OFFICIAL Final Fantasy XII thread

[defiance_17]

Yea, one thing that really bothers me is that 5 out of the 6 characters you could play as are Humes. That's incredibly boring espically when I see Bangaa's and Moogles and other things walking around, and I'm stuck as humans.

I liked Fran simply because she was something different from the rest of the cast.

Plus, Vaan and Penelo really honestly killed this game for me, since they don't even seem necessary to the plot, Penelo espically. You could have cut both of them out at about hour 5 and the game still would have worked perfectly.

Also, and this is just a gripe on my part, I didn't like how the entire VA cast was mostly british. I'm not sure what the reasoning was behind that.

I never thought about only using Humes. That does suck, kind of.

As far as the British VAs, I guess I always thought it was so they could get top-notch acting without the voices being recognizable to most people. For me, I'd prefer not to know the face behind the voice--it can be distracting.

I haven't played in a week because I've been ridiculously busy with real-life stuff, but hopefully I don't end up dreading it toward the end. I think I'll fire it up again now.

[The Omniscient Lemon]

WTF you all suck. I can't afford the game right now T_T

Any advice for a cheap ass gamer?

[pete5883]

WTF you all suck. I can't afford the game right now T_T

Any advice for a cheap ass gamer?
Neither could I. I traded in a few games with the extra 30% trade in value coupon at GS and got it for $8. Also I believe some place has it for 29.99 soon (might be on black Friday)...check the deals forum.

[The Omniscient Lemon]

Neither could I. I traded in a few games with the extra 30% trade in value coupon at GS and got it for $8. Also I believe some place has it for 29.99 soon (might be on black Friday)...check the deals forum.I'm kinda new to the site actually, and the forum seems more helpful than anything else. Thanks for the advice, even if it is the wrong thread.

[fmarxnge]

is it possible to get more than one demonsbane?

[pete5883]

is it possible to get more than one demonsbane?
If thats the sword you get from a chest in the Tomb for beating the first demon wall, then yes, though it will probably take some time. IMO not worth it.

[Kayden]

is it possible to get more than one demonsbane?

If you can get the Demonsbane, you can probably just skip the foreplay and go for the Deathbringer. As I recall, I got 2 at about level 20 in around 20 minutes. And they rock. 90 attack power and random instant kills. I've killed monsters with 80,000 hp in one hit. :lol:

There are dragons on the Cernobi Steppes that give you 4LP and about 3500xp (each /w 3 people). If you use decoy on a guy with good armor and three people with haste and death bringers, you can kill them in about 10 seconds if you're lucky. Of course, they have AOE magics that hit for about 1500 a piece. :lol: I used Vaan with a deathbringer, haste, protect and decoy. Fran cast lure and healed/buffed and Balthier used silent shot to do about 2k and randomly silence. Then the dragon just uses rake for about 500hp which is no problem to heal. The same area has big turtles that are pretty easy to kill for 4lp but less exp.

[martin8me]

If thats the sword you get from a chest in the Tomb for beating the first demon wall, then yes, though it will probably take some time. IMO not worth it.

Yes not worth it since right after you finish with the Tomb of Raithwall you can

get the Deathbringer.

Holy shit is Larsa a............GUY?

[Moxio]

If you can get the Demonsbane, you can probably just skip the foreplay and go for the Deathbringer. As I recall, I got 2 at about level 20 in around 20 minutes. And they rock. 90 attack power and random instant kills. I've killed monsters with 80,000 hp in one hit. :lol:

There are dragons on the Cernobi Steppes that give you 4LP and about 3500xp (each /w 3 people). If you use decoy on a guy with good armor and three people with haste and death bringers, you can kill them in about 10 seconds if you're lucky. Of course, they have AOE magics that hit for about 1500 a piece. :lol: I used Vaan with a deathbringer, haste, protect and decoy. Fran cast lure and healed/buffed and Balthier used silent shot to do about 2k and randomly silence. Then the dragon just uses rake for about 500hp which is no problem to heal. The same area has big turtles that are pretty easy to kill for 4lp but less exp.

I ditched the Deathbringer (i.e. foisted it on another character) as soon as I got my Zodiac Spear. Now that Ultima Blade and Excalibur are on the roster, the Demonsbane is sadly out of date. ;)

Now, to get that durn Tournesol / Wyrmhero Blade!

[Kayden]

I ditched the Deathbringer (i.e. foisted it on another character) as soon as I got my Zodiac Spear. Now that Ultima Blade and Excalibur are on the roster, the Demonsbane is sadly out of date. ;)

Now, to get that durn Tournesol / Wyrmhero Blade!
I was 15 hours into the game before I knew about the chests you can't open. =(

[fmarxnge]

If you can get the Demonsbane, you can probably just skip the foreplay and go for the Deathbringer. As I recall, I got 2 at about level 20 in around 20 minutes. And they rock. 90 attack power and random instant kills. I've killed monsters with 80,000 hp in one hit. :lol:

There are dragons on the Cernobi Steppes that give you 4LP and about 3500xp (each /w 3 people). If you use decoy on a guy with good armor and three people with haste and death bringers, you can kill them in about 10 seconds if you're lucky. Of course, they have AOE magics that hit for about 1500 a piece. :lol: I used Vaan with a deathbringer, haste, protect and decoy. Fran cast lure and healed/buffed and Balthier used silent shot to do about 2k and randomly silence. Then the dragon just uses rake for about 500hp which is no problem to heal. The same area has big turtles that are pretty easy to kill for 4lp but less exp.

Who are you supposed to steal Deathbringer off from? Right now I'm stealing it from a Mimic, but I'm not sure since the guides I read did not specify.

edit: Nevermind, finally got one. But damn now that I got one I have to say I wasted so much time in getting demonsbane which I'm replacing it after about 1 level. DO NOT bother with the first demon wall. Not worth the time

[Blackout]

Please dont tell me the only way to get the demonsbane is buy defeating the first moving wall. I did 6 quickenings in a row and just took off half his health! LOL anyway I'm way past that part now.

[Kayden]

Please dont tell me the only way to get the demonsbane is buy defeating the first moving wall. I did 6 quickenings in a row and just took off half his health! LOL anyway I'm way past that part now.

A chain of 6 or 6 separate?

A chain of 6 isn't that great. I hit the fucker with 10 and he still kept coming. Getting him with 2 10s dropped him though.

[Dhuk]

Yea, one thing that really bothers me is that 5 out of the 6 characters you could play as are Humes. That's incredibly boring espically when I see Bangaa's and Moogles and other things walking around, and I'm stuck as humans.

I liked Fran simply because she was something different from the rest of the cast.

Plus, Vaan and Penelo really honestly killed this game for me, since they don't even seem necessary to the plot, Penelo espically. You could have cut both of them out at about hour 5 and the game still would have worked perfectly.

Also, and this is just a gripe on my part, I didn't like how the entire VA cast was mostly british. I'm not sure what the reasoning was behind that.

Even the guest characters are humes. No love for the seeqs and those things that look like jar jar?

[Blackout]

A chain of 6 or 6 separate?

A chain of 6 isn't that great. I hit the fucker with 10 and he still kept coming. Getting him with 2 10s dropped him though.


It was a chain of six. It's not that great I guess, but it works,LOL. What level is he?

BTW, which route did you guys go with your characters?? I am really loving the game so far(about 17 hours gameplay).

[Kayden]

It was a chain of six. It's not that great I guess, but it works,LOL. What level is he?

BTW, which route did you guys go with your characters?? I am really loving the game so far(about 17 hours gameplay).

All of my characters have just about all of the bottom part of the top half for STR, -mp%, swiftness etc. All have cure, steal and charge. All of my girls are healers. Fran is white and black. Ashe is main white, green and time. Penelo is white, green, arcane and time.

Balthier is pretty much just a rifle man with silent shot.

Vaan and Basch are meat sheilds with 1h swords and shields. I've got about 50 hours in the game and I still have a lot of shit to do.

[VAD3R or Fro]

Alright now I have about 80 hours into the game.

[-Never4ever-]

Damn, I really have to get back into the game, I'm like 3-5 hours in and I'm still lame ass metro dude.

[Kendro]

Wow Pharos at Ridorana better be the last dungeon because this dungeon has that "I hate this fucking last dungeon" type of vibe to it. Everytime I think I'm almost done, after multiple boss fights, I'm thinking, "finally." But no, it appears there is still a long way to go and I started the dungeon nearly 3 hours ago.

[pete5883]

It may as well be the last dungeon. After that is a dungeon, but it's just a hallway or 2 and then a few boss battles in a row.

[Dhuk]

A little help?


Where the heck is Omega in the Crystal Grande? I just got done with the last Esper (forgets name, white attribute), and I went back down to the save point/crystal. I read a faq that says Omega is just to the right of the Esper's entrance. Well, it's not. Any help?

[pete5883]

There's a map on GameFAQs.

[Kendro]

Well I finally beat the game today. The final boss was such a pushover, I raped him pretty bad.

Hastega + Protectga + Shellga + Bubble Belt = Total annihilation of final boss.

The ending was pretty satisfying in my book. Not the emotional rollercoaster of FFX but nonetheless, pretty satisfying.

[Kayden]

Well I finally beat the game today. The final boss was such a pushover, I raped him pretty bad.

Hastega + Protectga + Shellga + Bubble Belt = Total annihilation of final boss.

The ending was pretty satisfying in my book. Not the emotional rollercoaster of FFX but nonetheless, pretty satisfying.

The final bosses are always easy. The real difficulty is the optional bosses. :bouncy:

[CaptainCarnage]

quick question. can you still play the game(i.e. sidequests, hunts) if you complete the main story?

[pete5883]

Yes. You don't save after beating the game, and you can't save in the last dungeon, so beating the game does nothing to your save game.

[Kendro]

Dang, now that I've beaten the game and left to contemplate it, I kinda want to re-visit the world of Ivalice and hope there will be a FFXII-2. Which is ironic because a few of my prior posts in this thread pretty much show disgust at the game. The last hour of the game really brought some character devleopment together nicely, and its a shame that just when they were beginning to get interesting, the game ended. Judge Gabranth had potential to be one of the FF greats.

[Vinny]

I have a question for you guys which most of you probably don't remember.. but what level were all of you at when you hit the Stilshrine of Miriam (the place where that holy guy sends you to find some sword which can beat the power of the Nithecite)?

I am having an incredible amount of trouble with this game. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be this hard but it sure seems like it is. I've had a lot of trouble with two previous bosses as well. One was this dragon creature in the forest which cast a bunch of status ailing magic and the other one was the Tiamat in the mines.

[Kayden]

@_@!!!!

I just beat Gilgamesh... at level 44.

I spent TWO fucking hours fighting him! Not two hours full of deaths and reloads, two... solid... nut busting hours in the same room fighting.

Note to self, next time a boss is level 70, wait to fight him until you too are level 70.

I figured the level 60s infront of him were easy enough, and he was cake the first round... But now I have the full Gilgamesh set. ^_^

All-in-all, best boss fight yet.

[pete5883]

Dang, now that I've beaten the game and left to contemplate it, I kinda want to re-visit the world of Ivalice and hope there will be a FFXII-2. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings - coming to Nintendo DS.

Vinny - go do a couple hunts/buy new equipment. That always helped me catch up.

[Kendro]

@_@!!!!

I just beat Gilgamesh... at level 44.

I spent TWO fucking hours fighting him! Not two hours full of deaths and reloads, two... solid... nut busting hours in the same room fighting.

Note to self, next time a boss is level 70, wait to fight him until you too are level 70.

I figured the level 60s infront of him were easy enough, and he was cake the first round... But now I have the full Gilgamesh set. ^_^

All-in-all, best boss fight yet.

Ouch, you could have beaten him in 30 minutes if you fought him when your levels are a prime number (like 53, 59, 61). If your levels are divisible by 2, 3, or 4, his status effects will hurt you bad. If they are a prime number and not divisible by 2, 3, or 4, you don't have to waste so much time with Esuna.

[TahoeMax]

ARGHHHHH stupid Zodiark. I had him on the ropes, one quickening from death, and here comes his damn Darkja...nevermind that my characters absorb dark...they all frickin died anyway and he one-shotted all my support since they're weak. Those palings are absurd. Immune to physical AND magicks for all but a split second? BLAH!

[martin8me]

Is there a FMV viewer in the game (like FFX)?

[kittycatgirl2k]

This is probably a stupid question:
I am about 15 hours in, average level 12. Im in this big arse desert (Ogir Yensa Sandsea) and have a bunch of party members. Problem is, Im afraid of screwing up their licensing systems. Also, do you have to keep all party members at around the same level to have a chance at completing the game? I let Balthier sit and hes at lvl 9 while everyone else is higher. I prefer to just play as Vaan/Ashe/Fran but is that a reasonable thing to do? I dont want to put in 20 or 30 hours and then get stuck where I have to level up for extra hours for no reason. I hate that. The gambit system has me perplexed too since it just seems like my characters stand around and do nothing unless I point it out constantly. Gambits are on but they still dont do much. Probably the way I have it set up. A little help or advice please? Thanks.

Yes i have the strategy guide but its not much help other than walkthrough information and backgrounds on weapons etc.

[Wolfpup]

I'm about 28 hours in (been playing it all Thanksgiving :) ). I'm blown away by how good it is. The gameplay, graphics, presentation, and story are all fantastic. The story (so far) isn't as personal or as interesting as the ones by Hironobu Sakaguchi, but it's still good.

Honestly I was excepting this to suck since Hironobu Sakaguchi left. I don't like Final Fantasy Tactics or Vagrant Story (or most other non-Sakaguchi Square games). I was scared to death of the new battle system...

But it's all fantastic. I really can't believe how well it works. It's still the active time battle system, you just don't switch to a different screen and can still move around. Had it been described like that, I wouldn't have been scared of it!

And the "gambit" system is brilliant. It makes FF12 possibly my favorite RPG battle system ever-and that's saying a lot! You're still involved in making sure your characters do what you would have them do, but you don't have to go through the manual drudgery of selecting it (like in every RPG prior to this!) Programing your characters-it's brilliant, and pretty obvious in retrospect. I even enjoy the license system, and like how you use that to get more gambit slots, etc. (So far I'm never short on license points-I've got like 2000+ spare on all my characters, and love seeing what neat new stuff shows up when I got to activate a new power.)

Needless to say, this is a must play. I am literally floored that this is a worthy Final Fantasy game. Absolutely wouldn't believe it if I weren't playing it for myself.

The music is a weak spot compared to earlier games (like the plot)-but it's only weak compared to Final Fantasy 6-10. Compared to normal games it's great, and I love how you don't switch to battle music all the time. Personally that got old fast, and meant you couldn't enjoy the music in an area as well. Some of the stuff here is almost atmospheric and kind of cool/creepy. Not Uematsu good, but still really good.

[Kendro]

This is probably a stupid question:
I am about 15 hours in, average level 12. Im in this big arse desert (Ogir Yensa Sandsea) and have a bunch of party members. Problem is, Im afraid of screwing up their licensing systems. Also, do you have to keep all party members at around the same level to have a chance at completing the game? I let Balthier sit and hes at lvl 9 while everyone else is higher. I prefer to just play as Vaan/Ashe/Fran but is that a reasonable thing to do? I dont want to put in 20 or 30 hours and then get stuck where I have to level up for extra hours for no reason. I hate that. The gambit system has me perplexed too since it just seems like my characters stand around and do nothing unless I point it out constantly. Gambits are on but they still dont do much. Probably the way I have it set up. A little help or advice please? Thanks.

