[PS2] Final Fantasy XII

I won't go as far to say that the soundtrack sucked, but it was definitely one of Sakimoto's weakest efforts. There were some great songs, and some utterly forgettable tracks. Still it was better than anything Uematsu had done since FFVI. Gotta get some new blood in there.

For me, the biggest disappointment was the storyline. It seems like they were trying to do something interesting there, but it felt strangely hollow at parts. It is almost as if they cut out portions of the storyline. They needed to flesh it out a little more.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Musharraf

I agree that the soundtrack sucked. The only good songs were not composed by Sakimoto, but oh well, you can always mute the TV (?) It's awesome that some people who started four weeks after me already finished the game, I must be terribly slow.

Heh, you think that's slow? I got this game right on the 31st and I've yet to finish it. This game is chock full of things to do, and I'm trying to get all that done before going to the final area.

Quote:

By the way, an excellent place to level up if you're level 50~60+ would be

Spoiler:

the secret area in Nabreus Deadlands, there are lots of skeletons who give 1.5k exp and are very easy to kill with Holy Lance. Also, since there are tons of them, you can create some cool chains!

I gained like three levels per hour.

Wha?! That's what we've been saying for the past few pages, Mush. You can actually level well past the 60s, into the mid 80s. The trick is, you have to break the chain kill a few monsters that aren't Deadbones and then go back. I've noticed when the chain gets large enough, you start getting less experience per baddie. I've seen the number go as low as 1199 from the usual 1500.

Ah, and I managed to get Ultima and Penelo into HP critical so she could do her special, Eschaton. It was nice and you get a close up of her face when she opens her eyes and "Fires her LAZOR". Not impressive enough for me to go through all that hassle just to see it.

Anyone know how to trigger Hashmal and Exodus' specials?

I was speaking idiomatically.

I have the same feelings as most of the recent people. I came into the game expecting as far as plot something much different than what we received. They built a very gritty and engaging Ivalice but it felt like they invested their time with the ingredients of the world and background and the charaters got overshadowed. The VA and localization and language is by far the most superior of any FF or any recent rpg but as I begin the penultimate dungeon I don't feel the tension and emotional attachment as you should. And from what I hear the ending won't resolve the disassociation much.

As far as licences go I was thinking throughout the game why they simply didn't just allow you only to gain points if your average party level is under the enemies you fought. Seemed kind of lame to allow someone to own low level areas as a cheap way to acquire what should be valuable LP points. This might have possibly not allowed for everyone to max out their board well before the end of the game and the world had enough scalable areas where you wouldn't run out of enemies to fight to gain the points. This way you are focussing on specializing your characters versus having everyone be able to cast every spell and wield every weapon.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I wasn't so much frustrated by the option of having everyone use every spell/ability/weapon/armor/etc. since there is the option of not doing that -- for the most part, anyway. I've noticed that I can't get to the better shield licenses without getting some of the heavy armor licenses, for example. It makes sense in that knowing how to use daggers would lead to using ninja swords, or whatever, but I don't necessarily want to make sense. I want god-like control. I know I could just get those licenses and then just not use the armor or abilities I don't want to, but I'm being picky here, okay? I want to decide which characters have certain battle roles and not have to gain licenses for anything they won't be using. It doesn't really bother me all that much, though. It's just that maybe there should be an option for "forgetting" licenses.

I haven't played in a week or so. Am I bored with it? Just burnt out? We'll see. I've switched over to Shadow Hearts: FTNW for a while.

FELIPE NO

OK, aside from album and license board comments, I tried defeated some more Marks today. Rank VI ones, specifically. The first one I killed (Overlord) was too easy, but then I tried the Giant Malboro next, and died horribly. What a big turnaround!

Since Marks are getting harder to kill now, I'm going to start going to those optional dungeons and such. I noticed that several VI Hunts has monsters lurking in these dungeons, so I can't exactly get to them.

