================================================================================ STAR OCEAN STAR OCEAN STAR OCEAN STAR OCEAN STAR OCEAN STAR OCEAN STAR OCEAN ================================================================================ ____ _ ___ _ __ / __ \ _( )_ / _ `) ( )/ _) ( ( \_) (_ _) / / | | | `_/ `\`\ | | ( (__\ | | / _ `\`\ |_| `\__,_,) (_) ( \__) ) ____ \____/ / __ \ ---THE SECOND STORY--- / / \ \ ___ ___ ___ _ ___ | | | | / _ \ / __ \ / _ `) ( )/ ) | | | | | / \_) | (__) | / / | | | ,/\ | \ \__/ / | \_/ ) | ___/ ( (__\ | | / | | \____/ \___/ \____) `\__,_,) (_) (_) THE LONGEST ITEM LIST CHALLENGE ================================================================================ A.) DOCUMENT STUFF SECA ================================================================================ Author: Ben Marx GameFAQs name: EternalSphere Date: April 2006 Name of Guide: The Longest Item List Challenge Name of Game: Star Ocean: The Second Story Email: [email protected] --Document Stats-- Font: New Courier Font Size: 10 Width: 80 characters per line Lines: 1,654 --"Legal" Stuff-- This guide is not to be posted anywhere other than www.GameFAQs.com without my permission. That being said, I would probably wouldn't mind if someone with a reputable site wanted to put up this guide, as long as they contact me and ask permission. As well as give me full credit for the work. ================================================================================ B.) TABLE OF CONTENTS SECB ================================================================================ To find stuff more quickly, use CTRL-F. Section codes are below. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTION NUMBER AND NAME | CODE | WHAT THE SECTION IS ABOUT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A.) Document Stuff | SECA | Author, Document Statistics, Copyright B.) Table of Contents | SECB | Sections of this guide. C.) Version & Updates | SECC | Current version & future updates. D.) Introduction | SECD | Explanation of this Guide. HOW 1.) Game Walkthrough | SEC1 | Walkthrough for missable items. 2.) Item Collecting | SEC2 | Collecting the items. WHY 3.) Items Per Character | SEC3 | Items that can be missed w/o character. 4.) Optimal Party Selection | SEC4 | Optimal party to for longest item list. 5.) Summary | SEC5 | What items you have and what you don't. 6.) End FAQ | SEC6 | Credits. ================================================================================ C.) VERSION & UPDATES SECC ================================================================================ Version 1.0 April 2006 I've gone over all this as thoroughly as I could, so I hope it's quite accurate. However, that's not always easy to do. If anyone sees anything incorrect in this guide, I would be more than happy to hear about it. Just contact me at the above email address or post in the stickied Help Topic on the Star Ocean 2 GameFAQs message board. Version 1.1 7-18-2007 It has been brought to my attention that Braised Knuckles can be pickpocketed from Bowman the day after spending the night at his house in Linga. This guide has been thus amended. Version 1.2 9-25-07 Restructured guide in to two main parts: The HOW and the WHY. Also added a few notes in Walkthrough section about "limited-supply" items. ================================================================================ D.) INTRODUCTION SECD ================================================================================ THE GOAL: The goal of this guide is to get to the end of the game (post cave of trials) and be in a position to be able to compile the longest possible item list that you can. This is will be 762 out of the 791 normal items, and 192 out of 196 of the possible unidentified items. For a total of 954 out of 987 possible items. Figuring out how to collect the most possible items is no simple task, because many items are dependent upon the game scenario and character recruitment. So this guide attempts to do the following: The first half of this guide is the HOW. 1. This section is a walkthrough of the game and includes all of the items that you must collect at that specific time during the game. 2. This section is the list of all the other items that need to be collected for a Longest Item List Challenge. These items can be collected at any time during the game. The second half of this guide is the WHY. i.e. the factors that I examined in order to determine what the longest item list actually consisted of. This half does not need to be read in order to complete the challenge. It is included to show the process of how I arrived at the Longest Possible Item List. 3. This section singles out and tallies up all of the scenario or character- dependent items. 4. This section examines the results of #3, in order to figure out the best combination of scenario/characters, which will yield the longest possible item list. 5. This section sums up what items you have and don't have when the Long Item List Challenge is complete. This guide is somewhat complicated and assumes some prior knowledge of the game. ******************************************************************************** I wrote another FAQ entitled "The Ultimate Item Encyclopedia," posted on GameFAQs. These two Guides are meant to be used in conjunction with each other. The Ultimate Item Encyclopedia helps you collect the needed items in this guide, by detailing every possible way to get every possible item in the game. ******************************************************************************** ================================================================================ 1.) GAME WALKTHROUGH SEC1 ================================================================================ EXPLANATION: This part of the guide is a walkthrough for you to follow as you play through the game. Everything is in chronological order, so do these in order as you go. Play the game as you normally would, but you must do these things. Items listed in this section are those that are collected during