Chapter Three: You're Not Alone
Ipsen's Castle
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 31 minutes
Blu Magic: Mighty Guard, Doom, Auto-Life
Bosses: Taharka
Cards: None
Items: Dagger, Cat's Claws, Javelin, Broadsword, Rod, Barette, Maiden's Prayer,
Golem's Flute, Ancient Aroma, Air Racket, Fork, Mage Staff
Key Items: Aquarius Stellazio, Kupo Nut, Fire Mirror, Water Mirror, Earth Mirror,
Wind Mirror
Monsters: Gargoyle, Agares, Cerberus, Veteran, Tonberry
Moogles: Kumool
Notes: Make sure to equip Body Heat, Jelly and Antibody abilities on all party
members.
Side Quests: None
Shops: Kumool's Mogshop
Ipsen's Castle is marked on your map, and can be reached by your airship. You can fly there yourself, or choose auto-pilot. Choose the party that you want-but not Amarant, in fact, unequip him-and enter.
Whether you let Amarant go or not, he'll leave you anyway. Pick your party and before you take one more step, equip the weakest weapons and equipment you have-it'll work just as well as the best weapons and equipment in this castle. Since it technically is upside-down, all the weakest weapons you have will be the best for now. This doesn't effect magic, so feel free to take a mage with you.
Head up the long stairway and into the castle. Check the box hidden on the left side for a Dagger and equip it on Zidane if you don't have one, then check the right side of the room for the Aquarius stellazio. Now head up the steps in front of you, but not into the next room. First, head to the left and check the !. Now go through the doorway. In this room, head to the top left corner and get the Cat's Claws from the chest. Now head down to the moogle Kumool. Save your game and buy any weapons you might need in case you don't have everyone's first weapon. Give Kumool his mail and he'll give you a Kupo Nut in exchange, if you don't already have one in your inventory.
Go right from the moogle and slide down the poll near the center of the room. Climb up the ladder to your left, then go left. Now go south (running towards the screen) and go left. Go up now and slightly right into the next area then climb up the ladder. Jump off to the left, then keep going until you get to the chest with a Javelin. Equip it on Freya if she's in your party, since it's her first weapon. Now go back to the ladder and this time hop off to the right. Keep going and get the Broadsword out of the chest, then go back to the ladder and go all the way down. Run up the stairs to your right and get on the next ladder. Keep going around to the right for a Rod and equip it on Dagger if she's not already wearing it. Now head back and go up either of the ladders, then go through the door. Now go up and you'll be elevated to the next area. Take the mirrors and try to leave, then their guardian will attack you.
Boss Fight: Taharka
Items to Steal: Orichalcon, Mythril Claws, ElixirTaharka is weak against Flare, so if you have Vivi in your party, have him Focus for a few rounds and cast Flare. This is even greater if he's in Trance-you won't need to focus at all. Have Zidane steal what you think you need-Orichalcon is his weapon, so if you want it now you'd better take it. Hopefully you have a healer in the party;-have them alternate between their strongest summon and Curaga. Have Steiner attack or use Flare Sword, Quina attack/heal and Freya cast Reis' Wind and Jump or attack. When the boss curls up, don't use physical attacks. In fact, if you haven't already, take this time to heal, steal or defend.
Take the elevator down and examine the wall that's to the immediate right of the screen. Examine it, push it, pound it, think, push it again, try something drastic, then rest. After leaning against it, it will finally open. Go to the right for a Barette. Now go back into the previous room and go all the way down the ladder to return to the room with Kumool in it.
Step on the floor trap that's parallel to Kumool (it's right across from the chest where you got the Cat Claws) and open the chest once you fall down for a Maiden Prayer. Now hop off of the chandelier and climb back up the pole. Now go back to the room where you found Aquarius. There's a new doorway opened to the left of the one you entered in. Head in and keep going (you can only go one way) until you reach an elevator. Climb on and you'll see a large sword after you land. Check the box for a Golem's Flute. Rotate the vases that you see counter-clockwise twice. After the sword transfers electricity to them, pick up the one on the right for Ancient Aroma. Ride the elevator back down and look in the top left corner of the room for a chest containing a Air Racket. Now go back to the room Kumool is in, and make sure you save and rest if you need it.
