These are my notes for the Any% Final Fantasy V speedrun, specifically run on the RPGe English translation.
General Concepts
While this guide is primarily my notes used during runs, they may be useful to others learning the run, so I'll first go over some general concepts that apply throughout the guide.
Assumptions
This guide makes the assumption that you are following along from start to finish. Menuing instructions assume that your characters are already equipped as per the guide, and won't list equipment that is staying the same. If you attempt to join in the middle, you may miss this or similar points.
This guide is primarily meant to serve as my notes for personal best attempts. As such, they generally tend to err on the side of less safety. In some cases, notes are made regarding potential safer strats for beginners, but they may not be entirely consistent throughout the document.
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Item names are italicized.
Each battle lists the recommended party formation. The slots are listed from top to bottom. Characters in the front row are prefixed with an asterisk (*). In addition, their level and current experience is listed (assuming you follow this guide's experience path).
The battle strategies occasionally list multiple actions separated by slashes (/). In such cases, you should take the first option that applies to your situation. That is, don't use a Potion on your party if all your characters are fully healed.
In contrast, occasionally multiple commands are listed on separate lines. In this case, you should execute each command in order.
Battle summaries list the experience earned through the battle. This assumes you kill the same enemies as the guide.
All names are directly from the RPGe translation, even when said names conflict with more recent versions of the game.
Resources
The following resources should prove invaluable to either help during a run or to help you learn the run in the first place:
This guide is intended to be used with a step route. The step route is not technically required, but it makes things a lot safer, saves time, and makes things more consistent. I will attempt to list backups in case you are not using the step route or if you have fallen off the route, but I make no guarantees in this regard.
Walkthrough
Prologue
After choosing New Game, you will begin a new run on seed zero. Unlike FF4, this is guaranteed and there is no need to identify your seed. However, like FF4, if you have to reset at any point, your seed will change.
When the introductory sequence concludes, you will be in control of Boco near Tycoon.
Step Route
Take 26 extra steps before entering the Meteor at Tycoon.
One of the safest ways to do this is to hold right as the cutscene concludes, and go east to the wall. At this point, ideally, you'll go north two or three tiles, then west to the wall, south to the wall, east to the wall, north to the wall, and finally east.
If you accidentally only go north one tile, you'll need to hit the west wall, then dip into the southmost alcove before going north. If you go directly west, you can either shuffle north or just go north and south when you reach the wall, before dipping into the alcove.
Enter the Meteor at Tycoon and make your way to the cutscene.
Battle: Goblin x2
Battle Information
HP
1
EXP
6
Party
*Butz (1:0) [Normal] / *empty / *empty / *empty
Battle Plan
Butz
Fight (hold A)
Butz
Fight (hold A)
Menu
After the battle, you will be asked to name Butz.
Set Butz's name to B. (Down, B, B, B, Up, Right, Right, A)
After the scenes, begin making your way toward the pirate cave.
Step Route
Take 8 extra steps before the earthquake sequence.
During the earthquake sequence, move up, fighting battles as you go.
Battle: Goblin x2
Battle Information
HP
1
EXP
6
Party
*Butz (1:6) [Normal] / *empty / *empty / *empty
Battle Plan
Butz
Fight (hold A)
Butz
Fight (hold A)
Battle: Goblin x2
Battle Information
HP
1
EXP
6
Party
*Butz (2:12) [Normal] / *empty / *empty / *empty
Battle Plan
Butz
Fight (hold A)
Butz
Fight (hold A)
After the earthquake sequence, continue until just outside the entrance to the cave.
Step Route
Take 32 extra steps after the earthquake sequence. (Go north to the wall, east to the wall, north to the wall, west to the wall, south once, west once, south to the wall, and then directly back toward the cave.)
Take a half step by opening the menu as you step onto the last tile before the cave.
Menu
Set battle speed to 4.
Set message speed to 1.
Set command set to Short.
Set cursor to Memory.
Set reequip to Empty.
Pirate Cave
Make your way through the cave and board the ship, paying attention to the below notes.
Step Route
After the cutscene by the spring, be sure to go left first instead of down to avoid the event tile.
Battle: Stroper x2, Steel Bat x1
Battle Plan
Simply run away from the battle (hold L+R).
After the cutscenes, you'll finally gain control of the ship.
Step Route
Take the ship south one tile, and then step off onto the land and back twice (to take two extra steps).
Reject the pirate's offer to help (by simply holding B) and make your own way to the Wind Shrine.
Wind Shrine
Begin making your way through the Wind Shrine.
Step Route
Take 6 extra steps before entering the save point room. (Right to wall, left to wall, up to wall then down at center.)
On the final floor, use the secret passage and enter the nearby room to collect the Broad sword. Continue on to engage Wing Raptor.
The turn order here is not entirely consistent. Watch for Galuf's turn to equip the Broad sword.
Faris
Fight (hold A)
Lenna
Fight (hold A)
Galuf
Equip Broad Fight
Butz
Fight (hold A)
At this point, simply hold A to Fight until the battle is over.
Continue to the crystal and watch the cutscene. (Remember not to hold up on the next room if you want to stay on step route.)
Menu ↑
Job: Butz to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Optimize]
Job: Faris to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Optimize]
Job: Galuf to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Optimize]
Job: Lenna to Thief. (Right, Right) [Optimize]
Move Lenna and Galuf to the back row. (Left, A, A, Down, A, A)
Afterward, begin making your way to the exit by walking back the way you came.
Step Route
Make sure to avoid the Wing Raptor trigger tile by walking left after leaving the doorway.
Take 8 extra steps in the room after the save point. (Up to wall, right to wall, down to wall, right to wall, down to wall, right to wall, left to battle.)
Lenna can safely die here, but anyone else should be revived, or they'll be short on Black Mage AP.
Ship Graveyard
Menu ↓
Job: Faris to Thief. (Right, Right) [No Equipment]
Job: Lenna to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Equip Broad]
Job: Galuf to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Optimize]
Job: Butz to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Optimize]
Make your way through the Ship Graveyard, collecting the 990 Gil in the skull crate and the Potion chest along the way.
Step Route
Before entering the first door, take 7 extra steps. (Right to the wall, down once, and back to the door.)
