell. Change Paradigms in such a way as not to interrupt your party's actions.
Master the Sentinel role. There are several enemies, even as early as the mid-game, that are capable of one hit kills. In order to ensure your survival, you'll need a strong Sentinel to distract them. A Sentinel will also give your party time to cast status effects and buffs without taking too much damage.
Learn to use the Synergist and Saboteur classes. Their status attacks and buffs are necessary when going against most bosses in the late game. While shell and protect may have been bottom tier spells
Character & Weapon Leveling Paradigms & Battle System Battle Strategies
in previous Final Fantasy games, they are powerhouses in Final Fantasy XIII.
You're summons are all but useless in the late game. Save your TP for Libra and curing your party. While they are pretty to look at, the Eidolons actually do very little damage to enemies before they are staggered, and the chain gauge is reset when they are cast and before they disappear. If you're in a pinch and you need to shave off the last bit of health from a boss, Eidolons are useful, but outside of that very specific circumstance, ignore them.
Final Fantasy XIII Walkthrough
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
After the opening cutscene, go through the ATB tutorial.
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
= Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 »
When the battle starts again, use the same strategy. Use a Potion if your health gets low.
After the battle, go through the camera tutorial and save your game. Then proceed to the enemies up ahead. Take this time to get used to the battle system.
Open your map. See the yellow circle with the exclamation point? This is an event marker. We'll be referring to them throughout this guide.
March down the path towards the event marker. Use the blue circle to hop from level to level. Keep an eye out for these circles throughout the game—they often lead to hidden treasure.
Down the path, take on two more PSICOM Wardens, then another PSICOM Warden and two PSICOM Enforcers.
Once you take care of those guys, go further down the same path and grab the Potion from the treasure chest.
A bit farther along, grab another chest with two more Potions from the platform to the right of the path. You'll encounter a Pantheron and some PSICOM Wardens along the way. Keep attacking and heal when needed.
Continue on and grab the Iron Bangle from the chest on the platform to the left.
Navigate through the crates and descend down the stairs. There's a 50 Gil in the treasure chest hidden between the crates to the right.
You'll have one more easy battle before you encounter the a group of enemies and the item tutorial.
Watch the cutscene and head up the stairs to the save point.
Save your game and hop down to the switch. Activate the switch.
Head towards the the enemies ahead, and go through the chain / stagger tutorial.
When the real battle starts, take out the small guys before you concentrate on staggering the more dangerous enemies.
Watch the cutscene. You'll start the next section as Snow.
Turn around immediately and you'll see a treasure chest with 50 Gil. Open it and then head towards the event marker.
Save your game at the save point and hop through the debris.
Watch the cutscene.
Run through the enemies to the event marker. Concentrate on staggering enemies. Use Potions when you're low on health.
Watch the cutscene as you reach the group of survivors.
When you start again, open the chest to the left of your starting point. It should have an Iron Bangle. Save your game and make your way to the next marker. Use Snow's Hand Grenade ability to break up groups of enemies.
Beta Behemoth
B O S S F I G H T
Keep the pressure up, your squad mates should keep you healed. If it's not sufficient, use a Potion. The boss should die before you get the chance to stagger him.
Save your game when prompted. The game will give you control of Lightning and Sazh in the middle of a boss fight.
Myrmidon
B O S S F I G H T
No health help from other party members this time- you'll have to rely on Potions. Keep the pressure up on the enemy until you stagger it. You'll kill it easily enough after you do that.
After the cutscene you'll be given control of Snow again. Run ahead and grab the Power Circle from the chest and equip it. The Power Circle is the weapon that we recommend you use with Snow throughout the entire game. Check out the weapons section for more info.
Save your game and continue on your way. Use Hand Grenade to take out the large group of enemies you'll encounter.
Don't miss the 100 Gil chest hidden between the staircases.
Check the junked vehicle at the end of the path. After the cutscene you'll assume control of Hope and Vanille. Save your game and head towards the marker.
Check out the broken vehicle. Save your game when prompted.
You'll start in the middle of a battle with Hope and Vanille. The enemy should stagger easily enough. From your starting position, head right and grab the 30 Gil from the chest .
Head back and go up the stairs. Run down the stairs on the opposite side and read the sneaking tutorial. Sneak up on the enemies and grab the Iron Bangle from the chest.
Dash back up the stairs. You should see another chest . Fight through the enemies and open it. There will be four Potions in it.
Head to the event marker.
You'll start the next section as Snow. Save your game.
Turn around and climb the stairs to grab the two Potions.
Run to the event marker. Use a combination of Hand Grenades and Potions if you get overwhelmed by enemies.
Check the object at the event marker.
You'll assume control of Lightning and Sazh. Read the Shroud tutorial. Run up the stairs and grab the Phoenix Down from the chest.
Head up the next set of stairs and get the Gladius.
N O T E . . .
Feel free to avoid battles with any enemies you wish. You gain no experience for these battles.
Run up the stairs to the next event marker. Watch the cutscene and you'll assume control of Snow.
Turn around and go down the stairs to grab the two Potions in the chest. Run to the event marker.
Check out the structure.
Run up the stairs and hop on the platform.
Watch the cutscene and you'll assume control of Hope and Vanille. Run up the stars and turn right, then run up the stairs you see there.
Defeat the enemies and grab the Fortisol from the chest. Make your way to the next event marker.
N O T E . . .
Focus on staggering the enemies you encounter. Still no healing spells yet, so you'll have to rely on Potions.
After the cutscene you'll be thrown into battle with three Ghouls. Focus on using Hand Grenade to take them out quickly.
After that cutscene, you'll switch back to Lightning and Sazh. Immediately head left and grab the Power Wristband from the chest.
Head back to the starting point and up the stairs.
N O T E . . .
As stated earlier, you can skip any battles without doing any harm to your character progression. If you do want to fight, try to sneak up on the Ghouls. They're not very aware of their surroundings, and it's easy to get the drop on them.