I thought it was time to catch up on the project too, so I wrote down a fair amount of monster info for the bestiary.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

After playing Final Fantasy after a while. And grinding alot to get lp. I finally came to the point where I could obtain my first quickening.
But I question.

If my mp is at 44 and I get the quickening it would become 88.

And after I leveled up and my mp rose, would it still add to the base mp?

Example - If basch has 44 mp and I get the quickening his current mp would be 88.
After leveling up, Basch would recieve 4 mp increase. Would it add on to 44 to make it 48 base mp before it was doubled? and then get doubled or would it only add on to 88?
If I'm confusing, tell me so I can attempt to explain better.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Leveling up add additional MP/HP to the base number. If you have 40 MP and after Level Up you'll get +4 MP then You have 44MP x2. That's how it is. Max is x4 (Base, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Quickening)

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Damn, I wish I had more hunts. Anyone know how to get Montblanc to give you the Yiazmat rank VIII hunt? I'm almost done getting the Tournesol stuff (only need five Soul of Thamasa) and I'd like to test it out on something fierce.

Oh, and I accidentally ran into a rare game called 'Biding Mantis'. The first words out of my mouth were:

"What the fuck!?" as it unerringly did 9999 damage to each of my party members. Luckily I retreated in time. I'm guessing you have to fight that thing with Reverse on?

Edit: Ah, and A-Team has finally reached 99. Reached 96/7/8 down in Ridorana's Subterra and ran back to the ole faithful Deadbones area. When I started getting the items for the Tournesol, I noticed the mines were far easier at 99, but still not cakewalk. That area will permanently be on this game's very short "places to be wary of" list.

I was trying to get Etems to drop Soul Powder, and those bastards are cheap. Cheap as in casting Death 7/10 as the first thing after you target them. They'll even warp in the middle of casting to avoid being killed. Doom is spammed everywhere, as is stop and the Aga spells. This seems rather easy to deal with, but it isn't. Their regular strikes are 900-ish and their combos frequently go up to 3 or 4. When they die they leave behind a Necrofiend which is even worse. Phantasmal Gaze, even more frequent warping, all the "touch" technigues.

Being the idiot that I am, I ran into 3 of these things. I kill off one and had 2 Etems and a Necrofiend. With all the spells going on, it looked like someone was literally stopping time every few seconds.

Hmm, one last question:

Is the Excalibur a 2H sword or 1H? And is there a map of how I can get to it?

Damn, it's 2H. Looks like there's no point getting it since I'm about to finish up with the Tournesol. Looks like the Durandal really is the best 1H sword. Can't see myself giving up the shield, too big of a sacrifice IMO.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

So, I downloaded an ISO of FFXII, burnt it (which is OK, because I already own the game), and now everything works again like it is supposed to. There IS a God. Now I can finish those mark hunts in the Giza Plains too.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Metal Sphere

Damn, I wish I had more hunts. Anyone know how to get Montblanc to give you the Yiazmat rank VIII hunt?

Have you done all 44 hunts and defeated Majinryu?

Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek

So, I downloaded an ISO of FFXII, burnt it (which is OK, because I already own the game), and now everything works again like it is supposed to. There IS a God.

It's almost funny how burned games seem to actually work better than originals many times. I used to have problems with originals making the game freeze/hang quite a lot back a couple of years ago. Downloading and burning a copy always solved that problem =D

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by seanne

Have you done all 44 hunts and defeated Majinryu?

Ah, so I have to do Hell Wyrm, eh? Got a link to where and how I can find him?

I've already completed all the hunts board hunts, that's for sure.

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It's almost funny how burned games seem to actually work better than originals many times. I used to have problems with originals making the game freeze/hang quite a lot back a couple of years ago. Downloading and burning a copy always solved that problem =D

This isn't related to the above quote but, to those of you who've finished the hunt "Truth Shrouded in Mist", you can a good rod over at Bur-Omisace. Unequip Vaan's weapon and head towards the snout near the pot of soup. Examine the tip and smack it. Your reward is 500,000 gil and the Rod of Faith. Enjoy. Just thought I'd throw this up, since I actually managed to do it.