In the room after the room with the map on the desk, take 16 extra steps and then exit and re-enter the room.
When entering the room with the skull crate, take 6 extra steps, and head back a floor. (Go down to the wall, left to the wall, up to the wall, and right to the exit.)
Take 8 extra steps on this previous floor and then continue onward. (Left to the wall and back.)
In the Potion chest room, take 4 extra steps. (Easiest to just take the right path upward, get the chest, then go left to the wall and back to the center to continue.)
Take 2 extra steps before entering the rest area. (Left to wall, down twice, left to wall, and back to the center and down.)
When on the ship in between the two rock segments, enter and exit the door.
After opening the chest switch, walk immediately left and up to walk on the trigger tile.
Wait for Siren to attack (↓) Item » PhenixDwn » anyone dead or (R) Defend
Lenna
(↓) Item » PhenixDwn » Faris or (←) Blue » Goblin Punch (hold A)
Butz
(←) Blue » Goblin Punch (hold A)
Galuf
(←) Blue » Goblin Punch (hold A)
Faris is the only one who even potentially needs the AP from this fight, and even Faris has considerable leeway (though it's probably better to save that leeway for later).
Carwen
Make your way toward the town of Carwen.
Step Route
Come to a complete stop and open the menu when reaching the corner in the mountains below two large mountains.
Menu ↑
Use PhenixDwn or Tent if any characters are dead.
Job: Butz to Black Mage. (Left, Left, Left) [No Equipment]
Job: Galuf to Black Mage. (Left, Left, Left) [No Equipment]
Step Route
Travel directly south from the menu, and when reaching a wall, take a half step on the next step to the right.
Take another half step after traveling south from there, when leaving the middle of the three tiles next to the water.
In Carwen, collect the Ice Rod in the hidden chest and leave. Make your way toward the North Mountain.
Step Route
Head east from Carwen. When hitting the mountains, turn north and when you reach the mountains, take a half step to the east.
Head north and when a diagonal mountain tile is directly to your east, stop and take a half-step to the west.
North Mountain
Make your way through the mountain, paying attention to step route and battle notes below.
Step Route
Take 6 extra steps in the first cave. (After turning left, go one tile down as soon as you pass the wall below you, then left to wall, up to wall, left to wall and down to the exit.)
Swap Bronze (armor) and Ice (rod) Swap Knife and Leather (←) Black » Fire
Step Route
Take 14 extra steps in the second cave. (From the bottom right corner, go left to the wall and back.)
On the first map with poison plants, take 16 extra steps and re-enter the cave. (Right to just before the second poison plant, down to wall, left to wall, and to the exit.)
Inside the cave, take 16 extra steps and then continue back to the poison plants. (Down to wall, left to wall, down three steps, left to wall, and back.)
Take 4 extra steps immediately before the battle with Magisa. (Left to wall, down to wall, then continue to the boss.)
Wait for Magisa to attack (↓) Item » PhenixDwn » anyone dead
Anybody
(↓) Item » PhenixDwn » Faris (if dead) or (↓) Item » Equip Knife and attack whoever died if not Faris
Anybody
(↓) Item » Equip and use Ice (rod)
If Lenna was forced to equip the Knife, make a mental note to replace it with Broad in the next menu.
Continue to the top of the mountain, and after the scenes, make your way to and land in front of Worus Castle.
Worus
Make your way to the throne room and watch the scene.
Menu ↓
Equip Lenna: Broad (if she had to equip the Knife)
Job: Galuf to Thief. (Right, Right) [No Equipment]
Job: Butz to Thief. (Right, Right) [No Equipment]
Afterward, exit the castle.
Step Route
Take a half-step when boarding the Hiryuu by holding A as you're moving onto the tile.
Board the Hiryuu and head to Worus Tower. (Fly directly north until you see mountains to the northwest, then turn west. The tower will shortly come into view.)
Inside the tower, make your way to the second floor, where there will be an encounter (if on step route).
Run away once you either get the Mythril (sword) or if you exhaust your steal attempts. If you fail to steal, you will need to use a backup strategy for Galura.
Continue to the last floor, where you'll see a chest.
Step Route
Before leaving the floor with the battle, take 10 extra steps. (Down to wall, left to wall, up to wall, down to wall, then to the exit.)
Take 8 extra steps on 6F.
Take 6 extra steps on 7F.
Collect the Ether in the chest and continue to the next floor, ensuring you open the menu before moving.
Menu ↓
Job: Butz to Blue Mage. (Left, Left) [Optimize]
Job: Faris to Knight. [Equip Mythril (helm)]
Use Potion on Faris twice.
If no Mythril (sword), Job: Galuf to Blue Mage. [Left, Left) [Optimize]
If you successfully stole the Mythril (sword), follow this strategy:
Galuf
(R) Defend
Faris
(←) Guard
Lenna
(←) Blue » Goblin Punch
Butz
(←) Blue » Goblin Punch
Galuf
(R) Defend
Faris
(←) Guard (hold A)
Lenna
(R) Defend
Butz
(←) Blue » Goblin Punch (hold A)
Otherwise, use a simplified strategy where Faris uses Guard and everyone else casts Goblin Punch.
If Faris is at some point afflicted with Sap, this fight could get very dodgy, but if she happens to die at the very end, it doesn't really matter as long as you win. Nobody in particular needs the AP.
If you didn't steal the Mythril (sword), quickly menu and make Faris a thief.
Collect the job crystals and then after the scenes, enter the meteor and travel to Karnak.
Karnak
Begin the walk to Karnak, keeping in mind the step route.
Step Route
Head directly west, and when hitting the mountain, come to a complete stop and open the menu.
Menu ↑
Job: Faris to Thief. (Right, Right) [No Equipment]
Job: Butz to Black Mage. (Down, Left) [No Equipment]
Job: Galuf to Black Mage. (Down, Left) [No Equipment]
Job: Lenna to Red Mage. (Left, Left) [No Equipment]
Step Route
Head north and follow the coastline until the right half of a diagonal below a triangle that points into the sea. Take a half-step to the left.
Take another half-step after hitting the mountains after turning south. Take the half-step to the west.
