As Terra, Vicks, and Wedge, head north through Narshe. You will fight guards along the way, which are easily defeated by the Fire Beam. If you get severely injured, use the Heal Force, Tonic, or Terra's Cure1 spell. Remember to save at the first opportunity, because you don't want to repeat the intro again! During the battle with Whelk, remember not to use the Bolt Beam (he fights back if you do), and to avoid hitting the shell. Have Terra use TekMissels, while the other two shoot the Fire Beam. When the creature goes back into its shell, use the Heal Force to get back HP, or wait until he comes out. Continue until it dies. The frozen Esper will kill Wedge and Vicks. When you wake up, explore the house's clock, as it holds a valuable Elixir. Then head out the back door. There's only one way through the cave, so follow it. Be sure to save your game and open up the treasure chests along the way. Eventually the guards will corner you, and you'll fall through the floor. Enjoy the little cinema scene!
Never fear, Locke's here! He'll come to Terra's rescue, with the help of those ever cute Moogles. In the group battle, switch to the group that has Mog in it (no, he doesn't join you right now). When he learns his first dance, use it to waste the other enemies (including the Marshall at the end). Before killing the Marshall, unequip Mog so that Edgar can use his weapons later! Upon completion, Locke will bring Terra out of the cave, and through a secret passage that will be important later. From there, leave the town and save your game. Head straight for Figaro Castle. Upon arrival, be sure to visit the item and tool shops. There you should buy plenty of Tonic and the three tools for Edgar. Talk to Edgar and explore the castle. An old guy will tell you about Edgar's brother, Sabin. Cinema scene! When Kefka storms the castle, you'll escape on Chocobos. Fight the M-Tek Armors that Kefka sends at you, using Edgar's AutoCrossbow and Terra's Fire spell. Ride to Figaro Cave (to the south-east), and save your game. Enter the cave and be sure that you visit the recovery spring (with the turtle in it). Don't worry about the passage on the other side, you'll reach that later. Continue through a doorway, and head to your left. Go upstairs and open the treasure chest. Head back down, then to your right, and down. Pick up the treasure chest in the alcove to your right. Before going up those stairs, go to your left and find the treasure chest. Then go back to the stairs, go up, head downwards, and go down those stairs. Exit the cave and head south-east to South Figaro. Save your game outside, then enter. Go meet Shadow (you'll meet again after the river ride), then explore the town. There are treasures in almost every barrel and crate. Don't miss the one behind the Chocobo stable, and in the barrel on the walkway above it. Next, go into the big house at the north of the town (this is the rich man's house). In the room that's drafty, walk behind the bookshelf and down some hidden stairs. Head down the next flight. In the hallway, walk to the right, then, when it goes down, walk through the wall, then to your right down a hidden flight of stairs for some nice relics. Continue exploring the rest of the hallway for a truckload of money, then go back to the entry hallway of the rich man's house. Go through the right door (not the one you came in from), and explore the barrels there. Walk behind the house to find a hidden passage, and explore that room for some goodies. There's a hidden door at the very bottom of the room. It takes you to the old cider guy's house (remember that he wants cider for later). Exit there, then go to the item, armor, and weapon shops. Buy all the equipment you need (you should have enough money), then leave the town. If you wish, you may rent a Chocobo and take it to Sabin's Cottage (north of S. Figaro), which is suggested if you want some drama. Then head for Mt. Kolts (to the east). You should build your members up 2 or 3 levels outside, then use a tent, save, and enter. The enemies here are pretty strong, so, when you get the opportunity, use a tent and save. At the entrance, go behind the large rock and outside for some treasure. Go back, then head up. Check the right wall for another passage that leads to a VERY usefull Atlas Armlet. Follow the pathway (it's very linear), save your game at the designated spot, then continue until you reach Vargas. Defeat his bears, then attack him. After a while, Sabin will jump in, and the others will be blown away by one of Vargas' techniques. Fight Vargas with the Fight command (or you can perform a Blitz immediatley). When it tells you to do the Blitz, do so (duh). If you're having some trouble, see the closing remarks of this section for the easiest way to perform the Pummel Blitz. When you beat him (that is, if you beat him), head out of the cave, grabbing the treasure chest on your way.
Once outside, head north to the Returner Hideout. Explore it with Terra (make sure to get the treasures in the top room and its right wall for a White Cape) and see the closing remarks before you talk to Banon outside. Locke will leave the party, and then you'll be in a group with Banon, Terra, Edgar, and Sabin. Go back into the hideout to buy some items and stop at the inn. Then head out on the river. It doesn't really matter what ways you choose to go (although if you choose right at the first intersection, you'll fight more enemies, and if you keep going to the left at the second, it'll never end). Make sure that you have Banon use Heal during battles, and that you save your game at every opportunity. Eventually you'll reach Ultros. Have Terra use Fire, but beware: Ultros will blind you if she does. Make Banon use Heal every time he attacks, while Sabin uses the Aura Bolt Blitz and Edgar fights or uses AutoCrossbow. You'll beat him, then Sabin will fall off.
Here are some tips and tactics that you may
want to use:
1) In order for the Pummel Blitz to work, select Blitz from the
menu, then press left, release it, press right, release it, left
and 'A'. Make sure that this is done within 1 and a half seconds.
2) Make sure that you buy the NoiseBlaster and Bio Blaster. Edgar
already has the AutoCrossbow in his inventory.
3) You will need plenty of Tonic, Potion, and Fenix Down. Tents
are also important, but you will usually find them. The others
can be found if you search in the Returner Hideout and South
Figaro.
