Chapter Two: Crossing Those Hills
Estimated Time to complete event: 133 minutes (2 hours and 13 minutes, depending on how many levels are gained)
Bosses: Prison Cage; Prison Cage; Baku; Plant Brain
Cards: None
Items: Phoenix Down, Bronze Gloves, Wrist, Ether x3, 116 gil, Rubber Helm, Leather Hat, Iron Helm, Eye Drops
Key Items: Blank's Medicine, Continental Map, Moogle Flute
Monsters: Plant Spider, Goblin, Fang, Dendrobium (?)
Moogles: Mosco, Monty, Moguo
Notes: Moguo is your map moogle. He'll save your game any time you're on the world map, so don't try to find him inside the Evil Forest. He's not there.
Side Quests: None
Shops: Cinna (after rescuing Vivi)
At the start, the moogle Mosco will introduce ATE to you, or Active Time Event. It allows you to see a situation in another place that's going on at the same time. He won't leave you alone until you view it, so when you're finished, head over to him and save. Afterwards, go over by the Cymbalist and pick up a Phoenix Down.
From here you have no where to go but down the tree trunk. But before you go down there, open your menu and go into equipment. If you've successfully stolen the Mage Masher from Baku in your very first battle, equip it. It has more power and you can now learn a new skill called Detect. Whenever you use this skill, you can see what your enemy is carrying so you can know whether you want to steal it or not. And best of all, it costs no magic points.
After you go into the tree trunk, hang around for a while until Zidane is on level 10 or 11. This means that you'll have plenty of money to buy items like more potions, and Zidane will have learned all of his abilities from his current equipment.
Make sure to save your game at least every time you gain a level. You should be at level 5 in about ten minutes, depending on whether you're trying to steal from the monsters or not. By the time you get to level 8, you will be finished learning all of your abilities, and by level 9 or 10, you should have learned them all and have close to 6000 gil. By level 11 you will have 500 HP, which is why it's the suggested level for Zidane. It will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to gain these levels, so if you don't have the time to do this right now then come back to it later.
Also, take the time to heal yourself in battle as opposed to outside of it. Potions have less effect in the field, so although it's supposed to give you 150 HP, you might only get back 100.
When you're finished gaining Zidane levels, head to the right and onto the next screen.
Boss Fight: Prison Cage
Items to Steal: NoneI know, this isn't much of a boss fight either. I think I just like typing that. This won't be much of a fight if you're on level 10 or anything higher. In all honesty, you can defeat this monster on level 1, but it's safer to be higher.
Since there's nothing to steal, you can go straight into attacking him. With Zidane in Trance mode, you have the advantage. Make sure not to use Tidal Flame or it'll hit Garnet too. After the battle, another Prison Cage will come down and capture Vivi.
Boss Fight: Prison Cage
Items to Steal: Leather Wrist, BroadswordThis is counted as an actual boss battle because you get no Experience Points, only AP. In this battle, he will cast Fire to help you out a little bit. Since you can't control Vivi casting Fire, you will have to steal the Leather Wrist and Broadsword from this creature quickly. If Vivi is getting low on HP, have Steiner use a potion on him while Zidane continues to steal. After a few rounds of fire and hits, the monster will die and release Vivi. It then releases a poisonous gas, which Zidane jumps back to avoid, but Vivi and Steiner are knocked unconscious.
Once you regain control of Zidane, head to the right and open the box next to Baku to receive Bronze Gloves for Steiner. Head out of the south entrance and watch the ATEs if you wish. Afterwards, go down the steps and to the left. Check the box for a Wrist then go back to the right and meet Blank. He'll say that Vivi wants to thank you, so walk into the room that he just came out of.
When you first enter, check the box right next to you for an Ether, then head up the ladder on the bed for 116 gil. When you're finished collecting these items, talk to Vivi then walk out of the room for a cutscene. No matter what option you pick, you'll have to go look for the Princess if you want the game to go any further. If you want a laugh, choose not to look for her and Zidane will ultimately decide to go look for him on his own.
Walk back down the steps and talk to Blank, then enter the room to the left and walk to the south to receive an Ether from the chest, then head down the steps that Marcus is standing in front of.
Once you're in the new room, head to the north to find a Rubber Helm for Steiner. You can also head south out of the door and to the right for a Leather Hat, or you can wait a few minutes. But it would be wisest to pick up this hat now then head outside to save your game. When you're finished, head back to the room where you found the Rubber Helm and go into the door on the right. Talk to Baku and he'll tell you to follow him. Before leaving the room, open the chest next to you for a Potion, then head into the cargo room.
