-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
SPLIT INFINITY PRESENTS
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
My YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/SplitInfinity
Come! Subscribe to my videos for better games' experience!
My personal site  : kolardamir.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of game:   Wild Arms 3
Type of guide:  In-depth walkthrough / FAQ (for formats: PAL, NTSC-U/C)
Platform:       Playstation 2
Version:        Virginia, released on 16th February 2008
Author:         Damir Kolar (Split Infinity)
Copyrighted to: (c) Damir Kolar (Split Infinity) - All rights reserved
Made in:        MS Word, Courier New, Font Size 10, Chrs/line 80
Best viewed:    MS Word, Courier New, Font Size 10, Chrs/line 80
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like this guide, be sure to drop me an e-mail and tell me about it.
The only thing this guide cannot do is play the game for you.
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
I) LATEST UPDATES
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
- Version Virginia (16th February 2008)
# Several boss strats added - credit to Andvareel.
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
II) LEGAL INFORMATION
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
This document is copyrighted to me, Damir Kolar. It is intended for *PRIVATE*
use only. It cannot be used in ANY form of printed or electronic media
involved in a commercial business, in part or in whole, in any way, shape, or
form. It cannot be given away freely, as bonus or prize, it can't be given
away with the game and so on. It cannot be used for profitable or promotional
purposes, regardless of the situation. Breaking any of these rules is in
direct violation of copyright law.
This document is protected by copyright law and international treaties.
Unauthorized reproduction and distribution of this document, or any portion
of it, may result in severe civil and criminal penalties, and will be
prosecuted to the maximum extent possible under the law. Any characters,
names, places, or miscellaneous objects are copyright of their respective
companies.
If you are a webmaster of the site that wishes to post this document, you may
do so under one condition - you must e-mail me first for permission. If
permission is granted, you cannot change a single character of this document,
and you must leave it in txt format. Permission will *not be granted* to fan
based websites.
*ONLY* following sites can host this guide:
- www.gamefaqs.com
- www.ign.com
- www.neoseeker.com
- www.nonsologiochi.com (an Italian site)
- www.thevgnation.com
- www.1up.com
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
III) TABLE OF CONTENTS
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
SECTION NUMBER AND NAME        WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Latest Updates            | Read what was added in last update.
II. Legal information        | Copyright protection and legal info.
III. Table of Contents       | Sections of this guide.
IV. Short, shorter, shortest | Explaining the abbreviations and whatnot.
V. Characters                | Who will you be in control of?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VI. About game's basics      | Control, navigation, actions and more.
VII. Menus                   | Everything menu related explained here.
VIII. Battle system          | Learn the way of the warrior.
IX. Character's condition    | Information on abnormal statuses.
X. Inns and shops            | Utilize inns and shops to their fullest.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XI. Starting hints and tips  | Make a prepared start and good progress.
XII. Walkthrough             | Spoiler-free guide from start to finish.
XIII. Items                  | All the items, all the info.
XIV. Mediums                 | Anything you need to know about mediums.
XV. Arcana                   | Averything about Arcana attacks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XVI. Personal Skills         | It's gotten personal! Avenge thee!
XVII. ARMS                   | Statistics, upgrades, costs, oil (ooops)...
XVIII. Gardening             | Detailed I-are-grow-berries-for-dummies guide.
XIX. Sandcraft               | Weapons, armor, positions, moves, etc.
XX. Airship                  | Abilities, stats, positions, etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XXI. Millenium Puzzles       | Solutions to puzzles (IN PROGRESS!).
XXII. Telepath Towers        | Extra-terrestrial quest for chaos control!
XXIII. Booster Kits          | Learn to increase your Iamthepeacemaker gauge.
XXIV. Migrant Seals          | Locations of all 19 Migrant Seals.
XXV. Duplicators             | 40-Duplicator-hunt-season is open.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XXVI. Gunner's Heaven Hero   | I shall own ya all with this league guide.
XXVII. Martina's quest       | Martina is searching for mother... help her.
XXVIII. Adventure's quest    | Kaitlyn's adventure with Adventure books.
XXIX. Chest quest            | Overview of 320 chests' locations.
XXX. Animal or item?         | Changecrest item hunting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XXXI. World map locations    | Locations of cash, duplos, items, towns etc.