Yes i have the strategy guide but its not much help other than walkthrough information and backgrounds on weapons etc.
Doesn't really matter, in the end, all my characters had all their fighting and magic Licenses filled and they are all the same now. In a party of 3, have 2 fighters, and one black mage (the black mage should be someone who uses long distance weapons). All 3 should know all the white magic spells.

You don't really need to level up all 6. I did for fun, and on a rare occasion it did help me out when my 3 normal characters died, so it is good to have a backup party. But leveling the weak characters later on isn't as a pain in the ass as you think. Later in the game, you get access to 2 helpful accessories. One accessory gives you double XP, and one accessory gives you no XP.

So if your 3 main characters are level 50, and your backups are level 10, you could do something like this. Have 2 level 50 characters equipped with the accessory that gives no experience. Have the 1 level 10 character equip the double XP accessory. Then go fight some level 50 monsters (since you have 2 level 50 characters, this is easy to do).

When you kill the enemy, your two level 50 characters get no XP because of the accessory, so the XP "transfers" to your level 10 character who will then get 3 times the XP. Actually, its 6 times the XP because of the double XP accessory. So you can have them catch up in 1/10th the time as normal.

[Wolfpup]

This is probably a stupid question:
I am about 15 hours in, average level 12. Im in this big arse desert (Ogir Yensa Sandsea) and have a bunch of party members. Problem is, Im afraid of screwing up their licensing systems. Also, do you have to keep all party members at around the same level to have a chance at completing the game? I let Balthier sit and hes at lvl 9 while everyone else is higher. I prefer to just play as Vaan/Ashe/Fran but is that a reasonable thing to do? I dont want to put in 20 or 30 hours and then get stuck where I have to level up for extra hours for no reason. I hate that.

I'm 28ish hours in, and in the same spot. So far I've just been swapping out characters to keep them at the same level. I've noticed all characters earn license points even if they aren't being used, which is nice. So far I haven't really specialized at all. Fran and Balthier I've left with a bow and arrow and gun, but everyone else I've got using the most powerful melee weapon I've found (an axe of some sort) and all have healing magic (ie cure, revive, etc.)
Sooooo not sure long term what I'm going to have to do, or am supposed to do, but so far this is working fine.

The gambit system has me perplexed too since it just seems like my characters stand around and do nothing unless I point it out constantly. Gambits are on but they still dont do much. Probably the way I have it set up. A little help or advice please? Thanks.

I love love love LOVE the gambit system. Makes leveling up super easy :)

I've got mine set up like this so far (wording isn't exact):

1-Cure ally if HP < 60%
2-Attack Leader's target
3-Attack nearest enemy
4-Cure ally if HP < 80%

I've recently added a new #2 for Fran and Balthier which is "attack flying enemies", with the rest bumped down one (so that they handle fliers the rest of the characters might not be able to attack before attacking grounded enemies).

With this set up you just get the character you're controlling close to an enemy, and the gambits take over. All three (or four) characters attack enemies one by one, and heal as needed. They fight just like I want them to fight, without me having to do much of anything.

Hope this helps!

[Kayden]

Ouch, you could have beaten him in 30 minutes if you fought him when your levels are a prime number (like 53, 59, 61). If your levels are divisible by 2, 3, or 4, his status effects will hurt you bad. If they are a prime number and not divisible by 2, 3, or 4, you don't have to waste so much time with Esuna.

They were. 44 was the average party level. I had 41, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47. Sleep was really the only thing I had to worry about and it wasn't that big a deal because I rarely used those two. My biggest issue was the fact that he would combo me about 6-7 times. Everyone could take a shot and keep going, but rarely did he hit just once. The monarch blade killed everyone in one shot (9k the first two times, 7k after dispell) except for my main tank with protect (5500).

I just decoy'd my MT and had him running laps making Gilgamesh follow him while my mages buffed him enough to take a hit. :lol: When I was established with protect, bubble, haste, et al, I'd throw berserk on him and prayed that the other two could keep him healed. It wasn't too bad because they could both 'cure' for 1300 with faith on. Haste helped a lot there, but even still, when he hits for 1200 6 times... Its pick up and run around again. :lol:

I got him down to about 5% and then he just went nuts normal attacking for about 5k and doing his monarch sword a lot. I could hardly keep people standing. In the end, I started popping Hi-ethers and hitting him with quickening chains. A bitch too, because I'd only have enough MP for 1 person to use 1 level 1 and couldn't get much more than Inferno before running out of time.

[defiance_17]

Needless to say, this is a must play. I am literally floored that this is a worthy Final Fantasy game. Absolutely wouldn't believe it if I weren't playing it for myself.

The music is a weak spot compared to earlier games (like the plot)-but it's only weak compared to Final Fantasy 6-10. Compared to normal games it's great, and I love how you don't switch to battle music all the time. Personally that got old fast, and meant you couldn't enjoy the music in an area as well. Some of the stuff here is almost atmospheric and kind of cool/creepy. Not Uematsu good, but still really good.

Don't use "literally" unless it really is literal, and I'm not even sure how to picture someone being "literally floored."

I just wanted to say that I really disagree with you on the music. It reminds me very much of Final Fantasy Tactics (my favorite game soundtrack ever) and seems to enhance the game in a way I haven't seen since FFVIII, or perhaps Katamari Damacy. Every track I've encountered so far has been perfect, in my ears, but to each his own.

[Kayden]

I used to have something simular, but I found that people would stop attacking to heal and I'd ultimately have to heal more because they just weren't dying fast enough. I generally have two fighters set like...

1-generally off but for things like stealing or expose
2-Blindna self
3-attack lowest HP
4-attack nearest
5-cure ally <90%
6-protect self
7-Shell Self
8-Libra

I found 5-7 to be quite helpful to avoid MP shortages. Before/after battle, the fighters buff themselves and heal the party. When they get back into battle, they generally gain 9-15 MP per hit, so they refil pretty quick. This takes most of the burden off of the healer so they're not either so busy buffing that they don't heal or so busy healling that they don't buff or have to start buffing all over as soon as their done.

My main healer is set to cast cure at 60% and curaga at 30%. She also keeps Faith on herself at all times, so she generally heals for about 1300 with cure and 6k with curaga. I'm thinking about giving her the Genji set. Its not really the best tank armor, but its really good def and adds a surprising amount of magic power. Besides healling, my main healer has mostly main tank buffs that are generally off unless I'm in a nasty area or a boss fight. Decoy/bubble/etc. Self mp <10% is a really nice micromanagement saver.

I'm 28ish hours in, and in the same spot. So far I've just been swapping out characters to keep them at the same level. I've noticed all characters earn license points even if they aren't being used, which is nice. So far I haven't really specialized at all. Fran and Balthier I've left with a bow and arrow and gun, but everyone else I've got using the most powerful melee weapon I've found (an axe of some sort) and all have healing magic (ie cure, revive, etc.)
Sooooo not sure long term what I'm going to have to do, or am supposed to do, but so far this is working fine.



I love love love LOVE the gambit system. Makes leveling up super easy :)

I've got mine set up like this so far (wording isn't exact):

1-Cure ally if HP < 60%
2-Attack Leader's target
3-Attack nearest enemy
4-Cure ally if HP < 80%

I've recently added a new #2 for Fran and Balthier which is "attack flying enemies", with the rest bumped down one (so that they handle fliers the rest of the characters might not be able to attack before attacking grounded enemies).

With this set up you just get the character you're controlling close to an enemy, and the gambits take over. All three (or four) characters attack enemies one by one, and heal as needed. They fight just like I want them to fight, without me having to do much of anything.

Hope this helps!

[TahoeMax]

Don't use "literally" unless it really is literal, and I'm not even sure how to picture someone being "literally floored."

I just wanted to say that I really disagree with you on the music. It reminds me very much of Final Fantasy Tactics (my favorite game soundtrack ever) and seems to enhance the game in a way I haven't seen since FFVIII, or perhaps Katamari Damacy. Every track I've encountered so far has been perfect, in my ears, but to each his own.

Not surprised it reminds you of Tactics...Hitoshi Sakimoto did the music for both games. I believe this is the first numbered FF game that hasn't been done by Nobuo Uematsu (someone correct me if i'm wrong). You might like the Stella Deus OST, too. Same guy there, as well.

[Wolfpup]

Hmm...do you think attack lowest HP makes more sense than attack leader's target?

I hadn't thought about that until you posted, but I think I'll try that. Although I guess that won't avoid wasting turns when a enemy gets wiped out and a character's ATB bar has to start refilling for a new enemy.

This is embarrassing, but I hadn't even thought of putting Libra on a gambit! Right now I'm just using a Bangle for one of the three active characters, but I'll keep that in mind. There's so much you can do with this system!

[Wolfpup]

Not surprised it reminds you of Tactics...Hitoshi Sakimoto did the music for both games. I believe this is the first numbered FF game that hasn't been done by Nobuo Uematsu (someone correct me if i'm wrong). You might like the Stella Deus OST, too. Same guy there, as well.

This is also why I'm not blow away by the music. It's fine (better than FF Tactics), but I didn't think FF Tactics' music was anything special either. Just competent, but not something I'd buy a soundtrack for.

[Kayden]

Hmm...do you think attack lowest HP makes more sense than attack leader's target?

I hadn't thought about that until you posted, but I think I'll try that. Although I guess that won't avoid wasting turns when a enemy gets wiped out and a character's ATB bar has to start refilling for a new enemy.

This is embarrassing, but I hadn't even thought of putting Libra on a gambit! Right now I'm just using a Bangle for one of the three active characters, but I'll keep that in mind. There's so much you can do with this system!

The bad thing about using 'Leader's Target' is that sometimes, your leader doesn't have a target. Sometimes, when I was controlling my healers, my tanks wouldnt attack because the heallers werent.

Use lowest HP will generally help getting rid of the weaker monsters first, but sometimes, if you have two attackers and there are two monsters with the same amount of HP, they'll both run off in different directions, however, after the first hit, one of them will have less HP and they generally converge on one guy.

[Wolfpup]

That's why I've got a second one right under it to attack nearest target (since originally I noticed my characters weren't always attacking). As long as you've got both, do you think it matters whether you're on attack lowest HP or attack leader's target?

Leader's target does have the advantage that I can easily have them attack as specific enemy on the rare occasions it matters.

[Kayden]

That's why I've got a second one right under it to attack nearest target (since originally I noticed my characters weren't always attacking). As long as you've got both, do you think it matters whether you're on attack lowest HP or attack leader's target?

Leader's target does have the advantage that I can easily have them attack as specific enemy on the rare occasions it matters.

Ok, say you steal off of one guy. Everyone attacks him. Then you go to steal off of a second guy. Now everyone attacks him and leaves the other guy alive.

[Wolfpup]

Interesting! Out of curiosity, is it actually worth stealing? I did it once or twice, and haven't since. I usually just ignore steal in these games.

[Brian9824]

Steal is vital. Money is in short supply unless your the type to spend hours grinding.

[Wolfpup]

I don't feel like I've done anything extra, just the hunts and exploring everything (which was fun for me). So far I haven't had any money problems, though I don't think I'm all that far in.

[remorhaz]

Finally killed the ring wyrm last night. Man that thing had a lot of hit points.

[TahoeMax]

When you start buying Forgotten Grimoires at the bazaar you start getting plenty of drops. If you're willing to sit back and build up a chain, you can REALLY watch the loot flow in. I've gotten 8 pieces of loot from a single monster. I rarely steal from regular enemies, but it's sometimes worth stealing from bosses, since they tend to have some more interesting stuff.

I just finished piecing together the medallions, so i'm off to get Chaos now. I really can't stand the fact that the medallions are next to impossible to get without cheating and looking at a guide. That, the Zodiac Spear conditions, and a few other things that you pretty much can't get without a guide are my one real gripe about the game.

[Kayden]

When you start buying Forgotten Grimoires at the bazaar you start getting plenty of drops. If you're willing to sit back and build up a chain, you can REALLY watch the loot flow in. I've gotten 8 pieces of loot from a single monster. I rarely steal from regular enemies, but it's sometimes worth stealing from bosses, since they tend to have some more interesting stuff.

I just finished piecing together the medallions, so i'm off to get Chaos now. I really can't stand the fact that the medallions are next to impossible to get without cheating and looking at a guide. That, the Zodiac Spear conditions, and a few other things that you pretty much can't get without a guide are my one real gripe about the game.

I just beat him, and he is a fucking prick.

The two bosses before him are easy, but you'll probably want to run out and save before Chaos. I barely beat him.

For Fury, have two healers and a tank with Decoy, berserk him if you wish. When Fury gets low on life he starts popping Baccus Wines and berzerking himself. If you have one of your healers set to constantly cast dispel, he spends all his time using items and rarely hits you.
The behemoth is easy. Just have two fighters and one with decoy and beat the piss outta him. He has an attack that causes about 4k damage and Immobilize and disable, so have esuna on both fighters and heal with your healler. Bring a couple of Chronos Tears as one of them uses stop a lot.

As for Chaos... The reason he's so hard is because you can't use Attack. You're stuck with magics and technicks. The guide recommends Soul Eater and Bio, but save all your mana for healing. The chaos jets only have about 5k HP and go down pretty quick, but Chaos sucks. Have your main tank running with bubble and protect and then give EVERYONE haste and shell and give your healers faith.

His normal attack isn't too bad, ~1000. He has a magic attack called Wirlwind which will hit for about 4k WITH shell. The thing that makes him so bad is Aeroja. It hits everyone no matter where they are for about 4k with shell and sometimes confuses you. Have your tank run away from him while your healers buff everyone up and pray you can survive.

[The Omniscient Lemon]

Meh, I don't think I want the game now. Too much negative feedback.

[Wolfpup]

Negative feedback? Everything seems positive for it. It's been great so far.

[Kaijufan]

I'm about 9 hours in and I now have all 6 party members. Should I level all of them up, or just focus on leveling up 3 of them?

[TahoeMax]

eh, Chaos was pretty easy. Then again, i'd already beaten Zodiark and Ultima, so i think i was sorta overpowered for him anyway. I just fried his little helpers with a couple Scathes and kept flaring and scathing him. didn't even use any items other than a couple smelling salts after his Aerojas.

I'm trying to get the second Zodiac Spear (in the Henne Mines) since i missed the fixed one. Is there any evidence that anyone has actually found it in that chest? The chest has spawned a few times but i've only gotten gil...i just want to make sure i'm not wasting my time. I've gotten it down to about 2 minutes per runthrough, and i'm getting the chest to appear maybe 10 times per hour. I also read somewhere that once you get the chest to spawn, it's a 10% chance to get the spear...OR it's a 10% chance for ANY item and a 10% chance that the item is the spear (a 1% chance for the spear itself). Any ideas as to which of those is correct? 10% from the chest is okay, but 1% is kinda ludicrous.

[Kayden]

:lol: That might help. I'm not that far in the story yet. No Flare or Scathe for me.