4) If you can't afford a lot of weapons and armor, at least buy
the best possible stuff for Terra, as she's weak in the
beginning.
5) When Banon asks Terra to help the Returners, you will receive
a Gauntlet for a 'Yes' reply. However, if you choose 'No,' go
back inside and to the top-most room. The person there will give
you a Genji Glove, which, in my view, is much more valuable.
6) When you are controlling Terra alone in the Returner's
Hideout, walk up to the very top of the table (where the meeting
will take place later). Press A and you will find a piece of
paper. If you throw it away, nothing different will happen.
However, if you leave it there, Banon will throw it away during
the meeting. This is only for a small laugh, though. Also, search
the injured guy's room berore the Lete River for some fun.
7) Before beginning the raft ride on the Lete River, move Banon
to the back row of your party. This will reduce the damage he
takes. Remember, if he dies, the game ends!
Here the story has split into 3 groups. Mog appears and asks you to choose a scenario (Kupo!). You should save your game here so that you can come back if you make a mistake. I suggest going the Locke's first, then Sabin's, and finally Terra's.
Locke's Scenario
Locke's scenario can be difficult if you don't listen to the
clues given by the townspeople. You must first go to the old
man's house, and talk to the boy downstairs. Then go to the item
shop and talk to the man in the corner. You'll fight him. Steal
from him for a nice Plumed Hat, and his clothes! Equip the Plumed
Hat, and go back to the boy in the old man's house. He let you
through. Explore the town for some tips, but DON'T talk to
soldiers in Magitek Armor. If you wish, talk to a Green Soldier
and steal his clothes, then talk to the people in the town for
more info. The soldier outfit also lets you talk to other
soldiers without being attacked. Remember the Cider delivery man?
Go there and fight him. Steel from him for another Plumed Hat and
his clothes. You'll also take his Cider. Bring this back to the
old man, then go to the boy who's downstairs. The password is
'courage.' Anything else gets you beaten up! Take the hidden
passage to the rich man's house, then go upstairs. In the windy
room, go behind the bookshelf and follow the passage too the room
where Celes is. Save her, then take the guard's clock key. Go to
the clock that isn't ticking and wind it for a secret passage.
Enter and head right, then down, right, up, right, down, and left
to a few treasure chests. Take the contents and equip them. Go
back to the entrance and search along the walls for a hidden
passage. Go south in the passage to some more trea- sure, then,
about half way back in this passage, push to the left for another
passage. Go downstairs and take the valuable items from the
chests (don't miss the Ribbon, which is behind the north chest!).
Return upstairs to the entrance, then take the other passage
south. Go left for some treasure, then head right to find the
exit. Leave S. Figaro and go to Figaro Cave. Make your way
through until the TunnelArm comes. Defeat it by having Celes use
Runic while Locke fights.
Sabin's Scenario
This is the longest (and hardest) of the three scenarios. Although it is your choice to enlist Shadow or not, you should take him along. If you do, buy at least 30 - 50 Shurikens. Search the Imperial Camp for treasures. When you find a locked treasure chest, hit it instead of kicking it, or you'll be attacked. After fighting Kefka once, head left and up behind a tent for entry to a hidden tent. When Cyan has to fight, use the Dispatch SwdTech command (number 1). When you win the Black Belt, equip it on somebody (preferably Shadow or Sabin). You can't enter Doma Castle after it's taken over, so head straight for the Baren Falls. On the Phantom Train, head right at the start to save your game and meet the Impresario. Head to the left, collecting treasures. Let the ghost guy join you, and have him Possess an enemy. To defeat the Ghost Train, use Cyan's Dispatch, Sabin's Suplex, and have Shadow throw the Shuriken. At the bottom of Baren Falls, you'll meet Gau. Head to Mobliz, and buy some goods there. Make sure to buy some Dried Meat also. Fight in a battle in the Veldt and, when Gau appears, use the Dried Meat on him. Here's the appearance of the coolest imp, Kappa! Head with Gau to the Crescent Cave, and explore for a few laughs. Eventually you'll find the diving helmet. Use it to go into the Serpent Trench. When you have to decide which way to go, choosing 2 rights takes you to both caves, while two lefts takes you straight to Nikeah. You're better off visiting the caves, as the second one has a valuable Green Beret. Once you arrive at Nikeah, buy some goods, then take the ship to South Figaro.
Terra's Scenario
This is the easiest of the scenarios. If you can't figure this one out, you really need a mental examination! Just remember to say hello to the Moogles. KUPO!!!
Finally together, the group doesn't have much time to think. Kefka and a squad of soldiers are on their way to claim the frozen Esper and kill Banon! Although some of the group's members are negative toward each other, they decide that they must stop the Empire at all costs. A decisive battle is about to take place.
The fights shouldn't be difficult IF you use the correct attacks. Edgar should constantly use the Bio Blaster, as this can destroy an entire enemy group! Have Cyan use the Quadra Slam, while Celes and Terra fight and cure with magic. If you still are having trouble, don't worry about losing. Instead, keep fighting with Sabin's group until he learns the Fire Dance, then use that to waste the enemies. Battle Kefka with a combination of magic users and fighters. After the battle, the group goes to the Esper, where Terra morphs for the first time. Unfortunately, she goes ballistic, and flies off to the west.