XXXII. Black Market          | Marketing guide to perfection.
XXXIII. Abyss Saga           | Shoot your way in and out of the Abyss!
XXXIV. Bestiary              | Monsters introduce themselves (IN PROGRESS!).
XXXV. Optional Bosses        | Master the arts of defeating 16 extra bosses.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XXXVI. Mystic effects        | How does Mystic affect the items?
XXXVII. EX File Keys         | Comprehensive guide to all 15 EX File Keys.
XXXVIII. EX File features    | Description of EX File features.
XXXIX. To do list            | List of things that remain to be done.
XL. Update history           | Brief overlook of guide's past.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XLI. Credits                 | Who all has helped this guide to be as it is?
XLII. Contact info           | Find out how to contact me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
IV) SHORT, SHORTER, SHORTEST
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
Here're the abbreviations I decided to use in my guide:
GENERAL PHRASES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FA - Force ability                    | FP - Force points
ABM - Auto Battle mode                | PS - Personal skill
ECNG - Encounter Gauge                | ML - Migrant level
ECO - Encounter commands              | BCO - Battle commands
AST - Abnormal status                 | NPC - Non-playable character
CP - Counter Points                   | TTQ - Telepath Tower Quest
TT - Telepath Tower                   | DGB - Draconic Gun Blaster
MP - Millenium Puzzle                 | MPQ - Millenium Puzzle Quest
AA - Armament abilities               | MS - Migrant Seal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELEMENTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EAR - Earth element                   | WAT - Water element
WIN - Wind element                    | FIR - Fire element
THU - Thunder element                 | ICE - Ice element
LIG - Light (or Holy) element         | DAR - Dark element
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELEMENT AFFINITIES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HLV - element does half damage        | RST - element does no damage
WKN - element does double damage      | ACT - currently unknown to me
ABS - element converts damage into HP |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONSTER'S / BOSS' ATTACK PROPERTIES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EATT - earth magic attack             | EATTP - earth based physical attack
WATT - water magic attack             | WATTP - water based physical attack
WIATT - wind magic attack             | WIATTP - wind based physical attack
FATT - fire magic attack              | FATTP - fire based physical attack
TATT - thunder magic attack           | TATTP - thunder based physical attack
IATT - ice magic attack               | IATTP - ice based physical attack
LATT - light magic attack             | LATTP - light based physical attack
DATT - dark magic attack              | DATTP - dark based physical attack
GRATT - gravity magic attack          | GRATTP - gravity based phys. attack
NATT - non-elemental magic attack     | CATT - counterattack
VS - versus                           | chr - single character
chrs - multiple characters            | MULTI-EL - multiple element
STATT - special attack                |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONSTER'S / BOSS' ATTACK DESCRIPTIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
phd - physical damage                 | mgd - magic damage
earth phd - earth el. phys. damage    | water phd - water el. physical damage
wind phd - wind el. physical damage   | fire phd - fire el. physical damage
thunder phd - thunder el. ph. damage  | ice phd - ice el. physical damage
light phd - light el. physical damage | dark phd - dark el. physical damage
earth mgd - earth el. magical damage  | water mgd - water el. magical damage
wind mgd - wind el. magical damage    | fire mgd - fire el. magical damage
thunder mgd - thunder el. mag. damage | ice mgd - ice el. magical damage
light mgd - light el. magical damage  | dark mgd - dark el. magical damage
nemgd - non-el. magical damage        |
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
V) CHARACTERS
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
----------------------
VIRGINIA MAXWELL
dual-pistol specialist
----------------------
AGE:     18
HEIGHT:  5'4"
WEIGHT:  108lbs
WEAPONS: Rapier Ez, Bantorain 93R
A young woman and leader of the team. Her teenage years were very stressful -
first her father went missing, then her mom passed away after she gave up hope
of ever seeing him again. Virginia continued to live with her uncle. At the age
of 18, something happens to the village she lives in, which helps her
ultimately decide to become one of the Drifters.
