Monster Leveling -- Recommended Builds

Monster Leveling -- Recommended Builds

The process of leveling the Monsters/Characters for your Monster Slots on your team can be accomplished in two different ways -- either through carefully Infusing to gain abilities, or in normal leveling using specific materials to obtain desired results.

The following recommended builds can be obtained by following the instructions included with each.  These were gathered from discussion threads, and from conversations with different gamers (proper credit is given to each gamer).

If you are simply looking to complete effective upgrading for temporary team members, bear in mind that each Monster can unlock abilities simply by infusing Monsters of the opposing role (job) with a combined total of 99 Levels...

Opposing Jobs Are:
Commando <> Ravager
Synergist <> Saboteur
Medic <> Sentinel

Bear in mind that the more common jobs you will find most often are Commando, Ravager, Saboteur, and Medic -- effort may be necessary in the first half of the game to locate and capture useable Monsters with the jobs Sentinel and Synergist, and sometimes Medic, so you will want to note down where you obtained them in your notes so that you can go back there when you need more of that Monster and type.


(A) Normal Leveling by Material Type
Leveling Monsters/Characters (the distinction here is that Monsters are captured and tamed while Characters are obtained via buying and downloading DLC Packs to your game) is accomplished through applying particular materials via the Crystarium Menu.  Each Monster/Character has a total of five (5) Levels that they can be raised to (which are represented by the five Cat Faces in their individual page (reached via Menu > Monsters > Monster/Character Name).

By using specific materials in leveling them you attain specific effects, with the following "recipes" designed to obtain the listed results:


-- Maxed Lighting (by jdawg59) --
Leveling Lightning (obtaining Lightning requires the purchase of the Lightning DLC Pack via PSN or the Xbox LIVE Marketplace -- the DLC costs are $4.00 on PSN, and 240 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE).  Once the character is added to your game and to your Monster Party, Lightning must be leveled using ONLY Power Crystals.

Leved "Power Lightning" using only Power Crystals for all of the Crystarium Leveling and targeted Infusions resulting in the following abilities/attributes in her leveled form:

(01) ATB Charge II;
(02) Chain Boost II;
(03) Siphon Boost II;
(04) Quick Stagger;
(05) Stagger Maintenance II;
(06) Role Resonance;
(07) Strength 35%;
(08) Magic 35%;
(09) Resist Physical 36%;
(10) Resist Magic 36%


(B) Infusion Recipes
The process of Infusing Monsters does NOT level them -- to do that you will need to apply materials in the Crystarium.  Which materials you use will largely dictate what abilities and stat boosts you end up with on the base monsters, which is why some of the "recipes" contained here require you to level the Monster you are going to Infuse into your base Monster to a specific level, so that they have the passive abilities and stats that are desired.

The following "recipes" will obtain the listed (repeatable) effects:




-- Apkallu Rapid Strength (by widget624) --
This repeatable "recipe" results in a Apkallu with a maximum cap of Level 45,  using only Power Materials in its base build, which results in 1550 or greater Strength when maxed with 35%.

This build attacks quickly -- it attacks twice per ATB (10 times per round based upon 5 ATB segments). Use Siphon Omega build and he will be pecking nonstop at the enemy.   Each of his two hits per ATB counts towards the chain gauge (while Omega's three lasers per ATB count as one hit towards chain).

(01) Infuse a Level 45 Chunerpeton into a Level 24 Tonberry;
(02) Infuse a Level 2 Miniflan into a Level 2 Chunerpeton;
(03) Infuse the Tonberry into the Chunerpeton (Locks Strength 35% and Siphon Boost II);
(04) Infuse a Level 33 Caterchipillar into the Chunerpeton;
(05) Infuse a Level 23 Mewmao into the Chunerpeton (Locks HP 25%);
(06) Infuse the Chunerpeton into a Level 19 Mud Frog (Locks HP 25% / Locks Strength 35% / Locks Siphon Boost II and results in Resist Elements 30% / Resist Magic 36%);
(07) Infuse a Level 1 Yeoman into the Apkallu (Locks Attack: ATB Charge II);
(08) Infuse a Level Thermadon into the Apkallu (Learns Lifesiphon and Blindside);
(09) Infuse the Mud Frog into the Apkallu;
(10) Infuse a Level 48 Green Chocobo into the Apkallu;
(11) Infuse a Level 54 Forked Cat into the Apkallu;
(12) Infuse a Level 30 Frag Leech into the Apkallu (Learns Faultsiphon and Powerchain).