missable events, or missable periods of time. Also included is when and how to recruit the needed party members. Also included in this section are entries marked with "*". These entries show show items that are not necessary to collect in order to get at least one of, but they are in limited supply. So, if you wan the max possible number of that item, you need to collect it here. At the end of this walkthrough you will be in a position to collect every other possible item in the Longest Item List Challenge, as listed in Section 2. Although that's not to say you can't collected stuff along the way. In the following entries, the item you're going to collect is in all CAPITAL LETTERS. And obviously, DO NOT sell anything you're not positive you can get again. Remember, pick Rena's scenario when you start a new game. I suggest you read through the entire walkthrough before you start, so you know what you're getting yourself into, and how to prepare better. WALKTHROUGH: 1) To do any pickpocketing early in the game, specifically to get the Mischief, you'll need to make sure that Rena starts the game with the Dexterity talent. If she doesn't, start a new game and try again. 2) When you first start to level up Claude's skills, keep his Customize skill level at 1 until you make at least one WORN-OUT SWORD. This can also be made through customization with Dias, but only at low Customize levels. 3) Buy 20 KNUCKLES from Salva. You'll need these to help make some weapons with Noel later. * After the incident with Alen-Tax in Salva, talk to him in his mansion. He will give you a Ring Of Happiness. You must talk to him before spending the night in Cross. 4) Go to Cross and spend the night in the Inn. Talk to the King. Meet Celine, and agree to let her join you. Now do a PA in Cross. Go towards the castle and witness a man with three eyes run by. You need to see this in order to recruit Opera later. 5) At this point you can start to level up and gain some skill points in preparation for the pickpocketing you're going to need to do. One way to do this is to head west to the foot of Lassguss Mountains. Save here and enter the mountain. Just about every enemy here is going to kick your butt at first, but reload until you are attacked by a monster called Shout. They are purple balls that suck your MP, but do not harm your HP. They give much more Exp than any other enemy you're going to meet at this point in the game. Once you kill them, go back out and save. Repeat. Another way is to discover secret talents through item creation. You can teach Cooking to your character's and buy Egg/Dairy Products for a measly 10 fol each. Cook with this until your discover your secret talent Sense of Taste. It doesn't matter if you succeed or fail. This will net you 100 skil. points. If you want to speed things up even more, let Rena fight alone. The goal is to get enough skill points to first max out Perseverance with all characters. Then get Rena's Pickpocketing skill up to level 7 or more. And finally level Claude's Playfulness to 8. This will get you enough fol to buy the Bandit's Gloves, and needed skills. For Playfulness and Poker Face, you need the Sensibility 2 skill set from Herlie. For Courage, you need the Sensibility 1 skill set from Cross. Buy the Bandit's Gloves from Herlie as well. You need to be ready to pickpocket by the time you get to Clik. 6) While your in Clik buy 20 HARD KNUCKLES this will help you make weapons with Noel later. 7) Head to Clik and do a PA. Pickpocket the MISCHIEF from Filia. Must do this before Clik is destroyed. You also need to see this PA so you can get the Israfil's Tear later on. 8) After saving the children in Mars, a man will show up in the entrance of Herlie. He is standing next to the old man. This singals the beginning of the sidequest to recruit Ashton. Remember to not recruit Ashton as you will need Opera and Ernest. 9) Head to Linga and do a PA to get Precis in your party. 10)After you retrieve a rare herb from the Sanctuary of Linga, you'll spend the night in Bowman's house. The following morning you talk to Bowman and Nineh outside his house. BRIASED KNUCKLES can be pickpocketed from Bowman at this time. Note, as soon as you leave the screen he will move, and you can't get the Braised Knuckles. This can be very difficult to pickpocket, especially because you have to go through five minutes of storyline every time you reload after a failed attempt. If you can, get Precis to create a Magician's hand via Machinery, and level up Rena's pickpocket skill level to 10. * The first time you enter Lacour, there is a woman standing outside of the enterance to the castle. You can pickpocket a Pyre Tear from her. She will disappear after you enter the castle. 11)Enter the Tournament of Arms in Lacour. You're playing Rena's scenario so Claude will automatically get to Dias. After the battle make sure to grab the SHARP EDGE from Gamgee in West Lacour. Whether you keep the Sharp Edge, or customize it into the Minus Sword or Eternal Spere, it really doesn't matter. It still only counts as one item in your inventory. * A Funny Slayer can be found early in the game by participating in a little sidequest. This is available after completing the Lacour Tournament of Arms, but must be done before completing the Sanctuary of Linga quest. Talk to Raddle the Traveler in Salva. Tell him to go north. Find him in Mars. Tell him to go East. Find him in Hilton. Tell him to take the boat back to Herlie. Find him in Herlie. He'll give you a Funny Slayer. 12)Head back to Hilton right after the tournament, to meet Opera in the bar. Talk to her. 13)Go back to Cross and ask the king about Opera. 14)Then head to the Mountain Palace in the North. Meet Opera in here. She will join you. Make your way to the bedroom with the library and have another scene with Opera. Before you start to level up Opera's Craft, Metal Casting, or Functionality skills you must do something first. Opera can randomly make the item ORIGINAL BOOTS with Customize when it is at low levels. Get this item before you level her Customize skill above level 1. 