After Terra flys away you'll be in Narshe. Buy and equip some weapons, armor, and relics, but, if Sabin or Edgar is in your party, don't buy items. Search the town for a room filled with treasures, and remember about the locked treasure chest. You should go to Figaro Castle. There, buy tools and items. If Sabin or Edgar is at the front of your party, you get them for half price! Submerge the castle, then head for Kohlingen. If Locke is in your party, you'll see a few cinema scenes. If you only have 3 people with you and 3000 GP, then you can enlist Shadow for a little while. If you're not in a hurry, head north to the small house where the Coliseum will be in the World of Ruin. Search the house for a valuable Hero Ring. Head south to Jidoor, where you should search the town. Then head north to Zozo. You may want to gain a few levels before you enter. Upon entering, head as far left as you can, and find the building with the stopped clock. Set it for 6:10:50, and you'll find a passage to the valuable Chainsaw. Head down to the large tower, where you should proceed to climb it. Make sure to find every treasure chest along the way, as one holds the Thief Glove, which makes Locke use Control, allowing him to fight and steal in one turn. When you think you can't go any farther, try jumping between buildings. Continue up the tower until you fight Dadaluma. Use your strongest attacks on him, as well as Potions and Cure spells to recover your HP. When he calls reinforcements, ignore them and concentrate on him. Head upstairs to the topmost room, and look around for a few treasures. Then go up to Terra.
After finding Terra, you must pick 2 people to go with Celes and Locke. Depending on your actions, Cyan may stay with Terra. If you haven't already gotten Shadow, DO NOT go back to put him in your party! If you do, he'll leave during the Opera, and you'll be stuck with 3 fighters untill after the Magitek Factory! Go back to Kohlingen, and talk to everyone in the town. Then go to Owzer's house (the one farthest north), and talk to the Impresario. Read the letter and talk to the man, then head for the Opera House (it's south of Jidoor). When you arrive, enjoy the cinema scene, then go with Locke to the dressing room. When performing the opera, press A immediately on the first choice. For the second, press down, then A. On the third, press A. Go upstairs, and walk over to Draco. Follow him, and when he stops, press A as if to talk with him. Pick up the flowers, then go upstairs. Half way up, you'll stop. Press to the right, then continue up. Walk to the balcony, and enjoy! With Locke, pick up the note in the room, and talk to the Impresario. Equip the Sprint Shoes (if you don't have them on), and go up and right on the balcony. Talk to the man, then pull the far right switch. Go back to where you were sitting and head to the left, then up. When you're above the stage, try to avoid as many rats as possible. If you have to fight them, kill the yellow ones first, because they can call reinforcements. When you reach Ultros, you'll fall onto the stage, then fight him. Use your strongest moves, and he'll eventually leave. Setzer will come up. Watch the scene, and prepare for the trek through the Empire. Now, wasn't that fun?
When you reach Albrook, buy some new weapons, armor, and relics (the best available), then gain a few levels outside. Use the Espers to learn some magic spells, especially Cure1. You may want to go to Tzen and Maranda to find more weapons and info, but you don't need to. Head to Vector (it's the big castle). DON'T sleep at the inn. Instead, go over to the small building and refuse to pledge your allegiance to the Empire. Fight the guards, and the man will heal you. Buy weapons (if you haven't already done so), dodge the soldiers in the north of town, and enter the buildings. When you think you're ready, go to the right and talk to the man behind the boxes. Climb onto the box, and go over the guards to get into the factory. Make sure Celes has a sword, because you will want to use Runic. Explore the first room thoroughly, you should find 2 or 3 treasures. Climb into the left pipe, and go downstairs. Remember, there are a lot of treasures hear. Try pressing against the far southern walls, and you will probably find doors leading to a few treasures. Equip all of the Flame and Thunder equipment that you find, and look for Kefka. Jump off where Kefka threw the 2 creatures, than talk to the left one. For Ifrit, use strong Ice attacks, and use Fire attacks on Shiva. They'll turn into Magi- cite. Go through the left door, use a tent, and save your game (by the way, have Locke steal from soldiers to get tents). Go back through the door, and go into the right one this time. Go all the way up the stairs, and search the room with several Esper Processing Chambers for the Break Blade. Go throug the next doorway to fight #024. It is difficult to hurt him with magic (he changes what he is weak against when he glows), so use primarily fighting attacks. The Aura Bolt and Dispatch techniques work best. Go up through the door, and talk to Cid. Watch the cinema scene, then follow Cid. Use a tent and save your game and talk to Cid. In the mine cart, use strong fighting techniques plus Ice and Fire spells on the Mag Roaders. When you fight #128, attack the body, not the arms, with strong Ice and Thunder attacks. Save your game when you are outside, and talk to Setzer. When you fight the Cranes, use strong magic (you might want to Scan to see what they're weak against), and Setzer's Slot. If the Slot lands on 3 diamonds, you'll probably win.
