FFXII The Zodiac Age

Ultimate Equipment FAQ

(Remember you can use CTRL+F to find anything specific quickly.)

by bcs4981(bcs4981 [at] yahoo.com) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Version: (Version 2.1) Original Version: (Version 1.0) Introduction I created this guide to compile a detailed and accurate description of how to obtain the best equipment for Final Fantasy XII. My hope is that this guide will reduce the traffic on the message boards asking where a certain loot or item can be found, as well as be an in-depth accompaniment for players playing through the game either for the first time, or for a completionist file. A few notes before we get to the meat and potatoes: 1. I have included MOST methods of obtaining loot/items. Some methods I did not see fit to list, especially rare drops or steals from one-time only fights (bosses are the majority). Please do not email me about this, I know full well that I have excluded some methods. My objective was to list the most efficient ways to acquire loot and items. This guide contains every weapon, armor, ammunition, and accessory that cannot be purchased. 2. A wonderful tool to use nowadays is YouTube. There are many videos on this site made by users from all over the world that will give you a visual instruction on how to acquire a specific item. I have tried to be as specific and descriptive as possible with my writing, but some people just learn better through video and pictures. Type in the item or enemy you are looking for in the search tab, and maybe a "ffxii" tab after it to get the best results. 3. There are MANY excellent walkthroughs and sub-walkthroughs available on here. These include wonderful maps created by Sephirosuy, as well as stellar walkthroughs by Split Infinity, Berserker, SOng, and again, Sephirosuy. This guide was not meant to be a walkthrough of any sorts, although I have used walkthroughs for certain difficult-to-obtain items. If you are lost in the game, please consult one of these excellent walkthroughs. I will NOT answer questions on the storyline or how to beat a specific mark. 4. I will try to give credit to the proper contributors, but please be aware I am basing this on where I obtained my information. It is entirely possible I give credit to someone who found out a method or location from some guy named Joe in Zimbabwe. I will do my best to find my original source for information that I have used for this guide (and there is plenty). If you truly feel I have used information that you originally came up with, and your claim is legitimate, please POLITELY send me an email notifying me of this. I will definitely consider a polite request for credit, assuming you have proof it was your information originally. Please be aware that I am a 17 year veteran of these games, so I am very good at figuring things out on my own. 5. If you have what you think is a better method of obtaining something in this guide, please feel free to email me about it. But please use discretion with your emails; if your idea truly makes things much more efficient in getting an item, then great. But if it really doesn't change things all that much, I probably won't make a change and then re-submit the guide. 6. There are SPOILERS in this guide, but mainly boss and mark spoilers, as well as location spoilers. No storyline spoilers. 7. I assume the user understands percentages/odds. They are very prevalent throughout this guide. Also, the user must understand all game mechanics, such as how to read the maps and the fact that some chests just don't appear when you enter an area. Also, zoning away from an area two screens to reset the area, which will be done MANY times in your quest to acquire a lot of this stuff. 8. Understand that Thief's Cuffs are a necessity when trying to steal loot. It raises the probability of a successful steal, as well as raises the probability of getting a rare item. Get them as soon as possible, which is from the vendor in the Mosphoran Highwaste/Bubbling Vale, which can be accessed once you have completed the events at the Tomb Of Raithwall. 9. The Diamond Armlet is also a necessity to acquire many of the items in this guide. The earliest it can be acquired is after you reach the Phon Coast. From Phon Coast, head north into the Tchita Uplands. You need to reach the Garden Of Life's Circle, which is in the southern part of the Uplands. There is a blue save crystal one screen north of this area. Save your game, then head south. The chest has a 10% chance of spawning, and then a 25% chance of containing the Diamond Armlet. The chest is located at the southernmost edge of the area, right near the center of the southern edge. If the chest is not there, soft reset and try again. You can also acquire the Diamond Armlet once you complete the events at Giruvegan from the merchant in Dalmasca Estersand/South Bank Village for 20,000. 10. Monographs, while expensive early in the game, are a MUST to get a lot of the loot required. Get all seven monographs as well as the Canopic Jar as soon as possible. This is probably the most important thing to remember. Monograph drops are NOT affected by chain level, so when going for items such as Hell-Gate's Flames, you do not have to kill only Cerberus or Tartarus to get these (although if you want great drops, then by all means chain them) You can obtain the seven monographs basically at the beginning of the game, assuming you have the gil available (147,000 gil for all seven). The Canopic Jar can be acquired once you have completed the events at Henne Mines, and have reached Mt. Bur-Omisace. You must have already completed the Gil Snapper and Orthros hunts, and now accept and complete the Trickster hunt. Then you can purchase the Canopic Jar for 250,000 gil. 11. A soft reset is when you hit start, then square, then yes. You will use this method quite a few times farming for some items. 12. A steal from a rare game monster is guaranteed, but it is tough, and usually takes many tries. It is a 3% chance normally, or a 6% chance with Thief's Cuffs. That is the success rate. When stealing from rare game, I suggest having three sets of Thief's Cuffs to equip to all active members, then set a gambit for Foe:nearest>steal for all three members. Remember that trophy monsters cannot respawn once defeated. When stealing from entites, try to remember that a few of them will try to put you to sleep. Try to have a Nishijin Belt or Ribbon equipped to at least one of your active members when trying to steal from an Entite. Remember that you only need to zone once to reset an Entite to neutral status again. 13. As tedious as this project was, I really enjoyed making it. This is my first FAQ, I figured I've been hanging around the boards for the last 6 or 7 years, and thought it was time I contributed something worthwhile. I truly hope people will use this guide to assist them in getting the full experience out of Final Fantasy XII. Enjoy!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEGAL INFORMATION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) Brad Sheldon (bcs4981) All rights reserved. No part of this document may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written consent of the author. This document may only be presented in partial or complete form on the following sites: gamefaqs.com neoseeker.com ff12sector.com supercheats.com This document may not be presented, whether in physical or electronic form, in any public manner without prior consent. This document is for private use only. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS (Type in code in parentheses using Ctrl+F for quick search) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEAPONS LIST [WP1] Arcturus [WP2] Artemis Bow [WP3] Danjuro [WP4] Dragon Whisker [WP5] Durandal [WP6] Eight-Fluted Pole [WP7] Euclid's Sextant [WP8] Excalibur [WP9] Fomalhaut [WP10] Gastrophetes [WP11] Grand Mace [WP12] Holy Rod [WP13] Iga Blade [WP14] Koga Blade [WP15] Masamune [WP16] Muramasa [WP17] Orochi [WP18] Ragnarok [WP19] Rod Of Faith [WP20] Sagittarius [WP21] Scorpion Tail [WP22] Staff Of The Magi [WP23] Stoneblade [WP24] Tournesol [WP25] Ultima Blade [WP26] Volcano [WP27] Whale Whisker [WP28] Wyrmhero Blade [WP29] Yagyu Darkblade [WP30] Zeus Mace [WP31] Zodiac Spear AMMUNITION LIST [AM1] Artemis Arrows [AM2] Assassin's Arrows [AM3] Bamboo Arrows [AM4] Fiery Arrows [AM5] Icecloud Arrows [AM6] Lightning Arrows [AM7] Parallel Arrows [AM8] Black Bolts [AM9] Grand Bolts [AM10] Lead Bolts [AM11] Long Bolts [AM12] Sapping Bolts [AM13] Stone Bolts [AM14] Time Bolts [AM15] Aqua Shot [AM16] Dark Shot [AM17] Mud Shot [AM18] Silent Shot [AM19] Stone Shot [AM20] Windslicer Shot [AM21] Wyrmfire Shot [AM22] Castellanos [AM23] Chaos Bombs [AM24] Oil Bombs [AM25] Poison Bombs [AM26] Stink Bombs [AM27] Stun Bombs [AM28] Water Bombs ARMOR AND ACCESSORY LIST [AR1] Brave Suit [AR2] Circlet [AR3] Dueling Mask [AR4] Ensanguined Shield [AR5] Genji Armor [AR6] Genji Gloves [AR7] Genji Helm [AR8] Genji Shield [AR9] Golden Skullcap [AR10] Grand Armor [AR11] Grand Helm [AR12] Lordly Robes [AR13] Magepower Shishak [AR14] Maximillian [AR15] Ribbon [AR16] Shell Shield [AR17] Venetian Shield [AR18] Zodiac Escutcheon [LIL] Loot And Item Locations By Area [LTL] Loot List [LEQ] Limited Equipment List [THX] Credits

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARCTURUS [WP1] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 80 Attack Power: 44 Evasion: +10 Gun (2H) Cost: 19,800 (Late-Model Rifle) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan The Arcturus is the second strongest gun in the game. The reason I've listed this weapon is because the only way to acquire it is via the Bazaar. Most players get access to the Fomalhaut earlier than they acquire the loot required for the Arcturus. Bazaar: Yensa Fin x2, Wyvern Wing x2, Salamand Halcyon x1 Loot locations: Yensa Fin: Mage's Monograph (21,000) Yensa, Bull Yensa (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea, Nam-Yensa Sandsea): Yensa Fins are a 20% mongraph drop from either the Yensa or Bull Yensa. They are found on land areas, especially near bridges, and usually the player will have to be close to them in order for them to appear. Easiest area to find them is in the Nam-Yensa Sandsea, due to there being much more true land area, whereas the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea has many refinery only areas. Wyvern Wing: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Aeronite (Lhusu Mines/Lasche Span): Wyvern Wings are a 10% monograph drop. There are 2 aeronites on this bridge (the same bridge where the rare game Bombshell spawns). Be aware they are pretty tough to beat unless you are at high levels. Aeronites can also be found in all 3 ascents of the Pharos at Ridorana. You can also steal Wyvern Wings from the rare game Aeros, located in the Ozmone Plain/The Shred, and also from the hunt for Wyvern Lord (Bill #8, Rank II), although both of these are rare steals. Salamand Halcyon: Salamand Entite (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea/Central Junction, Primary Tank Complex): A 3/6% steal rate, and a 3/6/8/12% drop rate. The weather here must be sunny for the Entite to appear. Once found, equip Thief's cuffs and proceed to steal from the entite. If you don't get the halcyon, zone out one screen, and try again. Be patient, the entite moves between these two zones frequently, so it may not be back where you found it originally, but as long as you do not defeat it, the entite will always be in one of these two zones. It also can drop the halcyon after you defeat it, but I would suggest trying to steal from it instead. July the Informant Sidequest: Once you have completed the events at Raithwall, head to Nalbina. In the West Barbican, two soldiers are blocking the entrance to the Mosphoran Highwaste. Between the soldiers and the chocobo stables waits July. Talk to her, then go rent a chocobo from Gurdy. Attempt to pass between the two soldiers, and eventually July will ask you to meet up with her again when you reach Archades. Meet with her at Charlotte's Magickery, where she will reward you with a Salamand Halcyon. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTEMIS BOW [WP2] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 60 Attack Power: 87 Bow (2H) Cost: 15,800 (Bow Of The Moon Goddess) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Henne Mines/The Feywood The Artemis Bow is the second strongest bow in the game. Again, I've listed it due to the fact you can only acquire it via the Bazaar. The loots required to create this weapon most likely will require the player to be at a high enough level to navigate the Feywood without too much trouble. Bazaar: Great Serpent Fang x2, Moondust x2, Sylphi Halcyon x1 Loot locations: Great Serpent's Fang: Hunter's Monograph (18,000) Python (Mosphoran Highwaste/Trail Of Sky Flung Stone): There are multiple areas of the Mosphoran Highwaste to find Pythons, but this area seems the easiest. From the teleport crystal at Bubbling Vale, after saving, head north into Trail of Sky Flung Stone. Be aware there is a trap just after you enter this area. There will be 2 or 3 pythons that spawn in this area, with a 10% monograph drop. If you don't get any, soft reset and try again.You can also acquire these from the rare game Midgardsormr, which can be found in Golmore Jungle/Paths of Chained Light. It has a 20% spawn rate for each entry, and can be found in four different areas, usually the western and northern areas. You must be near it for it to appear. Moondust: Hunter's Monograph (18,000) Mu (The Feywood/Walk of Flitting Rifts, Walk of Dancing Shadows): A 6% monograph drop from these little rabbits, but be careful, they inflict the Confuse status, so equip Bowline Sash's or Ribbons to be safe. You can also steal Moondust from the boss Fury, although it is an uncommon steal (10% without Thief's Cuffs, 30% with them). Sylphi Halcyon: Sylphi Entite (Ozmone Plain/Haulo Green, Field of Light Winds): The weather must be cloudy (no rain) for this Entite to appear. 3/6% chance to steal, along with a 3% drop rate. I suggest trying to steal, zoning one screen away and then returning if you are not successful. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- DANJURO [WP3] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 110 Attack Power: 80 Evade: +5 Dagger (1H) Combo Rate: 10% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: During the events at Giruvegan The Danjuro is the strongest dagger in the game. It is also one of, if not THE, most difficult and time consuming item to get in FFXII. The only way to get it is via rare drop from the rare monster Larva Eater. I have included two methods for acquiring this weapon, but please keep in mind that if you are an impatient person, you should probably think twice before attempting to acquire the Danjuro. It has a 3/6/8/12% drop rate. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Rare Drop: Larva Eater (Great Crystal/Crystal Grande) ZONING METHOD: For this method, you will need to be at a level that will enable you to defeat Necrophobes rather easily. Also having Ribbons to counter their doom attack would be helpful. The three areas that we will use for this method are the Waystone XIV, Leo Gate switch area, and the Leo Gate I area. Starting from Waystone XIV, head into the Leo Gate switch area. Defeat every Necrophobe possible (not necessary, but makes the process a little easier), making sure to do several laps around the entire area to be sure you have vanquished them all. You do not need to keep a chain going, but it does help you keep track of how many enemies you have defeated. Once finished in the Leo Switch area, head into the Leo Gate I area, and continue dispatching Necrophobes. I found that once I had spent too much time here, killing upwards of 40 or so Necrophobes, that more Necrophobes had spawned in the Leo Gate switch area again. So I suggest defeating around 30 or so here, then zone twice back to the Waystone XIV. Then head right back to Leo Gate I and defeat another 30 or so Necrophobes. Continue this process until you have beaten 256 or more Necrophobes, then return to Waystone XIV. A Larva Eater will be here, along with possibly a reaper or three. Be sure not to kill any reapers, only LE. Once defeated, that is the beginning of your chain. Zone back two screens to the Leo Gate I area, but DO NOT kill any Necrophobes. Once you have two zoned, head right back to Waystone XIV and check if another Larva Eater has appeared. If it has, defeat it, then repeat the two zoning process. But if it has not, zone back to the Leo Switch area only. You will basically zone between Waystone XIV and the Leo Switch area for about 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes it takes less time, sometimes a little more than this, I will leave it up to you to check for yourself. I also suggest using a rubber band or some sort of cord to tie the left analog stick in the downward position, so you do not have to hold it yourself for 15 or 20 minutes each time. Once you feel you have zoned enough, check the Waystone XIV area for Larva Eater, and when it does appear, defeat it to increase your chain. Then two zone back to Leo Gate I area, and repeat the process. I have heard of several people using this method correctly and having it yield them one or more Danjuros. I have also heard of people who have used it and have not reaped any rewards whatsoever. Even others claim that they had to kill one Larva Eater, kill another number of Necrophobes, then spawn another LE, and that started their chain. I guess basically it all depends on luck: some people have gotten this trick to work, others have not (including yours truly). There is also another method based loosely on this method, except it involves chaining Gargoyle Barons in Giruvegan, then dividing Necrophobes in the Great Crystal until eventually a Larva Eater spawns, then using the zoning trick from that point on. Again, this method is based on zoning, which is by no means guaranteed to work for everyone. It is up to you to know when to say when, but I certainly hope it works for you. I ended up using the next method to finally secure my Danjuro. BOMB METHOD: First, a list of equipment that will be helpful during this process. It is recommended that you have 3 of each of these items equipped for your active characters: Main Gauche, high evasion shields such as the Zodiac Escutcheon or Demon Shield, Bubble Belt, and Adamant Hat (halves fire damage). You can also use Flame Shields and Adamant Vests to half fire damage, but I prefer to use Maximillian armor for its high defense, and the high evasion shields to have a better chance to block Mom Bomb's Lunge attack. You can purchase Main Gauche in Rabanastre and Jahara, Demon Shield in Necrohol Of Nabudis, Bubble Belt in Rabanastre in the Muthruu Bazaar, and the Adamant Hat in Mosphoran Highwaste and Phon Coast. On your way through Giruvegan, you will encounter Gargoyle Barons. You will want to establish a level 3 chain (large gold coins) of these enemies on your way to the Great Crystal. Once you have established the chain, take the waystone into the Great Crystal. Make your way to Way Stone XX, all the while keeping your chain intact (Be careful once reaching the waystone, there are sometimes Reapers here, which if defeated, will break your chain). Once you reach the waystone, set up your gambits as follows: Ally:any>arise, Ally:HP<50%>Curaga, Ally:self>Protect, Ally:self>Shell. Make sure to have only these gambits active, all attack gambits must be off, or you risk losing your chain. There are three areas east of Waystone XX based on the map: Dhebon Jilaam Prati'dii, Sthaana Sagittarius, and Dhebon Jilaam Praa'dii. In these three areas are monsters called Mom Bomb, and are the 256 total enemies you are going to "defeat" in order to spawn Larva Eater. Mom Bombs eventually self-destruct which, while not yielding experience, LP, or loot, do add to the required amount of monsters defeated. And it does NOT break your chain of Gargoyle Barons. There are five Mom Bombs in each of these three areas, so you will start from Waystone XX, and basically run a loop between the four areas (clockwise or counterclockwise, it doesn't matter). Make sure that when you enter the waystone area, you are fleeing through the area, just in case there are reapers present. Basically all you have to do in each area with Mom Bombs is run to the center of the area. The Main Gauche/shield combination will turn away most of the lunge attacks, and the Adamant Hat will help deflect some of the fire damage (they tend to lunge more than anything else). What you are waiting for is for one or more of the bombs to use Chain Reaction, which is a precursor to Self-Destruct. When you see Chain Reaction being used, try to make your way to the edges of the area while the bombs explode, which will save you from massive damage. Note that most of the time all five Mom Bombs will explode, but sometimes there may be one or two left over. Don't waste time trying to make the leftovers try to explode, just move on to the next area. I am also assuming that you have all of your augments filled on your license board, which will make magic use for healing and buffs a non-factor. Once you have vanquished 256 or more Mom Bombs, Larva Eater will spawn at Waystone XX. Equip your strongest weapons, and turn on a Foe:highest max HP>Attack gambit (in case there are reapers present), or fight the Larva Eater manually. I usually fight it manually if there are reapers present, just to make sure I don't break the chain, although if you can attract the Larva Eater's attention without the reapers spotting you, you can lure it up one of the ramps and fight it solo. Once defeated, the Larva Eater may drop a large gold coin, which has a 12% chance of containing at least one Danjuro. If it does not drop, continue the Mom Bomb "chaining", which will eventually spawn another Larva Eater at Waystone XX once at least 30 bombs are defeated, but it could require defeating up to 256 more. It takes approximately an hour and a half from when you start chaining Gargoyle Barons up until your first spawn of Larva Eater. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DRAGON WHISKER [WP4] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 60 Attack Power: 91 Evade: +8 Spear (2H) Combo Rate: 4% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: North Liavell Hills: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance for it to contain a Dragon Whisker with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located in the northwestern part of the area. Pharos At Ridorana: Spire Ravel-1st Flight: A 55% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a guaranteed Dragon Whisker with a Diamond Armlet equipped. If you do not have a Diamond Armlet equipped, then it will be a 50% chance for the Dragon Whisker, and a 50% chance to be a Rubber Suit. One time only chest. This chest is behind the fool's facade, just be sure to avoid the traps. Spire Ravel-1st Flight: A 55% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 50% chance for it to contain a Dragon Whisker without a Diamond Armlet equipped. If you have a Diamond Armlet equipped, it is a guaranteed Rubber Suit. One time only chest. This chest is on top of a trap just left of the green sigil. Pharos Subterra: Penumbra-South: A 40% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a guaranteed Dragon Whisker without a Diamond Armlet equipped. One time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DURANDAL [WP5] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 80 Attack Power: 99 Evade: +5 Sword (1H) Combo Rate: 5% Cost: 21,600 (Well-Forged Blade) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Durandal is the strongest one-handed sword in the game. Obviously the nicest thing about one handed swords is the combination of their power, and when coupled with a shield, high evasion stats. Please keep in mind that later in the game when you are fighting the strongest mobs, these enemies usually ignore the evade stat. Bazaar: Lifewick x3, Emperor Scale x2, Leshach Halcyon x1 Loot Locations: Lifewick: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Necrofiend (Pharos Subterra B1,B2,B3), (Henne Mines/ Special Charter Shaft) (Pharos-2nd Ascent/Station Of Ascension) (Pharos-3rd Ascent/Spire Ravel-First Flight): An 18% monograph drop, as well as a rare steal (3/6%). I would suggest just defeating them for the higher percentage, as they can be quite a challenge to steal from, especially since they come in groups. You can also steal from the rare game Evil Spirit (Great Crystal). Emperor Scale: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Archaeoaevis (Zertinan Caverns/Balamka Fault): This enemy only appears in the southern portion of Balamka Fault. It has a 14% monograph drop, as well as a 5% poach drop. You can also acquire an Emperor Scale from the Elder Wyrm boss and the Deathgaze hunt (Bill #26, Rank VII), but they are rare steals. Leshach Halcyon: Leshach Entite (Paramina Rift/Frozen Brook, Karydine Glacier, Icebound Flow): There must be blizzard conditions for this entite to appear. Once found, equip Thief's cuffs and proceed to steal from the entite. A 3/6% chance to steal, and a 3% drop. It may be beneficial to lure the entite to the edge of an area, then zone away and come back. It will return to neutral status, and you can then attempt to steal the Halcyon again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EIGHT-FLUTED POLE [WP6] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 45 Attack Power: 88 Evade: +25 Pole (2H) Combo Rate: 12% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan/Balfonheim The Eight-Fluted Pole is the third strongest pole in the game. The reason I've listed it in this guide is that there are only two ways to acquire this weapon, with both being steals from rare monsters. When stealing from rare monsters, it is very helpful to have 3 sets of Thief's Cuffs, and set gambits to Foe: nearest >steal. Steal: Abelisk: Ridorana Cataract/Echoes from Time's Garden: Rare strain of archaeosaur that spawns at a 30% rate when you enter this area. Can hit pretty hard, so make sure if you spot it, you buff your characters and clear out other enemies to make your steal attempt and the fight much easier. Best to set gambits for all characters to steal with Thief's Cuffs if possible. Vagrant Soul: Pharos at Ridorana/Subterra-Abyssal-North-NW area: You must first complete the Shadowseer hunt in order to make this rare entite appear. It is found in the easternmost room at a 25% spawn rate. Can be a tough fight, so make sure to buff your characters to the max. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EUCLID'S SEXTANT [WP7] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 50 Attack Power: 35 Added Effect: Bubble On Hit Evade: +25 Measure (1H) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing A Wild Stench (Wild Malboro, Bill #29, Rank VI) Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: The Terraced Bank: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Euclid's Sextant with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located in the north-central part of the area, almost equal distance from the east and west edges. It is about a quarter of the map south of the northern edge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EXCALIBUR [WP8] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 160 Attack Power: 128 Added Effect: Holy Element Evade: +10 Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 7% Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Excalibur is the third strongest greatsword in the game, but its advantage (or downfall, depending on the area you are in) is the Holy element added to it. Great weapon for areas full of undead, such as Necrophobes in the Great Crystal and the Henne Mines secret area. Not so great when you decide to use it against Ultima or Yiazmat. Only way to acquire it is via a random chest in the Great Crystal, and only once you've cleared the events at Giruvegan in the storyline. You will then have access to the upper reaches of the Crystal, which is the home of Excalibur. Random Chest: Great Crystal (Srhru Jilaam Pratii'vaa): The only gate required to be opened to access Excalibur is Sagittarius Gate II. When the player reaches this area, there will always be a chest present, with a chance at a Sage's Ring without the Diamond Armlet, and a Renewing Morion with the DA. After opening the first chest, there is a 20% chance that there will be a second chest right underneath the first one, and will contain the Excalibur. If the second chest spawns, it is guaranteed to be the Excalibur with or without the Diamond Armlet. This is a one-time only chest. If the second chest does not spawn, zone away three areas, then return and try again. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOMALHAUT [WP9] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 150 Attack Power: 50 Evade: +10 Gun (2H) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: Once reaching Mt. Bur Omisace/complete Antlion hunt The Fomalhaut is the strongest gun in the game. A great weapon for players near the mid-point of the game, it is usually the first of the 'ultimate' weapons the player can acquire. Remember that guns are ranged weapons and ignore defense, but are very slow, and have a set damage limit, no matter what the level of the character using it. Regardless, when paired with great ammo (dark shot and stone shot are good, but I found silence shot to be most effective), the Fomalhaut can be a weapon that is used constantly until you begin to acquire the stronger greatswords in the game. Multiple ways of obtaining this one as well, all via random chests: Random Chest: Lhusu Mines: Site 9: After completing the Antlion Infestation hunt (Antlion, Bill #38, Rank V Elite), just beyond where the creature fell can be a chest which spawns at a 60% rate. There is a 50% chance it contains the Fomalhaut, and a 50% chance for a Knot Of Rust without the Diamond Armlet. If you wear a Diamond Armlet, you'll get either an Elixir or a Knot of Rust. If it is not there, save at the nearby crystal, and then run back to check again. Repeatable chest. Cerobi Steppe: The Northsward: This chest spawns at a 50% rate near the western-middle area of the Northsward. With a Diamond Armlet equipped, there is a 5% chance for it to be a Fomalhaut. Repeatable chest. This chest is located near the center of the western edge. It's a little bit more north than south. Crossfield: This chest spawns at a 50% rate, and with the Diamond Armlet equipped, a 4% chance for it to be a Fomalhaut. Repeatable chest. This chest is located past the rock you first see when you enter from the save crystal. Go around this first large rock, and there will be a tree and a shield wyrm right near it. Henne Mines: Special Charter Shaft: This chest spawns at a 40% rate, and with the Diamond Armlet equipped, an 80% chance for it to be a Fomalhaut, and a 20% chance for it to be 10000 gil. One-time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) The Pharos: Subterra/Umbra-South: This chest spawns at a 55% rate, and without the Diamond Armlet equipped, a 20% chance of it containing a Fomalhaut. Repeatable chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GASTROPHETES [WP10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 75 Attack Power: 76 Evade: +5 Crossbow (2H) Cost: 18,900 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor/Balfonheim The Gastrophetes is the strongest crossbow in the game. Steal: Pallicant Ridorana Cataract/City Of Other Days: You must clear this area of all enemies, then exit and reenter to make this rare strain of Mallicant appear. Equip Thief's Cuffs to everyone if possible, and set up steal gambits to make things easier. Shop: Available for purchase from the shifty eyed merchant after giving 25 rare game trophies to Atak. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND MACE [WP11] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 50 Attack Power: 72 Evade: +4 Mace (1H) Combo Rate: 4% Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Pharos The Grand Mace is the strongest mace in the game. Reward: Reward for completing Who's The Strongest (Pylraster, Bill #32, Rank VII). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOLY ROD [WP12] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 35 Attack Power: 53 Magick Power: +2 Added Effect: Holy Element, Holy Power Up/MP +30 Evade: +6 Rod (2H) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace The Holy Rod is the strongest rod in the game. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Feddik River: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance of containing a Holy Rod with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located in the northern-most area, in the middle of the eastern edge. Pharos At Ridorana: Wellspring Ravel-2nd Flight: A 91% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a guaranteed Holy Rod with or without a Diamond Armlet equipped. One time only chest. Pharos Subterra: Penumbra North: A 30% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a guaranteed Holy Rod without a Diamond Armlet equipped. One time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IGA BLADE [WP13] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 45 Attack Power: 67 Added Effect: Dark Element Evade: +20 Ninja Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 19% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall The Iga Blade is the third strongest Ninja Sword in the game. Listed here due to its scarcity. Almost completely equal to the Koga Blade, except the Iga Blade has a counter rate one point higher. Random Chest: Sochen Cave Palace: Mirror Of The Soul: A 100% spawn rate once you reach this area, and then a 50% chance to contain an Iga Blade without a Diamond Armlet equipped. One time only chest. Garamsythe Waterway: No. 10 Channel: The water must be drained in this area for this chest to appear. A 50% spawn rate, and then a 90% for the chest to contain an Iga Blade with a Diamond Armlet equipped. It otherwise will contain a Megalixer. One time only. Drop: Bogey (Zertinan Caverns/Drybeam Cavern, Darkened Wharf): A 1/2/3/5% drop. The easiest way is to enter Zertinan Caverns at the Nam-Yensa Sandsea entrance. There will be two Bogeys in the southernmost part of Darkened Wharf. From there, head east into Drybeam Cavern and then into The Balamka Fault. Then turn around and head back into the Darkened Wharf to continue with your chain of Bogeys to hopefully obtain the Iga Blade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KOGA BLADE [WP14] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 45 Attack Power: 67 Added Effect: Dark Element Evade: +20 Ninja Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 18% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Mt. Bur-Omisace/Reach Phon Coast The Koga Blade is the third strongest Ninja Sword in the game. Listed here due to its scarcity. Almost completely equal to the Iga Blade, except the Koga Blade has a combo rate one point less. Random Chest: Sochen Cave Palace: Mirror Of The Soul: A 100% spawn rate once you reach this area, and then a 50% chance to contain a Koga Blade without a Diamond Armlet equipped. One time only chest. Reward: Reward for completing the Dalmasca Estersand/South Bank Village portion of the Cockatrice Quest. Drop: Ash Wyrm (Mosphoran Highwaste/Empyrean Seat) (Great Crystal): A 3/6/8/12% drop from Ash Wyrm. A lower level Ash Wyrm can be found in Mosphoran only after Exodus is defeated, which can be done once you reach Phon Coast. There are also multiple Ash Wyrms found throughout the upper portions of the Great Crystal. You can also get Moon Rings from Ash Wyrms as a monograph drop for use in the creation of the Sagittarius [WP20]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MASAMUNE [WP15] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 155 Attack Power: 93 Evade: +5 Katana (2H) Combo Rate: 40% Cost: 350,000 (Master-Crafted Blade) Available: 2 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor The Masamune is the strongest Katana in the game. It also can be the most devastating weapon in the game, provided you have the Genji Gloves and the correct buffs. Two ways to get it, one via the Bazaar, the other by completing the Battle On The Big Bridge hunt. NOTE: You can combine the recipe for the Masamune and the Tournesol, which both require Gemsteel. It requires selling the 3 Orichalcum and 2 Mallet, and also 3 Empyreal Soul, 3 Serpentarius, and 3 Gemsteel all at one time(if done separately, you would need a total of 5 Gemsteel to acquire both weapons from the Bazaar). This is assuming you do not get the Gemsteel from Montblanc. Please see the end of the section on the Tournesol [WP24] for more information. Clan Hall Reward: Award from Montblanc after completing the Battle On The Big Bridge hunt (Gilgamesh, Bill #40, Rank VII Elite) Bazaar: Gemsteel x2, Orichalcum x3, Mallet x2 Loot Locations: Gemsteel: Award from Montblanc after acquiring 8 Espers. 90% Monograph drop from Lvl. 99 Red Chocobo (see Ribbon [AR15] for spawn information) Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. Bazaar: Sell Scarletite x1, Damascus Steel x2, Hell-Gate's Flame x2, then purchase for 29,997. (1)Scarletite Reward for perfect score in the Den of the River Lord fishing area. 50% chance of receiving it each time. Rare steal from the boss Pandemonium (Pharos-First Ascent/Dunes Of Profaining Wind) Steal from the first rare game trophy monster Aspidochelon (Cerobi Steppe/Feddik River): Relatively easy way of acquiring Scarletite. This monster has a 40% chance of spawning when entering the area. If it is there, steal from it, do NOT defeat it. Zone away two screens, then come back and zone until it appears again. Use Thief's Cuffs if possible on all three members. Repeat as necessary. Emeralditan (Nabreus Deadlands/Echoes Of The Past, The Slumbermead): A 6% monograph drop, as well as a 5% poach. There is a teleport crystal one screen north of the Slumbermead. Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. (2)Damascus Steel: Steal from the trophy monster Bluesang (Cerobi Steppe/ Crossfield). Possibly the easiest way to get Damascus Steel if you are trying to get Masamune or Tournesol early. There is a blue save crystal one screen south of this area (which can be accessed via the Strahl). Save at the crystal, then head to the next area. Bluesang spawns at a 40% rate in between two pillars in the western section of this area (watch out for traps). If successful, save at the crystal, then make sure to zone two screens away or soft reset. Bune (Pharos At Ridorana/Second Ascent) (Pharos At Ridorana/Subterra-B1F): A 6% monograph drop as well as a 5% poach. Knight's Monograph (19,000) required. Anchag (Paramina Rift/Karydine Glacier): A guaranteed steal from this rare game monster. Once you enter the area, you must defeat ALL foes (including neutral), and Anchag will spawn usually near the center of the area. (3)Hell-Gate's Flame: Hunter's Monograph (18,000) Cerberus (The Feywood/Walk Of Stolen Truths): 40% chance to replace each Tartarus. A 5% monograph drop, as well as a 5% poach, but don't poach them. These can be a pain, so be patient. Orichalcum: Scholar's Monograph (22,000) Deidar (The Pharos At Ridorana/First Ascent-Wellspring Ravel): A 13% monograph drop. Mallet: Reward from Montblanc for defeating King Bomb (Salikawood/ Grand Bower) Purobolos (The Pharos At Ridorana/Third Ascent): A 5% monograph drop. Mage's Monograph (21,000) required. Bombshell (Lhusu Mines/Lasche Span): Steal from this rare monster, which also happens to drop the Yagyu Darkblade (WP29). A 3/6% steal rate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MURAMASA [WP16] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 50 Attack Power: 84 Evade: +5 Katana (2H) Combo Rate: 13% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Henne Mines The Muramasa is the second strongest Katana in the game, behind only the Masamune. Random Chest: The Pharos At Ridorana: First Ascent-Wellspring Ravel/3rd Flight: A 70% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a guaranteed Muramasa with the Diamond Armlet equipped. One-time only. Shop: Available for purchase from the shifty eyed merchant for 30,000 after giving 25 trophies to Atak, 1 trophy to Blok, and 1 trophy to Stok. Drop: Crypt Bunny (The Feywood/Walk Of Stolen Truths): A 3/6/8/12% drop from this rare game. In order for it to spawn, you must defeat all Tartarus and at least 6 Cerberus, and then it has a 20% chance to spawn along the eastern edge of the area. It will only come out when you get close to it's area. Also a great area to get Hell-Gate's Flames from Cerberus for use in creating the Masamune [WP15] and Tournesol [WP24]. Steal: Avenger (Pharos-Second Ascent/Station Of Ascension): A guaranteed steal from this trophy game. It has a 40% chance to spawn in the northwestern area upon each entry. Be sure to equip Thief's Cuffs on all active members, along with steal gambits. Be aware that this is one of the more difficult and dangerous trophy monsters. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OROCHI [WP17] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 45 Attack Power: 72 Added Effect: Dark Element, Disable Evade: +20 Ninja Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 20% Cost: 15,200 (Serpent Blade) Available:1 Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Orochi is the second strongest ninja sword in the game. Many players try to acquire this sword for their fight against Yiazmat due to the relative ease of acquiring it as opposed to the Yagyu Darkblade, which can require the time consuming chaining of the rare monster Bombshell. The Yagyu Darkblade has an eight point strength advantage, although the Orochi has the added effect of disable (10% chance each strike). The only way to get the Orochi is via the Bazaar. Bazaar: Coeurl Whiskers x2, Sickle Blade x2, Cancer Gem x3 Loot Locations: Coeurl Whiskers: Hunter's Monograph (18,000) Ose (Great Crystal/Lower Layer): 16% monograph drop. Found in most areas before Waystone IX. Sickle Blade: Knight's Monograph (19,000) Preying Mantis (The Feywood/White Magick's Embrace, Ice Field Of Clearsight, The Edge Of Reason): 10% monograph drop. These enemies are plentiful throughout these areas. Cancer Gem: Preying Mantis (The Feywood/White Magick's Embrace, Ice Field Of Clearsight, The Edge Of Reason): 30% steal with Thief's cuffs, and also a 1/2/3/5% drop. Nice easy way to get both Cancer Gems and Sickle Blades. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RAGNAROK [WP18] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 90 Attack Power: 109 Added Effect: Immobilize (25%) Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 7% Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Pharos The Ragnarok is the fifth strongest greatsword in the game. Reward: Reward for completing Fishy Dreams (Ixion, Bill #43, Rank VI Elite) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROD OF FAITH [WP19] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 120 Attack Power: 24 Magick Power: +3 Added Effect: 60% Faith On Hit/MP +35 Rod (2H) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Rod Of Faith is considered the ultimate rod. Reward: Reward for completing Truth Shrouded In Mist (Behemoth King, Bill #42, Rank VII Elite). You must head to Mt. Bur Omisace after defeating Behemoth King and speaking to the petitioner. Strike the Wyrm Snout in Temple Approach without a weapon equipped on Vaan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAGITTARIUS [WP20] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 120 Attack Power: 93 Bow (2H) Cost: 60,000 (Silver Bow) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Mt. Bur Omisace/Reach Phon Coast The Sagittarius is the strongest bow in the game. And also one of the biggest pains to acquire, due to the relative difficulty in acquiring the loot to create it. Bazaar: Beastlord Horn x3, Moon Ring x3, Sagittarius Gem x4 Loot Locations: Beastlord Horn: Knight's Monograph (19,000) Humbaba (Mosphoran Highwaste/Summit Path, Northern Skirts): An 8% monograph drop. Save at the Bubbling Vale, then head to either area (I prefer heading south to the Summit Path, where there are two of them in the center of the area). Moon Ring: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Ash Wyrm (Great Crystal) (Mosphoran Highwaste/Empyrean Seat): A 10% monograph drop. There are several Ash Wyrms in the Great Crystal area, most notable one just two screens away from where the Zodiac Escutcheon is. To get Moon Rings in the Mosphoran Highwaste, you must first defeat the esper Exodus. Save at the Bubbling Vale and head back to Empyrean Seat. If the Ash Wyrm does not drop the Moon Ring, soft reset and try again. Reward from Montblanc for completing the For Whom The Wyrm Tolls hunt (Ring Wyrm, Bill #7, Rank III) Sagittarius Gem: Oiling (Stilshrine Of Miriam/Walk Of Torn Illusion, Cold Distance): A 6% steal with Thief's Cuffs. Oilings are plentiful in these two areas, and you are sure to get a few between the two areas. Be careful before entering Cold Distance however, as there is a Confuse/Berserk trap that you will set off when you enter the area unless you cast Float on your party before you enter. Foobar (Nabreus Deadlands/The Slumbermead, Fog Mutters): A 30% steal with Thief's Cuffs. You can save at the teleport crystal one screen north of the Slumbermead. There are a few Foobars at the northern end of The Slumbermead, and a couple more in the Fog Mutters. Easier to steal from Foobars to get Sagittarius Gems, as well as Silver Liquid for multiple ammo types in the Bazaar. There are also Emeralditans in The Slumbermead, which drop Scarletite for use in the Masamune and Tournesol recipes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SCORPION TAIL [WP21] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 70 Attack Power: 119 Evade: +2 Hammer (1H) Combo Rate: 7% Cost: 60,000 (The Scorpion) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Eruyt Village/Henne Mines The Scorpion Tail is the strongest hammer in the game. Great attack power, but like all other hammers and axes, inconsistent damage. The only way to acquire it is via the Bazaar. Bazaar: Charged Gizzard x3, Wyrm Bone x3, Scorpio Gem x4 Loot Locations: Charged Gizzard: Knight's Monograph (19,000) Thunderbug (Henne Mines/Crossover B): Probably the easiest way to acquire these. Save at the crystal, then head one screen east. In a dead end in this area are two "chests", which in reality are Thunderbugs. A 15% monograph drop. If you don't get a Charged Gizzard, soft reset and try again. Wyrm Bone: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Skulwyrm (Zertinan Caverns/Drybeam Cavern) (Great Crystal): You can steal Wyrm Bones from Skulwyrm, and they are also 10% monograph drops. This area is also great to acquire Death Powders from Bogeys, which is an ingredient for Ultima Blade [WP25]. There are also Skulwyrms throughout the Great Crystal, with the same steal and drop statistics. Scorpio Gem: Grenade, Buer (Zertinan Caverns): Probably the easiest place to go for Scorpio Gems. Grenades are found in Hourglass Basin, with a 1/2/3/5% drop, as well as a 30% steal with Thief's Cuffs. Buers are found in Sandfalls, Hourglass Basin, Darkened Wharf and Drybeam Cavern, with a 30% steal with Thief's Cuffs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STAFF OF THE MAGI [WP22] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 100 Attack Power: 46 Added Effect: Holy Power Up Evade: +8 Magick Power: +8 Staff (2H) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Pharos At Ridorana The Staff Of The Magi is the second strongest staff in the game, behind only the Cloud Staff. They feature the same evasion, but the Cloud Staff has 2 more attack points, but one less Magic Power point. This weapon is featured here due to its rarity (what else). It can only be acquired via a steal from the rare monster Luxollid. Steal: Luxollid (The Pharos At Ridorana/Subterra-Umbra South): A couple of requirements must first be met before this rare entite will appear. First you must complete the God Or Devil? hunt (Shadowseer, Bill #44, Rank VI Elite). Then you must defeat the rare monster Vagrant Soul which can be found in Abyssal (please see Eight-Fluted Pole [WP6]). Right after defeating Vagrant Soul, you must immediately take the Dais of Ascendence to Umbra. Luxollid will be found in the southwest area, in the easternmost room once passing through the ancient door. Be sure to buff your characters, equip Thief's Cuffs and set steal gambits before entering. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- STONEBLADE [WP23] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 80 Attack Power: 95 Evade: +10 Sword (1H) Combo Rate: 5% Cost: 17,800 (Darksteel Blade) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Stoneblade is the second strongest one handed sword in the game. Two ways to acquire it, one via a chest, and the other via the Bazaar. Random Chest: Great Crystal: Uldobi Phulaam Udiipraa: A 100% chance to spawn, and then a 2% chance to contain a Stoneblade with no Diamond Armlet equipped. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Bazaar: Chimera Head x2, Orichalcum x2, Taurus Gem x3 Loot Locations: Chimera Head: Mage's Monograph (21,000) Chimera Brain (The Pharos At Ridorana, First Ascent): A 12% monograph drop, you should also equip Thief's Cuffs and steal Taurus Gems from them as well for use in creating the Stoneblade. Orichalcum: Scholar's Monograph (22,000) Deidar (The Pharos At Ridorana, First Ascent): A 13% monograph drop. Also can be used in the recipe to create the Masamune. Taurus Gem: Chimera Brain (The Pharos At Ridorana, First Ascent): A 30% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs, as well as a 1/2/3/5% drop rate. Great enemies to defeat to get two thirds of the ingredients for the Stoneblade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOURNESOL [WP24] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 225 Attack Power: 140 Evade: +25 Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 12% Cost: 600,000 (The Sunflower) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor/Phon Coast Hunt Club The Tournesol is the strongest two-handed sword in the game, and also probably the most difficult item in general to acquire via the Bazaar. It quite possibly will be the most valuable and useful weapon a player can acquire during normal gameplay (the genji glove/masamune combination will probably be most effective for the hardest marks). Definitely worth the effort to obtain, but collecting some of the loot required can test your patience. NOTE: You will only need to acquire three High Arcana to create Tournesol. Bazaar: Gemsteel x3, Empyreal Soul x3, Serpentarius x3 Loot Locations: Gemsteel: Reward from Montblanc after acquiring 8 Espers. 90% Monograph drop from Lvl. 99 Red Chocobo (see Ribbon [AR15] for spawn information) Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. Bazaar: Sell Scarletite x1, Damascus Steel x2, Hell-Gate's Flame x2, then purchase for 29,997. (1)Scarletite: Reward for perfect score in the Den of the River Lord fishing area. 50% chance of receiving it each time. Rare steal from the boss Pandemonium (Pharos-First Ascent/ Dunes Of Profaining Wind) Steal from the rare game trophy monster Aspidochelon (Cerobi Steppe/Feddik River): Relatively easy way of acquiring Scarletite. This monster has a 40% chance of spawning when entering the area. If it is there, steal from it, do NOT defeat it. Zone away two screens, then come back and zone until it appears again. Use Thief's Cuffs if possible on all three members. Repeat as necessary. Emeralditan (Nabreus Deadlands/Echoes Of The Past, The Slumbermead): A 6% monograph drop, as well as a 5% poach. There is a teleport crystal one screen north of the Slumbermead. Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. (2)Damascus Steel: Steal from the rare game Bluesang (Cerobi Steppe/Crossfield). Possibly the easiest way to get Damascus Steel if you are trying to get Masamune or Tournesol early. There is a blue save crystal one screen south of this area (which can be accessed via the Strahl). Save at the crystal, then head to the next area. Bluesang spawns at a 40% rate in between two pillars in the western section of this area (watch out for traps). If successful, save at the crystal, then make sure to zone two screens away or soft reset. Bune (Pharos At Ridorana/Second Ascent) (Pharos At Ridorana/ Subterra-B1F): A 6% monograph drop as well as a 5% poach. Knight's Monograph (19,000) required. Anchag (Paramina Rift/Karydine Glacier): A guaranteed steal from this rare game monster. Once you enter the area, you must defeat ALL foes (including neutral), and Anchag will spawn usually near the center of the area. (3)Hell-Gate's Flame: Cerberus (The Feywood/Walk Of Stolen Truths): 40% chance to replace each Tartarus. A 5% monograph drop, as well as a 5% poach, but don't poach them. These can be a pain, so be patient. Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. Empyreal Soul: Reward from Montblanc for reaching High Guardian clan rank. 6% steal with Thief's Cuffs from Lvl. 99 Red Chocobo (See Ribbon [AR15] for spawn information) Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. Bazaar: Sell Wargod's Band x2, Soul Powder x1, High Arcana x1, then purchase for 29,997. (1)Wargod's Band: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Leynir (Nabreus Deadlands/Lifeless Strand): A 5% monograph drop. This area is one screen north from the teleport crystal. There are 6 or 7 Leynirs in this area, if none drop a Wargod's Band, soft reset and try again. Victanir (Nam-Yensa Sandsea/Yellow Sands): A 3/6% steal rate from this trophy rare. It spawns typically around the entrance to the Zertinan Caverns. It's probably easier to get these from Leynirs, but if your level isn't high enough to defeat them and the Baknamys that accompany them, this is a good alternate method. Steal from Victanir (buffs, Thief's Cuffs, steal gambits), zone into Zertinan Caverns (there are Slimes you'll need to run past, not too bad) two screens, then return and try again. Victanir spawns at a 40% rate each time you enter the Yellow Sands. Be aware that he is an "invisible" enemy, so you will need to be in his general area for him to appear. (2)Soul Powder: Reward for completing The Dead Ought Sleep Forever hunt (Ixtab, Bill #12, Rank II) Etem (Henne Mines/Special Charter Shaft): A 10% monograph drop, as well as a 6% steal with Thief's Cuffs. They are found throughout the Special Charter Shaft along with Necrofiends. One of the hardest areas to fight in, so you'll need to be at pretty high levels (at least 60's) in order to farm here. Warmage's Monograph (20,000) required. Vorres (Necrohol Of Nabudis/Hall Of Ivory Covenant): You can steal Soul Powder from this rare game trophy monster. You must first get a Dark Elemental to spawn (20% chance each time you enter this area), then provoke and lure it near either the southwest or northwest room from the door that leads to Fury, Vorres will spawn. Steal from Vorres, but do NOT defeat it. Zone away two screens, then return and repeat the Dark Elemental lure process. If you receive the Empyreal Soul reward for reaching High Guardian, and receive a Soul Powder from the Ixtab hunt, you will only have to do this process once. (3)High Arcana: Reward from Montblanc for acquiring four espers. Reward from Montblanc for reaching Paragon Of Justice clan rank. All respawnable rare game monsters can drop High Arcana (5% drop) if you have the Canopic Jar. The easiest way to get High Arcana is to chain the rare game Dustia in Dalmasca Westersand/Corridor Of Sand. You only need one of your characters below 10% max HP, then enter Corridor Of Sand and Dustia will immediately spawn. If you toss a Phoenix Down on Dustia, it causes instant death, due to Dustia being undead. Use the teleporting monster glitch (grab the loot and zone out of the area before the EXP and LP animations appear), and return to find Dustia has respawned (assuming you still have a character below 10% max HP). Most espers have a 6% steal chance with Thief's Cuffs. The easiest way to farm from espers is from Adrammelech in the Zertinan Caverns/Arthroza Quicksands. Attempt to steal, then regardless of what you get, zone away one screen, return and try again. Bazaar: Sell Arcana x10, Feystone x1, Soul Of Thamasa x1: Arcana drops like crazy once you have the Canopic Jar, so pretty easy to get. Feystones can be stolen from Elementals and Entites at a 30% rate with Thief's Cuffs, and they also drop them, with Entites dropping at a 25% rate, while Elementals drop at a 3% rate. Soul Of Thamasa can be acquired via a reward from the Dead City Watch hunt (Deathscythe, Bill #25, Rank VI). Also, you can steal from the rare trophy monster Ishteen(Barheim Passage/East-West Bypass, The Zeviah Span). When he spawns in one of these two zones, steal from him, then zone into the other zone, and steal another from him. You can do this twice, but then need to zone away two zones for him to reappear (he will not keep chasing you once you zone away from either zone listed). Finally, Oversouls in the Necrohol Of Nabudis have a 6% monograph drop, and are found randomly throughout the area. Once completing the recipe, you can purchase the High Arcana for 9,999. Serpentarius: Reward from Montblanc for acquiring 13 espers. An 80% steal with Thief's Cuffs from Zodiark. Bazaar: Sell Snake Skin x4, Serpent Eye x2, High Arcana x1, then purchase for 19,998. (1)Snake Skin: Wild Snake (Giza Plains/Toam Hills dry): The only place in the game it can be found, and there is only one. Pretty easy nonetheless, as it is an 80% steal with Thief's Cuffs, as well as a 40/45/50/55% drop. It is is found at the southern end of this area, on a plateau just east of the southern exit. It sneaks up from the ground like most snakes in the game. You can make it even easier by making a chain of virtually any other enemy, then come here (make sure not to use a save crystal or enter an area where it is just Vaan walking around), steal from Wild Snake, then use Break on it. Wait out the 10 seconds (turn off gambits for this process), and wait for a loot drop. There is a very good possibility that it will drop multiple Snake Skins, and then you only need to zone north one screen, and then return for it to spawn again. (2)Serpent Eye: Reward for completing A Tingling Toast (Marilith, Bill #9, Rank V) Basilisk (The Feywood/White Magick's Embrace, Ice Field Of Clearsight, The Edge Of Reason): An 8% monograph drop. These are plentiful throughout these areas, and do not sneak up from the ground, making them easily visible. One of the most popular areas for loot in this guide, with Preying Mantis' here as well, which yield Sickle Blades and Cancer Gems for the Orochi [WP17]. Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. Grey Molter (Mosphoran Highwaste/Empyrean Way): A guaranteed steal from this rare game monster. In order for it to spawn, your game clock must read between :10 and :20. Then search the middle of the area, east of the shrine. You will need to explore, it will only come out when you are close to its location. (3)High Arcana: Reward from Montblanc for acquiring four espers. Reward from Montblanc for reaching Paragon Of Justice clan rank. All respawnable rare game monsters can drop High Arcana (5% drop) if you have the Canopic Jar. The easiest way to get High Arcana is to chain the rare game Dustia in Dalmasca Westersand/Corridor Of Sand. You only need one of your characters below 10% max HP, then enter Corridor Of Sand and Dustia will immediately spawn. If you toss a Phoenix Down on Dustia, it causes instant death, due to Dustia being undead. Use the teleporting monster glitch (grab the loot and zone out of the area before the EXP and LP animations appear), and return to find Dustia has respawned (assuming you still have a character below 10% max HP). Most espers have a 6% steal chance with Thief's Cuffs. The easiest way to farm from espers is from Adrammelech in the Zertinan Caverns/Arthroza Quicksands. Attempt to steal, then regardless of what you get, zone away one screen, return and try again. Bazaar: Sell Arcana x10, Feystone x1, Soul Of Thamasa x1: Arcana drops like crazy once you have the Canopic Jar, so pretty easy to get. Feystones can be stolen from Elementals and Entites at a 30% rate with Thief's Cuffs, and they also drop them, with Entites dropping at a 25% rate, while Elementals drop at a 3% rate. Soul Of Thamasa can be acquired via a reward from the Dead City Watch hunt (Deathscythe, Bill #25, Rank VI). Also, you can steal from the rare trophy monster Ishteen (Barheim Passage/East-West Bypass, The Zeviah Span). When he spawns in one of these two zones, steal from him, then zone into the other zone, and steal another from him. You can do this twice, but then need to zone away two zones for him to reappear (he will not keep chasing you once you zone away from either zone listed). Finally, Oversouls in the Necrohol Of Nabudis have a 6% monograph drop, and are found randomly throughout the area. Once completing the recipe, you can purchase the High Arcana for 9,999. Once all loot is acquired, teleport to an area with a merchant (Dalmasca Westersand is nice, there's a merchant in the same area as the crystal). SAVE YOUR GAME FIRST! Then, sell 4 Snake Skins, 2 Serpent Eyes, 2 Wargod's Bands, 1 Soul Powder, and 1 High Arcana. You will have both a Serpentarius (Jewel Of The Serpent-19,998) and an Empyreal Soul (Jewel Of Creation-29,997) available for purchase (you used ONE High Arcana as a combination for both recipes). Repeat according to how many of each you need. Once you have a total of 3 Serpentarius and 3 Empyreal Soul, sell 2 Hell-Gate's Flame, 2 Damascus Steel, and 1 Scarletite. You will have a Gemsteel (Matchless Metal-29,997) available for purchase in the Bazaar. Repeat this process until you have 3 Gemsteel. Now, if you plan on just getting the Tournesol, then sell 3 Serpentarius, 3 Empyreal Soul, and 3 Gemsteel, and the Tournesol (The Sunflower-600,000) will be available in the Bazaar. If you plan on acquiring BOTH the Tournesol AND Masamune [WP15], then sell 3 Serpentarius, 3 Empyreal Soul, 3 Gemsteel, 3 Orichalcum, and 2 Mallet. The Tournesol will be available in the Bazaar, as well as the Masamune (Master-crafted Blade-350,000). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ULTIMA BLADE [WP25] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 90 Attack Power: 118 Evade: +10 Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 7% Cost: 22,800 (Ultimate Blade) Available: 2 Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace The Ultima Blade is the fourth strongest greatsword in the game. There are two possibilities to acquire it, one via chest and one via the Bazaar. A very useful item, especially if acquired early. You can make one via the Bazaar once you've cleared the events at Mt. Bur-Omisace. Bazaar: Adamantite x2, Death Powder x2, Gnoma Halcyon x1 Loot Locations: Adamantite: Reward for perfect score in the Den of the River Lord fishing area. 50% chance of receiving it each time. Reward for perfect score in the Hidden Shoals fishing area. 45% before Cactoid Compact, 55% after. Reward for completing Shelled Obstruction hunt (Darksteel, Bill #20, Rank IV). Adamantitan (Cerobi Steppe/Feddik River): An 8% monograph drop. Hunter's Monograph (18,000) required. Steal from the first rare game trophy monster Thalassinon (Phon Coast/The Vaddu Strand): Once meeting the hunters in Phon Coast, this monster will spawn in The Vaddu Strand once you head to the top of the cliff and look downward towards the shore (this is also the area where the 16 chests that pertain to the Zodiac Spear are). Death Powder: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Bogey (Zertinan Caverns/Drybeam Cavern, Darkened Wharf): A 16% monograph drop. Bogeys also drop the Iga Blade [WP13]. Gnoma Halcyon: Gnoma Entite (Dalmasca Westersand/The Midfault, Shimmering Horizons, Galtea Downs): This Entite appears only during a sandstorm. The chances for sandstorms are much greater if you have not defeated the optional boss Earth Tyrant. If you have, sandstorms will become MUCH more infrequent. The easiest way to get a sandstorm in the area is to enter the Westersand from the Giza Plains area during the rains. A 3% drop rate, along with a 3/6% steal rate. Again, with most entites, try to lure it near a zone line first, then zone out and back to reset it to neutral. Then steal again, repeating the process until you get the Halcyon. Random Chest: Pharos At Ridorana: Umbra B2F: Northeast section, easternmost room. Chest has a 30% spawn rate, and is guaranteed to be an Ultima Blade with or without the Diamond Armlet equipped. A one-time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VOLCANO [WP26] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 45 Attack Power: 85 Hand Bomb (2H) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Volcano is the strongest hand bomb in the game. Reward: Reward for completing Paying For The Past (Catoblepas, Bill #30, Rank VI) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHALE WHISKER [WP27] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 125 Attack Power: 108 Evade: +25 Pole (2H) Combo Rate: 12% Cost: 60,000 (Whisker Of The Beast) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Pharos At Ridorana The Whale Whisker is the strongest pole in the game. The only way to acquire this item is via the Bazaar. Bazaar: Mythril x3, Corpse Fly x3, Aquarius Gem x4 Loot Locations: Mythril: Scholar's Monograph (22,000) Mythril Golem (Giruvegan/The Trimahla Water-Steps, The Aadha Water-Steps): A 3/6% steal rate, along with a 10% monograph drop. Reward for completing Adding Insult To Injury hunt (Roblon, Bill #18, Rank VI). Steal from the rare game monster Molen (Zertinan Caverns /Hourglass Basin): When entering the southern portion of this area, head to the hidden easternmost part of the map, where there will be three Grenades lurking. Wait at the end of the area, and after about 10 seconds, Molen will spawn across the chasm. Head back around to steal from it. Corpse Fly: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Dragon Lich (Pharos At Ridorana/Subterra): Found in all three levels of the Subterra, and usually the first enemy you encounter when entering one of the corner areas. A 3/6% steal, and also a 12% monograph drop. I took the Dais of Ascendence to B3F, then headed left from the elevator into the first area, where there was a Dragon Lich waiting. If I didn't get a Corpse Fly, I soft-resetted. You can also find a few Dragon Lich's on floor 62 of the second ascent. Aquarius Gem: Treant (Golmore Jungle/The Needlebrake): Save at the teleport crystal in Euryt Village first. Head into Golmore Jungle, where two Treants await you right when you head up the stairs. Attempt to steal from both (3/6% chance), if you don't get an Aquarius Gem, soft reset and try again. Facer (Stilshrine Of Miriam/Walk Of Prescience, Walk Of Reason): Don't get these confused with Miriam Facers, which do not yield Aquarius Gems. A 30% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Golem (The Feywood/Walk Of Flitting Rifts, Walk Of Stolen Truths): A 1/2/3/5% drop rate, as well as a 30% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Save at the crystal at Antiquity's End, then head north into Walk Of Stolen Truths. This is also the area with Cerberus, which drop Hell-Gate's Flames for use in the Tournesol recipe. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WYRMHERO BLADE [WP28] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: N/A Attack Power: 130 Added Effect: Bravery, Faith, Holy Element Evade: +50 Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 80% Cost: 65,535 (Dragon Crest) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Pharos At Ridorana The Wyrmhero Blade is the second strongest two-handed sword in the game. It comes equipped with Bravery and Faith buffs, and has an 80% combo rate. Unfortunately, it is also the slowest weapon in the game, with a charge time twice that of the second slowest weapons in the game, guns. By the time it is acquired, most enemies it would be useful on have been defeated. Bazaar: Lu Shang's Badge x1, Godslayer's Badge x1, Omega Badge x1 Loot Locations: Lu Shang's Badge: Awarded after completing the Den Of The River Lord section of the fishing game at Dalmasca Estersand/ South Bank Village. Godslayer's Badge: Awarded by Montblanc for completing the Farewell to a Legend hunt (Yiazmat, Bill #45, Rank VIII Elite). Omega Badge: 100% Drop from Omega Mark XII (Great Crystal). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YAGYU DARKBLADE [WP29] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: 80 Added Effect: Dark Element Evade: +20 Ninja Sword (2H) Combo Rate: 22% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace The Yagyu Darkblade is the strongest ninja sword in the game, and can be a major pain to obtain. Very limited in its uses, but very useful in the fight against Yiazmat, due to his weakness to dark, along with a very good combo rate. The only way to acquire this weapon is via a rare drop from the rare monster Bombshell. Rare Drop: Bombshell (Lhusu Mines/Lasche Span): 20% spawn rate with each entry of the area. I suggest zoning between Lasche Span and either Site 5 or Site 11 a few times just to ensure that he appears. There are also two level 60ish Aeronites in this area, and they can be very tough, as if Bombshell is not tough enough. The nice thing about chaining Bombshell is that he will chase you from one end of Lasche Span to the other, while the Aeronites have a set area that they will stay in, and will only pursue you so far. Set your attack gambits to Foe:water-weak>attack, which should focus your attacks on Bombshell only (of course, you can also choose to fight manually). Try to make it a three on one fight as much as possible, and buff your characters accordingly before fighting this guy. Dispel him when you get the chance as well. Once he is defeated, head into either Site 5 or Site 11, whichever is closer. Now, you'll need to zone twice to reset the area to make Bombshell spawn again. The easiest way is to ride the mine cart in either area, which will count as a two zone. Be careful not to kill any stray bats while heading to the mine carts. Once you've reached the other side, head back into Lasche Span, remembering to one zone a few times. You can also zone back from Site 11 to Site 9 if you don't want to two zone using a mine cart. There isn't a viable way to do this from Site 5, however. The Yagyu Darkblade is a 3/6/8/12% drop, so it may take a while, but remember that the chances of multiple drops increases with each jump in chain level. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ZEUS MACE [WP30] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 25 Attack Power: 66 Added Effect: Dark Power Up Evade: +4 Mace (1H) Combo Rate: 4% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Zeus Mace is the second strongest mace in the game. Reward: Reward for completing The Child Snatcher (Diabolos, Bill #27, Rank VII). Random Chest: Pharos At Ridorana: Wellspring Ravel-3rd Flight: A 70% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a guaranteed Zeus Mace without a Diamond Armlet equipped. It will contain a Muramasa [WP16] if a Diamond Armlet is equipped. One time only chest. Drop: Minibug (Barheim Passage/East-West Bypass): A 1/2/3/5% drop rate. Minibug spawns at a 20% rate when you enter the area. If you enter this area from the teleport crystal, there will be a red dot at the end of a long passageway on your minimap if Minibug is present. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ZODIAC SPEAR [WP31] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 235 Attack Power: 150 Evade: +8 Spear (2H) Combo Rate: 4% Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall The Zodiac Spear is the strongest weapon in the game. Two ways to acquire this weapon, both via chests. Guaranteed Chest: You must not open the following four chests from the beginning of the game until reaching access to the Necrohol Of Nabudis, where the spear resides: 1.The chest in front of Old Dalan's place in Lowtown. 2.Once inside the palace in the Cellars, the left chest in the southeast corner contains an elixir. Do not open it. Or either just to be safe. 3.Once you've been captured and thrown in Nalbina Dungeon, do not open any chests in the Confiscatory. 4.There are 16 chests on Phon Coast aligned in four rows of four. One of these is the forbidden chest. Do NOT open any of them, period. If you do not open any of these chests, the Zodiac Spear will be in a room in the Necrohol of Nabudis (Cloister of the Highborn) with 15 other chests. You can first access the weapon after the events at the Tomb Of Raithwall. If you want it early in the game, I would suggest being around an average level of 30 before trying to get it. It is a one-time only chest. Once Raithwall is cleared, head to Nalbina. Speak to July the informant, who hides between the guards blocking entrance to the Mosphoran Highwaste and the chocobo stable. Then rent a chocobo from Gurdy, and attempt to pass between the guards. Before you head off, talk to July again to gain a Salamand Halcyon later in the game. Then head through the Southern Skirts, staying to the left, until you enter Summit Path. Take Summit Path, again staying to the left side, north until you reach Bubbling Vale. There is a teleport crystal here, so save your game, then head over to the merchant Luccio who is directly east of the crystal. If you have the cash, I suggest buying a set of Thief's Cuffs (3,000), and as many Golden Amulets (4,500/double LP) you can buy (up to 6). From here, take the northwest exit into Trail of Sky-flung Stone. Head east through this area until you reach Northern Skirts. Head north through here, then through Halny Crossing to reach the Salikawood. Once there, head north through The Omen-Spur and save at Path of Hours. From here, head north into Trunkwall Road. You can take the left or right path, it doesn't matter, they essentially lead to the same area. The map urn for this area is in the southeast corner of this area, so taking the right path might be the way to go. Heading left will send you through Sun-Dappled Path and Garden Of Decay, while heading right will lead you into Diverging Way. If you enter Living Chasm, you are headed the wrong way (leads to Phon Coast). Eventually you will reach Quieted Trace, which has a teleport crystal. Save your game here, it is time to do some buffing and examining. North one screen, in the Grand Bower, is King Bomb. Buff all of your characters with Protect and Shell (Regen would not hurt, if you have it). Make sure you have the best armor and weapons available ( Demonsbane, Gladius, Kotetsu, Partisan, Main Gauche for the evade stat, Golden Shield, Golden Helm, Golden Armor, Gauntlets, Battle Harness). I really suggest having at least one, if not two, Demonsbanes for this fight, which you can get after defeating the two Demon Walls in the Tomb Of Raithwall. Also, be sure to have Quickenings for most if not all of your characters, and it really would be nice to have at least three of them having two Quickenings each. Once you feel you are equipped and buffed to the max, save again. Then head north. King Bomb will have Bombs with him, dispatch them first to make the battle easier. You can head back to the save crystal at any time, and it might be a good idea to do so once the bombs are gone, for they will not respawn when you re-enter the area. Once they are gone, focus your attacks all out on King Bomb. If you can get Silence to hit, it will make this battle MUCH easier, as King Bomb will not be able to summon any more Bombs, and he will not be able to use Fira. Once defeated, head back to the crystal. Once back at the crystal, buff all of your characters with Protect, Shell, Libra, and maybe Regen. Also, make sure your lead character has a high evade weapon/shield combination (Main Gauche and Golden Shield are optimal), along with Gauntlets (which increases the chance to block with a shield). Be sure to also set your battle speed to the lowest setting, to minimize damage. Also set up gambits for each member (if possible) for Protect, Shell, and Libra (Regen if you want). Form your party so that you have one member only, the one with the high evade setup, and also all gambits turned off. Save at the crystal, then head north through Grand Bower. When you reach the fork in the road, take the left path to head into Corridor Of Ages. Take the first right, then the next left, then finally right to reach the Necrohol Of Nabudis. An important reminder: If you stop and try to fight anything in here, you WILL die. Period. Your objective is to run through the areas as quickly as possible. The reason I had you equip the high evade setup is specifically for the first area of the Necrohol, Hall Of Effulgent Light. Baknamys infect this area, and they hit very hard and fast. There are also numerous traps, which you want to avoid, because it's instant death in most cases if you set one off. So with your gambits turned off, you can run (the blocking effect will NOT work if you flee) through this area, hopefully limiting somewhat the damage inflicted. If you do not wish to use this setup, or it is not working well based on your level or available equipment, then I suggest holding down R2 to flee through the areas. If your first member dies, switch them out for another character (remember to equip this new member with the same equipment). Continue through this area until you reach Cloister Of Distant Song. The second you enter this area, revive any members that may have been KO'd , and turn on your gambits to enable your buffs (you can also do this manually, but be sure to have at least Protect, Shell, and Libra). Once everyone is alive and buffed, continue through this area, where there will be Elvorets (flying demons) about. Keep running until you reach Cloister Of The Highborn, which is where the Zodiac Spear resides. Once again, the second you enter this area, revive and buff KO'd characters, and follow the map until you reach the room with the spear. Open ONLY the second chest from the left in the front row, it will probably be the first chest you see, in the first row you see when you enter the room with 16 chests. It will contain the Zodiac Spear, assuming you did not open one of the forbidden chests. If the spear is not here, you obviously opened a chest you were not supposed to. Once you get the spear, backtrack out of here (there will be a few Elvorets right on your tail). Follow the revive/buff technique as you head out. Later in the game, if you did not open any of the Phon Coast chests, you can also get 15 Dark Matters if you equip the Diamond Armlet first. DO NOT EQUIP THE DIAMOND ARMLET WHEN OPENING THE CHEST WITH THE SPEAR! You will get a Dark Matter, not the spear. Get the spear first, then equip your DA, then open the rest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Random Chest: Henne Mines (Phase 2 Dig): You must have defeated 10 Espers and completed The Mine Flayer hunt (Mind Flayer, Bill #15, Rank IV). You then can speak to the Geomancer in Jahara, who will have someone open up the secret areas in the Henne Mines (past the section where you fought Tiamat). Teleport there using a teleport crystal, then head north, then east. This area is the Phase 2 Dig. After a few twists and turns, there will be an area that is not shown on your map. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR DIAMOND ARMLET EQUIPPED! The chest has a 10% chance to spawn, a 10% chance to be an item, and 10% chance to be the Zodiac Spear. Basically, a 1/1000 chance each time you load for the Spear to be there. Your best bet is to save at the crystal, run to where the chest is, if you don't get your spear, soft reset and try again. I guess theoretically you can get as many spears as you want with this method, but I suggest having a life instead. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ARTEMIS ARROWS [AM1] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +5 Added Effect: Earth Element Cost: 15,000 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Bazaar: Dorsal Fin x2, Gemini Gem x3, Vampyr Fang x2 Loot Locations: Dorsal Fin: Mage's Monograph (21,000) Focalor (Nabreus Deadlands/Echoes Of The Past, The Slumbermead) (Sochen Cave Palace/Falls Of Time): A 16% monograph drop as well as a 5% poach rate. Gemini Gem: Zaghnal (Ozmone Plain/Field Of Fallen Wings, Dagan Flats, Field Of Light Winds): A 10/30% steal rate. Vampyr Fang: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Abysteel (Lhusu Mines/Site 5, Site 6 South) (Henne Mines/ Phase 2 Dig, Crossover C, Pithead Junction C, Phase 2 Shaft) (Sochen Cave Palace/Destiny's March): A 15% monograph drop. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: The Terraced Bank: A 50% chance for the chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Artemis Arrows with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located just slightly northeast of the two windmills just north of the entrance to this area. The chest is along the eastern edge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSASSIN'S ARROWS [AM2] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +3 Added Effect: KO (25%) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing the Wyrm Wrath's Renewal (Fafnir, Bill #31, Mark VII) hunt. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: The Northsward: A 50% chance of this chest spawning, and then a 5% chance to contain Assassin's Arrows with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BAMBOO ARROWS [AM3] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Poison (25%) Cost: 6,280 (Hollow-Shaft Arrows/Comes with Loxley Bow) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Bat Fang x5, Water Magicite x3, Yellow Liquid x1 Loot Locations: Bat Fang: Steeling (Garamsythe Waterway) (Barheim Passage) (Lhusu Mines): A guaranteed Poach from Steelings. Water Magicite: Ozmone Hare (Ozmone Plain/Field Of Fallen Wings, The Greensnake): A 25/30/35/40% drop along with a 55/80% steal rate. Yellow Liquid: Jelly (Henne Mines/Pithead Junction A, Pithead Junction B): A 25/30/35/40% drop along with a 10/30% steal rate. You can get Yellow Liquid as early as the Tomb Of Raithwall from Tallows, but they are a 5% poach rate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIERY ARROWS [AM4] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +1 Added Effect: Fire Element Cost: 3,800 (Arrows Alight/Comes with Longbow) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan Bazaar: Crooked Fang x2, Fire Stone x4 Loot Locations: Crooked Fang: Wyvern (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea/East Junction, Platform 1- South Tanks): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate, along with a 95% poach rate. Fire Stone: Hyena (Giza Plains): Found througout Giza dry in the beginning of the game. A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, along with a 55/80% steal rate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ICECLOUD ARROWS [AM5] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +4 Added Effect: Ice Element Cost: 17,200 (Permafrost Bow & Quiver/Comes with Perseus Bow) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events of Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Bazaar: Antarctic Wind x2, Ice Crystal x7, Spiral Incisor x4 Loot Locations: Antarctic Wind: Hunter's Monograph (18,000) Feral Croc (Tchita Uplands/Oliphzak Rise): Only found in this area. An 8% monograph drop. Can also be stolen from the trophy rare game Gavial in Garamsythe Waterway. Ice Crystal: Buer (Zertinan Caverns): Found throughout the caverns. A 25/30/35/40% drop. Buers also drop Scorpio Gems for use in the creation of the Scorpion Tail [WP21]. Spiral Incisor: Vampyr (Lhusu Mines/Site 3, Transitway 1, Site 9): A 40/45/50/55% drop, as well as a 10/30% steal rate. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 4% chance to contain Icecloud Arrows with a Diamond Armlet equipped. This chest also contains Silent Shot [AM18]. Repeatable chest. This chest appears along the southwest edge of the trees and rock formation in this area, which sits near the north-central part of this area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIGHTNING ARROWS [AM6] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Thunder Element Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing A Chase Through The Woods (Vorpal Bunny, Bill #14, Rank III). Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: South Liavell Hills: A 50% chance to spawn, and then a 40% chance to contain Lightning Arrows without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Chest is located near the southeasternmost edge of the area. Feddik River: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Lightning Arrows with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located in the northernmost part of the area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PARALLEL ARROWS [AM7] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Cost: 600 (Bow & Bodkin/Comes with Shortbow) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After completing the Giza Plains Sunstone Quest Bazaar: Bat Fang x1, Dark Stone x2, Rat Pelt x2 Loot Locations: Bat Fang: Steeling (Garamsythe Waterway) (Barheim Passage) (Lhusu Mines): A guaranteed Poach from Steelings. Dark Stone: Skeleton, Skull Defender (Lhusu Mines/Shunia Twinspan): These are prevalent elsewhere, but this is an area to get plenty of Dark Stones. A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. These can also be acquired from Ghosts in Garamsythe Waterway at the beginning of the game. Rat Pelt: Dire Rat (Garamsythe Waterway/Channel 10, Northern Sluiceway, North Spur Sluiceway): A 40% drop rate, along with a 55% steal rate. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 15% chance of containing Parallel Arrows without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable Chest. This chest is located in the eastern part of the area, almost exactly between the two eastern exits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLACK BOLTS [AM8] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Blind (25%) Cost: 11,220 (Blindflight Quarrels/Comes with Hunting Crossbow) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Henne Mines Bazaar: Dark Crystal x3, Silver Liquid x3, Spiral Incisor x3 Loot Locations: Dark Crystal: Dead Bones (Nabreus Deadlands/The Slumbermead, The Fog Mutters, Overlooking Eternity): Best area is in Overlooking Eternity, where they spawn incessantly. A 40/45/50/55% drop, along with a 55/80% steal rate. Silver Liquid: Foobar (Nabreus Deadlands/The Slumbermead, The Fog Mutters, Lifeless Strand, Field Of The Fallen Lord): Easiest area is in the Slumbermead, which you can access one screen south of the teleport crystal. There are three of them in the northern part of this area. A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. You can also steal Sagittarius Gems from them at a 10/30% rate for use in the creation of the Sagittarius [WP20] Spiral Incisor: Vampyr (Lhusu Mines/Site 3, Transitway 1, Site 9): A 40/45/50/55% drop, as well as a 10/30% steal rate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND BOLTS [AM9] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +4 Cost: 15,000 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Capricorn Gem x3, Ring Wyrm Liver x2, Wrath Of The Gods x2 Loot Locations: Capricorn Gem: Skull Knight (Paramina Rift/Head Of The Silverflow, Freezing Gorge, Icebound Flow, Frozen Brook, Karydine Glacier): A 10/30% steal rate. Earliest they can be acquired is from the rare game Fideliant, which spawns in Dalmasca Westersand/ The Midfault at a 20% rate. It is a guaranteed steal. Ring Wyrm Liver: Shield Wyrm (Cerobi Steppe) (Nabreus Deadlands/Field Of The Fallen Lord): A 12% monograph drop. Shield Wyrms are in most areas of Cerobi Steppe. Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) required. Lindwyrm (Tchita Uplands/Garden Of Life's Circle): Old Legends, Decaying Bonds hunt (Bill #22, Rank V), a 6% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Wrath Of The Gods: Minibug (Barheim Passage/East-West Bypass): Appears at a 20% rate at a deadend when you first enter this area coming from the teleport crystal. You will see a red dot at the deadend if it is present. Equip all active members with Thief's Cuffs and steal gambits. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: The Terraced Bank: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain the Grand Bolts with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located in the northern part of this area. Old Elanise Road: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain the Grand Bolts with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEAD BOLTS [AM10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Immobilize (25%) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing Shelled Obstruction (Darksteel, Bill #20, Rank IV) Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: South Liavell Hills: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 20% chance to contain Lead Bolts without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Chest is located just southwest of the northwest exit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG BOLTS [AM11] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +1 Added Effect: Slow (25%) Cost: 6,480 (Ranger's Crossbow/Comes with Crossbow) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Crooked Fang x4, Ice Stone x1, Yellow Liquid x2 Loot Locations: Crooked Fang: Wyvern (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea/East Junction, Platform 1- South Tanks): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate, along with a 95% poach rate. Ice Stone: Buer (Zertinan Caverns): Found throughout the caverns. A 55/80% steal rate. Can also get Scorpio Gems for the Scorpion Tail [WP21] and Ice Crystals for the Icecloud Arrows [AM5]. Yellow Liquid: Jelly (Henne Mines/Pithead Junction A, Pithead Junction B): A 25/30/35/40% drop along with a 10/30% steal rate. You can get Yellow Liquid as early as the Tomb Of Raithwall from Tallows, but they are a 5% poach rate. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: 50% chance for the chest to spawn, and then a 20% chance to receive Long Bolts without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located just behind the first big rock you see from the save crystal entrance. Directly behind it, maybe a little to the northeast, is a tree, where the chest sits near. This chest also contains the Fomalhaut [WP9] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAPPING BOLTS [AM12] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +3 Added Effect: Sap (25%) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing Fishy Dreams (Ixion, Bill #43, Rank VI Elite) Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: South Liavell Hills: A 50% chance to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Sapping Bolts with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Chest is located near the southern edge near the middle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STONE BOLTS [AM13] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +1 Added Effect: Disable (25%) Cost: 9,980 (Huntsman's Crossbow/Comes with Recurve Crossbow) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Bundle Of Needles x1, Festering Flesh x2, Ice Magicite x5 Loot Locations: Bundle Of Needles: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Cactoid, Cactite (Dalmasca Estersand): Found throughout the Estersand. A 5% monograph drop. Festering Flesh: Ghast (Stilshrine Of Miriam/Ward Of The Sword-King, Walk Of Reason): A 25/30/35/40% drop, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. The earliest you can acquire Festering Flesh is from Hyenas during the Giza Plains Rain. It has a 3/6% steal rate. Ice Magicite: Garif Adventurer (Ozmone Plain/The Greensnake): The earliest point you can acquire Ice Magicite. It has a 25/30/35/40% drop rate. Otherwise most creatures that roam Paramina Rift have Ice Magicite as a common drop (40/45/50/55%). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIME BOLTS [AM14] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Doom (25%) Cost: 17,800 (Scout's Crossbow/Comes with Penetrator Crossbow) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Ancient Bone x3, Holy Crystal x9, Wyvern Fang x4 Loot Locations: Ancient Bone: Warmage's Monograph (20,000) Dead Bones (Barheim Passage) (Nabreus Deadlands) (Pharos Subterra) (Pharos-3rd Ascent): A 5% monograph drop. Holy Crystal: Babil (Necrohol Of Nabudis/Cloister Of The Highborn, Cloister Of Distant Song): A 25/30/35/40% drop from Babil. Diakon Entite (Giruvegan/The Trimahla Water-Steps, The Aadha Water-Steps): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. The mist in these two areas must be thick in order for it to appear. Wyvern Fang: Aeronite (Lhusu Mines/Lasche Span): Wyvern Fangs are a 40/45/50/55% drop. There are 2 aeronites on this bridge (the same bridge where the rare game Bombshell spawns). Be aware they are pretty tough to beat unless you are at high levels. They also have a 55/80% steal rate. You can also get Wyvern Wings here, which can be used for the Arcturus [WP1]. Aeronites can also be found in all 3 ascents of the Pharos at Ridorana. You can also get Wyvern Fangs from the rare game Aeros, located in the Ozmone Plain/The Shred, which has a 3% drop rate. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: North Liavell Hills: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Time Bolts with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located between the central and northeastern-most windmill. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AQUA SHOT [AM15] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +3 Added Effect: Water Element Cost: 2,980 (Marksman's Delight/Comes with Vega) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan Bazaar: Green Liquid x3, Water Stone x4, Yensa Scale x1 Loot Locations: Green Liquid: Flan (Barheim Passage/Special Op Sector 3, Op Sector 37): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate along with a 55/80% steal rate. Tallow (Tomb Of Raithwall/Royal Passage): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate along with a 55/80% steal rate. Water Stone: Giza Rabbit (Giza Plains Dry): Found throughout Giza. A 55/80% steal rate, along with a 25/30/35/40% drop rate. Yensa Scale: Yensa, Bull Yensa (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea, Nam-Yensa Sandsea): Yensa Scales are a 55/80% steal rate from either the Yensa or Bull Yensa. They are found on land areas, especially near bridges, and usually the player will have to be close to them in order for them to appear. Easiest area to find them is in the Nam-Yensa Sandsea, due to there being much more true land area, whereas the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea has many refinery only areas. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DARK SHOT [AM16] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +4 Added Effect: Dark Element Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing The Black Sorcerer (Piscodaemon, Bill #28, Rank V). Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: A 50% chance for the chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Dark Shot with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is found along the southern edge of the area, almost exactly between the southern exit and the southeast exit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUD SHOT [AM17] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Earth Element, Blind (25%) Cost: 9,080 (Mudslinger/Comes with Aldebaran) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Earth Crystal x3, Ichthon Scale x4, Silver Liquid x3 Loot Locations: Earth Crystal: Mallicant (Zertinan Caverns/Halls Of Ardent Darkness, The Undershore): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate. Ichthon Scale: Focalor (Nabreus Deadlands/Echoes Of The Past, The Slumbermead) (Sochen Cave Palace/Falls Of Time): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 55/80 steal rate. Focalor also carry Dorsal Fins for use in the creation of Artemis Arrows [AM1]. Silver Liquid: Foobar (Nabreus Deadlands/The Slumbermead, The Fog Mutters, Lifeless Strand, Field Of The Fallen Lord): Easiest area is in the Slumbermead, which you can access one screen south of the teleport crystal. There are three of them in the northern part of this area. A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. You can also steal Sagittarius Gems from them at a 10/30% rate for use in the creation of the Sagittarius [WP20]. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: South Liavell Hills: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 17.5% chance to contain Mud Shot without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Chest is located in the northwest part of the area. There will be two chests in this area, and this one will not be near a rock. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SILENT SHOT [AM18] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +1 Added Effect: Silence (25%) Cost: 1,680 (Marksman's Delight/Comes with Capella) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Barheim Passage Bazaar: Dark Stone x2, Fish Scale x2, Green Liquid x1 Loot Locations: Dark Stone: Skeleton, Skull Defender (Lhusu Mines/Shunia Twinspan): These are prevalent elsewhere, but this is an area to get plenty of Dark Stones. A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. These can also be acquired from Ghosts in Garamsythe Waterway at the beginning of the game. Fish Scale: Ichthon (Dalmasca Estersand/Banks Of The Nebra, The Yoma): Easiest way is at the Banks Of The Nebra, which is one screen south of the teleport crystal at South Bank Village. There are two of them right along the shore, with a 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. Green Liquid: Flan (Barheim Passage/Special Op Sector 3, Op Sector 37): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate along with a 55/80% steal rate. Tallow (Tomb Of Raithwall/Royal Passage): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate along with a 55/80% steal rate. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: A 50% chance to spawn, and then a 20% chance to contain Silent Shot. This chest also holds Icecloud Arrows [AM5]. Repeatable chest. This chest is located on the southwest edge of the tree and rock formation in the area in the north-central part of the area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STONE SHOT [AM19] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +3 Added Effect: Petrify (25%) Cost: 15,000 (Stone Shot) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Henne Mines Bazaar: Libra Gem x3, Mirror Scale x2, Tyrant Bone x2 Loot Locations: Libra Gem: Silver Lobo (Phon Coast) (Cerobi Steppe): Found throughout the Phon Coast and Cerobi Steppe. A 10/30% steal rate. The earliest these can be acquired are from Dire Rats in Garamsythe Waterway, but they have a 3/6% steal rate. Mirror Scale: Mage's Monograph (21,000) Mirrorknight (The Feywood/Walk Of Dancing Shadow, White Magick's Embrace): A 10% monograph drop. You can also get Wind Crystals and Aries Gems from Mirrorknights. Tyrant Bone: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Wild Saurian (Dalmasca Estersand/The Stepping, The Yoma, Broken Sands): A 12% monograph drop. Pylraster (Pharos At Ridorana/They Who Thirst Not): A 10/30% steal rate from this mob hunt. I suggest heading into the area, stealing, then retreat back to the save crystal. Be careful however, this guy hits like a truck. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: South Liavell Hills: A 50% chance of this chest spawning, and then a 5% chance for it to contain Stone Shot with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. The chest is located in the northern part of the area, near the middle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDSLICER SHOT [AM20] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +4 Added Effect: Wind Element Cost: 15,200 (Armor-Piercing Shot/Comes with Spica) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Bazaar: Ring Wyrm Scale x4, Silver Liquid x5, Wind Crystal x7 Loot Locations: Ring Wyrm Scale: Ash Wyrm (Great Crystal) (Mosphoran Highwaste/Empyrean Seat): 40/45/50/55% drop. There are several Ash Wyrms in the Great Crystal area, most notable one just two screens away from where the Zodiac Escutcheon is. To get Ring Wyrm Scales in the Mosphoran Highwaste, you must first defeat the esper Exodus. Save at the Bubbling Vale, and head back to Empyrean Seat. If the Ash Wyrm does not drop it, soft reset and try again. Also, the Ash Wyrm drops Wind Crystals for use in this recipe at a 25/30/35/40% rate, and also a steal rate of 55/80%. Shield Wyrm (Cerobi Steppe): Only the Shield Wyrms in Cerobi Steppe yield Ring Wyrm Scale. A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, and also a 55/80% steal rate. Shield Wyrms are found in five different areas of Cerobi Steppe. Silver Liquid: Foobar (Nabreus Deadlands/The Slumbermead, The Fog Mutters, Lifeless Strand, Field Of The Fallen Lord): Easiest area is in the Slumbermead, which you can access one screen south of the teleport crystal. There are three of them in the northern part of this area. A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. You can also steal Sagittarius Gems from them at a 10/30% rate for use in the creation of the Sagittarius [WP20]. Wind Crystal: Mirrorknight (The Feywood/Walk Of Dancing Shadow, White Magick's Embrace): The reason I list these here to get Wind Crystals is because they also yield Mirror Scales and Aries Gems for use in other recipes. A 25/30/35/40% drop for Wind Crystals, along with a 55/80% steal rate. You can also use the Ash Wyrm method listed above. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Old Elanise Road: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain Windslicer Shot with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located near the largest rock in the southern part of the area. It sits on the eastern edge of this rock. The chest on the west side of this rock contains a Magepower Shishak [AR13]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WYRMFIRE SHOT [AM21] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +3 Added Effect: Fire Element Availability: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Reward: Reward for completing the Cactuar Quest (Dalmasca Estersand/ South Bank Village, North Bank Village) Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: South Liavell Hills: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 17.5% chance for it to contain Wyrmfire Shot without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located almost directly in the center of the area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASTELLANOS [AM22] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +6 Cost: 12,000 (Devastating Incendiaries) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall Bazaar: Aries Gem x3, Bomb Fragment x3, Frog Oil x2 Loot Locations: Aries Gem: Mirrorknight (The Feywood/Walk Of Dancing Shadow, White Magick's Embrace): A 1/2/3/5% drop, as well as a 3/6% steal rate. Listed due to Mirrorknights yielding Mirror Scales and Wind Crystals for other recipes. Wu (Ozmone Plains/The Greensnake, The Shred): A 3/6% steal rate. Hybrid Gator (Ozmone Plains/Dagan Flats, The Switchback The Greensnake, Field Of Light Winds): A 10/30% steal rate. This enemy is found in each area at certain times, based on the minute number on the game clock: Switchback 00-14, Dagan Flats 15-29, Field Of Light Winds 30-44, and Greensnake 45-59. Bomb Fragment: Mage's Monograph (21,000) Bomb (Barheim Passage/East-West Passage, The Zeviah Span): A 30% monograph drop from the bombs in these areas. Frog Oil: Hunter's Monograph (18,000) Speartongue (Zertinan Caverns/Invitation To Heresy, Darkened Wharf, Canopy Of Clay) (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea/East Junction, Central Junction): A 10% monograph drop. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: The Terraced Bank: A 50% spawn rate, and then a 5% chance to receive Castellanos with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located just north of the entrance of this area, just southwest of the eastern-most windmill. Crossfield: A 50% spawn rate, and then a 5% chance to receive Castellanos with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located just to the east of the tree and rock formation in the north. Old Elanise Road: A 50% spawn rate, and then a 5% chance to receive Castellanos with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located near the northeastern most part of the area. When looking at the map, there are two rocks splitting the northern entrance. The chest is slightly southeast of the eastern rock. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAOS BOMBS [AM23] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +4 Added Effect: Confuse (25%) Cost: 17,800 (Befuddling Incendiaries/Comes with Caldera) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan Bazaar: Bomb Shell x4, Book Of Orgain-Cent x3, Fire Crystal x7 Loot Locations: Bomb Shell: King Bomb (Salikawood/Grand Bower): A 55/80% steal rate. Steal from King Bomb, then head back one screen to the teleport crystal to reset the items it carries. Pineapple (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea/Platform 1-Refinery): A guaranteed steal from this rare game. A 20% spawn rate at six possible locations when you enter this area. Grenade (Zertinan Caverns/Sandfalls): A 3/6/8/12% drop rate, as well as a 95% poach rate. Mom Bomb (Great Crystal): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. Book Of Orgain-Cent: Reaper (Great Crystal): Found in 14 different locations throughout the Great Crystal. A 25/30/35/40% drop rate, as well as a 10/30% steal rate. This is the only way to acquire these. Fire Crystal: Cerberus (The Feywood/Walk Of Stolen Truths, Walk Of Dancing Shadow): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. You will probably acquire many of these while farming for Hell Gate's Flames for use in the Masamune [WP15] and Tournesol [WP24]. The earliest these can be acquired are from the Salamand Entite in the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OIL BOMBS [AM24] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +3 Added Effect: Oil (25%) Cost: 10,625 (Oil-Soaked Incendiaries/Comes with Tumulus) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan Bazaar: Bomb Ashes x3, Book Of Orgain x2, Fire Crystal x3 Loot Locations: Bomb Ashes: Bomb (Barheim Passage/Op Sector 29, Op Sector 36, Special Op Sector 3): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 10/30% steal rate and a guaranteed poach from the bombs in these areas only. Book Of Orgain: Dustia (Dalmasca Westersand/Corridor Of Sand): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate from this rare game. Will spawn in the area when one of your active members has less than 10% of their max HP. Gespenst (Garamsythe Waterway/No. 11 Channel, No. 10 Channel, No. 1 Cloaca, No. 3 Cloaca Spur, No. 4 Cloaca Spur): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. Fire Crystal: Cerberus (The Feywood/Walk Of Stolen Truths, Walk Of Dancing Shadow): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. You will probably acquire many of these while farming for Hell Gate's Flames for use in the Masamune [WP15] and Tournesol [WP24]. The earliest these can be acquired are from the Salamand Entite in the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POISON BOMBS [AM25] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Poison (25%) Cost: 9,800 (Noisome Incendiaries/Comes with Fumarole) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan Bazaar: Bomb Shell x1, Fire Crystal x3 Loot Locations: Bomb Shell: King Bomb (Salikawood/Grand Bower): A 55/80% steal rate. Steal from King Bomb, then head back one screen to the teleport crystal to reset the items it carries. Pineapple (Ogir-Yensa Sandsea/Platform 1-Refinery): A guaranteed steal from this rare game. A 20% spawn rate at six possible locations when you enter this area. Grenade (Zertinan Caverns/Sandfalls): A 3/6/8/12% drop rate, as well as a 95% poach rate. Mom Bomb (Great Crystal): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. Fire Crystal: Cerberus (The Feywood/Walk Of Stolen Truths, Walk Of Dancing Shadow): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate, as well as a 55/80% steal rate. You will probably acquire many of these while farming for Hell Gate's Flames for use in the Masamune [WP15] and Tournesol [WP24]. The earliest these can be acquired are from the Salamand Entite in the Ogir-Yensa Sandsea. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 20% chance to contain Poison Bombs without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located on the northern edge of the tree and rock formation in the northern part of this area. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STINK BOMBS [AM26] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Sap (+25%) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing Carrot Stalk (Carrot, Bill #39, Rank VII Elite). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STUN BOMBS [AM27] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +2 Added Effect: Stop (25%) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace Reward: Reward for completing The Deserter's Revenge (Bloodwing, Bill #16, Rank V). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WATER BOMBS [AM28] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Attack Power: +5 Added Effect: Water Element Cost: 7,800 (Water-Drop Munitions) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan Bazaar: Book Of Orgain x3, Putrid Liquid x3, Water Crystal x10 Loot Locations: Book Of Orgain: Dustia (Dalmasca Westersand/Corridor Of Sand): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate from this rare game. Will spawn in the area when one of your active members has less than 10% of their max HP. Gespenst (Garamsythe Waterway/No. 11 Channel, No. 10 Channel, No. 1 Cloaca, No. 3 Cloaca Spur, No. 4 Cloaca Spur): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. Putrid Liquid: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Malboro Overking (Garamsythe Waterway/No. 11 Channel, No. 11 Channel (water drained), West Sluice Control, No. 10 Channel (water drained), No. 1 Cloaca) (Tchita Uplands/ Realm Of The Elder Dream, Oliphzak Rise, The Highlands, Fields Of Eternity): A 10% monograph drop. Water Crystal: Silicon Tortoise (Zertinan Caverns/Halls Of Ardent Darkness, Drybeam Cavern) (Giza Plains Rain/Tracks Of The Beast): A 25/30/35/40% drop rate. Mistmare (Pharos At Ridorana/First Ascent-Wellspring Labyrinth) (Pharos Subterra/Penumbra Interior, Umbra Interior): A 40/45/50/55% drop rate, as well as a 10/30% steal rate. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Feddik River: A 50% chance for this chest to spawn, and then a 5% chance for it to contain Water Bombs with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. This chest is located in the southern part of this area, in the middle of the southern edge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRAVE SUIT [AR1] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 100 Defense: +40 Added Effect: HP +10, Bravery Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Brave Suit is the "best" light armor in the game. The bravery buff it provides is probably its best feature, but the Mirage Vest offers better stat increases (+45 DEF, +10 VIT, +10 SPD, and +800 HP). So if you choose light armor for a character, you have to ask yourself if the bravery buff is better than what the Mirage Vest has to offer. Obviously the Brave Suit is listed here due to its scarcity, as it can only be acquired via random chests. Random Chest: Great Crystal: Uldobi Phullam Pratii (the area northeast of the second Taurus gate). The path to be open to access the Brave Suit will vary, I would suggest starting from the save crystal just south of Ultima, which would require Taurus Gate II and Capricorn Gate II to be open, as well as either Virgo gate to be open as well. The chest has a 20% spawn rate, and a 50% chance to be the Zodiac Escutcheon, as well as a 50% chance to be a Brave Suit. With a Diamond Armlet equipped, it is a 100% chance to be the Escutcheon. This is a one-time chest for the item, you can only get one or the other. If the chest does not spawn, zone away three screens and return to this area. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) NOTE: This is also an excellent way to acquire Moon Rings to create the Sagittarius. Two screens away from the chest is an Ash Wyrm, which can only be found in the Great Crystal or the Empyrean Seat area of the Mosphoran Highwaste (you must have already defeated the Esper Exodus for the Ash Wyrm to appear there). The Moon Ring is a 10% monograph drop from the Ash Wyrm. Henne Mines: Phase 2 Dig: You will need to have a Diamond Armlet equipped. A 25% chance the chest will spawn, and then a 2% chance it contains the Brave Suit. This chest will respawn, so you can get as many as you want. Special Charter Shaft: The easier to obtain of the two possible Brave Suits in Henne Mines. A 25% chance the chest will spawn, and a guaranteed Brave Suit if you are NOT wearing a Diamond Armlet. This is a one time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIRCLET [AR2] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 100 Magick Resist: +60 Strength: +2 Magic Power: +10 Available: 2 Earliest Access: During the events at Pharos At Ridorana The Circlet is the best mystic helm in the game. The only way to acquire this helm is via random chests. Random Chest: Pharos At Ridorana: Second Ascent/Spire Ravel-2nd Flight: Watch out for the two Aeronites the second you teleport here. A 100% spawn rate, and a guaranteed Circlet if you do NOT equip a Diamond Armlet. One-time only chest. Subterra/Abyssal-South: A 50% spawn rate, and a guaranteed Circlet if you do NOT equip a Diamond Armlet. One-time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DUELING MASK [AR3] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 100 Magick Resist: +45 Strength: +2 Added Effect: Max HP +800 Available: 2 Earliest Access: During the events at Pharos At Ridorana The Dueling Mask is the “best” light helm in the game. The easier-to-obtain Renewing Morion, the second best light helm, has one less magic resist point, gives +4 points to vitality instead of the +2 strength, gives a +370 HP boost instead of +800, but also has a regen buff. The reason the Dueling Mask is mentioned here is, again, due to its scarcity. Random Chest: The Pharos At Ridorana/First Ascent-Wellspring Ravel-3rd Flight: Once you have built bridges (by destroying the green Brainpans) to reach 35F, there will be a 70% chance there is a chest that is not accessible. Head back to previous floors and defeat 3 red Deidars to create a bridge to the chest, which will give access to a Dueling Mask (100% with or without a Diamond Armlet, assuming the chest has spawned). A one-time only chest. The Pharos At Ridorana/Subterra-Abyssal-South: A 50% chance of the chest spawning, and a guaranteed Dueling Mask if you do NOT equip a Diamond Armlet. A one-time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ENSANGUINED SHIELD [AR4] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 90 Evade: +90 Added Effect: Poison, Sap, Slow Available: 3 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor/Balfonheim The Ensanguined Shield is possibly the biggest oddball item in FFXII. It has the highest evade of all shields by a long shot, yet will automatically inflict you with poison, sap, and slow. A ribbon does NOT counter these effects. However, buffing your character with regen and haste will negate the sap and slow effects, although there is no negating the poison effect. A wonderful item when used in conjunction with a high evade weapon such as the Main Gauche, as this combination works wonders while executing the Abysteel leveling process. Multiple locations of this shield, all via random chests, and they are all one-time only chests. Random Chest: Balfonheim Port/Canal Lane: Do not open this chest until you have a Diamond Armlet. Save at the teleport crystal first, then head to Port Villa. A 10% chance of it containing an Ensanguined Shield, and a 90% chance of a Megalixer with a Diamond Armlet equipped. If you do not get the shield, soft reset and try again. This is a one-time only chest. The Feywood/The Edge Of Reason: Save your game at the teleport crystal at Giruvegan first, then head into the Feywood. The chest is located in the western-central part of the area, sitting right on top of a trap (use Libra). There is a possibility of 3 chests being stacked on top of each other here, I would suggest NOT equipping a Diamond Armlet. The first chest has a 30% chance of spawning, with a 50% of containing a Hi-Potion, and 50% chance of it being a Deathbringer. The second chest has a 45% chance of spawning, with a 100% chance of containing an X-Potion. With a Diamond Armlet on for these chests, you have a 90% chance of getting a Knot Of Rust, and a 10% chance at an Elixir. The third chest has a 25% chance of spawning, with a 100% chance of getting an Ensanguined Shield, with or without a Diamond Armlet. This is a one-time only chest. Soft reset and try again from Giruvegan if you do not get what you want. Henne Mines/Special Charter Shaft: A 40% spawn rate for this one-time only chest. A 100% chance of getting an Ensanguined Shield if you do NOT wear a Diamond Armlet. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENJI ARMOR [AR5] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 150 Defense: +56 Strength: +9 Magick Power: +3 Added Effect: Counter % raise (with Battle Harness) Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor The Genji Armor is the third best heavy armor in the game. It can only be acquired via a steal during the Battle On The Big Bridge hunt. Steal: Gilgamesh (Lhusu Mines/Site 7): The second and more difficult battle. In his fifth and final stage, you can steal the Genji Armor. Equip Thief's Cuffs to enhance your success rate, but it is a guaranteed steal. This is the only way to acquire this armor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENJI GLOVES [AR6] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 150 Added Effect: Increase combo rate Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor The Genji Gloves are one of the most valuable accessories in the game, especially when paired with the Masamune. It can only be obtained via a steal during the Battle On The Big Bridge hunt. Steal: Gilgamesh (Lhusu Mines/Tasche Span): The first of two battles. In his fifth and final stage, you can steal the Genji Gloves. Equip Thief's Cuffs to enhance your success rate, but it is a guaranteed steal. This is the only way to acquire this accessory. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENJI HELM [AR7] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 150 Magick Resist: +37 Strength: +9 Magic Power: +4 Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor The Genji Helm is the third best heavy helm in the game. It can only be acquired via a steal during the Battle On The Big Bridge hunt. Steal: Gilgamesh (Lhusu Mines/Site 7): The second and more difficult battle. In his fourth stage, you can steal the Genji Helm. Equip Thief's Cuffs to enhance your success rate, but it is a guaranteed steal. This is the only way to acquire this helm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GENJI SHIELD [AR8] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 150 Evade: +30 Magick Evade: +5 Available: 1 Earliest Access: After the events at Draklor The Genji Shield can only be acquired via a steal during the Battle On The Big Bridge hunt. Steal: Gilgamesh (Lhusu Mines/Tasche Span): The first of two battles. In his fourth stage, you can steal the Genji Shield. Equip Thief's Cuffs to enhance your success rate, but it is a guaranteed steal. This is the only way to acquire this shield. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOLDEN SKULLCAP [AR9] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 50 Magick Resist: +58 Magick Power: +10 Speed: +3 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall The Golden Skullcap is the second best mystic helm in the game. There are minimal differences between this and the Circlet, except that the Golden Skullcap is readily available later on in the game, and the Circlet can only be found in two locations. Shop: Barheim Passage/Burrogh (after the events at Giruvegan): Teleport to the Barheim Passage, then head north through Special Op Sector 3, Great Eastern Passage, Op Sector 29, and into The Lightworks. Burrogh will be here (the same guy who gave you the fuse the first time you came here). He sells Golden Skullcap for 16,000. Steal: Dead Bones (Nabreus Deadlands/The Slumbermead, The Fog Mutters, Overlooking Eternity): A 6% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Easiest place is in Overlooking Eternity, where up to 40 or so Dead Bones will spawn. Drop: Dead Bones (Pharos-3rd Ascent/Spire Ravel-1st Flight) (Pharos-Subterra/Umbra, Abyssal): A 1/2/3/5% drop. They are found throughout the Umbra area in Subterra. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe/Old Elanise Road: A 50% spawn rate for the chest, and then a 5% chance of getting a Golden Skullcap with a Diamond Armlet equipped. This chest is located directly on the western edge of the area, a little bit south of halfway. Great Crystal/Sirhru Phulaam Pratii'vaa: A 100% chance of the chest spawning, and then a 3% chance of it containing a Golden Skullcap with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Please consult the following map: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND ARMOR [AR10] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 90 Defense: +61 Strength: +12 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall The Grand Armor has the highest defense rating of all armor in the game, but only the player can determine whether it is better than its counterpart, the Maximillian. The Grand Armor can only be obtained via a very rare drop from the rare monster Helvinek (1/2/3/5%). Rare Drop: Helvinek(Necrohol Of Nabudis): A few requirements in order to easily obtain the Grand Armor. First, you must be at a high enough level to comfortably survive the Necrohol, and also defeat Helvinek without too much trouble. Second, you must defeat enemies in this area until you have spawned and killed six Oversoul enemies. I would suggest that you enter the Necrohol from the Salikawood, and then defeat most if not all enemies you run into in the Hall Of Effulgent Light and Cloister Of Distant Song. This should net you at least 4 Oversouls to defeat, if not five. The key is to be either in Cloister Of Distant Song or Cloister Of The Highborn when you defeat the sixth Oversoul. Once dispatched, Helvinek will immediately spawn. You want to be near the wide steps at the northern end of Cloister Of Distant Song or the southern steps of Cloister Of The Highborn. You are going to be chaining Helvinek using a glitch of sorts in the game. Set your characters up so that you have an attacker/tank character, with the strongest weapons and armor available. Then have another character set up to heal the attacker, and also to cast Decoy on the tank. You will also have a third member, but gambits for this character will be off, and will do nothing but keep the party (and Helvinek) near the zone line between Cloister Of Distant Song/Cloister Of The Highborn. This should be your lead character. Once Helvinek spawns, and both areas near their zone lines are clear of other enemies, your attacker should be attacking Helvinek, while your healer heals and keeps Decoy up on the tank. Your lead character will pretty much just stand there, keeping the team and Helvinek near that zone line. The concept is when a teleporting monster such as Helvinek is defeated, BEFORE the enemy starts to dissipate and the EXP/LP numbers come up, you can zone out of the area, and the creature will regenerate with full HP in the other zone. So once Helvinek is defeated the first time (Libra will help, so you can keep track of Helvinek's HP, have your lead character cast it when necessary), before it starts to dissipate and the numbers pop up, quickly zone into the next area. If it works correctly, Helvinek will respawn. Once he does, head back into the zone you fought him the last time (he will follow, do not worry), and defeat him again to increase your chain. Make sure to defeat him in the same zone each time. You have approximately 2 seconds or so from the time of the death blow on Helvinek to the time you need to zone away. Hopefully, if you are close enough to the zone line, when Helvinek begins to drop with a loot bag, you can push up against the side of him (not the head or tail area), which ensures you can quickly grab the loot bag and quickly run across the zone line before it is too late. If you feel you were out of position, or possibly Helvinek was too far away, forget about the loot bag and keep the chain alive. As long as you keep the chain alive, the loot will be there the next time hopefully. This is really an easy process when compared to getting the Danjuro, Grand Helm, or even the Yagyu Darkblade. Remember, the higher your chain level, the better the chance for multiple drops of Grand Armor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND HELM [AR11] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 90 Magick Resist: +40 Strength: +12 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: During the events at Pharos At Ridorana The Grand Helm has the highest magic resist and strength of all heavy helms, but again only the player can determine whether it is better than its counterpart, the Magepower Shishak. The Grand Helm can only be obtained via a very rare drop from the rare monster Tower, and along with the Danjuro, is one of the hardest items to acquire in FFXII. It is a 1/2/3/5% drop. Rare Drop: Tower (The Pharos At Ridorana/Third Ascent-Spire Ravel- 2nd Flight, 88F): Two methods for this one, starting with being able to walk into Pharos with the highest chain level when you reach Tower. If you do not wish to chain before heading to Pharos, skip to the next paragraph. I would suggest turning off gambits for the duration of this process. Head to the Mosphoran Highwaste/Bubbling Vale. From there, head into Rays Of Ashen Light, and defeat the Clay Golems there ONLY. Not picking up the loot unless the chain indicator is flashing will help build your chain faster. Then zone away two screens, through Trail Of Sky-Flung Stone and into Northern Skirts. DO NOT ENTER BUBBLING VALE AGAIN! This will break your chain (you cannot enter an area where only Vaan is walking around). Head back to Rays Of Ashen Light, again only defeating Clay Golems. Repeat until you have the maximum chain level. From there, head for the Dalmasca Estersand entrance from Summit Path. Head south through Broken Sands, being sure the whole way not to defeat any other enemies. Once you reach The Yoma, take the western exit into the Dalmasca Westersand. Head west through the Wyrm's Nest (hopefully you have defeated Earth Tyrant before this point, otherwise you will need to defeat it and re-establish your chain), Corridor Of Sand, The Midfault, Windtrace Dunes, and finally reach The Western Divide, where there will be an anchor as well as a teleport crystal. Do NOT save, otherwise you will break your chain. Fly from here to The Ridorana Cataract, and then head from Footfalls Of The Past through Echoes From Time's Garden, City Of Other Days, and finally through Path Of Hidden Blessing to enter the Pharos, with your chain still intact. DO NOT SAVE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS! From this point, whether you chose to use the chain method or not, you will need to make your way up to the third ascent of Pharos. Once you have climbed all the way up to 88F, there is a 20% chance that Tower will spawn here (and it is impossible to miss him). If he is not here, touch the waystone to return you to 79F, turn around and pass through the doorway, and touch the waystone again to teleport yourself to 88F. Repeat until Tower spawns. The key when fighting Tower and hoping to get a drop is to be sure that your party is standing between Tower and the ledge. I try to manuever my lead character to this point, then hold down R2 to lure my other members near me. If this is not done, there is a very good chance that when Tower is defeated, he falls over the edge, which means he will not drop loot. If you stay between Tower and the ledge, he will fall onto the platform, enabling you to pick up any loot that he might drop. Now, if you chained Tower beforehand, he hopefully will drop a big gold coin (or a loot bag, if you did not chain). If you do not get the Grand Helm, teleport back to 79F, and repeat the walkthrough process to get to 88F. You cannot simply take the waystone behind the door again, because that is considered to be a one-zone, not the necessary two zone required for a respawn of Tower. Make sure not to kill ANY enemies on your way (turning off gambits again is crucial, along with fleeing), and return to 88F. Again, if Tower is not there, you can use the one zoning between waystones until it does appear. Repeat this process until you have your Grand Helm. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LORDLY ROBES [AR12] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 100 Defense: +40 Strength: +5 Magick Power: +15 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Giruvegan The Lordly Robes are the "best" mystic armor in the game, with an honorable mention to the Glimmering Robes, which offer a +39 DEF, +12 Magic Power, and a +10 Vitality boost. These are listed due to their scarcity. The only way to acquire the Lordly Robes is via random chests. Random Chest: Henne Mines/Special Charter Shaft: A 40% chance of the chest spawning, with a 27.5% chance of it containing Lordly Robes without the Diamond Armlet equipped. This chest is repeatable. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) The Pharos At Ridorana/Subterra-Abyssal-North: A 45% chance of the chest spawning, with a 100% chance of getting Lordly Robes without the Diamond Armlet equipped. One-time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAGEPOWER SHISHAK [AR13] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 60 Magick Resist: +39 Strength: +11 Magick Power: +5 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace The Magepower Shishak is generally regarded as the best heavy helm in the game. While the Grand Helm has a one point advantage in magic resist and strength, the Shishak gives an additional 5 points in magic power. It also is much easier to obtain. It can also be created in the Bazaar by selling Charger Barding x5, Chimera Head x2, and Feystone x1, and then available for purchase for 12,800, but it is easier to just head to the Necrohol Of Nabudis to purchase it for 15,000 instead. Shop: Necrohol Of Nabudis/Hall Of Effulgent Light: The hidden Baknamy Merchant sells these for 15,000 after the events at Giruvegan. Steal: Doctor Cid (The Pharos Of Ridorana/Third Ascent): A 6% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe/Old Elanise Road: A 50% chest spawn rate, and then a 5% chance to receive a Magepower Shishak with a Diamond Armlet. This chest is located on the western edge of the largest rock in the southern- most part of this area. The chest on the eastern side of this rock may contain a Windslicer Shot [AM20] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAXIMILLIAN [AR14] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 60 Defense: +58 Magick Resist: +1 Strength: +9 Speed: +6 Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Raithwall The Maximillian is the best rounded heavy armor in the game, losing out barely in stats to the Grand Armor (-3 defense, -3 strength), but adding +6 to speed and +1 to magic resist. Again, it is up to the player as to which heavy armor best suits the needs of their party. The Maximillian is, however, much easier to obtain. It can also be created in the Bazaar by selling Charger Barding x4, Pisces Gem x3, and Split Armor x2, and then available for purchase for 14,800, but it is easier to head to the Necrohol Of Nabudis to purchase it for 17,000. Shop: Necrohol Of Nabudis/Hall Of Effulgent Light: The hidden Baknamy Merchant sells these for 17,000 after the events of Giruvegan. Phon Coast/Hunter's Camp: Available at the Shifty-Eyed Merchant's shop once you have given 30 trophies to Blok. Available for purchase for 25,500. Random Chest: Lhusu Mines/Site 6 South: A 50% chest spawn rate, and then a 17.5% chance to receive a Maximillian without the Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Great Crystal/Sirhru Phulaam Praa'vaa: A 100% chest spawn rate, and then a 7.5% chance to receive a Maximillian without a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Drop: Elvoret (Necrohol Of Nabudis): Found throughout the Necrohol, with a 1/2/3/5% drop rate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RIBBON [AR15] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 150 Immune to various status effects Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace The Ribbon is one of the more valuable accessories in the game, negating all status effects except for death. It negates reverse as well, for those thinking of using it during the Omega Mark XII battle. A difficult, yet plentiful, item to acquire with multiple locations. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe/Crossfield: This is the same area that the rare game Bluesang can be found, which yields Damscus Steel for use in the Tournesol and Masamune recipes. You must have a Diamond Armlet equipped. Fly to Cerobi Steppe via the Strahl, then save at the crystal. Head one screen north. Directly in front of you will be a large rock. Off in the distance to the right of this rock is another rock. Head towards this rock, where the chest has a 50% chance of spawning on the left backside of this rock. If it appears, you have a 3% chance of the chest containing a Ribbon. If it does not appear, soft reset and try again. It is a 1.5% overall chance with each loading of your file to get the Ribbon, and you can get as many as you want. The Pharos At Ridorana/Subterra-Abyssal-North: There is a 50% chance of this chest spawning, and then a 100% chance of the chest containing a Ribbon without the Diamond Armlet equipped. One-time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Henne Mines/Special Charter Shaft: A 55% chance of this chest to spawn, and then a 20% chance for it to be a Ribbon without the Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Drop: Level 99 Red Chocobo (Ozmone Plain/Haulo Green): This can be obtained once you clear the events at Giruvegan. Head to this area, where there will be around 5 or 6 red or black chocobos. Defeat all of them, then zone away two screens to reset the area. The easiest, and quickest, way to do this is to use Break on each chocobo, while also clearing out all other enemies (usually Vipers and possibly an Entite). Go between the two spawn points breaking the chocobos, wherein there will be a 1/256 chance (0.39%) that the Lv. 99 Red Chocobo will replace one of the others. You will know it is present because it is bigger than the others, and when targeted, will show "Lv. 99 Red Chocobo". If it does not appear, repeat the process until it does. When you do finally get it to spawn, it shows 99,999 HP, but it actually has 239,686 HP. It will use Choco-comet, which is a physical attack. So be sure to equip your strongest one-handed weapons and high evasion shields like the Ensanguined Shield, Zodiac Escutcheon, or Demon Shield. The Ribbon is a 100% drop, and it also has a 90% monograph drop of Gemsteel, which is used in the Tournesol and Masamune bazaar recipes. And finally, if you have the Canopic Jar, there is a 90% chance it will also drop a High Arcana. There is also a 6% chance with Thief's Cuffs to steal an Empyreal Soul. Vishno (The Pharos At Ridorana/First Ascent-Wellspring Ravel-4th Flight): This rare game monster spawns on 48F once you have defeated 10 or more red Deidars. A 1/2/3/5% drop rate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHELL SHIELD [AR16] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 90 Evade: +5 Added Effect: Shell Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events on Leviathan The Shell Shield, while not having a high evade stat, is very useful for its auto-shell ability, which halves the chances of a deathstrike ability occurring. Very useful in a fast fight against Yiazmat. Clan Hall Reward: Reward from Montblanc for completing the A Scream From The Sky hunt (Wyvern Lord, Bill #8, Rank II). Random Chest: Stilshrine Of Miriam: Cold Distance: Be sure to have float on your