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FFVI Any% Glitchless Notes

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Welcome to my Final Fantasy VI notes for the Any% Glitchless US category. This is a collection of strategies, instructions, and tools that I collected from different sources. When I decided to start running this game, everything was scattered, and I was spoiled by MrTyton's FFX Any% guide. I wanted to make something similar, and this is my attempt.

This category of speedrun uses the US version of the game, which is titled Final Fantasy III. There are two revisions of this game, informally known as 1.0 and 1.1. In 1.1, the optimum equipment bug and the Sketch bug were fixed. Seeing as this is a glitchless run, either version will work.

About this route

This route is a combination of what I've seen from Dyne_Nuitari's world record (plus their advice) and the notes by Odinsfall and TheSabin. This route does not use a step count currently, but this guide will eventually be updated to allow choosing if you want to use the step route.

Emulators

Certain emulators are inaccurate and are not allowed for use in this category. In particular, ZSNES is banned. I recommend using BizHawk. Emulators should be run in accuracy/compatibility mode.

In addition, please take a checksum of your ROM to make sure it is correct. As long as any of the below checksums matches your ROM, you have a good version.

Final Fantasy III (USA).sfc
MD5  e986575b98300f721ce27c180264d890
SHA1 4f37e4274ac3b2ea1bedb08aa149d8fc5bb676e7

Final Fantasy III (USA) (Rev 1).sfc
MD5  544311e104805e926083acf29ec664da
SHA1 057ada1c641e3e0b3ca34e6e4f4eb1b05a87143a

In order to ensure that you get the right encounters at the right time, you will need to manipulate your starting encounter seed. Doing so requires a save on the world map with zero threat (saved directly after an encounter without moving). There is a calculator below that will tell you what steps to take to manipulate your seed. Click on the title of the calculator section to expand it.

After manipulating your seed, you should watch the cutscene at the title screen before starting a new game. If you do this, starting a new game will skip the cutscene, starting you at Narshe immediately.

This section will outline some important concepts and knowledge for the run.

ATB waiting

An important trick used throughout the run is ATB waiting (also called wait tricking). I highly recommend watching the video below to see it in action (focus on the red bar on Ultros).

This route uses the "wait" battle mode, in which friendly and enemy ATB is paused whenever a submenu is open (and other commands like Steal, Blitz, and Jump, but not Fight or SwdTech). This means that the enemy's ATB is going up during your attacks. In order to prevent this from happening, you can open a submenu to pause the ATB. This allows you to have more turns than usual.

Fleeing

When holding both the shoulder buttons (L+R), all characters will attempt to flee. Each encounter has a value that each character must reach in order to successfully flee, and the value is determined by the type of enemy and the number of enemies. In general, each enemy counts for 2, but some count for 6.

The game checks to see if fleeing is being attempted every two seconds. Each character has their own flee modifier, which is added to their total flee value if attempting to flee when the game checks. Assuming the encounter is escapable (e.g., not a boss battle), a character will flee when their flee value reaches the encounter's flee value, they have full ATB, and no actions are happening.

This system could be visualised as a gauge that goes up at a set rate for each character while fleeing each time the game checks. When full, a flee is possible.

Certain fights or actions will be marked as Buffer Flee meaning that you should attempt to flee during an action. This increases the flee "gauge" but prevents actually fleeing, as encounters cannot be fled from during an action. This fills the flee "gauge" and allows you to escape at a later point.

Each character's modifier is listed in the table below.

Character Modifier
Gau 5
Locke 5
Mog 5
Relm 5
Shadow 5
Celes 4
Edgar 4
Gogo 4
Terra 4
Sabin 4
Setzer 4
Cyan 3
Strago 3
Umaro 3
Kefka 5
Biggs & Wedge 4
Leo 3
Banon 2

Slots

This route only uses Setzer's Slots ability once, during the Cranes fight. The only ability used is Chocobop, which is not affected by Slots RNG. To get Chocobop, you must land on the chocobo for the first wheel, then hold A. It is impossible to get anything but Chocobop if the chocobo is the first wheel.

Landing on the diamond works the same as landing on the chocobo; it's impossible to get anything but 7-Flush once you do. This is a minor damage loss, but it is still significant.

I recommend practising this before doing a run. Note that you can pause the game during the slots to help timing.

TODO: info about defend

Use this calculator to determine how to manipulate your encounter seed to your desired seed. Most speedruns use 244 for the seed (including this one).

