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Zalera - the Death Seraph

Mist Lv : 1
LP Cost : 25
Zodiac : Gemini
Element : Death
Location : Barheim Passage

#Limit Break - Condemation

.--------- Esper Stats ---------.--- Lv to challenge ---.
| Lv: 40 Atk: 62                         | Recommended: > 40 |
| HP: 72248 Def: 39                  | Minimum Lv : > 30 |
| LP: 42 Mag Res: 25                | Average Lv : > 22 |
'-------------------------------'-----------------------'

Require Barheim Key to return this place.

At where you back from Dalmasca Eastersand, go to North. Turn to West in the section before Gate Crystal, then head to North-West passage. After there, you will reach to the long railway at West known as Zeviah Span, follow the railway to South, on the way you have to push down the broken wagon to unlock the new path. A Save Crystal at South-West area just before the esper fight, continue to West from the Save Crystal will reach to No.7 Terminus, where the Zalera esper is waiting.

Time limit within five minutes, it's no time for you to play the long battle, and some undead enemies will join the battle, it's quite hard if your team is below 40 level. Prepare your Gambit for healing the bad statuses like Blind, Disable and Sleep. Dispel on the esper at beginning, and you can try use Slow as well. He/she will send you some negative status, and beware of the instant kill, prepare Arise or Phoenix Down. Before you clear all undeads around, you can't deal damage to Zalera (but I can still dealing damage to Zalera by using Golden Axe). You can also try the Reflection trick like Exodus Esper battle if you have stronger spells like Collapse/Scathe, but don't use elemental spells. Like serveral special enemies, Zalera can also send Break, Disable and Sleep according to your level, for easier the battle, make sure your characters are not at the level that could be infected by the bad statuses below.

Level 4 Break can only affects on the characters with level multiple of 4,
eg: level 4, 8, 12, 16...
Level 3 Disable can only affects on the characters with level multiple of 3,
eg: level 3, 6, 9, 12...
Level 2 Sleep can only affects on the characters with level multiple of 2,
eg: level 2, 4, 6, 8, 10...

Ultima - the High Seraph

Mist Lv : 3
LP Cost : 90
Zodiac : Virgo
Element : Holy
Location : Crystal Grande/The Great Crystal

#Limit Break - Perfect Ultima/Eschaton

.--------- Esper Stats ---------.--- Lv to challenge ---.
| Lv: 63 Atk: 147                         | Recommended: > 60 |
| HP: 258001 Def: 61                 | Minimum Lv : > 56 |
| LP: 65 Mag Res: 40                 | Average Lv : > 35 |
'-------------------------------'-----------------------'

I strongely recommend to have Sage's Ring and White Mask for this Esper, aside from them, you need Ring of Renewal, Bubble Belt and Opal Ring for more advantages.

After Ancient City Of Giruvegan event, back to the Crystal Grande part where only display a \ giant crystal in your map. When you just reach Crystal Grande, you were at teleport VIII, they are several ways to find this esper, I just list down one of them below, or reference this map for some helps:

http://musamune.blogspot.com/2007/11/crystal-grande-upper-layer.html

- From VIII you can see three ways here, one is up, one is down and another one was sealing by Gate Scorpio. Head to the up way and push the switch for Gate Scorpio. Now will start encounter some tough enemies on the way to the Ultima battle.

- Back to VIII and unseal the Gate Scorpio, then cross over it.

- Reach to IX, use it to X.

- From X, following the only way here will reach XX.

- XX platform has two sealing Gate Sagittarius, one way down, two ways up, another way is where you come from.

- From where you come to XX, go to the opposite way which is leads you down, continue until the end and push the switch for Gate Sagittarius, then back to XX within time limit.

- Unseal the Gate Sagittarius 2nd in XX platform, then cross over it.

- Reach to XII, just use it will come to XIV.

- In XIV platform, follow the leading to up way. Next platform push the switch
for Gate Leo, then back to XIV. (time counting)

- From XIV, take the way to down.

- Until third platform the way branch to two, one leads to Gate Leo 2nd, another one is to Excalibur treasure (now you couldn't get it, return here later). Just follow the up way to unseal Gate Leo 2nd.

- Here can see two more ways and a Gate Gemini, take anyone of the ways here will reach XV, take it to XVI.

- In XVI platform, follow the middle way will see the switch for Gate Libra. (take note on your own for here, you will back here later) Push the switch and back to XVI.

- From where you back to XVI, take the right way, it should leads you up.

- Next platform, unseal the Gate Libra 1st and cross that way.