Save your game and continue on to the marker. You'll find yourself facing a gauntlet of Ghouls. Nothing fancy here, just focus on staggering them and move on until you get to the next marker.
Watch the cutscene. You'll assume control of a party of Lightning, Snow, and Sazh.
Run towards the marker; you'll be more than a match for anything you encounter.
Anima
B O S S F I G H T
You'll have to take out the left and right
appendages of Anima. Any attempt to attack the main body without doing so will result in a quick death. When the appendages respawn, take them out again as quickly as possible. Use Potions to cure your party when low on health. Focus fire on the main body and victory is assured.
You start the chapter in a tutorial battle. Go through the tutorial and you'll find yourself in a party consisting of Lightning, Snow, and Vanille.
N O T E . . .
Enemies here shouldn't be too hard. Read up on basic Paradigm tactics and you should be prepared to handle anything you encounter.
N O T E . . .
From this point on, you will be earning experience.
This means it's important to engage most if not all of the enemies you run into. As long as you do this, you should have no need to level grind until chapter 11.
Head towards the first marker, but be sure to head down a branch to your left. Grab the Power Wing at the end of the branch.
A little bit further down that path you'll find Chipped Fangs, and a bit after that you'll find a 200 Gil chest to your right.
After the 200 Gil chest, you'll encounter a group of six PSICOM Warden. Go through the command system tutorial. Use the same battle tactics you've been using and you should come through OK.
N O T E . . .
From this point on, you'll have access to Libra. This command will give you info on all enemy weaknesses. Once scanned, your AI partners and your auto-battle will automatically adjust to target these weaknesses, so scan every new enemy you come across.
Keep heading down the path. Shortly after a battle with three Ghasts and three Whytes, you'll find a branch to your right. Follow it and take the Cie'th Tears from the chest.
Continue on the path and keep your eyes peeled for a branch leading left. You'll find a Silver Bangle at the end of it.
Be sure to save your game when you see a save point to your right.
Continue down the path and grab the Phoenix down and 50 Gil chests after you fight a group of 4 Pantherons? IMAGE 03-009.jpg].
Grab the Strange Fluid after the fight with two Pantherons.
At the next branch, stick to the left and you'll come across a chest containing a Magician's Mark. Head down the path towards the next save point.
Manasavin Warmech
B O S S F I G H T
He's back! That feisty scorpion from the beginning of the game. His HP is high, so it's very important to try and stagger him. A combination of one Commando and two Ravagers should send his chain gauge flying up fast. Watch out for his special attack- when you think he's about ready to unleash it, switch to an Commando / Sentinel /
Medic configuration. Have Lightning use a Potion if necessary.
Continue towards the event marker and watch the cutscene. Your party should now consist of Lightning, Vanille, and Sazh.
Just after you take the Strange Fluid, you'll come to a clearing with four Pantherons. Find the opening at the far left and use the blue circles to hop around. You'll find two treasure chests, one with 240 Gil and one with a new weapon for Sazh.
Head back down and find your way across the chasm. After you've crossed, hook an immediate right. Run across the giant pipe and you should find a chest with Enigmatic Fluid in it being guarded by enemies. Defeat the enemies, grab the treasure and run to the event marker.
Be sure to get the Wicked Fang just before the next chasm.
When you reach the event marker, you'll find that it's a dead end. Watch the cutscene and head back across the bridge. Head up the ice ramp and to the immediate right you should spot a downed vehicle. Check it out and the path should be cleared.
Continue on to the next marker. Be sure to save your game at the next save point.
Behemoth
B O S S F I G H T
When you run across the cutscene with the Behemoth, you'll enter into battle with it. Go through the tutorial and then use Libra to scan him. Chain him with a Ravager / Commando combo and switch Vanille to Medic whenever you're low on health.
Continue on. Take the path to the right and grab the Librascope, then return to the main path. Continue on and watch for the treasure chest with two Digital Circuits in it.
When you get to a cliff, hop up it and stick to the right. You will find a chest with Paraffin Oil in it.
Walk under the frozen waterfall and you'll find a chest with 50 Gil.
Continue up the ice face and save your game. Do a 180 from the save point and jump across a small gap to get the Insulated Cabling from the chest.
Continue towards the event marker. You should find a 30 Gil chest and six Begrimed Claws before you reach it.
Save your game at the stairs and enter the building. To the right, you should find a chest with 600 Gil. Try and sneak up on the Behemoth.
Stick to the right and you should find a secret passage that will take you directly to a chest with two Digital Circuits.
Head left. Try to sneak up on the enemies you find. Hop up onto the broken bridge and head towards the next marker. Go down into the arena using the blue circle at the top of the bridge. It'll allow you to easily creep up on the tough enemies in this section. At the northwest of the arena, you'll find a chest with a Spark Ring.
Continue towards the event marker.
When you reach a save point, you'll find a blue circle that will give you access to a save point. Don't take it, because the long route will take you to a chest with Millerite, which will come in handy later in the game.
Hug the right so you don't miss access to the stairway that will lead you to a chest with Ferroelectric Film. Continue towards the marker. When you get to the next save point, be sure to grab the Phoenix Down chest and a chest to the left that contains two Librascopes.
When you're ready, move on to the event marker and a boss fight.
Garuda Interceptor
B O S S F I G H T
You'll have to fight this guy twice in a row. The first time, his chain resistance is low and he's easy to stagger, so concentrate on the latter and use Vanille to heal. The second time, he has a lot of barriers up and is harder to damage, but still try to focus on staggering him. Use two Ravagers and it
shouldn't be too hard.
Fight the soldiers when you assume control of Snow.
Shiva Sisters
S U M M O N F I G H T
Switch Snow to Sentinel when Shiva Sisters attack. Simply being a Sentinel should be enough to win the battle before the time limit. Hit the Square button when the gauge is full.
You'll start the chapter in battle. Take out the enemies and you'll assume control of Sazh and Vanille. Save your game, level up and head to the marker.
