Items:
4x Potions, 4x M-Stone Piece or 2x Venom Fang, 2x Elixir, 2x Cottage,
3x G-Returner.
Magic:
Blind - 1F of Communications Tower
Cure - Balamb Town, Vessel's dock
Thunder - at the main square of Balamb Town
Save Pts:
Communication Towers
GF:
Siren
Dollet Town (this period only)
G-Soldier: Fire*, Blizzard*, Thunder*, Cure*
Geezard: Thunder*, [Thundara*], Cure*, [Cura*]
Elite Soldier: Fire*, Blizzard*, Thunder*, Scan > {Dispel}
Anacandour: Fire*, Cure*, [Bio]
Biggs: Fire*, Blizzard*, Thunder*, Esuna
Wedge: Fire*, Blizzard*, Thunder*, Cure
Elvoret: Thunder*, Cure*, Double, Siren
Return back to Garden and at the gate, Quistis will leave your party. Next she will tell Squall to meet her in the Lobby since that you have completed the field test. She will tell you to change into your SeeD uniform. So head for the Dormitory. At the your dorm, head for the bed and position Squall next to the bed and press the X. Choose the 2nd option. Exit the Dormitory. The screen will switches to the Lobby where you will recruit a new partner, Zell Dincht. He will also give a Tutorial about his Limit Break, Duel.
Notice Squall is rather cold-blooded [he doesn't care about anyone else feelings and always kept to his own world] as he just simply gives Zell a cold shoulder. Zell also rather dislikes Seifer and comments to Squall about their mutual hate for him. However, Quistis gives him a piece of surprising news, that the leader for this mission is no other than Seifer Almasy! Seifer comes along with his pals, Fuujin and Raijin. Seifer is rather unfriendly and rude person, for he has been classified as a "problem" child. Now the headmaster of Balamb Garden will eventually shows up, his name is Cid Kramer. Cid will briefly tell them about their mission. [heck.. basically about the glory of SeeD!] After the little chit-chat, Seifer and his company plus Zell leave the lobby. Squall will head for the Parking Lot and you will get into a vehicle. You are being grouped to Squad B..
Inside the vehicle, enjoy some funny conversation between the trio and also Quistis Trepe. Zell will keep on asking that he wants to see Squall's gunblade. Squall does not respond, making Zell rather frustrated (well, this guy just can't sit still!) and gets up swaying a couple of punches. Seifer tells him to sit down and shut up, also insult him as "chicken-wuss" ^_^. Now the screen will switch to the World Map and you will be able to control the vehicle. Well, here are the controls of the vehicle
Controls of vehicles in FF8
Square: Moves your vehicle forwards.
Triangle: Moves your vehicle backwards.
X: Get in/ Get Out of vehicle.
Circle: Main Menu
R2: Changes the Point of View (POV)
Select: World Map [Spot view, Side map, enlarged World
Map]
I did not encounter any monsters while in a vehicle. At this moment of time, you can't get off from the vehicle. Just followed the road and make contact with the structure [there are only three structures in this continent, so its pretty easy to find Balamb Town]
Some facts -- They are the basic transport in FF8, allows you to head for forests and around the world safety. Cars have a limited amount of fuel! Use a Fuel to replenish it. You will see a text box appearing and a Fuel will be used automatically. [you will see that the car move slowly.. and this means you need to replenish it with a Fuel] Fuel can be brought at Towns.
Just simply drive your vehicle to the Balamb Town. You will eventually end up at the Dock. You have to enter the vessel, a submarine-like ship. Just as everyone have moved off, head up the stairs and enter the vessel (note that you can open up the Junction menu...) Inside the vessel, you will given a talk by a SeeD member called Xu whom will brief you about your examinations. [Notice that Seifer has been to the test before… ell to know the reason, play the game!]
For the past 72 hours, Dollet City has been under atack by the Galbadian army. After 18 hours from outbreak of the war, the city of Dollet has been evacuated. At present, the people are hurrying to take refuge at the outlying of mountainous areas. The troopswill disembark from Lapin Beach. Ask to eliminate any enemy soldiers. Asked to penetrate through the city and eliminate any enemy troops.