15)Head to Arlia. Do a PA and talk to Opera in the Jewelry shop. Choose whatever you want. Leave and do another PA, and talk to Opera on Mayor Regis's balcony. Go back outside then re-enter normally. Head to the Shingo Forest and see a scene with Opera. 16)Make sure you pickpocket SHRIMP SHU-MAI from the Young Man in the Tavern in Hilton, before getting on the boat with Leon to the Hoffman Ruins. 17)Okay, this is going to be a tough section. You should make an extra save file at this point in the game, because if you screw the next part up, there's no going back. After Leon joins your party, don't take off to the Hoffman ruins yet. You need to make 15 items with him before you do. You need to write SPECIAL HERALDRY and ADVANCED HERALDRY with Publishing. You need to make PORTRAIT H with Art on Magical Canvas. These can be done with any character while Leon is in your party. You also need to make ALL ABOUT ESP, MENTAL REVOLUTION, ILLUSTRATED BOOK, BRAIN STRUCTURE, BOOK OF DARKNESS, BOOK OF CHAOS, and ANCIENT WISDOM with Customize. Buy Reference Books from Linga and Minerals from Hilton. Level playfulness to get the Fol. Brain Structure can be really tough to make since you can't get orchestra yet. I got it to work with All About ESP + Green Beryl. You just have to keep trying. All About ESP, Mental Revolution, Illustrated Book and Brain Structure are made through random customization, but don't customize with Iron because you'll make Thick Books. Book of Darkness, Book of Chaos and Ancient Wisdom require Damascus. Get this through Alchemy. To make things a lot easier, learn Alchemy with Celine, because she has the Blessing of Mana talent, which will make the Alchemy success rate a lot higher. 18)Now here's the even tougher part. You need to get some of these customizable weapons in their unidentified form. Basically you have to just keep trying over and over and over until you get them. Here are the books that can be made in their unidentified forms: ?BOOK(All About ESP), ?BOOK(Illustrated Book), ?BOOK(Brain Structure) and ?BOOK(Book of Chaos). You can also make a WATER RING now if you want to. If you don't, you'll have to make it later with Noel. 19)As you exit the Hoffman Ruins after getting the Energy Stone, Opera runs off to the side. After defeating the Ghost, Let Ernest join your party. Before you start to level up Ernest's Craft, Metal Casting, or Functionality skills you must do something first. Ernest can randomly make the item ODD SHOES through Customize when it is at low levels. Get this item before you level his Customize skill above level 1. * At this point you can perform PAs in Linga and Mars in which you can pickpocket 2 battle suits from Ernest. 20)When you talk to Dias at the Lacour Front Lines, let him join your party. The BASTARD SWORD can only be made through customization with Dias, but only at low Customize levels. You should collect this and ?WEAPON(Bastard Sword) before you level up his Customize skill. * A Musical Software can be pickpocketed from Narl while he's in Central City. This must be done before visiting Fienal for the 2nd time, when Narl moves to L'Aqua. 21)The first time you teleport to Central City, leave City Hall and head one screen to the left. Witness Chisato running away. 22)When you're in North City, you should see Chisato run away from you as you approach the item shop. 23)You should make an extra save file at this point in the game, because if you screw the next part up, there's no going back. Before you head to the Synard Building in North City to try and get a Synard, you should stop off at the item shops and buy 20 of a bunch of item creation items: material kit, feather pen, fountain pen, pet food, iron, gold, silver, conductor's baton, egg/dairy products, pet food and magic canvas. Buy the Lezard Flask and have a supply of Mithril ready, the more the eaiser it's going to be. Unlike Leon, you don't have access to supplies while you have Noel, so you need to be well prepared. For some reason you need some Eagle's Claws to be able to make Tiger's Fangs. So get as many as you can. It will also help tremendously if you've learned Orchestra by now. Now you can fight for a long time with Noel or you can unlock a bunch of his hidden talents to get the 100 Skill Point bonuses like you did with Leon, except this time it will be a lot easier if you use Orchestra. Use these to level up his Customization skills. Remember, once you head to the Synard Building, you won't be able to buy any more materials until after Noel is no longer in your party. Once you reach the Synard in the Cave of Red Crystal, you'll no longer have Noel in your party. You'll need to make PORTRAIT K through Art. PRINCIPLES OF NATURE and LIVING WITH ANIMALS with Publishing. As well as CAT'S FANGS, TIGER'S FANGS, and PLATINUM NAILS. Tiger's Fangs are easiest to make with Eagle's Claws at low Customize Levels. Platinum Nails require Mithril. Use Radar or Alchemy. Again, you also have to make a few ?weapons with Noel. These are: ?WEAPON(Tiger's Fangs), ?WEAPON(Platinum Nails). ?Weapon(Tiger's Fangs) are easier to make at lower Customize levels. This is your last chance to make the WATER RING if you didn't make it with Leon. 24)In the Cave of Red Crystal there is a point before the Synard where you have to run down some stairs under a bridge, to get a chest containing the Flying Hawk Robes. As you do so, Chisato will will run by and drop her I.D. Make sure to pick it up. 25)Don't let Noel join your party at the end of the Cave of Red Crystal. 