Assume control of Lightning and Hope.
Save your game.
Hop up on the blue circle to grab the Librascope. Head towards the event marker. Try playing around with the Synergist role as you fight the enemies. Buffs can be important for the combat of Final Fantasy XIII.
N O T E . . .
Pulsework Soldier - Try sneaking up on this enemy. He's hard to stagger, and a preemptive strike is an easy way to take him out.
Get to the marker.
When you assume control of Sazh and Vanille, save your game and head to the marker.
You'll start to encounter enemies in three-way battles. At the beginning of these fights, don't attack. Instead, observe and determine the strongest enemy. Focus on taking that one out before you turn your attention to the weaker enemies.
Pull the lever, run down to the marker, and pick up the Black Belt along the way. After the cutscene, you will assume control of Sazh,
Vanille, and Hope. Hop up the cliff.
Grab the Ninurta that the Pulsework Soldier is guarding.
Continue down the path and save your game.
When you come to a fork in the road, take the left passage and continue on, sticking to the left side until you come to a save point that has a Metal Armband in a chest.
Continue on to the next save point. Just after that, your party will change to Sazh, Lightning, and Vanille. Head towards the event marker.
Activate the panel when you come across it. Continue along the path. Grab a Librascope from the chest along the way.
Save the game at the next save point and get ready for a boss battle.
Dreadnought
B O S S F I G H T
You'll fight the Dreadnought two times. Switch between Commando / Ravager / Ravager and Commando / Ravager / Medic to stagger him. The second time, use the Synergist and Saboteur classes to weaken the enemy and strengthen your party.
Consult the weapons section for more info on upgrading. Run to the next marker.
Save your game, go to the marker and watch the cutscene.
When you regain control, you'll be in the middle of a battle with Hope and Lightning. Take out the enemy and run to the next marker.
Run along the path and hug the first passage left to find three Fiber-optic Cables. Take the next passage right to find a chest containing a Librascope.
A bit further down the path, you'll get to ride the Dreadnought. This is a pretty linear section of the game, so march through and have fun.
A bit further on you'll find a chest with two Electrolytic Capacitors and a save point.
Save your game and take the next passage right. Go over the overpass to find a Spark Ring in a chest. Run down the path and take the next right to find a Phoenix Down.
Ignore the next few twists and turns in the road. Save your game at the next save point.
Odin
S U M M O N F I G H T
No auto-healing for this summon battle. Use a Ravager / Ravager combo to boost the gauge up fast. Switch to Medic when needed.
Go to the marker.
Go through the Odin tutorial. Watch the cutscene.
Assume control of Sazh and Vanille. Run down the path, save your game.
You'll be encountering lots of Bombs around here. If they explode, they will do heavy damage to you. Target them first in battle.
Run down the path and you'll see some treasure chests that are inaccessible. You'll have to come back for these later.
Continue down the path and grab the Auric Amulet in an offshoot to the right.
Save your game at the save point and move on. As you run down the path, keep an eye out on your right side. You should see a chest. It contains a Ember Ring.
When you get to the next save point, you're going to have to go around and hit each of the four panels pictured. Hit all four and grab the Fortisol in the center.
You should probably go back and grab those two chests that were inaccessible earlier, but it's optional. As you leave the area, keep an eye out on your left for a Phoenix Down.
Head towards the marker and grab the 300 Gil chest along the way.
Follow the event markers in the flashback scene.
You start in control of Lightning and Hope. Level up and save your game.
N O T E . . .
The enemies in this area require a little bit more strategy than before. Keep your finger on the shoulder button so you can switch Lightning or Hope to Medic at a moment's notice.
Run to the event marker, watch the cutscene and save your game. Continue on to the next marker. When you get to a
fork in the road, head right, there's an stack of crates to the left that will block your path.
At the next fork, go left to pick up the Antidote in the treasure chest. Then head back to the event marker. Save your game and run to the next marker. Grab the Hawkeye that will be on your right.
After the next marker, you'll enter an area with several gates blocking your way. You'll have to defeat all the enemies here in order to progress. Use Hope's protector abilities and focus on chaining and staggering one enemy at a time.
Grab the Antidotes from the chest to the right just before the gate.
After the second gate, you'll have to fight a Behemoth. Use protection buffs and switch to Medic whenever Hope's health gets in the yellow and you should pull through okay.
After the last gate, Lightning will become the party leader.
Continue on your way. Keep an eye out for a passage on your right that will lead to a Star Pendant. Take out the enemies in the area to get it and unlock the gate.
Continue up to the next marker.
Grab the Edged Carbine from the chest on your left and make your way to the next gate.
It's guarded by a Behemoth. Use the same strategy that you used on the last one to take it down.
Save your game at the next save point.
Hug the wall to the left and you should be able to slip into an area containing a 1500 Gil treasure chest and a Behemoth. That's a lot of money, so kill the enemy and take it.
As you make your way to the next marker, stick to the right. You'll come across a group of eight Crawlers. Kill them and the Behemoth that's with them to get access to a chest that has Fragrant Oil in it.
Make your way to the next marker, by hugging the left wall. You'll see a treasure chest, but before you can grab it, one Behemoth and a Frag Leech will appear to stop you. Use the same strategies you've employed so far to take them down.
When you have the treasure head up the leaf stairway to the save point.
Go down the path until you come to a save point and a chest with Ethersol. Grab it and save your game.
Move forward and start the boss battle.
Aster Protoflorian
B O S S F I G H T
Use the following Paradigm configuration: 1. Commando / Ravager
2. Commando / Medic 3. Commando / Synergist
4. Medic / Medic
At the start of the battle, switch to configuration three. After you've been buffed, change to the first configuration so that you can chain-up the enemy. Use configuration two to heal when the enemy is staggered- and use four when you're in real trouble.
Save your game. Walk to the next marker.
You start in control of Sazh and Vanille. Save your game, level up, and head down the path to the marker.
N O T E . . .
You'll find weak enemies in small groups here. Use area of effect attacks to take them down with ease.