Tools:
1. Tindercrest - used to light up various devices
2. Galecrest   - use to move quickly across floor and to cross small gaps in
the floor (gaps must be equal or shorter than one square, or
else you fail to cross the gap)
3. Changecrest - use to switch shapes between orange blocks or orange gems;
if you target white gem with this tool, you will be
immediately warped to its location; can also be used to
change 'shapes' of few small animals found in towns
-------------------------
GALLOWS CARRADINE
man who wants to run away
-------------------------
AGE:     24
HEIGHT:  6'3"
WEIGHT:  220lbs
WEAPONS: Modified Coyote M17F
One of the Baskar people, tribe who are devotees of the Guardian, Gallows is
supposed to follow his lineage and destiny, but he thinks otherwise. He wants
to run away from it all, to live freely as a Drifter (specifically speaking to
become a ladies man). Will he really? Or will he return to the life he was
supposed to lead?
Tools:
1. Freezer Doll - use to put out blue flames or to freeze stuff up
2. Steady Doll  - use to activate hard-to-reach switches and loot the
contents of hard-to-reach chests
3. Kramer Dolls - if used in dungeons, it will activate immediate battle; can
also be used to trigger optional boss battles
------------------
JET ENDURO
boy with lost past
------------------
AGE:     Unknown
HEIGHT:  5'4"
WEIGHT:  126lbs
WEAPONS: Airget-lamh B/V2
A lone wolf Drifter, living only for the next day. Wherever there's a rumor of
priceless treasure, Jet is almost guaranteed to pop up there. Cold, money-runs-
the-world type, doesn't speak much, not used to company... Sadly, he has no
recollection of his past, where he was born or who he really is. Is Jet even
his real name?
Tools:
1. Boomerang        - use to activate sphere-shaped switches; use to destroy
some weaker obstacles; once thrown, direct the flight
path with left stick
2. Radar            - use to scan the current room and point out valuables by
a distinctive sound and green marker
3. Radical Sneakers - use to jump up a small distance to reach inaccessible
areas; use in conjunction with jump panels to reach...
uhh... inaccessible areas? *laughs*
--------------
CLIVE WINSLET
man with honor
--------------
AGE:     30
HEIGHT:  5'8"
WEIGHT:  152lbs
WEAPONS: Gungnir HAG35
He is one of rare Drifters that chose this 'profession' for common good. Unlike
most other Drifters, Clive travels over the world as a bounty hunter and helps
people in need by exterminating dangerous beasts, guard duties and more.
Another reason for his travels is wanting to find out reasons for Filgaia's
current state.
Tools:
1. Bomb           - use to destroy obstacles and blow up cracked walls
2. Mighty Gloves  - use to lift/push heavy objects (you cannot move while
heavy object is lifted)
3. Grappling Hook - use to propel yourself up to higher areas, but only
possible if there's a hookable ceiling above you; use to
hit some orb switches found on ceilings
These are the four characters you will be able to control during your journey
thru the lands of Filgaia. In addition to these, there are many more other
memorable characters you will encounter, but I'll let it up to you to find out
who these will be.
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
VI) ABOUT GAME'S BASICS
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
----------------------------
LESSON NUMBER ONE - CONTROLS
----------------------------
Directional buttons - moves character
- use together with some chr's square button actions
- navigate menu selections
Left analog stick   - moves character
- use together with some chr's square button actions
- navigate menu selections
Right analog stick  - not used
L1 button           - rotate map counterclockwise
- change character on status screen
R1 button           - rotate map clockwise
- change character on status screen
L2 button           - changes character on field screen
R2 button           - use together with X button to notice important things on
field screen
- hold down R2, then press L2 to switch between currently
selected chr's tools
Start button        - display available chr's tools
Select button       - display world map (available once you purchase world
map from item merchant)
X button            - activate some chr's actions
- activate menu selections
Circle button       - cancel commands
- cancel encounter gauge
- close menu screen
- hold to sneak
Triangle button     - display main menu
- hold to display help messages
Square button       - use chr's tools
- activate ASK system
- activate Search system when on world map
-------------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER TWO - STARTING NEW GAME
-------------------------------------
Step 1 - When Wild Arms 3 intro logo shows up, press Start.
Step 2 - When presented with selecting PAL on NTSC, I suggest NTSC if your TV
supports it. PAL has two small, but annoying borders.
Step 3 - You will be presented with two choices, Load and New Game. Press
Circle button once to move the cursor to Load. Select New game.
Step 4 - When asked to confirm, choose Yes. Intro sequence will play.