Following the recipe above results in a final skill set of:

(L) HP 30%
(L) Strength 35%
(L) Siphon Boost II
(L) Attack: ATB Charge II
Resist Elements 30%
Role Resonance
Resist Physical 36%
Resist Magic 36%
Auto-Bravery
**(Rank 4 skill)

**Depending upon whether you infused first or leveled Apkallu first, the Rank 4 skill will either be Resist Dispel 44% or Magic 16%.   Feel free to replace with any skill you like (Pack Mentality is certainly a possibility).



-- Black Chocobo (by widget624) --
The following "recipe" results in the build of a Black Chocobo Saboteur with the following:

01. ATB: Advantage
02. Improved Debuffing
03. HP 30%
04. Resist Magic 36%
05. Magic 35%
06. Resist Fog 66%
07. Chain Bonus Boost II
08. Stagger Maintenance II
09. Attack: ATB Charge II
10. Resist Physical 36%

-- The Building Process --
(01) Infuse a Level 1 Luminous Puma > Black Chocobo;
(02) Infuse a Level 60 Forked > Black Chocobo (Take Dispel and Dispelga);
(03) Infuse a Level 64 Ahriman > Black Chocobo (Take Curse, Imperilga, and Cursega);
(04) Infuse a Level 47 Deathgaze > Black Chocobo (Take Pain and Painga);
(05) Infuse a Level 33 Pitterpatter > Black Chocobo (Level);
(06) Infuse a Level 80 Dendrobium > Black Chocobo (Level. Take Poison, Fog, and Poisonga);
(07) Infuse a Level 38 Mimi > Black Chocobo (Level. Take Deshellga);
(08) Infuse a Level 4 Mewmao > Black Chocobo.
(09) Infuse a Level 22 Tonberry >  a Level 39 Xolotl;
(10) Infuse a Level 39 Xolotl from Step (09) > a Level 7 Purple Chocobo;
(11) Infuse a Level 1 Yeomen (a) > Level 7 Purple Chocobo;
(12) Infuse a Level 1 Yeomen (b) > Level 7 Purple Chocobo;
(13) Infuse a Level 30 Pink Lily > Level 7 Purple Chocobo;
(14) Infuse a Level 1 Zwerg Metro > Level 7 Purple Chocobo;
(15) Infuse a Level 20 Zwerg Metro > Level 7 Purple Chocobo;
(16) Infuse the Level 7 Purple Chocobo > Black Chocobo;
(17) Infuse Level 15 Fachans (a) > the Black Chocobo;
(17) Infuse Level 15 Fachans (b) > the Black Chocobo;
(17) Infuse Level 15 Fachans (c) > the Black Chocobo;
(17) Infuse Level 15 Fachans (d) > the Black Chocobo;
(17) Infuse Level 15 Fachans (e) > the Black Chocobo;
(17) Infuse Level 15 Fachans (f) > the Black Chocobo;

This completes the build...


-- Blue Chocobo Fast Break Build (by Savok1) --
This build results in a highly desirable Blue Chocobo with the following finished stats and abilities:

Level: 99
HP: 7049
Attack: 532
Magic: 1328
ATB: Level 6
Kill: ATB Charge (red)
HP: 30% (yellow)
Quick Stagger (yellow)
Role Resonance (yellow)
Magic: 35% (yellow)
Stagger Maintenance II (yellow)
Attack: ATK Charge II (yellow)
Siphon Bonus Boost II (yellow)
Chain Bonus Boost II (yellow)
Auto-Faith.