As for the Zodiac... I'd say just get it with a gameshark or something if you're able. The whole chest thing was lame as hell.

eh, Chaos was pretty easy. Then again, i'd already beaten Zodiark and Ultima, so i think i was sorta overpowered for him anyway. I just fried his little helpers with a couple Scathes and kept flaring and scathing him. didn't even use any items other than a couple smelling salts after his Aerojas.

I'm trying to get the second Zodiac Spear (in the Henne Mines) since i missed the fixed one. Is there any evidence that anyone has actually found it in that chest? The chest has spawned a few times but i've only gotten gil...i just want to make sure i'm not wasting my time. I've gotten it down to about 2 minutes per runthrough, and i'm getting the chest to appear maybe 10 times per hour. I also read somewhere that once you get the chest to spawn, it's a 10% chance to get the spear...OR it's a 10% chance for ANY item and a 10% chance that the item is the spear (a 1% chance for the spear itself). Any ideas as to which of those is correct? 10% from the chest is okay, but 1% is kinda ludicrous.

[defiance_17]

eh, Chaos was pretty easy. Then again, i'd already beaten Zodiark and Ultima, so i think i was sorta overpowered for him anyway. I just fried his little helpers with a couple Scathes and kept flaring and scathing him. didn't even use any items other than a couple smelling salts after his Aerojas.

I'm trying to get the second Zodiac Spear (in the Henne Mines) since i missed the fixed one. Is there any evidence that anyone has actually found it in that chest? The chest has spawned a few times but i've only gotten gil...i just want to make sure i'm not wasting my time. I've gotten it down to about 2 minutes per runthrough, and i'm getting the chest to appear maybe 10 times per hour. I also read somewhere that once you get the chest to spawn, it's a 10% chance to get the spear...OR it's a 10% chance for ANY item and a 10% chance that the item is the spear (a 1% chance for the spear itself). Any ideas as to which of those is correct? 10% from the chest is okay, but 1% is kinda ludicrous.

I thought I read somewhere it was a 10% chance the chest would appear, a 10% chance it would contain an item, AND a 10% chance that said item would be the Zodiac Spear. So the odds would be ludicrous/10.

[TahoeMax]

yeah, which would make it 1/1000 for any given runthrough. However, if it's 10% for the chest and 10% for the spear, that's manageable. So far the only times i've gotten the chest it's been full of gil :(

[Kayden]

Looking at the guide...
The chest has a 10% chance to appear, a 10% chance to be an item and a 10% chance to be the spear. So yes, effectively 1:1000.

It sounds like a bad deal, but looking at the book, it shows the chests around it and the chests in that area cough up about 7k gold or a megaelixer. Might not be too bad to just run laps, save, reload, etc. It'd take some time, but you could get a lot of money.


yeah, which would make it 1/1000 for any given runthrough. However, if it's 10% for the chest and 10% for the spear, that's manageable. So far the only times i've gotten the chest it's been full of gil :(

[TahoeMax]

money is pretty meaningless at this point in the game. i've got over 1,000,000 gil. i need 600K for the tournesol when it comes around, but that's about it. Megalixirs are excellent, though. i just fought some enemies a little deeper in, since i needed a couple soul powders for the bazaar, anyway. brought Basch up a dozen levels in the meantime, which was nice.

[Dead of Knight]

Negative feedback? Everything seems positive for it. It's been great so far.

Read a few pages back and you'll see negative feedback, including mine.

[bobo2k4]

This one isn't too great. I kinda quit playing after the first judge fight. Nothing is drawing me in, the story is very meh. I don't like having to switch characters to keep them on par and I don't want anyone falling behind. The game looks pretty and all but thats about it. Oh yea...I really hate that fucking camera.

[Wolfpup]

I've found the camera isn't an issue at all. I would have preferred you could reverse the axis, but I got used to it within a few minutes, and it's no worse than practically every console action game (and better, because you can pause the action any time, etc.)

Switching characters is much less of an issue than in earlier FF games IMO, and you probably don't have to if you don't want to.

I'm a bit over 32 hours in now, and the story has a very different feel from 6-10, but it's still well done. I've been impressed to by how subtly the characters "act". They're very nuanced, when most games are just trying to make characters look decent.

[depascal22]

For some reason, I'm still playing this game. It hasn't quite gotten to the point where it's a chore to play. For every fault the game has, I'm sort of digging the rest. I know this post makes no sense but neither do my feelings for this game. Every time I'm about ready to completely give up and throw it on my TL, I get sucked back in for a few more hours.

[Kaijufan]

I've found the camera isn't an issue at all. I would have preferred you could reverse the axis, but I got used to it within a few minutes, and it's no worse than practically every console action game (and better, because you can pause the action any time, etc.)

I learned to control the camera after a few hours, but when I go back to play Gears of War I always turn the camera in that game the wrong way. :cry:
Really how hard would it have been to include an option to choose if you want the camera inverted or not? I'm no programmer, but it doesn't seem like it would be all that difficult.

[Kayden]

Reminds me of playing FFVII where O was accept and X was Cancel.

[Brian9824]

I love the freedom in the game. I managed to stumble into the caverns where Addramelch lives and killed him at lvl 28. Fighting an Esper 10 levels higher then you was fun.

Plus I got some nice loot off the enemies there. Currently farming em for 2 more helmets that boost my magic defense by more then 20 points over my currently equipped helmet.

[TahoeMax]

grrrr i'm having a helluva time getting the last high arcana i need for the tournesol. Oversouls aren't dropping any Soul of Thamasas, and the rare monster in the Necrohol isn't dropping any of them, either. haven't gotten any of either one for over an hour of brawling

[Thongsy]

Read a few pages back and you'll see negative feedback, including mine.

Bleh, I really wanted to like this game, I started it up again and log another ten hours or so. But I just really can't stand this game for some reason. I really wanted to like it, I really did. :cry:

[Kendro]

If your close to beating it, I recommend finishing it. In retrospect, I'm glad I finished it as the ending was pretty satisfying and somewhat brought the game together.

[Dead of Knight]

If your close to beating it, I recommend finishing it. In retrospect, I'm glad I finished it as the ending was pretty satisfying and somewhat brought the game together.

"That ending really tied the game together, did it not?"
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/7/73/350px-The.Big.Lebowski.1998.Screenshot.2.jpg

As for me, I was well over the 50% mark, probably like 60-65% done, when I quit, but I just couldn't take the remaining 35-40%.

[Roufuss]

Bleh, I really wanted to like this game, I started it up again and log another ten hours or so. But I just really can't stand this game for some reason. I really wanted to like it, I really did. :cry:

I wish I could have dropped all the story and all of that BS and just done grinding and cool boss fights.

I can see where the game would be very awesome at the end with all the uber awesome bosses but I can't force myself to play through the story.

Maybe when I rebuy it for $20 in a year.

[pete5883]

"That ending really tied the game together, did it not?"
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/7/73/350px-The.Big.Lebowski.1998.Screenshot.2.jpg

Fuckin' A!

I can see where the game would be very awesome at the end with all the uber awesome bosses but I can't force myself to play through the story.
Is this a joke? This is the lightest the story's been in a FF game since V. And you can skip every cut scene IIRC.

[Roufuss]

Is this a joke? This is the lightest the story's been in a FF game since V. And you can skip every cut scene IIRC.

Nope, this may be the lightest story but it's also the fucking worst one ever. I hated the characters, the story, everything.

Maybe if I started the game at a high level and could just take on elite marks it would be awesome... I just didn't have the patience to trudge through all the BS to get to that point. For me, I can't get through the 40 hours needed to get to the awesome stuff.

Dosen't matter, I bought the game for $38, sold it for $40, so I got paid to play it for a month.

[eau]

It looks like the Limited Edition guide with the Ashe cover is fetching $$ on eBay. It's hard for me to comprehend why these people would pay double for something that they can most likely get in the store. I'd still seen many LE guides in the stores.

[Over easy]

It looks like the Limited Edition guide with the Ashe cover is fetching $$ on eBay. It's hard for me to comprehend why these people would pay double for something that they can most likely get in the store. I'd still seen many LE guides in the stores.

Yeah, but can you find one with the Ashe cover on it?

[defiance_17]

I have the Ashe cover.

[TahoeMax]

Fuck me...just killed Yiazmat...what a monster of a battle. Took me the better part of a day. Wow, now i can have a life again.

[Over easy]

I have the Ashe cover.

Can you find one now with an Ashe cover?

[defiance_17]

Can you find one now with an Ashe cover?

I don't know.

[jer7583]

Can't wait to pick this up again over winter break.. it's been in hiding, along with the rest of my games these past weeks/months.

[TahoeMax]

Just got the Wyrmhero blade...great sword with sweet equip effects, but MAAAAAN, is it slow. the rest of my team gets two attacks before my guy with wyrmhero gets one. Kind of absurd, really. oh, well. that's that for me and FFXII. Story closed.

[martin8me]

is it true about that a optional boss takes 7-6 hours to beat?

[TahoeMax]

sounds about right. I beat Yiazmat on Sunday and it took me most of the day. kind of pathetic, really :(

[mykevermin]

is it true about that a optional boss takes 7-6 hours to beat?

There's one boss with 10 million + HP, but I dunno how long he takes to fight. I don't see any battle going on longer than 60 minutes,but I have nothing to back that up with.

[TahoeMax]

it's actually 50 million. There's one with 8.5 million that takes about an hour to kill (Hell Wyrm). Yiazmat has 50 million and is much harder to damage, hits much harder, and goes absolutely berserk at the end of the fight, making the last few bars take forever to wear down. it took me probably 8 hours with characters at an average level of about 85 and some of the best gear you can get.

If someone could kill Yiazmat in 60 minutes...i dunno...i'd probably buy them a game or something. Even with a zodiac spear, tournesol, and yagyu darkblade, just the time it would take to take down all that health would still be a few hours, ignoring character deaths, healing, and buffing (which you need every 5 seconds or so)

[mykevermin]

8 hours in one sitting? Well, that's absurd. Kudos to you; I don't think I'll ty that.

I was thinking of Omega XIII (?); seeing as how I've only played far enough into the game to just get the dawn shard, I've a long ways to go.

[depascal22]

I've gotten the dawn shard and lost it and got it back again. Now I'm back on the Giza Plains doing some serious grinding. I like how the environment has changed during the game. After loving this game and then really hating it, I'm back on the upswing. It's an 8/10 so far.

[TahoeMax]

nah, i went out with my girlfriend for lunch, had a nice dinner, and went to the gym. Heh, not even i could do 8 hours at once. You can leave the battle at any time and go save, restock on items, etc. He doesn't regain HP if you leave.

Omega was a little anticlimactic after Yiazmat. Took probably 45 minutes including some trial and error with gambit settings and getting blown away a few times. Probably has 1.5 million HP, i'd guess. It's just quick as hell and hits hard.

[mykevermin]

I suppose I could pause the battle and come back to it...but since I retired my PS2 in favor of a new PS3, which could heat a two story home for the winter, I don't really want to let that dude run for that long (8 hours if I play it just as is).

*crap*

[Dead of Knight]

I suppose I could pause the battle and come back to it...but since I retired my PS2 in favor of a new PS3, which could heat a two story home for the winter, I don't really want to let that dude run for that long (8 hours if I play it just as is).

*crap*
Were you listening to the Dude's story, Donny?

http://feralboy.com/images/walter.jpg

He's saying that you can leave and save the game at any point during the fight.

[mykevermin]

Were you listening to the Dude's story, Donny?

http://feralboy.com/images/walter.jpg

He's saying that you can leave and save the game at any point during the fight.

I was reading up on Yiazmat after that discussion, and realized you could save.

:oops:

Kinda takes the thrill out of it, I suppose - but if I lost after 7.5 hours of battling, I'd throw my whole fucking console against the wall. All things in moderation, I suppose.

[TahoeMax]

If you got trapped in the arena with him for the duration, that would be the most heinous fight in the history of games. Even with the ability to run at almost any time, i had to use a couple megalixirs just to cover my escape and regrouping.

[willardhaven]

Wait... how is the camera backwards?

You push the stick left, the camera itself moves to the left...

[Wolfpup]

If I'm remembering right, it works like a flight-sim sort of with everything reversed. I got used to it pretty fast, but it is weird you can't change it. Ironically, when I played a game with a normal camera, THAT felt slightly weird at first.

[depascal22]

The camera in FFXII is opposite of most games. It takes me a few minutes to adjust if I've been playing another game where I can control the camera but it's nothing terrible. I have bigger beefs with other areas of gameplay but the camera is very serviceable and does the job it's supposed to do.

[Roufuss]

Looks like I'm re-picking this game up again... gonna give it another shot.

[mykevermin]

The sign of a good game is the ability to have you lose, but remain motivated to try again. Final Fantasy XII has done that (and I used to be a notorious controller chucker/bitch and moan gamer).

I was *thisclose* (one regular attack) from beating Mateus during the quest to claim the sword of the king. A good 5-7 minute battle, all my characters' quickenings/summon used up, and just used two pheonix downs to revive Balthier and Fran...and then blizzaja.

Crap.

I can't wait to try again, though I can't say I'm going to do it tonight. I need to relax.

[Oktoberfest]

If your close to beating it, I recommend finishing it. In retrospect, I'm glad I finished it as the ending was pretty satisfying and somewhat brought the game together.
ya the story in the game was kinda weak, substance-wise

The ending is OK, not really that great. And it's rather short.

[Kendro]

I'm gonna start a 2nd playthrough pretty soon. Gonna use the power leveling trick that gets Vaan to level 35 before anyone even joins my party. Should be fun one-hitting all those bosses that gave me trouble the first time. :lol:

[Wolfpup]

How the heck do you get Vaan to level 35 like that? I'm level 31 on my party now, and that's after 45 hours :D

[Blackout]

I just got through playing a couple hours. I was getting kind of pissed because there was pretty much no story throughout that time. It seems like for a lot of the game you are just fighting enemies and leveling up. The Cid fight was intense and the movies surrounding it made up for it though. WOW.

Now all I got to do is a boatload of sidequests and then I can go and beat the game. :bouncy:

[Vinny]

Am I the only one that feels that this game is very difficult? I've played some tough RPGs before but never have I died so many times...

There's a line between challenging and 'forcing you to level up to make the game more difficult' and this game feels like the latter.:-?

[Kendro]

Definitely one of the more difficult FF games. In fact, its the only recent FF game that I felt nervous before every boss fight.

[Kayden]

Definitely one of the more difficult FF games. In fact, its the only recent FF game that I felt nervous before every boss fight.

Boss fights are a joke. The only hard ones are the Marks/espers and thats if they're not that close to your level. I beat two pretty hard bosses while they had 30 levels on me.

[Vinny]

Boss fights are a joke. The only hard ones are the Marks/espers and thats if they're not that close to your level. I beat two pretty hard bosses while they had 30 levels on me.

I have another friend who says the game's easy... I just don't understand how you guys figure that. There are some boss fights which are a joke, yes, but since the Tiamat in the mines and that one boss who kept using those status ailing effects made me rip out my hair. After that, all the off bosses minuses one or two, have been hella hard for me.