26)Once you get the Synard, head back to Central City. Before you talk to Narl, go to the Nede Chronicle and talk to Chisato. Let her join your party. * One Moon Tiara per fighter can be won from the Duel Battle Rank B in Fun City, but if you want to get the max of 20, you need to collect them from Breakwings in Mihne Cavern. However, this must be done before you beat the boss, because all encounters end after you do. 27)Don't accidentally feed the Shrimp Shu-mai to the food god on Floor 8 of the Cave of Trials. ================================================================================ 2.) ITEM COLLECTING SEC2 ================================================================================ EXPLANATION: Having gotten all the missable items in the game from the last section, you can now start collecting at least one of every item to get the longest possible item list. Use my other guide, The Ultimate Item Encyclopedia posted on www.GameFAQs.com, to find out how to collect each item. Remember, if you collect any Bounced Checks, they will drain your Fol at the rate of 1 Fol per bounced check, per second. As far as unidentified items go, i'm not sure I've discovered every possible unidentified item that exists. THE LIST: These are the items that you can collect, and if you can collect it in it's unidentified form. You can use this as checklist to mark off what you have. Items: 762/791 Unidentified?: 192/196 1-up Pudding --- 10 Volt Stun Gun ?WEAPON Aceras ?HERB Advanced Heraldry --- Aero Gun --- Aged Berry Juice ?FOOD Algol --- All About ESP ?BOOK All About Herbs --- All-Purpose Knife --- Aloe Jam --- Alpha Box --- A Maiden's Secret --- Amber Robe --- Amoeba Soup --- Ancient Wisdom --- Angel Armband --- Angel Hair --- Angel's Statue --- Anklet --- Antiseptic Glove --- Apple Cider --- Apple Crepes --- Apple Jam --- Aquaberry ?ITEM Aqua Ring ?JEWELRY Artemis Leaf ?HERB Assault Bomb --- Assorted Cheeses --- Atlas Ring --- Atomic Punch --- Attack Earring --- Attack Vial --- Au Gratin Climax --- Aura Blade ?WEAPON Baby Rabbit Risotto ?FOOD Bacon & Eggs --- Bad-Tasting Stew ?FOOD Bagh Nakh --- Banana Crepes ?FOOD Banded Helm --- Banded Mail --- Bandit's Gloves --- Barrier Armor ?GUARD Barrier Shield --- Baselard --- Bastard Sword ?WEAPON Battalia Ring --- Battle Suit --- Beautiful Ice Cream --- Beef Croquettes ?FOOD Before Tea's Ready --- Bent Rod ?WEAPON Beret --- Berry Juice ?FOOD Berserk Ring --- Beta Box ?MACHINE Big Tuna --- Bird's Nest Soup --- Bitter Juice ?FOOD Bitter Lotion --- Blackberry ?ITEM Black Box --- Black Earring ?JEWELRY Black System --- Blood Earring --- Bloody Armor --- Bloody Helm --- Blueberry ?ITEM Blue Talisman --- Blurry Photo --- Book of Chaos ?BOOK Book of Darkness --- Booster Box --- Boots --- Both Shaver --- Bounced Check --- Brain Structure ?BOOK Braised Knuckles --- Brigandine --- Broad Sword --- Broth --- Bubble Lotion --- Buckler --- Bunny Shoes --- Burning Hand --- Burst Box --- But One Truth! --- Buy It...Ok? --- Cabbage Roll --- Care Tablet --- Carrot Ice Cream ?FOOD Carrot Juice --- Cat o' 9 Tails --- Cat's Fangs --- Cembalo --- Cestus --- Chaos Mail ?GUARD Cheese Pizza --- Chicken Doria --- Chicken Skewers ?FOOD Chocolate Crepes --- Choose Ingredients --- Cinderella Glass --- Clap Rod ?WEAPON Coconut Milk --- Conductor's Baton --- Contract --- Cook From the Heart --- Core Plate ?GUARD Corn Pottage ?FOOD Countdown --- Cracker --- Creamed Stew --- Creamy Cheese --- Crest Rod --- Crestier Guard --- Crimson Diablos ?WEAPON Cromlea Sword --- Crown ?GUARD Crumpled Paper ?BOOK Crush Pill --- Crystal --- Cure Paralysis --- Cure Poison --- Cure Stone --- Custard Pudding ?FOOD Daikon Miso Soup ?FOOD Damascus ?MINERAL Danger Pot --- Dark Whip ?WEAPON Deluxe Doria --- Demonslayer Ring ?JEWELRY Diamond --- Dictionary --- Discovery Card --- Dragon's Claws --- Dragon's Tusk ?WEAPON Dream Bracelet --- Dream Crown --- Duel Helm --- Duel Suit --- Dull Sword ?WEAPON Dummy Doll --- Eagle's Claws --- Eclipse Ring --- Egg/Dairy Products --- Egg Sandwich ?FOOD Electric ?WEAPON Electro Gun --- Electron ?WEAPON Element Analyzer --- Emerald Earring --- Emerald Ring --- Empresia ?WEAPON Encyclopedia --- Energy Drink --- Energy Tonic --- Engineering --- Erlenmeyer Flask --- Eternal Sphere --- Evening Dress --- Exciting Tenderloin --- Extension Card --- Fairies Card --- Fairy Glass --- Fairy Mist --- Fairy Ring ?JEWELRY Fairy's Cologne --- Fairy's Statue --- Fairy Tear --- Fallen Hope --- Falling in Love --- Fame Helm --- Fanzine --- Fanzine? --- Fanzine! --- Fanzine ... --- Fanzine(male) --- Fanzine(female) --- Fanzine(heart) --- Fanzine(note) --- Feather Pen --- Feet Symbol --- Fellper Nails --- Fill-up --- Fine Saute --- Fine Shield --- Fire Punch --- Fire Ring --- First Earring --- Fish of Happiness --- Flame Blade --- Flame Gun --- Flare Bomb --- Flare Ring ?JEWELRY Flare Whip --- Flash Earring --- Flash Pot --- Flying Hawk Robes --- Fol Up Card --- Force Sword ?WEAPON Forest Friends --- Forged Bills --- Forged Checks --- Forged Documents --- Forged Medals --- Fortune --- Fountain Card --- Fountain Pen --- Freeze --- Freeze Whip --- French Toast --- Fresh Syrup --- Fried Eggs ?FOOD Fried Rice ?FOOD Fried Vegetables --- Frog ?GUARD Fruit --- Fruit Nectar ?FOOD Fruit Smoothie ?FOOD Fruit Syrup --- Funny Slayer --- Gale Earring --- Gamma Box ?MACHINE Ganze Sea Urchin --- Gateau Marjolaine --- Gaudy Earring ?JEWELRY Gelatin Steak ?FOOD Genie's Steak --- Genie's Veggie Soup --- Giant Fists --- Ginger Ale --- Glass Slippers ?GUARD Goddess Statue --- Go-home Frog --- Gold ?MINERAL Golden Bracelet --- Golden Cross ?JEWELRY Golden Crown --- Golden Earring --- Golden Fangs ?WEAPON Golden Idol ?JEWELRY Golden Stew --- Gold Ring --- Gold/Silversmith --- Gorgonzola --- Grain --- Grand Stinger --- Graphic Software --- Great Punch --- Green Beryl --- Green Bracelet ?JEWELRY Green Pottage ?FOOD Green System --- Grizzly Claps --- Ground Lamb Steak ?FOOD Gruel ?FOOD Gusguine --- Half-dead Bomb --- Hamburger ?FOOD Hard Cleaver --- Hard Earring --- Hard Knuckles ?WEAPON Hard Ring --- Hard Whip --- Harmonica --- Hassaku Tea --- Healing Ring --- Heart Barriers --- Heart Breaker --- Heavenly Doria --- Heavy Ring ?JEWELRY Hecatoncheire --- Heraldry --- Heraldry Book --- Herbal Oil --- Hermit's Helm ?GUARD Hexagram Card --- High Heels --- High-laced Shoes --- Historic Greats --- Holy Cloak --- Holy Mist --- Holy Ring --- Holy Rod --- Holy Scriptures --- Holy Sword Farwell --- Hot Syrup --- Hyperball --- Hyper Punch --- I Can Only See You --- Ice Punch --- Ichigoni --- Ichigoni Supreme --- Idol --- Ignite Sword --- Illusive Shamisen --- Illustrated Book ?BOOK Infinity Ring --- Insanity Ring ?JEWELRY Invisible Whip ?WEAPON Inviting Filet --- Iron ?MINERAL Iron Greaves --- Iron Helm --- Iron Punch ?MACHINE Ishtar's Robe ?GUARD Isis Tiara --- Israfil's Tear --- Jack-in-the-Box --- Jambalaya --- Jeanne's Armor --- Jeanne's Helm --- Jeanne's Shield --- Jiggly Slime --- Juicy Beef --- Kaiser Knuckles ?WEAPON Kamikaze Tonic --- Killer Poison --- Killer's Book --- Knight's Shield --- Knuckles ?WEAPON Konyaku Jelly --- Lady Fingers ?FOOD Lady in Red --- Lavender ?HERB Leather Armor --- Leather Boots --- Leather Greaves --- Leather Helm --- Leather Whip ?WEAPON Left Cross --- Levantine Sword --- Lezard Flask --- Lien --- Life Insurance --- Light Box ?MACHINE Lightning Gun --- Light Whip --- Lilith Tonic --- Limp Whip ?WEAPON Link Combo --- Living with Animals --- Long Edge --- Long Sword --- Lost Sanctuary --- Lot Bracelet --- Lotus Eater ?WEAPON Luna Tablet --- Luna Talisman --- Lunatic Earring --- Lunatic Ring --- Lyre --- Macaroni Au Gratin ?FOOD Madness Mist --- Magical Camera --- Magical Clay --- Magical Drops --- Magical Film --- Magical Gloves ?WEAPON Magical Hat --- Magical Rasp --- Magical Rice --- Magical Rod --- Magical Salad --- Magic Box --- Magic Canvas --- Magic Cross --- Magic Hand ?MACHINE Magician's Hand --- Magic Mist ?JEWELRY Magic Rock --- Mandrake ?HERB Maple Syrup --- Marionette Pill --- Marvel Sword --- Material Kit --- Meat --- Meat Dumpling ?FOOD Meat Fried Rice --- Mech Launcher --- Medical Rinse --- Melting Lotion --- Mental Pot --- Mental Revolution --- Mental Ring ?JEWELRY Merlin Drink --- Metal Fangs --- Meteor Ring --- Meteorite ?MINERAL Might Chain --- Milky Potage --- Million Staff --- Mind Bomb --- Mind Ring ?JEWELRY Miracle Fried Rice --- Mirage Robe --- Mirror of Wisdom --- Mischief --- Misty Symbol ?JEWELRY Mithril ?MINERAL Mithril Coat --- Mithril Dress --- Mithril Greaves --- Mithril Helm ?GUARD Mithril Mesh --- Mithril Shield --- Mixed Syrup --- Molecule Wire ?WEAPON Moon Earring --- Moonite ?MINERAL Moonlight --- Moon Tiara --- Mortalial card --- Mud Boots --- Murasame Sword --- Muscat Grape Jelly --- Mushroom Soup --- Musical Software --- Musical Theory --- Music Box --- Mystical Beings --- Natural High --- Nature's Life Force --- Necklace ?JEWELRY Neo Greaves --- Neumann Boots --- New Civilization --- Nightmare Pot --- No Need for Words --- Nuclear Bomb --- Ocean of Stars --- Odd Clothes ?GUARD Odd Gauntlets ?GUARD Odd Hat ?GUARD Odd Helmet ?GUARD Odd Medicine --- Odd Shield ?GUARD Odd Shoes ?GUARD Odin's Helm ?GUARD One-two Punch --- On Revenge --- On Training --- Operation Manual --- Orangeade ?FOOD Orange Au Gratin ?FOOD Orange Sherbet ?FOOD Organ --- Orichalcum ?MINERAL Oriental Blade --- Original Boots ?GUARD Pain Cestus --- Pallas Athena ?GUARD Pancakes --- Paralysis Check ?JEWELRY Paralysis Mist --- Paralysis Oil --- Peach Ice Cream ?FOOD Pear Compote --- Peep Half ?JEWELRY Peep Non --- Peep-peep Bomb --- Peking Duck --- Perforated Armor ?GUARD Pet Food ?ITEM Piano --- Pickled Plum --- Pieces of Learners --- Pin Heels --- Pixie Cologne --- Plain Omelet --- Planet of the Winds --- Plasma Zap-Stick --- Plate Greaves ?GUARD Plate Helm --- Plate Mail --- Platinum Nails ?WEAPON Pleiad Sword ?WEAPON Pocket Encyclopedia --- Poison Check ?JEWELRY Portrait A (Claude) --- Portrait B (Rena) --- Portrait C (Celine) --- Portrait E (Dias) --- Portrait F (Precis) --- Portrait H (Leon) --- Portrait I (Opera) --- Portrait J (Ernest) --- Portrait K (Noel) --- Portrait L (Chisato) --- Pose Collection --- Potstickers ?FOOD Pretty Idol ?JEWELRY Prime Prayer --- Prime Sirloin --- Prime Tuna --- Prime Tuna Steak --- Princess Ring ?JEWELRY Prince's Zoni Stew --- Principles of Nature --- Prism Ring --- Promised Ring --- Protection Bomb --- Protection Ring ?JEWELRY Psychic Gun ?WEAPON Psycho Box --- Pulse Box ?MACHINE Purity Leaf --- Purple Mist ?JEWELRY Pyre Tear --- Quick Pickles ?FOOD Radio Box ?MACHINE Rainbow Diamond --- Rare Gauntlets --- Raspberry Jam --- Raw Milk ?FOOD Recoil Bracelet --- Reference Book --- Reflection Ring --- Reflective Armor --- Regeneration Ring ?JEWELRY Resistance Ring --- Resurrection Bottle --- Resurrection Mist --- Reverse Doll ?JEWELRY Revival Card --- Rice-bran Pickles ?FOOD Rice Cakes --- Rice Croquettes ?FOOD Rice Omelet ?FOOD Right Cross --- Ringed Mail --- Ring of Happiness --- Ring of Sadness --- Ririca --- Risky Liquid --- Risotto Ecstasy --- Robe --- Rock ?MINERAL Rod ?WEAPON Rod of Snakes ?WEAPON Root Beer ?FOOD Rose Hips ?HERB Rose Whip --- Rotten Sashimi ?FOOD Round Shield --- Ruby --- Ruby Earring --- Ruby Pendant ?JEWELRY Ruby Rod --- Ruby Wand ?WEAPON Ruins' Fate ?WEAPON Rune Buckler ?GUARD Rune Cap --- Rune Full Moon --- Rune Metal ?MINERAL Rune Shoes --- Sacknoth's Helmet --- Sacred Tear --- Sage's Stone --- Sake Lees Pickles --- Salmon Omelet ?FOOD Sambai Tea ?FOOD Sandals --- Santa's Boots --- Sapphire --- Sashimi --- Sawed --- Scrap Iron ?MACHINE Scribbles ?ITEM Scyther --- SD Punch ?MACHINE SDUGA Punch ?WEAPON Seafood --- Sea Urchin on Rice --- Seaweed Miso Soup ?FOOD Second Ledger --- Secret Boots --- Seltzer --- Seraphic Garb --- Serpent's Tooth --- Seventh Ray --- Shark Fin Soup ?FOOD Shark Potstickers --- Shield Earring --- Shield Ring --- Shield Sword --- Shiny Earring ?JEWELRY Shock Gun --- Shock Oil --- Shortcake ?FOOD Shrimp Au Gratin --- Shrimp Doria ?FOOD Shrimp Pilaf ?FOOD Shrimp Shu-mai --- Shu-mai ?FOOD Silence Card --- Silk Robe --- Silvance --- Silver ?MINERAL Silver Barrette --- Silver Charm --- Silver Cross ?JEWELRY Silver Earring --- Silver Fangs --- Silver Greaves --- Silver Idol ?JEWELRY Silvermoon --- Silver Pendant --- Silver Ring --- Silver Robe --- Silver Rod --- Silver Trumpet --- Sinclair Sabre --- Sirloin Steak --- Skanda --- Skanda Compress --- Skanda Ointment --- Slayer's Ring --- Slime Jelly --- Slippery Slime --- Smaller --- Smelling Salts --- Smelly Rice Cakes ?FOOD Smith's Hammer --- Smoke