Step 5 - On Character Selection screen, you will have to complete all four
prologues before journey as a team begins. When chr is selected, you
will see selected chr's brief description and difficulty of his/her
scenario. I suggest clearing Virginia's first, followed by Jet's,
Gallows' and finally Clive's.
Please note that you can also start a new game by selecting Options from the
main menu. At this screen select Load to bring up Load data screen. Here choose
New Game and reconfirm the selection.
--------------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER THREE - SAVING YOUR GAME
--------------------------------------
It is vitally important that you save your game every so often. You can save
your progress in three ways.
MEMORY FIGURE: Scattered across most towns are these nifty devices, easily
spottable with their trademark hats. Approach one and talk to
it. You will be asked if you want to save. Choose Yes. Save
data screen will show up. Once its done reading the memory
card/s, choose a slot you wish to save to. Confirm the
selection with yes to complete the procedure.
GIMEL COIN:    Semi-hard to obtain item, this little chap saves your game
almost anywhere. From the main menu enter Item menu and select
Gimel coin, then press X. Save procedure is the same as that
when saving with Memory figure. One save consumes one Gimel
coin. Please note that during certain events you will not be
able to save your game with help of Gimel coins.
CHAPTER END:   Wild Arms 3 story is comprised of chapters. At the end of each
chapter Save data screen automatically shows up. Save process,
again, is the same. Also, at end of each chr's prologue, you
will be able to save your progress.
Furthermore, there are some other things you need to know.
- Memory figures are only present in towns.
- The only way to save your game inside the dungeon is by Gimel coins.
- You can obtain more Gimel coins by finding them in chests, defeating enemies
for them, or by searching boxes, drawers, tables etc.
- One memory card can hold up to 99 WA3 game saves.
- Save Data Management you see is used to delete unnecessary saves or to copy
other saves onto another memory card.
-----------------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER FOUR - CONTINUING YOUR GAME
-----------------------------------------
Step 1 - When Wild Arms 3 intro logo shows up, press Start.
Step 2 - You will be presented with two choices, Load and New Game. Meanwhile
the game automatically scans available memory card/s for any WA3
saves which have already been recorded.
Step 3 - When scanning is done, select the save you wish to continue playing
from (below information appears with important chr data, where the
save was made, how much gella you acquired and current play time)
and press X. Reconfirm the selection to complete the procedure.
Please note that you can also load any previous save by selecting Options from
the main menu. At this screen select Load to bring up Load data screen. Here
choose a save slot you wish to continue playing from and reconfirm the
selection.
-----------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER FIVE - INFIELD SCREEN
-----------------------------------
Infield screen is the one you will see the most of. This screen appears
whenever you enter a town or a dungeon. Following information is displayed:
1. Encounter gauge in upper left corner
2. Currently controlled chr's selected tool in upper right corner
3. Acquired gella and current play time in lower left corner
4. Compass cursor, which indicates north direction
Infield screen can be rotated either with L1 or R1 buttons. Pressing both at
same time centers the infield direction to north. Rotating the screen is
helpful in noticing hidden passageways, switches or treasures.
-----------------------------
LESSON NUMBER SIX - WORLD MAP
-----------------------------
Whenever you exit towns and dungeons, you'll end up in overworld. Following
information is displayed:
1. Encounter gauge in upper left corner
2. Acquired gella and current play time in lower left corner
3. Compass cursor, which indicates north direction
When on the overworld, your goal is to explore the unseen lands to discover new
cities and dungeons. You can do so by pressing Square, which will activate
Search system (SS from now on).
However, this alone isn't enough to actually find a town or dungeon. First you
MUST BE GIVEN A CLUE to whereabouts of your next destination (some exceptions
apply). You can obtain clues either by talking to people or examining signposts
(explained a bit below). Once you know where to start looking, head there on
the world map, activating SS as you go. Once you get close enough to your next
destination, the latter reveals itself. Approach it and structure's name and
icon will appear. Press X to enter.
Let me present an example:
- one of first dungeons you'll clear is Ruins of Memory
- it is located SE from Jolly Roger
- true, you may know its *exact* location, but you can search as much as you
like and ruins will not show up, you *must be given a clue first*
- you get your clue at certain point in Jolly Roger, and only then do Ruins of
Memory show up on world map
Please note that SS can also be used to find gella and signposts scattered all
over. Reading these signposts is another way to obtain clues to whereabouts of
towns and dungeons.
