[PS2] Final Fantasy XII

Alright, I'm about to go to the last stage of the game. I got 60 grand left, weapons maxed out (100 atk power, unless there's an ultimate weapon somewhere?). But I'm in the mood for some sidequest. I see you guys talking about Ultimate/Omega Weapon. I'm level 55, would it be worth it to give a try?

Also, in the Bazaars, there's these "Grimoire". What's the point of those?

And I'm trying to find the magick Bravery/Faith. How would I get those?

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Rotorblade

Well... interesting, the ol' "jump your shit." Let me address both of those posts.

First of all, forgive me for not clarifying. Apparently, though I see that people would just love to jump my shit, I misjudged how most people look at FFXII. Somehow, trying to convince me that the License Board is a fundamentally complete idea, that magic was worth a shit as the game progressed outside of healing gambits, and that Balthier and Fran were the worst at what they were supposed to be great at (guns and bows)... you know what, fuck ALL of that.

Of course I could say it was planned from the start, but that would throw in some kind of assumption that I felt that FFXII was a completely flawless game. You see, I don't. It isn't like Kingdom Hearts 2: Final Mix is something I would use to point out that the original Kingdom Hearts 2 should have had a remake of a Gameboy Advance game.

A more focused license board, faster gameplay, more (and hopefully better/useful) spells... extra modes, incentives to replay the game. At least when Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne was released, it was what we got here in the US. I'm not terribly fond of not only getting a seemingly half finished product, but Japan gets the improvement and I'm left sitting here not wondering about money mongering so much as "stuff I would have liked to have seen in the original release."

This new game is way more than "Oh, you get a special battle against Sephiroth." I can make the distinction between Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy 7 International over Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne and Star Ocean 3 of all things.

Oh. Grow up. I wasn't jumping your shit. I was making a joke. If anyone got jumped on--it was me. And, yes, you CAN say it was planned from the start:

"We only have so much money--we have to cut something."
"Okay, if we sell a bunch of these things, we can put in what we left out and sell it as an 'updated' version."

You may be tired of Japan getting all the "good" stuff, but I can't do anything about it. Try contacting SE and complain to them about the practice.

Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by Sepharite

Also, in the Bazaars, there's these "Grimoire". What's the point of those?

And I'm trying to find the magick Bravery/Faith. How would I get those?

Grimoires turn into the Monographs that let enemies drop better loot--so buy them.

Bravery/Faith is available at the Clan Item Shop after a certain level....I can't remember which one....

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

Originally Posted by Leknaat

Oh. Grow up. I wasn't jumping your shit. I was making a joke. If anyone got jumped on--it was me.

I missed it... I could pull out a "hard to articulate that on th--", but I'll just say this:

My apologies.

Quote:

And, yes, you CAN say it was planned from the start:

"We only have so much money--we have to cut something."
"Okay, if we sell a bunch of these things, we can put in what we left out and sell it as an 'updated' version."

You may be tired of Japan getting all the "good" stuff, but I can't do anything about it. Try contacting SE and complain to them about the practice.

I just want to clarify, my intent was to say it was "bullshit", and whether or not it was intentional isn't really what I'm getting at. If I could clarify, I say "We fucked up" because there's shit I feel is wrong with XII that this International Version fixes. I wasn't getting at "oh god they're price gouging", I was getting at "This is the game we should have received first."

There are things about XII that are being fixed in the "International" release that really make this update a big tap upside the head. At least, to me. Magic is useless, money is hard to get without running around in circles grinding in nearly every area. It's practically a game of attrition. The License Board feels like an incomplete concept... and here we are at International.

Yeah, it's probably not that big a deal at the end of the day to most people. I really like the game, and this stuff would have probably made me enjoy it a great deal better. It's a shame, it's bullshit, it's all I was getting at.

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

A game is never perfect. They can always add onto it anyways. But yeah, I'm disappointed too. Not like I'm going to play it again, seeing how this is my least favourite Final Fantasy.

I just attempted to face the last bosses. The last three (before the final) were incredibly easy. I had a wtf, thats it face? And then the final boss - woah wtf (Two-WA?). Almost shit my pants. But yeah, I died. Going to buy those Grimoires (thanks for the info Leknaat), and start hunting. Too bad hunting isn't going to be any fun since my level is exponentially higher than the hunted ._. Level up my clan level so I can buy that Bubble magick. <3

Any tips on the last boss?