Oh boy! You get to control the airship. JOY!!! Fly to Nar- she. Remember the locked treasure chest? Go to that house and follow Lone Wolf to where the Esper is (at the cliff). When he tells you not to step forward, stand still. When Mog wrestles free, both will almost fall of the cliff. You only have time to save one. If you save Mog, he joins your party (kupo)! If you save Lone Wolf, you get a Gold Hairpin, which cuts in half the magic needed for the wearer to cast spells. I STRONGLY suggest taking Mog! You may want to fight with him in forests, plains, different backgrounds, until he learns his dances. See the "A Few Tips and Secrets" section for info on getting the Water Rondo dance. When you're ready, fly to the Imperial Base. Nobody will be there. Go across the bridge and to the cave. You'll find a valuable treasure at the beginning, so take it. When you reach the room with moving bridges, make your way to the treasure chest on the little island. It holds the Coin Toss, which lets Setzer kill the enemy with money! Follow the route, and, when you pull a switch that makes you hear a distant sound, backtrack to reach a treasure chest. After fighting a Ninja (when you pull a switch), head right and down, then hold A and walk around on the bluff. You'll find many treasures! When you reach the area with 2 switches on the floor, DON'T step on either of them. Instead, pass the first one, then go up the right bridge. Pull the switch in the chest, and go downstairs, then down again. Go to your left to the little raised piece of ground, and step on the switch. It will open a cave with the VERY valuable Atma Weapon in it! Equip it on Terra. Keep going to the right, until you eventually reach the Sealed Gate. Hit Kefka once, and enjoy the show! When it's over, exit the cave through the new passage, and go to the airship.
After the Sealed Gate, talk to the people in Maranda. They have new things to say. Head to Vector, and go to the castle. You'll talk to Gesthal and Cid. Talk to as many soldiers as possible. You may have to fight some. DON'T talk to Kefka, as he takes away from your time to talk to soldiers. When you have talked to 24 soldiers, wait out the timer. During the conference, be as courteous and polite as possible when talking. Refer to the Miscellaneous Info section for what should be said during the conference. Go to the Imperial Base if the door was opened, then go to Albrook. Go to the ship, and enjoy the cinema scene. Afterwards, sleep at the inn for free for yet another cinema scene. Go back to the ship, and you'll set sail. When you reach Crescent Island, head north to Thamasa. Press A next to the barrels and boxes for some prizes, and by new weapons and armor. Some of the relics are also useful. Explore until you find Strago and Relm. Sleep at the inn, and go to the burning house. Enter with Strago. If you have it, equip Strago with the Ice Rod, and use Ice and the Aqua Rake spells on your enemies. Try to avoid the fireballs, and eventually you'll reach a big fireball. Defeat him with Ice2 and Aqua Rake. Shadow will save the day. When all is done, see if there's any equipment you could use at the shops, then head for the Crescent Cave. Save outside, and go up a few levels. Take the treasure chest immediately to your left, then head up and right, through the door. When you're outside, work your way to the left, and into another cave. Pick up any treasure, and you'll eventually reach the 3 Golden Statues. When fighting Ultros, use the strongest fire attacks poss- ible, and, when Relm joins you, have her sketch Ultros. You'll win (for now), and head out the left door. Save when you have the chance, and, when you see 3 tiles on the ground, step on the upper-left one. Go out the door and collect the treasure, then go back inside and upstairs. Fall through the upper-right one, and continue until there's a cinema scene. When in Thamasa, watch the action. Fight Kefka with General Leo, it should be easy. Unfortunately, Leo is killed by Kefka. Board the airship when the party comes, and watch the cinema scene.
After Thamasa, fly to Doma Castle (if it was freed), and, if you wish, South Figaro. Gain several levels (you'll need to for the upcoming battles), and save somewhere. Board the airship, and choose to look for the Floating Continent. You'll battle the IAF (pretty tough, cure between battles), and you'll face off with Ultros and his friend, Chupon. Use fire attacks on Ultros, and all of your strong ice and special attacks on Chupon. Chupon will eventually sneeze you away, and you'll fall. You'll fight a machine on your way down! Concentrate on the body itself, and destroy the little machines it releases that absorb magic. You have to hurry, because when the countdown ends, you'll be fried! You'll end up on the Floating Continent. Talk to Shadow and he'll join you. Make sure to save your game so that you don't have to face the IAF again. The battles here are tough, so you should have Shadow throw Shurikens and Ninja Stars, as well as different Skeans. When you think you've reached a dead end, try pressing against the wall. Basically, you should make your way to the right, collecting the blue orbs (treasure chests). Don't miss the Masmune, or any other treasures. When you find a save place (haven't seen one of those for a while), use a tent and save. Soon you'll have the option to go back to the airship or not. You really should keep going. Fight the Atma Monster using very strong ice spells, and all of your best attacks. Cure2 is imperative to your survival, so make sure somebody has learned it by now. When you win, head up and enjoy the long cinema scene. Shadow will trap Kefka between the statues, and a timer will come up. Hurry to your right. If you have the Charm Bangle, equip it now. When you defeat the enemy at the glowing star, continue going right. When it asks if you want to jump to the airship or wait, choose wait. Move back a step and step forward. Choose to wait for Shadow. If you don't, you can't get him later!!! At about 5 seconds left, Shadow will come, and you'll escape. Enjoy the splendor of the end of the world!
By now you should have found the 12 normal characters, and no hidden ones. You will have 11 if you didn't save Mog. If you neglected Mog, you'll have to wait for the next chance to find him. By now your characters should be at least at level 25, that being the minimum. Sabin should have learned the Fire Dance (maybe the next one also), and Cyan should know the Quadra Slam. Make sure that you found the Atma Weapon before this point, or you won't be able to get it back. You could live without it, but it is probably the best weapon in the game.
If you want to gain levels quickly, then you
should stay near the beginning of the Floating Continent. The
enemies here can be defeated, and they give you a lot of
experience. If it's magic you want, go to the Triangle Island
(upper left corner of map). Defeat the invisible Intangir by
casting Doom, but beware: it will cast a powerful spell on the
person who kills it. Have your party above 1000 HP each.