party before you enter this area to avoid the Reverse/Berserk trap. A 50% chance to get the Shell Shield without a Diamond Armlet, otherwise you get a Dark Matter. One time only. Tchita Uplands: The Highlands: A 10% chance this chest will spawn, and then a 25% chance for a Shell Shield. Repeatable. Cerobi Steppe: The Terraced Bank: A 50% chance this chest will spawn, and then a 5% chance for it to be a Shell Shield with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VENETIAN SHIELD [AR17] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 30 Evade: +24 Magick Evade: +25 Added Effect: Weak to thunder Cost: 12,420 (Brilliant Shield) Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Stilshrine/Mt. Bur-Omisace The Venetian Shield is quite possibly the most balanced shield in the game. It has the sixth highest evade, but also has the second highest magick evade for a shield. Its only drawback is it is weak to thunder-based attacks. Bazaar: Ancient Turtle Shell x2, Ring Wyrm Liver x2, Undin Halcyon Loot Locations: Ancient Turtle Shell: Adamantitan (Cerobi Steppe/Feddik River): A 1/2/3/5% drop. Also can acquire Adamantite from these guys for use in the Ultima Blade [WP25] recipe. Darksteel (Sochen Cave Palace/Temptation Eluded): Shelled Obstruction hunt (Bill #20, Rank IV), a 6% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Silicon Tortoise (Giza Plains Rain/Tracks Of The Beast), (Zertinan Caverns/Drybeam Cavern, Hall Of Ardent Darkness): A 5% poach rate. These will be more prevalent at the Giza Plains location. Pandaemonium (Pharos-First Ascent/Dunes Of Profaining Wind): An 80% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Ring Wyrm Liver: Dragoon's Monograph (22,000) Shield Wyrm (Cerobi Steppe) (Nabreus Deadlands/Field Of The Fallen Lord): A 12% monograph drop. Shield Wyrms are in most areas of Cerobi Steppe. Lindwyrm (Tchita Uplands/Garden Of Life's Circle): Old Legends, Decaying Bonds hunt (Bill #22, Rank V), a 6% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs. Undin Halcyon: Undin Entite (Cerobi Steppe/North Liavell Hills, The Terraced Bank) (Pharos-First Ascent/Horizon's Cusp) (Pharos-Second Ascent/The Bounds Of Truth): A 6% steal rate with Thief's Cuffs, and a 3% drop rate. The entite spawns in Cerobi Steppe in rainy weather, and is neutral. Try to steal, zone one screen away if unsuccessful and try again. The entite in Pharos spawns at a 30% rate upon entry, but be aware that it is immediately aggressive. Random Chest: Cerobi Steppe: Crossfield: A 50% chance this chest will spawn, and then a 5% chance to contain the shield with a Diamond Armlet equipped. Repeatable chest. The chest is located on the northern part of the structure in the northwest of this area. On the map, it is at the northern point of the northeast square. The Pharos: Subterra/Umbra-North: A 30% chance for this chest to spawn, and a guaranteed Venetian Shield with or without the Diamond Armlet equipped. One time only chest. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) Shop: Available for purchase from the shifty eyed merchant for 20,700 after giving 5 trophies to Atak, 12 trophies to Blok, and 5 trophies to Stok. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ZODIAC ESCUTCHEON [AR18] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- License Points: 200 Evade: +50 Added Effect: Lightning Immune Available: Infinite Earliest Access: After the events at Mt. Bur Omisace/Reach Phon Coast The Zodiac Escutcheon is the best shield in the game that doesn’t apply negative status effects. It can only be found in two areas in the game, both in random chests. Random Chest: Great Crystal: Uldobi Phullam Pratii (the area northeast of the second Taurus gate). The path to be open to access the Escutcheon will vary, I would suggest starting from the save crystal just south of Ultima, which would require Taurus Gate II and Capricorn Gate II to be open, as well as either Virgo gate to be open as well. The chest has a 20% spawn rate, and a 50% chance to be the Zodiac Escutcheon, as well as a 50% chance to be a Brave Suit. With a Diamond Armlet equipped, it is a 100% chance to be the Escutcheon. This is a one-time chest for the item, you can only get one or the other. If the chest does not spawn, zone away three screens and return to this area. Please consult the following map to guide you: (Maps Section) NOTE: This is also an excellent way to acquire Moon Rings to create the Sagittarius. Two screens away from the chest is an Ash Wyrm, which can only be found in the Great Crystal or the Empyrean Seat area of the Mosphoran Highwaste (you must have already defeated the Esper Exodus for the Ash Wyrm to appear there). The Moon Ring is a 10% monograph drop from the Ash Wyrm. Barheim Passage: West Annex: Easiest way to do this is to save at Terminus No. 7 Adjunct in a separate save file (so you're not stuck down here). Before saving, you could buff your characters with Protect, Shell, and especially Float (so you don't have to worry about traps). From the save point, head east, fleeing all the while. You will run along the thin southern passageway heading east, then head north. The next right you come to leads to a small thin passage heading south (with plenty of traps). At the end of this passage will be a chest. EQUIP YOUR DIAMOND ARMLET. The chest has a 30% spawn rate, and if the chest contains an item, a 6% chance of containing the Zodiac Escutcheon. The overall odds of getting the Escutcheon is 1.8% When you get to this location, there will usually be a chest, because the Escutcheon chest usually sits on top of another chest that spawns 90% of the time, and contains a Knot of Rust or a Sweep. So if you receive an X-Potion or gil, then the Escutcheon chest spawned. If you do not get it, soft reset and try again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOOT AND ITEM LOCATIONS BY AREA [LIL] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have listed loot and item locations in a general order of storyline events. Please be aware that some areas, while accessible, may be too tough for someone without high enough levels. I tried to list these items at the earliest point you can access the areas they are in. =========================================================================== AFTER DEFEATING ROGUE TOMATO: =========================================================================== Bazaar: Parallel Arrows Barheim Passage: Bomb Ashes (Oil Bombs) Green Liquid (Aqua Shot, Silent Shot) Dalmasca Estersand: Bundle Of Needles (Stone Bolts) Fish Scale (Silent Shot) Tyrant Bone (Stone Shot) Dalmasca Westersand: Book Of Orgain (Oil Bombs, Water Bombs) Gnoma Halcyon (Ultima Blade) Garamsythe Waterway: Bat Fang (Bamboo Arrows, Parallel Arrows) Dark Stone (Parallel Arrows, Silent Shot) Libra Gem (Stone Shot) Rat Pelt (Parallel Arrows) Giza Plains: Fire Stone (Fiery Arrows) Snake Skin (Tournesol) Water Stone (Aqua Shot) Lhusu Mines: Dark Stone (Silent Shot) =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS ON LEVIATHAN: =========================================================================== Bazaar: Arcturus Aqua Shot Fiery Arrows Oil Bombs Poison Bombs Silent Shot Water Bombs Ogir-Yensa Sandsea: Bomb Shell (Chaos Bombs, Poison Bombs) Crooked Fang (Fiery Arrows, Long Bolts) Fire Crystal (Chaos Bombs, Oil Bombs, Poison Bombs) Frog Oil (Castellanos) Salamand Halcyon (Arcturus) Yensa Fin (Arcturus) Yensa Scale (Aqua Shot) Shell Shield Nam-Yensa Sandsea: Yensa Fin (Arcturus) Yensa Scale (Aqua Shot) Wyvern Fang (Time Bolts) Wyvern Wing (Arcturus) Shell Shield Tomb Of Raithwall: Green Liquid (Aqua Shot, Silent Shot) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Zertinan Caverns: Frog Oil (Castellanos) Serpent Eye (Tournesol) =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT RAITHWALL: =========================================================================== Bazaar: Castellanos Grand Bolts Long Bolts Mud Shot Stone Bolts Time Bolts Barheim Passage: Ancient Bone (Time Bolts) Bomb Fragment (Castellanos) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Wrath Of The Gods (Grand Bolts) Zeus Mace Dalmasca Estersand: Wyrmfire Shot Garamsythe Waterway: Book Of Orgain (Oil Bombs, Water Bombs) Putrid Liquid (Water Bombs) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Giza Plains: Festering Flesh (Stone Bolts) Water Crystal (Water Bombs) Golmore Jungle: Great Serpent's Fang (Artemis Bow) Aquarius Gem (Whale Whisker) Mosphoran Highwaste: Beastlord Horn (Sagittarius) Great Serpent's Fang (Artemis Bow) Nabreus Deadlands: Ancient Bone (Time Bolts) Dark Crystal (Black Bolts) Dorsal Fin (Artemis Arrows) Ichthon Scale (Mud Shot) Ring Wyrm Liver (Grand Bolts, Venetian Shield) Sagittarius Gem (Sagittarius) Scarletite (Masamune, Tournesol) Silver Liquid (Black Bolts, Mud Shot, Windslicer Shot) Wargod's Band (Tournesol) Golden Skullcap Necrohol of Nabudis: Holy Crystal (Time Bolts) Soul Of Thamasa (Tournesol) Grand Armor Maximillian Zodiac Spear Ozmone Plains: Aries Gem (Castellanos) Gemini Gem (Artemis Arrows) Ice Magicite (Stone Bolts) Water Magicite (Bamboo Arrows) Wyvern Fang (Time Bolts) Wyvern Wing (Arcturus) Rabanastre: High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) The Salikawood: Bomb Shell (Chaos Bombs, Poison Bombs) Mallet (Masamune) Zertinan Caverns: Bomb Shell (Chaos Bombs, Poison Bombs) Cancer Gem (Orochi) Death Powder (Ultima Blade) Earth Crystal (Mud Shot) Emperor Scale (Durandal) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Ice Crystal (Icecloud Arrows) Ice Stone (Long Bolts) Mythril (Whale Whisker) Scorpio Gem (Scorpion Tail) Water Crystal (Water Bombs) Wyrm Bone (Scorpion Tail) Iga Blade =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT JAHARA =========================================================================== Golmore Jungle: Great Serpent's Fang (Artemis Bow) Ozmone Plains: Sylphi Halcyon (Artemis Bow) Zertinan Caverns: Serpent Eye (Tournesol) =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT ERUYT VILLAGE =========================================================================== Henne Mines: Charged Gizzard (Scorpion Tail) Soul Powder (Tournesol) Yellow Liquid (Bamboo Arrows) =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT HENNE MINES =========================================================================== Bazaar: Artemis Bow Black Bolts Scorpion Tail Stone Shot Golmore Jungle: Emperor Scale (Durandal) Lhusu Mines: Spiral Incisor (Black Bolts, Icecloud Arrows) Fomalhaut The Feywood: Aquarius Gem (Whale Whisker) Aries Gem (Castellanos) Fire Crystal (Chaos Bombs, Oil Bombs, Poison Bombs) Hell-Gate's Flame (Masamune, Tournesol) Mirror Scale (Stone Shot) Moondust (Artemis Bow) Wind Crystal (Windslicer Shot) Muramasa Paramina Rift: Capricorn Gem (Grand Bolts) Ice Magicite (Stone Bolts) Leshach Halcyon (Durandal) Damascus Steel (Masamune, Tournesol) Stilshrine Of Miriam: Aquarius Gem (Whale Whisker) Festering Flesh (Stone Bolts) Sagittarius Gem (Sagittarius) Shell Shield =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS OF STILSHRINE AND MT. BUR-OMISACE =========================================================================== Bazaar: Artemis Arrows Icecloud Arrows Sagittarius Ultima Blade Windslicer Shot Archades: Lead Bolts Barheim Passage: Zodiac Escutcheon Cerobi Steppe: Adamantite (Ultima Blade) Damascus Steel (Masamune, Tournesol) Libra Gem (Stone Shot) Ring Wyrm Scale (Windslicer Shot) Scarletite (Masamune, Tournesol) Artemis Arrows Assassin's Arrows Castellanos Dark Shot Dragon Whisker Euclid's Sextant Fomalhaut Golden Skullcap Grand Bolts Holy Rod Icecloud Arrows Lead Bolts Lightning Arrows Long Bolts Magepower Shishak Mud Shot Parallel Arrows Poison Bombs Ribbon Sapping Bolts Shell Shield Silent Shot Stone Shot Time Bolts Water Bombs Windslicer Shot Wyrmfire Shot Venetian Shield Dalmasca Estersand: Stun Bombs Eruyt Village: Lightning Arrows Garamsythe Waterway: Iga Blade Lhusu Mines: Mallet (Masamune) Vampyr Fang (Artemis Arrows) Wyvern Fang (Time Bolts) Wyvern Wing (Arcturus) Maximillian Yagyu Darkblade Mosphoran Highwaste: High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Moon Ring (Sagittarius) Ring Wyrm Scale (Windslicer Shot) Serpent Eye (Tournesol) Wind Crystal (Windslicer Shot) Koga Blade Nabreus Deadlands: Mythril (Whale Whisker) Nalbina Fortress: Stink Bombs Phon Coast: Libra Gem (Stone Shot) Rabanastre: High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Sochen Cave Palace: Ichthon Scale (Mud Shot) Vampyr Fang (Artemis Arrows) Iga Blade Koga Blade Tchita Uplands: Antarctic Wind (Icecloud Arrows) Putrid Liquid (Water Bombs) Diamond Armlet Shell Shield =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT DRAKLOR LABORATORY =========================================================================== Bazaar: Tournesol Balfonheim Port: Ensanguined Shield Barheim Passage: Soul Of Thamasa (Tournesol) Dalmasca Estersand: Lu Shang's Badge (Wyrmhero Blade) The Feywood: Cancer Gem (Orochi) Serpent Eye (Tournesol) Sickle Blade (Orochi) Ensanguined Shield Giruvegan: Holy Crystal (Time Bolts) Mythril (Whale Whisker) Great Crystal: Bomb Shell (Chaos Bombs, Poison Bombs) Coeurl Whiskers (Orochi) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Lhusu Mines: Genji Armor Genji Gloves Genji Helm Genji Shield Masamune Necrohol of Nabudis: High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Soul Powder (Tournesol) Moondust (Artemis Bow) Phon Coast: Adamantite (Ultima Blade) Muramasa Venetian Shield Sochen Cave: Adamantite (Ultima Blade) =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT GIRUVEGAN =========================================================================== Bazaar: Chaos Bombs Durandal Orochi Bhujerba: Zeus Mace Euryt Village: Euclid's Sextant Great Crystal: Book Of Orgain-Cent (Chaos Bombs) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Lifewick (Durandal) Omega Badge (Wyrmhero Blade) Moon Ring (Sagittarius) Ring Wyrm Scale (Windslicer Shot) Wind Crystal (Windslicer Shot) Wyrm Bone (Scorpion Tail) Brave Suit Danjuro (based on walkthrough) Excalibur Golden Skullcap Maximillian Zodiac Escutcheon Jahara: Volcano Mt. Bur-Omisace Assassin's Arrows Dark Shot Necrohol Of Nabudis: Magepower Shishak Maximillian Ozmone Plains: Empyreal Soul (Tournesol) Gemsteel (Masamune, Tournesol) Ribbon Ridorana Cataract: Eight-Fluted Pole Gastrophetes The Pharos: Ancient Bone (Time Bolts) Chimera Head (Stoneblade) Corpse Fly (Whale Whisker) Damascus Steel (Masamune, Tournesol) High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Mallet (Masamune) Orichalcum (Masamune) Scarletite (Masamune, Tournesol) Taurus Gem (Stoneblade) Wyvern Fang (Time Bolts) Wyvern Wing (Arcturus) Circlet Dragon Whisker Dueling Mask Grand Helm Holy Rod Magepower Shishak Muramasa Ribbon Zeus Mace Henne Mines: High Arcana (Masamune, Tournesol) Lifewick (Durandal) Serpentarius (Tournesol) Soul Powder (Tournesol) Vampyr Fang (Artemis Arrows) Brave Suit Ensanguined Shield Fomalhaut Lordly Robes Ribbon Zodiac Spear =========================================================================== AFTER THE EVENTS AT PHAROS =========================================================================== Bazaar: Masamune Stoneblade Whale Whisker Wyrmhero Blade Balfonheim: Grand Mace Ragnarok Sapping Bolts Pharos At Ridorana: Tyrant Bone (Stone Shot) Pharos Subterra: Ancient Bone (Time Bolts) Corpse Fly (Whale Whisker) Damascus Steel (Masamune, Tournesol) Godslayer's Badge (Wyrmhero Blade) Lifewick (Durandal) Circlet Dragon Whisker Dueling Mask Golden Skullcap Holy Rod Eight-Fluted Pole Fomalhaut Lordly Robes Ribbon Staff Of The Magi Ultima Blade Venetian Shield ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOOT LIST [LTL] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a list of loot needed for the items listed in this guide. Most are listed with the total amount needed. Some items do not have numbers (the sub-ingredients for Tournesol), as the amount needed of these items may vary. Adamantite x2 Ancient Bone x3 Ancient Turtle Shell x2 Antarctic Wind x2 Aquarius Gem x4 Aries Gem x3 Bat Fang (up to 6) Beastlord Horn x3 Bomb Ashes x3 Bomb Fragment x3 Bomb Shell (up to 5) Book Of Orgain (up to 5) Book Of Orgain-Cent x3 Bundle Of Needles x1 Cancer Gem x3 Capricorn Gem x3 Charged Gizzard x3 Chimera Head x2 Coeurl Whiskers x2 Corpse Fly x3 Crooked Fang (up to 6) Damascus Steel (up to 10) Dark Crystal x3 Dark Stone (up to 5) Death Powder x2 Dorsal Fin x2 Earth Crystal x3 Emperor Scale x2 Empyreal Soul x3 Festering Flesh x2 Fire Crystal (up to 13) Fire Stone x4 Fish Scale x2 Frog Oil x2 Gemini Gem x3 Gemsteel x3 Gnoma Halcyon x1 Great Serpent Fang x2 Green Liquid (up to 4) Hell-Gate's Flame (up to 10) High Arcana (up to 6) Holy Crystal x9 Ice Crystal x7 Ice Magicite x5 Ice Stone x1 Ichthon Scale x4 Leshach Halcyon x1 Libra Gem x3 Lifewick x3 Mallet x2 Mirror Scale x2 Moondust x2 Moon Ring x3 Mythril x3 Orichalcum (up to 5) Putrid Liquid x3 Rat Pelt x2 Ring Wyrm Liver (up to 4) Ring Wyrm Scale x4 Sagittarius Gem x4 Salamand Halcyon x1 Scarletite (up to 5) Scorpio Gem x4 Serpentarius x3 Serpent Eye (up to 6) Sickle Blade x2 Silver Liquid (up to 11) Snake Skin (up to 12) Soul Powder (up to 3) Spiral Incisor (up to 7) Sylphi Halcyon x1 Taurus Gem x3 Tyrant Bone x2 Undin Halcyon x1 Vampyr Fang x2 Wargod's Band (up to 6) Water Crystal x10 Water Magicite x3 Water Stone x4 Wind Crystal x7 Wrath Of The Gods x2 Wyrm Bone x3 Wyvern Fang x4 Wyvern Wing x2 Yellow Liquid (up to 3) Yensa Fin x2 Yensa Scale x1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIMITED EQUIPMENT LIST [LEQ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is all of the equipment in this game that has a limited quantity to be acquired. Arcturus-1 Artemis bow-1 Durandal-1 Excalibur-1 Grand Mace-1 Masamune-2 Orochi-1 Ragnarok-1 Rod Of Faith-1 Sagittarius-1 Scorpion Tail-1 Tournesol-1 Ultima Blade-2 Volcano-1 Whale Whisker-1 Wyrmhero Blade-1 Bamboo Arrows-1 Fiery Arrows-1 Black Bolts-1 Stone Bolts-1 Aqua Shot-1 Chaos Bombs-1 Oil Bombs-1 Stink Bombs-1 Stun Bombs-1 Circlet-2 Dueling Mask-2 Ensanguined Shield-3 Genji Equipment-1 of each ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREDITS [THX] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First, to myself, for somehow keeping my sanity throughout the writing process. Special thanks: Sephirosuy- For the beautiful maps, which I not only reference in this guide, but also used during my time playing the game from start to finish. Maltzsan- For the incredibly insightful Game Mechanics FAQ, which was used mercilessly not only during the writing of this document, but also during my gameplay. Split Infinity- For having the patience to write an extremely expansive guide. Although it was not as big as it is now when I started playing, it, along with the game mechanics guide, were instrumental in the percentages found throughout this guide. Also credit for the Lv. 99 Red Chocobo actual max HP stat. SOng- For having a very nice detailed list of enemy locations, which were used plenty of times in this guide. Arthellinus- For creating a guide that I used alongside Berserker's walkthrough, it is very specific and straight to the point, and some of its strategies are implemented here (specifically the early Zodiac Spear). Berserker- For creating his walkthrough, which I found in mid-December to be very easy to follow, and so throughout my gameplay experience, which culminated in my complete file finished in March 2007, was a constant companion for reference. Also thanks to the following for corrections or input: Sparkster185 SJSlayerman@yahoo.com Franboni69@yahoo.com Alonzo.Ackerleyjr@cortland.edu xodius_maxx@hotmail.com masteroga@gmail.com