For the sake of clarity, you are selling everything except Potion, HiPotion, Tent, PhenixDwn, and a single Broad (sword).
Watch the scenes in Karnak Castle, and then make your way back to the town. Be careful when taking steps in Karnak Castle, as they affect the step route (except for the prison cells).
Once back in town, return to the armory to complete the shopping trip.
Shopping
Buy 2 Ice (rod), 2 Thunder (rod).
Afterward, leave the town and head to the Steamship.
Steamship
Make your way through the Steamship, paying attention to the step route.
Step Route
After entering the first elevator, immediately return to the previous room.
Take 4 steps and then go back into the elevator, before returning again to the previous room. (Right to wall and back.)
Take 8 extra steps this time, and then go back into the elevator and continue. (Down to wall, left to wall, up to wall, and into the door.)
Pick up the PhenixDwn in the chest to the right, and then continue back to the left.
Step Route
Take 8 extra steps before entering the next room.
After falling from the conveyor belt, take 4 extra steps before entering the room.
Be careful while moving through the lever room. After flipping the two levers next to each other, you should get an encounter when you reach the southmost tile of the grate.
Swap Potion and Thunder (rod) Swap Ice (rod) and PhenixDwn
At this point, the boss will transform into either its hand or its tornado form. If the tornado form, simply have Faris equip and use another Ice (rod). Otherwise, see below:
Faris
(↑) Fight
Anybody
(↓) Item » PhenixDwn » anyone dead
Anybody
(↓) Item » Equip and use Ice (rod)
If you ran out of PhenixDwn earlier, the inventory instructions won't necessarily be right. The rods should end up on the top row.
If either Galuf or Butz dies, it doesn't really matter that much. You'll end up needing Lenna to help with the first MiniDragon fight later.
Menu
Job: Faris to Thief. (Right, Right) [No Equipment]
If not on step route, give the !Black ability to Faris.
If not on step route, Job: Lenna to Red Mage. (Left, Left) [No Equipment]
Continue forward to the crystal room. After the scenes, go back to the previous room and use the healing pot. Make your way to main prison floor, collect the 2000 gil in the chest, and then go to the next floor. From the main floor, head to 2F and collect the chest, also with 2000 gil. Make your way to the exit of the castle.
Potential Battles
If you aren't on step route, you may encounter one of two formations:
For the single Karnak, simply wait for it to Escape.
For the Sergeant and three Karnaks, have Faris and Lenna cast Fire on everyone, and have the other two equip Thunder (rod) and cast Bolt on everyone. You will need to heal after the battle.
Switch Lenna back to Time Mage [No Equipment] before the boss.
Begin by heading right and then up to enter town. (This is to avoid the event tiles where the castle once stood.) Once in town, head to the armory and then to the magic shop.
Shopping
Sell Fire (bow) or Flame (scroll).
Buy 2 Mythril (knife), 2 Fire (rod), 3 Ice (rod).
Buy Kunai from new merchant.
Buy Life from the left merchant at the magic shop.
Begin the long walk to the Ancient Library, being careful to follow the step route instructions.
Step Route
From the town, walk south two tiles and then west to cross over the castle event tiles and continue west.
When reaching the first full dark green tile after crossing the light green area, take a half-step to the south.
When reaching the mountains, walk left and then down, before continuing to the west. When reaching the water, take a half-step to the south.
Head south. On the first full green tile after the last desert tile in the column, come to a complete stop and open the menu.
Head east after hitting the mountains. Come to a complete stop again on the last full green tile before the light green tiles.
From here, head south and east to enter the library.
Inside the library, continue until reaching Ifrit.
Wait for Ifrit (↓) Item » PhenixDwn » anyone dead or (R) Defend
Anybody
(↓) Item » Equip and use Ice (rod)
Anybody
(↓) Item » Equip and use Ice (rod)
Your target inventory order is Fire (rod), Mythril (knife), Potion, Broad (sword), Tent, PhenixDwn, HiPotion, Ice (rod), Kunai.
If your AP situation with Faris and thief is otherwise fine, you could leave Faris dead if she's killed for a chance at inventory management.
Menu
Use PhenixDwn on anyone who died in the Ifrit battle. (Alternately, you could change someone to a white mage and then cast Life or wait and use a Tent at the save point.)
After leaving the room with Ifrit, continue onward. Be sure to take the diversion to the south to collect the Stealth (robe).
Step Route
On step route, collect the chest from below to take 4 extra steps.
After returning to the moving bookcase room, take 4 extra steps before continuing. (Down to wall and back up to the exit.)
Collect the PhenixDwn at the bottom left of the dark room. Continue onward.
Battle: Page 32
Battle Plan
Simply run away from the battle (hold L+R).
Eventually, you'll reach the room with Mid. Move forward to engage Byblos.
(↓) Item » Equip Mythril (knife) (←) Throw » Location where Mythril (knife) was
Anybody
(←) Steal (repeat until Ether is stolen)
Anybody
(↓) Item » Ether » Faris
After all this is complete, simply run away. If you are off step route, you can also use the Page 64 fight. Throw the Flame (scroll) first, to switch to Page 128.
Talk to Mid to begin the cutscenes, and then leave the library to begin the trek back to Karnak.
Step Route
Travel west and then north along the mountains. Come to a complete stop next to the middle of the three eastmost mountain tiles and open the menu.
Menu ↓ and ↑
Move everyone to the front row, in a downward order, so you finish on Galuf.
Job: Galuf to Knight. [No Equipment]
Job: Lenna to Mediator. (Left, Left, Left) [No Equipment]
Continue onward, and if on step route, you will run into an encounter shortly.
Step Route
Ensure you stay as close to the water as possible. The encounter will be on the last green tile before the desert.
(→) Black » Fire » All (if the throw did less than 160) or (R) Defend
Lenna
(←) Catch » Aegil
After all this is complete, simply run away.
If you are off step route and Faris has reached level 7, the basic strategy will do too much damage. In that case, you should be able to have Faris use Fight on the Aegil instead, and then proceed as normal.
Step Route
Continue straight north, and once on the first full green tile after the first desert tiles, come to a complete stop and open the menu.
Continue north until you reach the water, then go east. Once you align with the dark green tile that sticks into the light green tiles from the east, go north, and come to a complete stop on that tile.