If you think that the Atma Weapon is faulty or doesn't work,
that's because it gains power as you gain HP. The more HP you
have, the stronger it is. Remember, if you're low on HP, it will
hardly do anything.
Terra's Morph will last longer at higher levels, and if you go
many battles without using it.
Many people wonder how to get two of Mog's dances; the Water
Rondo and the Snowman Jazz. The Snowman Jazz can be found in the
World of Ruin only, but the Water Rondo MUST be learned in the
World of Balance. The W. Rondo is, in fact, Mog's strongest
dance. To acquire it, form a group with Mog in it. Land the
airship at Nikeah, and rent a Chocobo. Ride it all the way to
Baren Falls, and hop off. Jump the falls, and go all the way to
the Serpent Trench, and jump in. Fight a water enemy without
dancing and you'll learn the Water Rondo! You'll end up in
Nikeah, right next to your airship! An alternate, longer route is
to take the raft down the Lete River with Mog. The Serpent Tre-
nch is much faster, though.
If you want Mog's Dance to have a 100% success rate, then use the
dance that goes along with the background you're in. The other
dances still work, but there's the possibility that you will
stumble.
To save Shadow on the Floating Continent, during the destr-
uction, wait instead of jumping onto the ship. Step forward, then
choose to wait for Shadow. If you stand there until only 5
seconds are left, he'll come and you'll leave together.
There is a trick that works on almost all enemies and bosses in
the game. Have somebody learn Vanish, and have somebody who knows
either Doom or X-Zone. When you Vanish someone, weapons won't
hurt them, but magic will have a 100% success rate! Cast Doom,
and the enemy will die! Later in the game, enemies don't always
die from Vanish/Doom, but instead die from Vanish/X-Zone. The
X-Zone works on 99% of the enemies in the game! BEWARE, though
that Vanish/X-Zone doesn't allow you to collect any items from
the enemy!!!
In Mobliz, it is possible to get a valuable Tintinabar. Talk to
the injured soldier, and read the letter on the desk. Go to the
house in the center of town and send something in the mail. After
going back and forth and spending a lot of money on mail, the
soldier will give you a Tintinabar!
Many of the treasure chests in the WOB can be found in the WOR
(as long as the level they were in is still accessible). If you
leave treasure chests, then open them in the WOR, they will
contain better items! This holds true particullarly for treasures
in the Narshe Caves and the Magitek Factory...
This is a very short part of the story, but can be very dramatic. To pick up fish for Cid, go to the beach south of the house and press A next to a fish. Remember: the faster the fish, the healthier it is. There are 4 types of fish: Rotten Fish, Fish, Just a Fish, and Yummy Fish. If you feed Cid 10 Yummy Fish (the very fast moving ones), he'll live! If you take to long to catch the fish, or if you feed him Rotten Fish, Cid will die, and Celes will almost commit suicide. In the secrets section, it tells you just why saving Cid is so important. Either way, you will set sail using a raft that Cid made.
In Albrook, talk to the people to learn of the World of Ruin. You'll hear about the 8 dragons, Phunbaba, and Doom Gaze, as well as Kefka's reign of terror. Buy new equipment (you'll need it) and sleep at the inn. When you leave town, head north past Kefka's Tower and through a desert. Eventually you'll reach Tzen. Save outside, and when you enter, a disaster hits. Go the inn for HP and MP if you must, then go up to Sabin. Enter the house, taking the treasures, and head to the left. Go downstairs, and up to the long landing. The child should be above the fireplace. Take it outside, and Sabin will join you. Buy equipment for him if you must, and save outside. Go north-west and find a small forest. In the middle, rent a Chocobo and go south. Go east across a bridge and follow the green trail that was once the Serpent Trench to Mobliz. There, sleep at the house and talk to Terra. You'll fight Phunbaba, who can be stopped by strong ice spells, the poison and bio spells, and the Suplex Blitz. Terra won't join you, but you can't give up now.
After the fight with Phunbaba, head south to a forest where you can rent a Chocobo. Follow the Serpent Trench past the Fanatics' Tower and to the town of Nikeah. Talk to the thieves at the inn, and, when they leave, go outside and talk to Gerard (he looks like Edgar). Follow Gerard into the ship, and, at South Figaro, locate him at the inn. Buy new weapons, armor, relics, and items at the town, and go to Figaro Cave to the north-east. Follow Gerard, the thieves, and the Sigfried impostor to the Recovery Spring. Remember that opening on the other side? Jump on the turtle and enter it. It leads to Figaro Castle. If you search the cave, you may find Sigfried, but he runs away. Go to the engine room and down the stairs that you couldn't enter before. Collect the treasures, and find the engine. Gerard will reveal himself, and you'll fight the Tentacles. It is good to have relics protecting you from poison and berserk, and some Running Shoes. Have Celes cast Regen on everyone. Each Tentacle gets injured by different magic. Have Edgar use the Chainsaw, Flash, or Drill, Sabin use the Aura Bolt, and Celes use magic to cure or runic. When you win, go through the door and press A by the statue for the Soul Sabre. Go back the way you came, and the engineer will make the castle go to Kohlingen. Buy the new items and tools at half price by putting Edgar or Sabin at the front of your party, and head out for Kohlingen.