You're advised to buy World Screen ASAP. You can buy it for 5000 gella from
item merchant. Once you have it and you're on the overworld, press Select
button to bring up the world map. Once you're also in possession of Map Scope
item, pressing Select multiple times cycles map view in this order:
Immediate surroundings -> world map -> regional view -> no map
At first your only transport will be your feet. Later in the game more means of
transport will be made available:
1. Train - by paying a small fee you can travel to other continents of Filgaia
2. Horse - obtained as part of story you can use a horse to quickly travel
across land; horse is also capable of jumping over crevasses
3. Sandcraft - also obtained as part of the story with this ship you can
navigate the sand seas and gain access to lands you can't reach on foot, but
you can only land on beaches
4. 'Aircraft' - find out for yourself what you will be piloting, I won't spoil
the surprise...
-------------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER SEVEN - EXPLORING TOWNS
-------------------------------------
When inside a town, you can do all sorts of stuff...
1. Talk to people to learn about your next destination, obtain clues, hear more
about the storyline or just some random chitchat. Depending on chr currently
selected conversation can vary, so try switching chrs often when talking to
people.
2. Examine chests to obtain the contents.
3. Perform chr's actions (either by tools or activating a device) to have
something happen.
4. Enter houses to examine other people's belongings and claim them for yours
(if there's anything worth stealing, that is). Sometimes you can also find
interesting books on bookshelves. Read these to learn more about the storyline
or to obtain helpful hints.
5. Enter shops to sell, buy or upgrade. More on this in section IX.
6. Activate Selected Keyword, ASK - sometimes when talking to people, you will
see green colored phrase pop up between text. Pressing Square will enable you
to place a cursor on this phrase. Press X now to find out more about that
phrase. If there's more than one phrase to select from, use dir. buttons to
toggle between them. Activating ASK is important, for you can find out
important clues.
7. When talking to people, sometimes a sound effect will be triggered. This
denotes that you've just been given a direction of a town/dungeon you haven't
yet discovered.
8. Use chrs' tools near animals to see them do some funny stuff.
----------------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER EIGHT - EXPLORING DUNGEONS
----------------------------------------
The stuff without which you can't go anywhere until it's cleared - the dungeon.
As with towns, there's a lot to do here.
1. Exploring alone will not be enough. Often times you will have to clear a
puzzle or disable a trap to advance.
2. Examine chests to obtain the contents. Be warned: sometimes you will need to
defeat Mimics or Imitators to claim the contents of the chest. Some chests are
also sealed by magic - to open these you will need to use Duplicator.
3. Perform chr's tool actions by pressing Square to have something happen
(Start button lets you choose chr and a tool you wish to employ; you can switch
between chrs only by pressing L2; R2 and L2 pressed together switches between
tools of currently selected chr).
4. Engage in monster or boss battles (explained in section VIII).
5. You will find gems scattered across dungeon. They come in three varieties:
- orange gems fill up 1/20 of your VIT gauge
- white gems fill up 1/10 of your ENC gauge
- blue gem fills 1/10 of ECNG and 1/20 of VIT gauge
----------------------------------------
LESSON NUMBER NINE - CHARACTER'S ACTIONS
----------------------------------------
1. Dash      - hold down X button
- dashing in certain things can open new paths or cause
something nice to happen
2. Jump down - if you're about to fall, press X to accomplish this
- if dashing, you fall down immediately
3. Pick up   - press X when facing a pickable item
- to pick up heavier items, Clive's Mighty Gloves are necessary
4. Throw     - press X when carrying pickable item
5. Push      - press X when facing pushable item, then use dir. buttons to
push the item in desired direction
- to push heavier items, Clive's Mighty Gloves are necessary
6. Pull      - press X when facing pullable item, then use dir. buttons to
pull the item in desired direction
- to pull heavier items, Clive's Mighty Gloves are necessary
7. Turning   - face the handle, then press and hold X to grab it
- you can turn handles clockwise or counterclockwise
8. Notice    - if you're lost and tools don't seem to help, press R2 and X to
have your chr 'notice' anything of importance in current room
in the direction you're facing (turn around and keep pressing
X to readjust field of vision)
9. Hang      - you can hang onto certain obstacles, such as gratings
- stand beneath the grating and press X to grab on
- move around with dir. buttons, fall down by pressing Circle
- if at the edge of grating and there's enough space above the
grating, press X to climb atop the grating
10. Search   - anything you think is important, stand close to it and press X
to examine the item in question
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
VII) MENUS
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
Main menu is accessed by pressing Triangle when on Infield screen/overworld.