I was speaking idiomatically.

Get a load of X-potions, and swap your healing spell gambits with X-Potions to conserve MP and speed. Keep Protect, Shell and Haste up at all times. Decoy the tank and control the healer. If you think you can keep up with the healing, Berserk your damage dealer and/or tank. Else just let them pound away.

What level are you, anyway? I kicked the boss's ass at around level 48, and had to use about 5 phoenix downs.

How ya doing, buddy?

I liked using Float in my battles--as well as Invisible....LOL

Don't waste your time on any black magic on the final boss. Just use physical attacks.

Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by Rotorblade

I missed it... I could pull out a "hard to articulate that on th--", but I'll just say this:

My apologies.

Accepted.

Quote:

I just want to clarify, my intent was to say it was "bullshit", and whether or not it was intentional isn't really what I'm getting at. If I could clarify, I say "We fucked up" because there's shit I feel is wrong with XII that this International Version fixes. I wasn't getting at "oh god they're price gouging", I was getting at "This is the game we should have received first."

There are things about XII that are being fixed in the "International" release that really make this update a big tap upside the head. At least, to me. Magic is useless, money is hard to get without running around in circles grinding in nearly every area. It's practically a game of attrition. The License Board feels like an incomplete concept... and here we are at International.

Yeah, it's probably not that big a deal at the end of the day to most people. I really like the game, and this stuff would have probably made me enjoy it a great deal better. It's a shame, it's bullshit, it's all I was getting at.

I've always felt these "International" games weren't meant to "fix" games, but were, rather, what the creators wanted to put in the original game, but couldn't for one reason or another.

Almost like a Director's cut of a movie having the deleted scenes that weren't shown in the theatre.

How ya doing, buddy?

Quote:

Almost like a Director's cut of a movie having the deleted scenes that weren't shown in the theatre.

But Director's Cuts are usually released around the globe, whereas the International versions and Final Mixes and whatnot are only available in Japan. I guess that's what irks people the most.

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

It bothers me a little, too, but I can do without the "extras" if I enjoy a game as it is--you know what I mean?

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Bukkake Bandit

But Director's Cuts are usually released around the globe, whereas the International versions and Final Mixes and whatnot are only available in Japan. I guess that's what irks people the most.

Wasn't the extra edition of FFX just the European version (With the dark Aeons) add a few cutscenes or something?

If people object to having to pay more to play the extra stuff, why not just not buy the game when it comes out and wait for the inevitable final mix version?

Personally, I've not found getting money in FFXII hard at all. I have one character with a stealing gambit and thief cuffs and all the grimoires and rather than using teleport crystals, I walk everywhere. Generally by the time you get where you're going you're carrying a sack full of loot and can sell it for hundreds of thousands of gil. I have spent quite a long time playing so far though. Gaara, how long was on the clock when you finished it because I think you started about the same time as I did and I've clocked up 95 hours so far and not gone to the Feywood yet. I have completed all the marks up to the last level 5 one, have 7 espers and quite a lot of the rare game hunted though and that takes some time.

I beat the esper in the Stillshrine of Miriam the other night, the one where you can't use any magic. Fuck me was that tough, especially as I didn't know you wouldn't be able to use magic and only had 15 X-potions on me. Thankfully, I've got everyone's level 3 quickenings and I got lucky with a quickening combo, chained 18 hits together and took about 50,000 hp off him. then switched to the other three, managed a 12 hit combo then threw hi-ethers at the reserve members, switched them back in and got another big combo in. Managed to use all the X-potions and about 45 phoenix downs in the process though. Possibly having more than one bubble belt for the whole party might have helped matters a little...

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Yeah, heh, that's what I got. Pure X-potions but right at the end, he manages to take out 2000+ damage each second. And I'm constantly healing every second until they die =( My characters are all level 55. I'm trying hunts now so I can get Bravery and Bubble.

Leknaat, what does Float + Invisible (Vanish?) do? xD I'll try that I guess.

I better beat this game fast, I want to try Odin Sphere.