When you find Setzer in the cafe of Kohlingen, he'll join you. Buy new equipment from the shops. Equip Setzer with either the Dice or the Trump. Go to Darill's Tomb and save outside. From the beginning, go down stairs and to the right. Go up through the door, and press A on the tombstone. A door will open, which you should go through. Flip the switch at the top of the room and the water will go down. Return to the main hallway and go down. Keep going and collect the treasure chest. Once again go to the main hallway, only go all the way to the left and down (if you REALLY want to solve the tombstone puzzle, go down the center twice, and read each of the tombstones. Go to the main hallway, into the upper-left door, and put in THE WORLD IS SQUARE backwards). Go down the next set of stairs and collect the chest to your right. Move against the right wall and you'll find a hidden passage that leads to a treasure chest that contains the valuable Experience Egg! Go back through the passage, and in the door to the north. Walk across the water and flip the switch. You'll see a door open. Return to the main hallway and go down through the center door. Flip the switch, then jump on the turtle. It'll take you to the door, which you should go through. Open up the right chest, than use a tent and save your game. You'll have to fight a dangerous enemy in the left chest, but, once defeated, he yields 1 or 2 powerful Fire Claws for Sabin. Save your game again, and go through the northern door. Walk up to the casket to fight Dullahan. Have Sabin use Blitzes and the Fire Claw, Setzer uses the Dice and Slot, Celes casts Fire and Cure spells, and Edgar uses the Chainsaw or Drill. It shouldn't be to hard. When done, go up through the door, and enjoy the cinema scene. You'll take off in the airship and follow a bird to Maranda.
When you first take off in the new airship, you'll see a bird, and follow it to Maranda. In the house in the upper-right, a girl says she's been receiving letters from her love in Mobliz, but you know that he's dead. The handwriting on the letter is that of Cyan, so you follow the pigeon back to Zozo. There, talk to the man that told the truth the first time (he's up and to the right of the big tower), and he'll give you info and Rust-rid. Go into the Cafe and find the rusty door, which will become unrusted. Go through to end up on Mt. Zozo. Make your way through the first room, making sure to collect the treasures. In the second room, use a tent and save your game, then step on the switch to your upper-right. This will release one of the 8 dragons from a treasure chest. Fight it using your strongest abilities. You should win. Continue climbing the mountain until you find Cyan. Enjoy the cinema scene! When it's done, you can go to where Cyan was and get the key to open his treasure chest, open the chest, and take his books, although they don't do anything. Make your way out of Zozo or use a Warp Stone (or Warp magic), and fly back to Maranda with Cyan in your group. Talk to the townspeople again.
It's time to check back on Terra in Mobliz. When you do, you'll notice that she's gone. Go into the house where Duane is, and follow the dog into a secret passage behind the bookcase. There's an Elixir hidden in one of the pots. You'll have to fight Phunbaba again, so make sure that you're healed up. Use the same tactics as when you fought him before. Midway through, Terra will morph and join you in the fight. It should be easy with her magic skills. Terra will rejoin the party, and you can now continue your adventure.
Short chapter! Anyway, all you have to do is fight a battle in the Veldt with 3 people in your party. Gau will rejoin you, and will have learned a few new Rages. If you wish, you may take him and Sabin to the house in the north-west. There, Gau will meet his father. It's both funny and a tear-jerker.
Note: You can only save Shadow if you waited for him back on the Floating Continent!!!
This is a split scenario. If you waited for Shadow on the Floating Continent, he will be waiting in the Veldt Cave. Go there and follow Interceptor. BE SURE to open EVERY treasure chest in the cave, or you may miss the valuable Striker!!! Eventually you'll find Shadow lying on the ground (it's after a save location). Be ready, because you'll have to battle two powerful Behemoths! Use Ice magic, and you shouldn't have trouble. However, get ready! Just after beating the first, its ghost will trap you from behind! This one is easy. Just use the item `Revivify' on it to kill it. When you do defeat it, you'll take Shadow to Thamasa. After sleeping at the inn, he'll disappear, having gone to the Coliseum. Make sure to search the left wall of Strago's house (upstairs) for another Memento Ring. You'll hear about a man dressed in black searching for a Striker. Bet the Striker (you should have found it in the cave), and you'll fight Shadow (even though it says Shadow Chupon). You'll easily defeat him, and he'll join your party for good!
No matter what, Relm will end up at Owzer's House (at the top of Jidoor). Go there, and, after trying to go up the stairs, read Owzer's Diary. Press A on the lamp (near the stairs), then go up. If you wish, fight the flower portrait. Look at the picture of Geshtahl twice for a clue about the Phoenix Cave. Then look at the woman's portrait. When you defeat the enemy, enter the door. Follow the path (some of the portraits do things, so watch out), and, when you find 3 doors on 1 wall, walk behind the wall and press A for the valuable Relic Ring (makes Doom/ Poison cure, and Cure/Life injure). Go through the left-most door. If you wish, stand under the floating chests to fight an enemy. You have to go to each one in a certain order. Then go through the door. Save your game, and go through the right door (the left is a trap). Fight the Spirit Chadarnook, using strong fire attacks on the demon form. You may want to cast Regen on everyone, because one of his moves damages everyone over time. He'll transform, and, in doing so, change what he takes damage from. After winning (it may take a while), Relm will join your party.
Having saved Relm, take her to the Fanatics' Tower. A very confused Strago will be marching with some Kefka Worshippers, but will snap out of it when he sees Relm. Take both of them to Thamasa, and, after a cinema scene, buy some equipment and head to Ebot's Rock. Enter the cave and talk to the chest. Using the transporters, find 22 or more pieces of coral, then bring them back to the chest. The chest will move out of the way, and you can face Hidon. Take Strago along, and kill off the little Hidonites first, and Hidon will use Grand Train (which Strago will learn afterwards). Keep attacking with Fire and Cure attacks, and eventually Hidon will fall. Hopefully you got him to cast Grand Train, which is one of Strago's best Lore attacks. Enjoy the cinema scene. If you DIDN'T learn Grand Train, fear not; all is not lost! Talk to Gungho in Thamasa until he says, "Hidon has appeared at Ebot's Rock again!" Go back to Ebot's Rock, feed the chest, and you can face Hidon again! Do this as often as you want!