- in the top row you will see six command icons
- below a summary of chrs' status will be displayed (explained later)
- if you don't know what a certain thing means or does, press Triangle to bring
up a help line at the very top
---------
ITEM MENU
---------
- Item menu is accessed by selecting first command icon in main menu.
- Top row consists of three commands (explained a bit below).
- Most of the screen is reserved to browse thru items you've obtained so far.
- You can hold a maximum of 180 different items.
- You can hold a maximum quantity of 99 for a single item.
Here's the explanation of the three commands:
1. Use: When you want to use a certain item for a character, select the item
and select which character you wish to use the item for. Items that cannot be
used are greyed out.
2. Move: Rearrange the items' order manually. Select first item, then select
second item to have them switch places.
3. Sort: Rearrange the items' order automatically from one of three categories
(Consumables lists consumable items first, Gear lists items that can be
equipped on mediums first, and Event lists items important for story progress
first).
-----------
MEDIUM MENU
-----------
This option becomes available after you obtain first medium in Fallen
Sanctuary. It lets you:
1. INVOKE COMMAND
Main purpose of Invoke is to equip various mediums to your chrs (max number of
mediums you can equip is three per one chr). To select a medium you wish to
equip, first select a character, then select one of three available slots and
finally select the medium.
Equipping mediums brings following advantages:
- it strengthens certain chr's statistics
- Force ability Summon becomes available (explained later)
- Arcana ability becomes available (explained later)
- you can add Personal skills to your chrs
- if Force point gauge becomes MAX, you become Condition Green! and any status
effects are lifted
2. PERSONAL SKILL (select the chr whose PS you wish to equip/change)
Each medium equipped already possesses three Personal Skills (PS from now on).
You can equip these PS on your chrs by expending PS points your chrs gain each
time they level up (you gain one PS point for each level).
You'll see that most PS have up to four levels of activation. That means you
can invest PS points into a particular PS more than once in order to increase
this PS' effect.
To allocate PS points, select Manual, then the desired skill. PS points are
deducted with each activation. You can equip single chr with up to 24 PS.
Example of PS' effect increasing:
Dark Ward has four levels of activation (1 PS point per level). Each time you
invest 1 PS point, your resistance to dark element attacks will increase -
first level by 25%, second by 50%, third by 75%, fourth (final) by 100%.
In addition to Manual there are two more commands available:
- Auto command allows you to automatically distribute available PS points with
help of one of five parameters (Average, Attack, Defense, Elemental, Status).
- Reset command lets you retrieve PS points allocated to a certain PS. Use this
command when you wish to assign PS points to a PS which you think is more
suitable for the current situation.
3. EQUIP
Each medium you obtain already has 3 PS. You can add more PS to certain medium
by using Gear-type items. Max number of additional PS is five. This means that
in the end one medium can have a max of 8 PS. Once Equip is selected, choose a
medium you wish to equip, then select a gear slot and finally assign desired
Gear item.
You can delete PS, that were added by Gear items, once you feel they no longer
serve the purpose, but beware! Any deleted Gear is lost permanently.
----------------
AUTO-BATTLE MENU
----------------
If you feel that your chrs can take on regular enemies without your input, you
can select Auto-Battle mode (ABM from now on). Three modes are available.
1. MANUAL
Player must manually choose chr's commands prior to each turn.
2. ALL-OUT ATTACK
Chrs will only use Shoot during each turn.
3. BALANCED ATTACK
In addition to Shoot, chrs may also employ using Arcana abilites etc., and
consider each individual's strengths and weaknesses.
You need to know these:
- each time battle commences, you need to press X to engage ABM
- pressing Circle anytime during ABM sequence will grant you access to commands
at start of next turn
--------------
FORMATION MENU
--------------
Select this if you want to change the formation of your party lineup. Chr top
left will have his/her commands inputted first, followed by chrs positioned top
right, bottom left and bottom right.