After the briefing, Sue leaves. Squall decide to do something, that's is talk to who ? You will be given 4 options:
-> Talk to Quistis
-> Talk to Seifer
-> Talk to Zell
-> Do Nothing
Seifer will now asked Squall to take a look outside the vessel. Choose the following option "....OK" (bare with it.. as it is your leader.) Once arrived on the beach, just follow Seifer. You will be able to control Squall and Zell will follow you. Note that you are to get junction each GF to each character. Junction Ifrit to Squall. And give each character each GF. Have them the following commands: Magic, GF, Draw. Trade Quistis' magic to either one of them or might as split up and stock up magic from the G-Soldiers. Now walk up the stairs (don't talk.. just walk up), use the Save Point if you feel the need to do so.
You will fight 2 G-Soldiers, each of them being armed with a sword. They are quite simple not that tough, just simply throw in what you got. This will nab you 2 AP and 2x Potions. Draw magic from them and stock it up for later use. There is rather a high probability, you will encounter random battles, so be always on your guard. Continue following Seifer into the city. In the screen where you see a bar, you will find a bridge and were ambushed another 2 G-Soldiers. [get you another Potion and 2 AP] Continue in following Seifer and he will talk more at the screen where you find a shop named "Noutlius" and there is a car there… Good work, Zell ^_^;
At the Town Square where you find a fountain, there you will be attacked by another G-Soldier (nab 1x Potion and 1 AP). Now your leader will give you some orders that's to scout for enemies. At the upper right-hand corner, you will meet another G-Soldier [it's somewhere near the car]. (nab you only 1 AP).
Next talk to Seifer, wait until Seifer start to comment on the mission started to get bored. Just wait there for a while, where you will find the dog irritating Seifer. To prevent the dog from being hurt, talk to the dog! Now the party will hide at one corner, approach Seifer...
Getting rather frustrated, Seifer chases the dog away and causes the dog to bark. Six Galbadian soldiers started to march towards left. Seifer will tell both Zell and Squall to chase them. Zell did not wished to do that [as they will not following the orders..] But surprisingly, Squall agrees with Seifer... (for 1 reason, Seifer is their leader) So chase after them, and keep on following Seifer. Next you will be crossing a bridge and keep on heading left. You will encounter random battles there rather frequently. Whew! you have finally caught up with Seifer. Talk to the wounded Dollet soldiers. As you talk to the person, who is crawling on the stairs, and the soldier will get ripped up! Beware, as you are going to battle a Anacandour, a huge snake-type creature.
Fight - Anacandour
Status: Level 8
HP: 1,248
Description: A large venemous snake that uses squeeze attacks.
Use caution when its HP is low, it splits poisonous fluid.
Facts: Absorbs Poison. Weak against Cold.
Draw: Fire*, Cure*, [Bio]
Attacks: (whip), Squeeze, Dark Mist
Squall's Lv: 11
Win: 4x M-Stone Piece or 2x Venom Fang
Anacandour's Data Information
[||||||||| < HP > |||||||||]
[|||| STR DEF |]
[ INT SPI ]
[ DEX EVA
Strategy
This Boss isn't really tough. You can draw healing magic from
this guy. Just use your GF to toast the Boss. Beware of the Dark
Mist as it does a massive amount of damage + poison-status effect.
Do not use Bio (if you have the spell) on the Boss. Use GF Shiva
with the "Boost" ability for more damage. Refer to Part
II about Boost for more details. Junction 100x magic to boost
the characters. The Boss can cause a lot of mischief with its
Dark Mist, use a Remedy or Antidote to fix that status ailments.
Seifer's No Mercy!
Yep.. Seifer is indeed different. He can unleash his Limit
Break: No Mercy even if his HP is only 40% of his total HP. He
has a gunblade trigger just like Squall.. just keep on tapping
R1 while he was generating the energy field. This is perhaps
the last battle that you are using as Seifer Almasy.