Remember the Moogle Village? Well, return there by going through the Narshe Caves. Mog will be there, and he'll join you. Search where he was standing for the Moogle Charm (avoids random enemy fights)! Take Mog with you, and, in the snowy area, fight the Ice Dragon. Use Fire attacks. Fight another enemy in the area and you'll learn the Snowman Jazz. Go to the frozen Esper and fight it. Use strong weapon attacks and Fire magic. When you thaw it out, you will receive its Magicite, and the cliff will break. Have Mog in your party, and jump off. Follow the cave's route, and you'll eventually reach a room with a bone carving. Take the Magicite from it, and Umaro the sasquatch will fight you. Defeat him with powerful attacks, and, after beating him, Mog will forcibly make him join your party! KUPO!!! Fly to the Opera House, where you will hear of a dragon on the stage! Go to the switch room and flip the third switch from the left. When you fight the dragon in the Opera House, equip everyone with a Cherub Down relic (which you can buy in Jidoor).
Having Mog in your party, take him to the Phoenix Cave. Put him in one of your parties and equip him with the Moogle Charm. You may also want to have Umaro, because of his immunity to fire attacks. Follow the maze's twists and turns, and notice how most of the chests are empty. Look carefully at the ground for difficult-to-see switches. You'll eventually end up at a dragon (make sure to save your game). Fight the dragon, or, if you're weak, leave it for later. Use strong ice attacks. Afterwards, go back up and stand on the switch to make the rocks appear. Have the other party leap across using the rocks, then head down with both parties. Have each stand on one of the 2 switches, and the raised land will lower. Follow the path, and you'll find Locke! Enjoy the cinema scene, then take Locke to Narshe. Search the weapon shop and the northern shop for the Ragnarok Sword/Esper and Cursed Shield. I suggest you take the Esper, and read the Secrets section for another way to learn Ultima.
Go to the Fanatics' Tower with your strongest magic users (or, if you wish, include Umaro). You may wish to learn a lot of magic before entering, and make sure that everyone knows Osmose. Equip someone with the Siren Esper, and have somebody know Life3. Berserk also helps. It is also suggested to know the Ultima spell, as it will wipe out even the toughest of enemies in a few attacks. Equip strong magic-defending equipment, such as Force Armor and the Force Shield. Use the Siren Esper to perform an almost 100% working Mute attack! Fight your way to the first treasure room, and take the treasure. Then move to the right of the chest, walk up, and press A. You'll here a noise. Go out the room and downstairs to the new door. Enter and take the Air Anchor (one of Edgar's Tools). Then continue your journey up the tower. If you fight a Magic Barrel, DON'T KILL IT! Instead, let it heal you until it runs away. You'll fight a Dragon, which should be easy with the Ultima spell. At the top of the tower, take the Gem Box and equip it on the strongest magic user. When you fight the Magi Master, cast Life3 on as many people as possible (but at least one). The Magi Master changes what he can be hurt by magicwise, but, if you have the Berserk spell, cast it on him to keep him from changing. It will be a tough, long battle. However, if you have the Ultima spell, USE IT NOW!!! If you cast Life3 on somebody, then you'll win after he uses Ultima. Now head back down the tower (easier said than done, unless you have the Moogle Charm equipped).
You should be able to make it as far as the Three Dream Stooges on your own. Kill the flying one first, as that one can cast Life on the others. Once he's down, the rest should be easy. After that, you'll continue through Cyan's mind. When you find the Lump of Metal, go up to the moving chest and press A to put the metal in the chest, stopping it (you won't lose it, though). Flip the switch and study the chests. When you find another group of six chests later, enter the same pattern and flip the switch to move on. In Magitek Armor, go down, then to the right. Enter the cave, than walk outside. Fall through the bridge. In Doma Castle, save your game, and feel free to walk around, witnessing Cyan's memories of his family. Head to the throne room and fight Wrexsoul. When he enters someone's body, either kill each other off one at a time until he appears, or use Life3 on everyone and kill the party. After that, use Vanish/X-Zone or use strong fire attacks. DON'T use X-Zone if you want to collect a valuable Pod Bracelet! Either way, you'll end up with a nifty Aura sword for Cyan, and he'll learn the final few SwdTech attacks! Go back the throne room when you wake up and collect the Alexander Esper.