This repeatable build is accomplished by following these steps:

Stage I: Creating a Filter Monster from a Level 19 Mud Frog with 5 Red Locks
(1) Mud Frog lv19 with 5 red lock
(2) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level Zwerg Metrodroid #1
(3) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 20 Zwerg Metrodroid - Stagger Maintenance II (Yellow Lock)
(4) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 1 Luminous Puma #2
(5) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 54 Forked Cat - HP 30% (Yellow Lock)
(6) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 1 Yeoman #1
(7) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 1 Yeoman - Attack: ATB Charge (Yellow Lock)
(8) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 19 Fencer #1
(9) Infuse Mud Frog with <--- Level 19 Fencer - Quick Stagger & Siphon Boost II (Yellow Lock)

Stage 1 Notes:
#1 base to make yellow lock
#2 lower base for HP 10%

Stage II: Preparing the Blue Chocobo
(1) Level a Blue Chocobo to at least Level 86 (Resist 44%)
-- Level 11 thru 40 take Potent Material, the rest all Mana Material.
-- The priority is to increase the ATB gauge bonus.

(1) Blue Chocobo Level 86 and up
(2) Infuse Blue Chocobo with <--- Level 30 Frag Leech #1
(3) Infuse Blue Chocobo with <--- Level 30 Frag Leech - Role Resonance (yellow lock)
(4) Infuse Blue Chocobo with <--- Level 45 Flanbanero #3
(5) Infuse Blue Chocobo with <--- Level 22 Tonberry - Magic 35% (yellow lock)
(6) Infuse Blue Chocobo with <--- Level 30 Pink Lily - Chain Bonus Boost II (yellow lock) #3
(7) Now Level 86 Blue Chocobo has 1 Red Lock, 3 Yellow Lock and 4 White.

Stage II Notes:
#3 Take all of the magic spells Fire, Fira, Thunder, and etc..


Stage III: Final Assembly

(1) Infuse Level 86 Blue Chocobo with <--- Level 19 Mud Frog
(2) The fully-built Level 86 Blue Chocobo will now have the following:

(a) Kill: ATB Charge (Red)
(b) HP: 30% (Yellow)
(c) Quick Stagger (Yellow)
(d) Role Resonance (Yellow)
(e) Magic: 35% (Yellow)
(f) Stagger Maintenance II (Yellow)
(g) Attack: ATK Charge II (Yellow)
(h) Siphon Bonus Boost II (Yellow)
(i) Critical: Haste


-- Proto-Behemoth maxed-out Attack Build (by Savok1) --
This is the final version of a Proto-Behemoth that is basically perfect.

(01) Level a Mud Frog to Level 19;
(02) Level a Tonberry to Level 24 (Magic & Physical 35%);
(03) Infuse into Level 19 Mud Frog;
(04) Level a Mewmao to Level 23 (Resist Magic 36% 25% HP);
(05) Infuse into Level 19 Mud Frog;
(06) Level a Narasimha to Level 29 (Auto-bravery);
(07) Infuse into Level 19 Mud Frog;
(08) Level a Green Chocobo to Level 49 (Resist Physical 36% this will push out Magic 35%);
(09) Infuse into Level 19 Mud Frog;
(10) Level Forked Cat to Level 54 (30% HP will override the existing 25%);
(11) Infuse into Level 19 Mud Frog;
(12) Level Proto-Behemoth to Level 40 ONLY USING POWER materials bought from Chocolina;
(13) Infuse Level 40 Proto-Behemoth into the Level 19 Mud Frog;
(14) Infuse Level 30 Frag Leech into Level 19 Mud Frog;
(15) Infuse Level 1 Yeoman (ATB Charge II) into Level 19 Mud Frog;



-- Pulse Gladiator (by widget624) --
The following "recipe" results in the build of a Level 68 Pulse Gladiator with 12,680 HP. an Attack of 450 and Magic of 100, along with the following passive abilities:

01. HP 30% (y)
02. Critical: Shield II (y)
03. Improved Guard (y)
04. Improved Ward (y)
05. Resist Elements 30%
06. Rapid Recovery
07. Resilience 40%
08. Critical: Tetradefense
09. Resist Magic 36%
10. Resist Physical 36%