Keep an eye out for a passage on your left. You'll find Mysterious Fluid in a chest. Just before the next save point, you'll spot a chest with a Belladonna Wand for Vanille.
Save your game. When you get to a circular area, stick to the right to find the Procyons. As you move on, watch out for an offshoot to your left. You'll find a Doctor's Code.
Save your game and go forth. You'll run across your first Scalebeast. These enemies are possible to take down, but it's very difficult and not worth it. Try to avoid these guys and exit any accidental encounters that occur.
Make your way to the next marker. Ignore the treasure chest being guarded by a Scalebeast. It's not worth the time investment.
Grab the chest with the Librascope.
A little bit further on, there will be a chest with ten Scaled Wings.
Arrive at the marker and watch the cutscene. Go to the next marker and watch the cutscene.
Watch the cutscene. The energy ball has the ability to change the weather. The kinds of enemies you'll encounter in this area are dependent on whether it is rainy or sunny.
After the cutscene is over, don't touch the first energy ball. It'll throw an annoying Wyvern in your path. Though defeatable, there are easier enemies that provide better experience for the time invested.
Stop the rain at the next energy ball and head to the right. Grab the Metal Armband in the chest. Start the rain at the next ball.
Head down the path. At the next fork in the road, head left and stop the rain at the energy ball without alerting the Scalebeast.
Grab the Aqua Ring by where the Scalebeast was before the rain stopped.
Continue on to the next energy ball. Take down the Wyvern along the way. Use Saboteur and Synergist classes to help out.
Change the weather after the Wyvern and continue to the next save point.
Level up and get ready for a boss fight before you head to the next marker.
Enki and Enlil
B O S S F I G H T
We recommend the following Paradigm scheme for the next battle:
1. Medic / Ravager 2. Medic / Commando 3. Medic / Synergist 4. Saboteur / Synergist 5. Saboteur / Ravager 6. Ravager / Ravager
Start the battle by switching to Paradigm three. This will allow you to survive while your characters are buffed. During this time, Libra scan both the enemies. After the initial buffs, change to Paradigm configuration four to de-buff the enemies. Use configuration one when you're ready to dish out damage. Target Enlil first. Once you've laid down the beginnings of a stagger chain, switch to Paradigm six to spike it quickly. Occasionally go back to Paradigm two in order to heal and stabilize the gauge. Once staggered, keep up the pressure by staying in Paradigm six. Once you take out the first enemy, repeat the process on the next.
After the battle walk to the next marker.
You start the chapter in control of Lightning and Hope. Save your game and level up.
Make your way to the marker. Try to sneak up on enemies to take them out. On the way, try to find your way in between two trucks to the Fiber-optic Cable.
Hop down into the pipe. Head down the left passage to pick up three Holy Water.
Continue to the marker. Along the way you'll run across several difficult enemies. Use Hope's Synergist abilities to buff your characters, in addition to the basic Paradigm switching and and scanning techniques.
When you run down into a large slanted pipe, check to your right to find a Librascope to your right. Save your game at your next save point.
« Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 »
Make your way to the next marker. You'll find yourself at a floating platform.
Ride the platform across the way. When you arrive, interact with the left buoy on that side. Ride the platform again and it should take you to a platform with two treasure chests containing Holy Water and a Phoenix Down.
Take the platform back, and follow the markers to the next one. Before you get on, modify the left buoy in the same way as you did the last one. Ride the platform and you'll find a Aqua Ring and two Mobius Coils being guarded by several enemies. You'll have to take on some dangerous Lucidon. You should be able to take them out at your current level using the strategies discussed above for difficult enemies.
Ride the platform back and follow the event markers. Grab the Warding Talisman along the way.
Save your game at the next save point and walk to the marker.
Watch the cutscenes.
You'll start the next section in Gestalt mode with the Shiva sisters. Use your points as you see fit and you should end up with a solo Snow, with just a few enemies left. Use the Sentinel role to avoid excessive damage and switch to Commando when the
opportunity presents itself., or you can summon the Shiva sisters again.
After the battle, level up Snow.
Save your game and make your way to the next marker. Be sure to target any PSICOM Bombardier you encounter in groups of enemies. Their rocket launchers can throw your battle plans into disarray. At the first fork you encounter, take the left to find the Power Smoke at the chest near where the path ends.
After you walk up the ice, grab the Paladin that will be to your right.
Head left when you hop into a narrow alleyway. Grab the Insulated Cabling. Go to the next marker and save your game.
Head to the next marker.
After the cutscene you'll start in control of Fang and Lightning.
Level them up. Hit the next marker.
Watch the cutscene and you'll start again in control of Snow and Hope.
Save your game.
Turn around and grab the treasure chest behind you. Head to the next marker.
Hop up onto the walkway that will be to your left. You can grab two Incentive Chips. Jump down from the walkway and continue on.
Grab the Guardian Amulet before the save point. Save your game and make your way to the next marker, and the marker after that.
After the cutscene, you'll find yourself on a rooftop. Run to the next save point and save your game. Go to the marker.
When you hop down to the next level, head left and grab the Shaman's Mark.
Watch out for the Falco Velocycle that are in this area. Use buffs and Snow's Sentinel abilities to survive these encounters.
Don't take the first passage to the right. Instead, find the path behind the billboards and grab the Thrust Bearing.
Run back and take the path you passed earlier and find the Vidofnir at the end of it.
Make your way to the next marker. Be sure to find the Ethersol to your left. Save your game at the next save point, level up, and get ready for a boss fight.
Ushumgal Subjugator
B O S S F I G H T
Arrange your Paradigms in the following fashion: 1. Sentinel / Synergist 2. Commando / Ravager 3. Commando / Medic 4. Ravager / Ravager 5. Commando / Synergist 6. Sentinel / Medic
Start off in configuration one. Once you're buffed, use two three and four to chain bonus and stagger the enemy. Once he's staggered, use two to take him down. Repeat as needed.