However, this doesn't mean that the chr in top left position will execute
his/her command first. That is determined by chr's RFX points, ie whoever has
highest RFX at the current turn gets to go first.
1. SWITCH
Select first chr you wish to change, then select the second chr you wish to
switch with.
2. SANDCRAFT (appears once you get sandcraft)
Lets you switch between positions on the sanccraft. Select first chr you wish
to assign to different position to be taken to chr switch screen. Here you can
choose second chr you wish to switch with. Before you do so, compare how the
stats of Sancraft would be should switching be complete. If many/all stats
would go down, I recommend leaving as it is. Is however, there's a major
improvement in sandcraft's stats, complete the switch. Reconfirm the selection
by selecting Confirm.
-----------
STATUS MENU
-----------
1. CHARACTER STATUS
In here you can examine various statistics of your chrs. Once you select Status
command, select Characters, then select one of available chrs and press X to be
taken to selected chr's statistic overview.
- In top row chr's name is displayed. Switch between chrs with R1/L1 buttons.
- Top to middle left corner is reserved for chr's overall status.
- Bottom left corner has info on equipped mediums and tools chr got so far.
- Most of the right part is reserved for more detailed chr's stats. Press left
or right dir. buttons to scroll thru following four pages: statistics (what
aspect do they represent explained below), PS equipped (explained in mediums
menu above [if more than 12 PS are equipped, press up/down dir. buttons to view
the rest), Arcana (explained later) and Arm specs (explained later).
Let me explain what does a specific statistic stand for.
a) LV  - Chr's current level.
b) HP  - Chr's hit points. Numbers indicate current HP / MAX HP. If current
HP becomes zero, chr becomes fallen and is unable to fight unless
treated properly.
c) FP  - Chr's Force points (explained later).
d) VIT - Vitality meter. Numbers indicate current VIT / MAX VIT. After each
successful battle, VIT will be used to help recover HP gauge. 1 VIT
point is used for 1/100 of HP gauge. VIT points are recovered by
collecting orange gems or by spending a night in an inn.
e) MTC - Chr's Material counter. Dictates how many times can you use Summon
ability during battles. MTC is recovered after spending a night in
an inn or winning battles. Left number indicates current MTC, the
right maximum MTC. Increase max MTC by using Growth Eggs or by
killing enemies***.
f) EXP - Chr's current experience points.
g) NXT - Amount of EXP needed to advance to next level.
h) ARM - Name of ARM currently being used.
i) ATT - Attack power, which determines damage of physical attacks. Higher it
is, more damage you inflict.
j) DEF - Defence power, determines damage you take from enemy's physical
attacks. Higher it is, less damage you receive.
k) MAG - Magic power, which determines damage of magical attacks. Higher it
is, more damage you inflict.
l) MGR - Magic defence power, determines damage you take from enemy's magical
attacks. Higher it is, less damage you receive.
m) RFX - Reflex or speed, determines how quickly you can act during battles.
Higher it is, faster you can act.
n) AIM - Higher it is, more likely you are to hit the enemy with physical
attacks.
o) EVA - Evasion, determines how likely you are to dodge the attacks. Higher
it is, more likely you are to dodge.
p) LCK - Luck, determines how often you score criticals and pre-emptive
strikes (ie battles where your party ambushes enemy's). Higher it
is, more criticals you get and more first-attacks.
***How does MTC increase by killing enemies? Credit: Andvareel
When a character kills an enemy with a summon, the summoner earns a special
kind of hidden experience called MTC-Experience. A character earns an MTC when
s/he earns a certain amount of MTC-Exp.
The actual amount of MTC-Exp earned for killing an enemy depends on the level
of the enemy compared to the level of the caster. For example, if a level 50
Jet kills a level 43 Bombardier, 43/50, or 0.86 MTC-Exp is earned.
The total amount of MTC-Exp required for earning an MTC is based on the
experience formula. An MTC is awarded after 7 MTC-Exp, the next after an
additional 12 MTC-Exp (19 total), and the next after an additional 18 MTC-Exp
(37 total).