The difficult isn't bothering me as much as me wondering why it seems so hard. I've been trying to figure out if I'm under-leveled or if I'm going about it wrong. I'm guessing the latter, I've only been using three characters so far and don't have a balanced team so I don't have anything to fall back on once my initial 3 characters are dead.

He told me that it's because I haven't done any hunts... which I haven't. But I did spend some time leveling up here and there. I don't see how hunts can make much of a difference.

[NamelessMC]

In World of Warcraft discussions, there's a common term known as "e-peen", usually referring to the internet overcompensation of someone with a small um... Genetic reproduction merchandise tool?

The way it works is, when people think something is hard, and you used a strategy guide + grinding + godlike weapons and preparation to beat that said difficult encounter, you brag about it like it's easy to make yourself sound cool. Only problem is, you're the only person that thinks something like that actually makes you cool.

When people tell me boss fights in FFXI are easy, or end-game bosses in World of Warcraft are easy, or bosses in Final Fantasy XII are easy, I grin as I know that those people are in fact, bitter and insecure players.

Playing the game with no guide, preparation or cheats is too far beyond them. They'll continue to Auron-grid, Zodiac Spear, Game-shark and glitch their way through boss fights and say they're easy, but I'll laugh as I know I got the 50$ value out of my game when they only got a 10$ tease out of it.

The truth is, the fights in FFXII are harder than any other RPG I've encountered, but the difference is I purposefully go through most of the game's zones at "just the right level". Right now I'm level 35 and in Feywood right before Gerivugan(sp). The fights are still somewhat difficult and the boss fights are even worse. My fight with Cid was pretty much epic along the lines of Lord of the Rings battles.

I love this game so much, that even though I play it for free at my friend's house every day, I'm buying a copy off one of this board's members for 30$ just because I want a copy of my own to replay and play my own save thoroughly.

This game's great. The boss fights are suprising, the story, while a little bland on the surface is deeper and gives you more freedom to imagine your own perspective on what the characters feel and think. If you're gonna play FFXII, play it because for once you have an RPG that's actually an RPG and not an RPM(Movie). FFX? FFVII? Pretty much cutscenes and drama with a little running in between.

FFXII? Saddle up and get ready to fight some monsters and explore.

10/10 in my opinion.

[Kayden]

General tips-
-Some hunts give you really good weapons.
-Keep everyone around the same level- you can swap out mid fight and not collapse.
-Have everyone wear the double LP item for a couple of levels, you can swap it out for gear on boss fights because those don't give LP, but make sure you leave it on for Espers and Marks as they give a lot of LP.
-Spend some time stealling a deathbringer or two (If you're around level 20.) -A walkthrough for it is in the middle of this thread.
-Give your mages ranged weapons. Generally, they should be too busy to attack, which is good, but I've found that if you give them melee weapons or tell them not to attack, in that rare time they're not casting, they'll attack or run and stand right next to you. This is how you make a lot of boss battles easier. Most bosses have Area Of Effect attacks that you can avoid all together if you just have your tank stand infront of him and move your mages behind him.
-Decoy. Decoy. Decoy. Have atleast one person set to decoy your main tank at the top of their gambit.
-For long fights, set your gambits to only put Protect/Shell on your tank, as the others shouldn't be hit.
-Bravery can boost your damage by about 30%. Faith can do the same for your spells. Always have your main healer cast faith on themself.
-With your main melees, either have heal after attack or have it before at a very low %. If you don't keep attacking, the fight will last longer and you'll spend more time healing. Leave the post battle healing to melee chars and then they'll get all their mana back in the next fight just by hitting.
-Get all the important magics for everyone. Whites, haste, shell, Bravery, ETC.
-I have to go to work!


I have another friend who says the game's easy... I just don't understand how you guys figure that. There are some boss fights which are a joke, yes, but since the Tiamat in the mines and that one boss who kept using those status ailing effects made me rip out my hair. After that, all the off bosses minuses one or two, have been hella hard for me.

The difficult isn't bothering me as much as me wondering why it seems so hard. I've been trying to figure out if I'm under-leveled or if I'm going about it wrong. I'm guessing the latter, I've only been using three characters so far and don't have a balanced team so I don't have anything to fall back on once my initial 3 characters are dead.

He told me that it's because I haven't done any hunts... which I haven't. But I did spend some time leveling up here and there. I don't see how hunts can make much of a difference.

[Kendro]

General tips-
-Some hunts give you really good weapons.
-Keep everyone around the same level- you can swap out mid fight and not collapse.
-Have everyone wear the double LP item for a couple of levels, you can swap it out for gear on boss fights because those don't give LP, but make sure you leave it on for Espers and Marks as they give a lot of LP.
-Spend some time stealling a deathbringer or two (If you're around level 20.) -A walkthrough for it is in the middle of this thread.
-Give your mages ranged weapons. Generally, they should be too busy to attack, which is good, but I've found that if you give them melee weapons or tell them not to attack, in that rare time they're not casting, they'll attack or run and stand right next to you. This is how you make a lot of boss battles easier. Most bosses have Area Of Effect attacks that you can avoid all together if you just have your tank stand infront of him and move your mages behind him.
-Decoy. Decoy. Decoy. Have atleast one person set to decoy your main tank at the top of their gambit.
-For long fights, set your gambits to only put Protect/Shell on your tank, as the others shouldn't be hit.
-Bravery can boost your damage by about 30%. Faith can do the same for your spells. Always have your main healer cast faith on themself.
-With your main melees, either have heal after attack or have it before at a very low %. If you don't keep attacking, the fight will last longer and you'll spend more time healing. Leave the post battle healing to melee chars and then they'll get all their mana back in the next fight just by hitting.
-Get all the important magics for everyone. Whites, haste, shell, Bravery, ETC.
-I have to go to work!
The very fact that you had to type a list out that long shows the game is difficult. Honestly, did you ever have to give that much information or hints or tips to anyone for ANY OTHER Final Fantasy game? Sure the fights are more than manageable with Protectga, Shellga, Hastega, Bravery, Berserk, and Decoy...but I don't remember having to buff up so many spells in any other FF game I played.

[Roufuss]

Kayden's tips are the parts I want to get to in the game... right now, the only tip I use is "Spam the Quickenings on the boss - you win!"... I can't wait until I actually hit some challenge, I'm looking forward to it!

[Vinny]

I don't use many status changing effects at all... as Kendro said, the fact that you have to follow that many things for battles only says that the game isn't easy.

Kayden's tips are the parts I want to get to in the game... right now, the only tip I use is "Spam the Quickenings on the boss - you win!"... I can't wait until I actually hit some challenge, I'm looking forward to it!

So far, I've found Quickenings to be pretty useless since they complete deplete your MP and hardly deal any damage. But I only have 1 of each for my characters.

[Roufuss]

So far, I've found Quickenings to be pretty useless since they complete deplete your MP and hardly deal any damage. But I only have 1 of each for my characters.

I've got level 3 quickening's on all my guys and I've beaten every boss so far in less than 10 seconds.

The first Demon Wall took *maybe* 15 seconds, 20 seconds tops.

I don't even know if the bosses have any attacks as they never hit me :rofl: I'm about 25 hours in, so hopefully that will change.

[Wolfpup]

What are Quickenings, and can you only get each one on one character?

So far I haven't gotten any of them, as I'm just assuming once one character uses it, none of the others can.

So far I've found the game fairly easy for the main plot, but the hunts can be brutal. Right now I can destroy level II hunts pretty easily, but III is SUPER hard (I've only beaten 1 of them), and I'm not touching my V hunts yet.

So far I have basically no specilication in my characters aside from leaving two of them with ranged weapons.

I mostly love the battle system, except for bosses or hard enemies I'd LOVE for it to just switch back to a traditional battle system and pause every time a character's performed an action.

[mykevermin]

The very fact that you had to type a list out that long shows the game is difficult. Honestly, did you ever have to give that much information or hints or tips to anyone for ANY OTHER Final Fantasy game? Sure the fights are more than manageable with Protectga, Shellga, Hastega, Bravery, Berserk, and Decoy...but I don't remember having to buff up so many spells in any other FF game I played.

I'm in the middle of a huntin' frenzy (28/45 completed), and the very fact that, without status enablements, buffs and debuffs, and proper gambits, you'll get your ass handed to you no matter what shows the depth of this game.

Older FF games could be beat with a "grind 'til your way higher than the bos, then select attack/attack/attack until the boss dies" strategy, from beginning to end.

FFXII doesn't do that; as a matter of fact, it's the first game where I was looking at the equipment for the end of the game thinking "I can't wait to get the fucking ribbon!" But wait! Now I just got a bubble belt, and I need that too! And this other one, and another! So...I realize how much depth there is in the game because I can't just grind until my character's HP is 9999/9999 and then annihilate everyone.

I resent the suggestion made earlier that someone who plays w/out the guide is getting a "purer" experience. As a matter of fact, someone playing in so "pure" a manner is gonna find themselves really fucking pissed when they find out that the game has a strategy of putting up treasure chests that make the best weapon in the game disappear (and there's no notification at all telling you that (1) it exists in the game, or (2) oops! You triggered it!). This is a video game, guy. This isn't baseball and we're not talking steroids. I'm having as much fun with this game as you are - and, while I agree with some of your points (what does it say about a game where you *must* use the guide in order to get the things you want), I resent your snotty tone.

[Wolfpup]

What's this about chests removing the best weapon in the game?

That sounds extremely lame...
I am NOT happy about stuff that requires a walkthrough. I do not and will not buy one, and a game is broken if it requires you to fall back on a free one.

[coltyhuxx]

The very fact that you had to type a list out that long shows the game is difficult. Honestly, did you ever have to give that much information or hints or tips to anyone for ANY OTHER Final Fantasy game? Sure the fights are more than manageable with Protectga, Shellga, Hastega, Bravery, Berserk, and Decoy...but I don't remember having to buff up so many spells in any other FF game I played.

Where the HELL are all these spells? I think I'm near the end second visit to Balfonheim(sp?)and I can't find half of the above!! I feel like I stopped at every town but, for instance, I can not even find HASTE! I guess I missed one at some point?? Is there a good town/spell list online? I can't find anything appropriate on gamefaqs.

Also, it's weird, there are tons and tons of spells left on my license board that I haven't seen, yet from just glancing online. I'm at the Ridorana Cataract....

I'm a little surprised at how many have been saying this game is really tough. Not to sound like a "e-peener" (that was hilarious by the way) but I haven't been having much of any trouble with the game. I hardly ever die. It's odd too -- I'm not doubting you guys that are saying it's a tough game -- maybe I spent too much time grinding or something (though, I don't think I spent more than a few hours in total). I have done precisely three side quests. The basic enemies aren't all that hard (at all). I hardly ever even have to use spells. The bosses are basic, thus far. Quickenings... switch out to party B, more quickenings... and then melee the last 1/3 of their health off.

[Kendro]

I'm a little surprised at how many have been saying this game is really tough. Not to sound like a "e-peener" (that was hilarious by the way) but I haven't been having much of any trouble with the game. I hardly ever die. The basic enemies aren't all that hard (at all). I hardly ever even have to use spells. The bosses are basic, thus far.

Neo?

[Blitz]

I resent your snotty tone.

Had to laugh at this being that you are one of the snottiest people on these boards.

[mykevermin]

What's this about chests removing the best weapon in the game?

That sounds extremely lame...

There's so much in the game that it doesn't really prevent you from getting through the game, fighing all the side monsters, etc...but it really puts a cramp in the "completists" who play FF games, leveling everyone up to 99, beating all the side quests, etc - now it will be impossible for them to do so without the guide.

It's hard to say if it's intentional or a glitch, because it's fucking STUPID to include it in the game and give no mention of it (in-game) whatsoever, and moreover, if you don't know what chests not to open, you'll never open any throughout the fucking game - not even the one, ironically enough, that has that damn weapon! I can't imagine square doing this on purpose...but if not, they should have fixed it before release.

[NamelessMC]

Neo?

Don't think you can.... know you can.

Stop trying to hit me and hit me!

His neurokinetics are off the chart! So fast!

He's beginning to believe...

[Vinny]

I've got level 3 quickening's on all my guys and I've beaten every boss so far in less than 10 seconds.

The first Demon Wall took *maybe* 15 seconds, 20 seconds tops.

I don't even know if the bosses have any attacks as they never hit me :rofl: I'm about 25 hours in, so hopefully that will change.

I'm about as far as you but I didn't know you could get level 3 Quickenings on each person. I thought there were only 10 Quickenings? Unless you mean, you have 3 for each of your 3 mainly used characters.

BTW, quick question about Quickenings... does having multiple Quickenings help improve the number of times a usable Quickening shows up for a character when you refresh (R2) the list during the Quickening.

[mykevermin]

Had to laugh at this being that you are one of the snottiest people on these boards.

I won't disagree. 'preciate it, as a matter of fact. ;)

What is the best place to get LP? I imagine it's a place w/ a lot of low-level creatures that can be laid out in one fell swoop, and respawn quickly. I just ran through the Necrohol of Nabudis, screaming like a ninny (well, imagined, anyway), grabbed the Spear, and booked like a madman out of there. Now, of course, I need to get the LP to use it, but I've neglected the bottom half of the license board in favor of the top. Any guidance/ places you all prefer are appreciated.

[xmrblondex]

I'm a sucker for anywhere with a chain possible, I like the nam yensa Sandsea near the beginning, but anywhere where you can kill the enemies in one hit is a good place.

[Kayden]

:shrug:

Any game can be hard if you play it wrong. If you just do simple things like space out and buff, most fights are cake.

I really hate the guide. I remember the one for 8 and thought it was pretty awesome. It showed every mobs live and % of resist to statuses, and in alphabetical order. The FFXII book is retarded. It doesn't show you any status weakness, nor is it alphabetical. Its aranged in the order of the ingame bestiary-- Which does dick for you when you're searching for something.

I do like that some of the marks are vulnerable to status attacks. Its just a bitch to find out which sometimes.

The very fact that you had to type a list out that long shows the game is difficult. Honestly, did you ever have to give that much information or hints or tips to anyone for ANY OTHER Final Fantasy game? Sure the fights are more than manageable with Protectga, Shellga, Hastega, Bravery, Berserk, and Decoy...but I don't remember having to buff up so many spells in any other FF game I played.

[Roufuss]

I'm about as far as you but I didn't know you could get level 3 Quickenings on each person. I thought there were only 10 Quickenings? Unless you mean, you have 3 for each of your 3 mainly used characters.

BTW, quick question about Quickenings... does having multiple Quickenings help improve the number of times a usable Quickening shows up for a character when you refresh (R2) the list during the Quickening.

Each character can have three Quickenings, there are 18 on the License Board I believe. Multiple Quickenings DO improve the number of times it comes up, that I've seen, and the level 2 and 3 quickenings are much more powerful.

I've also been using the quickening trick on the bosses as well. Basacially, you have 3 people in a party, they do their quickenings, sub one of them out for someone with a full magic bar, have that person do their quickening and the two other people get to participate all over again even though they just went.

Can get 3 chains of Quickenings done which is enough to toast any boss so far very fast. When I quit, I had to go to some jungle or something... I actually did fight one mark in the desert (a dragon thingy IIRC) who took a bit more effort than a super blast of Quickenings.

