--. ###########’ # ## ' ## ## # ### #### ### ,#####. ######' ## ### # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # , ## ###### # ##### # # # #####' ## '# # # , # ### # # # ## # # # '# # # , # # # # #### # ## ,##### #### #' # ‘#####` ,## #### #### # # #### #### # ##’ ##’ ,#####. ##’ ##’ ### # # ## # ## # # ## ,###. # # # # ## # # # # # # ## # # ## # # # # # # # # # # #### # # # ## # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### ## ## #’##` ,### # # # # # # # ####### ### # # # # # ### # # # # # # '# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # '### ### ### ,# ,## ,## ‘#####` ,## ,## ### # ## ,’ # #' # ##### Spoiler-Free Walkthrough by Relle getrelle@yahoo.com Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Latest Updates 3. Frequently Asked Questions 4. Characters 5. Walkthrough 5a. Disc 1 - Sylvarant - The First Continent 5a-1. Light of the Oracle 5a-2. The Temple 5a-3. Iselia Forest 5a-4. To the Desert 5a-5. The Escape 5a-6. The Seal of Fire 5a-7. The Assassin 5b. Disc 1 - Sylvarant - The Second Continent 5b-1. Palmacosta 5b-2. The Peak, the Ranch, the Twist 5b-3. Palmacosta Human Ranch 5b-4. The Water Seal 5c. Disc 1 - Sylvarant - The Third Continent 5c-1. Asgard 5c-2. World Tour 5c-3. The Wind Seal 5c-4. Asgard Human Ranch 5c-5. Tower of Mana 5c-6. Before the End... 5c-7. Tower of Salvation 5c-8. Renegade Base 5d. Disc 1 - Tethe'alla - The Adventure Continues 5d-1. Meltokio 5d-2. Sybak and the Grand Bridge 5d-3. Meltokio Revisited 5d-4. Gaoracchia Forest 5d-5. Adventures in the Underground 5d-6. Temple of Lightning 5d-7. Tethe'alla Base 5e. Disc 1 - Tethe'alla - Flying High and Soaring for Summon Spirits 5e-1. Rescue Mission 5e-2. Temple of Earth 5e-3. Flanoir and the Temple of Ice 5e-4. Altamira and the Return 5f. Disc 1 - The Two Worlds - Taking Care of Business 5f-1. Remote Island Human Ranch 5f-2. Things to Do 5f-3. Temple of Darkness 5f-4. The Final Summon Spirit 5f-5. Iselia Human Ranch 5g. Disc 2 - The Two Worlds - Fallen Angels 5g-1. Home and Back Again 5g-2. Ymir Forest 5g-3. Latheon Gorge 5g-4. More Things to Do 5g-5. Welgaia 5h. Disc 2 - The Two Worlds - To the End of the World and Beyond 5h-1. Flanoir and Even More Sidequests! 5h-2. Tower of Salvation 5h-3. The Pact With Origin 5h-4. Once More Unto the Breach 5h-5. Final Tour 5h-6. The Final Battle 6. Extras 6a. Donations for Luin 6b. The Imposters 6c. Devil's Arms 6d. Sword Dancers 6e. Duel with Kuchinawa 6f. Colette the Dog Lover 6g. Grade Shop 7. Tech Chart 7a. Lloyd 7b. Colette 7c. Genis 7d. Raine 7e. Kratos/Zelos 7f. Sheena 7g. Presea 7h. Regal 8. Compound EX Skills 8a. Lloyd 8b. Colette 8c. Genis 8d. Raine 8e. Kratos/Zelos 8f. Sheena 8g. Presea 8h. Regal 9. Revision History 10. Acknowledgements 11. Copyright Info =============================================================================== 1. Introduction =============================================================================== Ah, the Tales series...I was only introduced to the game a few years after Tales of Phantasia was originally released through the magic of emulation and a fan-made translated rom. Cut to years later when I picked up Star Ocean 2, made by a different company but many of the same people behind the Tales series (which explains why their battle systems are so damned similar). Both games floored me with their unique battle system, unusual characters, and purely fun gameplay. Now, the Tales series has made it to Gamecube, and with my RPG whore sense tingling, I feel the need to FAQ! As it says above, this is a spoiler-free FAQ. What this guide is for is to get you through the game with a minimum of fuss and without spoiling the story. I've always disliked FAQs that waste space describing in-game events and telling you every detail of the story as it happens. It's not necessary and often not wanted. So, here you'll find a walkthrough that'll let you discover the game on your own, while still guiding you through the tough spots. =============================================================================== 2. Latest Updates =============================================================================== 1.10 - More and more compound EX skill progress. Two more level 4 EX gems, and it'll be finished. Also, minor additions and edits to the walkthrough. 1.15 - The Compound EX Skills section is complete. If anyone has any additions or corrections, e-mail me. Also some minor walkthrough fixes. =============================================================================== 3. Frequently Asked Questions =============================================================================== While no one's asked me these questions personally, I check the boards for the most dire or urgent questions that needed answering, so here we are. Q. How linear is this game? A. While the game has a set plot progression, you can do dungeons and some areas in a surprisingly non-linear way, which has prompted other questions for people who deviate from the standard path. It's a good thing. Q. Are there random battles? A. No, all monsters are visible on the dungeon maps. However, monsters are not always visible on the world map, but most of them are easily avoidable. This isn't always a good thing, in my opinion. Q. Why not? A. With non-random battles, some people tend to avoid encounters, thus reducing their EXP gain and their levels, so when they get to an unavoidable encounter (such as a boss) they end up being unprepared. My advice, then, is to battle every once in a while when you reach a new city or House of Salvation. Q. How do I enable multiplayer? A. Go into a particular character's Tech menu and press the start button so their tech usage changes to either Semi-Auto or Manual. Q. What's the best party? A. There is no good answer to that question. While it's a good idea to have someone who can use healing spells (Raine, Kratos/Zelos) it's really a matter of opinion. None of the characters in this game are 'bad.' They each have their own strengths and abilities, and you can, in fact, win the game with any party you could possibly construct. Q. How do I get Sheena? A. If you go to the water shrine first, then see Sheena in Luin, finish the wind shrine, then go back to Luin and she'll join you. If you went to the wind shrine first, do the water shrine and the human ranch, then go to Luin. If you did the water and wind shrines but didn't go to Luin at all before them, visit Luin, then infiltrate and escape the human ranch and Sheena will join. Q. Sheena's not joining me! Did I miss her? A. It is impossible not to recruit Sheena, as she is a major character in the story. Since I can only play one game at a time, I can't examine all possible methods for acquiring her. However, I can say there is no way you can miss her. Let me repeat, you cannot miss Sheena. She will join, one way or another. Q. How can I summon monsters with Sheena? A. Sheena must be in Overlimit mode to summon a creature. It's sometimes hard to tell when she does so unless you're directly controlling her, but often she'll summon a monster on her own if she's not otherwise engaged in battle or in the use of another tech. Q. I went to the third continent before Izoold, and now I can't get a boat to Palmacosta! What do I do? A. This is the most common problem, because apparently people seem to gravitate north after leaving Ossa Trail. >_< Anyway, when this happens, you'll have to complete the various dungeons of the third continent, namely the Wind Seal, the Tower of Mana, the Asgard Human Ranch, etc. Just go through the section on the third continent, and check Hakonesia Peak periodically to see if you can pass back to the second continent. Q. How do I get [title], [item], [tech]? A. I've written up sections for techs and compound EX skills. Items and titles can be found in other FAQs. Q. What does the T <-> S bar mean? A. The T stands for Technical and the S stands for Strike. Basically, you can influence the bar through use of your EX skills. If the bar is off to the S side, the character's learned techs will become stronger, but will deal fewer hits. Conversely, a T-focused character will learn techs that do multiple hits, but less damage. Q. Which side is best for which character? A. Honestly, it's a matter of opinion, at least for Lloyd. However, Sheena's best techs are on the T side, while Genis' Indignation spell is also a T spell. Likewise, Raine's healing spells end up much more useful when she's a T person. Everyone else is primarily a melee fighter, so they're much the same as Lloyd. Q. Can you learn the S version of a T tech? A. Yes. Go into a character's tech menu and choose to 'Forget' a tech, then switch your EX skills over to either T or S (whichever side you want to learn) and fight a few battles. You'll learn the T or S version of the tech you once had. You can only forget and relearn the latest tech you've uncovered, so if you learn a new tech and want to forget a much older one, you're out of luck. Q. Should I buy EX gems with my Grade, or save it? A. Save it. EX gems are found often enough that you won't need to buy them. Consider them a waste of Grade. Q. Where's a good place to get Grade? A. The first area of the game. No, really. At perhaps the midpoint of the game, set all your characters to only attack, no techs or spells, and just pound on the now extremely weak critters. The high speed will net you a Grade per battle, at least. While there are other methods of getting high Grade, they involve fighting more powerful monsters and various complicated techniques I don't want to get into. Q. I'm stuck! I'm lost! What do I do! Where do I go!? A. I saw a question mark in there, so here's an answer. The best thing to do when you don't know where to go is to check the synopsis section. The bits in white are parts you've completed, and the bits in yellow are quests that still need undertaking. =============================================================================== 4. Characters =============================================================================== Lloyd Irving - The adopted son of a dwarf, Lloyd is a bit of a slacker, not too bright, but wields dual swords so he ends up being awesome anyway. He's the guy you'll use for most of the game, even though technically you don't have to have him in your party (once you have five or more members). Many of his techs are multi-hit, high-damage fare, but then, he's the main character. Colette Brunel - The Chosen. Not quite a ditz, but more of a klutz. That's one of her titles, in fact. She constantly says how she'll 'Do her best,' and you can't help but cheer for her. She specializes in magic and ranged attacks with her bladed discs (like Xena, but cuter). While she may not look it, she's actually a fair fighter, and her magic can get you out of nasty situations. Genis Sage - Your mage and little buddy with the weird hair. As you may surmise after your first fight with this kid, he's not a melee battler. His role is as a support mage, tossing spells at the enemy from afar. Kratos Aurion - Just like Lloyd, this guy's a power fighter. However, he also learns some magic skills and has First Aid, which is very handy early in the game when gels are still expensive. His powerful melee abilities and magical skills make him a very useful ally. Raine Sage - Genis' older sister, and also of the support mage variety. She's got a bit of an anger management problem, but she's so darn cute, I can forgive her that (along with many other indescretions). Raine is the white mage to Genis' black magic. She has many support spells, along with some healing magic which is, again, quite useful. She also has a great amount of TP to back up her support abilities. Sheena Fujibayashi - Wonderfully big-breasted, Sheena is a ninja girl who also has the power to summon monsters. Her attacks are quick and numerous, but like many female RPG characters, her attack power isn't as great as your male barbarian-types. Still, she's a good fighter, and her seals combined with her summoning ability make her a force to be reckoned with. The only downside is she has to be in Overlimit mode to summon, and the summons themselves drain her TP like nothing you've ever seen. Presea Combatir - While Presea might not have much to say, she's very powerful and can really dish out damage with that huge axe. Her techs are primarily heavy-hitting offensive abilities. While she's not much more than a center of pure, tiny force, she's very good at what she does. Her stats are naturally high, making her a favored character of many. Zelos Wilder - Zelos is, quite simply, a clone of Kratos. No, not really, but considering all his techs and spells are the same as Kratos', he might as well be. Zelos is a huge playboy and quite easy-going, so he's really that much better than Kratos, in my own opinion. Not only that, but setting him as your on-screen character and speaking to females will result in them giving you gald and items. Regal - With no last name (that will be mentioned here), Regal is like Presea in that he is primarily a melee fighter. Actually, he's entirely a melee fighter. All his techs besides the odd single-member healing ones, anyway. Basically, if you need the crap beaten out of something, this is the guy to do it. While he can provide some healing power, don't use him in place of Raine. He's the combat type, not the support type. =============================================================================== 5. Walkthrough =============================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a. Disc 1 - Sylvarant - The First Continent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-1. Light of the Oracle ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watch the cutscene, and when you gain control, talk to everyone and try to leave the classroom to the left. You'll be stopped by Genis. Select the first option to gain him and Colette as party members, then inspect the hole in the wall to gain the title of Klutz for Colette. Funniest title ever. Go to the bottom right corner of the classroom for a Skit, then leave the building. Cutscene again. Go to the nearby memory circle and save. Attempt to leave via the north. You'll go into a couple really easy battles and get a lesson in proper fighting techniques. If you take damage, go to the east exit after battle and talk to Frank to be healed. The general store is south of the school, and will sell curatives and other items. Buy boots if you want some additional defense. When you're ready, leave via the north exit. Now, I would recommend you fight until Colette is at level 3, just to become familiar with the battle system and to get a step up on the upcoming enemies. When you're ready, just follow the path south of the town to reach the temple. Right away there will be a cutscene. Select the first option when prompted. Run up the stairs for a scene and a battle with three grunts. They're not that much stronger than the regular enemies in the field. Afterwards, you'll be assaulted by a boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Vidarr No. 220 Type - Human HP - 4000 EXP - 115 TP - 30 Gald - 25 ATK - 210 DEF - 21 Item - Life Bottle Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - None While he's big, remember the old saying. Run in for a few swipes when he's not guarding, then quickly run away. He'll either swing his mace around in a circle or smash the ground with his hammer, creating a shock wave. If you can't get away fast enough, guard to reduce the damage dealt to you. Cause enough damage to this guy and Kratos will jump in. After that, pound away at the brute with hit and run techniques, tossing in a tech now and again, and he'll fall soon enough. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After this, you'll watch a cutscene in which Kratos will essentially join your party. Select the first option when prompted, then you're off to the temple. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-2. The Temple ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now then, return to Iselia, speak to Frank to be healed, buy up any items you can afford, then save and return to the temple. Inside, take the right path until you reach a staircase. Head down. On this level, proceed forward. You'll come across several holes in the ground and a golem you'll fight automatically. It's not very tough, but it can hurt you a bit if you stick close to it. Once it's dead, you'll have at least five more to fight. What you need to do is kill a golem, then push the block it leaves into the left middle, right middle, and top middle holes. You'll need to drop two blocks to create a full bridge down below. Create bridges to the left and right for a pair of chests. The bridge leading to the glowing thing is needed to proceed. Take the Sorcerer's Ring. The fireball function can stun enemies if they're getting too frisky. Now go up the left staircase to find three chests with items and gald. Go back and take the right staircase, then return to the first intersection and go north. Use the Sorcerer's Ring to blast away the seal and enter the warp. A cutscene will follow, and when it's over, speak to all three of your party members to continue with the game. Colette and Kratos will temporarily leave, and you'll have to go back to Iselia with only Genis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-3. Iselia Forest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Speak to Raine to get a title for Genis, then go to Colette's house for a scene. Afterwards, head to Genis' house (southwest of the school, on another screen) and you'll get some cooking ingredients. At this point, save, then head to the south exit out of town for a short scene with Lloyd's...dog? Right. Anyway, you're off to the forest now, so leave through the south exit. The forest is slightly to the north. I would recommend you level up a little here, until you're at level 7-8, or 9 if you're paranoid. Follow the path, then go left at the first intersection to find a chest with an Apple Gel. Now take the right path and follow it till you reach a cutscene. Genis wants to go left, so go left. In this screen, go left along the bottom until you trigger a cutscene. Select the first option both times when prompted to proceed. Now then, go back to the entrance of this screen, but this time head up to the short cliff. Jump up twice, then go right for an Orange Gel. Left will start up another cutscene. Eventually you'll be tossed into a battle with two Desians who aren't much tougher than the ones you fought at the temple a little while ago. Beat them up like any normal monster. When you regain control, save, then leave via the north exit. Here, head north to the second intersection and go left for an Apple Gel, then go back to the first intersection and head right. There's another gel in the chest along the way, plus a bridge across the river farther along. Once you cross it, go north and take the Orange Gel from the bag on the tree, then head north to reach the field. Dirk's house is around to your right when you exit from the forest. Enter, then go into the house for a long (and vocal) cutscene. The next day, leave the house and speak to Dirk at the grave site. You'll automatically be transported to Iselia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-4. To the Desert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go to Colette's house and speak with Phaidra to learn what happened. After you regain control, go outside. Notice the save point has moved right in front of Colette's house. Use it and go beat up on the Desians. One of them has a crossbow and can hit you from a distance, so take him out first. Go back to Frank and get healed, then take the top left exit and save the poor shmuck in front of the school. Go back and heal/save, then go to the courtyard to find ol' Forcystus and his buddies. Mean little bastards, aren't they? Well, it's about to get worse, as they sic a big green meanie on you. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Exbelua No. 179 Type - Beast HP - 5000 EXP - 280 TP - 38 Gald - 320 ATK - 190 DEF - 10 Item - Panacea Bottle Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - None Hit and run won't work, this thing has too great a range. Run in for a quick strike, then hold the guard button to reduce damage. If it hits you with an upward attack, hit X in midair to flip onto your feet so you don't get knocked on your back (which also damages you). This boss can hurt you for over 50 damage a hit, more if you're knocked into the air, so it's good to have a lot of Apple Gels saved up. Don't be shy about using them, either. Gels aren't as expensive as Life Bottles. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Okay, a long cutscene is next on the menu. When it's over, you'll have to leave town. Well, they insisted, after all. You can't buy new items, but you can save your game before leaving. Do so, then leave town via the south exit. Your next destination is a House of Salvation. Why don't they just call it a church? Fancy-shmancy religious types... Anyway, to get there, follow the road. Along the way you'll have a cutscene in which you'll learn about the EXspheres (if you want). Further on down the road is the House. Here, learn about long-range travel from the first guy you see, then head inside. No one here actually knows anything about Colette, but this is an excellent place to rest if you want to level up...though it does cost 100 gald a night. Level 9-10 would be a decent amount, as the enemies will get harder from now on. Also, to the west of the House is a chest obscured by a patch of forest containing an EX gem. If you don't know how, to use long-range mode (meaning, ride Lloyd's dog) just press X on the world map. Your next destination, Triet, is south of the House, in the desert. Be careful of the enemies in the desert, they're very strong. Okay, assuming you make it to Triet in one piece (or at all) you might think you have to be careful. Not really. Don't inspect the wanted poster yet. Anyway, the item dealer here will restock you on gels, and the nearby smith wants a Beast Hide. If you have one, great. He'll make you a suit of Hard Leather, an armor upgrade for Lloyd. Above the customizer is a weapon dealer who should be consulted immediately. Near that guy is an armor salesman. Buy all you can afford, this new equipment needs to last you a bit. In the next screen, go to the fortune-teller in the tent at the end to learn of Colette. Now then, if you want to level up, this is the time. You won't have a free chance at it for a while. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-5. The Escape ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Save and check the wanted poster when you're ready. Try to leave town and you'll be attacked by some Desians. Again, they're push-overs. Beat them down, though you'll end up losing in the long run anyway. You'll see what I mean. Anyway, to escape from your cell, hit the guard with the Sorcerer's Ring. There's a chest in the next cell and a save point further left. To the right is a chest with your equipment (score!) and past that you'll have to fight a couple guards on your own. No sweat, they're pansies. The next room contains a very annoying puzzle. When the cutscene's over, examine the pedastal to have the Sorcerer's Ring changed to an electric-type. You have to wait till the robot critters are over the blue panels, then zap them to charge the exit door. Unfortunately, if you miss or get too close, the robots will dash after you and you'll have to fight them. They're not very strong at all, but it just adds a little bit of time to the whole ordeal. In the next hall, the north exit will take you to a chest with a Beast Fang and a machine that sells items. Stock up on gels if you need to. The soldier in the previous room may drop a Memory Gem, which is used later. Also, the robots may (and I stress 'may') drop White Silver, a customization item that'll be useful later. The left exit here will take you to your next puzzle. Also, if you got a Memory Gem, note the faded save point on the floor. You can use the Gem to unseal the save point and make it available for use. I highly recommend doing so once you're done with this puzzle. Ah yes, the puzzle. What you need to do is match the green button on the outer ring with the green button on the inner ring. The easiest way of doing this is to just zap the top pillar with the Sorcerer's Ring, then the bottom pillar. Once that's done, heal up, save, and exit via the top door. Go north and you'll jump into a cutscene that results in combat. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Botta No. 229 Type - Human HP - 4200 EXP - 475 TP - 224 Gald - 1500 ATK - 205 DEF - 35 Item - Poison Charm (Drop) Yellow Quartz (Steal) Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - None The thing to watch out for is his three-hit combo. It can take off 150 HP in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, unlike many enemies he won't be stunned by your attacks, so he can often prepare a combo attack as you're hitting him. Fortunately, you have your party with you to back you up. Pound on him and watch his movements. If he rears up for an attack, go for the X button to reduce damage. Eventually he'll be surrounded by a black aura, and this is where the trouble starts. He'll deal more damage and take less, so you'll have to be very careful when this happens. Keep on pounding him and make sure to keep your HP high. Eventually he'll fall. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whew! Tough guy, huh? Well, enjoy the cutscene, as it'll take you outside the base. Triet is nearby. Enter for another cutscene that'll take you to night time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-6. The Seal of Fire ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Talk to Kratos, then go upstairs and enter Colette's room for a quick scene. Go to Raine and Genis' room next. Check on Genis and do what you want, it's amusing either way. When you're done, leave and go see what Kratos is up to. When that's over, you'll rest till morning. At this point you have five party members, so you must choose who to keep in your active party. I personally swapped out Genis for Raine, because she has First Aid and, quite frankly, she's cute. Personal preference, you see. Equip Colette and Raine (if you're going to use her) with Ribbons at the armor shop. Also, take the time to level up your party to around 10-11 now that you have enough people to make short work of the local monsters. When you're ready, the ruins are southwest of Triet. Enter, then go left when you can. Ah, techniques and titles, a double buffet. Go inside. Head left, then go south when you can. At the end will be a chest covered in rocks. Use the Sorcerer's Ring to blast them off, then take the gel inside. From there, go north to the next room. Take a right and light the torch, then leave. Go around to the center doorway in the first hall. Here, take the two chests up north and the one south, then push the two blocks into the nearby hole so you can light the torch. Exit, then in the first room go up to the final door. Do not open the chest. I repeat, DO NOT OPEN THE CHEST. You can't kill the monster inside it. Seriously, the only thing that will damage it is magic, and you won't last long enough for it to die right now. Just ignore it, we'll return to it later. Anyway, in this third area, the torch is off to the left. Push the block in the hole to get at it. With the platforms raised, take the new path. There's a chest with a Circlet and a sealed save point, and if you have a Memory Gem, save. Heal up before going through the warp, because you'll be facing off against the boss of this place. Ready? Go! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ktugach Ktugachling 2x No. 181 Type - Beast No. 182 Type - Beast HP - 5000 EXP - 628 HP - 1500 EXP - 60 TP - 50 Gald - 85 TP - 180 Gald - 15 ATK - 300 DEF - 28 ATK - 130 DEF - 40 Item - Red Quartz Item - None Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - Water, Ice Weakness - None Strength - Fire Strength - None With a flame-based boss, your best bet is to take along Genis and disable all his spells except any and all water-based spells. This boss has two henchmen, both of which have 1500 HP and primarily serve to make this battle annoying. Focus on them first, then attack the big kitty. If Lloyd has the Tempest skill (or the S-type equivalent) it's quite useful due to Ktugach's size and the fact that you can use it, turn around, whip out a normal combo attack and use it again nearly before he can retaliate. However, this boss has a spine shot attack that'll deal 40-60 damage per hit for 3-5 hits, so don't think you can just tech your way to victory. He'll also use the Eruption spell, and as you can guess, it's something that should be healed right away. Watch your allies' HP and deal out gels when needed. Eventually it'll fall. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ahh, good stuff. Watch Colette do her thing, then when you regain control you'll have to go back to the beginning of the dungeon manually. Not a terribly difficult task. Once outside, you'll go into another cutscene. When it's over, you can talk to your other party members. Speak to Colette twice to return to the world map. Go back to Triet. Our next destination is Palmacosta. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5a-7. The Assassin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stock up on gels and food items, and as always, save before you leave. The Ossa Trail is far to the east of Triet. Once inside, follow the path to a hilarious cutscene. Funny stuff. Moving along... Just follow the path to the next screen. The enemies here consist of Desians and wild beasts, the latter of which can be a bit tough. The path through here is quite linear, so just follow it to the save point, then continue through the next screen until you run into the hot ninja girl again. Boss battle! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Clumsy Assassin Guardian - Wind No. 225 Type - Human No. 190 Type - Unknown HP - 1800 EXP - 200 HP - 2000 EXP - 250 TP - 131 Gald - 128 TP - 400 Gald - 250 ATK - 274 DEF - 48 ATK - 280 DEF - 38 Item - Holy Bottle Item - Magic Lens Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - None Strength - None Strength - None As you can see from the HP, this really isn't that tough. The Guardian Wind has a slightly higher 2000 HP and can knock you into the air, deals a lot of damage with other physical attacks, plus can use a fire breath attack that does moderate damage. It's recommended to take care of the Guardian first, as the Assassin is slightly easier. She's a close-range fighter, so just run up, block her attacks, then unleash a few of your own. As far as boss battles go, this isn't too tough. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Okay, at this point you can enter the tunnel the ninja came out of, and should since there are chests containing good stuff. There's one in the top-left and bottom-right corner of the first screen, and two in the second screen to the north. One chest even has a new EX gem. Oh, and don't talk to the bouncing skull there, we'll get to it later. When you're done collecting, leave to the world map. Izoold is to the southeast. It should be noted that if you head north from here, you can cross a bridge to the third continent and unlock the seals there, but it will be much more difficult, because the monsters will be very likely beyond your ability to fight at this point. However, you can finish up all the seals and reach the Tower of Salvation via this route. It just won't be covered in this guide...yet. There's an inn and save point in Izoold. Use both. If you want to level up, wait till we get across the sea, or go back to the Ossa Trail. Things to do in Izoold include checking the house with the catgirl on the roof. Inside in a corner is the Wonder Chef with a new recipe. Also, speak to the guy wandering around outside, then go in the upper left house and talk to the girl for a scene. Exit and go to the next screen to the left. Here you can buy gels and ingredients from a food vendor. Wander over yonder to the left dock for a cutscene. Accept the task of...letter delivery? Right. Well, speak to Max to board a boat straight to Palmacosta. Make sure you're ready, meaning you've done everything that needs doing on this continent. You'll return there eventually, but it won't be for a while. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5b. Disc 1 - Sylvarant - The Second Continent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5b-1. Palmacosta ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Despite Max's warnings of monsters, it's a very uneventful trip. The shops are all right on the dock. If you can afford it and have some White Silver, buy a Rapier from the weapon shop and customize it into the powerful Masamune. Or, if you already have a Rapier, save your money and get a new weapon. The armor here is decent, but for the prices you'd expect a bigger boost in defense. Anyway, leave to the south. You'll trigger a cutscene in which you will now have to replace a potion. Ugh. Before you do anything, go to the immediate left and enter the inn. Use the save point, then go back to the docks and talk to the customization guy. Ask to buy customization materials and pick the Grab Bag. If you get a Sephira, great! If you don't, load your last save and try again. The Sephira will give 50% more gald after battle if it's equipped, and once you find a Rune Bottle, you can turn it into the Blue Sephira and it will double the gald you receive. It may take quite a few tries until you get one, but don't be discouraged and leave! Getting a Sephira this early in the game makes future money troubles a thing of the...past. Yeah. To the immediate left is the inn and a save point if you care to use it. To the right is a shop, but they're out of Palma Potion, so check the place next door for a scene. Talk to the merchant, and even if you have the money for the potion, don't buy it. There's a good way to make money and get a title for our trouble, so leave the shop and go to the right to the next screen. Cutscene time again, and if you talk to one of the guards of the big building, you can view a cutscene of Lloyd training with Kratos. The leftmost house is actually a temple in which you should speak to the priest to proceed with the story. Next door is the academy, where you'll be able to do the waitress job, and have a little sidequest with Genis. Go in and be challenged (accept, of course!) The ball stand is really the Wonder Chef with an omelet recipe. The rightmost room on the first floor is the cafeteria, where you can waitress for money, the Palma Potion, and a title for Colette. Waitressing is simple. A number of customers will walk up and make an order, then walk to their tables. You'll have to memorize what people ordered, and where they end up. If you make a mistake you'll have an opportunity to fix it, but to bring in the big money you'll have to at least get the orders to their proper customers with a minimal delay. The first classroom on the second floor is where you can study. The second room is where you'll take the test, but study first. When you're ready, go to the rightmost room to take the test. Notice how Lloyd's swords stick right through the desk behind him? You don't really take the test, which is a shame. However, you get a free title for Genis for your troubles. Leave when it's all over and give the Palma Potion to the jackasses you ran into. When that's done, go to the large building near the academy for a scene with Dorr, which will result in giving you your next destination: Hakonesia Peak to the northeast. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5b-2. The Peak, the Ranch, the Twist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Near Palmacosta is Nova's Caravan. Go there to learn of Aska, the Summon Spirit of light. It also functions as a save point. Southeast of that, behind a mountain, is an EX gem lv. 2. Remember you can't see chests on the world map if you're riding Noishe. Far north of the caravan, across a bridge, is another House of Salvation where you can meet Sheena, the assassin girl! Ain't she cute? Oh, you can also rest, save, and fight the local monsters (who give good EXP). Northeast of that House at the edge of a peninsula is a guidepost that'll enable Long Range mode. There's another one south and slightly east of the House, hidden in the mountains. Enable both so you have an easier time getting around. As for levels, it'd be a good idea to be at 14-15, especially considering how much EXP the monsters give. Many battles give an excess of 100 EXP at a shot. Hang around the House till you're ready, then go far north till you hit the Peak. This place isn't actually hostile. Enter the building and talk to the old geezer. Seems the imposters beat us here. Now you have to go get the Spiritua from the House of Salvation back south. Not only that, but Desians are on the way to Palmacosta. Return to the House first. Unfortunately, the head priest isn't there, so you can't take the statue...yet. So, go back to Palmacosta. Skip over to the inn and heal/save, then go to the church. On the way you'll be treated to a long cutscene and a battle. The enemies here are just regular trash. Nothing special. Okay, ready for a trip? We're going to the human farm, but not for the reason you may think. Heal/save at the inn, then talk to the priest near the entrance to the city. He'll ask you to escort him to Hakonesia Peak. Do so just to save time. Try going to the top of the screen when you arrive to be cut short by a soldier requesting your help to rescue a tour guide at that mean ol' human ranch. You can opt to forget the plight of the people and go after the seals, but you're bound by the Code of Adventurers! You must assist! Agree to help and leave the Peak. The ranch is east of the House of Salvation, again in the mountains. Enter and try to move in for a cutscene. Apparently things are not what they seem. Opt to return to Palmacosta, then go all the way back. Noishe is finally pulling his weight, it seems. All right, heal at the inn and save. I know, I know, you just did, but do it anyway. Go to city hall. Hmm, mighty empty. But the basement's unblocked, so head down there. After a cutscene and a damned dirty double-cross, it's time to fight! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kilia No. 187 Type - Beast HP - 10000 EXP - 500 TP - 400 Gald - 500 ATK - 490 DEF - 65 Item - Heal Bracelet Attack Attribute - None Weakness - Light Strength - Darkness Now that's a whopper of a HP count. Not only that, but she can damage you for over 150 with a regular attack! Spark Volt is especially deadly, dealing something around 5-7 hits, each one doing 50-60 damage. She will also attack you with the tendrils on her back for similar damage and hits. If you've been saving up your Unison Attack, now would be the time to use it. Guard liberally and make sure to keep your HP high with First Aid and gels. Keeping First Aid as a shortcut on the C-stick is recommended. This will be challenging, but not too hard if you remembered to level up to 14-15. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How sad... Er, right. Well then. It seems the passcode is 3341. Goody. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5b-3. Palmacosta Human Ranch ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh, we're gonna take that bitch DOWN! Buy any supplies you might need: gels, odd bits of armor or weapons you don't have yet, then speak to the priest that you escorted to Hakonesia (bears a striking resemblence to the last one, don't he?) and say you'll take him halfway to get an easy trip to the House of Salvation. The head priest here should be back by now, so go in and talk to him. When the dialogue option comes up, choose the second choice. We're not going to the island quite yet, though. Rest if you need to and save. Now then, make your way back to the human ranch. Speak with Neil as you enter. Take the left path. The right and center just lead to dead-ends. Examine the computer console and enter the password you got from Dorr. Go inside. Head to the left. There will be three sets of enemies here, none very tough. Take the upper right path to another enemy who may drop a Memory Gem, then head right to the next screen. In here, inspect the glowing device to get your ring's function changed. The south door leads outside and can't be accessed, and the right door leads to another area. Go there first and use your ring to spot some hidden items. They appear as white stars on the map. Do note that the enemies become invisible when you use the radar function. Use the radar near the gap, then examine the glowing orb to get across the bridge and reach the Refresher. This little baby will heal you, so beat up the nearby enemy to get the Purple Card, then get a free heal. Sweet. Okay, you have the card. Now what? Use the radar again and check the glowing orb to reach another hidden item (Life Bottle) on a platform. That's all we can do here. Disable both bridges (trust me on this) then return to the previous room and use warp point. It'll deposit you right near a save point. Groovy. Go right to the next room. Here, use the radar to spot some blocks you can push into the holes and connect this part of the room to the section with the Refresher. Make sure to get the hidden item behind the block near the top of the room. Now then, activate the bridge going right and go down the stairs. A cutscene will follow in which you'll get the Red Card. With that out of the way, disable the bridge and return to the save point, then take the left path. A cutscene will follow. That's all that's here, so go back and save, then activate radar and use the warp point. Here, take out the enemies. Why? Because you can. Use radar to pick up the gel, then take the left warp. If you want a Panacea Bottle, follow these instructions, otherwise skip to the next paragraph. In the next room, take the top (yellow) warp, then the top (green) warp. Remember this room? If you disabled the three bridges, you'll be able to reach the top level and the item (which is hidden). Either way, return to the original warp point. Take the left warp twice (green then red), then the bottom warp (yellow). At this point, take the same warp you arrived in on, meaning the top one. Then take the top warp, then the left one, then the top again, and finally the left. Phew! Well, here's our hostage. After the cutscene, she heads to the north warp. There's a sealed save point on the right side of this room, but considering how easy it is to get back here from the first one, I would advise you save your Memory Gem for other dungeons. Go through the warp point to finally settle things with the head honcho. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Magnius No. 217 Type - Human HP - 8500 EXP - 675 TP - 120 Gald - 1700 ATK - 450 DEF - 65 Item - Warrior Symbol EX Gem Lv.1 Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - Fire Magnius has such spells as Eruption, Flame Lance, and others that can put a damper on your good day. Even his regular attack can shave off 200 HP per hit. Guarding won't always help, because he can occasionally break through your guard and deal the full amount of damage. Add to this he has an Overlimit just like Botta that'll activate when he's low on HP. Ouch. Raine is recommended for this fight primarily due to the inclusion of a second First Aid spell at your disposal. As for tactics, there's only one way to kill this guy, and that's with steel and spell. Have at it, and good luck. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscene. No, you won't have to do any sort of Samus Aran-esque escape. Enjoy the thoroughly disappointing self-destruct sequence. Well, that was fun. Next up is the water seal. Return to Palmacosta. Buy up any supplies you need, then escort the priest to the House of Salvation (as a shortcut). Seal time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5b-4. The Water Seal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To get to Thoda Island and the seal, just go to where the human ranch used to be and follow the coast south. Eventually you'll reach the Thoda Docks, which also functions as a House of Salvation where you can heal/save. Pay 200 gald to the lady behind the counter to be ferried to Thoda Island. Enjoy the cutscenes, then walk up to the geyser. Pretty, ain't it? Anyway, to get the statue that also happens to be here (that you also happen to need...how conveeeenient!) just walk around to the right side of the geyser, in front of the notice board. Genis will freeze the geyser, and you'll have to hop to the statue in the form of a mini-game. It's very easy, just jump where he tells you and you'll make it with a minimum of fuss. After getting the statue, you'll automatically return to safety. Go back and save near the docks, then go around to the back of the notice board to find the Oracle Stone that'll lead you into the water shrine. Yippee-skippy, here we go! Follow the path till you get to the bottom. Take the chests as you go, then examine the pedastal to change your Sorcerer's Ring to a water-type. Take the right exit down. Follow the path whilst stealing treasure and go to the next screen. See the block there? See the square tile near where you came in? Move the block onto that tile, then return to where you got your ring changed. Examine the pedastal again to have it return to its fire type, then take the left exit south. Go a bit left and light the two torches flanking the scales. Now go back and change your ring to water again, then return to the same room and shoot some liquid onto the right part of the scales. That'll cause a door to close, but because you pushed a block in its way, it won't be able to close all the way. Lucky. Go all the way back to the lower level with the block (keep your ring as water) then spray the right side of the scales down there to raise the platform above. Yep, you must go all the way back there. You may have noticed the sealed save point on that upper level. I would recommend saving if you have a Memory Gem. The upcoming boss is very strong. However, before doing anything, walk along the right wall till you slip through a hidden passage. You'll get two chests for your trouble. As for preparations, you'll want Kratos and Genis in your party. Turn off all their techs but Lightning (and their defensive techs like Guardian) and if your Unison bar is full, so much the better. Another way would be to set Lightning to a C-stick shortcut (with First Aid set to the other) so you can spam it throughout the battle. Change Colette's tactics to have her stay out of the main fight, along with Genis and/or Raine so they stay out of the main fray. When you're ready, head through the warp for a cutscene and a boss battle. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Adulocia Amphrita 2x No. 183 Type - Beast No. 184 Type - Beast HP - 10000 EXP - 825 HP - 2300 EXP - 150 TP - 248 Gald - 765 TP - 120 Gald - 200 ATK - 600 DEF - 55 ATK - 475 DEF - 20 Item - Mermaid's Tear Item - None Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - Lightning Weakness - None Strength - Water, Ice Strength - None Once again the guardian of the seal is flanked by a pair of creatures that should be dealt with first before you go all-out on the boss. Adulocia is one tough customer. Definitely watch out for her (I'm assuming) bubble attack, as it'll do nearly 100 damage per hit for several hits, and can kill you quite handily. Aqua Laser you might've seen the Water Elements use in regular battles, and it's no less potent here. Adulocia's regular attacks do somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 damage per hit for 2-3 hits, though usually only two. This was the first battle where I had to use a Life Bottle to revive my characters, so be cautious and don't forget to guard. Good luck. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ While I won't spoil the game, I will just say, what a gyp! Bah. Leave the dungeon. Watch the cutscene. Marvel at how you can be automatically taken to the docks, but can't be wisked out of a dungeon. Bah. Well, that's two seals down, and you now have the statue that can take you past Hakonesia Peak. Guess where we're going next? Yep. Head back to either Palmacosta or the House of Salvation, heal/save, then go to the Peak. Time to tackle the third continent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c. Disc 1 - Sylvarant - The Third Continent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-1. Asgard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As you come out of the Peak, there's a House of Salvation right nearby. Just north, even. The blob-like monster groups tend to be similar to those in the previous area, so seek out the strange bipedal things for harder battles and more EXP. Visit the House and save there, or wait just a little bit. To the south and west is Asgard, nestled in the mountains. Whatever you do, make sure you save outside this town. The reason for this will become apparent soon. If you want a level recommendation, I'd say at least level 20, primarily because each member of your party will get a great new title at that level. Anyway, Asgard. The weapon and armor shop has some new equipment, and if you can afford the Hydra Dagger for Kratos, you'd do best to get it. The armor's not fantastic, but it's new and likely better than what you've got. Spend your gald if you have it. Might as well, the only other thing here is food ingredients and, as it turns out, more than one inn. The Wonder Chef can be found in the northeastern house in the eastern screen of this city, on the second floor. To progress the plot, head up to the big stone dais in the north screen. Just walk up to it and you'll launch into a cutscene. When Raine begins rambling on, you'll regain control. Walk around the right side of the dais till you spot a couple goofballs and are once again cutscene-bound. Skipping ahead, return to the house with the Wonder Chef after the scenes are done to figure out what's going on. Okay, wind spirit, got it. Disable Kratos' and Genis' wind spells/techs if they have them. Now go back to the stone dais. Cutscenes will follow, and a boss will pop out. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Windmaster No. 180 Type - Magical HP - 10000 EXP - 1325 TP - 220 Gald - 800 ATK - 580 DEF - 85 Item - Map of Balacruf Talisman Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - Wind This boss is not as tough as you may think, but it can cause trouble. While the name might imply many wind attacks, the thing to watch out for is its spin slash attack. You'll know it by how it spins around in a somersault like Lloyd's Tempest tech. It can deal up to 150 damage per hit for quite a few hits, and its normal attack isn't too shabby either. Try to keep it off-balance with as many attacks as possible, while still remembering to guard between strikes. If you're at level 20 or around there, you should have no trouble taking care of it. However, the reason I said not to save in Asgard is because you can't leave without defeating this boss, so if you have low levels or can't seem to beat it, you'd be stuck there. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Well, Raine's not back yet. Go to Linar's house to reacquire her, and at this point you're pretty much done with Asgard. However, there is something you can do first, if you didn't get a Sephira in Palmacosta. The old guy in the weapon shop will sell customization materials, including a Grab Bag from which you can get a Sephira. Save at the inn closest to the entrance, then go up to the weapon shop and try your luck at the Grab Bag. Regardless, head back to the House of Salvation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-2. World Tour ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- At this point there are several places we can go. Not all of them are readily accessible, but there is an optional boss and a treasure from way back when that we can both fight and acquire respectively. Plus, don't you want to see Dirk again? Yeah, I thought so. Your destination is...adventure! Er, right. From the House, head north and west along the road. You should end up on a peninsula that contains the Tower of Mana. Don't go in, there's nothing here yet. Instead, head northeast of the tower for a nearby chest with an EX gem. On the other side of the mountain with the tower is a guide post for Long Range travel. Yay. Nearby is Luin. If you want, you can enter and go to the fountain for a scene with Sheena. Whether or not you do influences when she joins you. Either way, head west across the bridge, then north for a chest with a Technical Ring. From there, go far south and slightly west to run into Hima. It's on the south end of a mountain range, past some forests and the entrance itself is just a trail rather than an easy-to-spot cluster of buildings, but it's there, by golly. There's not much to this town, but if you have the materials you can make yourself some great weapons and armor, or just buy some. Stock up on what you need. The Wonder Chef here is at the inn, in the side room hiding as a pot of smoking...something. Fondue? Damned if I know. Aside from the inn and shop, that's all you can do here right now. Leave. Now then, head around the mountain range to the east. You'll spot a glowing skit point along with the Long Range marker. Joy. Now ride Noishe all the way to the western end of this continent. See where that little peninsula sticks out and almost touches the first continent? There's actually a bridge there that'll let you return home! Well, almost. If you didn't tag it previously, the marker for Long Range is slightly west of the bridge, in plain view. South of that bridge you'll eventually run into the exit point of the Ossa Trail. Save on the world map, then head in. Before you go rushing into danger, though, at this point you can return to that chest I warned you about in the fire shrine. The treasure you get from it may help you in the next battle, but then, I didn't need it. When you're ready, Go into the tunnel and to the room with the bouncing skull I told you about so long ago. Speak to him. Fight him. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sword Dancer 1 No. 192 Type - Undead HP - 8888 EXP - 150 TP - 38 Gald - 2000 ATK - 600 DEF - 75 Item - EX Gem Lv.1 (Drop) EX Gem Lv.2 (Drop) EX Gem Lv.3 (Steal) Attack Attribute - None Weakness - Light Strength - None My god, is this guy strong! You'd think with less HP than the last few bosses that he'd be a pushover, but no. Just, no. You see, he's an optional boss, and as any RPG afficianado would know, optional bosses are total bastards. See those four swords? Four hits, anywhere from 150-200 damage per hit. Yeah. Even guarded, he'll do 40-50 damage depending on your armor. Not only that, he knows how to guard and will do so quite often. Guard yourself as much as you can and have Raine cast Barrier if you're using her, then let her Photon the guy to death while you beat on him. Colette's Angel Feathers is also useful, due to its light element. While this guy is strong, being at level 20+ will help a lot. What you really need is high HP to survive his attacks. Keep slashing at him, and he'll go down for the count. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whew! Assuming you survive (if you lose, you just end up with 1HP) you now have free reign over the three continents. You can return to any past areas (except Iselia, for obvious reasons) to get anything you may have missed. What I would recommend is changing the battle mode to Hard in the customize menu, then fighting 256 battles in a row here. The reason for this is it will give Lloyd the Berserker title, which is quite handy to have. Just fight the weak-ass monsters, and when you get the title (or if you don't want to bother) take what you need from this area and ride Noishe all the way back to the House of Salvation on the third continent. With the Sword Dancer out of the way, it's time to deal with the third seal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-3. The Wind Seal ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before you head into this potential mess, I'd recommend leveling up to 22-23, or higher if you can stand to do so. The best place to do this is around Hima and Luin, but I'd also recommend not going into Luin just yet so as not to complicate things. Anyway, your destination is the Balacruf Mausoleum, which is on the oblong- shaped island east of the House of Salvation. Cross the bridge over and make your way to the far east side of the island to find it. I'll make one more recommendation, and that is to save a separate game outside the mausoleum on the world map. Let's just say there are some similarities to Asgard in this shrine. Okay, seal time! Before you go in, head to the left side of the screen for a chest with some gald. Now enter the shrine. Over to the right is an enemy, a chest, a torch, and a sealed save point. Don't use it (if you even can) as we haven't done anything yet. Over to the left are three routes: two going north and one west. You want the first one going north. Try to avoid the spike trap on the floor. It will take off a bit of HP if you're hit. At the end of this path you'll find a block. Push it off the ledge. Go down the nearby stairs, then push the block on that suspicious-looking tile on the floor. Well, the wind's stopped. Go back and take the second tunnel north, with the spike traps affixed to the wall. These are much easier to avoid than the floor traps. Continue on the path, past all the traps till you reach a door flanked by two torches. Light them to open it, but don't go through yet. Head down the stairs to the right and get your ring changed to a wind element. Now go to the right and pick up a pair of treasures from the chest near the northern wind source, including an Iron Guard for Colette. South is a chest with a customization item. With your ring changed and the treasures gotten, head through the door you opened previously. In this room is...a bunch of pinwheels. Right. There are treasures you can get by hitting them with wind in the right order, though one treasure is a Blue Ribbon you undoubtedly got in the previous room. Either way, here's the combinations, left to right, first to last: Blue - Red - Yellow - White - Green = Blue Ribbon Red - Green - Yellow - White - Blue = Level 2 EX gem! Red - Yellow - Green - White - Blue = Boss Get the treasures you want, then do the last combination to reach the shrine's guardian. Before you do, however, make sure any wind-based techs/spells are disabled. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Iapyx No. 185 Type - Beast HP - 14000 EXP - 1324 TP - 88 Gald - 2000 ATK - 690 DEF - 100 Item - Paralysis Charm Spirit Bangle Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - Wind, Lightning Finally, a guardian that doesn't have henchmen. Unfortunately, it also has more HP than the last few bosses. Its spells are quite damaging, and its feather attack (similar to the fire guardian's spines) can inflict multiple hits for some damage, but only around 40-50. However, its leg sweep attack does 50+ damage while guarding, and 200+ if you don't block it. Fortunately, that particular move is easy to spot. The easiest way to beat this thing is to back it into a corner and hammer it with attacks, techs and spells like Tempest, Photon, and anything Kratos, Genis and/or Colette can throw at it. For all its HP, as long as you don't let it get away with casting its wind spells, you'll be able to beat it quite handily. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Three down, Jebus knows how many to go. I'll ask him sometime. Be thankful beating a guardian fills your HP and TP, for reasons that will soon become clear. Make your way out of the dungeon, but before you can reach the exit (or more importantly, the save point) the damn ninja girl shows up. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Resolute Assassin Guardian - Lightning No. 226 Type - Human No. 191 Type - Unknown HP - 4500 EXP - 300 HP - 5500 EXP - 250 TP - 164 Gald - 450 TP - 400 Gald - 250 ATK - 500 DEF - 62 ATK - 471 DEF - 46 Item - Dark Bottle Item - Fine Pellets Magic Lens Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - None Strength - None Strength - None Now, aren't you just eternally grateful you were given full HP and TP after beating Iapyx? I bet you are. Once again Sheena brings along a pal, and it's tougher than her. It's a Lightning Guardian, and it has 5500 HP. Best thing to do is take it out first, but the problem is Sheena is gunning for Colette, so you have to protect her at the same time. The real trouble with the guardian is it can knock you into the air and onto your back with an annoying two-hit combo. Mash X so even if you get hit with it, you can leap back up and get back into the battle sooner. Quite frankly, either one of these enemies can cause problems, though leaving Sheena alone had Raine dead just as I'd killed the guardian, but you should still kill it first because Sheena will go into Overlimit when she's suffered enough damage. At this point, she won't be stunned by regular attacks or techs anymore, so now you're really screwed. Guard as much as you can and wallop her into submission. When she goes berserk, you'll know she's near-death. In an amusing twist, I brought Colette back to life just seconds before tagging Sheena with a hit for 44 damage that actually killed her. Groovy. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PHEW! Damn glad that's over. Enjoy the cutscenes that follow and once again give thanks to Namco that you're fully healed. Leave this place and return to the House of Salvation. Don't forget to save on the world map in case of random blackout or a meteor crashing to earth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-4. Asgard Human Ranch ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did I mention this before? Who cares, we're doing it anyway! There's something we need to do first. From the House of Salvation, go to Luin. If you don't know where it is, it's almost directly northwest from the House in the middle of the lake. If you've been following the guide thus far, it should already be destroyed. Aww... Go north from the entrance and follow the path around to the next screen. It's Sheena! However, she won't try to kill you this time. Watch the cutscene. If Sheena joins your party, great. If not, then keep reading. Leave Luin. To the northeast is the human ranch. It's pretty easy to find. Go inside and watch the cutscene, then when you get into a fight, just beat them up. They're just regular Desians. Cue a couple more cutscenes, and you'll be inside the ranch. There's a chest with a customization item off to the right, and the only way to go further is the stairs to the north. Once inside, go through the northwest door for a lengthy cutscene ending in your escape. Grab the nearby chest for a robe, then follow the path to the save point. Continue on, take the Iron Bracelet from the chest, then head to the end. Long, revealing cutscenes. Shasta! Er, Sheena! Right. When you regain control, go back to Luin. On the way out, you may notice a large rectangular opening blocked by a big rock. I'll bet that's important. Anyway, Luin. When you arrive, you'll be treated to another lengthy cutscene, at the end of which Sheena will finally join you if she hadn't before. Groovy, ninja girl! I personally swapped out Colette for Sheena, but you can form your party however you like. If you do take along Sheena, I'd recommend setting her skill use to Moderate, as she tends to run out of TP quickly if left to her own devices. Try to leave town, and you'll get a clue about your next destination. Hima? Sure! Head on over there and go inside the inn. Speak to the woman blocking the stairs, then go around to the back of the inn. Hey, a trail! Follow it to reach the gravesite and a cutscene. Hmm, a boulder, he says...you don't think he could mean...nah! Well, anyway, when you regain control follow the trail off to the left and up to the next screen. Head to the summit for a cutscene that's slightly pointless right now. Still, shades of things to come, right? Anyway, you now know how to get inside the human ranch. Best to head back that way, huh? Save on the world map, then go inside. Boy, that rock sure looks important, don't it? Check it out. See? Important. After the cutscene, beat up the regular ol' Desians and watch more cutscenes. At this point you'll have to choose up two teams of three. Lloyd's party is the Infiltration Team, and you want Kratos with you. Trust me, you really do. Since Raine is the only other healer, you want her in the Deactivation team, and since Sheena is your only other melee fighter, you want her to head up that same team. So, take Genis in the Infiltration team for magical might, and the rest will go deactivate the security system. Basically, put the boys all together and the girls all together (Refrain from thinking of the lesbian overtones! Refrain, damn you!) Anyway, enter the upper left door. Get the chests scattered about and examine the machine to the far left and choose Shutdown. Return to the previous room and take the lower left door. In here, get your Sorcerer's Ring upgraded at the nearby pedastal, then go down to the conveyor belt. See those white, glowing cylinders behind the belt? Shoot those with your ring. You'll need to destroy all six to stop the belts. When that's done, save and go around to the left side and past the belt that curves upward. Run up the ramp, but grab the EX gem (level 2!) in the chest nearby before going in. In here, just run up to the warp point and try to warp. Don't save here. You'll switch to Raine and co. Before you go anywhere, go into Raine's tech menu and switch her control to auto and Sheena's to either manual or semi-manual so you can operate Sheena instead. Also change Sheena's party position from whatever it is to 1. Now then, the door is in the lower right corner of the room. Once outside you'll have to fight a battle. Simple Desians. Once they're dead, head south. You'll be outside. Remember that spot where the Desian was standing the first time you came here, blocking a certain path? He's gone, so go over that way. You'll have to push some blocks out of the way to reach the door, which isn't too hard. Just push the first one back to its original position and you'll have room to maneuver the other blocks. Now then, go down and left. Avoid the guard and go up to the switch on the floor. Examine it, open the chest, and exit right. Watch the scene and beat up the Desians, then exit south. Go around to where you found the switch, but instead head into the left room. Beat up the robots to activate the first switch. Now either head around to the right side and do the same thing as before: hit the switch, go all the way around, beat up the robot, done. You'll switch back to Lloyd and co. Do not unseal the save point if you have a Memory Gem, it's a waste. There's a save point in the previous room that's perfectly serviceable, so go back and use it. When you're ready, use the warp to find Kvar. While you may think from the cutscene you can use your full party, you can't. Sorry. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Kvar Energy Stone No. 218 Type - Human No. 219 Type - Magical HP - 10000 EXP - 1680 HP - 5500 EXP - 300 TP - 340 Gald - 1500 TP - 100 Gald - 765 ATK - 410 DEF - 65 ATK - 350 DEF - 20 Item - Holy Ring Item - None EX Gem Lv.1 Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - None Strength - Lightning Strength - None I'm starting to hate bosses that bring their buddies along. Like the other Grand Cardinals, Kvar is a real bastard, but the Energy Stones are a serious problem. Get close to them, and they'll unleash a shock attack that will deal lots of damage, and since there's three of them, you can be dead before you know it. Focus on one at a time and use a bevy of regular combo attacks and techs. Try to separate them so you can beat on one without the others getting any cheap shots in. Set Kratos' strategy to Heal so he keeps you alive throughout the various shocks and lightning bolts. Genis (or whoever you brought along) will be your support guy (or gal). When the three Stones are dead, switch Kratos to whatever strategy you want (or just keep him on heal, though he might be low on TP. As for Kvar, the trouble comes from his Lightning spell. It can stun you, which means any Stone you may be fighting gets a free chance to shock you. He also has other lightning-elemental spells which cause many hits and many points of damage. Not only that, he has an Overlimit like the other Cardinals. When he hits it, don't attack him. Back off if you get the chance, guard as much as you can, heal your other guys with gels and such, but wait him out, because like your Overlimits, his will go away in time, and at that point he'll be vulnerable. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yeah! Booyah! Watch Kratos be badass, and the ranch go boom in another highly disappointing explosion, and you'll be back in Asgard. At this point we have one more unresolved issue: Pietro's curse. Seems to me someone hinted way back when that the cure was in the Tower of Mana. Guess where we're going next? I'll give you a hint: it ain't Six Flags. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-5. Tower of Mana ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As it turns out, the Tower is locked, and the key was being held by the priest in Luin. 'Was' being the operative word. Where is it, then? Well, head on over to Hima and watch the scene. Well, looky here, the key! Talk to the guy with the pack on his back to take a shortcut back to Luin. The Tower of Mana is almost directly north of Luin. Inside, you'll see a familiar scene. Once again you have to split up your party, but this time you must take Colette with you. I'd recommend Kratos, as he provides both healing and muscle power. Speak to the three you want to remain, then head through the door. The monsters here are actually pretty easy to kill, though the evil teddy bears can cast some damaging spells. Fight all the monsters you see so you have a better chance of picking up a Memory Gem. Just follow the spiral staircase up to the top, take the chest and go through the door. In here, there's a block and a tile on the floor. Looks simple, right? Go to the top part of the room and burn the curtains with your ring. Now move the block so it's in the path of the light, then push it up till the light's shining properly. Go through the west door and examine the nearby machine. Well, shades of the ranch, huh? As your second group, head up and burn the mirror to the west, then push the mirror block in the same place as last time to open the way north. In here, go west and burn up the curtain to let the light in. Now, take the block to the right of the stairs and shove it one square north. Then take the block left of the stairs and move it near the north light orb. See that split mirror block just to the north of it? Move that out of the way, then push the \ angled mirror directly north of that same light orb. Now move the split mirror block in between the two middle light orbs, and finally take the mirror angled / and push it left of the topmost light orb so that the light is reflected into all three orbs. Right then! Take the treasure if you haven't already, then save and exit north. Exit east, then south. Climb the spiral staircase. Go up to the next room, then west. Take the treasure and cross the light bridge you just made. You'll go back to Lloyd's party. Just go across the light bridge and follow the path back to the rest of your buddies, and the way forward will be revealed. Make sure you're prepared, as you're about to face the guardian of the seal. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Iubaris No. 186 Type - Beast HP - 16800 EXP - 2650 TP - 1500 Gald - 2500 ATK - 860 DEF - 80 Item - Brass (Drop) White Quartz (Steal) Attack Attribute - Light Weakness - Darkness Strength - Fire, Lightning, Light While his HP may make him seem daunting, he's really...well, not to be taken lightly. His ordinary attacks take off somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-350 damage, though luckily he mostly does normal attacks. He does release some shadow unicorns for around 250 per hit, for a couple hits. His ordinary attack can be performed regardless if you're hitting him or not, so guard before moving in and being foolish. There's also the spell Force Ray to watch out for, but he will rise into the air just before casting it, so it's easy to spot. The best strategy is to keep this guy off-balance. He can be stunned by attacks and such, so if you keep piling on the hits, you should be able to wear him down to nothing without him even attacking. However, once he regains his bearings, you should guard immediately, because something's coming, and it'll most likely be painful. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That was the last seal? Well, la-de-da. You'll have to leave the tower now, but thankfully you have your full party with you. You can leave via either path as well, BUT BEFORE YOU DO, check out the northernmost bookshelf on the west side of the entry hall where you first came in to find Boltzman's Book. Now then, check out of this place and watch the cutscene. Story-rific! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-6. Before the End... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, not really the end, or this would be a short game. There are things you can do before going to the Tower of Salvation, though. One thing you should do as well. Go to Lake Umacy. It's almost directly north of the House of Salvation in this region. View the cutscene. In order to complete this little sidequest, you'll have to go all the way back to the Thoda Geyser. Do so. You know the way. Save at the docks, unless you unsealed the save point in here, in which case just save inside. Once inside, you won't have to solve the puzzles again. Just go straight to where the guardian was to find Undine. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Undine No. 196 Type - Magical HP - 13000 EXP - 2110 TP - 320 Gald - 765 ATK - 580 DEF - 88 Item - Guardian Symbol Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - Water, Ice Dig that music! Groovy! Undine can be a pain in the ass, though keeping her off-balance is the best way to win. Let her stay still long enough and she'll cast Spread, a water-based spell that will deal around 200 damage for multiple hits. Her regular attack does 150-200 for one or two hits, so remember to guard. Disable all water-based techs and spells of your own and just leave the lightning ones intact. Make sure no one has any water-elemental weapons, and I say this mainly for Sheena, as she starts with a Card of Water equipped. Just as I said, keep hammering Undine and don't give her a chance to cast any spells, and watch out for her Overlimit! Yes, Undine has an Overlimit, and it can cause a lot of problems since when she's in that state, she won't be stunned by attacks. Guard at this point, and be liberal with the gels, then keep her from casting spells as best you can till she gives up. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Unfortunately, beating a Summon Spirit is not the same as beating a guardian, so you'll have to heal up after the battle. Leave the shrine and head back to the continent. At this point you can go and get the two other summon spirits available to you, Sylph and Efreet, who are at the wind and fire shrines respectively. However, they're very powerful, and not easily beaten at this point in the game. I won't cover strategies for them right now, but I will later on. If you want to fight them now, though, go ahead. Otherwise, return to Lake Umacy and get that unicorn free. Anyone else catch the dripping sexual overtones? Well, you have the Unicorn Horn, so you can now cure Pietro and Clara. Sweet. You know where one is, so go to Hima now. Pietro is in the room at the second floor of the inn, which is now unblocked. Go in and cure him, then try to leave town to figure out just how you're going to get to the Tower of Salvation. But, before you go, talk to the backpack guy at the entrance and take the shortcut to Luin. Pietro is now in the main part of town and is going to help rebuild it. Give him 5000 gald. Don't argue, just do it. Once he's done thanking you, leave town, then return and give him 12,000, and I don't want to hear any talking back, now! If at any time you don't have the money for this, don't worry about it. The long and short explanation is Luin can and will be improved, but it will take time, and a lot of gald on your part. Several hundred thousand, in fact. Check the Extras section for the full list. If you somehow have the money for it, don't go past the seventh donation. Once you give that 35,000, Luin won't improve further until you progress the story. You have infinite time to finish your donations, so if you don't have the money, don't worry. You'll be back, eventually. Also, those are the exact amounts of gald needed to get to the next step of the improvement project. Anything less will result in nothing happening, and any more will be wasted money. You could give Pietro a million gald when you first donate and you'll still have to pay the other increments. Now then, whether you were following this section or decided to skip it in favor of the Tower, go to Hima, rest at the inn if needed, then head to the summit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-7. Tower of Salvation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watch the cutscene. Afterwards, you can speak to the members of your party. Do so, then talk to Colette when you want the story to proceed. The next day, save and go get your dragons. Make sure you're ready to leave. Just like when leaving Izoold for Palmacosta, it will be a while before you return. Go to the summit. Enter the Tower. There's only one route, and no treasure along the way. Follow the path. Before you step into the teleporter, make absolutely sure you're ready. I would recommend Sheena, Genis and Raine as your party for general ass-kicking purposes. Go in. Watch the cutscene. Fight! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Spoiler Boss A No. 245 Type - Angel HP - 16000 EXP - 2795 TP - 258 Gald - 1840 ATK - 530 DEF - 112 Item - EX Gem Lv.1 Rune Bottle Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - Light Because this is a spoiler-free guide, I won't reveal the name of this boss, but you'll sure as hell know who it is before he even shows up. He has an arrow attack that'll do around 120 damage for three or so hits, plus Holy Lance, a spell that'll cause a lot of hits, then a big one for 400-500 damage at the end. If you have Lloyd's Omega or Psi Tempest, use it sparingly, but definitely use it. This boss will float in the air, so the sudden jump at the end of the tech will continue to pile on the hits. If Raine knows Nurse, it'll make this fight a lot easier, since it can heal everyone at once. The big thing to watch out for is the arrow attack, since he uses it a lot. Along with Holy Lance, he knows other light-element spells that can't always be stopped, so you'd better be prepared to dole out gels. He's tougher than most of the bosses faced thus far, but falls in much the same way. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscene. Spoiler-rific! Hot damn, let's get it on! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Spoiler Boss B No. 216 Type - Human HP - 22500 EXP - 3280 TP - 1500 Gald - 2900 ATK - 750 DEF - 150 Item - EX Gem Lv.3 Life Bottle Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - Light Again, not a boss I can mention by name, and technically I don't really need to write up a section on this one. You know what this boss can do. He can do it really well, too. And let me say this: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BEAT HIM. Let me repeat that: you can lose. Don't go nuts reviving your allies and wasting Life Bottles if you're getting your ass handed to you. If you lose, the game goes on. If you win, you get a level 3 EX gem, along with the EXP and gald. I, however, was not able to win. I was at levels 27-28, and had my ass thoroughly spanked. However, if you want to win, the best way is to have Genis constantly casting spells while Raine has her best healing spell on a C-stick shortcut that is mashed like there's no tomorrow. Genis should have his skill strategy set to At Once so he's always casting, while Raine should be set to Heal. If you're not using either of those two (for whatever reason...) try to keep the boss from casting spells. The easiest way is through whatever Sword Rain tech you have for Lloyd. If you've saved up a Unison Attack, now might be the time to use it. Don't be afraid to use gels, but if you're honestly having trouble, don't waste all your supplies. You might need them. So then, if you lose, the game will continue the same as if you had won. Don't worry if you end up dying. However, if you can win, I highly recommend doing so. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ More cutscenes. Lots of them, in fact. There will be one more battle, but I'm not even going to write up a section for it. There is no option in this battle. You WILL lose. Let me rephrase that: you cannot win, don't even try. Even if you're so insanely leveled up that you can do more than 1 damage to him, the battle will end before you win. Just get yourself bumped off and the game will proceed with a myriad of cutscenes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5c-8. Renegade Base ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you finally regain control, head right and follow the path to the next room. The machine nearby sells items. Continue on the path. In the next room, get your ring changed to electric and go south to find a bunch of boxes. On the east side are a couple chests, so shove a couple boxes over to the raised platform so you can shove the block there off of it. Use all three to reach the chests, then use the dark block and push it onto the switch. The other two blocks should be lined up vertically on the same platform where you created a bridge to the dark block. Now then, go down the staircase that opened. Here, shoot the conduit (the spinning thing) then examine the machine. Cross the block bridge and shoot the conduit over here as well, then check the monitor to lower the water level. See that block on the other side of the room? You've got to go push it down into the lower level, then electrify the final conduit and exit this room to the south. Cutscene time again. In this new room, exit west, then north. This cutscene will carry you all the way to... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d. Disc 1 - Tethe'alla - The Adventure Continues ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-1. Meltokio ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's a save point on the path down the mountain. Make your way down, and note the new battle music. You won't be able to avoid a few fights due to the narrow path, so get acquainted with Tethe'alla's enemies. They're not too tough, and give good experience. When you reach the end of the trail, Sheena will tell you where to go next. On the world map, fight around a bit if you want. There's an Anti-Magic Bottle in a chest southwest of Fooji, in a valley. The guidepost for Long Range mode is a short way northeast, behind some mountains. As Sheena says, Meltokio is just north of Fooji. Go in when you're ready. After all the cutscenes, you can find the item shop to your left. They sell the next stage of gels, though they're mightily expensive. Don't buy the lemon or pineapple variety till you've visited the weapon shop. So on that note, go up the big stairs north of the entrance to meet Zelos, who became one of my favorite characters after the cutscene. Well, anyway, the weapon shop is to the left of this screen. The weapons aren't too bad, though if you've been grabbing chests, all you'll need is a new sword for Lloyd and something for Colette. Don't buy any weapons, though, you can get better stuff soon. The customization shop can make some good stuff, but you may not have the required Black Silver for several items right now. Later, though. Also, the Wonder Chef is in this very shop, in the upper left corner. The armor shop is right of the screen where you first met Zelos, and that stuff can really set you back. If you have lots of extras, consider selling your customization items, as those will go for 1000 gald each. When you're done shopping, go up the stairs and exit north in the screen where you met Zelos. Head up till you reach the palace for a scene. The church, huh? Well, surely! It's on the same screen, down and to the left. Go in and talk to the priest, then watch the cutscene, leave the church, and enjoy the HILARIOUS line Lloyd delivers. At the end of the scenes, you'll gain Presea as an ally. Hoo-rah. You might want to change her EX skills, since they don't result in anything as they stand when she joins. Anyway, the royal chambers can be found by going either left or right, then climbing the stairs all the way to the top and exiting through the nearby door. Simple, huh? Cutscene time again, and when it's all said and done, leave the castle and go to the church. Speak to Zelos, and he will join your party. Groovy. Set Zelos as your on-screen character (that's the one with the little flag on the menu screen) and speak to all the girls you see. They'll actually give you free gald and items! Sweet! Oh, there's another Wonder Chef disguised as a present in one of the houses in the rich part of town (off to the right from the palace) on the second floor. When you're ready, leave town. The bridge is right nearby. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-2. Sybak and the Grand Bridge ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And right nearby it is! The bridge is several screens long, though you can pass the time by playing the Red Light/Green Light game. After a long, long, LONG trip across the bridge, you'll reach the world map. Sybak is a short way north of the bridge exit point. Enter. Sybak has better weapons than Meltokio, but they're also more expensive. The Wonder Chef is in the library on this screen, disguised as a rack of porno magazines. No, I'm not kidding. Anyway, the research institute is off to the left. Go there to view a cutscene on Colette. When it's over, explore around. You can get a lot of stuff with Zelos from all the girls here. After filching all the stuff you can, leave the academy and return to the weapon shop. Speak to the junk dealer next to it for a short scene, then return to the academy and talk to the idiot blocking your path. He says you can use the room you were in last, so just go to the second door you see in the hallway on the first floor. Another cutscene, and...where'd everybody go? Head to the main entrance hall for yet another cutscene, which will end up with Sheena returning, though you're not yet a full party. Head to the bridge! Yes, you've gotta run ALL THE WAY ACROSS AGAIN! But on the plus side, you'll fight a bunch of guards! Why's that a plus? They're pushovers that give you over 1000 EXP when you beat the crap out of them. Now you're a full party again! Don't celebrate just yet, because you have two problems. One, you can't enter Meltokia yet, so you're short an inn. Two, you have to get the Rheairds, which requires you fight a boss up on Fooji. However, you do have the House of Guidance, which acts like an inn, but costs 600 gald a night. Expensive. Well, there's no getting around it, so heal/save, then go back to the mountain and climb to the top. Use the save point if you want. Go to where the Rheairds crashed to view what will eventually be a very amusing cutscene. Boss fight, boss fight! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pronyma No. 223 Type - Human HP - 18000 EXP - 3000 TP - 750 Gald - 1500 ATK - 1150 DEF - 150 Item - Rosemary EX Gem Lv.2 Attack Attribute - None Weakness - Light Strength - Darkness She's tough, but I took along Zelos, Sheena and Presea and beat her dominatrix ass all over the mountain. She uses the Aqua Laser spell, which can knock you for a loop and on your back, making it annoying and quite damaging. Her regular attacks do around 300 unguarded, and she can teleport around the battlefield. If you use any form of Demon Fang or long-range tech, use it after she teleports to keep her from casting a free spell on you. Like many of the Desian higher-ups, she has an Overlimit, but it's not quite so bad as some of the ones you've faced before. Quite frankly, as long as you use stunning attacks and techs to keep her from casting many spells, you'll defeat her quite handily. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscenes and rejoice! Hurray! Yippee! Zippo! Er, right. Your next mission is to infiltrate Meltokio. Climb down the mountain. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-3. Meltokio Revisited ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let's get our asses to the inn! But first, rest and save at the house of Guidance. Now return to Meltokio for a scene that'll drop you into your next great adventure: the sewers! Joy. Well, advance in. The enemies here give good EXP for little trouble, so fight around if you want. Follow the path and ignore the spiderweb bridge for now to reach a pedastal where your ring will be changed, along with you. Shrink ring, huh? Well, be careful with it, since if you fight an enemy while shrunk, it will carry over to the actual battle. What this means is if you fight while shrunk, instead of the snakes and slugs, you'll fight one or two giant rats. While it's great for combos and Grade, it doesn't give much EXP. Anyway, shrink yourself and cross the spiderweb, then big-ify yourself. Follow the path and ignore the stairs going down. When you reach the stairs going up, walk to the back of them for a quick scene and an EX gem level 3. Now go up the stairs and head up to the machine here. When the scene's over, examine the levers to get yourself a big block of trash! Shove it over the edge via the second opening on the left side of this area, then take two more and push them down the two openings at the south part of this place. Now then, head back down the stairs till you reach the narrow path you just filled in with trash. Be sure to pick up the Spirit Ring behind the lower set of stairs. Turn the wheel that's waiting past the narrow path to open the door above. Go back, up, and through it. There's a sealed save point here, but there's no boss in this dungeon, so save your Memory Gem. Head right at the intersection and go all the way up and around to the back of the room. Notice the rather large mouse hole in the wall? Shrink yourself and go in for a low-level EX gem. Return to the save point and take the left path, then go down the stairs and shrink yourself. Examine the box to float over to the other screen, which will take you to the control wheel for the red door. Open it, go through it. Well, another trash compactor. You have to push a block all the way across the nearby catwalk, which is quite impossible to do in the ordinary way. How is it done, then? Simple. Push the block along the catwalk till it's at the corner. Shrink yourself and use the spiderweb to reach the big-ify panel ahead of you. Pull the block one square east, then shrink and go back across the spiderweb and re-big-ify yourself again on the other side of the block. Now shove it all the way right so it falls off the edge, then leave this area and go back through the blue door to get to the lower part of this room. Head down the stairs on the right near where you came in. There's a narrow ledge down here. Follow it and go left at the intersection. Shrink yourself to enter the cage, then big-ify yourself and open the door on the right side. Return to the upper level of this room via the red door. Amazing, a new spiderweb, and right where you need it. Now just push the block along till you reach the corner where you shoved off the last block. From here, go one corner up, then push the block right and off this part of the catwalk so it lands on the bridge leading to the cage. You know what you have to do now, but I'll tell you anyway. Go get that block and shove it into the cage until it falls on the pressure plate. The bridge will extend, and you're still not done. Go back up to the catwalk. Well, it's block-pushing time again. This time you can take it all the way to the end of the path. When you reach the final corner, shove it off the south end. Once again go all the way back to the lower level and push that block through the gap to complete the bridge. Head around to the left side of the room and get to that yellow wheel. Turn it to open the final door. Go through it. In this last room, grab the chest and follow the path. There are two mouse holes on either side of the lower level, both of which contain items. When you reach the second set of big-ify-ing tiles, you'll run into a battle. It's three bald guys with sticks! However, they can do 150 damage or so and like to attack you from behind, so guard your backside. After winning and getting much EXP, head up and don't open the chest yet. It's a monster, the same one in the Triet ruins. It can only be harmed by magic, and it's got 2800 HP. If you want to fight it (it drops an All Divide) make sure to put Raine, Colette and Genis in your party, then just tell them to cast attack magic over and over while you stand in front of the chest and guard to absorb its hits. When you're done, just go up to the ladder to exit the sewers. You can now enter and wander around Meltokio mostly as you please, though you'll have to enter and exit from the sewers. You can skip the dungeon or re-enter it if you missed some items, so no worries. Anyway, Meltokio. There's still stuff for us to do here. Buy armor for whoever needs it, most likely Sheena. The Elemental Research Laboratory is to the right of the inn, past the big, open gates. Go inside for a scene, then you will need to find Zelos' mansion. Fortunately, like he said, it's big and hard to miss. It's also the only mansion you can enter. The only other building is a dinner hall for parties. Enter and speak to your party members, and definitely go upstairs to see the scene between Genis and Presea. When you're ready, just talk to the butler to sleep. Return to the laboratory, then leave Meltokio via one of the sewer entrances. Go back to the grand bridge and head down the right staircase. After the scene, you'll get your first watercraft! You can use either the control stick and A button, or the C-stick and L/R buttons to move around. It can only be used in deep water (the dark blue bits of your world map) so don't think you can go anywhere with it just yet. You can land at one of the brown docks on the world map, but for right now, just land on the one at the opposite shore. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-4. Gaoracchia Forest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, a new forest! But first, go back to Sybak. Immediately you'll view a cutscene, but nothing comes of it yet. Now then, return to the institute basement via the secret passage in the sewer and speak to Kate. The forest, you say? Leave, then rest/save at the inn. At this point I'd recommend leveling up to 32-34, somewhere in there. The enemies in this region give good EXP and gald, so it shouldn't take long. The forest is just northeast of Sybak. Inside, you'll fight the Papal soldiers again. Beat them up for easy points. Further in is a pedastal to change your ring into a flashlight. It gradually loses power, and must be recharged in sunny spots. Anyway, at the intersection go right. Stand in the sun spot off to the right till your meter is full. It might take a while. After that, head north until you spot a chest covered with vines. Burn them away with the ring (hold the button down till a tone sounds) and take the treasure. Head right from here. Go southward as soon as you can, and when you spot a chest, keep going south. At the bottom edge of this screen is another chest. Burn away the vines, then return to the first chest. Singe the blockade, then disintegrate the vines here that are blocking your path to the right. Head down that path. Very soon you'll see another blocked chest. Take the contents and continue right. On the next screen there'll be a sunny spot. Recharge your ring and follow the path down and right, past two more sets of vines. Down and to the left is the second Sword Dancer, but don't go after him yet. Instead, keep on going down and right till you run into a cutscene and a boss. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Convict No. 227 Type - Human HP - 12000 EXP - 2250 TP - 320 Gald - 1500 ATK - 800 DEF - 120 Item - Elixir Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Strength - None Yet another boss that is deceptively strong. He has a number of techs, such as Crescent Moon and Eagle Dive, plus regular attacks and combos that'll do 300+ damage per hit, and an Overlimit he'll hit very early in the battle. His worst is the spin kick, which will damage all your melee fighters, since it hits everything around him. However, while he's a fantastic brawler, he's also got less HP than the previous few bosses, and if beaten on regularly, will fall in under a minute. Just remember to guard excessively, as he will attack hard, fast, and often. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ After the cutscene, just go south to reach the exit. While Sheena may not be able to tell you the location of Mizuho, it's right nearby and easily spotted. Go on in, I'm sure they won't mind. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-5. Adventures in the Underground ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See if you can spot the reference in the section title. Anyway, watch the brief scene and explore. There's not much to see. The store has new weapons for sale, some of which can also be customized if you have the ingredients. The Wonder Chef is inside the Chief's house, right near the entrance. However, that's about all there is to this village. Talk to the guy in blue to see the Vice Chief. After the long cutscene, you'll gain a title and a party member: the convict whose ass you just beat, Regal. At this point, you should leave Mizuho and re-enter the forest. Go up and left to exit into the Ozette area. The town itself is right across the nearby bridge. Go on in. There will be a scene in which Presea runs off. Better go catch her. This town's item shop sells food, so you'd do best to stock up on a little bit of everything. The weapon and armor shops have okay stuff, but most of it isn't worth the money. The Wonder Chef is in the inn, disguised as a parrot. Presea's house is down a slope leading into the only other screen for Ozette. Watch the cutscene, and when it's over, leave the house and exit to the world map in the lower left corner. Altessa's home is right nearby. Just go inside for a cutscene. Short visit, huh? Well, we'll be back. Return to Ozette. Go up to the item shop for a scene, then leave via the town's primary entrance (the one you came in from the forest). We're taking another ocean voyage, and the dock is north of Ozette. Take your boat north (since the edge of the world is obviously a wormhole connected to the south edge) and head for the southeastern continent. Land on the dock located on the southernmost tip of the peninsula on the continent. The mine is just north of here, but trust me when I say this: save on the world map BEFORE entering the mines! It's not that there's anything really wrong with going in blind, it's just...well, you'll see. Anyway, enter and watch the cutscene. Whoops, boss battle. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Defense System Orbit No. 212 Type - Machine No. 213 Type - Machine HP - 12000 EXP - 2350 HP - 3000 EXP - 180 TP - 100 Gald - 0 TP - 500 Gald - 800 ATK - 800 DEF - 240 ATK - 650 DEF - 100 Item - Metal Sphere Item - None Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - Lightning Strength - None Strength - None Guard Arm Auto Repair Unit No. 214 Type - Machine No. 215 Type - Machine HP - 8000 EXP - 150 HP - 5500 EXP - 1000 TP - 0 Gald - 0 TP - 0 Gald - 0 ATK - 900 DEF - 20 ATK - 0 DEF - 100 Item - Mythril Item - None Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - None Strength - None Strength - None Sheesh! As you may have guessed, your primary target should be the repair unit to start. However, the two Orbits act as defense units, which means they'll be on you at all times, so take out at least one before knocking out the repair unit. Wipe out the other Orbit, then focus your attention on the Defense System. As for attacks, well...to be quite honest, I beat the hell out of it so fast, I didn't get a chance to see what it could do. The Guard Arms are its main form of attack and they can damage you, but not for very much. I very nearly broke a 30 combo against the Defense System, but fell one hit short. Damn it all. Well, just use techs and regular attacks and it'll fall pretty quick. Not a tough boss, all things considered. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Only one way to go. Might as well. Inside, head right at the intersection and activate the lift. Notice it only goes side to side. You have to hit the switch while on the lift to get where you need to go. After doing so, take the elevator down to the lower level. Over to the lower right is a place to change your Sorcerer's Ring. Get it changed, then take the two treasure chests down here and ride the elevator back up top. Go left and use your ring to blow up the boulder here, and now you have a rather arduous task ahead of you. You need to switch the lift so that it goes side to side again, but you also need your ring to place bombs. So, go down and get your ring changed, switch the lift's path, jump over the gap where you blew up the boulder and go back down and switch your ring once more, then jump the gap again and take the lift over to the doorway. Yargh. Anyway, in the next room you'll find a bunch of boulders that need bombing, plus a couple switches and some treasure. There's also a Gnomelette which wants some potion, but that comes later. Hit the two switches, then make your way to the sealed save point near the elevator. I'd recommend unlocking it, the next part is very annoying. The switch on the floor will send a boulder crashing toward you. You'll automatically avoid it, but further along the path is something you can't kill normally. The thing will follow you, and what you have to do is lure it into the path of the boulder and squish it. Unfortunately, it doesn't follow you all the way to the trigger, and will return to its original position if you get too far away from it. My advice, then, is to set a level 2 EX gem on Lloyd (if one's not set already) and set it to Personal. You'll be able to reach the switch sooner and avoid the boulder at the same time. However, it can still be a very annoying endeavor. Anyway, after the spinning thing is toast, press the switch to stop the boulder trap and go down the elevator. Inspect the remains of the spinner to get the Evil Eye, one of the darkness weapons. Now that the last defense has gone, proceed down the stairs and to the next screen. Here, it's just a straight path to...a bunch of boxes. Blow them up to find the Inhibitor Ore, then leave the mine the same way you came in. However, before you leave the screen, go down the steps on the left side of the bridge to reach an EX gem, level 3. Return to Ozette. Shortly after entering, the Papal knights will once again try to rain on your parade. Beat the crap out of them for more easy points. Watch the cutscenes that follow. When you get a choice, either one will suffice. Afterwards, you'll be asked to make a Quick Jump. Do so to go right to Mizuho. Go to Tiga's house, then speak with Sheena to advance the plot. Return to Ozette and rest/save, buy all the food and supplies you need, then go to the docks. Sail north to a moderately-sized island with what looks like a tiny tower on it. This is your destination. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-6. Temple of Lightning ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I should mention before we begin that your levels should be around 36 or over at this point. This is especially important if you use Presea, because she will not have gained EXP during your time apart. If you don't use Presea, well...36 or up, okay? Head up. Note the flowing electricity. It's easier to avoid than the spike traps. All the way to the left is an already-unsealed save point. Slightly right of it is a pedastal. Examine it to make a rather long spear pop out. Do the same to the pedastal on the right side of the intersection. Now go up the center staircase and step on the switch. Note the lightning strike. Check the pedastal here so the lightning rod is down, then go back to the rightmost rod and lower it as well. Hit the switch once more to zap the stone blocking the pedastal, then go get your Sorcerer's Ring changed. At this point all you can do with it is zap the blue blocks on the right side of this room and get some armor for Presea. Head up the main stairs to the next screen. Zap the blue block, then head up the stairs and destroy the blue block. We'll come back here later. Go back down and through the door you uncover. Here, head up the left stairs and ignore the block. It only releases an enemy. Go up and exit left. This new room is dark, and as the game tells you, you must tap A to avoid falling off. Or, you could just wait for the lightning to strike and illuminate the path. Either way. Just don't run. Follow the linear path to the next room, and once there, exit south. Shoot the block at the end of the path, then examine the device to have lightning strike and the platform underneath you break. Keep on shooting blocks and destroying platforms until you reach the last one. Activating the lightning rod here will make the path below save to traverse. Exit right for another dark room. There will be a chest here containing a Spirit Bottle, but otherwise the path will take you straight to the next room. Go up the first set of stairs and examine the machine, then return to the dark room and fall off the edge. Consider it a shortcut. Go through the north door. Head up the first set of left stairs, then go down into the water. Now that it's safe, deactivate the lightning rod here get your ring changed to yellow lightning. Well, there's lots of stuff we can do with this. Go back to the previous room and zap the yellow block at the top, along with the two preventing access to the door on the left. Don't go in there yet, however. First return to the entrance and zap the two yellow blocks for a treasure chest. You might also want to save. Now then, head north one room, then exit up the stairs and to the right. Make your way through the dark room. In the next screen, zap the yellow block to make the lightning rod fall onto the machine. Re-enter the dark room and fall, then go one screen north. Head up the right stairs and examine the machine to extend the lightning rod. Now go up and exit through the upper-left into the dark room and find your way to the other side. Go to the right side of this room and exit right into yet another dark room. Follow it to the end and deactivate the lightning rod in the next screen. Now that the machine is active, go back through the same dark room to the upper level. Yay, we get to play with currents! Note how the room is set up. What you need to do is let the electricity flow from the machine to the platform with the boulder. To do that, you must destroy some blocks. First go all the way up to the top level (fight the bird monster along the way for the Memory Gem) and destroy the two leftmost blocks. Activate the machine. The current will cause a treasure chest to drop. Reset the puzzle by examining the machine, then go up two flights of stairs and destroy the two rightmost blocks (on the level with two sets of blocks, one left and one right). Go up another floor and destroy the rightmost blocks, then activate the machine to create a new path. Take the treasure (some great armor for Regal) and exit south. Here you'll find the final pedastal, and the final change for your ring. Red lightning! Huzzah! Now then, go back north and return to the dark room. Fall off the edge and head up and through the door on the left. Make your way through this last dark room and zap the red block on the next screen to get a weapon for Regal. Fall down in the dark room and exit south to the entrance. Destroy the red blocks here for the final chest, and SAVE! We're about to fight Volt, who is one tough customer. As for preparations, Raine is highly recommended. If Genis knows Spread or a higher water spell, he's also a top pick. Otherwise, a heavy hitter like Presea will do the job. Sheena fills the last spot, because this is a battle for a pact. Make damned sure everyone in your party is not using a weapon that has lightning for its attack attribute. This is especially true for Sheena, as you may still be using her Card of Lightning. If you have the Thunder Cape, put it on Lloyd. When you're all healed up and ready, go back one room north. Go up the stairs to the top and destroy the red block. Examine the pedastal. Here we go. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Volt No. 199 Type - Magical HP - 24000 EXP - 3580 TP - 240 Gald - 2800 ATK - 950 DEF - 180 Item - Emerald Ring Attack Attribute - Lightning Weakness - None Strength - Lightning Good god, this guy is a real bastard. He has a rapid-fire three-hit lightning attack that does near 200 damage and will use it so often it's scary. If you have the Thunder Cape equipped, it'll do less damage, but it can still stun you for a bit. If you're using Genis, Spread will do quite a lot of damage, but otherwise your best bet is Lloyd's highest Tempest or Sword Rain tech(s). You don't want to give Volt an inch, and the Tempest or Sword Rain abilities will usually stun him from whatever he's doing. Also, just like Undine and others, Volt has an Overlimit, and it's here you want to be damned careful, because his lightning powers can take away a thousand HP in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, pounding him with Spread and other water spells will whither away his HP pretty damn quick. Just keep an eye out for Indignation, the most powerful lightning spell in the game that will shred off 2000+ HP! It is an area-effect spell, meaning if you hold X and tap backward, you can get yourself out of the way, but your party members might not be as lucky. While you may lose a few people, keep at it and show Volt who's boss! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Agh, that was three shades of horrible. Well, you now have Volt. Watch the cutscene and exit the tower. Fit the Emerald Ring on Genis for a fun time. You now have a fix on the Rheairds. You could go get them now, but first return to Ozette, stock up on supplies and rest/save. Now then, from Ozette, you want to sail around to the east, where there are a ton of small, snow-capped islands. In this area is a dock, and the Tethe'alla base. It may be a little difficult to find due to the cramped space between the islands, but trust me, it's there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5d-7. Tethe'alla Base ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hurray, we're going to get our airship! Well, this game's equivalent of an airship. Enter and watch the cutscene, then use the save point if you want. A machine on the lefthand side of the room will sell items. Set one of Regal's level 2 EX skills to Personal to get a discount (makes Miracle Gels 300 gald cheaper). Also, make sure to change your Sorcerer's Ring. Exit south, then go right. In this room, pull the block down and shove it in front of the laser blocking the path to the right. Go down this route and into the room you find. Kill the Desians there for the first passcode. Return to the previous room and pull the block back in front of the laser and exit left, then left again. Ignore the laser and go up at the first intersection, then in the next room go left at the intersection and into the first room you see. Defeat the Desians for the second passcode and take the EX gem level 3. Leave this room, exit south, then east. Go east once more into another familiar room, but instead of heading right, go up and exit north. In here, you want to use the block to reach the door that's in the upper left part of this room. Just pull it along and block the lasers till you find it. In the next room, continue on left to another screen. Kill the Desians for the final part of the passcode. Groovy. Well then, shoot the ringed energy conductor to charge it, then examine the nearby machine to activate the lift. Now go all the way back to the room with the save point. Use it, then go south, then west. Now go north twice to reach a new area. Head up the stairs and go right till you see the blue block. Pull it off the lift and drop it onto the laser machine. See those chests down there, just waiting to be picked up? Go on down there (via the roundabout way of tromping through the base...) and get your new weapons. Return to the save point. Speak with Orochi to be healed and get the passcode in full (write it down if you can't remember it, it's random in each game), then save. Now head back to where you picked up those two chests, but stop in the previous room. Instead of going left, head up the stairs into the hanger. There's a sealed save point here, but you just saved, so ignore it. Anyway, head to the top left corner of the first level. See those two gaps? Fill them with the two blocks down here, then grab the Lavender in the chest and shoot the conduit to power the nearby lift. Now take one of the two blocks and shove them onto the lift, then stand on the lift and examine the machine to send both it and you up to the next floor. Push the block off the lift and ride the lift back down, then go up to that level and pull the block along to the right side of the room. Make sure you've gotten the treasure below, then push the block over the ledge (using the only opening...) and shock the conduit. Now, take the one block on the lowest level you haven't used yet and drag it onto the rightmost lift. Ride it to the top and shove it so that it creates a bridge to the treasure chest a little bit north. Now head west and take the treasure nearby, then shock the conduit and ride the leftmost elevator down. Take the block that's on it and push it into the gap so that you can reach the final chest. Now then, leave the room. The blocks will be reset, but the elevators will all still work. So, take one block to the rightmost elevator and ride it up top, then push the block so that it creates a bridge to the other side. Ride this last elevator up, and you'll find the final door. Enter the passcode. Go on in. And now...let's get it on!!! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yuan Botta No. 244 Type - Human No. 230 Type - Human HP - 16000 EXP - 4890 HP - 12000 EXP - 1680 TP - 652 Gald - 3150 TP - 580 Gald - 2800 ATK - 900 DEF - 215 ATK - 780 DEF - 205 Item - EX Gem Lv.4 Item - None Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - None Strength - Lightning Strength - None Yuan's the melee, Botta's the magic. Yuan's attacks can break through your guard and stun you, while Botta will keep casting magic unless you break up his little party. Focus on Botta, his magic can seriously hurt you if you leave him alone. His regular attacks aren't too powerful, but he does have a special move where he stabs his sword into the ground and causes a multi-hit strike on whoever's closest. This one hurts, but not as much as Yuan's Indignation, one of the most powerful spells in the game which he'll cast when Botta falls. This will most likely kill a lot of your party. Thus, you should have Raine's Nurse spell on a C-stick shortcut and should be mashing it as much as possible. Keep your HP high, because once Yuan's alone he'll start casting spells of his own. Once Botta falls, though, Yuan will soon follow. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscene and give yourself a pat on the back! You're now the ruler of the sky! Sorta. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5e. Disc 1 - Tethe'alla - Flying High and Soaring for Summon Spirits ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5e-1. Rescue Mission ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's a lot to do now that you have free reign over the skies. There are three guideposts for Long Range mode you can enable, which will essentially open up the entire world for Noishe. Granted, you've got airships, making Noishe obselete, but the developers put them in, so you might as well. One is on the south end of the middle continent in the world, near the large tower. Another is on a tiny island southeast of the Temple of Lightning, while the third is almost directly west, southwest of said temple. For the most part, the only thing you can do right now is rescue Colette. Yes, it's that time. However, your levels should be quite high, definitely in the low 40's. Southeast of the Renegade Base, high in the sky, is the wyvern nest. Colette is being held here. However, you won't get her back without a fight. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Winged Dragon Baby Dragon No. 188 Type - Dragon No. 189 Type - Dragon HP - 18000 EXP - 2450 HP - 12000 EXP - 1250 TP - 400 Gald - 1200 TP - 1030 Gald - 500 ATK - 1400 DEF - 86 ATK - 1030 DEF - 68 Item - Venom Item - None Flare Cape Attack Attribute - None Attack Attribute - None Weakness - None Weakness - None Strength - None Strength - None Right at the start you must take out the two babies, or they'll overwhelm you. I'm quite serious when I say this is a difficult battle, even at high levels. The combination of high HP and powerful attacks make these beasts something to be feared. If you're using Genis, disable all but his higher level spells and set his skill strategy to At Once. Keep on the babies with Lloyd and whoever else is fighting, and make sure Raine keeps your HP high. Also, if you have Rising Falcon and a strong weapon for Lloyd, that one tech can deal a lot of damage, sometimes well over 1000 per use. If not, focus on using Tempest techs to pile on hits and keep the babies from using their special abilities (including a whirlwind attack that'll knock you on your back, breath weapons, and more). When