Continue up the stairs and head for the Communications Tower. Proceed up the screen.. and you will find a huge tower with 3 Galbadians Soldiers talking about a huge monster living there... Your teammates will try to stay under cover at the cliff found in front of the Tower. Seifer wants to head on and goes off on his own (does not make decision wisely huh?), Next you will be introduced to a new party member... in a funny CGI movie.
The girl's name is Selphie. She is formerly a member of Squad A. Well she will also thank you for taking her around Balamb Garden if you have did so... if not, say bye for that thanks ^_^; She will jump off the cliff and asked you to follow her. Examine the cliff with X and you can get two options. You can also move right which leads to a winding path to the tower.. Make your choice. Now she will join your party once you talk to her. NOTE that she will have all spells that you stocked. Junction Quezacotl to her and try to build up the compatibility. Enter the Tower and you will find Seifer chasing out the G-Soldiers from the Tower ^_^; Enter the tower to follow Seifer. I would recommend you have someone with item as their fourth command for you don't Life Magic.
Next the scene will transfer to the conversation between Wedge and Major Biggs. Now head inside the tower, equip Guardian Forces for each of them. Draw from the Draw Point found on the left of the elevator [Blind]. There is also a Save Point located on the right of the elevator. Proceed towards the elevator and use the elevator by choosing the top option with the X button. At the top of tower, you will have another CGI feast... Biggs is surprised that you were there and he called for Wedge but no response. ^_^; try to escaped but his plan is backfired by Seifer.... It is your 2nd Boss Fight!
Boss 2 - Elvoret
Biggs
Status: Level 10
HP: 705
Wedge
Status: Level 12
HP: 703
Elvoret
Status: Level 8
HP: 2,872
Description: A monster that lives in the abandoned Dollet
Communication Tower. No one knows where it comes from.
Facts:
(Elvoret) Weak against Wind. Poison has no effect.
(Wedge) Poison has no effect
Draw:
(Elvoret): Thunder*, Cure*, Double, Siren
(Biggs): Fire*, Thunder*, Blizzard*, Esuna
(Wedge): Fire*, Thunder*, Blizzard*, Cure*
Attack:
(Elvoret): (claw swipe), Thunder*, Fire*, Mist Breath
(Biggs): (gunfire), (charge), Cure*, Thunder*, Protect
(Wedge): (sword slash), Fire*
Squall's Lv: 11
Win: 2x Elixir, 2x Cottage, 3x G-Returner, 1x Weapon Mon
Mar
AP gained: 18 AP
Biggs' Data Information
[||||||| < HP > |||||||]
[||| STR DEF |||||]
[||| INT SPI |||||||]
[ DEX EVA |]
Wedge's Data Information
[||||||| < HP > |||||||]
[||| STR DEF |||||]
[| INT SPI |||||||]
[ DEX EVA |]
Elvoret's Data Information
[||||||||| < HP > |||||||||]
[||| STR DEF ]
[||| INT SPI |||||||||]
[ DEX EVA ]
Strategy
Fighting against Biggs and Wedge -- You first face Biggs and
just simply attack him with attacks and magic. As he was seriously
wounded in the process, he will call for Wedge (well, a pretty
amusing sequence). Just keep on focus your attacks on one of them.
After defeating one of them and you will eventually meet up with
the main Boss of this section. Biggs have the probability of casting
Cure on Wedge if both of them is seriously injured. Kill Biggs
first! Draw Cure to maintain your character's HP at its maximum.
Draw Esuna from Wedge and stock it up.
Fighting against the Elvoret -- It took me a while to figure this way to defeat this cookie in a few minutes time.. Notice that its Defensive stats as being scan is *very* low, this means that "Limit Breaks are the killer weapon!" Just draw GF Siren (there is a way to get it after this battle...) and stock up Double if you want to make your life easy.. Have Selphie and Squall as healers that is to draw Cure* from the Boss to restore HP. Selphie is a great character for her Limit Breaks are very strong where comes to offense or defense. Target to get Full-cure first just to continue your stocking up of Double [20+ Mag stats should have no problem...]. Use Squall's Renzokuken at the maximum of 2 times only [junction any 100x Fire or other element to his Str through Str-J] as the Boss will use its Mist Breath which does ~100 HP to all characters. Upon the first time, have Zell/Selphie using Draw Cure and Cast. In this way it is no sweat! Once your HP is back to its maximum, continue your stock up Double run...