Mist --- Smoke Oil --- Soda-Pop --- Soldering Iron --- Sole & Fruit Sauce --- Sole & Wine Sauce ?FOOD Sorceress Knuckles --- Soul Slayer --- Sour Syrup --- Soy Milk --- Spark ?WEAPON Spark Hand --- Spark Whip --- Special Heraldy --- Special Stir-fry --- Special Tuna --- Spectacles --- Spicy Cake ?FOOD Splinter ?GUARD Spring Rolls --- Spring Water --- Squash Croquettes ?FOOD Squash Spring Rolls ?FOOD Star Cloak --- Stardust Ring ?JEWELRY Star Earring ?JEWELRY Star Greaves --- Star Guard --- Star Necklace --- Star Ruby --- Steak --- Steamed Aspic --- Steel Armor --- Steel Helm --- Steel-toed Boots --- Stink Gel --- Stock Certificates --- Stone Check ?JEWELRY Straight Punch --- Strawberry Jam --- Strawberry Mochi --- Strawberry Mousse --- Stun Gun ?WEAPON Sturm Ring --- Succubus Cologne --- Suede Boots --- Super Ball --- Surrender Pendant --- Survival Kit --- Sweet Dumpling ?FOOD Sweet Fruit --- Sweet Rice Cakes --- Sweet Syrup --- Sylvan Boots --- Sylvan Helm --- Sylvan Mail --- Talisman ?JEWELRY Tetra-Bomb --- Text Software --- The Armband of Kali ?GUARD The Bloody Road --- The Hermes Theory --- The Hope of Breeze --- The Land's Secret --- The World Is Mine --- Thick Book ?BOOK Thunder Punch --- Thunder Ring --- Tiger's Fangs ?WEAPON Titan's Fists ?WEAPON* (* ?WEAPON cannot be collected in this game, Today's Dish --- because it can only be made through To Live --- customization with Bowman) Tongue Twister --- Toro Tuna ?FOOD Treasure Chest --- Treatise --- Tri-ball --- Trickster --- Tri-emblem --- Tri-emplem --- Tuna Skewers --- Twin's Tonic --- Twin Swords --- Twin-edge --- Twin-tail --- UGA Punch --- Ultra Punch --- Useless Decoration ?JEWELRY Valiant Boots --- Valiant Guard --- Valiant Mail --- Valkyrie Boots --- Valkyrie Guard --- Valkyrie's Garb --- Vanilla Ice Cream --- Vegetable Juice ?FOOD Vegetables --- Veil Piercer --- Vellum Paper --- Victorial Card --- Violence Pill --- Violin --- Voltage --- Walloon Sword --- Water Ring ?JEWELRY Weighty Ring ?JEWELRY Weird Doll ?JEWELRY Weird Lump --- Weird Slayer --- Whirlwind --- White System --- Wilted Salad ?FOOD Windsley Sword --- Wisdom Ring ?JEWELRY Witch's Boots --- Wizard's Hat --- Wizard's Mail --- Wobbly Sword --- Wolfsbane ?HERB Wonder Drug --- Wooden Shield --- Worn Knuckles ?WEAPON Worn-out Sword ?WEAPON X Box --- Yaegaki Tea ?FOOD Yarma Cooking Set --- Yogurt ?FOOD Yogurt Salad --- Yukiyucho Tea --- Zephyr Earring ?JEWELRY 'Ishidaya' Tea ?FOOD 'Judgment Day' --- 'Spring' --- 'The Last Supper' --- 'The Scream' --- 'Usunigori' Tea ?FOOD ================================================================================ 3.) BREAKDOWN OF ITEMS DEPENDENT ON SCENARIO CHOICE & CHARACTER RECRUITMENT SEC3 ================================================================================ EXPLANATION: Obviously, there are many items in the game where the availability of which is dependent on the game scenario you chose, and what characters you have recruited. Specifically these areas are Customization, Fun City Rank A Duel Battle Weapons, Machinery, Private Action Scenes, Art, Publishing, and Metalwork. It must be noted that you can collect certain items from characters, while they are only temporarily in your party. I will take this into account as well. Items in this section that can be collected during a time when the character is temporarily in your party, are marked with a "T" after it. The unidentified items are not counted in this section, because they don't have any bearing on who you should or shouldn't recruit. CUSTOMIZATION WEAPONS: This lists the weapons that can be made through Customization by each character. Claude & Rena's weapons are not listed because they are always in your party, so there is no issue as to whether or not you can miss those items. Each character is divided into two sections: 1)Uncollectible without [character]: This is the important part. These are items that you won't be able to get without the character being in your party. 2)Collectible without [character]: These are items that you can collect at least one of, without the character being in your party. --Claude-- Any weapon that can be made by Dias, but can also be made by Claude, is not listed in Dias's section. --Rena-- Any weapon that can be made by Noel or Bowman but can also be made by Rena is not listed in Noel or Bowman's sections. --Ashton-- *Uncollectible without Ashton: Double Masher Gemini Guard Sword Holy Cross Melufa Pair Nuts Twin Picks *Collectible without Ashton: Both Shaver Lotus Eater Scyther Shield Sword Smaller Twin Swords Twin-edge Wobbly Sword --Bowman-- *Uncollectible without Bowman: Asura Moon Fists *Collectible without Bowman: Bagh Nakh Giant's Fists Hecatoncheire Titan's Fists --Celine-- *Uncollectible without Celine: Dragon's Tusk Magical Rod Rod of Snakes Silvermoon Tongue Twister *Collectible without Celine: Bent Rod Clap Rod Crest Rod Holy Rod Ruby Rod Ruby Wand Silver Rod --Chisato-- *Uncollectible without Chisato: Cracker Electric Electron Flame Gun Freeze Psychic Gun Shock Gun Stun Gun Voltage *Collectible without Chisato: 10 Volt Stun Gun Electro Gun Lightning Gun Spark --Dias-- *Uncollectible without Dias: Bastard Sword Crimson Diablos Grand Stinger Hard Cleaver Soul Slayer The Hope of Breeze Whirlwind *Collectible without Dias: Baselard Murasame Sword Oriental Blade Pleiad Sword Ruins' Fate Worn-out Sword --Ernest-- *Uncollectible without Ernest: Dark Whip Flare Whip Freeze Whip Invisible Whip Molecule Wire Twin-tail *Collectible without Ernest: Hard Whip Leather Whip Light Whip Limp Whip Rose Whip Spark Whip Splinter --Leon-- *Uncollectible without Leon: All About ESP T Ancient Wisdom T Book of Chaos T Book of Darkness T Brain Structure T Illustrated Book T Mental Revolution T *Collectible without Leon: Dictionary Encyclopedia Heraldry Herladry Book Holy Scriptures Reference Book Thick Book Treatise --Noel-- *Uncollectible without Noel: Cat's Fangs T Platinum Nails T Tiger's Fangs T *Collectible without Noel: Grizzly Claps Hard Knuckles Serpent's Tooth --Opera-- *Uncollectible without Opera: Black Box Burst Box Gamma Box Magic Box Pulse Box Seventy Ray *Collectible without Opera: Alpha Box Beta Box Booster Box Light Box Radio Box X Box --Precis-- *Uncollectible without Precis: Burning Hand Ice Punch SD Punch SDUGA Punch Spark Hand Thunder Punch UGA Punch *Collectible without Precis: Atomic Punch Fire Punch Great Punch Iron Punch Magic Hand One-two Punch Straight Punch Ultra Punch "USELESS" CUSTOMIZATION ITEMS: Original Boots: Can only be collected via Customizing with Opera at a low skill level. Odd Shoes: Can only be collected via Customizing with Ernest at a low skill level. Flashy Armor: Can only be collected via Customizing with Ashton at a low skill level. FUN CITY RANK A DUEL BATTLE WEAPONS: Aero Gun: Only won by Chisato in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Book of Awakening: Only won by Leon in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Cat o'9 Tails: Only won by Ernest in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Cromlea Sword: Only won by Dias in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Doubledemon Sword: Only won by Ashton in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Death Fangs: Only won by Noel in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Flare Burst: Only won by Bowman in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Hyper Punch: Only won by Precis in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Prime Prayer: Only won by Celine in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. Psycho Box: Only won by Opera in the Rank A Duel Battle in Fun City. MACHINERY ITEMS: Black System: Can only be made by Opera using Machinery. Green System: Can only be made by Opera using Machinery. White System: Can only be made by Opera using Machinery. Mech Launcher: Can only be made by Precis using Machinery. Neumann Booots: Can only be made by Precis using Machinery. Plasma Zap-stick: Can only be made by Precis using Machinery. SCENARIO/CHARACTER-DEPENDENT PRIVATE ACTION ITEMS: The first 5 of these are unique items that only exist in one place in the game. 3 are listed in Claude's total missable items, and 2 are listed as part of Ashton's missable items. Aphrodisiac: Claude's scenario only. Do a PA in Cross with Precis. Leaf Pendant: Claude's scenario only. Do a PA in Salva with Rena. Do it after staying the night in Cross. General's Ring: Claude's scenario only, Celine cannot be in your party. Do a PA in Hilton with Chris. You must do it before the Linga quest. Guard Sword: Only if Ashton is recruited. Pickpocket him in a Lacour PA. Salamander Helmet: Only if Ashton is recruited. Do a PA in Arlia with Ashton. ------------------ These items are in limited supply, but can be found in other places of the game, therefore they are not listed in the chart below, but are still worth pointing out. Pyre Tear: Only if Celine is recruited. Pickpocket Celine in a PA in Hilton. Slayer's Ring: Claude's scenario only. Do a PA in Fun City with Marriana. Must do PA after you visit Dr. Mirage after beating Marsilio & Shigeo in Fun City. Battle Suit: Only if Ernest is recruited. Pickpocket him during a PA in Linga. Battle Suit: Only if Ernest is recruited. Pickpocket him during a PA in Mars. Battle Suit: Claude's scenario only. Pickpocket Cadet during Claude's return to the Calnus in Eluria Tower. ART & PUBLISHING ITEMS: Normally, only 16 out of 24 published books can exist in your inventory, since it requires the character to be in your party in order to write it, and you can have up to 8 characters in your party. However, some characters can be recruited temporarily, so the following books can be collected even if the character is not permanently recruited: --Leon-- Advanced Heraldry T Special Heraldry T --Noel-- Living With Animals T Principles Of Nature T Normally, only 8 out of 12 portraits can exist in your inventory, since it requires the character to be in your party in order to make it, and you can have up to 8 characters in your party. However, some characters can be recruited temporarily, so the following portraits can be collected even if the character is not permanently recruited: Portrait C (Celine) T Portrait H (Leon) T Portrait K (Noel) T METALWORK ITEMS: Of the 95 accessories that can be made from Iron, Silver, Gold, Sapphire, Ruby, Crystal, Green Beryl, Diamond, Star Ruby, Rainbow Diamond, Moonite & Sage's Stone, only 6 of them cannot be made by either Claude or Rena. They are: Demonslayer Ring, Fire Ring, Lunatic Earring, Stone Check, Thunder Ring & Water Ring. --Lunatic Earring-- Made by Chisato, Ernest, or Noel. Given by the Treasure Chest, Fill-Up, Fountain Card, Lien, & Jack-In-The Box. --Thunder Ring-- Made by Celine or Noel. Dropped in the Field of Love. --Stone Check-- Made by Dias, Leon, or Noel. Buy in Giveaway. The Fortune accessory also gives it. This means that only 3 metalwork items can possibly be missed: --Demonslayer Ring-- Metalwork on Sage's Stone with Ashton, Noel, or Ernest. --Fire Ring-- Metalwork on Ruby with Celine or Leon. --Water Ring-- Metalwork on Sapphire with Leon or Noel. ================================================================================ 4.) OPTIMAL PARTY SELECTION SEC4 ================================================================================ EXPLANATION: So this brings us to the trickiest part: Trying to find the correct combination of scenario and characters, to yield the longest possible item list. Now that we've gone over every item that is somehow dependent on the game scenario or character recruitment, let's see how this dictates what party should be chosen, in order to get the longest possible item list. We'll start by charting this out. TOTAL ITEMS MISSED PER CHARACTER, IF NOT RECRUITED: Column 1: For Claude & Rena, the numbers in the following columns show how many items WILL BE MISSED if their SCENARIO is NOT chosen. For the other ten names, the numbers in the columns show how many items WILL BE MISSED if that character is NOT in your party. Column 2: "Useless" items made through customization. Column 3: Uncollectible weapons. You won't find these anywhere in the game except through that character's Customization. Column 4: Fun City weapons. Column 5: Items made through Machinery. Column 6: Other unique items that can only be collected if the character is recruited. Column 7: Art/Publishing. Column 8: Total missable items. C1: C2: C3: C4: C5: C6: C7: C8: Claude's...................................3^..............3 Rena's.....................................................0 Chisato............9.......1.......................3......13 Dias...............7.......1.......................3......11 Opera......1.......6.......1.......3...............3......14 Ernest.....1.......6.......1.......................3......11 Precis.............7.......1.......3...............3......14 Celine.............5.......1.......................2,1T....8 ------------------------------------------------------------ Ashton.....1.......7.......1...............1.......3......13 Bowman.............2.......1.......................3.......6 Leon...............7T......1.......................3T......1 Noel...............3T......1.......................3T......1 T These items do not count towards the total missable items, because you can get them when the character is temporarily in your party. ^ One of these is the General's Ring. It will always be missed if Claude's scenario is not chosen, but is also missable if Celine is permanently recruited. Note: The 3 potentially missable Metalworking are items not included in the above table since each can be made from multiple characters. But it becomes a non-issue anyway, as noted in the "Pros" section below. PARTY SELECTION BREAKDOWN: --Claude or Rena-- There are 3 unique items that can only be collected in Claude's scenario. Leon (Claude's scenario only) has 1 item that can only be collected with him. 3 + 1 = 4 There are 0 items that can only be collected in Rena's scenario. Dias (Rena's scenario only) has 11 items that can only be collected with him. = [11] --> RENA's scenario --Dias or Leon-- Rena's scenario is chosen therefore: --> DIAS --Ashton or Opera/Ernest-- Ashton has 13 items that can only be collected with him. Opera/Ernest have [25] items that can only be collected with them. --> OPERA/ERNEST --Precis or Bowman-- Precis has [14] items that can only be collected with her. Bowman has 6 items that can only be collected with him. --> PRECIS --Chisato or Celine or Noel-- These three can be recruited independently, and there are 2 spots are left. Chisato has [13] items that can only be collected with her. Celine has [8] items that can only be collected with her. Noel has 1 items that can only be collected with him. --> CELINE and CHISATO --Summary-- *****Claude - Rena - Celine - Dias - Opera - Ernest - Precis - Chisato***** PROS & CONS: --Pros-- 1) All 3 missable metalworking items are able to be collected, although the Water Ring and ?JEWELRY(Water Ring) must be made with either Leon or Noel, while either is temporarily in your party. 2) All 6 unique Machinery Items can be collected. --Cons-- 1) 5 unique items: the Salamander Helmet, Guard Sword, Generals' Ring, Aphrodisiac, & Leaf Pendant cannot be collected. 2) There are two chests in the game that you won't be able to open. One contains Ashton's Tri-ace Killer Move on Floor 10 of the Cave of Trials. The other is Leon's Extinction spell on Floor 4 of the Cave of Trials. 3) Precis cannot get her last Killer Move, Holo-holograph, because Ashton is not in your party. ================================================================================ 5.) SUMMARY SEC5 ================================================================================ --Items You Do Have-- The 762 out of the 791 normal items, as listed in section 2. The 192 out of the 196 unidentified items as listed in section 2. --Items You Don't Have-- 29 out of the 791 normal items. 4 out of the 196 unidentified items. --Save Files-- You can get every single item in the game (except for the Sharpness), on two save game files. Here are the Item save files I have: *Save #1* 762/791 + 192/196 As detailed in this Guide. *Save #2* 26->28/791 + 4/196 The remaining 28 + 4 items as listed below. Technically only 26 + 4 are on the saved file, but the Cracked Gem can be turned into the Red Lotus Gem and the Sharp Edge into the Minus Sword whenever I want. ?WEAPON(Titan's Fists) ?WEAPON(Guard Sword) ?WEAPON(Melufa) ?WEAPON(Holy Cross) Cracked Gem --> Red Lotus Gem Sharp Edge --> Minus Sword Aphrodisiac Item --> From a PA in Claude's scenario only. Asura Weapon --> Bowman Book of Awakening Weapon --> Fun City Duel Battle Rank A with Leon Cat House Murder Book --> Publishing with Bowman Death Fangs Weapon --> Fun City Duel Battle Rank A with Noel Doubledemon Sword Weapon --> Fun City Duel Battle Rank A with Ashton Double Masher Weapon --> Ashton Flare Burst Weapon --> Fun City Duel Battle Rank A with Bowman Flashy Armor Armor --> Failed low-level Customization with Ashton Gemini Weapon --> Ashton General's Ring Accessory --> PA in Claude's game, Celine not in party. Guard Sword Weapon --> Ashton Holy Cross Weapon --> Ashton Leaf Pendant Accessory --> From a PA in Claude's scenario only. Melufa Weapon --> Ashton Moon Fists Weapon --> Bowman Mr. 'No' Book --> Publishing with Ashton Never Turn Back Book --> Publishing with Ashton Pair Nuts Weapon --> Ashton Portrait D (Bowman) Art --> Bowman must be in party Portrait G (Ashton) Art --> Ashton must be in party Salamander Helmet Accessory --> From PA only if Ashton is in your party. Twin Picks Weapon --> Ashton Wax Doll Murders Book --> Publishing with Bowman *Save #3* 1/791 Technically not saved in the inventory, but the game is saved at the last possible moment before starting the tournament in Rena's scenario. This lets me get the Sharpness. ================================================================================ 6.) CREDITS SEC6 ================================================================================ Ben Marx A.K.A. EternalSphere The Longest Item List Challenge April, 2006.