- Now reach to a platform with three ways. From where you come, go to leftern way which also leads up.
- Push the switch for Gate Capricorn, return to XVI. (time counting)

- In XVI, take the only going down way will see Gate Capricorn 1st, pass itcome to switch for Gate Virgo, here is also a sealing Gate Aquarius.

- Push the switch for Gate Virgo (time counting) then return to XVI.

- In XVI, head to the middle way which leads to Libra switch.

- From Libra switch, follow the down way will see two sealing gate in next platform. Just unseal the Gate Virgo 2nd.

- Next section, from where you come, go to the right way which leads to up.

- Use XVII will reach XVIII.

- In XVIII platform, follow the only way here will see a Save Crystal in next section.

- Save Crystal section, here got three more ways. From where you come, left way goes to the switch for Gate Aquarius, right way leads to teleport XIX which warp back to XX, follow to the middle will battle against Ultima.

Phew, finally...

The esper has a bit more than 250,000 HP, defeat this esper will gain 65 LP. She will cast Holyja after 12 attacks, the 12 attacks including normal attack and Destrustion (named Redemption for US version). Like other Espers, her most powerful elemental move, Holyja could heavily damage all characters by using Holy elemental. Equip White Mask or Sage's Ring to absorb the Holyja, needless to say, don't use Holy spell because it can heal the esper. As for her special move, Destrustion/Redemption can deal large damage on one character, however, Ultima won't use the Destrustion/Redemption to the character who has equiped the White Mask or Sage's Ring since these equipments absorb Holy. You can lure Ultima to use Destrustion/Redemption by unequiping White Mask or Sage's Ring, pay attention on the information message on the top left screen, once Ultima has targetted on the character with Destrustion/Redemption, equip White Mask or Sage's Ring to absorb it. Do remember you can always change you equipments, this trick goes for Holyja as well, if Sage's Ring and White Mask are not your best equipments, you can just equip them only when the Holyja is ready, change back the equipments that you like after Holyja.

I know it's an annoying way on changing equipment in the battle, but sometimes you do have to do that for certain status. As later Ultima cast Reflect on to all characters, now make sure you don't stupidly heal your team with Curaja or other healing spells before your healer has equiped Opal Ring. And be sure you don't heal your ally when the Reverse status is sent from the Holyja.

When Ultima HP down to around 70%, you will get HP decrease, MP decrease, then following with battle commands will be sealing one after one.
Here is the arrangement:
-HP decrease-> MP->decrease-> Attack-> Magic-> Skill-> Item-> Magnet-> *repeat

When Ultima HP down to 50%, she will use Holyja after each 7 attacks instead of 12 attacks at the beginning. So you might have to speed up your equipments changing, and Ring of Renewal is recommended during the Magic seal period. Again, just to remind, always equip White Mask or Sage's Ring to absorb the Holyja and Destrustion/Redemption.

Queklain/Cuchulainn - the Impure

Mist Lv : 2
LP Cost : 50
Zodiac : Scorpio
Element : Poison
Location : Garamsythe Waterway

#Limit Break - Blight

.--------- Esper Stats ---------.--- Lv to challenge ---.
| Lv: 45 Atk: 83                         | Recommended: > 48 |
| HP: 126165 Def: 47                 | Minimum Lv : > 45   |
| LP: 50 Mag Res: 31                | Average Lv : > 30     |
'-------------------------------'-----------------------'

Require finish Wraith (rank E) and White Mousse (rank A) Mob Hunt missions first, obtain Sluice Gate Key and back here. From the first central area with the Save Crystal, you should see some spheres here, they're the panels of 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th area,

- First, switch on No. 3 and 10 Area Panel. (thats mean light up the panel)
- From here to South-West and switch on the No. 1 Area Panel there.
- Back to central, off No. 3 and 10 Area Panel, on No. 4 and 11 Area Panel.
- From here to South-East and switch on another No. 1 Area Panel.
- Back to central, off No. 11 Area Panel, on No. 3 Area Panel. Which means No. 3 and 4 Area Panel is on.
- Save your game before the battle, it wasn't an easy fight.
- From here, directly to South, down to the square area to face this esper.

You will get HP decrease in the entire battle, other than Curaja spells, alsoprepare some X-potion to heal in case of no MP. Always cure the negative status such as Immobilize, Disable, Sap and more, and these statuses would be send to the entire party, means you should have Esunaga spell for this fight. Sometimes he will Slow all your characters too, just recast Hastega to cover it. But the main problem is Disable, you should prepare the Black Belt accessory for this, the nearest shop can buy it is the item & accessory shop in Downtown/Lowtown, buy one or two from there if you haven't got it. Some Foobar enemies will also join the battle, should finish off them first. Remember Mist Knack/Quickening can damage all enemies, make sure be the best combo. Use some Ether to restore your MP after Mist Knack/Quickening, do it again when you have enough MP. By the way, you could steal a Scorpio Gem from this esper.