  1. Set your , then load a save that has zero threat (saved just after an encounter without saving).
  2. Count the number of steps until you get an encounter, then insert that into the box.
  3. Reset, load into your save, then count the number of steps again. Insert that into the box.
  4. Reset, load into your save, then count the number of steps one more time. Insert that into the box.
  5. Reset. Follow the instructions that appear below.

Menu

Battle speed

6

Message speed

1

Cursor

Memory

Go north until a forced encounter.

Encounter Guard x2

Terra

Bio Blast

Vicks & Wedge

Flee (hold L+R as soon as Bio Blast starts)

Move north and skip the encounter trigger by moving right to avoid the centre grate (see the picture below). Continue north until a forced encounter.

image of route to skip trigger

Encounter Guard x2 + Lobo

Vicks/Wedge

Fire Beam enemy on right side

Vicks/Wedge

Fire Beam other enemy on right side

Terra

Bio Blast left side

Vicks & Wedge

Flee (hold L+R as soon as Bio Blast starts)

Continue north onto next screen. North until next forced encounter.

Encounter Guard x2 + Vomammoth x2

Vicks/Wedge

Fire Beam Vomammoth

Vicks/Wedge

Fire Beam other Vomammoth

Terra

Bio Blast

Vicks & Wedge

Flee (hold L+R as soon as Bio Blast starts)

Continue north onto next screen. North to the barricaded cave entrance. Move to the middle of the barricade. After the scene, attempt to enter the cave for a boss battle.

Note: If you got any random encounters on this screen, you did not manipulate your seed correctly.

Whelk 1,600 HP

You can hold A during the dialogue to skip it. This is true for all dialogue in battles (even in cutscenes).

Terra

TekMissile Whelk ATB wait

Vicks/Wedge

Heal Force Terra

Terra

TekMissile Whelk ATB wait

Vicks/Wedge

Fire Beam Shell

Terra

TekMissile Whelk

Vicks/Wedge

Fire Beam Whelk (in case of low damage rolls)

If you ever see Gruuu…, you did not ATB wait correctly/well enough.

North into the cave, then north to the Esper. Scenes ensue.

Upon fading on to Terra in bed, hold . Talk to the man. Name Terra T.

Go out the door and left into the cave.

Encounters

Terra

Fire all

Follow the linear path. Ignore the north chest, but get the west chest (Sleeping Bag). Go north at the fork.

Terra should level to 6 before moving on. Move right at the tile in the image below to get the last encounter necessary to level.

image showing where Terra should move

Continue north from the picture above to start scenes. Name Locke L.

When the screen fades to black with the moogles, choose No (option 2).

Move down two tiles with Locke. Press Y to switch to Mog. Follow the path in the image. To avoid encounters, move past the NPCs when their arms start to move. Move to the end of the first line, wait for the last NPC to start coming up, then use the trick again to bypass them.

image showing path for the moogles

Press A at the NPC to start a boss.

Marshal 420 HP + Lobo x2

Mog

Fight Marshal

Not Mog

Fight Lobo

Not Mog

Fight other Lobo

Not Mog

Fight Marshal

Mog

Unequip all equipment, then Fight Marshal

All

Fight Marshal

When Locke exits the cave and starts moving right, hold to exit to the world map.

Move south, then west before the forest. Southwest to Figaro Castle.

Talk to the gate guard. North until the throne room. Talk to Edgar. Name Edgar E.

South with Terra until you reach the exterior. Take the west door, go down the stairs, then exit south to go outside.

Go west and north into the tower, up the stairs, and talk to the woman to the far west. Name Sabin S.

Return to the throne room. Talk to Edgar. Move south, talk to both of Kefka's guards, then talk to Kefka. Move north and talk to Locke.

Hold after Locke says to follow him, then go into the east door. Go down the stairs, outside, and then east and north into the tower.

Talk to Locke. As Edgar, hold when you reach the exterior of the castle. Talk to the guard to start an encounter.

Encounter M-Tek Armour x2

Edgar

AutoCrossbow ATB wait

Locke

Steal

Terra

Defend

Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Continue in the direction you start out facing. Go towards the cave to the left, and disembark next to the entrance. Walk inside.

Talk to the guard, then go inside.

Encounters

Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Locke & Terra

Fight

Walk straight north and use the spring. Exit to the east.

Follow the path, then go east at the fork. At the next fork, go southwest and up the stairs to the door.

Pass through the room. Exit south to the world map.

Southeast to South Figaro.

East and south to the relic shop.