[martin8me]

The best place for leveling up (in my case) is in The Tchita Uplands where

there are a ton of Malboro Kings, They give you 2 LP, 800+ exp and

are easy to kill.

[Kayden]

A lot of the marks have more HP than you can take out with 3 chains, unless you get Black Hole everytime. I actually fine it easier to just lay into them with my two melee guys and one healer. They hit about every second for 3k which is a hell of a lot faster than waiting 5 minutes to go through the quickening animations for 20k. I generally only use quickenings when my ass has been raped and I need to take them down without getting hit.


Oh yea, one more tip that I forgot about. Buffs only wear off while a character is active. The backup party doesn't lose buffs. So, sit at a crystal and buff up 3 people with everything you have and then swap them out. Then use your other party to fight/run to the boss. When the fight starts, swap out again and you'll have fresh buffs to lay into them with. When I was doing a lot of marks I kept Basch in waiting with Haste, Berzerk, Bravery, Protect, Shell and Decoy. That way as soon as he came out he riped bitches up.

Each character can have three Quickenings, there are 18 on the License Board I believe. Multiple Quickenings DO improve the number of times it comes up, that I've seen, and the level 2 and 3 quickenings are much more powerful.

I've also been using the quickening trick on the bosses as well. Basacially, you have 3 people in a party, they do their quickenings, sub one of them out for someone with a full magic bar, have that person do their quickening and the two other people get to participate all over again even though they just went.

Can get 3 chains of Quickenings done which is enough to toast any boss so far very fast. When I quit, I had to go to some jungle or something... I actually did fight one mark in the desert (a dragon thingy IIRC) who took a bit more effort than a super blast of Quickenings.

[coltyhuxx]

Each character can have three Quickenings, there are 18 on the License Board I believe. Multiple Quickenings DO improve the number of times it comes up, that I've seen, and the level 2 and 3 quickenings are much more powerful.

I've also been using the quickening trick on the bosses as well. Basacially, you have 3 people in a party, they do their quickenings, sub one of them out for someone with a full magic bar, have that person do their quickening and the two other people get to participate all over again even though they just went.

Can get 3 chains of Quickenings done which is enough to toast any boss so far very fast. When I quit, I had to go to some jungle or something... I actually did fight one mark in the desert (a dragon thingy IIRC) who took a bit more effort than a super blast of Quickenings.

Are you *sure* they get to participate again? When I've tried that technique it seemed like they hardly came up in the rotation and/or I ended up doing piddles damage?

[Roufuss]

Are you *sure* they get to participate again? When I've tried that technique it seemed like they hardly came up in the rotation and/or I ended up doing piddles damage?

Yep, I've had them participate alot... it was the way I beat the first Demon Wall so fast.

[coltyhuxx]

Yep, I've had them participate alot... it was the way I beat the first Demon Wall so fast.

Well that's f'ing awesome, actually.

Is it true that you have to backtrack to old towns (once you've completed certain areas) just to get all the spells?

I need to get prepared for this final dungeon!

[TahoeMax]

Level up in the Golmore Jungle on the screen just north of the Feywood entrance. Once you clear out all the normal enemies, skeletons start spawning left and right that give each character 1,000 EXP. I've gotten about 35 to spawn before the Grave Lord shows up (he's an extra-tough skeleton who gives about 20 LP). Then get two screens away and do it again. If you have a character with an embroidered tippet and a holy-elemental weapon like Excalibur or the Holy Spear, you can remove the two other characters and get about 6,000 exp per skeleton, which can level you REALLLLLY fast. I discovered this pretty late, so the skeletons weren't too tough, but if you're a low level you might have some trouble.

[TahoeMax]

Well that's f'ing awesome, actually.

Is it true that you have to backtrack to old towns (once you've completed certain areas) just to get all the spells?

I need to get prepared for this final dungeon!

Some of the spells are in really weird places that you probably wouldn't go back to unless you knew there was a spell there. It's well worth it, though. Hastega is one of those spells, and it's critical to get that one for a few battles.

As far as the quickenings are concerned, subbing in a character and starting a new quickening has a chance of turning into something huge, but i'm pretty sure the other characters MUST get a mist charge before they can do anything if they're out of MP, and then they'll get like 1 hit before having to charge again. I've gotten 20-hit combos before that way, but way more often i get like 3-5. The characters with no MP just don't get the green light for a hit very often.

[Vinny]

Each character can have three Quickenings, there are 18 on the License Board I believe. Multiple Quickenings DO improve the number of times it comes up, that I've seen, and the level 2 and 3 quickenings are much more powerful.

I've also been using the quickening trick on the bosses as well. Basacially, you have 3 people in a party, they do their quickenings, sub one of them out for someone with a full magic bar, have that person do their quickening and the two other people get to participate all over again even though they just went.

Can get 3 chains of Quickenings done which is enough to toast any boss so far very fast. When I quit, I had to go to some jungle or something... I actually did fight one mark in the desert (a dragon thingy IIRC) who took a bit more effort than a super blast of Quickenings.

Holy crap... that basically makes the whole game a cake walk.:-o

[Roufuss]

Holy crap... that basically makes the whole game a cake walk.:-o

Until, as Kayden pointed out, they start giving the guys so much HP that Quickenings don't really do alot, plus you're completely out of magic, at which point you're screwed.

But yea, it totally makes the first 20 - 30 hours of the game easy.

[TahoeMax]

Even a 50,000-pt quickening is absolutely nothing to maybe a dozen of the enemies in the game...and those are hard as hell to get. I averaged probably 20,000-30,000 with most of my full-charge combos. I actually think the last enemies i used quickenings on were the bomb king and a couple of sneaky espers who put up full barriers most of the time

[Wolfpup]

Where the HELL are all these spells? I think I'm near the end second visit to Balfonheim(sp?)and I can't find half of the above!! I feel like I stopped at every town but, for instance, I can not even find HASTE! I guess I missed one at some point?? Is there a good town/spell list online? I can't find anything appropriate on gamefaqs. [quote]

I've found that for weapons, armor, and spells, stores will start selling more of them after you've leveled up a bit. I'm nowhere near where you are but got Haste pretty recently (about level 35, 53 hours in, just got it in the last few hours I think).

[quote]The bosses are basic, thus far. Quickenings... switch out to party B, more quickenings... and then melee the last 1/3 of their health off.

I still have no idea what Quickenings even are. I haven't gotten any of them for anyone. Sounds like there are enough for three for each character, so I suppose I should just get them.

I'm a little sad that I seem to have already gotten all the benefits like "10% faster" and stuff like that on the license board.

[NamelessMC]

The thing is, you guys play by using the internet. I stopped using Quickenings after the first Demon Wall. It was just too stupid to me, blowing all my mana hoping for a good 7-8 hit chain, and when the chain fails, what, reload your game and try again?

That's not really playing Final Fantasy, that's playing slot machines.

Cid is probably the last boss you can use quickening combos on. Either him or one of the judge fights.

The thing is, you guys keep saying the game is easy, the same time you quote things about the game you'd only know your second time through unless you used GUIDES.

People that use guides or the internet have NO valid point in a discussion of a game's difficulty, because they used an aid.

[Kendro]

Wolfpup, you get Quickenings by activating them on the License Board the same way you activate all the other enhancements like "10% faster." There are like 3 Quickenings near every corner of each board. But you can't get them without activating them.

[coltyhuxx]

The thing is, you guys play by using the internet. I stopped using Quickenings after the first Demon Wall. It was just too stupid to me, blowing all my mana hoping for a good 7-8 hit chain, and when the chain fails, what, reload your game and try again?

That's not really playing Final Fantasy, that's playing slot machines.

Cid is probably the last boss you can use quickening combos on. Either him or one of the judge fights.

The thing is, you guys keep saying the game is easy, the same time you quote things about the game you'd only know your second time through unless you used GUIDES.

People that use guides or the internet have NO valid point in a discussion of a game's difficulty, because they used an aid.

Um, I used the net when I got stuck on where to head (literally twice) for a simple nudge. I never found the need to research battle guidance. I think I grinded on my own twice, for a few hours but that was of my own sense of "not being ready yet".

I only find this remarkable because I REALLY haven't been grinding much at all. I've done almost NO side quests. I'm missing half of the spells (I have never even had Haste). I'm just smashing through enemies and bosses alike. I don't think I have enough willpower (or drive) to not use quickenings on bosses. That sounds really unsatisfying.

Challenge wise, I find this game to be easy. But, like someone said, maybe I'm Neo.

That said, watch and I'll probably get served on this last dungeon. Or the final boss.

[Kendro]

Actually the final boss was incredibly easy for me. Then again I was level 56, Shelled, Protected, Hasted, and equipped everyone with the Bubble Belt (doubles your HP). I was so bored during the fight that I started wasting Elixirs when he did a whopping 150 damage to me.

My main "hair pulling moments" were from the beginning to the last 4/5 of the game. I never did learn to use Quickenings early on so I had to do kill marks and bosses the old fashioned way.

[coltyhuxx]

Actually the final boss was incredibly easy for me. Then again I was level 56, Shelled, Protected, Hasted, and equipped everyone with the Bubble Belt (doubles your HP). I was so bored during the fight that I started wasting Elixirs when he did a whopping 150 damage to me.

My main "hair pulling moments" were from the beginning to the last 4/5 of the game. I never did learn to use Quickenings early on so I had to do kill marks and bosses the old fashioned way.

What is a kill mark?

[Kendro]

Er...I meant I had to complete marks (hunts) the hard way without Quickenings.

[mykevermin]

Had a nail-biting fight against Roblon in the Nareus Deadlands today - very close fight that I managed to win. What a fucking amazing game. Now I'm done with 29 or 30 hunts.

Gilgamesh next.

[Kayden]

Had a nail-biting fight against Roblon in the Nareus Deadlands today - very close fight that I managed to win. What a fucking amazing game. Now I'm done with 29 or 30 hunts.

Gilgamesh next.

Kill the fucking dog asap! Its weak to blind and either slow or silence.

Gilly is pretty easy the first time, don't forget to steal from him 5 times each fight! (Every 20% of his life).

At the end of the second fight, he turns invincible until he uses monarch sword twice.... which will probably kill whoever it hits. Avoid levels that are multiples of 2, 3 and 4 as he uses level X Sleep/disable/stop.

[mykevermin]

Do you get all the genji items from Gilly?

Also, he should be a piece of cake i I'm at level 50/51, right?

[Kayden]

Do you get all the genji items from Gilly?

Also, he should be a piece of cake i I'm at level 50/51, right?
Well, I fought him at level 41-47. The first fight is really easy. However, the second round took me about 2 hours as he is level 70ish.

You get the sheild and glove the first fight- part 4 and 5- and then the helm and the armor in the second fight -again, 4 and 5. I think. The first three times you steal from him is like potions and gold I believe. I could look it up, but you'll be ok as long as you steal after everytime he talks/taunts you in a cutscene.

[mykevermin]

Gilgamesh was fairly easy the second time around for me (I'm taking care of as many hunts as I can while I have Reddas in my party); he took around 15 minutes to finish off.

Fafnir, OTOH, took 45 minutes to beat, and I used up nearly 30 Phoenix Downs. Never had to tap into my "B-team" (Basch, Ashe, Penelo) at all during the fight.

Now I'm up to 36/40, with 4 more standard hunts and 4 more elite marks. Yiazmat, of course, won't even be considered by me for another 20 levels or more (I'm around 55-56 right now).

[Kayden]

Gilgamesh was fairly easy the second time around for me (I'm taking care of as many hunts as I can while I have Reddas in my party); he took around 15 minutes to finish off.

Fafnir, OTOH, took 45 minutes to beat, and I used up nearly 30 Phoenix Downs. Never had to tap into my "B-team" (Basch, Ashe, Penelo) at all during the fight.

Now I'm up to 36/40, with 4 more standard hunts and 4 more elite marks. Yiazmat, of course, won't even be considered by me for another 20 levels or more (I'm around 55-56 right now).

Oh yea, the monsters before him have really nice stuff you can steal. I cant remember exactly what it was... but the bats give you a demon sheild, I think. The skeletons give you some kind of armor and theres a hidden area filled with mimics that you can steal Aegises (Aegi?) from. An aegis is a sheild with about 45 magic evade, but 0 phys evade.

[Wolfpup]

Silly question, but I wonder why they made the whole bottom of the screen skew to a darker color-it sort of makes the character info stand out better, but I wonder why they did it for the space to the right of the character info too?

I'm close to 62 hours in now, and loving it more than ever. I'm getting more and more into the plot.

So far I'm still having no trouble at all with bosses. My last one I did have to change strategies a bit, but thanks to my various stat boosts, I left the battle at almost full power (despite casting Curaga all the time). I love how they seem to have balanced it so far in that regard.

So far the only crazy hard battles have all been hunts, and those are optional technically, so that's not so bad.

EDIT: recently got armor that has a permanent Protect status effect for all my characters. Nice!

[paz9x]

ive read over this entire thread finally.
i picked ff12 during the tru sale and started playin.
ive put in 24 hrs in 3 days, and LOVE this game.
i dont like mmo's at all and honestly didnt expect to like this game much but thats not the case.
i had a question in addition to my comments but its left my mind, ill edit later.
thanks to all whove posted in the thread its been helpful and enjoyable.

[mykevermin]

ive read over this entire thread finally.
i picked ff12 during the tru sale and started playin.
ive put in 24 hrs in 3 days, and LOVE this game.
i dont like mmo's at all and honestly didnt expect to like this game much but thats not the case.
i had a question in addition to my comments but its left my mind, ill edit later.
thanks to all whove posted in the thread its been helpful and enjoyable.

I agree with the MMO elements. FFXI is the only MMO I tried, and I tried so hard to like it; it has too many massive flaws that make it a boring, yet deep, MMO, and an embarrassment to the Final Fantasy series. Of course, they could still change the game for the better (the biggest thing they could do is make it easier to level up, as I don't find any enjoyment in spending two months of rigorous gameplay to get to the highest level - 75 - particularly fun or entertaining. The game becomes "work" around level 35, and just didn't do it for me. Yet, as a fan of the FF series, I want to like it.

Anyway, that tangent aside, my comment was supposed to be something along the lines of "imagine how great FFXI would be if it had FFXII's gambits and gameplay mechanics!

[Kayden]

I played it for about 2 months and got to level 39.9999.

I thought the game was fun, the world was interesting, the combat was awesome... the only big problem I had with it was the fact that you had to litterally wait hours to get a party that didn't wipe on the first mob. Japanese groups kicked insane amounts of ass, but were very weary of Americans as most of them just said, "wai willnt u talk american!>?" Even my remedial Japanese got me a lot of respect for at least trying.

I agree with the MMO elements. FFXI is the only MMO I tried, and I tried so hard to like it; it has too many massive flaws that make it a boring, yet deep, MMO, and an embarrassment to the Final Fantasy series. Of course, they could still change the game for the better (the biggest thing they could do is make it easier to level up, as I don't find any enjoyment in spending two months of rigorous gameplay to get to the highest level - 75 - particularly fun or entertaining. The game becomes "work" around level 35, and just didn't do it for me. Yet, as a fan of the FF series, I want to like it.