Fishing Mini-Game

The main objective to play this Mini-Game is Lu Shang's Badge, which is named Taikou/Lu Shang's Badge on the Japanese version. It's one of the three treasures for Wyrmhero Blade (US)/Tolo Sword (JP) trading.

<>

After you get the Barheim Key (side quest above), and the story reached to Port At Balfonheim,

- Back to Dalmasca Estersand Gate Crystal section, talk to Ruksel who's looking at the river, knowing he wants to fishing.
- Return to Port At Balfonheim, the South-East section which is the road to Airship Terminal/Aerodrome.
- Find the fishing old man around the crates area and talk to him twice, then choose the first option.
- Now go further from the old man, but don't leave this section. After awhile back to the same place, and the old man is gone, examine the fishing rod there to obtain Muramata.
- Move back to Dalmasca Estersand and pass the Muramata to Ruksel to start this Mini-Game.

<>

If you've completed Mysterious Man/Gilgamesh rank H Mob Hunt mission, you will get Blue, Green, Red, Yellow and Black Bottle during the fishing one by one. With the hints from the Bottles, find five letters from the locations below:

Blue Bottle
- Nabreus Deadlands, section South section from the Gate Crsytal. Reference the picture below if you don't want to find yourself.

Green Bottle
- Salikawood, section before to Nabreus Deadlands. Find the shack by the middle trunk.

Red Bottle
- Mosphoran Highwaste, Gate Crystal section. Find the Wind Shrine at North-West area, check it to get the letter.

Yellow Bottle
- Cerobi Steppe, Go turn on the windmill No.1, 2, 5, 7, 9, turn off 3, 4, 6, 8, 10. If you do so, you will get the letter automatically, make sure double check to confirm all of them have been fixed right.

Black Bottle
- Garamsythe Waterway, central control section where the Save Crystal by. Go South-East abit, where you can see some mouses running round.

After you got all five letters, move on to Barheim Passage to find Gilgamesh. Go to the longest railway in the middle known as Zeviah Span, you can see a small area at the South of this section, and you can only reach there from South. Enter that small area to watch a scene with Gilgamesh and Enkidou.
Here is the location:

After all, you will obtain Matamune demon rod. Now return and pass this rod to Ruksel in Dalmasca Estersand, continue fishing until you get Upstream. At the beginning, you can only fish in the Downstream, get 5 or more perfect fishing (no mistake) to unlock the Midstream. 5 more perfect fishing in the Midstream to unlock the Upstream.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Getting the Lu Shang's Badge
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Now with the Matamune, you can obtain Saboten Bond/Cactoid Compact in the Upstream. Continue fishing in the new fishing spot, Hidden Shoals. You will eventually get the Saboten Crest/Cactoid Commendation. Now fish in the last fishing spot, named Den of the River Lord (name Master Den for JP version). Try your best to get 9 successfully command input for the King Of Nebra, then lastly obtain the Lu Shang's Badge, which is the trading treasure for Wyrmhero Blade/Tolo Sword.

Note/Tips:
I've heard the Saboten Crest/Cactoid Commendation in Hidden Shoals is random, not too sure, but I got it at my fifth perfect fishing.

For the last fishing spot, Den of the River Lord, you just need to get 9 sucessfully fishing to get the Lu Shang's Badge/Taikou Chest. And it's simple since you don't need to get perfect fishing exaclty, as long as you got 9 times, the loot is yours.

Try to memorize the buttons like this:
.-----------------------------.
| R 1 L 2 ^ [ ] |
| R 2 L 1 X -> |
'-----------------------------'

Nothing other than practice, keep your cool during the process. Relax and chew a chewing-gum seems work for me lol

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Unlockable Fishing Spots
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The data of original Japanese version, which are translated by myself:

==================================================================
| Fishing Spot                     | How to unlock |
==================================================================
| Middle Reaches               | Get 5 perfect fishing in the Lower Reaches   |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Upper Reaches                | Get 5 perfect fishing in the Middle Reaches |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Secret Reaches                | Fish up Saboten Bond in the Upper Reaches |
|                                            | with Matamune                                                  |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Master Den                      | Fish up Saboten Crest in the Secret Reaches |
|-------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Taikou Chest                    | Get 9 perfect fishing in the Master Den |
------------------------------------------------------------------

*All these unlockable informations table above has already posted on Final Fantasy XII at www.gamefaqs.com under Cheat Codes & Secret page BEFORE the US version released. That was submitted by myself and based on the Japanese version, I need to clarify this although it has little mistake, because there's a stupid magazine publisher stole this info and publish under their contributor's credit.