After the fight, you'll find yourself in control of Lightning and Fang. The enemies are tough around here, so you'll need to sneak up on them. Particularly the Lodestar Behemoth. Try to take him out quickly or he'll become bipedal, regenerate, and unleash some devastating attacks on your party.
From the starting point, do a 180 and grab the chest behind you.
Save your game and move on, grabbing the Gae Bolg along the way.
Use the techniques discussed to take on the Lodestar Behemoth that stands in the way.
Walk to the marker.
From there, head to the next marker, grabbing the Axis Blade along the way.
Watch the cutscene.
Save your game and head right from the starting point to grab the Tungsten Bangle from the chest.
Run to the next save point, save your game and get ready to fight.
Ushumgal Subjugator
B O S S F I G H T
You can't win the fight with just Hope. Once you lose, the real battle will start. Immediately hit restart and arrange your Paradigms in the following fashion:
1. Saboteur / Ravager / Synergist 2. Commando / Ravager / Ravager 3. Commando / Ravager / Medic 4. Sentinel / Ravager / Medic 5. Sentinel / Medic / Medic
6. Commando / Commando / Ravager
When you start again, Lightning will be the only one attacking. Fang and Hope will be buffing the party and casting status effects on the boss. Once slow has been successfully cast, and protect and shell have been cast on the party, use configurations two and three to boost up the chain gauge. If the damage you take becomes too much, switch to configuration four or five.
After the fight you'll find yourself in control of Fang. Grab the Phoenix Down and head to the marker. Save your game and walk to the next marker. Switch on the TV.
You'll find yourself in battle. Take out weaker enemies first. When in trouble, use Hope to heal and Fang to defend.
After the battle, save your game.
You may want to grind in this area. The PSICOM Predator will drop valuable credit chips that can be sold for high price.
Grab the Ethersol by the save point and the Brawler's Wristband at the opposite end of the house before you head to the marker.
Havoc Skytank
B O S S F I G H T
Arrange your Paradigms:
1. Ravager / Commando / Synergist 2. Ravager / Commando / Ravager 3. Ravager / Commando / Medic 4. Medic / Sentinel / Medic 5. Medic / Sentinel / Synergist 6. Commando / Commando / Ravager
At the start of the battle, focus on the component parts of the boss. You'll be taking heavy damage constantly until you get rid of them. When in trouble, switch to configuration four. Once you've taken some of the component parts, buff your party and focus on the rest. When all the parts have been destroyed, use configuration two to take out the boss.
You'll start as Sazh and Vanille. Level them up and save your game. Head to the next marker.
Go to the marker after that. Go to the next marker again.
Walk over to the next marker (tired of this yet?) and hop in the shuttle.
Head out of the spoke you find yourself in, and walk to the spoke furthest to the right. Grab the Phoenix Down there.
Head to the next marker and hunt out Sazh's Chocobo. You'll have to find him four times. Grab the reward from the chest. Save your game after reaching the next marker.
Finally, some fighting at the marker after that.
After the cutscene, you'll find yourself next to a save point. Save your game and make your way down the zig-zagging path. Grab the Spica Defenders? along the way.
At the first fork in the road, take a right and grab the Guardian Amulet. At the fork after that, take a left to get the Healer's Staff.
Head to the marker.
Midnight Reaper
B O S S F I G H T
Use these Paradigms: 1. Commando / Ravager 2. Ravager / Ravager 3. Synergist / Saboteur 4. Synergist / Medic
Switch to configuration three, wait for Haste and Weak to be cast. Switch to four if you're low on health while this happen. When you're ready, chain the enemy using configurations one and two.
Walk to the next marker.
Brunhilde
S U M M O N F I G H T
Use these Paradigms: 1. Commando / Ravager 2. Ravager / Ravager 3. Ravager / Medic 4. Synergist / Medic
Switch to configuration four in order to get Haste. Then use two and three to boost the chain gauge.
You'll start as Lightning. Save your game and talk to the crew. Walk to the marker and talk to Cid when you're done.
You'll start in battle with Lightning, Fang and Hope. Take out the enemies.
When you're done, save your game, level up and engage the enemies in front of you.
Hit the switch on the red circle in front of you.
Jump on the blue circle.
Hop up the machinery, and hook a right at the top to grab the treasure in the chest. Walk to the next marker.
N O T E . . .
Use Fang's Saboteur abilities to weaken the enemies in this area. They're particularly useful against the mechanized enemies you'll encounter.
Once you come to an area that requires you to jump up to a catwalk, head as far right as possible to pick up some Incentive Chips in a chest.
Head to the marker and when you jump up to another catwalk, be sure to keep an eye out of a chest with Silicone Oil in the area.
Save your game at the next save point.
Be sure to grab Lightning's Lifesaber from a chest after the next save point.
Head to the next marker and pick up the Ember Ring and Pandoran Spear along the way.
After the cutscene you'll start as Sazh and Vanille. Save your game and level up. Head towards the marker and hit the switch.
Walk through the door and hook a right, and a right immediately after that.
Flip the switch and take out the enemies to gain access to the chest with a Royal Armlet in it. Run towards the marker, grab the Murky Ooze and flip the switch to move on.
After the cutscene, you'll be back to Lightning's group. Go through the door. Save your game.
N O T E . . .
From this point on you'll encounter a lot of Vikings. There can be up to three at a time. They have a lot of HP, so feel free to avoid them.
The next room is made of interlocking circles. Grab
the Pain Dampener and White Cape at the extreme east and west.
Exit the area and go to the next marker.
Back to Sazh and Vanille. Level up and save your game.
N O T E . . .
When fighting here, be sure to attack the Falanitor before you take out the Flanborg. Falanitor will heal their counterparts almost as fast as you can damage them.
Run around the left side of the circle to find the Segmented Carapace.
Head towards the center to grab the Phoenix Down.
Run to the next marker.
Back to Lightning and company.
Run behind you to grab the Whistlewind Scarf.