Anyway, that tangent aside, my comment was supposed to be something along the lines of "imagine how great FFXI would be if it had FFXII's gambits and gameplay mechanics!

[Wolfpup]

I'm 76 hours in now, and just hit an (optional?) boss in the Barheim Passage I couldn't quite beat with my normal tactics (it keeps sleeping all my characters, sometimes is immune to my attacks for no apparent reason, and I have to kill it in 4 minutes).

Anyway, I thought I'd activate Quickenings and give them a spin. Gave three to each of my three main characters I'd be using, started out the battle with them...

and they did MAYBE 1/4 damage to him. I'd gotten him down 75% just with regular attacks (and with my magic left over).

Soooooo what's the point with quickenings? Maybe I just don't know how to use them.

[mwynn]

Wow the final chapter of this game is amazing. The music sets the mood perfectly.

[Over easy]

I'm 76 hours in now, and just hit an (optional?) boss in the Barheim Passage I couldn't quite beat with my normal tactics (it keeps sleeping all my characters, sometimes is immune to my attacks for no apparent reason, and I have to kill it in 4 minutes).

Anyway, I thought I'd activate Quickenings and give them a spin. Gave three to each of my three main characters I'd be using, started out the battle with them...

and they did MAYBE 1/4 damage to him. I'd gotten him down 75% just with regular attacks (and with my magic left over).

Soooooo what's the point with quickenings? Maybe I just don't know how to use them.

Quickenings aren't as good in the latter parts of the game. They're much better for early/mid game since it takes a good chunk out of the bosses' HP.

[mwynn]

With Quickenings you have to use a bit of strategy and chain as much as possible. When fighting later Marks, if you cannot get atleast a 14 hit it is a waste. In the final few battles I did not even use them.

[The Omniscient Lemon]

I bought Dragon Quest VIII used for half the price. I loved it, truly an excellent game. It came with a demo of FFXII and I hated it. I am glad I made the choice I did.

[TahoeMax]

Dragon Quest 8 is fantastic. :)

[keithp]

I bought Dragon Quest VIII used for half the price. I loved it, truly an excellent game. It came with a demo of FFXII and I hated it. I am glad I made the choice I did.

Don't be too sure. I hated the demo too, but I LOVE the game. It doesn't really give you a feel for it.

[TahoeMax]

Quickenings aren't as good in the latter parts of the game. They're much better for early/mid game since it takes a good chunk out of the bosses' HP.

Quickenings are great boss killers for most of the game, and they're useful at particular moments against a few late bosses. One boss, for instance, puts up an invincible shield once he's at about 1/4 HP. The magic shield comes down every minute or two so he can faith, reflect, or bravery himself, and the physical shield comes down for a split second every 5 minutes or so. If you can hit him with a good quickening there, you can end it. If you can't, you have to dispel him and squeeze a flare or scathe in before the shield goes back up. Using the magic approach takes a long time and you'll take a whole lot more abuse.

[Kayden]

I bought Dragon Quest VIII used for half the price. I loved it, truly an excellent game. It came with a demo of FFXII and I hated it. I am glad I made the choice I did.

:lol: I tired the demo of DQ8 and hated it, but I bought it anyways for the FFXII demo.

[defiance_17]

Don't be too sure. I hated the demo too, but I LOVE the game. It doesn't really give you a feel for it.

Indeed. I thought the demo showcased the new direction for the series somewhat well, but it didn't give a very accurate representation of the finished product.

[keithp]

Indeed. I thought the demo showcased the new direction for the series somewhat well, but it didn't give a very accurate representation of the finished product.

Yeah, I'd agree with that 100%. A shame really, because all the demo did was give you a feel for the combat, but even that was dumbed down. Or maybe it was just too early in the development cycle.

[Wolfpup]

Okay, I'm ticked off. I'm fighting off Marilith right now...but there's NO POSSIBLE WAY I could have found it without consulting a FAQ. I searched for HOURS. You have to randomly hang around one section of these caves for 5 minutes before it shows up-NO indication of that without a FAQ.

Stuff like that and those chests make me think games are getting designed now for those stupid strategy guides. I have not and will not ever buy one. Sorry Square :-( (Okay, even a strategy guide isn't the same level of sleeze as EA, but still)

EDIT:

Wow, I'm hunting Orthros now...and it requires a team of three specific characters just to spawn. That's not lame at all.

[Kayden]

To be fair, they do tell you a lot of that crap when you accept the mark.

Death Scythe is shitty. The guy says he only comes when you're weak. I read in a forum that you have to have 2 people in your party and have them critical. So I had my two people in the red running around his spawn area for about 20 minutes and he was a no show. I found out that you have to to enter the area with them and get all the way to him, which sucks because he's in the middle of a big map of the Necrohol. IE- two people with 300hp is bad.

Okay, I'm ticked off. I'm fighting off Marilith right now...but there's NO POSSIBLE WAY I could have found it without consulting a FAQ. I searched for HOURS. You have to randomly hang around one section of these caves for 5 minutes before it shows up-NO indication of that without a FAQ.

Stuff like that and those chests make me think games are getting designed now for those stupid strategy guides. I have not and will not ever buy one. Sorry Square :-( (Okay, even a strategy guide isn't the same level of sleeze as EA, but still)

EDIT:

Wow, I'm hunting Orthros now...and it requires a team of three specific characters just to spawn. That's not lame at all.

[depascal22]

All right. Anyone have any hints for King Bomb in the Salikawood Forest? I can get him down to about 1/6th of his life bar before he starts his Cry for Help. I don't understand why his life keeps refilling when he does that. I'm going in with Protect, Shell, Haste, and Regen on all six of my dudes but it doesn't seem to really matter. I really don't want to grind for a couple hours just to beat this boss.

[Kayden]

First, spend about 20 minutes stealing and running. The money from the items you get is quite handy at that point. Secondly, I think he uses recovery. Cry for help just summons lil bombs. I set my attack gambit to Enemy:lowest HP. That way, all the lil bombs got taken out before they could pop. As for stoping him from healling, beat him down to about 1/6 + a bit and then nail him with a quickening. Or, if your luck sucks at quickening, just beat on him until he runs out of MP. Thats what I did, I just wanted to chain his minions for a while. :lol: Nice xp, LP and loot.


All right. Anyone have any hints for King Bomb in the Salikawood Forest? I can get him down to about 1/6th of his life bar before he starts his Cry for Help. I don't understand why his life keeps refilling when he does that. I'm going in with Protect, Shell, Haste, and Regen on all six of my dudes but it doesn't seem to really matter. I really don't want to grind for a couple hours just to beat this boss.

[depascal22]

First, spend about 20 minutes stealing and running. The money from the items you get is quite handy at that point. Secondly, I think he uses recovery. Cry for help just summons lil bombs. I set my attack gambit to Enemy:lowest HP. That way, all the lil bombs got taken out before they could pop. As for stoping him from healling, beat him down to about 1/6 + a bit and then nail him with a quickening. Or, if your luck sucks at quickening, just beat on him until he runs out of MP. Thats what I did, I just wanted to chain his minions for a while. :lol: Nice xp, LP and loot.

Thanks for the advice. Am I doing something wrong with my quickenings? Am I supposed to be pressing something else when I'm in the middle of one?

[Kayden]

Thanks for the advice. Am I doing something wrong with my quickenings? Am I supposed to be pressing something else when I'm in the middle of one?

Well, do you know how to chain them? IE- press the button for another person while the first one is going, R2 to shuffle if you get nothing to use?

As a general rule, use anyone with a mist charge first, not only to they get full mist, but it also rerolls the options, so if you want, hit the button twice and they'll go right awa after they get their charges.

[depascal22]

Well, do you know how to chain them? IE- press the button for another person while the first one is going, R2 to shuffle if you get nothing to use?

As a general rule, use anyone with a mist charge first, not only to they get full mist, but it also rerolls the options, so if you want, hit the button twice and they'll go right awa after they get their charges.

Well, I'm doing that right. I just don't understand why it seems to do monster damage one time and then I get a massive chain, the Inferno starts up, and then I see the bosses life bar go down less than if I had just chose Attack for all three of my dudes. It seems like a big gamble. You'd think if it didn't do massive damage, the game wouldn't take all my MP but it takes it all no matter how much damage is done by the Quickening.

[Wolfpup]

I tried Quickenings once, and was totally unimpressed (I had saved my game first, so don't have have them activated on my real save file). All that flash and yeah, I did worse than just attacking.

I fought King Bomb a few days ago. I wish I could tell you how I beat him, but I don't remember. I can't remember doing anything special besides just hitting him. You don't have to fight him the first time you come across him though, so you could just wait until later.

I can't remember what level I would have been either-I'm 47 now, and might have been 35-40ish at the time?

[Wolfpup]

Oh, and despite 83+ hours in, I'm enjoying this game less than pretty much every other FF game. Certainly less than 6-10. It's good, but it doesn't have the soul of an FF game. I hope that Lost Odyssey does.

[Kayden]

Well, I'm doing that right. I just don't understand why it seems to do monster damage one time and then I get a massive chain, the Inferno starts up, and then I see the bosses life bar go down less than if I had just chose Attack for all three of my dudes. It seems like a big gamble. You'd think if it didn't do massive damage, the game wouldn't take all my MP but it takes it all no matter how much damage is done by the Quickening.
Are you doing a lot of level 1s? Quickenings generally wont do too much damage unless you trigger the special attacks at the end.

3 level ones is inferno. 7 level ones is cataclysm? 2 level 1s and 3 level 2s is torrent. theres another for 2/3/4 level 1,2 and 3 attacks. Black hole (4 of each level) does about 50-60k.

I haven't used quickenings a lot, but they are nice to have for when your mages are running on empty, you have no life left, you just used your last pheonix down and the only person with full MP is your tank and the boss only has 5% hp left, which can be about 20k or more later on.

And I'm about 100 hours in. @_@

[Wolfpup]

How the heck did you find out about all that? I have no idea how to use Quickenings, since there's nothing in the manual OR the game about them. IMO it's yet another thing that reeks of "BUY THE STRATEGY GUIDE!!!!".

[keithp]

Thanks for that info Kayden! I'm like Wolfpup and refuse to buy or use strategy guides, at least until I finish the game once by myself.
I was wondering what the different ones meant. I've only gotten one Cataclysm for over 10k damage, but I'm only in my 20's.

[mykevermin]

Oh, and despite 83+ hours in, I'm enjoying this game less than pretty much every other FF game. Certainly less than 6-10. It's good, but it doesn't have the soul of an FF game. I hope that Lost Odyssey does.

I'm wondering why people feel this way. I don't agree with you, but I don't necessarily disagree with you either.

It's surprising to me that, despite spending more time on this than any other FF game, the characters seem paper-thin. I don't think they spent as much time discussing Fran's background, Balthier's story seems rather cliche and slapped-on, I don't know much about Vaan (I didn't know he was an orphan until the book told me), Penelo is, storylinewise, the most expendable character this side of that weird hermaphrodite chef thing from FFIX. Basch I get, and also Ashe.

Despite the abundance of this deus-ex-machina nonsense (dynast-king, occuria, etc. all replace storyline consistency and logic), I can appreciate the Star-Wars like story. However, the game has done nothing to make me despise the main villain. They've *alluded* to a lot of the murders they committed, they've sort-of shown the results of that...but I'm just not sold on this person's status as a genuine Final Fantasy all-time bad guy. Put them up against Kefka, Sephiroth, Edea, Sin/Jecht, X-Death (alright, so FFV was paperthin on plot too), or Golbez/Zeromus, and they fail every time. I'm just not convinced of it. Was story sacrificed at the expense of gameplay? If so, I suppose I can't complain too much, as this game is far deeper than it seems, and the sidequests ample, graphics gorgeous, and all that glory and praise. The plot just ain't there, but it had the potential to be, I suppose. I want to like it because it tries to be so different, yet similar, to the FF franchise. It just doesn't always pull it off.

I started off this thought wondering if, ironically, the storyline wasn't reeling in macho-male-gamers because of its lack of romance. There's nothing between Vaan and Penelo, Ashe and Vaan, or Balthier and Fran. Not a hint of it. Perhaps Larsa and Penelo, for about a moment...but FF has always had those romantic elements. These elements helped make some awesome game moments, like Aeris' death in FF7, the overall feud b/w Seifer and Squall in FF8, and it simply made the entire game of FFX. Moreover, I'm approaching the last 5 or so hours of the game (save for finishing up hunts and espers), and I'll be more offended if they try to drop some romance on me at the last minute. I haven't seen any of it (well, forgive me, except for Ashe and her dead husband) in 70 hours of gameplay, so I don't want to be treated like a fool and have it happen in the end.

Overall, don't get me wrong, this game is an absolute joy to play. I was just curious what other people took issue with in the storyline; the paper-thin plot/characters, lack of any romantic element, or the poor character alignment of the antagonist? Or, something else entirely?

[Wolfpup]

Those are all really great points. And I have to preface any complaints with the fact that I *AM* really enjoying this...

It's really hard for me to figure out what my problem is with the story. It really has it's moments, but it just dosen't FEEL like a Final Fantasy game. I think FF games are romantic in the true sense-not just in the man/woman sense, but in the larger, super-heroy sense, and they have a certain feel to them (really evident in FF6-10 and Chrono Trigger).

FF12 doesn't have that for me.

And it is a bit odd how it shifts to being Ashe and what's his name-and at that point, there's little or no motivation for the other characters to keep tagging along. I think they might in real life with no major motivation (I would-I think a lot of people would just because you're already involved and can't just set it aside and go back to a normal life). But it is sort of thin compared to most Final Fantasy characters (aside from people like weird chef guy, yeah :D )

[mykevermin]

I think the word we're searching for is "Epic." FF games should be like The Aeneid. While FFXII follows the "vast and expansive, while following something that changes the course of life for an entire empire" quality of most epics, there's just something missing, I agree.

[Kayden]

I think a big 'problem' with the story is that when you go from point a to point b you can also spend 10 hours getting side tracked with marks and such. You get the info at such a spread out pace that the story starts feeling tenuous.

Most FF games where fly through the game and then, at the very end, all this shit opens up for you to do before the final bosses. FFXII throws that same amount of 'endgame' content at you between every story segment.

[Roufuss]

Overall, don't get me wrong, this game is an absolute joy to play. I was just curious what other people took issue with in the storyline; the paper-thin plot/characters, lack of any romantic element, or the poor character alignment of the antagonist? Or, something else entirely?

All of the above... I just never felt ANY ties to the characters whatsoever. They were there, I controlled them, but I don't care about them in any way at all. The whole cast could die at the end of the game and I'd just say "Oh well, that sucks".

IMO, they did a shitty job on the character development.

[TahoeMax]

I thought Balthier was awesome. Fran was pretty cool, too...but everyone else was very mehhhhhh.

[Ma12kez]

Hey guys I just started playing this game and it's been awesome so far. I'm loving the "lazy-boy" battle system, but I've got a question pertaining to the license board and ranged weapons:

If I were to buy the augment "Battle Lore" (increase physical attack damage) for Fran, who is using a bow, will it help increase her damage output whenever she fires an arrow? I know bow damage is based on STR, SPD, AR, and the stats on the bow/arrow itself; but I'm not quite too clear if physical attack damage is related to ranged weapons in anyway. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would have chosen to read through the thread, but I'm afraid of taking a chance and running into spoilers. Thanks in advance.