When approaching Karnak, ensure you walk directly to the south of the mountains to avoid the castle event tiles.
Enter the town and talk with Cid at the Pub. After the scene, head directly to the Steamship.
Step Route
When leaving town, walk directly south and then west into the Steamship to avoid the event tile.
Crescent and Grind
Once in control of the ship, make your way toward Crescent, following the below instructions if following step route:
Step Route
Travel south to leave the bay, and then follow the coastline eastward. After you pass a triangle pointing south, continue east as far as possible on the ship, and then go one tile south to come to a complete stop before opening the menu.
From here, go south only as far as needed to clear the land to the east, and continue east until below the middle of the three land tiles on an island to the north (just barely visible). Come to a complete stop and open the menu on this tile.
Afterward, head directly south and turn east after passing the shrine.
Continue east, veering slightly south as you encounter land, until you arrive at an island. On the left tile of the smaller south horizontal shoreline, come to a complete stop and open the menu.
From here, continue east, veering south until you reach the second island past this one, then turn south. Crescent should be visible to the east. Ensure you enter the bay on the northmost tile to avoid the event tile.
Enter the town, watch the scene, and then proceed to the black chocobo forest.
Catch a black chocobo and then fly to Lix (fly directly south until you reach mountains, and then turn west, folowing the northern boundary of the taller peaks).
Inside Lix, you will need to shop from the two merchants on the upper floor of the armory and item shop, starting with the uppermost.
Shopping
Sell all Protect (potion), Ether and Potion.
Buy 41 Thunder (scroll), 1 Water (scroll), 5 Shuriken and 11 Kunai.
Buy 3 GrnBeret and 2 Stealth (robe).
After making your purchases, leave town to the north and board the black chocobo. If you are exactly on step route, you can half-step onto the black chocobo. Fly down to the large mountain, then turn east. At some point, you'll need to go south one more tile to avoid another mountain. Eventually, you'll need to go four tiles north to the forest.
In particular scenarios, you may need to throw a third scroll in the first battle.
Step Route
If you are not on the chocobo tile after the last encounter, half-step onto the chocobo.
From here, fly east to the mountain, and then south. Once you reach the desert, you'll need to veer slightly to the east, but you've been here before. Your destination is the Ancient Library. Land in the forest directly west of the Library.
Ancient Library and Quicksand
Enter the Ancient Library, watch the scenes, and then begin your trek to the desert.
Step Route
Take a half-step when walking onto the last green tile before the mountains when first entering the valley.
Take another half step when beginning to move west at the final larger diagonal approaching the desert.
On one of these half-steps, you should do your following menu.
From here, head south to the quicksand, then west one tile, then south again.
Battle: Sand Bear x1
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Escape
Step south onto the quicksand. From here, head west one tile and the south to the end.
Airship Get!
From here, you need to walk to Gohn.
Step Route
Head directly south until you hit the mountains. Take a half-step to the west.
Again, head directly south until hitting the mountains. Take a half-step to the east.
Hug the mountains to the west to take advantage of an event tile, and then enter the ruined town.
Walk to the tile leading to the large staircase in the middle. Afterward, head directly west until you hit a wall and head north until a scene. Then return to the main staircase and continue onward.
Continue through the scenes until the battle with Crayclaw.
After the battle, fly again to the ruined city for a cutscene. (Head east for a bit until you are two tiles past the town in the mountains, and then head north.) Afterward, return to the Crescent platform.
After more scenes, fly to the Tycoon Meteor. (Head north until roughly even with the peninsula to the northeast, and then head west.) Be careful not to half-step the landing, if on step route.
Head into the meteor, and collect the adamantite. Afterward, open the menu to prepare for the boss.
Menu
Job: Faris to Red Mage (Up, Left, Left, Left) (Ability: !Black) [Optimize, Equip Ice (rod)]
Job: Faris to Thief (Right, Right) (Ability: !Black) [Optimize]
At this point, return to the platform at Crescent by flying east until the peninsula is visible, and then flying south. After the scenes, fly up to the ruins.
You want to engage the cannons from right to left, using the template battle plan below.
Take 2 extra steps on 5F, specifically in the room where you arrive via stairs, and immediately head northward through a door to the left. (After going through the door go left to the wall and back.)
In the following room, enter the side room to the right, return, and continue onward.
Take 6 extra steps before menuing.
Menu
Job: Lenna to Mediator (Down, Left, Down) [No Equipment]
You need to count the damage from the first round.
Faris
(R) Defend
Butz
(←) Throw » Shuriken (hold A)
Galuf
(←) Throw » Thunder (scroll) (hold A)
Lenna
(←) Release
Faris
(→) Black » Fire (if less than 1500 damage so far) or (R) Defend
Everybody
Wait a second (R) Defend
Repeat the last instruction until the battle ends.
After the battle, head up into the crystal room and watch the scenes.
Fly to the Tycoon meteor by flying east to the other continent and then turning north immediately after crossing over land. After the cutscene, open the menu.
Menu ↓
Job: Lenna to Samurai (Left, Down) [No Equipment]
Job: Butz to Chemist (Up, Right) [Equip: Mythril (knife), GrnBeret]
Job: Faris to Samurai (Left, Down) (Ability: Dash) [Optimize]
Enter the meteor and watch the scene. Afterward, fly to the Worus meteor (head straight north until crossing the river and then fly east).
Fly to the Gohn meteor by flying east until a continent passes to the south, and then turning south. Land on the green tile to the left of the meteor. Enter the meteor and there will be a battle.
After the battle, head north until at least just before the gap in the walls by the towers (there are a few safe tiles afterward), and then head to the right side and continue up to the top. Inside the room, you should menu.
Menu ↑
Move everyone to the back row, moving upwards.
Job: Butz to Samurai (Left, Down) [No Equipment]
TODO: Especially if off step route, double check that no one needs healing.