Shop 4,500 GP

Sprint Shoes

x3

Menu

All

Back row

Terra

Sprint Shoes

Exit shop, go west and north to the chocobo stable. Buy chocobo.

Follow the path east, then north to Mt. Kolts.

North into caves.

Encounters (inside)

Brawler x2

All

Flee

Tusker x2
Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Terra

Fire Tusker

Encounters (outside)

Terra

Fire Tusker, if present

Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Locke/Terra

Fight in case of low damage rolls

During one encounter with 4+ enemies, have Locke flee.

Before Vargas, have Edgar equip the Mithril Pike, then have Locke equip the Mithril Blade.

Levels before Vargas

Edgar

10

Locke

9

Terra

8

Inside the cave, go up the stairs and exit to the southeast.

Outside, go east into the caves.

Go northeast, ignoring the first bridge, and take the hidden path. Follow the second bridge into a room.

Pick up the chest for an Atlas Armlet.

Menu

Edgar

Atlas Armlet

Return from where you came and take the first bridge you ignored earlier to the exterior.

Follow the silhouette: north, then east.

Follow the path south and west, entering the second cave.

Take the bridges east and north until you reach the exterior.

Follow the path north, then east across the bridge. Enter the cave, then exit east.

Follow this path until a fork. Go west at the fork. Continue until you reach Vargas.

Menu

Terra

Cure all

Press A at Vargas to start a boss fight.

Vargas 11,600 HP + Ipooh x2

Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Terra

Fire Ipooh, then other Ipooh, then Vargas

Locke

Row, then Fight

After the intermission, you will be using Sabin.

Sabin

Pummel (← → ←)

After the scene, go into the cave.

Encounters

All

Flee

Go east, down the stairs, and exit. Exit south to the world map.

Go east as little as possible to go north. North, west one tile, more north.

Enter the cave in the eastern mountains.

North into the cave. North and talk to the man. Walk into the door when you regain control.

East, then south. Talk to Banon. Scenes ensue.

Fading up on Terra, hold . Talk to Locke, get the chest for a Fenix Down, then exit the room.

Go west and north into the next room. Continue north until the chests. Get the bottom left chest (Fenix Down), the chest above it (True Knight), and examine the pot above that (Tincture).

Take the hidden path to the east and open the chest for a White Cape.

image showing the hidden path to the White Cape

Return to the chest room and get the final, unopened chest (Air Lancet) on your way out.

Go south towards the entrance to the room you woke up in, then east and north into the room you met Banon in. Talk to Edgar.

Leave this room and go south to the bar area. Talk to Sabin.

Talk to the guard at the entrance of the cave, then leave the cave. Talk to Banon and choose the second option (No).

The game will move you back in to the cave. Go out and choose the second option two more times. Scenes ensue. Receive Genji Glove.

With control of Edgar, go north back into the hideout. Continue north to the save point and touch it.

Menu

Sabin & Banon

Back row

Sabin

Sprint Shoes

Edgar

Add Genji Glove

Save the game and reset.

Optional: If doing the manipulation, reset the game again at the load menu. After loading, exit south when the NPC walks onto the carpet from below.

Load the game.

Go south two screens until the cliff with the raft. Step on the tile above the raft. Choose the first option (Yes).

When prompted, choose to go left. This will happen twice.

First encounter

All

Flee

Second encounter

Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Others

Flee

Edgar

AutoCrossbow

Other encounters

All

Flee

When you arrive at the first save point, go south back on to the raft.

When you arrive at the second save point, do the menu below.

Menu

Edgar & Banon

Front row

Get back on the raft.

Ultros 3,000 HP

Hold Y to switch to Edgar.

Edgar Fight

Banon

Health Terra Fire Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Edgar

Fight ATB wait

Banon

Fight until win

Terra

Fight until win (1/16 chance of Riot Blade, ending the fight)

Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Edgar

Fight until win

Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Sabin

Fight until win

Choose Sabin's scenario.

East into the hut.

Talk to Shadow. Name Shadow S. Choose the first option (Yes). Exit south.

East until you hit the coast, then south. West to Imperial Base.

Hold as you load in to trigger a scene. Name Cyan C.

Menu

Cyan

Sprint Shoes

Battle speed

1

Walk south and press A at the NPC to start an encounter.

Encounter Leader

Cyan

SwdTech 2

Hold as Cyan's scene fades out to trigger another scene.

When Leo enters the tent, go west and south to trigger another scene.

Encounter Kefka

Any

Fight

Follow Kefka and talk.