Most amazing jew boots

So, I managed to get the Zodiac Spear. Unfortunately, I'm now trapped in the Necrohol. All of the zone transition areas are backed up with enemies that followed me through the first time. Wish me luck getting out of there. (And back out of the Deadlands!)

Edit: Killer. It was actually a lot easier getting out than it was getting in...

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek

So, I managed to get the Zodiac Spear. Unfortunately, I'm now trapped in the Necrohol. All of the zone transition areas are backed up with enemies that followed me through the first time. Wish me luck getting out of there. (And back out of the Deadlands!)

Edit: Killer. It was actually a lot easier getting out than it was getting in...

Wow, congrats. Hopefully I have it as easy as you one of these days. I got a Ribbon (!!!) of all things while looking for Soul Powder for the Tournesol. Man, was I a happy camper then, especially since it makes a lot of the Etem's move repetoire absolutely pointless. It's endless Doom spamming is nothing more than a slight nuisance, same with Phantasmal Gaze and all that other junk it throws at you. Now if only I can get 2-5 more, though with my luck I'll just keep getting Megalixers.

Oh, and I finally finished the Tournesol. This thing looks pretty nice, and it's color scheme makes it look like it was always meant to go with Baltheir, unlike the Fomalhault. Very nice avoid for a 2H sword, and the damage is great. I'll tell you all this much, though: Finish your hunts.

I only needed to make 2 Gemsteel, 2 Empyreal Soul and 2 Serpentarius, because Montblanc gives you those as rewards for certain accomplishments. I put it up recently that Serpentarius is given to you for obtaining all 13 Espers. The others are for 8 Espers and a hunt, IIRC.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Enigma

After playing Final Fantasy after a while. And grinding alot to get lp. I finally came to the point where I could obtain my first quickening.
But I question.

If my mp is at 44 and I get the quickening it would become 88.

And after I leveled up and my mp rose, would it still add to the base mp?

Example - If basch has 44 mp and I get the quickening his current mp would be 88.
After leveling up, Basch would recieve 4 mp increase. Would it add on to 44 to make it 48 base mp before it was doubled? and then get doubled or would it only add on to 88?
If I'm confusing, tell me so I can attempt to explain better.

This doesn't need a separate thread. Merging with the existing FFXII thread.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Quote:

Wow, congrats.

Yep. This thing rules. I'm doing 3000+ damage even on tough enemies. And I'm only level 40. Right now, I'm trying to get the golem mark in the deadlands, and I'm having a hell of a time of it. The skeletons keep respawning over and over, and I can't handle all of them. Oh well, at least I managed to beat the Antlion. The spear took care of him easy.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek

Yep. This thing rules. I'm doing 3000+ damage even on tough enemies. And I'm only level 40. Right now, I'm trying to get the golem mark in the deadlands, and I'm having a hell of a time of it. The skeletons keep respawning over and over, and I can't handle all of them. Oh well, at least I managed to beat the Antlion. The spear took care of him easy.

Wow, it must be the way the game is, but that seems like ages ago to me. Roblon is actually fairly easy if you use the Nihoapaloa trick to inflict him with the few status effects he's susceptible to. The rest of the fight is just having one person chip away at him while you deal with the ridiculous mob.

I'm almost done with the Hell Wyrm requirements before I go fight him (Age-worn key, etc..) and I wondered if this strategy would work (anyone who's beat him or Yiazmat or Omega, go right ahead and mention how you did it):

One person gets Decoy + Reverse cast on them before the fight starts, and the gambits will be set to refresh said person's Reverse/Decoy if they happen to get killed. Healing gambits will be set to X-Potions and Curaga, since Curaja would likely kill the Reversed person. Bubble Chains on all, just in case.