(↓) Item » HiPotion » anyone under 343HP or Skip this line and shift the remaining instructions upward
Butz/Galuf
Wait for ATBs to fill (←) Gil Toss
Faris
Wait for speech Swap Thunder (scroll) and PhenixDwn Swap HiPotion and TurtleShell Swap Kunai and Speed (potion) Swap DarkMatter and Mythril (knife) (←) Gil Toss
Lenna
(←) Gil Toss
Butz
Inventory Management
After the battle, continue upward. On the second Big Bridge map, again head to the left side, until a tile away from the gap this time, head to the right, move up 2 tiles, then go to the center.
Grociana
Begin making your way south and east toward Rugor.
Step Route
Take a half-step when stepping onto the fully green tile while heading east on the brown tiles.
Menu
Use PhenixDwn on anyone who is dead.
Use HiPotion on anyone below 190 HP.
Sort inventory.
Job: Butz to Chemist (Up, Right) [No Equipment]
Job: Lenna to Thief (Right, Right) [No Equipment]
Battle: Lunenta x1, Dilure x2
Battle Plan
Simply run away from the battle (hold L+R).
Step Route
Take a half-step when leaving the tile in between the mountains and the bottom tile of the inlet.
Take another half-step when leaving the last grass tile before entering the forest.
Inside Rugor, head to the Item Shop. Visit the left merchant and then the right merchant.
After the scenes, you'll need to make your way through to the Moogle Village. If not on step route, simply stay away from the desert tiles. Otherwise, follow the below instructions:
Step Route
Head straight north until reaching the forest tiles. From here, head to the northeast corner of the nearest forest section.
Take a half step as you step onto the desert.
Head east and enter the forest area as soon as possible. Follow that forest area north up to the single diagonal tile.
Go east from here, and three steps in (when below the last diagonal to the north before the single horizontal tile), come to a complete stop and open the menu.
Continue east and exit the desert when the grass is one tile above you.
Enter the Moogle Village by entering the forest and going north until there is an open path to the west, and then going straight east.
Talk to the moogle at the upper right corner of the village. Inside the house, talk to the moogle again, and then take the third and fifth chests with 10000 gil and the Dancing (dagger).
Go outside and move down one tile to wait for the moogle.
Bal and Kelb Sequence
After finally gaining control in the castle throne room, collect the Exit spell in the secret passage to the left, and then head up the stairs on the right side of the room, continuing to the roof to speak to Cara.
Exit the castle and begin the walk toward Kelb. Or, at least, you would, except you get attacked.
Wait for attack (↓) Item » PhenixDwn » anyone dead or (R) Defend
Faris
(←) Gil Toss
Now, continue to Kelb, following the step route if appropriate.
Step Route
Take two steps east, and then head directly north across the dark brown area until the next diagonal grass tile is directly to the east. Come to a complete stop and open the menu.
Menu ↑
Job: Galuf to Thief (Right, Right) [Optimize]
Job: Lenna to Samurai (Left, Down) [Optimize]
Step Route
Take 4 extra steps before entering Kelb.
Inside Kelb, enter Kelgar's house, take a single step up, then try to leave. After the scenes, leave the town to the north.
Step Route
Take 2 extra steps before entering Hiryuu Valley.
Hiryuu Valley
Make your way through the mountain until the map with all the skeletons, following the step route if appropriate.
Step Route
Take 6 extra steps on the second non-cave map. (When reaching the right wall, go down to the wall and back. Before exiting the map, go left to the wall and back.)
Take 4 extra steps after crossing the bridge. (Go left to the wall, down to the wall, and back to the path.) During the steps, there will be an encounter.
Battle: BoneDragon x1, Drippy x2
Battle Plan
Simply run away from the battle (hold L+R).
Step Route
Inside the next cave, take 8 extra steps. (After going down the stairs and hitting the wall, go back up to the wall and back.)
Outside the cave, take 2 extra steps and re-enter the cave. (Down to the wall and back.)
Take 4 extra steps inside the cave, and then exit and keep going. (Go right to the wall, up to the wall, and back to the exit.)
Collect the Bone Mail from the skeleton, and enter the cave. Inside the cave, go two tiles below the door and head to the right.
Immediately go to the left, enter the door, and flip the switch.
On the way back, collect the 7000 gil in the chest.
Continue onward and enter the newly opened cave.
Inside the cave, go to the left, and collect the Coronet from the chest on the left.
Take 14 extra steps before leaving the cave. (When entering the room, go right to the wall, up to the wall, left to the wall, up to the wall, right to the wall, down the wall, and out.)
Outside, head to the right and follow the path until you reach the boss.
Job: Galuf to Time Mage (Left, Left, Up) [No Equipment]
Use Galuf to cast Exit
Big Boat and Barrier Tower
Begin making your way back to the Castle of Bal.
Step Route
Take 2 extra steps before entering Kelb.
From Kelb, head due south, and when you reach the last tile before the green diagonal tile, take a half-step when leaving the fully brown tile.
Menu
Job: Galuf to Thief (Right, Right) [Optimize]
Inside the castle, sneak in, and make your way to to talk to Cara in bed and then the Hiryuu on the roof.
Fly north through the valley, exit to the ocean, and then fly the short distance north to Guido's cave. Land as close to the forest as possible.
After the scenes, fly to the ship armada by flying due east until you see land, then turning south. Follow the Big Bridge east, and you'll want to continue east two tiles south of the barrier towers.
After the short scene on the ship, head inside and take a nap.
When you awake, make your way to the top of the ship, and eventually work down to fight the single stationary enemy.
Wait for ATB to fill (→) Combine » PhenixDwn and Dark Matter » Gilgamesh
Faris
Move DragnFang to 2L Swap Antidote and Flame (scroll) Swap TurtleShell and Revivify Move TurtleShell to 5L Clear 5R Move cursor to Speed (potion)
This inventory management needs work. At this point, you want the inventory to be: PhenixDwn, HiPotion, DragnFang, Speed, MaidnKiss, Antidote, Revivify, Eyedrop, TurtleShell, empty. The above instructions may work, however.
After the battle, head down to the submarine and enter the Barrier Tower. Begin heading toward the top.
Step Route
On the first floor, take 9 extra steps, leave the room, and re-enter. (Go left to one short of the wall and back.)
On the second floor, take 10 extra steps. (After going up the stairs and hitting the wall, go down to the wall and back.)
On the second floor, collect the 9000 gil in the chest you walk directly by.