Encounter Kefka

Any

Fight

Menu

Sabin

Front row

Shadow

Empty, then equip Imperial in right hand

Sabin

Optimise

Battle speed

6

Follow Kefka and talk.

Encounter Templar x2 + Soldier x2

Sabin

Fight Soldier (the closer enemies)

Shadow

Fight other Soldier

Sabin

Pummel (← → ←)

Shadow

Throw Air Lancet

North with Cyan. Go down the stairs and south out of the room. East and through the double doors.

Exit the throne room south. Go into the eastern room.

As Sabin, talk to Cyan (from the sides or behind, but never in front).

Encounter Grunt x4

All

Fight

Talk to Cyan.

Encounter Grunt x3

All

Fight

Talk to Cyan.

Encounter Cadet + Grunt x2

All

Wait for Cyan to attack

Shadow

Fight Grunt

Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Move east until a forced encounter.

Encounters

All

Fire Beam

Move north until a forced encounter.

Exit to the north.

Move west across the bridge, then south.

Go east across the southern bridge, then continue east until you can go south.

Go south into the Phantom Forest.

Go east, then exit north.

After using the spring, go east and exit south.

Go east, then exit to north.

Go east, then exit to the north again.

Move north for a scene, then enter the closest western train car.

Encounters

All

Flee

After the scene, try to exit south where you came in. Go all the way west and leave the car.

Enter the western car, then go to the western end of this car.

Force an encounter next to the exit before leaving.

Exit, then enter the next car. Inside this car, move north until a ghost appears at the door. Go south and talk to the ghost for an encounter.

Encounter

All

Flee

Go up the ladder, then all the way west.

Enter the car and hit the switch. Re-enter and hit the switch again.

Exit to the west, then walk around the next car and enter from the west.

Open the chest for Earrings.

Exit to the west, then go up the first ladder and down the second ladder for the next two cars.

Continue west until the engine, then enter the engine.

Hit the switches on the outside, then exit and continue west.

Go north onto the engine and interact to hit a switch and start a boss.

Phantom Train 1,900 HP

Any

Fenix Down

With control of Sabin, do the following menu.

Menu

Items

Arrange your items so these items are the top four (any order):

  • Tincture
  • Black Belt
  • White Cape
  • Tent
Sabin

Remove Sprint Shoes, equip Earrings

Just wait until the game teleports you outside.

Move south, east, then north into Baren Falls.

North until a cutscene where Shadow leaves.

Move north and choose to jump off the cliff.

Rizopas 775 HP + Piranha x2

Any

Fight Piranha

All

Back row

All

Defend

Wait one minute.

Cyan

Fight other Piranha

Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Cyan

SwdTech 1

Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Name Gau G. Exit south to world map.

South, then east, then north to Mobliz.

Go to the item shop in the northeast.

Shop 150 GP

Sell

Top four items in your inventory

Buy

Dried Meat

Exit south to world map.

Encounters

Hornet x2 + Bleary x3

Flee

Rhobite x5

Flee

Ghost x2 + Poplium x3

Flee

StillGoing x3

Flee

Others

Fight

When Gau appears:

Any

Dried Meat Gau

Once again, you can hold A until the (long) scene with Gau ends.

Go west until the reaching the southern, western edge of the mountains, then go south.

Go east into the cave.

Go north for a scene, the work clockwise around the cave until another scene.

You will automatically enter the Serpent Trench.

When prompted, first choose right, then choose left.

Encounters (4)

All

Flee

When you arrive in a cave, go north to the exit.

Exit to the north, then go east past the cafe.

Go north into the market and go to the armour shop.

Shop 600 GP

Buy

Magus Hat

Continue north to the item shop.

Shop All GP

Buy

Max Smoke Bomb

Return south to the ship. Talk to the captain and depart (option 2).

Choose Locke's scenario.

Menu

Locke

Optimise

Locke

Sprint Shoes

Locke

Front row

Go west and up the two flights of stairs to the item shop.

Talk to the merchant next to the clock for an encounter.

Encounter Merchant

Locke Steal

Exit south and go down one flight of stairs. Enter the building to the west.

Go north through the door, then west down the stairs.

Talk to the kid at the bottom of the stairs, then exit north.

Go immediately west, then south and west across the hidden bridge.

Continue south to the cafe. Inside, go up the stairs, east across the room, then down the stairs.

Talk to the merchant in the northern room for an encounter.

Encounter Merchant

Locke

Fight x2

Follow the same route you took to exit the cafe.

Follow the same route you took back to the staircase with the kid.