As you are done with the Boss, you will have a short conversation. Seifer will leave... Why? Actually Selphie is a messenger from Squad A that informs Squad B to evacuate with 30 minutes time to head back to Lapin Beach where the vessel is docked. So hurry! Examine the elevator and pick the first option. (don't forget to Junction Siren to Squall, this GF is really good)
As Squall and his members were heading to the ground floor, you will have a scene of Biggs activating the controls, thus summoning the "Black Widow" to attack your party. Back at the ground floor of the tower, save your game and use Potions/Cure to restore lost HP. Head for the entrance and you will encounter the "Black Widow" It will be more advisible to use a Tent at the Save Point. Note that the time limit still continues during the battles with the Boss. Do worry, there is no random battles during this sequence.
Boss 3 - X-ATM092
Status: Level 8
HP: 5,580
Description: Galbadia Mobile attack weapon AKA "Black
Widow". Does not stop until it kills all enemies in its path.
Facts: Weak against Thunder. Poison has no effect on the
Boss.
Draw List: Fire*, Blizzard*, Cure*, Protect
Attacks:Arm Crash, (swipe), Ray-Bomb, Clash
Squall's Lv: 11
Win: n/a
AP Gained: 50 [defeat the Boss' HP to zero upon first encounter]
X-ATM092's Data Information
[||||||||| < HP > |||||||||]
[||| STR DEF ||||||]
[| INT SPI |]
[ DEX EVA ]
Strategy #1
Well, it is pretty easy (but not easy to knock it down with
such low levels and advance spells). I have classified them into
two strategies: The Boss' main weakest is Thunder. So cast Thunder
and summon GF Quezacotl is your key weapon in your arsenal...
To finish it off quickly, summon Quezacotl along with "Boost"
ability. Once the Boss is down, you will heard from Zell saying
press L2 and R2 to escape… that's to run…
proceed the "Mad Run Chase" Junction Thunder to your
character's Elem-Atk-J [Ifrit have that ability] Continue with
the "Mad Run Chase".
Strategy #2
Defeat "Black Widow" Strategy. Beforehand preparations.
Defeating this guy is not impossible but you really need to level
up to Level 18+. You must gotten make Mid Class Mag-RF from the
Quezacotl, SumMag +20%, Elemental Attack for 2 characters and
Ability with Boss. Convert 5x Thunder to Thundara using the menu.
Get 100x of Thundara to junction to Squall's Elem-Atk-J and junction
100x of another mid-class magic to his Str-J. Junction 100x Double
to Selphie's Mag Stats and her affection with Quezacotl at about
900+. Have Squall under critical status (let Squall die in the
battle against the Elvoret and use a Phoenix Down). At the battle,
keep on using Renzokuken and have the rest using Cure to restore
Squall's health at least about 240+. Continue with the "Mad
Run Chase"
"Mad Run Chase"
Well, I have only did once to fight against the Boss only
once.. but I still can't skip one of them...You will encounter
the Boss at least 2 times if you follow my instructions…
- First fall... can't escape. This is a compulsory battle.
- The path on the right... just keep on walking down.
- The cliff... hold Left when you reach that screen.
- The steps… The floor vibrates as you walk down… try
to walk by holding down Triangle. Thanks a lot pals. (See
Credits section)
- The path where the wounded soldier is being squeeze to death..,
just walk down…
- The bridge... It works like this... Turn on your TV speakers
a bit louder so that you can hear the footsteps of X-ATM092....
Just simply move right until you hear a loud thud [the X-ATM092
jumping across your party]. Move left and once it jumps.... make
a RIGHT TURN! It take time to practice this…
- The Town Square... save the dog, by examining it with X
button
- The area with the car... just walk south and enjoy a CGI of
the car being squashed!