Continue upward, and then on 6F, collect the 18000 gil in the chest.
Continue to the top, paying attention to the step route if appropriate. On 9F, go to the right.
Step Route
Take 4 extra steps on 8F. (After entering, go left to the wall, right to the wall, and continue.)
Take 12 extra steps on 9F. (Down to the wall, left to the wall, right to the wall, and up the right exit.)
Take 2 extra steps in the save point room.
On the next map, take 14 extra steps before returning to the save point room. (Down to the wall, left to the wall, up to the wall, left to the wall, up once, and back.)
Take 8 extra steps in the save point room. (Left to the wall, up to the wall, down to the wall and exit.)
(←) Drink » Speed (potion) (if Slow 2 was cast) or (→) Gil Toss
Lenna
Move Mythril (knife) to 2L (R) Defend
Butz
(R) Defend
Faris
(→) Gil Toss
Faris
(→) Gil Toss
Watch for Lenna to potentially go before Faris on the second turn. It may have just been a mistake in the old version of the notes, but it also may be something that happens on occasion.
After the scenes, enter the submarine and exit again.
Menu ↓
Job: Faris to Ninja (Left, Down, Left) (Ability: !Escape) [Optimize]
Job: Lenna to Time Mage (Left, Left, Up) [No Equipment]
Make your way to Guido's cave. Travel due east until you hit a wall, head north (going around the rock) until a bunch of rocks pass on the left, at which point turn west until you hit a wall, then go north. The cave should come into view.
Guido's Cave
Step Route
After exiting the submarine, take 4 extra steps and re-enter the submarine before continuing.
On B2F, take 2 extra steps.
Get the rock out of the middle chest.
Step Route
Take 8 extra steps after picking up the rock. (Left to the wall and back.)
Drop the rock in the top left chest, and then head into the open door.
Step Route
Take 1 extra step in front of the switch.
Hit the switch and then leave the room. Collect the rock and then head down to the bottom left chest.
Battle: Radiator x2
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Escape
Step Route
Take 4 extra steps after the encounter. (Right to the chest and back.)
Drop the rock into the bottom left chest, and then head into the newly opened door. Simply pass through the next room.
On B3F, head to the left and go down to the hidden passage.
Battle: Metamorpha x1
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Escape (hold A)
Continue, hit the switch, and then make your way back toward the newly created doorway.
Battle: Metamorpha x1
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Escape (hold A)
Step Route
Take 4 extra steps before leaving the room. (When leaving the secret passage, just continue straight up until the wall, then go to the door.)
Take 10 extra steps in the final room. (After exiting the first secret passage, go left to the wall, up to the wall, down to the wall, right to the wall, and continue.)
Battle: Metamorpha x1
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Escape (hold A)
Battle: Metamorpha x1
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Escape (hold A)
After that encounter and emerging into the room, make sure to head right. Continue to visit with Guido.
Menu
Use Lenna to cast Exit.
From here, head to Mua. Head west to the wall, and then head north until you're one tile below the coral that appears.
Head west, shifting slightly north when you hit the wall, and continue west until you see two coral close together. Continue past those coral until you're one tile west of a third coral that appears. Head directly south until you pass the rocks, and then head east.
Surface and then enter the Great Forest of Mua.
Menu ↑
Use PhenixDwn on Galuf.
Job: Galuf to Samurai (Left, Down) [Equip Coronet and Bone Mail]
Job: Lenna to Thief (Right, Right) (Ability: !Gil Toss) [Optimize]
Job: Faris to Chemist (Up, Right) (Ability: !Gil Toss) [Optimize]
Open the forest, and then after the scenes, head north until the flower, go east one tile, and continue north until even with the hedge. If you are on step route, you will get an encounter on the correct tile to turn.
Continue east, and when aligned with the hole in the tree, head north and activate the tree. Immediately walk around to enter the tree and head directly through the next room.
On the next forest map, head north until even with the center of the trunk of the tree to the left, and then simply head due right.
Continue heading east until you hit the wall, then head north a few tiles, veer east two tiles, then continue north to activate the tree.
Step Route
Take 2 extra steps before entering the tree.
Take 4 extra steps in the next room. (At some point, head left to the wall and right to the wall.)
On the next forest map, head north to the tree, east to the hedge, north to the tree, then east two tiles before going all the way north to the next tree.
Battle: Wyrm x1
Battle Plan
Simply run away from the battle (hold L+R).
Go two tiles east to go around the tree and head north. Continue north even with the tip of the highest branch of the second tree.
Turn west at this point, and continue until the scene.
After the fire begins, collect the Aegis (shield) in the chest, and then wait on the tile below the bottom of the group of three flames.
Step Route
Take 2 extra steps before reaching the waiting tile.
Use the recovery spring, wait until the moogle moves, and then exit the cave.
Head south one tile, then due west until you hit the wall. Head north to the tree, go around it to the left, and keep going north.
If Faris dies here, use PhenixDwn on her and Defend until her next turn.
Faris
(→) Gil Toss
Galuf
(←) Gil Toss
Battle: Exdeath
Battle Information
HP
50000
Party
empty / empty / Galuf (16:8691) [Samurai] / empty
Battle Plan
Galuf
(↓) Item » PhenixDwn » Galuf
Wait through the scenes, and eventually you'll gain control on the world map.
Exdeath's Castle
Fly to Exdeath's castle. From your current location, fly to the west until one tile past the last burned tree in your current row, then turn south. Turn west when you reach the water, and then turn south again to follow the peninsula. Fly until the second to last fully two-wide row of the peninsula, and then turn west. Land when you hit the mountains.
Step Route
After going as far north as you can, take a half step to the right. (You need additional extra steps after the menu.)
Menu ↑
Swap Faris and Lenna. (Left, A, Down, A)
Ability: Lenna to !Escape [Optimize, Remove Dancing]
Job: Butz to Mediator (Up) [Optimize]
Job: Cara to Mediator (Up) [Optimize]
Step Route
After the menu, take 7 additional extra steps before entering the castle. (Go right to the wall and back to the entrance.)
Continue making your way through the castle, paying attention to the below step route, and remembering to take a step right at the dead end to trigger the scene.