Grab the chest with the Perfect Conductor to to the east of the map.
Save your game at the next save point.
Don't go down the ramp by the save point. Instead, walk around the pit to grab the Barbed Tail on the far side.
Go down the ramp and proceed on into the furthest pit from the bottom. You'll find a chest containing 300 Gil.
Head back up and hug the right wall to find a Spark Ring.
Go to the next save point. You'll fight this next boss two times. It's weaker the first time around, but the strategy for taking it down is the same.
Kalavinka Striker
B O S S F I G H T
Arrange your Paradigms in the following fashion: 1. Ravager / Ravager / Saboteur
2. Ravager / Ravager / Commando 3. Commando / Ravager / Commando 4. Ravager / Medic / Commando 5. Medic / Synergist / Sentinel 6. Medic / Medic / Sentinel
Start the battle in configuration one. Let Fang cast Curse on the enemy, then switch to configuration two to stabilize the chain gauge and stagger the boss. Use configurations three and four to heal when necessary.
After the custscene, you'll have control of your party members. From now on, we will occasionally be giving recommendations for the ideal party. More often, we will specify which Paradigms to use.
Save your game.
You'll find yourself in an area that consists of three rows of platforms linked by extendable bridges. For the optimum CP and item gain, you'll need to hit every single one. We recommend proceeding down the center path and then heading left. Pick up the Gold Bangle, 3600 Gil, Librascope and Pain Dampener along the left side. Then grab the Umbra, Rune Bracelet, and Perfect Conductor along the right. The enemies in this area are nothing special, so just use the same tactics you've been using and you'll be all right.
Once you've collected all the items, save your game. Grab the Ethersol by the save point and head to the next marker.
Barthandelus
B O S S F I G H T
Recommended Paradigm configuration: 1. Commando / Synergist / Saboteur 2. Ravager / Ravager / Saboteur 3. Commando / Ravager / Medic 4. Medic / Medic / Medic
5. Commando / Ravager / Ravager
6. Ravager / Ravager / Ravager Use a Librascope on the boss as soon as possible. Begin targeting the bosses' component parts. After you've destroyed them, put the emphasis on staggering the enemy.
Start off in configuration one until you have Protect and Shell. When the boss unleashes a devastating attack, use configuration four to heal ASAP. Try to use configuration two to do damage and keep status effects active. When you stagger the boss, use configuration six.
You'll start off as Lightning.
Walk to the marker. When you get the chance to form your party, head it with Lightning and throw in Fang and Vanille to support.
Make your way to first marker and pick up the Hero's Amulet along the way.
Keep your eyes open for a passage to your left that will lead you to a Bomb Shell.
Save your game at the next save point.
At the next open room, head to the passage at the far left to pick up a Saint's Amulet from the chest. Make your way down the passage opposite the Saint's
Amulet. Hop up the platforms that will be to your right when you exit the tunnel. Follow that path and you'll find Medicinal Oil in a chest at the end of the path. Return to the main path, and at the next fork in the road head right to find a Rainbow Anklet.
Save your game. From this point you have three paths to choose from.
Continue down the main walkway to fight the most enemies, but gain the most CP and treasure. Walk halfway down the path to the left and hop down—this more or less delivers you to the same spot as the first option. You can also walk all the way down the path to the left and then hop down—this option allows you to sneak up on any enemies you choose and still gives you access to the 600 Gill chest below.
You face similar choice again now, but all three roads deliver you to more or less the same place. So jump down to the next platform and proceed to the next save point.
a very powerful enemy, the Berserker While difficult to
take down with a frontal assault, sneaking around its backside is easy. Once staggered, the Berserker falls easily. Once you've taken care of him, grab the Rigels from the chest.
Continue to the next save point. From there, look to the right to find a Guardian Amulet.
Run over to the next marker, grabbing the Alicanto from the chest along the way.
After the the Alicanto chest, keep your eyes peeled for a path to the right that will lead to a chest with seven Gargantuan Claw.
Grab the Metal Band and Ethersol in the next open room.
Save your game, level up, and get ready for a boss fight.
Cid Raines
B O S S F I G H T
Paradigm configuration:
1. Commando / Ravager / Ravager 2. Commando / Ravager / Medic 3. Ravager / Sentinel / Medic 4. Ravager / Saboteur / Saboteur 5. Sentinel / Medic / Medic
Cid has high resistances and several devastating attacks that will remove all status effects and buffs on your party. Use configuration one to chain up. Use two and three to defend against his attacks and heal. Use four to have Fang or Vanille cast Slow on Cid. Do this as soon as you heal after his devastating attack (the one where he flashes white and reigns hell down upon your party.) If you find yourself in a really bad spot, use configuration five
After the battle, keep on moving to the next checkpoint. You'll start seeing a lot of three-way battles, so go back to the strategies you learned earlier to deal with them.
You'll be able to choose between three paths after your first three-way battle. All paths lead to the same place, so pick one and save your game at the next save point.
Make your way to the next marker and be sure to grab the Feymark along the way.
Another three paths to choose from. Pick the furthest path if you want to avoid combat with a Greater Behemoth.
Go to the next marker and take the next left you find. You'll find yourself fighting a Berserker. Take him down and you'll get three shiny new electrodes to play with.
Make your way to the next save point and save your game. Hop onto the elevator. Kill the enemies and move on when the elevator reaches its destination.
Head to the next marker and fight the Berserker if you want.
Save your game and run down the path. Don't miss the Otherworldly Bone on your left. Save your game at the next save point. Get ready to fight Bahaumut.
Bahaumut
S U M M O N F I G H T
Use Fang as a Sentinel, while the remaining two party members serve as Medics. If you see a chance to switch Paradigms without taking too much damage, switch everyone to either Saboteur or Ravager. Fang's Slow ability is particularly effective.
When you start off, head to the first event marker.
Grab the Partisan from the chest along the way.