Talk to the kid, go up the stairs, then go west and south to the room with the old man.

Talk to the old man, then return to the kid and choose "Courage" (option 2).

Exit to the south and take the stairs down.

Take the Elixir from the clock, then exit north.

Go east and south. Take the Fenix Down from the southern barrel, then enter the northern door.

Go west and up the stairs, then go east into the first door.

Walk north to the bookcase, then west through the bed to the western bookcase. Enter the secret passage north of the bookcase.

Basements

Go down the stairs, then follow the path until prompted to change clothes. Do so (option 1).

Continue south and then east into the hidden basement.

Get the Hyper Wrist and the Running Shoes from both of the cells, then return upstairs.

Go east and examine the first door for a scene. Name Celes C.

Enter the door, and choose to remove her chains (option 1).

Talk to the guard and steal the key (option 1).

Menu

Locke

Add Running Shoes

All

Back row

Exit south and go east into the last door.

Go north to the bookshelf, then go west and follow the path around.

Get the chest with 500 GP from above, then the chest with 1,000 GP next to the clock, then the chest with 1,500 GP from the closest chest to the east.

Go north to the clock in the northwest corner, then interact with it and choose to wind it (option 1).

Enter the new door.

Encounters

Any

Smoke Bomb

To make things easier for later, you can start arranging your items while fleeing so Smoke Bomb is at the top and there are 4-5 open slots below.

Head east, ignoring the first fork that lets you go south.

Take the somewhat hidden southern path when the two chests to the east come into frame.

Continue south until the bottom, then go west and open the chest for some Earrings.

Go east, then north, and go into the first eastern hallway available.

Go up the stairs, north through the door (following a short scene), then exit to the world map east.

Go west until you get to the mountains, then go north into Figaro Cave.

Go north up the stairs.

Go east, then go south down the stairs.

Continue east to the fork, then go north.

Go west and up the stairs.

Go east across the bridge, then get the chest for a Thunder Rod.

Exit, go down the stairs, then go east. Go north at the fork.

Head west, then south for a boss battle.

Tunnel Armour 1,300 HP

Any

Thunder Rod

Now is a good time to arrage your items so Smoke Bomb as at the top and there are open spaces below.

Choose Terra's scenario.

Encounters

Any

Smoke Bomb

Ride the raft until the world map.

Go west and north into Narshe.

Immediately go west to the hidden cave path. Go northeast through the cave.

Take the west path, then go up the stairs and into the western cave entrance.

Go north, then west across the bridge. Go north again to enter the puzzle room.

Do the puzzle according to the image.

image showing path for puzzle

Exit north and follow the path around until reaching the door that leads south.

Enter the door, then go west and north.

Go through the northwestern door, then follow the path to a chest. Receive the Rune Edge.

Exit east.

Encounters

Not Edgar

Smoke Bomb Edgar

Replace Mithril Blade with Rune Edge

Take the southern bridge, then go east and south, following the bridges.

Continue east at the fork, then cross the bridge into the house.

Walk south through the door in the house to start a scene (3:17).

Talk to Banon and choose the first option. Say no to the moogle (second option).

Party

Party 1

Terra

Party 2

  • Cyan
  • Edgar
  • Gau
  • Sabin

Party 3

Celes

Switch to Party 2 (press Y) and follow the route according to the image.

image showing the path to take

While waiting for soldiers to pass, do the following menu.

Menu

Sabin

Add Earrings

Sabin & Cyan

Back row

Make sure not to collide with the soldier before Kefka, then press A at Kefka to start a boss.

Kefka 3,000 HP

ATB wait two attacks that aren't from Gau.

Cyan

SwdTech 1

Edgar Fight Gau Exocite Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Repeat until Kefka is dead.

Party

  • Edgar (must be leader)
  • Sabin
  • Locke
  • Cyan

Get the Elixir from the northwestern clock, then exit to the south.

Follow the path south and keep to the east. Enter the storage building.

Collect all the chests except for the western-most chest at the north side of the room (Wall Ring, Hyper Wrist, ThiefKnife, Sneak Ring, Earrings, 5,000 GP).

Leave the building and go down the wooden stairs. Go west to the centre path and follow it south to the world map.

Go southwest to Figaro Castle as done previously.

North to the room before the throne room.

Enter the eastern room.

Shop 2,000 GP

Buy

  • Drill
  • Flash

Exit the room, then enter the western room.