Boss Fight: Baku
Items to Steal: Iron Sword, Hi-PotionStart out by stealing the mentioned items from Baku. After that, there's not much else to do but attack him. He should be finished in about 3-7 hits depending on your levels and equipment.
After the battle, talk to Blank and he'll tell you that he unlocked storage so you can talk to Steiner. It's your choice as to whether you want to talk to Vivi or Steiner first, but you can't leave until you have both of them in your party. After recruiting Steiner, walk back into the room he was in and check the chest for an Ether. Afterwards, head out and go recruit Vivi, even though he's a little reluctant to join.
Now that you have your party, you can go back out and start gaining levels. Just before you leave, Blank talks to Zidane for a moment and tells him he's full of crap. He then gives you the same medicine he gave to Vivi, and gives you tips on Abilities.
Save your game now that you're outside. You can also buy items from Cinna, so stock up before you leave. The next shop is a long way away. Try to buy at least 10 Phoenix Downs and 99 potions if you have the funds to do so. Also get some Eye Drops and Antidote since you'll need them both later.
Two screens away from the Prima Vista, you will see an ATE of the band playing music. Not just any music, but none other than Junon's theme from Final Fantasy VII. Isn't that something? Now every time you head back to the Prima Vista for anything, you will hear that music.
Anything after the first screen will give you more Experience Points since you'll be facing more than just one monster at a time. Also, there's no point in having Vivi cast magic all the time or just sit there like a bump on a log, so push him up to the front row to give his attacks more power. Make sure you also equip the new weapons and armor on Steiner and Vivi.
Two screens away from where you found Vivi and Steiner is a spring that will restore your health, and a Moogle that goes by the name of Monty. If you chose to engage in Mognet, hand him his mail so that you can read it together. Before you can do this, there is a forced ATE of Baku giving Blank a map. When you're finished, save your game and continue gaining levels.
At this point, you don't need to go back to Cinna to buy items unless you'd just like to stock up. When you're all finished gaining levels, head past Monty and three screens up, then watch the cutscene.
Boss Fight: Plant Brain
Items to Steal: Iron Helm, Eye DropsHave Zidane steal the Iron Helm from him and have Vivi Focus his magic. He'll more than likely cast Pollen, which puts darkness on all characters. Have Steiner use Eye Drops on Zidane first, then Vivi, then himself. He will probably also cast Thunder either on your whole party, or just one character. If the damage is severe, use a potion to cure it.
As soon as Zidane has stolen the Iron Helm, have Steiner use Magic Sword on the Plant Brain, which should do around 300 points of damage. Have Vivi use Fire. If you have been focusing his magic all this time, it should do about 400 HP of damage. After you've done close to 800 HP of damage, Blank will arrive to help you out. Have either him or Zidane cure the other party members while Steiner and Vivi continue to cast Fire and Fire Sword. Blank hits around 160 each turn, so this battle should be over in no time.
When the battle is over, you'll have to run quickly so that you don't get caught by the forest creatures. You'll get into at least one or two battles, but they'll be over quickly.
If you feel that you should turn off the game now because you've lost Blank, you're not alone. But don't worry, because you'll find a way to cure him later. Monty will approach you later in a cutscene and give you a Flute to call his buddy, Moguo, who will save your game for you anywhere on the world map. And now that you're on the world map, press 'square' to save your game!
Bosses: Black Waltz No. 1 and Sealion
Cards: None
Items: Eye Drops, Potion x3, Tent, Ether, Elixir, Mage Masher, Phoenix Down, Leather Wrist
Key Items: None
Monsters: Fang, Wyerd, Flan, Cave Imp
Moogles: Mois
Notes: It is likely that in this forest, you will run into Rag Timer. (Click his name for more information).
Side Quests: None
Shops: None
It would be best to hang out at the forest just east of the Ice Cavern, since this is where you get the most experience for now. Even though Garnet is in on level 1 when she starts out, place her in the front row so that her attacks will be meaningful. It should be no problem getting her from level 1 to 5.
Before going into the Ice Cavern, head north from the forest next to it and enter the North Gate. After the cutscene, head into the gate on the right for some Eye Drops, then from there go north and check that box to receive a Potion. Go to the gate, then choose to listen close, then call out to someone inside. After the cutscene, the woman on the other side of the gate will sell you potions if you need them.
Upon entering the Ice Cavern, you'll see a cutscene, then as the characters walk into the Cavern, you'll see another. When they're finished talking, move to the left and jump on the ledge to receive a Tent from the chest. Jump down from the ledge and head up the path, then onto the next screen.