- Outside the Pub... Just walk south…
- The main street... this is really scary... HOLD the D-Pad's
Down!
*End of Chase* (Phew!)
Watch a CGI on how Quistis stops this monster....
Now your party are back safe and sound. Back at the harbor, Seifer returns back to his normal self. His pals will come to the harbor and praises him for the victory. Quistis will congratulate Squall and the rest for doing a great job. However, the unfriendly Seifer and his company just simply uses your only transport, thus leaving your party back at the harbor. Now you have to walk back to Balamb Garden.....
Exit the area and you will be at a winding path and there is a Hotel. Pay 100 gil to stay in the Hotel [as resting at the inn, will help to recover all your lost HP, but it also does provide help to your G.Fs]. If you want to save your game, use the Save Point found at the corner of the room. [There is also a copy of the Timber Maniacs.] Rest as you must be tired and has lost quite a lot of HP [pick the first option and pay 100 gil]. Head left and you will enter the main compound of Balamb Town. There is a Draw Point here, draw some magic. [Thunder] If you talk to the man sitting on the bench, you will find out that he seems rather familiar to Zell. Actually, this is Zell's hometown! There are three houses found within the main compound. Here is a map of Balamb.
____________________________________________________________________ / \ |---------------------------------------------------------------------| | Map of Balamb Town | |---------------------------------------------------------------------| | __ __ ______ | | | | D | | | | | _______ DP--| | | | | | E | _________| * | | | ___________________| _______|___| | | | | | | | | | |||| | H | | | | |__| A | B | F | | | | | | C 2 |___|__ __| |_________ft| ____________ | | | | \SP tm / | | | |______|______|___DP___________________ \== G / / | | \ \______/1 / | | \____________/ | | Legend | | A Balamb Shop ft Fake Timber Maniacs | | B Balamb Junk Shop tm Timber Maniacs | | C Train Station ||| stairs * you are here | | D Rent-A-Car Shop -- Dock Berth | | E Residence DP Draw Point | | F Zell's House == steps | | G Balamb Hotel SP Save Point | | H Dock Area 2 -> Queen 1 -> Hotel Owner | |_____________________________________________________________________| |
After you have done with browsing the town, proceed to the Gas Station. There you can rent a vehicle for 3,500 gil ! Pick first or second option to rent a vehicle OR pick the third to quit. Here is the summary of the place.
Timber Maniacs: head to Balamb Hotel and enter the room on the left. Check the table on the right. There is also a Save Point Here.
Fake Maniacs: You can find this in Zell's House. BTW, you can't enter his yet ^_^; (want to see what Zell says? watch...)
Card Queen: Where card is concerned... this character is vital. More information about her in Part II.
Hotel Cost: 100 gil
Rent-A-Car: 3500 gil.
--> Sky Blue Car
--> Classic Car
--> ...Forget It
Balamb Shop
| Name of Item | Functions | Cost (gil) |
| Potion | Restores HP by 200 | 100 |
| Hi-Potion | Restores HP by 1000 | 500 |
| Phoenix Down | Revives KO Status | 500 |
| Antidote | Cure Poison | 100 |
| Eye Drops | Cure Darkness | 100 |
| Soft | Cure Petrify | 100 |
| Echo Screen | Cure Silence | 100 |
| Holy Water | Cure Zombie, Curse | 100 |
| Remedy | Cure abnormal status | 1000 |
| Tent | Fully restores abnormal status and HP to all | 1000 |
| Fuel | Fuel for rental car | 3000 |
| Normal Ammo | Ammo that attacks one opponent | 20 |
| Shotgun Ammo | Ammo that attack all opponent | 40 |
| G-Potion | Restores 200 HP to GF | 200 |
| G-Returner | Revives GF from KO | 500 |
If you want to level up your party, well it is a good time to do so. If you rent a car, parked it outside Balamb Garden as only cars from Garden are allow to enter Balamb Garden... so park it in the wild. Tied with your limited cash? Just walk on the road... it is pretty safe ^_^;
Copyright © 1999 Scott Ong; HTML conversion ©1999 GWC, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction by any means is strictly forbidden.