Ok, here comes the data of US/English version:

=================================================================
| Fishing Spot                            | How to unlock |
=================================================================
| Midstream                              | Get 5 perfect fishing in the Downstream |
|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Upstream                                | Get 5 perfect fishing in the Midstream |
|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Hidden Shoals                         | Fish up Cactoid Compact in the Upstream |
|                                                   | with Matamune given by Gilgamesh |
|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Den of the                                | Fish up Cactoid Commendation in the |
| River Lord                               | Hidden Shoals |
|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Lu Shang's Badge                   | Successfully input the right command x9 |
|                                                   | in the Den of the River Lord |
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Phoenix

BOSS : Phoenix
HP : around 150,000

Return to Pharos At Ridorana, take the elevator in main hall to bottom level. Subterra-Origin In Darkness, B1F, but shown as 77F. To go next bottom level, you must collect enough Black Pearls to fill in the Altars in each corner. Before that, enter to North-East corner section at B1F (Penumbra), there is a fake wall at the inner area, hit it to open the hidden place. Follow the place till the central North, you should have opened 2 ancient doors before you can found this boss.

It's a flying target, is better you get Telekinesis skill from Nabudis secret shop for this. Replace Telekinesis to your normal attack for the entire fight. If you had follow the walkthrough, you should done the Urutan Yensa sub event in Ogir and Nam Yensa before the Garuda battle, and using the Eskir Berries on the Garuda is to weaken down its stats. Same thing on this boss, you can head back to Nam Yensa where you got the Eskir Berries, examine the flower at the same point to obtain another Eskir Berries. This boss is like Garuda, the giant bird you fought in front Tomb Of Raithwall, but sure this is much more stronger than that, just use the Eskir Berries to weaken it. But it still has powerful attack, and the agility is not bad at all. Don't always stand still, it could attacks you up to six hits in one turn. Send it Dispel at the beginning, then send Blind immediately after Dispel. Once Phoenix has got the Blind status, it will almost miss all the attacks. Equip shield could helps lot.

Ridorana - Subterra

God or Devil

Shadowseer

Lv : 67
Location :Pharos at Ridorana,Bottom floor in Subterra known as 'Unknown'.
HP : 278078
Weak : Holy
Possible Steal:
- Forbidden Flesh
- Foul Flesh
- Maggoty Flesh
Client :Montblanc, Rabanastre Clan HQ.
Reward :
- 20,000 gil
- Megalixir x2
- Clan Point : 6000
LP gain : 6

--- Lv to challenge ---
Recommended: > 65
Minimum Lv : > 62
Average Lv : > 40
-----------------------

I wonder why this mob listed as rank S/VI, he's actually much stronger than many other ranked H/VII mobs. I recommend your main team characters are all over 65 level since I fought it at 64-65 level team is still tough. So leave this mob for a moment, go for other rank H/VII mobs before this.

== Preparatories ==

Here are some recommended equipments:
Excalibur, Masamune, Zodiac Spear, Whale Whisker, Golden Axe,
Durandal, Fomalhaut, Perseus Bow/Artemis Bow, Valcano...
Zodiac Esctcheon, Demon Shield, White Mask, Black Mask, Dueling Mask,
Circlet, Golden Skullcap, Genji Helm, Brave Suit, Lordly Robes...
Nihopalaoa, Sage's Ring, Bubble Belt, Ribbon, Genji Gloves...

Well, almost all are the best equipments in the game, seriously you need most of them for this fight, but I'm not telling you to get all of them, just try to get as much as possible. However, most of them can be found in the Subterra, have some exercises in Subterra for these equipment,
and you don't need to equip Diamond Armlet to obtain them.

- Check this map for the details of Subterra:

Subterra

For Excalibur, you can find it in the Crystal Grande/The Great Crystal
For Masamune, you can either trade it or clear the Gilgamesh rank H/VII mob, and it will become the reward of thismission. Also make sure you steal all Genji equipment from Gilgamesh mob. As for magics and technick/skills, Curaja, Hastega, Esunaga, Arise, Bubble, Charge, Telekinesis are most important, make sure you have all them.

Needless to say, you should learn all abilities slots on the top part of the Licenses Board to get your character to become stronger.

== Unlocking Subterra ===

Return to Pharos at Ridorana, take the Dais of Ascendence at 1F to underground (B1F, Penumbra). Collect enough Black Orbs/Pearls by killing monsters and fill it to the Altars at four different corner to get to lower floors. Here is the require orbs of each floor.