Shop 6,500 GP

Sell

  • Peace Ring
  • Hyper Wrist x2
  • Wall Ring

Buy

  • Fenix Down x11
  • Revivify x25

Exit the room, go south to the exterior, then go one room south.

Take the western stairs and talk to the man. Go to Kohlingen (option 1).

After the scene, go back up the stairs and exit south until the world map.

Go northeast to the house.

Enter the house. Examine the southwestern pot for a Hero Ring.

Exit the house, immediately to west to exit to world map.

Go northwest to the Chocobo Stable in the forest.

Buy a chocobo.

Go south back to Figaro Castle.

Go past the castle to the south and follow the path around to Zozo.

Go west, then go south. Enter the building directly to the west.

Go up the stairs, then up the exterior stairs. Go back inside.

Follow the line of NPCs going north, then go up the stairs.

Go up one flight of stairs, then go into the western door to jump to the other side.

Move west to jump again. Go inside the door.

Go north, then west up the partially hidden stairs.

Move south and exit. Go up one flight of stairs, then enter the eastern door to jump across.

East to jump across again. Go up the stairs, then enter the door.

Go up all the stairs, then use the southern exit.

Go up two flights of stairs and enter the door. Get the Fire Knuckle from the chest.

Exit, go up one flight of stairs, then stop before the NPC.

Menu

Locke

Front Row

Edgar

Back row

Edgar

Hero Ring + Earrings

Locke

Optimise

Talk to the NPC to start a boss.

Dadaluma 3,270 HP

Locke Fight Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Edgar Drill

If Dadaluma attacks (not including counterattacks) before those three actions go out, wait for him to attack again.

Regardless of if he attacked, ATB wait two attacks after the initial three.

Cyan

SwdTech 1

After the kill, try to equip the Mithril Knife on Locke. There is a spot to do it later if you can't.

Note: Dadaluma should not get a turn after waiting. If you see healing, you did the fight incorrectly. Adds being summoned is okay (do not kill them).

Go up the stairs and through the door.

Go north to Terra.

After the scene, pick up all the magicite except the western-most one.

Go south, then west at the fork and open the chest for Running Shoes.

Exit, then go east and south to Celes.

Party

Add

  • Sabin
  • Edgar

Exit to the east.

Menu

Locke

Back row

Sabin

Front row

Locke

Ramuh

Sabin

Stray

Edgar

Siren

Sabin

Genji Glove + Atlas Armlet

Celes

Cure all until full

Go southeast to Jidoor.

Go west to the armour shop.

Shop 2,200 GP

Buy

White Dress

Exit the armour shop, then go east and north to the mansion and enter.

Go north and talk to the Impresario.

After the scene, go south and pick up the letter.

Name Setzer S.

Exit the mansion south.

Go south to the chocobo stable and buy a chocobo.

Go south to the Opera House.

North and talk to the Impresario.

After the scene (2:32, no mashing), go east and exit to the southeast.

Go down the stairs, then go east and into the room.

Talk to Celes.

As Celes, go through the northeastern door and exit to the west.

Select options 1, 2, then 1 for the song.

Talk to the NPC and follow him.

Go up the stairs to the balcony for a scene (2:07, no mashing).

As Locke, go south and examine the letter. Exit south.

Go back up the stairs and through the door.

Go west and talk to the Impresario (western-most NPC) for a scene (1:17, no mashing).

Go east and then north into the room.

Talk to the NPC and use the east switch.

Exit the room, then go around to the northwestern room opposite you.

Exit to the north onto the rafters.

Fight four rats. If you did not equip the Mithril Knife on Locke earlier, do it in the first rat fight.

Encounter Vermin + Sewer Rat x2

Sabin

Fight Vermin (gold rat)

Edgar Flash Locke Fight

Encounter Vermin x2 + Sewer Rat x3

Sabin

Fight bottom Vermin

Edgar Flash Locke

Fight any Sewer Rat still alive

Sabin

Fight other Vermin

Go to Ultros and talk to him to start a fight (after a scene).

Ultros 2,550 HP

Sabin

Fight ATB wait

Locke Ramuh Edgar Drill Sabin Fight

Talk to Setzer. After some scenes, you will be on the world map.

Enter the airship.

Talk to the left NPC to heal if necessary.

Talk to the right NPC for a shop.

Shop 8,400 GP

Buy

  • Warp Stone x4
  • Smoke Bomb x18

Make sure you have at least 5,600 GP left after this shop.

Menu

All

Back row

Celes

RunningShoes + Earrings

Edgar

Hero Ring + Empty

Sabin

Earrings + Earrings

Exit the airship and go northwest to Vector.