Once you're on the next screen, you'll start getting into battles. You can steal tents from the Wyerds since you're in no position to buy them, and won't have the funds to do so for some time. As for the Flans, magic are very effective against them, but Zidane and Steiner's attacks should work well also. If you run into a Cave Imp, kill it immediately. Don't bother stealing from it, since it only has a potion and a Phoenix Down. It's not worth half the trouble it'll give you. Head up the steps on the right and Vivi will burn the wall of ice down so that you can get the Ether out of the chest.
When you're finished there, head back down the steps and then to the next set. Don't go up them, though. Instead take the path to the right of the steps around so that you can collect a potion. Head back around the path, up the steps and into the next room.
Wait until the smoke stops coming to cross the paths, otherwise you'll get into a battle. Head up the left path first, then once you're at the ice wall Vivi will burn it down to reveal a chest containing an Elixir. Head down the right path from here and up the ice pick to receive a potion from the chest in front of you. Run back down the ice pick and stand in front of it. A question mark will pop above Zidane's head-when it does, press 'x' (or whatever your select button is). Vivi will cast fire on it, causing it to fall. Run down it then open the chest for another Mage Masher. This is Zidane's current weapon (if you don't have one equipped already, equip this one). When you're all finished in this room, head all the way right and exit this area.
Head all the way right for a Phoenix Down, and make sure not to run into the mist. From here, take the left path to the ice wall and burn it down. It will lead to another path. Follow this path and at the end, there is a chest containing a Leather Wrist. Equip it on a party member (Steiner can't wear it), then head back the way you came. Follow the path to the right and into the next area.
Take the path to the left first. There is a Moogle in here named Mois that will save your game. He'll curse at you (literally) at first, but then he'll thank you. He has a letter that he would like you to deliver to his friend Gumo. (You might want to use a tent before you save and move on).
A boss battle is coming up and if you haven't gained the suggested levels, you might die. In fact, if you have gained the suggested levels, you might die. But you don't want to do all of this over again, do you?
Leave the room with the Mois in it and take the path to the right. After you regain control of Zidane, head into the next area and prepare for a fight.
Boss Fight: Black Waltz No. 1 and Sealion
Items to Steal: Mythril Dagger (Sealion), Ether (Sealion), Silk Shirt (Black Waltz), Remedy (Black Waltz)First off, rob these suckers blind. If you don't get anything else, make sure you at least steal the Mythril Dagger from Sealion. Make sure to cure often. By the time you're done stealing, Zidane should be close to or in Trance. With the Mage Masher equipped, use his Dyne attack, Tidal Flame. It should be enough to wipe out Black Waltz. Then use the attack again (if you're still in trance mode) to wipe out the Sealion.
After the cutscene, head back to save if you'd like. Keep in mind that you can still get into battles. Head back into the room that you came from with Zidane, then up the steps to the right. Follow the path all the way up to the top, then watch the lovely cutscene. From now on, I'll refer to Princess Garnet as Dagger, since that's the default name >.>; and it's just so fricken awesome. Oh, and don't worry. Her speech improves.
Bosses: Black Waltz No. 2; Black Waltz No. 3
Cards: None
Items: Phoenix Down, Phoenix Pinion, Potion x4, 135 gil, Antidote, 156 gil, Hi-Potion, Eye Drops, Ether, Leather Wrist, Iron Helm, 95 gil
Key Items: Aries Coin
Monsters: Carve Spider, Python, Ghost, Vice, Mu (land spirit)
Moogles: Gumo, Kumop
Notes: This covers all surrounding areas of Dali, including the Observatory Mountain.
Side Quests: Coffee Quest, Stellazio Quest
Shops: Part-Time Worker Mary's Medicine Shop, Eve's Item Shop, Tavern Medicine Shop
One of the first things you want to do once you leave the Ice Cavern (after saving of course) is equip Zidane's new weapon, the Mythril Dagger. Also, before entering Dali, try and find the Land Spirit for this area. Also, from the exit of the Ice Cavern, you can make a left around the corner and go into south gate. If you wait for a couple of moments, a woman will show up that will sell you Potions, Eye Drops, Antidote, Phoenix Downs, Tents; she'll even let you rest for 100 gil. Try and save at least 1,000 gil for upgrades in weapons and such forths.
Before entering Dali, make sure you stop by the Observatory Mountain next to it. Once there, head to the right and open the chest for a Hi-Potion, then all the way over to the fence on the right side for 135 gil. From here, go inside the house and the older man there will talk about his coffee. Admire his Prima Vista model for a moment and he'll tell you that you can have it if you can bring him Burman, Kirman and Moccha Coffee. See the Side Quests section for more information.