[Kayden]

I'm not sure, but I say yes. It says "physical damage", not melee. There is no way to increase str/agi/mag on the license board, with the exception of "when critical". To increase STR, wear heavy armor. Mag is increased by cloth armor. Leather armor increases AGI.

Additionally, not all weapons use just STR for damage. Katanas use STR and MAG. Ninja swords use str and speed. Poles use str and mag, but hit the magic defense instead of physical def. Theres a lot to the game that isn't said in the game or manual.

Hey guys I just started playing this game and it's been awesome so far. I'm loving the "lazy-boy" battle system, but I've got a question pertaining to the license board and ranged weapons:

If I were to buy the augment "Battle Lore" (increase physical attack damage) for Fran, who is using a bow, will it help increase her damage output whenever she fires an arrow? I know bow damage is based on STR, SPD, AR, and the stats on the bow/arrow itself; but I'm not quite too clear if physical attack damage is related to ranged weapons in anyway. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would have chosen to read through the thread, but I'm afraid of taking a chance and running into spoilers. Thanks in advance.

[TahoeMax]

i didn't realize how good those "when critical" or "when HP is full" augments were until i was fighting Yiazmat. Although the functions are very limited, damage goes up by like 50% when you meet the criteria. Pretty cool stuff :)

[paz9x]

i didn't realize how good those "when critical" or "when HP is full" augments were until i was fighting Yiazmat. Although the functions are very limited, damage goes up by like 50% when you meet the criteria. Pretty cool stuff :)
hmmm. im going to have to get those i skipped them because im never critical, i havent fought much though im only about 30 hours in.
im at the jungle but im trying to get a bunch of the hunts done before i lose larsa.
I have a question about the demonsbane and deathbringer.
at the point im at (level 35) should i bother getting the demonsbane or just go for the deathbringer? ive tried a bunch of times to get the demonsbane but its never in the chest i just get a holy mote.

[Dagget88]

I say go straight for the Deathbringer. It's higher attack and potential 1-hit KO ability is great. Try and get at least 2, if you can. Far better than the Demonsbane.

[greydemise]

i think ive grown out of rpgs in general, see i was so excited for this, but when i actually plopped down the $60 in total for the reserve...and i picked it up, popped it in, i just got totally bored with it (What made matters worse was when the $10 price drop for both editions came about like 2 weeks later), i seriously fell asleep while running around in some field and i dont even have the urge to pick it up anymore, im about an hour or so after that dungeon with the living walls...and wtf the first city, rabanstre i think, what kind of a damn set up is that, i keep getting lost in that place!

[paz9x]

i think ive grown out of rpgs in general, see i was so excited for this, but when i actually plopped down the $60 in total for the reserve...and i picked it up, popped it in, i just got totally bored with it (What made matters worse was when the $10 price drop for both editions came about like 2 weeks later), i seriously fell asleep while running around in some field and i dont even have the urge to pick it up anymore, im about an hour or so after that dungeon with the living walls...and wtf the first city, rabanstre i think, what kind of a damn set up is that, i keep getting lost in that place!
i felt the same way, ive loved rpgs since my snes got me hooked.
over the last couple years though ive had trouble getting any rpg to keep my interest (other than ToS) ff12 has me hooked though, i rarely play GoW anymore because i cant pull myself away from ff12.
i think im at 31 hours and ive played it for a total of 4 days.

[Blackout]

I beat the game a couple nights ago. I just wanted to get it over with. I was intent on doing all the hunts, espers, sidequests, etc, but I just got tired of all the running around and battling. I was doing a hunt that I was like 20 levels over, and it was kicking my ass. Physical damage wasn't doing it, magic was barely doing it, and forget about quickenings. Maybe I just horribly suck, but that doesn't make any sense. Also when I was fighting an esper(the one where you can only use items, not magic) I was getting owned, but my friend who fought the esper like 15 or more levels below me, had a breeze with the fight. He didn't even know why I was getting killed so bad when for him it was like nothing. Do the enemies level with you or something?

And what is the point of quickenings? They barely do any damage. You must have to string together like 2 30 combos or something to make it worthwhile. maybe because for the most part I used them on boss fights, but to me they were pretty useless.

I clocked in 60 hours. I can't imagine my time if I had finished all the hunts and such. One thing I wish this had was like a cool sidequest thing(maybe it did and I missed it). You know, liike past FF games had a card game or blitzball.

The last stretch of the game was great though, I loved it. Movies were great. The boss fights didn't really pose a problem. The cutscenes were incredible. But whoever said this, your right, I didn't really feel attached to the game. It seemed like some of the characters didn't even need to be in the game(Vaan, Penelo). Overall the ending really brought things together.

[mykevermin]

I beat the game a couple nights ago. I just wanted to get it over with. I was intent on doing all the hunts, espers, sidequests, etc, but I just got tired of all the running around and battling. I was doing a hunt that I was like 20 levels over, and it was kicking my ass. Physical damage wasn't doing it, magic was barely doing it, and forget about quickenings. Maybe I just horribly suck, but that doesn't make any sense. Also when I was fighting an esper(the one where you can only use items, not magic) I was getting owned, but my friend who fought the esper like 15 or more levels below me, had a breeze with the fight. He didn't even know why I was getting killed so bad when for him it was like nothing. Do the enemies level with you or something?

Are you using bubble belts?

[Supercake]

I'm wondering why people feel this way. I don't agree with you, but I don't necessarily disagree with you either.

It's surprising to me that, despite spending more time on this than any other FF game, the characters seem paper-thin. I don't think they spent as much time discussing Fran's background, Balthier's story seems rather cliche and slapped-on, I don't know much about Vaan (I didn't know he was an orphan until the book told me), Penelo is, storylinewise, the most expendable character this side of that weird hermaphrodite chef thing from FFIX. Basch I get, and also Ashe.

Despite the abundance of this deus-ex-machina nonsense (dynast-king, occuria, etc. all replace storyline consistency and logic), I can appreciate the Star-Wars like story. However, the game has done nothing to make me despise the main villain. They've *alluded* to a lot of the murders they committed, they've sort-of shown the results of that...but I'm just not sold on this person's status as a genuine Final Fantasy all-time bad guy. Put them up against Kefka, Sephiroth, Edea, Sin/Jecht, X-Death (alright, so FFV was paperthin on plot too), or Golbez/Zeromus, and they fail every time. I'm just not convinced of it. Was story sacrificed at the expense of gameplay? If so, I suppose I can't complain too much, as this game is far deeper than it seems, and the sidequests ample, graphics gorgeous, and all that glory and praise. The plot just ain't there, but it had the potential to be, I suppose. I want to like it because it tries to be so different, yet similar, to the FF franchise. It just doesn't always pull it off.

I started off this thought wondering if, ironically, the storyline wasn't reeling in macho-male-gamers because of its lack of romance. There's nothing between Vaan and Penelo, Ashe and Vaan, or Balthier and Fran. Not a hint of it. Perhaps Larsa and Penelo, for about a moment...but FF has always had those romantic elements. These elements helped make some awesome game moments, like Aeris' death in FF7, the overall feud b/w Seifer and Squall in FF8, and it simply made the entire game of FFX. Moreover, I'm approaching the last 5 or so hours of the game (save for finishing up hunts and espers), and I'll be more offended if they try to drop some romance on me at the last minute. I haven't seen any of it (well, forgive me, except for Ashe and her dead husband) in 70 hours of gameplay, so I don't want to be treated like a fool and have it happen in the end.

Overall, don't get me wrong, this game is an absolute joy to play. I was just curious what other people took issue with in the storyline; the paper-thin plot/characters, lack of any romantic element, or the poor character alignment of the antagonist? Or, something else entirely?

Awesome, thought I could be one of the few who thought this way. Now, I haven't discussed FF12 with anyone, here on CAG or anywhere. But, I assumed the general opinion would be I was wrong if I said FF12 wasn't that great.

Gameplay wise, it's really a blast, and I spent the most time on it then any other FF (80+ hrs). Character wise, yes it was an absolute dud. The best character was Cid, and HE should have been the main villian. He's the best Cid yet too.

I've always been afraid that I love FF6 just out of sheer nostalgia and fanboyism, but now looking back on it and thinking things through, I'm more confident in that. *FF6 SPOILERS* I've always thought the end of the world near the middle was just amazing, and thinking about it deeply is even better. There is just a huge sense of despair and being lost. Also, the fact that, let's say everyone lost to Kefka and died. It wouldn't be the end of the world, for all we know another group could have came to the tower and killed Kefka days later.

[Wolfpup]

I think a big 'problem' with the story is that when you go from point a to point b you can also spend 10 hours getting side tracked with marks and such. You get the info at such a spread out pace that the story starts feeling tenuous.

Most FF games where fly through the game and then, at the very end, all this shit opens up for you to do before the final bosses. FFXII throws that same amount of 'endgame' content at you between every story segment.

That's true too. I normally can't bear to do to much extra stuff though 'cause I need to know what happens next (I remember being up past 3am going after Seperoth).

[TahoeMax]

hmmm. im going to have to get those i skipped them because im never critical, i havent fought much though im only about 30 hours in.
im at the jungle but im trying to get a bunch of the hunts done before i lose larsa.
I have a question about the demonsbane and deathbringer.
at the point im at (level 35) should i bother getting the demonsbane or just go for the deathbringer? ive tried a bunch of times to get the demonsbane but its never in the chest i just get a holy mote.

I used Deathbringer as my third sword for most of the marks. Paired with the Zodiac Escutcheon it was pretty useful. I finally replaced it once I got Ragnarok (no Zodiac Spear for me :(), but it's quite effective until then. Go get it. You should be able to handle the monsters in Barheim at 35.

[paz9x]

I used Deathbringer as my third sword for most of the marks. Paired with the Zodiac Escutcheon it was pretty useful. I finally replaced it once I got Ragnarok (no Zodiac Spear for me :(), but it's quite effective until then. Go get it. You should be able to handle the monsters in Barheim at 35.
thanks.
what level do the zertiman caverns require? i got a good way into one way and then got my ass whupped.
is it necessary to go through there or is it just a tough dungeon?
i walked in one side, dont remember my level, but i start fighting one thing and im doing fine then about 6 other things come cast a bunch of status ailment and start dropping everybody, havent been back that way since.

[depascal22]

My guys are all in the mid-30s and I don't mess with the Zertiman Caverns. I've had to go back and grind a little before I fight King Bomb again. If I still can't beat him when I try again, the fucking game's getting thrown out the window.

[mykevermin]

Finished the game tonight. Beat all but 2 hunts (The Seer and Behemoth King). Strangely, the subterra of the Pharos was *kicking my fucking ass*, yet I didn't use any items in the final battle area at all. Not one. Didn't change party members either.

This was all at the same level, of course.

Overall, the ending was very satisfying, but it really hit home how good the story *could* have been. I'm not OCD enough to feel the need to level everyone up to 99, get all the espers, and beat Yiazmat. I'd like to one day, but for now, I've put 75 hours into this fucking game. Goodnight.

[Wolfpup]

thanks.
what level do the zertiman caverns require? i got a good way into one way and then got my ass whupped.
is it necessary to go through there or is it just a tough dungeon?
i walked in one side, dont remember my level, but i start fighting one thing and im doing fine then about 6 other things come cast a bunch of status ailment and start dropping everybody, havent been back that way since.

I would have been low 40's probably. I'm not sure there's any real reason to go in there, though I'm sure I leveled up some.

My guys are all in the mid-30s and I don't mess with the Zertiman Caverns. I've had to go back and grind a little before I fight King Bomb again. If I still can't beat him when I try again, the fucking game's getting thrown out the window.

I don't think you need to beat him yet-in fact I don't know if you ever need to fight him (at least I'm not yet to a point I'd need to get past him). On a couple of really tough bosses/marks I've ended up just using Phoneix Down as my first gambit, attack as my second, and that's it. I had to blow through maybe 40 to beat that horrible Antlion.

Finished the game tonight. Beat all but 2 hunts (The Seer and Behemoth King). Strangely, the subterra of the Pharos was *kicking my fucking ass*, yet I didn't use any items in the final battle area at all. Not one. Didn't change party members either.

This was all at the same level, of course.

Overall, the ending was very satisfying, but it really hit home how good the story *could* have been. I'm not OCD enough to feel the need to level everyone up to 99, get all the espers, and beat Yiazmat. I'd like to one day, but for now, I've put 75 hours into this fucking game. Goodnight.

What level are your guys? I'm roughly 90 hours in now level 51ish on all my characteres, and still don't feel like I'm all that far into it.

I think I'm finally out of marks so I'll be moving forward. Those Mark levels are messed up. Antlion was insanely hard for me and was a 5, Carrot and another one were a 7 and 6, and were cakewalks by comparison.

[Wolfpup]

I was looking at the voice actor list for FF12, and noticed that Balthier, Fran, and actually Vaan too look REMARKABLY like their in-game selves.

I just assumed the Japanese was done first, with English voice actors done later-but maybe they were done at the same time. I have to wonder if the in-game characters were modeled after the English voice actors.

EDIT: Well, for whatever reason the pictures of the actors aren't working, but just look them up on the IMDB.

[hero101]

This game is so hard to get into. I don't seem attracted to any of the characters much.

[Kayden]

This game is so hard to get into. I don't seem attracted to any of the characters much.

Imagine them naked, it worked for me.

[mykevermin]

What level are your guys? I'm roughly 90 hours in now level 51ish on all my characteres, and still don't feel like I'm all that far into it.

60-62. I had completed all but three marks (Seer, Behemoth King, and Yiazmat. I beat the Phoenix in the Subterra, but when I saw the black orb requirements to advance down a level in there, I said "fuck this shit."

Maybe one day I'll tackle Yiazmat, and I'm sure I'd have no problem with the Behemoth King...but all those black orbs got in the way of me wanting to access mark #44.

I also gave up on the last 5 espers, but that's only because I never ever used them, except where you must to advance. I found them more useless than quickenings, truth be told.

I may sound bitter, but I'm not. It was a fantastic game, and the ending was well done. I think I was just ready to be done with it, and I'm not a completist. I also have been itching to play Twilight Princess or Resistance, so I wanted to finish the game rather than approach the end and give up.

I think my wife bonded with another woman at the bar tonight when her boyfriend (and a friend of mine) approached me and said "so...you tried the new FF?"

I never knew eyes could roll back that far.

[Wolfpup]

Well, for whatever reason the pictures of the actors aren't working, but just look them up on the IMDB.

[Wolfpup]

60-62. I had completed all but three marks (Seer, Behemoth King, and Yiazmat. I beat the Phoenix in the Subterra, but when I saw the black orb requirements to advance down a level in there, I said "fuck this shit."


Once again I have to wonder what I'm doing wrong. I've played almost 20 hours longer than you, but I'm not nearly as far.

I know what you mean about wanting to move on. I'm like that a lot of times with games (helps when you've got a big backlog to try out!)