(01) Begin by leveling the Pulse Gladiator using only Vitality Materials to Level 68, where you must STOP leveling -- because levels above 68 include a Red Lock;
(02) Infuse a Level 2 Koboldroid Yin (adds Critical: Shield);
(03) Infuse a Level 39 Swampmonk (adds Critical: Shield II with a Yellow Lock);
(04) Infuse a Level 20 Lancer (adds Improved Guard & Improved Ward / inherits Mediguard);
(05) Infuse a Level 99 Flandit (adds HP 25% and Improved Guard II with Yellow Locks);
(06) Infuse a Level 40 Bunkerbeast (adds Improved Guard with Yellow Lock and HP 25%);
(07) Infuse a Level 33 Caterchipillar (adds Resist Elements 30%);
(08) Infuse a Level 72 Necrosis (adds HP 30% with a Yellow Lock and Resilience 40%);
(09) Infuse a Level 39 Xoloti (adds Resist Physical 36% and Resist Magic 36%);
(10) Infuse a Level 92 Haguma (adds Rapid Recovery).

This completes the build.


-- Strong Cactuar with Tank Stats (by widget624) --
If this "recipe" is completed correctly it results in a VERY impressive ~1500 attack, and while it only results in an HP pool of 4000, it includes tank-like defenses to keep you alive.  Note that the leveling process for this build uses all Power materials, and you MUST max-out its Level BEFORE applying the Infusion processes.

Stage I: Creating the Filter Monster
(1) Capture a Level 19 Mud Frog and/or Level it to Level 19;
(2) Infuse with Chocobo with minimum Strength 5%;
(3) Infuse Level 24 Tonberry (adds Strength 35% Yellow Locked and Magic 35%);
(4) Infuse Level 33 Caterchipiller (adds Resist Elements 30% and Auto-Veil);
(5)  Infuse Level 23 Mewmao (adds Resist Magic 35% and HP 25%, bumps Magic 35%);
(6)  Infuse Level 54 Forked Cat (adds HP 30% overwriting and Yellow Locking HP 25%);
(7) Infuse Level 48 Green Chocobo (adds Resist Physical 35% and gets rid of Auto-Veil).

Completing Stage I will result in a Mud Frog with the following:

(5 Red-Locked Passive Abilities)
1. HP 30% (YL)
2. Strength 35% (YL)
3. Resist Elements 30%
4. Resist Physical 35%
5. Resist Magic 35%

Stage II: Processing the Cactuar

(1) Infuse the Mud Frog > Cactaur;
(2) Infuse Level 30 Frag > Cactuar (adds Role Resonance / Faultsiphon / Lifesiphon);
(3) Infuse Level 18 Fencer > Cactaur (adds Siphon Boost II);
(4) Infuse Level 1 Yeoman > Cactaur (adds Attack: ATB Charge II)
(5) Infuse *EITHER* a Level 1 Gancanath for Feral Speed II *OR* a Level 70 Necrosis for Resilience 40%.

His Feral Link does pathetic damage, BUT if you use it at JUST THE RIGHT TIME, it has a synchronization of 777%, perfect for capturing. If you choose Feral Speed, it is fairly simple to change your mind to Resilience later on the road. If you choose Resilience, it's almost impossible to get rid of.

Following this build obtains the following:

01. HP 30% (YL)
02. Strength 35% (YL)
03. Resist Elements 30%
04. Resist Physical 36%
05. Resist Magical 36%
06. Role Resonance
07. Auto-Bravery
08. Siphon Boost II
09. Attack: ATB Charge II
10. Feral Speed II/Resilience 40% (Resilience is placed under Resist Elements 30%)


-- Super Kichu (by Savok1) --
To max out Kichu -- and that means max and place all stat onto the ATB gauge:

(1) Level a Mud Frog to Level 19;
(2) Level a Tonberry to Level 24 and Infuse to Mud Frog;
(3) Level a Nyaomao to Level 23 and Infuse to Mud Frog;
(4) Level a Moblin Center to Level 40 and Infuse to Mud Frog;
(5) Level a Green Chocobo to Level 48 and Infuse to Mud Frog;
(6) Level a Nekomata to Level 54 and Infuse to Mud Frog;
(7) Now Infuse the Mud Frog to the maxed-out Kichu and that's that!