After you're done in the Mountain, head outside and save your game, then from here, enter Dali. After the cutscene, your party will enter the Inn. When they're finished talking, they'll go to sleep. After Zidane wakes up, head to the right for an Antidote, then to the left for a Potion. When you're finished, you get to pick which ATE you want to see first. They're all of what your party members are doing at the moment.
Walk out of the room and save your game at the Moogle, and give him his mail from Mois. He'll tell you he doesn't like Gumo, but he'll read it anyway. When you're finished laughing at Mois' letter, head out of the room and into the first door on the right, which is the shop. It sells all the weapons you should already have, a little bit of armor, and a new hat. Make sure you buy all that you need before moving on.
If you go into the next door on the left, you'll meet the mayor and he'll tell you to leave. Talk to Vivi and after Zidane leaves, he will be...o_O Black Mage-napped. If you head into the house to the right of where Vivi was standing, you'll find the medicine shop which will sell you potions, etc.
Go back to the weapons shop and there you'll find Dagger. After she leaves, you can play Cards with the Shopkeeper if you'd like. Head back into the Inn when you're finished and talk to Dagger. When you're finished, you'll see a forced ATE.
From here, head out and save your game. If you'd like, you can go outside and gain levels with just Zidane and Dagger.
When you're finished gaining more levels (if you chose to), head back into town and from here go to the spot where you found Vivi. Enter the door left of here after the cutscene.
Once you're inside, go to the left of the door in front of you to receive the Aries Coin. Go back towards the entrance and check the black top to find a secret entrance to an underground tunnel o_O They're not very good at hiding these things, are they?
Climb down the ladder and jump on the semi-elevator. Open the chest in front of you for 156 gil, then head down the hallway into the next area. After the cutscene, go back into the room that Vivi and the other two men came out of for a Potion inside of the chest. Then come out of the room and over to the right for some Eye Drops. You can't bother the chocobo (even though he's so fricken cute), so just continue into the next room.
Check the barrel for a Moogle by the name of Kumop, and he'll ask you to deliver mail to Mogki. Accept then save your game. Climb the boxes behind the moogle's barrel to receive an Ether, then go back down and kick the wheel of the crane. The box that comes down contains a Potion. Head into the next room when you're finished.
Head forward and open the box on the right for a Leather Wrist, then up the steps on the left and around for an Iron Helm. When you're done, go forward and jump down the set of boxes in front of you, then into the next area.
After you have Vivi back (bless his lil heart), run around to the other side of the box he was in and collect 95 gil from the chest. From here, go back and save your game at the moogle. Come back to the room where you found Vivi, and open the door with the Mist coming out from under it. You'll fight a battle, then enter a new room. There are three chests: One containing a Phoenix Down, onr, a Potion, and the other (hidden behind the machine), a Phoenix Pinion. Also, you CAN get into battles in this room. When you're finished, head back out and across the bridge to the right into the next room.
T_T Poor Chocobo. Keep heading straight and prepare to be disturbed. You'll be boxed, then the scene will switch to Steiner. When you gain control of him, follow Morrid into his house. When you're done talking to him, leave his house and head south. Steiner will scare the crap out of two poor peasants and send them running away. He will then observe a barrel that conveniently has your other party members in it. Pick the second option and they will push the barrel over themselves, knocking Steiner over as well.
Boss Fight: Black Waltz No. 2
Items to Steal: Leathered Plate, Steepled HatDon't do anything until you've stolen from this guy. Next, whatever you do, don't cast fire. Only cast Blizzard. Black Waltz 2 has a mission, so he won't attack Garnet at all. Just have her heal, and if Steiner goes into trance then use his Blizzard Sword Magic. All in all, this battle should only last a few minutes, if that long. When you're finished, run back into town and stay at the Inn, then save your game at the Moogle.
Head back to where you fought Black Waltz and choose to board the airship. After talking to Dagger and Vivi, they'll automatically board. Zidane will let Vivi and Dagger up first, only to feel on her butt (>D Pervert), then claim that he didn't do it on purpose.
Once you have control of Zidane, head down the hall and up the ladder. When you're done talking to Steiner, run into the control room and Zidane will turn the airship around for Lindblum.
When Zidane is done hanging around with Steiner, the Black Mages will defend Vivi from Black Waltz No. 3.
Boss Fight: Black Waltz No. 3
Items to Steal: Silver Gloves, Linen Cuirass, Steepled HatThis is one cool mage. While Zidane steals, have Vivi focus his magic. If he's still in trance when you're done stealing Black Waltz' items, use Vivi's double black magic in addition to Steiner's magic sword. Have Zidane attack and heal when necessary.
On to Disk One, Chapter Three