Does that sound alright?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I have finished the desert bloom hunt and the nidhogg but accidently sold the great serpentskin. Now i'm trying to finish a hunt and a esper but i need the barheim key. I already have the flower to give to the wife but she's not taking it.

She keeps saying, "There's trouble on the north bank, I'm sure of it. I wish dantro were here. But i know he can't leave the outpost unwatched"

Also the boy is says the father took the boat to the north bank and i checked the north bank. There's nobody at the north bank. I'm not sure what i'm missing. I even have the cactus flower in my inventory.

help please

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Originally Posted by Grim Gibber

I have finished the desert bloom hunt and the nidhogg but accidently sold the great serpentskin. Now i'm trying to finish a hunt and a esper but i need the barheim key. I already have the flower to give to the wife but she's not taking it.

She keeps saying, "There's trouble on the north bank, I'm sure of it. I wish dantro were here. But i know he can't leave the outpost unwatched"

Also the boy is says the father took the boat to the north bank and i checked the north bank. There's nobody at the north bank. I'm not sure what i'm missing. I even have the cactus flower in my inventory.

help please

Well, from what I remember you have to do the North Bank thing first (get the Cactoids to bring everyone back to town). You have to speak to Dantro first at the Estersand outpost, and he tells you to go give it to his wife. After you do so, she'll take the flower and fork over some needles (you can make something with them, don't throw them out just yet).

After that, leave and come back to the village and talk to Tchigri, at the dock. He'll take you over to the other side and after a scene, go back across the river. Speak to Dantro's Wife and she tells you the item you're looking for is out behind the house. Examine it and go back to Tchigri to take him across the river.

Zig and a zag and you get the Wyrmfire Shot and some change, as well as being able to cross the Nebra for free. Now you can do the Dantro's Wife quest for the Barheim Key.

I was speaking idiomatically.

there's nobody in the north bank, just a moogle selling maps

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Grim Gibber

there's nobody in the north bank, just a moogle selling maps

You have to go talk to Dantro, like I said, before she'll accept the cactus flower.

FELIPE NO

ok, gonna try that

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Grim Gibber

ok, gonna try that

Basically it's this:

Finish the Cactoid hunt, and obtain the cactus flower. Head over to Dantro at the Estersand outpost and he'll tell you to give his wife the flower. After that's done, the North Bank sidequest will begin. Read what I posted above to find out how to do that.

Edit: As for the Snakeskin... It only effects what you get as a reward when you start handing Dantro's wife (fucked up she doesn't have a name) the ingredients she asks for.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

oh boy, i can't believe i had a simple thing to do was just go back and meet with dantaro... now i can finish this up lol. Thanks

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Grim Gibber

oh boy, i can't believe i had a simple thing to do was just go back and meet with dantaro... now i can finish this up lol. Thanks

No problem, glad I could help.

Oh, and during her fetch quest, don't sell or toss any of the items you find. IIRC, you can only find one of each.

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by Metal Sphere

I'm almost done with the Hell Wyrm requirements before I go fight him (Age-worn key, etc..) and I wondered if this strategy would work (anyone who's beat him or Yiazmat or Omega, go right ahead and mention how you did it)

If you're at lv.99 with three of your characters you shouldn't have any problems with the Hell Wyrm (specially considering that you can leave the battle at any time and resume it after healing).

Yiazmat is another story though. The main problem with this battle is the status effects he gives you all the time, including lots of Death. I see you've got the Ribbon though - that will certainly come in handy in this battle (though does it protect against Death as well?). It can be pretty nervracking, since he has such a crazy amount of HP and you might find yourself with a lot to do, even with your Gambits set.

Omega was also a real pain. His attacks are truly deadly and can easily take you down in one hit if you're not careful (sufficiently leveled/properly equipped). This could just the most difficult battle in the game - though if you make use of Reverse in the right way (sort of like you mentioned) you should be able to defeat him easier than what might have been intended. Reverse is almost too good, I think.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?