Alexander
S U M M O N F I G H T
Paradigm configuration
1. Synergist / Medic / Sentinel 2. Ravager / Medic / Sentinel 3. Ravager / Ravager / Commando
Start in configuration one so you can buff and stay healed while doing so. If the party's health gets too low, switch to number two. When the opportunity presents itself, switch to three and deal as much damage as quickly as possible before switching back to configuration two in order to heal.
Once the battle is over, head to the story marker in the Archylte Steppe.
At this point you are not powerful enough to continue on in the story. If you follow the main story mission mark, you will not be able to continue. Follow the steps below to level up with a minimum amount of grinding. Time to get powerful:.
Some enemies in this area will kill you in one hit. Just get used to it. Check out the enemy list to learn which ones will to avoid.
Accept Mission 1.
Proceed due north find the chest with the Rod of Thorns in it.
Head west and fight Mission 1 monster. Follow the star on your map. Accept Mission 2. It's statue is located by the Mission 1 target.
Head southwest and grab the Zephyr Ring. It's surrounded by Rangda. Defeat Mission 2 and Accept Mission 3.
Head back to the Chapter 11 starting point down the path by the first Archylte Steppe save point. Continue down the path past the save point.
Get the Rune Bracelet near the waterfall. Go in the the Yaschas Massif.
Continue until the path opens up. Head north to defeat Mission 3.
Head a little bit west from there and accept Mission 4.
Head north from the mission marker and run down the tree.
Fight through the enemies to grab it.
Run past the fallen tree and go up the path until you get to a save point.
Jump down and walk out on the edge to the right. Grab the Rune Bracelet.
Hug the path to the left until you get to a treasure chest with 1827 Gil in it.
Continue down the path past the save point. Continue on towards Mission 4 and complete it.
Grab the treasure the Mission 4 monsters were defending. Run back to where the 1827 Gil treasure chest was.
Get Mission 5, which is located directly below the chest. Head back towards the Archylte Steppe.
Run up the tree at the event marker.
Look at your map and run to the event marker. Grab the chest near the marker.
Watch the cutscene at the event marker. Go to the nearest save point and head east.
At the fork in the road, head left and grab the treasure chest containing a Watchman's Amulet.
Go down the other fork and head south to defeat Mission 5—get Kelgers Cup Trophy / Achievement.
Grab the treasure that was guarded by the Mission 5 monsters. Go back to the opening and head east to the save point. From the save point, continue down the path until you get to the Glass Orb.
Look at your map, head towards the event marker. Get to the event marker, watch the cutscene and grab the hunt marker. Accept Mission 6.
Check your map and find the star indicating Mission 6's location. Go fight the Mission 6 monster.
Grab the Mythryl Bangle near the Mission 6 monster location.
Head a back to where you accepted Mission 6. Walk past the mission marker and grab the Rhodochrosite in the treasure chest.
Walk up the stairs, grab two treasure chests, and accept Mission 7. Run downstairs and fight the Mission 7 monster.
The cutscene after Mission 7 will activate missions on the Archylte Steppe.
N O T E . . .
We say "maybe" because it doesn't always work for all gamers. No one has yet figure out all the factors involved, but if you follow the following four steps, you stand a good chance of getting your hands on the Hermes Sandals.
1. Purchase four Iron Bangles
2. After you've taken down the Mission 7 enemy you should have obtained a Tetradic Tiara or a Tetradic Crown.
3. Upgrade the tetra accessory to star level.
4. Deconstruct the four Iron Bangle and then the starred Tetra accessory
Did you get the Hermes Sandals? If not, reload your game and try again. If you don't get them after a few tries, there's not a whole lot you can do.
Walk to event marker—watch the cutscene with the flying snake thing. Head back to Vallis Media.
Go and hit up the Mission 8 maker by the Chapter 11 starting point. Run back towards the Yaschas Massif, you'll find the
Mission 8 monster near the waterfall with the treasure chest. Take it out.
Head to the Archylte Steppe starting point.
Hit up the Mission 9 marker west of the starting point.
Head to the Mission 9 monster. It is almost due north of the mission marker.
Fight the Mission 9 monster.
From the Mission 9 monster, run southeast and hit up the Mission 10 mission marker.
Head northeast to Mah'Habara, the next monster is just before the entrance to the next area.
Fight the Mission 10 monster.
Run back into the heart Archylte Steppe and hug the cliff that will be to your left. Run past the Adamantoise and head up north.
Find the Mission 11 statue. You'll know you are getting close when the sky turns green.
Run down due south, just east of the Archylte Steppe starting point and fight the Mission 11 monster. Head west and stay close to the southern wall until you find yourself in a canyon heading south.
You'll come to a dead end and the Mission 12 marker.
Activate the marker. Before you take on Mission 12, make sure you've leveled up to the point that you have at least 2500 HP.
Head north into the plain and go towards the far west, while sticking as far south as you can, until you hit the Mission 12 monster.
On the way, pick up the chests in the area containing a Librascope, eight Smooth Hide, a Fire Charm, and an Ice Charm.
Defeating Mission 12 should allow you to pass the red gate that blocked the path where you got this mission. However, before you head there, head to where you fought the Mission 11 monster and access the Mission 13 mission marker just east of there.
Run to the save point leading to Mah'Habara. You'll find the Mission 13 monster northeast of there...kill it.
Head down towards the red gate. On the way, you should find a chest with 2615 Gil, and on the other side of the lake you'll see the Mission 14 marker.
Watch the cutscene and kill the Mission 14 monster. Get the treasures in the swamp and then get on a Chocobo.
Time to go treasure hunting! Head out to the Archylte Steppe starting point.
On the way, hop up the hill by the Mission 13 marker- there's a hidden treasure at the top of the plateau. Dig it up with the Chocobo.
Head due north to the save point. Grab the Mnar Stone in the middle of the lake.
Head north to the other mountain on the other side of the lake and grab the Scarletite from the chest. Hop over to the neighboring hill and hit up the Mission 15 marker.