Step Route
Take 4 extra steps on 2F, then exit and re-enter. (Go up to the wall and back to the exit.)
After the castle transformation, take 8 extra steps before continuing.
(←) Throw » original Mythril (knife) location again
Faris
(←) Steal » BlueDragon
Butz
(←) Steal » BlueDragon
At this point, repeat the stealing process (with Lenna Guarding and Cara Defending) until you succesfully steal. After that, escape from the battle via Escape or Smoke.
If you steal the rare Cabin, you'll have to fix your inventory (move the Cabin stack and unequip the Mythril (knife)), find another encounter and try again. (See below if you are following step route.)
Step Route (DragnFang Backup)
If you need another try at stealing the DragnFang, use the following:
Instead of 8 extra steps, take 24 extra steps. (After the failed dragon fight, go left to the wall, right to the wall, left to the wall, and back to the switch.)
At some point during those extra steps, you'll get another attempt at stealing the DragnFang.
If the bridge is in the dead center, ensure you take 2 extra steps, avoiding the skulls.
Skip the 16 extra steps on 8F (and there's no need to exit and reenter).
At this point, you are back on step route (though the formations will be different).
Finish taking your extra steps (if on step route), and press the switch to stop the bridge.
If you mistarget the bridge, there are various backups depending on which enemy you encounter:
If it's an Imp or Owazoral, have Lenna use Guard, someone combine DragnFang and HiPotion on Cara, and then have Cara throw a Kunai. Alternately, you can combine PhenixDwn and DarkMatter on the enemy. However, if you do so, remember to pick up the backup DarkMatter in the ruins of the Void.
If encountering an Abductor, Lenna can use Guard, combine Eyedrop and DragnFang on them, before proceeding with combining DragnFang and HiPotion on Cara and throwing Kunai.
If a Garkimasra, combine Eyedrop and DragnFang on the enemy, use a HiPotion on Faris, Lenna uses Guard, and the mix two DragnFang on the enemy. Alternately, just combine PhenixDwn and DarkMatter.
Step Route
If the bridge is in the dead center, ensure you take 2 extra steps, avoiding the skulls.
On 8F, take 16 extra steps, exit and re-enter. (Go left to the wall, right to the wall, left to the wall, right to the wall, then exit.)
On your second visit to 10F, take 4 extra steps, and then return to 9F. (Go up to the wall and back to the entrance.)
On 9F, take 4 extra steps, and then continue back to 10F and keep going. (Go down to the wall and back.)
On 11F, ensure you step to the right early, so you avoid one of the chest event tiles.
Once you reach 13F, go up a few steps (no further than one tile beyond the last overhead beam) and then stop to menu.
Job: Cara to Knight (Ability: !Gil Toss) [Optimize, Equip Mythril (knife)]
Use two HiPotion on Cara.
Move forward to engage Exdeath.
Battle: Exdeath
Battle Information
HP
32768
Party
Lenna (17:9599) [Chemist] / Faris (17:9649) [Thief] / Cara (17:9303) [Knight] / Butz (17:9617) [Thief]
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Combine » DragnFang and HiPotion » Lenna
Butz
(→) Combine » DragnFang and HiPotion » Lenna
Lenna
(←) Drink » Speed (potion)
Cara
(←) Guard
Lenna
(→) Gil Toss
Faris
(→) Combine » HiPotion and DragnFang » Lenna
Butz
(R) Defend
Lenna
(→) Gil Toss (hold A)
Cara
(←) Guard (hold A)
Lenna
(→) Gil Toss (hold A)
Faris
(R) Defend
Butz
(R) Defend
Lenna
(→) Gil Toss (hold A)
World 3
Walk north to enter Castle Tycoon and watch the scenes. When you gain control, go out to the balcony to talk to Cara. Exit the castle and head toward the pirate cave to collect Boco.
Once you have Boco, begin working your way around the world toward Guido's cave. On the way, you'll have to deal with the Antlion scene.
(→) Combine » DragnFang and HiPotion (if Sonic Wave hits Cara) or (R) Defend
Cara
(→) Gil Toss (hold A)
After the scenes, continue to Guido's cave, remembering to dismount before you enter the cave. After yet more scenes, you'll find yourself in the Ancient Library. Exit the library and begin the walk to the desert.
Step Route
Take a half-step when stepping onto the last tile before the mountains force you to go south.
Take another half-step after you hit the wall to the south, and prepare to menu.
Menu
Job: Faris to Bard (Left, Left, Left) (Ability: !Gil Toss) [Optimize]
In the forest, take one step to the south to avoid the event tiles. Continue to the Pyramid.
Battle: Gargoyle x2
Battle Information
HP
5000
ABP
10
Party
empty / Faris (17:9649) [Bard] / Cara (17:9303) [Knight] / Butz (17:9617) [Thief]
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Combine » DragnFang and HiPotion » Faris
Faris
(→) Gil Toss
Menu
Ability: Faris to !Combine [No Equipment]
Enter the Pyramid and go up the stairs down the hallway with a door. When you enter the room with the switches, several snakes will pop out. You'll very likely have to fight one of these.
Optional Battle: Aspis x1
Battle Information
HP
1280
EXP/ABP
266/1
Party
empty / Faris (17:9649) [Bard] / Cara (17:9303) [Knight] / Butz (17:9617) [Thief]
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Combine » HiPotion and PhenixDwn » Aspis
After the battle, ensure you are facing up to avoid fighting the other one. Hit the first and third switches when you have a chance, and make your way to the next floor.
On the next floor, wait for the spikes to come out, walk to the middle, wait for the stairs, and then proceed to the next room.
In the next room, avoid the monsters and make your way to the platform with the mummy. If you do accidentally encounter one of the monsters, there is a backup:
Optional Battle: MachinHead x1
Battle Information
HP
7210
ABP
4
Party
empty / Faris (17:9915) [Bard] / Cara (17:9569) [Knight] / Butz (17:9883) [Thief]
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Combine » DragnFang, Eyedrop » MachinHead
Faris
(→) Combine » HiPotion, DragnFang » Cara
Cara
(→) Gil Toss
Butz
(→) Combine » Eyedrop, DragnFang » MachinHead (if needed) or (↓) Item » Antidote » Faris
Faris
(→) Combine » DragnFang, HiPotion » Cara
Cara
(→) Gil Toss (hold A)
Menu
Ensure Butz and Faris are in critical HP. If not, you'll need to walk around some more first.