Climb up the pole until Zidane automatically jumps onto the chandelier. In the boxes you'll find a Fork and a Mage Staff. Now go back down the pole and leave the castle. Zidane will go back in to look for Amarant...All alone T_T;; Go back into the room with Kumool and slide down the poll. Walk the narrow blue-ish path to your right where the shining light is coming from to find Amarant. After your talk, make sure he's equipped with the weakest you have. Make your way out of the castle. (You'll notice that after the cutscene when battles end, Amarant will sit on the ground in a meditating pose. Interesting, hm?)
Elemental Shrines
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 14 minutes
Blu Magic: None
Bosses: Earth Guardian
Cards: None
Items: None
Key Items: None
Monsters: None
Moogles: None
Notes: None
Side Quests: None
Shops: None
The first thing you need to do is equip your party members accordingly; since you're back in the real world where nothing is topsy-turvy, equip the max that everyone can have. Next, make sure you land somewhere and save. Now head directly south (look at the map to make sure you're going south) of Ipsen's Castle and enter the Water Shrine. Go to the Lost Continent;-the Fire Shrine is just north of the Chocobo tracks. Next is the Wind Shrine. The Wind Shrine is on the Southwest corner of the Forgotten Continent, or more specifically, northeast of Daguerreo.
You're all alone with Quina. Poor you. Check your equipment again to make sure both of you are wearing the best of the best of the best (sir!...With honors. XD). You should equip abilities like Auto-Haste, Auto-Regen, Auto-Float and Auto-Life. Auto-Float and Auto-Life if nothing else; you can bear without the other two. Also High Tide and Counter would be useful. Make sure you're wearing something that absorbs earth damage like Gaia Gear.
The Earth Shrine is southeast of Kuja's Palace on the Outer Continent. After you enter, head down the steps. To avoid the traps, hit x when you see the '!' pop up. Each party will have to fight a boss, but fortunately for you, you'll only have to fight Zidane and Quina's battle.
Boss Fight: Earth Guardian
Items to Steal: Rubber Suit, AvengerHave Quina cast Mighty Guard immediately, then have Zidane steal. Have Quina cast 1,000 needles or Bad Breath, and White Wind when needed. When Zidane is done stealing, have him attack. If he goes into trance, cast Grand Lethal. This fight isn't really hard, which is why it shouldn't be hard.
If you want to break from the walkthrough, now would be a good time. Unlike FF4, you can't travel between worlds in this game;-once you're in Terra, you're in Terra and you have no choice but to follow the storyline if you want to get back to Gaia. So any levels you need to gain should be gained now, in addition to sidequests like revisiting Qu's Marshes and trading in Stellazio coins.
The Shimmering Island
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 14 minutes
Blu Magic: Roulette, Magic Hammer, Bad Breath
Bosses: None
Cards: None
Items: Coronet, Dragon Wrist, Elixir, Remedy, Mythril Racket, Demon's Vest
Key Items: None
Monsters: Movers, Hecteyes, Ring Leader
Moogles: None
Notes: Beware of Hecteyes' "Roulette". When the Movers form a triangle, don't attack
them or they'll use Delta Attack and possibly wipe out your whole party. As for the Ring
Leaders, don't forget that if they use the Venom attack on you and it works, that party
member won't receive experience points.
Side Quests: None
Shops: None
The Shimmering Island is marked on your map, so you can select it while on your airship and the autopilot will take over. Before you enter, you might want to save on Quelmiera Shores which is just east of Esto Gaza on the Forgotten Continent. From here, you can go directly south to reach the Shimmering Island. Once over it, press 'O' to enter.
Welcome to Terra. After speaking with...The Old Man, you'll have a chance to pick a new party if you so desire. When you're done, equip them. From here, you obviously can't go up, so go down and exit to the right.