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

Quote:

Wasn't the extra edition of FFX just the European version (With the dark Aeons) add a few cutscenes or something?

Oh, erm. I'm not too sure about that. But I do know that the international version of FFX-2 had a few extra missions and dress spheres, and then there's the final mix of KH 1 and 2.

Quote:

I beat the esper in the Stillshrine of Miriam the other night, the one where you can't use any magic. Fuck me was that tough, especially as I didn't know you wouldn't be able to use magic and only had 15 X-potions on me. Thankfully, I've got everyone's level 3 quickenings and I got lucky with a quickening combo, chained 18 hits together and took about 50,000 hp off him. then switched to the other three, managed a 12 hit combo then threw hi-ethers at the reserve members, switched them back in and got another big combo in. Managed to use all the X-potions and about 45 phoenix downs in the process though. Possibly having more than one bubble belt for the whole party might have helped matters a little..

It saves you a lot of potions when you equip your shield users with an Ice Shield and give someone else the dawn shard, and make sure everyone is shelled. Then kill the little elementals first before taking on Mateus. Using weapons with lightning element helps a lot too.

I never had too much trouble out there, actually. And you can still use magic there, right?

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

Originally Posted by Bukkake Bandit

It saves you a lot of potions when you equip your shield users with an Ice Shield and give someone else the dawn shard, and make sure everyone is shelled. Then kill the little elementals first before taking on Mateus. Using weapons with lightning element helps a lot too.

I never had too much trouble out there, actually. And you can still use magic there, right?

Wrong esper, Mateus is a pussy. You can go back into the Stillshrine after talking to a Nu-Mou (Sp?) on Mt Bur Omisace to get some item and fight another much harder esper. You can't use magic the whole fight and there's at least six respawning undead types as well as him. He casts slow, stop and bio a lot and punches pretty hard too. As Vaan landed the killing blow he was the last man standing and on barely 1,000hp and I was bricking it. He's certainly the hardest thing I've fought so far, even the fat cunt in the Garamasythe waterway when you're being perpetually drained. I think my team are all around level 47.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Shin

Wasn't the extra edition of FFX just the European version (With the dark Aeons) add a few cutscenes or something?

Yeah. FFX International was just the European version, plus an option for Japanese and another DVD with a ten-minute prologue for FFX-2.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Shin

... that takes some time.

The game did accomplish integrating exploration and combat into one nice package. I already said "hard", though I'd like to semantically spin it to be some other word. Eh, getting to the point, I'm hard pressed to say that it couldn't have done a few things to be less time consuming. I'm obviously not a real fan of grinding, something this game will make you do. Pretty spiffy way of edging it in there, though I did find item chains to actually get me more money in less time, as I'm clocked in at 60 hours trying to fight fucking Zodiark and Yizamat(sp?) of all fucking things.

Originally Posted by Leknaat

I've always felt these "International" games weren't meant to "fix" games, but were, rather, what the creators wanted to put in the original game, but couldn't for one reason or another.

Almost like a Director's cut of a movie having the deleted scenes that weren't shown in the theatre.

That is kind of a gray area of thinking, at least to me. They are similar, but very different types of entertainment mediums. I know that the Director's Cut of Kingdom of Heaven made it a much more palatable and enjoyable movie, and I could try to superimpose its situation over Final Fantasy XII's. Its "Director's Cut" being a "It should have been this way the first time, why'd none of that stuff make it to print..."

But, I see your point as well. They were facing deadlines and pressure on this project. It's no secret the original Producer for the game had opted to leave due to stress of some nature. It's just hard for me to see the way the game is now, and see Japan get the game I very well might have rather seen. I've been spinning it around in my head for some time, looking at the positives and negatives. I understand the reasoning, I'm tracking with you there.

FELIPE NO

What do you need to sell to get the Forgotten Grimoire's to appear in the Bazaar? I checked a FAQ for the bazaar and it didn't have it listed.

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

Originally Posted by Sepharite

Leknaat, what does Float + Invisible (Vanish?) do? xD I'll try that I guess.

Vanish makes you less of a target with some bosses. And if you have the higher forms of Shell/Protect/Haste--it DOES help.