Sort the inventory.
Use two HiPotion on Cara.
Use Antidote on everybody.
TODO: Potentially fix inventory if anything needs doing here. Ultimately want antidote, revivify, antidote, turtleshell visible, plus darkmatter
Move forward to engage the mummies.
Battle: Mummy x3
Battle Information
HP
2900
ABP
2
Party
empty / Faris (17:9915) [Bard] / Cara (17:9569) [Knight] / Butz (17:9883) [Thief]
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Combine » HiPotion, DragnFang » Cara
Faris
(R) Defend
Cara
(→) Gil Toss (hold A)
Menu ↑
Ability: Faris to !Black [No Equipment]
Ability: Butz to !Escape [No Equipment]
Job: Cara to Time Mage (Left, Left, Up) [No Equipment]
Step Route
After the save point room, you need to assess if you are on step route. You should get the following encounter as you walk down the hallway, even with the doorway tile to the left. If not, you'll need to adjust your extra steps acoordingly.
Battle: ZephyrZone x1
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Escape
Step Route
Take 6 extra steps before going up the stairs, unless you need to adjust your steps. (When heading east after going south, stop just before the path to the south is available and go left to the wall and back.)
If you need to take an extra single step, you can do so off the quicksand switches on the next floor.
Battle: ZephyrZone x1
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Escape (hold A)
Step Route
On the next floor, take 12 extra steps. (Go up to the wall, left to the wall, down to the wall, left to the wall, up to the wall, down to the wall, and to the exit.)
When moving toward the Guard (ring), ensure you don't walk too far to the left before going onto the vanishing tiles.
Collect the Guard (ring) and then continue to the tablet. (If you haven't used too much extra money, you can skip it, but it might be good for safety.)
Step Route
If you skip the Guard (ring), make sure to take one extra step before leaving the floor. (It's easiest to just quickly step to the right onto the column below the Guard (ring) and back.)
Immediately after the scenes, open the menu.
Menu
Use Cara to cast Exit.
Walk back to the Elder Tree. After entering the tree map, open the following menu before moving downard:
Menu
Job: Cara to Mediator (Up) (Ability: Cover) [Optimize]
Job: Butz to Mediator (Up) [No Equipment]
Battle: Merugene
Battle Information
HP
20000
ABP
20
Party
empty / Faris (17:9915) [Bard] / Cara (17:9569) [Mediator] / Butz (17:9883) [Mediator]
Battle Plan
Faris
(→) Black » Fire
Cara
(←) Release
Butz
(←) Release
Final Preparation
Begin making your way to the airship.
Step Route
When you hit the mountains before you're forced to turn north to exit the mountain range, come to a complete stop and open the menu.
Menu
Job: Butz to Thief (Right, Right) (Ability: !Escape) [No Equipment]
Step Route
Take a half-step onto the bridge next to the castle.
After the scenes, fly to the Mirage forest (nearly straight north) and land in the little nook on the south end of the forest. Enter the town, which can be any of the upper left 6 tiles of the forest.
Inside the town, head to the armory and go to the secret shop.
Shopping
Sell 61 DragnFang and Guard (ring).
Buy 3 Running (shoes).
The main guide I referenced suggests you need at least 90k gil at this point. By my calculations, you'll only need 67,450. Perhaps the remainder is nothing more than a buffer against mistakes. If you do need extra money, you can sell any shields or bows you have, or additional DragnFang. You want at least 20 DragnFang.
If you skipped the Guard (ring), it's easiest to just sell 71 DragnFang instead, though these extra 10 may not be needed. Whatever you do, keep in mind the minimum number of 20 DragnFang (and consider extras in case of mistakes).
Step Route
Ensure you hold A as you leave Mirage to half-step onto the airship.
Leave the town, board the airship, and fly to the entrance to the Cleft of Dimension (east the short distance to the bay, and then due north).
Cleft of Dimension
On the first part of the desert, go east whenever possible. Otherwise, go south. Once you're directly below the staircase to the next section, head north.
Battle: Land Crawl x1
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Escape
Be sure to move east one tile as soon as you're up the stairs, so you don't accidentally go up onto the wrong tile.
Battle: Ammona x5
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Escape (hold A)
After the next quicksand ride, simply hold right until you reach the doorway. Make your way until you reach the forest section, following the step route if appropriate.
Step Route
When entering the room with the two visible chains and platforms, immediately exit back to the previous map.
Take 12 extra steps on the previous map, and then continue. (Go up to the door, right to the wall, and then back to the exit.)
When you reach the next map, take 12 extra steps, and then return to the previous map. (Go up, but go right one tile as soon as you can, then go up to the wall, left ot the wall, down to the wall, and then to the exit.)
Take 14 extra steps on the previous map.
Repeat the previous 12/14 combo again and then continue.
When you reach the chain elevator, exit back to the previous map.
Take 10 extra steps in the previous map, and then continue. (Go left to the wall, down to the wall, up to the wall, right to the wall, and then exit.)
In the forest, head east, north, and then west into the tiny gap. Veer east around the tree, and go north until you reach the hedge. Go east until the flowers, then go up a tile and continue east.
Battle: MossFungus x3
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Escape (hold A)
Go east until you hit the next flowers, and then head south, weaving your way southeast to get the Ribbon in the chest. After collecting the Ribbon, go east, veer south around the tree, and continue east and south into the alcove.
Battle: MossFungus x1, White Flame x4
Battle Plan
Butz
(→) Escape (hold A)
Step Route
Take 12 extra steps after the tree activation scene. (Go left once, then up to the wall and back.)
Take 2 extra steps before menuing and triggering the boss fight. (Before going up, just go right to the wall and back.)
Menu ↓
Move Butz, Lenna and Faris to the front row.
Job: Faris to Normal (Left) (Ability: !Escape, !Combine) [Optimize]
Job: Cara to Thief (Right, Right) (Ability: Cover) [No Equipment]
Job: Butz to Red Mage (Up, Left) (Ability: !Combine) [Equip Running (shoes)]