You'll see a blonde girl run off on the next screen; before following her, head down the steps on your life and jump across the platforms for a Coronet. Keep going north and into the next area and check the chest for a Dragon Wrist. Now go back to the previous room and follow after the blonde girl. You'll run into her again on the next screen but before continuing, check the chest on your left for an Elixir. Now follow the girl into the next area.
Continue across the bridge and follow after the girl. In the next area, climb down the glowing web on the right. Climb down the next web and open the chest for a Remedy. Now go back up and around the left and hop over the next web. They'll be a chest to your right-open it for a Mythril Racket. Now go back to the web you just jumped over and climb down.
Get the Demon's Vest from the chest on your left, then talk to the girl. Follow after her and keep going straight. In this next area, head into the corner on the left and make your way down to the chest to receive Minerva's Plate. Head back up and take the stairs to the north.
Bran Bal
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 17 minutes
Blu Magic: None
Bosses: None
Cards: None
Items: Elixir
Key Items: None
Monsters: None
Moogles: Moorock, Stilzkin
Notes: None
Side Quests: None
Shops: Moorock's Mogshop
After the FMVs and cutscenes, head to your left and enter the first house there on your left. When you regain control, go back into the house and check the chest next to Rusty for an Elixir. Now leave and exit to the right. In the next area, head into the only house on the right side of the screen and open the chest for a Wing Edge. Talk with the moogle Moorock, save and go to Mognet. Buy anything you need from him since he has a Mogshop. Leave the room and enter the room to the north of the screen.
Head down the stairs on your right and talk to Mikoto, then follow her back up the steps.
You'll have control of Eiko after a couple of cutscenes. Watch the ATE if you'd like, then talk to Freya if you'd like to restore your health. Equip Eiko with anything new you have for her, then walk outside. Watch the next ATE, then head to the right and watch the next ATE, then into the room with Moorock. Stilzkin will be there, so buy from him if you'd like. (How did he get here anyway...?)
Go out and talk to Vivi so that he'll join your party then leave in the bottom left exit. Watch the ATE then talk to Amarant so he'll join you as well. Go back to the room with the crystal and talk to Quina, so that you'll now have a full party. Go save with Moorock, then go back to the area where you found Amarant and head into the green light. On the other side, talk to Mikoto.
Pandemonium
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 46 minutes
Blu Magic: Bad Breath, Lv4 Holy, Twister, Earth Shake
Bosses: White Dragon, Garland, Kuja
Cards: None
Items: Holy Miter, 20,007 gil, Elixir, Carabini Mail, Battle Boots
Key Items: None
Monsters: Abadon, Shell Dragon, Mover, Malboro
Moogles: Moorock, Mozme
Notes: This is long and frustrating, so try to start out relaxed.
Side Quests: None
Shops: Moorock's Mogshop
You'll now have control of Zidane. Make sure he's equipped properly before continuing. Now head into the next area and talk to Garland then follow him. After some cutscenes, you'll fight a few battles.
The first battle isn't that hard if you're on the suggested level or higher. Freya will join you after the first or second round, and Amarant after the third.
The second battle is with Steiner and Quina. Have Quina cast Mighty Guard and White Wind while Steiner attacks with Shock as often as possible. Zidane will join after a few rounds, which will make this a lot easier.
The third battle is kind of hard, but hang in there. When the Dragon uses Smash, it reduces your HP to 1, but Dagger will come in and heal you. Have her summon and heal while Zidane attacks. Have her also cast float ASAP.
After a moment, you'll have control of Zidane. Quina, Dagger and Steiner will be in your party, so make sure you equip them and cure Zidane before continuing. Head back and you'll find your other party members.
If you'd like to gain levels, the moment is now. The moogle will allow you to switch party members, so don't worry about only certain characters gaining levels. And it's alright to be above the suggested level. You can also go back to the chair Zidane woke up in for a Holy Miter.
From Moorock, head three screens left. In this room, hit the switch to your immediate left and avoid the lights while exiting to the bottom left. Don't touch the lights or be near one or a battle will ensue and you'll have to start over from the beginning of the room. You also have to have enough time left to make it across the bridge in the next area.