B1F - South-West 6, South-East 3, North West 9, North-East 18
B2F - South-West 18, South-East 15, North West 9, North-East 15
B3F - South-West 12, South-East 27, North West 21, North-East 15
B4F - Battle~!

Before you can reach B4F/Unknown, you have to defeat Phoenix optional boss at North of B1F/Penumbra. You can check Phoenix under "Optional Bosses" section for some details. Anyway, Dispel Phoenix at the beginning of the battle, then equip Nihopalaoa and use a Remedy to Phoenix, that's all you need to do, after this you can defeat it easily.

== The main target ==

If you look carefully on the bill, you can actually see there's more than Shadowseer on the portrait, and the other opponents are Pandaemonium, Slyt, Fenrir and Phoenix, which are also the elite enemies in the Pharos. During the battle, all these Pharos elites will be summoned out one after one, no other to skip the fights, you have to defeat all of them again before you can defeat Shadowseer.

At the beginning, Dispel Shadowseer before attack. He will probably cast Shinning Ray or Darkness to attack, just equip White Mask or Sage's Ring to absorb Shinning Ray and Black Mask or Demon Shield to absorb Darkness. When Shadowseer down to 75% HP, he will be invincible and start summoning the bosses that you fought before. Start from know, Shadowseer will also use many many annoying moves to attack you team. Nothing you can do other than defeat all four bosses that were summoned by Shadowseer.

My Gambit setup for this fight (only show the important Gambits):
----------------------------------------
| Character 1: Fran                                   | As mentioned before, you have to face
| 1. Ally: Any = Phoenix Down                | four bosses beside Shadowseer, so the
| 2. Ally: Any = Smelling Salts                | Gambit setup here is still has some
| 3. Self: MP < 10% = Charge                  | flaws, so some actions you actually
| 4. Ally: HP < 50% = Curaja                   | have to use it manually since the
| 5. Ally: Any = Bubble                             | different strategy needed to be used
| 6. Foe : flying = Telekinesis                   | against different boss.
| 7. Foe : lowest HP = Attack                   |
|                                                                    | Do remember to cast Dispel to each
| Character 2: Ashe                                   | of the bosses as soon as it has been
| 1. Ally: Any = Arise                                 | summoned, then following by Remedy
| 2. Ally: Any = Smelling Salts                 | with Nihopalaoa accessory equip.
| 3. Self: MP < 10% = Charge                  |
| 4. Ally: HP < 50% = Curaja                   | Make sure your healer has equiped
| 5. Ally: Any = Bubble                             | Ribbon when Shadowseer readies the
| 6. Ally: Any = Hastega                           | Curse. You can actually cure your
| 7. Ally: Any = Eye Drops                       | ally instantly right after they're
| 8. Foe : flying = Telekinesis                  | cursed, just cast Esunaga to your
| 9. Foe : lowest HP = Attack                   | ally when the Curse is almost sent,
|                                                                    | means you have to calculate the
| Character 3: Penelo (healer)                 | timing. If you don't have Ribbon,
| 1. Ally: Any = Arise                                | make sure you healer is not in the
| 2. Ally: HP < 20% = X-Potion               | range of Curse, or else you will
| 3. Ally: Any = Esunaga                           | get many bad statuses as bad as
| 4. Ally: Any = Remedy                           | getting hit by allies (Confuse).
| 5. Self: MP < 10% = Charge                   |
| 6. Ally: Any = Bubble                              | Fenrir is a bit tough, I recommend
| 7. Ally: HP < 60% = Curaja                    | equip a shield. Since Sleep does
| 8. Foe : flying = Telekinesis                   | work on Fenrir, try only use non-
| 9. Foe : lowest HP = Attack                   | elemental magics to him after using
---------------------------------------- Remedy + Nihopalaoa trick.

Another problem is Invert, which is to switch between you HP and MP from Shadowseer. He will probably use this after he has drained your MP, so once you get switched, your HP will be reduced to a few or even death. For safety a Gambit slot for X-Potion using is no a bad idea. Once you've successfully heal the switched character, he/she will be full of MP uses, cast Renew if you have it, probably your team has not much HP left when you get to this situation, Curaja instead if you don't have Renew.

After defeating all bosses, Shadowseer seems has raised his stats, when he gets lesser HP, his defense power is even stronger, probably you can't deal over 1000 damage to him. Since now the Shadowseer is the only opponent left, plus Berserk and Bravery to your main attacker, and better you have Excalibur to end the battle faster, just make sure you always have a healer with range weapon to support.