Go northeast and talk to the man behind the boxes.

Climb up the boxes and onto the girders.

After jumping off the girders, go north into the Magitek Factory.

Go west down the stairs and into the tube.

Go south to the chest to get a Flame Sabre.

Take the hook across the gap.

Go east to the tube with a ladder below it and go south through it.

Go east across the conveyor belt.

Open the chest for a ThunderBlade.

Go south and get the Remedy from the chest.

Go west on to the conveyor belt.

Go east on to the conveyor belt, then go south for a scene.

Important: Locke should know Bolt before going down the conveyor.

Go southwest down the conveyor belt.

Menu

Celes

Cure all if Celes is below 202 HP or Locke is below 186 HP

Talk to Ifrit for a boss fight.

Ifrit 3,300 HP

Buffer Flee during all actions, including enemy actions.

Locke Bolt Celes Ice Locke Bolt

As soon as Ifrit starts to disappear, Flee.

Talk to Shiva, then talk to Ifrit. Collect both magicites.

Go through the eastern door.

Go up all the stairs, then exit south.

Go west across the factory. Grab the hidden chest before the railings for a Break Blade.

image showing where hidden chest is

Exit northwest and walk to the NPC.

Menu

Revive anyone if necessary.

Celes

Cure all to full

Celes

Ifrit

Locke

Replace RunningShoes with Sneak Ring

Edgar

Add RunningShoes

Edgar

Optimise

Celes

Optimise

Locke

Optimise

Number 024 4,777 HP

Edgar Sleep Locke

Steal until successful, then do nothing

Celes Ice Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←) ATB wait

Edgar

Flash until dead

Celes Ifrit Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←) until dead

Celes

Ice until dead

Go north through the door, then north to the switch and interact.

After the scene, follow Cid east onto the elevator.

At the bottom of the elevator, do the following menu.

Menu

Locke

Replace Sneak Ring with RunningShoes

Locke

Phantom

Edgar

Shoat

Sabin

Bismark

Order

Make Sabin leader

Talk to Cid to start five encounters and a boss. Consult the encounters below for formations seen.

Encounter Mag Roader

Edgar Drill Sabin

Fight in case of low damage roll

Encounter Mag Roader x4

Edgar Flash

Encounter Mag Roader x2

Edgar Flash Sabin Fight

Number 128 3,276 HP

Edgar Flash Sabin

Bismark ATB wait

Locke

Phantom (for safety)

Edgar Flash Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←) ATB wait until dead

Edgar

Drill until dead

If not dead after two rounds of Drill and Aura Bolt, queue another Aura Bolt and a Bolt from Locke.

Go south until a scene with Setzer.

Cranes 1,800 HP + 2,300 HP

All

Wait for both Cranes to attack

Locke Phantom Setzer

Chocobop ATB wait

Sabin

Bismark ATB wait

Edgar

Bio left Crane

Locke

Fight right Crane

Setzer

Chocobop ATB wait

Sabin

Aura Bolt (↓ ↓ ←)

Edgar

Bio left Crane

Locke

Fight right Crane

Setzer

Fight if necessary

Exit to the south.

Go south past the fence, then east to the fork. Go north to the NPC and interact.

Choose option 1.

Walk north to the bed and interact.

Again, exit south and go east to the fork, then north.

Interact with the NPC, then exit north.

Go north to the NPC and interact.

Go south down the stairs and talk to the eastern NPC.

Move to the southern exit and interact with the NPC in the door.

Exit south.

Go south, the west. Go north at the fork.

Exit north, then go north to the NPC and interact.

Choose option 1 (Yes), then option 2 (No) when talking to Setzer.

Go east down the stairs.

Exit south.

Talk to an NPC to change party (option 2).

Party

  • Terra
  • Locke

Talk to the eastern NPC and unequip all other party members (option 1).

Exit north.

Use the controls to lift off.

Fly directly south to Jidoor.

image showing route to Jidoor on world map

North through the arch and up the stairs.

East to the auction house.

Auction House manipulation

Repeatedly enter and exit the auction house. Keep track of which direction the female NPC outside the auction house moves each time you do so. Look for the following pattern.

  • Right
  • Up
  • Up
  • Left
  • Down
  • Left
  • Down
  • Right

After seeing this pattern, talk to the NPC inside the auction house to start the auction.

Buy ZoneSeek for 10,000 GP (mash A until you receive it).