Head to the enemy marker and take down Mission 15. Okay, one more thing. Find and hop on a Chocobo. Head north to a large rock outcropping. It will be surrounded by Adamantoise-like enemies and will have the Mission 16 marker on the east side. Navigate around the Adamantoise to the Chocobo jump on the north side.
Use the Chocobo to dig and find the hidden treasure. Watch the cutscene with the Cactuar. From this point on, you should find Cactuar here and there around the plain. They're very fast, so they may be hard to catch. Try beating the one that's hanging around after the cutscene.
Hop off your Chocobo, grab the treasures on the plateau, and head into Mah'Habara. Walk along the path.
Grab the Hauteclaire from the chest.
Take a left at the first opportunity. This is a great place to grind enemies for even more experience. The enemies in this little section die easily and give massive CP. However, do not trigger the cutscene by the door! It will unleash a powerful Juggernaut, and there is no way you are powerful enough to take it on...yet. You can come back and show it who's boss after you beat the game.
Run back down to the main path towards the event marker.
Run and fight the Cryohedrons and Pulsework Centurions.
Run down further. By a single Pulsework Centurion, you should find two treasure chests that contain four Electrodes and four Chobham Armor. Continue down to the event marker.
When you get to the platform with the mission marker, there are two options: take the first path to the left to continue along the main story. Take the stairs behind the mission marker to head along a path that contains several valuable items that can be used to upgrade your weapons. Battle against a Tyrant and the mission marker for Mission 53. Similar to the Juggernaut, we recommend you proceed along the main story path and come back here later.
Proceed along the main path until the save point. Grab the Saint's Amulet along the way.
Save your game, go forward until the fight with Vanille's summon begins.
Hecatoncheir
S U M M O N F I G H T
For the battle, make sure you've leveled up your HP and physical damage resistance. If you find yourself running out of time, try setting your initial roles to Saboteur and Commando to lower his resistance.
Continue to run down the path until you get to the next save point. Grab the Ice Charm along the way. At the save point, head down the platform to the right and grab the Particle Accelerator.
Avoid the Juggernaut, and head left where the Pulsework Centurions and Cryohedrons are. At the next fork in the road, head right and nab the Crystal Oscillator.
Proceed down the path and grab the three Perfect Conductor from the chest.
You should find a switch at the end of the path. Hit it and run down the platform, and hitch a ride to the lake. Run towards the event marker. Watch the cutscene,
and grab the Strange Fluid.
Hop the stones to the next platform and fight the monsters there. Jump on the platform to the left. You should see a whirlpool you can interact with. Do it.
This raises two different platforms. The first one is where you watched the last cutscene. It has valuable treasures; go grab them. You'll have to fight some monsters to get it.
The next is on the far right of a chain of islands to the right of your current platform. Explore the islands and grab all the treasure there.
Head towards the event marker. Get the Abyssal Scale on your way.
After the cutscene, save your game. Stay on the path. Grab the Cie'th Tear and continue along the path.
Save your game again and head towards the event marker. Pick up the Sinister Fangs on the way.
Welcome to the tower! On the first floor, grab the three treasure chests and head towards the event marker. Hit the switch and head to the second floor.
Second floor: In order to proceed, you'll need to clear Missions 21, 22, and 23. Look at the Hunts Guide for further information on the location of the monsters. Once you've cleared the missions, grab the two treasure chests on this floor.
Before proceeding to the next floor, you may want to
farm the Pulsework Gladiator here for experience. They're immobile in their stagger state and extremely easy to kill.
On the third floor, head towards the event marker.
Go out into the central corridor. Grab the two Metal Armband from the treasure chest and take the elevator up to the fourth floor.
On the fourth floor, grab the treasure chest with the Glass Orb. While you can proceed directly to the sixth floor from the elevator near here, you won't be able to go any farther unless you hit some switches on the fifth floor. Head to the elevator on the other side of the floor, and make your way up to the fifth.
In order to proceed, you'll need to complete three more missions, just like the floors below. The missions are marked one by one by event markers. The Mission 25 marker is actually located on the sixth floor, so there's a lot of footwork involved. When you activate the Mission 25 marker, a stairway that leads to the second half of floor five is revealed. Watch out for the Tyrant. Hit the switch there to unlock the elevator on the sixth floor to proceed.
Go to the seventh floor and hit the switch near the enemies there. This will connect all the floors to the central elevator. Follow the event markers and take the elevator up to the top floor.
On the top floor, walk around the outside of the ring and grab the Ethersol and the other treasure chest. Head to the mission marker in the center for the boss battle.
Dahaka
B O S S F I G H T
Party recommendation: Fang / Vanille / Hope Paradigm configuration:
1. Saboteur / Saboteur / Synergist 2. Sentinel / Medic / Synergist 3. Sentinel / Medic / Medic
4. Commando / Ravager / Ravager 5. Commando / Ravager / Medic 6. Saboteur / Saboteur / Medic
Start off in configuration one. Cast Deprotect, Slow, and Weak on the boss. Have Hope cast Shell on the whole party. Next, scan the enemy. Switch to configuration two and three when your health gets low. Once healed, buffed and read, use configurations four and five to attack and stagger. When the de-buffs on the boss wear off, switch to configuration six to re-cast and heal.
Once you defeat the boss, follow the mission markers and hitch a ride to Oerba.
Hook a right and run past the Mission 28 marker down the path to the event marker. Watch the cutscene and head forward into the group
of enemies.
Run into the shack and up to the second floor. Activate the robot lying on the floor. Head out into the main area and grab the part in the junked vehicle. Run into the orange building. Fight the enemy and grab the part.
Grab the treasure chest by the shack.
Run down the path by the treasure chest and fight the first enemy you see. That should give you your third part.
Be sure to grab the chest up the stairs to your left; it should contain a Librascope.
Run towards the event marker, but hook a right into the workshop. Grab the fourth part in there in there, next to the red circle. Stay in the building and head upstairs. Grab the Moogle Puppetand the Mnar Stone.