Once across the bridge, check the globe in the center of the room but don't adjust anything just yet. Head left and go up a little bit then jump on the platform and ride it up. Go left then up again, and take the first teleporter. It didn't work, so go all the way back down into the room with the spheres. Adjust the standard heading to 3, then ride the platform back up and get the chest there with 20,007 gil. Now go back to the room with the spheres and try a few random combinations of standard headings. You'll come back to the sphere room after the second or third time of getting nowhere fast to find that the members who are not in your party are waiting for you. They'll now manage the controls while you ride up the elevator.
Head left, back into the room with the elevator then view the ATE. Have them set the Current Heading to 4. Go all the way up on the elevator to where you found the 20,007 gil and take the path to the left to reach the next floor. If this doesn't work, then have them set the heading to 4 again.
In this new room, go right and take the teleporter. You'll now be in a room with three other teleporters surrounding you. The one to the right leads to an Elixir, and the one to the left leads to Carabini Mail. Now take the one to the north and ride the teleporter there back to the previous floor. Head back to the center of the room, then down, then left and take the teleporter. The lower-right teleporter will take you to Battle Boots;-now take the upper right one to save with Mozme, and give her her mail. She will also let you switch party members if you'd like.
Up ahead are three boss battles. Make sure all characters are wearing the best equipment and armor they can. Equip all party members with Insomniac if Quina knows Night. If Eiko is in your party, make sure she knows Madeen and has Maiden Prayer equipped as an add-on. If Dagger is in your party, make sure she knows Bahamut. Steiner should have Ragnarok equipped from Chocobo Hot & Cold. For this battle, I like Zidane, Freya, Amarant and Eiko because Eiko has better magic, even though Dagger has more/better Eidolons.
Make sure everyone has status guard abilities like Locomotion. Make sure Freya has Dragon Killer equipped, and other characters who have it have Bird Killer equipped as an ability. Also, Auto-Life, Auto-Haste and Auto-Regen will be helpful. When you're ready, exit to the right of Mozme.
Boss Fight: Silver Dragon
Items to Steal: Kaiser Knuckles, Dragon Mail, Elixir, EtherIf Quina is in your party, have Quina cast Night just after everyone else in your party attacks. This will put the Silver Dragon to sleep so it can't attack. If Amarant is in your party, have him cast Aura on all party members and attack or use No Mercy. Make sure Eiko is equipped with the Maiden Prayer and have her summon Madeen or Fenrir in between healing. Have Zidane attack and steal. Have Vivi cast Blizzaga or Flare, and Steiner cast Blizzaga Sword, Flare Sword, or attack. Have Freya cast Reis's Wind and Dragon Crest and have Dagger heal and summon Shiva or Bahamut. If you're on or above the suggested level, this should be over within five rounds, depending on whether you choose to steal or not.
Boss Fight: Garland
Items to Steal: Dark Gear, Ninja Gear, Battle BootsHave Eiko summon Carbuncle since Garland relies heavily on magic. This will mean you have to cure your party manually or wait until the spell wears off, but you won't need to heal as often if you have cast it. It would also be beneficial to have Freya cast Reis's Wind and Dragon's Crest. If she's around level 65 or 66 and has Dragon Killer equipped, it'll do 9999 damage. Follow the basic strategy of attacking, casting magic and healing, since Garland isn't weak against anything in particular. Make sure Zidane robs Garland blind before you kill him.
Boss Fight: Kuja
Items to Steal: Light Robe, Carabini Mail, EtherHave Eiko summon Carbuncle again, because Kuja relies on magic too. Stealing from him is optional, since you more than likely already have the things he's carrying. But two is never too much. Unless it's bullets. Follow the same strategy you did with Garland, but have Quina cast Big Guard and White Wind. Steiner's Shock helps also.
After the battles, cutscenes and FMV, you'll have control of Zidane. Run across the bridges then up to Dagger when prompted. Run back to Bran Bal and watch the cutscenes and FMVs. After enduring probably the longest disk in the game, you'll be done with disk three.
This concludes disk three. On to Disk Four, Chapter One