Menu

Terra

ZoneSeek

Terra

Optimise

Locke

Optimise

Terra

RunningShoes + Earrings

Move south past the item shop, then exit east to the world map.

Enter the airship.

Fly northeast to Narshe.

Go north for a scene.

An Elixir can be obtained from the clock in the northwest for safety.

Exit south.

Exit Narshe.

Enter the airship.

Fly north and wrap around the map to the Imperial Base.

Go east for a short scene.

Go north and up the stairs.

Go east and down the stairs.

Exit east.

Go east into the cave.

Encounters

Any

Smoke Bomb

During a battle, equip the ThiefKnife on Locke.

Go east and exit south.

Go down the western stairs and pick up the Tempest.

Go down the eastern stairs and exit south.

Follow the path in the image.

map showing path across bridges

Encounters

During the first encounter, Locke can use Phantom for safety.

All

Revivify enemies until only one remains

Locke

Flee

Terra

Revivify last enemy

Note: Locke can flee after the final Revivify animation, assuming he has full ATB.

Go south, then go east through the cave.

Go east up the ramp, then go east across the bridges.

Hit the switch on the second bridge.

Go south down the stairs that appeared.

Go east into the cave, then north through the hidden passage.

map showing hidden path

Continue east, then go south down the stairs near the switches.

Go north across the eastern bridges and hit the switch.

Go across the bridges and exit south.

Go east and north into the big cave entrance for scenes.

Encounter Kefka

Locke Smoke Bomb

Use a Warp Stone.

Go west into Imperial Base.

Go west, then up the stairs.

Continue west, then go down the stairs.

Go south and exit west for a scene.

Go east down the stairs.

Go south two screens to get to the shops.

Talk to the right NPC for a shop.

Shop 6,300 GP

Buy

Smoke Bomb x21

Exit the airship south.

Go northwest to the chocobo stable in the thin part of the forest.

Go northeast to Vector in the centre of the continent.

Go west, then go north up all the flights of stairs.

Exit north to Imperial Castle.

Go west, then go up the eastern stairs for a scene.

Go north and up the stairs. Exit through the double door.

Leave and re-enter immediately.

Go north to the exit.

Go north to Gestahl.

Note: For safety, you can do the menu below now.

Talk to Gestahl.

Menu

Terra

Maduin

Terra

Equip Thunder Blade and Magus Hat

Terra

Replace RunningShoes with Earrings

Locke

Replace RunningShoes with Sneak Ring

Exit south and talk to the four NPCs directly to the sides of the stairs.

Go south through the double doors.

Go east, then go north up one flight of stairs.

Go into the room on this floor.

Go north and talk to both NPCs. Open the chest for a Gale Hairpin.

Exit south and return to the double doors.

Exit south.

Talk to the eastern soldier in the MagiTek armour.

Talk to the western MagiTek soldier for a battle.

Encounter

Locke Phantom Terra Maduin

Talk to the western NPC at the top of the stairs.

Go back through the double doors.

Go west and into the door on the ground floor.

Get both chests for a Back Guard and an X-Potion.

Exit this room, then go up the stairs and into the room on this floor.

Talk to all of the soldiers (should be 15 people at the end of this room).

Encounter

Locke Steal Terra Fire Locke Bolt

Open the chest for a Tincture.

Exit north.

Talk to the soldier and use the previous strategy for the fight.

Exit, then exit south. Go up the stairs and enter the room.

Go north and talk to the NPC.

Exit west.

Talk to the soldier in the northwest, then talk to the MagiTek soldier outside the door you just exited through.

Go east past the stairs and talk to the MagiTek soldier.

Go up the stairs and talk to both MagiTek soldiers.

Go north and talk to the NPC. Use the previous fight strategy.

You should have talked to 21 people now.

Menu

TODO

The banquet will now begin. Choose the following responses.

1 Option 3 To our hometowns
2 Option 1 Leave him in jail
3 Option 2 That was inexcusable
4 Option 2 C is one of us!
5 Option 1 Why'd you start the war?
6 Option 1 One more question please!
7 Option 2 Why do you want peace now?
8 Option 2 Let's talk about Espers...
9 Option 1 Yes, the Espers have gone too far.
10 Option 1 Why'd you start the war?
11 Option 1 Yes, let's take a break.

Head to the northeastern NPC at the table and talk for a battle.

Encounter

Terra Maduin

Return to your seat and continue.

12 Option 2 That your war's truly over.
13 Option 1 Yes

Exit south when you regain control.

Continue south until an NPC stops you and gives you items.