[pete5883]

Theres a lot to the game that isn't said in the game or manual.
This is one thing that pissed me off about the game. The most they told you was something like "Not all weapons' damage is based on Strength - Figure it out for yourself!" Gee thanks. Whats the point of making the game system slightly deeper if you aren't actually going to tell the player about it? :roll:

[Kayden]

This is one thing that pissed me off about the game. The most they told you was something like "Not all weapons' damage is based on Strength - Figure it out for yourself!" Gee thanks. Whats the point of making the game system slightly deeper if you aren't actually going to tell the player about it? :roll:

Wanna know something worse? The guide pulls that shit a lot too.

"For more information about this see the walkthrough for 'QUEST X' on page (???)"

First, they actually left in (???) in multiple places and secondly, there is no 'QUEST X' in the whole fucking book.

There are a lot of other small things like missing connections between areas on maps, people shown on the wrong area of a map for a quest, people swapped on maps, wrong fucking maps for the quest.... The guide for this is so fucking horseshit...

It ties for worst FF guide ever with FFIX. That one actually withheld info and said, "go to playonline.com for more info".

[mykevermin]

It ties for worst FF guide ever with FFIX. That one actually withheld info and said, "go to playonline.com for more info".

Sometimes that guide made me want to kick Bradygames copyeditor in the cunt/cock. I don't see how someone hired for that kind of job (and let me be clear: copyediting is a notch above blowing winos for heroin in terms of overall job fun) can miss that many fucking errors just so they can get to press in time. It's not like I can demand my money back, so I'm stuck with whatever fucking shit they crap out.

"Oh, you want a guide for Blue Dragon? Let me shit in a paper binding and sell it to you for $20!"

These fuckers have ZERO incentive to put together a good guide. Thanks for letting me get that out. Phew.

[Blackout]

Are you using bubble belts?

I had done about 23 hunts, 24 was the next rank I think. I couldn't buy them, so I just went ahead and beat the game. I cast bubble during the fight though.

[Ma12kez]

How useful are Espers? I'm level 38 and going to Archades for the first time, and I haven't even summoned an Esper before during battle. Are they even worth obtaining and using in battle?

[TahoeMax]

i used Belias on the next boss fight immediately after I acquired him, and he made the fight disgustingly easy. I never used an esper again to any real effect. It's hard to keep your summoner alive when you're fighting a tough boss, especially if he decides to keep targeting the summoner instead of the esper. just too pricey for very limited usefulness.

[TahoeMax]

60-62. I had completed all but three marks (Seer, Behemoth King, and Yiazmat. I beat the Phoenix in the Subterra, but when I saw the black orb requirements to advance down a level in there, I said "fuck this shit."

Maybe one day I'll tackle Yiazmat, and I'm sure I'd have no problem with the Behemoth King...but all those black orbs got in the way of me wanting to access mark #44.

I also gave up on the last 5 espers, but that's only because I never ever used them, except where you must to advance. I found them more useless than quickenings, truth be told.

I may sound bitter, but I'm not. It was a fantastic game, and the ending was well done. I think I was just ready to be done with it, and I'm not a completist. I also have been itching to play Twilight Princess or Resistance, so I wanted to finish the game rather than approach the end and give up.

I think my wife bonded with another woman at the bar tonight when her boyfriend (and a friend of mine) approached me and said "so...you tried the new FF?"

I never knew eyes could roll back that far.

The black orbs are a hassle to get, but sometimes you can get massive black orbs worth multiple orbs. One of them i got was worth 45, which made things quick and easy. Shadowseer was probably the most irritating mark as far as getting to him and beating him. Behemoth King just has a lot of HP and changes his shield so it's hard to damage him consistently...takes awhile is all...

And Yiazmat is a bitch and a half. But we've been over that. Might be worth checking it out just for fun. It's worth at least seeing Yiazmat, regardless of whether or not you decide to actually beat the fucker. Try Hell Wyrm, too. Only takes an hour or something.

[Wolfpup]

Last night I did that horrible "chops" section. Randomly matching people. Yeah, that was fun. Oh well, at least it was easy enough.

[Backlash]

I finally started this game, and I'm still near the beginning, but I have a question about gambits. I just got the sun stone, and when Penelo joined my party it told me that Gambits are available on the Party Menu, but that option is not there. I can turn her overall Gambit status on and off using the Battle Menu, but that's it. Is there something wrong, or do I get the Gambit menu later in the game?

[Wolfpup]

You don't have it for a while. I don't remember when exactly, but I think you're just not there yet. They sort of easy you into stuff like that.

[mykevermin]

The black orbs are a hassle to get, but sometimes you can get massive black orbs worth multiple orbs. One of them i got was worth 45, which made things quick and easy. Shadowseer was probably the most irritating mark as far as getting to him and beating him. Behemoth King just has a lot of HP and changes his shield so it's hard to damage him consistently...takes awhile is all...

And Yiazmat is a bitch and a half. But we've been over that. Might be worth checking it out just for fun. It's worth at least seeing Yiazmat, regardless of whether or not you decide to actually beat the fucker. Try Hell Wyrm, too. Only takes an hour or something.

Don't tempt me to, man...I've already decided I wanna play Dead Rising for a few days, then Twilight Princess. Me and FFXII - we're through for now. ;)

[Vinny]

I finally beat the game... after finding out how Quickenings actually work, the game was rather easy.

This is also the least amount of time I've ever spent on an FF at 55 hours. I really don't feel like going for any of the extras since there's too much backtracking, not to mention the slow pace of getting from one place to another.

[mykevermin]

This is also the least amount of time I've ever spent on an FF at 55 hours. I really don't feel like going for any of the extras since there's too much backtracking, not to mention the slow pace of getting from one place to another.

Are you using teleport stones?

[martin8me]

Can you use Balthiers Ship to go to different places? Im thinking no since that will render the teleport system useless.....

[Kayden]

Can you use Balthiers Ship to go to different places? Im thinking no since that will render the teleport system useless.....

Actually, both that and the other airships are pretty useless as you have teleporting from the get go.

[Kayden]

Man... fucking Fafnir is pissing me off. I can't get the fucking snow! Why wont it snow!? Hours zoning... NO SNOW?! WAI!?

[imascrub]

Actually, both that and the other airships are pretty useless as you have teleporting from the get go.

i guess there's no free roaming areas you can go to then like obscure out of the way islands and stuff?

[Kayden]

i guess there's no free roaming areas you can go to then like obscure out of the way islands and stuff?

Nope. Notta one. There are a couple of 'secret' areas, but they aren't anything like KotR or Ultima.

[mykevermin]

Man... fucking Fafnir is pissing me off. I can't get the fucking snow! Why wont it snow!? Hours zoning... NO SNOW?! WAI!?

Talk to the viera that posted the bill, then when going to the mark's area, DON'T enter the "Frozen Brook" area (where the Trickster was). Talk to Gurdy, get a chocobo, and take the long route around. Talking to the viera will give you the blizzard, but heading into the Frozen Brook area changes the weather, so you want to avoid it.

[Kayden]

Talk to the viera that posted the bill, then when going to the mark's area, DON'T enter the "Frozen Brook" area (where the Trickster was). Talk to Gurdy, get a chocobo, and take the long route around. Talking to the viera will give you the blizzard, but heading into the Frozen Brook area changes the weather, so you want to avoid it.

-_-;;

[mykevermin]

'the fuck is that thing?

[Kayden]

Unammused sweatdrop... thing... Ok, I play too many korean RPGs. :lol:

[mykevermin]

I see - I suppose that means you got to Fafnir? That was a pretty tense battle.

[Kayden]

I see - I suppose that means you got to Fafnir? That was a pretty tense battle.
No, simply that the method of getting to him was so fucking rediculously vague. I have the guide and it says 'Fafnir only appears where there is a blizzard. Keep reentering the area until its snowing heavily.'

I hate that fucking guide. I bought it so I could play the game completely AND quickly. The fucking thing is probably doubling my play time with all its incorrect info.

[depascal22]

I finally beat King Bomb. He's cheap as hell but it was a good fight.

[Ivanhoe]

Hey guys quick question.
Where can u get more teleport stones at?

[mykevermin]

Hey guys quick question.
Where can u get more teleport stones at?

on the airship - fly leisure class, and they (and gysahl greens) are available in one of the shops. There's another place, in Rabanastre I think, but I know the airships for sure.

[Ivanhoe]

on the airship - fly leisure class, and they (and gysahl greens) are available in one of the shops. There's another place, in Rabanastre I think, but I know the airships for sure.


i dont think ive gotten to the airships yet :-(
im on my way to the sword of kings in the stilshrine of miriam right now :(

[mykevermin]

Hmm. Check the muthru bazaar then.

[Kayden]

I think the unlucky merchant in the river side village has them too.

You can also steal them off of most bats.

[Wolfpup]

Death Scythe is shitty. The guy says he only comes when you're weak. I read in a forum that you have to have 2 people in your party and have them critical. So I had my two people in the red running around his spawn area for about 20 minutes and he was a no show. I found out that you have to to enter the area with them and get all the way to him, which sucks because he's in the middle of a big map of the Necrohol. IE- two people with 300hp is bad.

This guy is the only mark I have left currently.

Wait, do you mean you have to enter the Necrohol weak? Or just that specific part of it?

Do you have to keep your two characters critical the whole time? Or can you go into Necrohol with two critical, and then heal them up?

If that doesn't work, can you have two characters DEAD? Like just go in with two dead characters and one living, fight your way through, and then swap in two living characters?

I don't see how else to do it, because there'd be no possible way to keep two characters alive in there without healing and keeping them critical-they'd die fast anyway.

If I *can* just go in with two dead characters and still trigger it, I guess I'll need to wait until I'm way higher level. I'm level 58 now, and the Necrohol is STILL pretty tough. We slice and dice, but can't really take on four of those little orc-y guys at once. Like two or three we're okay, but four always seems to overwhelm us (I end up having to run, heal up, and go back and pick them off).

Maybe in another 10 levels I can blow through with one character, trigger that thing, and then swap in two more characters and deal with it...I hope.
I vote not possible if you have to keep two characters alive but critical the whole time. You'd have to be level 100 or 150 or something so that the enemies do no damage so being critical doesn't matter.

[Ma12kez]

i dont think ive gotten to the airships yet :-(
im on my way to the sword of kings in the stilshrine of miriam right now :(Dyce has them in the Port of Balfonheim.

[Kayden]

Hes in the centerish area. You can only have 2 people in your active party and they have to be at RED life. Zone into that area with them out and then just flee all the way into the center and up to where he is. He should spawn near you. Just keep running as far up as you can to lose as many tails as you can. Then swap out the two weak people for a full strong party. Kill the shit outta everything. As I recall, he throws up a paling at some time that makes him really hard near the end.

This guy is the only mark I have left currently.

Wait, do you mean you have to enter the Necrohol weak? Or just that specific part of it?

Do you have to keep your two characters critical the whole time? Or can you go into Necrohol with two critical, and then heal them up?

If that doesn't work, can you have two characters DEAD? Like just go in with two dead characters and one living, fight your way through, and then swap in two living characters?

I don't see how else to do it, because there'd be no possible way to keep two characters alive in there without healing and keeping them critical-they'd die fast anyway.

If I *can* just go in with two dead characters and still trigger it, I guess I'll need to wait until I'm way higher level. I'm level 58 now, and the Necrohol is STILL pretty tough. We slice and dice, but can't really take on four of those little orc-y guys at once. Like two or three we're okay, but four always seems to overwhelm us (I end up having to run, heal up, and go back and pick them off).

Maybe in another 10 levels I can blow through with one character, trigger that thing, and then swap in two more characters and deal with it...I hope.
I vote not possible if you have to keep two characters alive but critical the whole time. You'd have to be level 100 or 150 or something so that the enemies do no damage so being critical doesn't matter.

[Ivanhoe]

Thanks for the info.

This game is great!!

[kittycatgirl2k]

Ive tried looking through this thread to find the answer to my questions but havent had much luck. Please dont flame me too much for asking.

I am at the Demon Wall area at the tomb and was wondering about how to do the quickenings. The Wall is taking me down quickly. All my charas do about 200 damage a pop and this thing has so much HP that its ridiculous. I used the quickenings for two of my charas once and the mist thing never recharged. My question is...

How do you recharge the mist meter so you can use quickenings again? I have no idea.

I even have the strategy guide and cant figure it out. Oww. I feel so lame.... any help appreciated.

[Roufuss]

How do you recharge the mist meter so you can use quickenings again? I have no idea.

I even have the strategy guide and cant figure it out. Oww. I feel so lame.... any help appreciated.

You need full MP on one character to use the Quickenings.

To recharge the mist meter during the actual Quickening (which is what I think you're asking) you have to keep shuffling (I think it's like L2 or something) until one of the buttons comes up for a character and then hit their respective button.

[Moxio]

Quickenings become easier once you get all 3 for all the characters you are using in battle.

[kittycatgirl2k]

The mist quickenings are greyed out for those that have them unlocked and I cant use them. I am guessing the mist meter needs recharging but I dont know how and cant use them at all. The option isnt there. Dunno why.

[Ma12kez]

The mist quickenings are greyed out for those that have them unlocked and I cant use them. I am guessing the mist meter needs recharging but I dont know how and cant use them at all. The option isnt there. Dunno why.I think this explains quickenings better (http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/final_fantasy_xii_quickening.txt) than the guide does. After reading through this, all became clear. Basically what I did was after the first 3 characters use their quickenings, sub in another character (with full MP) to trigger the quickening event again. It also helps if some characters have multiple mist charges. It's better to start off with a weak quickening rather than your strongest one, because it gives you more chances to recharge other party members' mist charges as well as a better chance to get a stronger occurence at the end of the chain. Hope this helps.

[Wolfpup]

I beat 12 last night. The ending is pretty good, definitely worth finishing if you've sunk time into the game.

It's still my least favorite in the series save for Final Fantasy 2 though...but then that's really just saying how great the series is than any huge knock on 12.

[assasin4hire]

I beat 12 last night. The ending is pretty good, definitely worth finishing if you've sunk time into the game.

It's still my least favorite in the series save for Final Fantasy 2 though...but then that's really just saying how great the series is than any huge knock on 12.

you do u know theres around 10 or 12 endings right

[depascal22]

you do u know theres around 10 or 12 endings right

10 or 12 endings? How the hell is that possible? Does it all depend on the entire game or just the last couple hours? That was my only knock against KOTOR. I hated trying to get my guy to be as good as possible only to find out that some silly little decision at the end was the only deciding factor. Took a little of the giddiness I got from beating the damn thing.

[TrenoV]

There is only 1 ending....

[Kayden]

Finally sat down to fight Fafnir. Christ that bastard has a lot of HP. :lol:

[TahoeMax]

hehe Fafnir's a bitch.

[okwordyoda]

Okay guys, I really need your help. I need to know if I'm screwed when it comes to getting into Barheim passage again.

I didn't know anything about this sidequest until a co-worker told me how great it was for leveling up. So I looked up on a few FAQS and I can even get past the first couple of steps. I already have the cactus flower, but Dantro's wife won't let me give it to her, since I'm a bit further into the game. All I can get her to say is "There's trouble on the North Bank, I'm sure of it. I wish Dantro were here, but I know he can't leave the post unwatched.".

When can I get the sidequest started again (if ever?).