Float, on the other hand...works great against earth-based attacks....but the final boss doesn't have any--if I remember correctly. (I played once, and I'm in the middle of playing again, but I stopped to play something else).

Did Dispel work for anyone?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Mucknuggle

What do you need to sell to get the Forgotten Grimoire's to appear in the Bazaar? I checked a FAQ for the bazaar and it didn't have it listed.

I've compiled a little list for you. Hope it helps.

Hunter's Monograph (18000 gil): enhances loot from beasts/avions.
-Complete the Thextera hunt, then talk to Gatsly in the Bazaar (near the Clan shop).

Knight's Monograph (19000 gil): enhances loot from giants/insects.
-Talk to any weapon merchant at least 30 times.

Mage's Monograph (21000 gil): enhances loot from fiends.
-Talk to any magick merchant at least 25 times.

Scholar's Monograph (22000 gil): enhances loot from constructs.
-Talk to any armor merchant at least 15 times.

Warmage's Monograph (20000 gil): enhances loot from amorphs/undead.
-Read the hunt noticeboard at least 20 times.

Dragoon's Monograph (22000 gil): enhances loot from dragons/plants.
-Read the hunt noticeboard at least 40 times.

Sage's Monograph (25000 gil): enhances drops from elementals.
-Talk to any merchant over 100 times.

Originally Posted by Sepharite

And I'm trying to find the magick Bravery/Faith. How would I get those?

Like Leknaat said, at the Clan shop. You get Bravery after you reach the rank of Riskbreaker, and Faith when you reach Brave Companion.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Leknaat

Did Dispel work for anyone?

Dispelaga and slowga are two of the most useful spells in the game for my money. All the higher level hunts come buffed with protect, shell and haste and getting rid of these makes killing them much easier and more importantly, faster. Also, when the monster is putting it's buffs back up, it's not hitting you so you get hurt less too! I generally start every big fight by having one character cast bravery and haste on everyone (Everyone has protect, shell and bubble on all the time through their gambits anyway), another casting dispel then slow on the boss while the third casts first blind, then silence. If all that lot hits you can basically put the pad down and let the gambits finish the fight for you, picking it up only to stop your thief stealing once the item has been acquired.

I don't use dispel so much against normal monsters except for the big ringwyrms and entites.

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

I meant did Dispel work on the Final Boss?

(Stealing from Gilgamesh was a plus, though)

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

Nothing worked on the final boss, you could only wait it out till he did that lighting attack of his and become vulnerable again.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Yup, Dispel works on the last boss. Only for the normal protection though. But after casting "Great Protection or w/e", he immediately casts Reflect (or some other type of magick that prevents magick) so you gotta act fast.

But other ailments don't work. If only silence worked ._.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Ok, so according to Shonen Jump, Final Fantasy XII International will have two new playable characters (not as guests): Larsa and Vossler.
I personally love the idea of Larsa as a part of the group, since he is one of the best characters of the game.
I wonder though, how is this going to affect the story, since both characters are missing in some portion of the story.

And about Vossler

Spoiler:

I played the game a long time ago and my memory is not that good.
He dies, right? Aerith all over again....nice...

Oh man, my fricking limited edition copy looks like a beta game now

FELIPE NO

I'm finding a lot of these hunts to be too easy. I guess I shouldn't abuse the Nihapalgao (or whatever its called) + Remedy combo so much...

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

Originally Posted by Dizzy

Ok, so according to Shonen Jump, Final Fantasy XII International will have two new playable characters (not as guests): Larsa and Vossler.
I personally love the idea of Larsa as a part of the group, since he is one of the best characters of the game.
I wonder though, how is this going to affect the story, since both characters are missing in some portion of the story.

And about Vossler

Spoiler:

I played the game a long time ago and my memory is not that good.
He dies, right? Aerith all over again....nice...

Oh man, my fricking limited edition copy looks like a beta game now

You have a link to that story? I thought it meant that they were just controllable when they were in your party as guests. Maybe they're permanent. That would be interesting with Vossler as you say....

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Maybe it'll let you fiddle with their gambits and equipment when they're in as guests?

I can't see them being permanent characters, since you know, they need to be out of the party on multiple occasions due to the plot.

There's nowhere I can't reach.