Take your strongest party and fly off to Figaro Castle. Inside, you should rest and buy supplies, then ask the engineer to submerge the castle. On your way back to the large desert, you'll bump into something. Tell the engineer that you'd like to stop and search, then head to the jail. Enter the open jail cell, and you'll be in a large cave. Be sure to pick up the treasures in the first room, then enter the right-most door near the bottom of the screen. Open the treasure chest and be ready to fight the Master Pugs! If you win, you'll get the powerfull Graedus sword! After winning this battle, head to the left and through the wall (it is fake), then down a ladder below you. Head left, and keep walking along the bottom of the room, then climb up a ladder. Go up and to the left through a doorway. Search the bottom of this new room for two treasure chests, then go down the set of stairs. Save at the save point, and continue left and up. Enjoy the sequence that reveals the past about the Ancient Castle, then enter the main doorway. Fight your way to the throne room, and walk to the very top of the screen. Talk to the stone statuete of Odin for his Magicite. Enter an archway (the first one on the left), and open the chest for Umaro's valuable Blizzard Orb! Go back into the throne room and head to the right and down into a hidden doorway. Press A next to the sparkling image on the shelf for a book. The man in Figaro's library will tell you to go 5 steps down from the queen's throne in the Ancient Castle. Do so, and press A. You'll hear a noise. Go back to the right and into the Ancient Castle library, and see a new staircase. Go down it, and talk to the queen's statue to transform the Odin Magicite into Raiden! Fight the dragon, go to the castle courtyard. Walk left and into the double doors. Open the treasure chest and fight a tough enemy for the awesome Offering Relic! Go back into the courtyard, but this time go right. Walk into a crack in the wall and open the chest. Now you can FINALLY get out of here! :-)
When on Triangle Island, fight the Zone Eater (the only enemy there), and have everyone be engulfed. You'll be in a cave. On the bridges, don't touch the green guys or you'll be knocked off (although there are some handy treasures down there). Make sure to get the Fake Mustache (changes Sketch into Control). Work your way past the deadly falling ceiling room (stand under the small openings to avoid being crushed), and you'll eventually find Gogo.
Oh no! You have to split up into 3 groups! The pain! The horror! Actually, it shouldn't be that hard if you're near level 50. Basically, work your way through the hordes of enemies. If you're going for the Crusader Esper and the valuable Merton spell, defeat the 2 Dragons here. You'll have to fight Atma and a machine, whose name I forget. Fight the 3 statues, saving after each victory. Make sure to equip the Sky Render on Cyan, and the Aura Lance on either Mog or Edgar. Then head for Kefka! Enjoy the dramatic cinema scene, then fight. Use Pearl, Ultima, and basically the strongest magic possible. Have somebody cast Life3 for the battle with Kefka, as he casts Fallen One, which makes your HP go down to a measly 1 pont! It shouldn't be too difficult.
The Chainsaw - put in 6:10:50 at the clock in
Zozo.
Air Anchor - press A right of the treasure chest, first room
Fanatics' Tower. Go downstairs.
Soul Sabre - statue in treasure room, engine area of Figaro
Castle.
Drainer - chest in falling house, Tzen.
Illumina - wager the Ragnarok Sword at Coliseum. Only if you took
the sword.
Tiger Fangs - hidden room, Veldt Cave.
Imp Halberd - win from Tyrannosaur.
Imp Armor - steal from Tyrannosaur.
Marvel Shoes - wager Rename Card at Coliseum.
Merit Award - wager Cat Hood at Coliseum.
How do you gain levels fast? Well, try fighting
in the forest north of the Veldt. There you fight Tyrannosaurs,
which give you a ton of experience!
The best place for Gold AND Magic Points is in the desert south
of Maranda. There you fight the Cactrot, which gives you 10 Magic
Points and 10,000 GP!!!
In the forest north of the Veldt (where you fight Tyrannosaurs),
you'll occasionally fight the dangerous Brachosaur. This fearsome
beast can cast Ultima! However, when you defeat it, there's a
chance of receiving the VERY valuable Economizer! This awesome
relic lowers all spells (and that includes Lore attacks) to only
1 MP!!!
To learn Sabin's Bum Rush Blitz, bring Sabin to Duncan's House.
If you're looking for Umaro, look in the "Mog Lives!"
sec- tion. For Gogo, look under "Tastes Like Gogo."
Check Gogo's Status. Press to the right, and you can pick 3
skills that you want him to use! That means he can not only mimic
the attacks of his comrades, but he can also use Blitzes, Items,
Tools, you name it!
Taking the Ragnarok Esper allows you to learn the powerful spell
Ultima! It has the power of FF2's Meteo, if not stronger!
Or, take the Ragnarok Sword. Wager it at the Colloseum for the
Illumina, the Legendary Sword! This is probably the best sword in
the game (unless you count the Atma Weapon with 9999 HP)!
To face Doom Gaze, you must fly around in your ship until he
attacks. Remember that he can't regenerate his HP after battle,
so if you keep fighting him, he'll eventually die! DO NOT use
Vanish/X-Zone on him, or you won't get the Bahamut Esper!!!
Vanish/Doom is just fine.
Many people wonder where the Megalixer is. Well, there are 3 that
appear normally throughout the game: one after beating the Magi
Master, another in Kefka's Tower, and one when you steal from
Kefka. However, to get unlimited Megalixers, try casting Stop on
the scorpion beastes in the desert of the Solitary Island, then
stealing from them.
To un-curse the Cursed Shield, fight with it in 255 battles. I
suggest using a Ribbon to stop most of its dangerous effects.
After the battles it will become the Paladin Shield, which is the
most powerful shield in the game! It absorbs all elemental
attacks, has a near 50% evade rate, a VERY high defense rate, and
even teaches you Ultima! Of course, you can also trade the Cursed
Shield in for a Cursed Ring at the Coliseum. After 255 battles
with this, you will get a Hero Ring. DO NOT underestimate its
powers! Raise your Stamina a little with certain Espers and it
will boost your powers way up!
So, how do you get the Cursed Ring without losing the Cursed
Shield? Well, try fighting the Veterans or the Didalos of Kefka's
Tower! They can be found in either of the rooms where you fight
the 2 dragons! It may take a while, but you'll get a Cursed Ring!