The MTC-E amounts required for the first 15 MTC are:
0, 7, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 193, 145, 174, 202, 236
Fighting on horseback near Ballack Rise is the best known location for earning
MTC-E. Earning MTC from MTC-E becomes impractical after the 9th earned this
way.
Growth eggs do not affect MTC-E in any way - they simply increase MTC by one.
Therefore, growth eggs should be used immediately.
2. SANDCRAFT STATUS
In here you can examine various statistics of your sandcraft. Once you select
Status command, select Sandcraft and press X to be taken to selected chr's
statistic overview.
- In top left corner LV (equals your ML), HP and FP of sandcraft are displayed.
- Middle left corner displays current equipment of sandcraft.
- Bottom left corner displays which chr is assigned to which position on
sandcraft, ie Helmsman, Harpooner, Gunner and Deckmate.
- Most of the right part serves as basis to find out what each of sandcraft's
positions does. Listed are Attacks, Force abilities and FP, followed by stats
that are needed for specific position. Scroll between positions by pressing
left/right dir. buttons.
More detailed explanation is found in the section Sandcraft.
3. 'AIRCRAFT' STATUS
There's only few pages you can view here. In upper left corner, aircraft's LV
(equal to amount of Migrant Seals you currently possess), HP (base HP of all
chrs added together and multiplied by 64) and default FP bar (equal to ML
multiplied by 5) are displayed. Most of the right of the screen is reserved for
statistics, ARM abilities and FA-s. More detailed explanation is found in
section Aircraft.
------------
OPTIONS MENU
------------
1. LOAD           - load a previously saved game / start a new game
2. CONTROLLER     - choose between normal (default) or customize setting
(latter lets you choose the controls to your liking)
3. SOUND          - choose between Mono or Stereo sound
4. COMPASS        - turn compass cursor on or off
5. BATTLE SPEED   - choose between Regular or Turbo (set to Turbo ASAP)
6. BATTLE COMMAND - changes battle command input system
- Neutral recenters highlighted command when dir. buttons
or left an. stick is released
- Fixed doesn't automatically recenter highlighted command
7. CURSOR         - select initial cursor location
- selecting Memory automatically highlights battle command
used during the last turn.
8. SCREEN         - toy around with screen settings
9. SCREEN SAVER   - turn screen saver on or off
- if on, you need to set time limit from 01:00 to 59:59
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
VIII) BATTLE SYSTEM
===============================================================================
===============================================================================
---------
ENCOUNTER
---------
When strolling down the dungeon or on world map, a ! (exclamation mark) may
appear above chr's head - this means that you're about to fall into random
battle. When ! appears, you can choose to engage in battle (explained later) or
avoid the encounter altogether (explained later).
There are four possible encounters.
Normal encounter    - Your party and enemies encounter each other normally.
Pre-emptive attack! - Your party ambushes enemy party. You have the advantage
of launching first attacks.
Ambushed!           - Enemy party ambushes your party. You cannot act at all
during the first turn.
Danger!             - Randomly selected chr must fight alone for three turns.
On fourth turn other three chrs arrive in battle fray.
---------------
ENCOUNTER GAUGE
---------------
Encounter gauge (ECNG for short) is displayed in top left of the screen. ECNG
helps you avoid the encounters you do not wish to fight. There are three
different colored ! that appear.
White ! - Your Migrant level (ML from now on) is compared to that of the
enemy. Press Circle and ECNG will be reduced by a specific
difference.
Red !   - Should ECNG become 0 or you fall into surprise battle, you will not
be able to cancel the encounter.
Green ! - When your ML is way higher than that of the enemy, you can press
Circle to cancel the battle. In addition to that, your ECNG is not
reduced!
IMPORTANT! When white or green colored ! appears, press Circle two times
quickly to immediately fall into the battle.
You can increase ML by collecting items called Migrant Seal. Each one nailed
raises your ML by 1 point. ECNG is raised by collecting Booster Kits. Each one
in your possession raises gauge's counter by 10 points. You can replenish ECNG
by spending night in an inn (full replenish), winning a battle (1 point
replenish), or by collecting white gems (replenish by 1/10 of the gauge).
------------------
ENCOUNTER COMMANDS
------------------
Encounter commands (ECO from now on) are entered at beginning of each turn.
Pressing Triangle brings out help message for any selected ECO.
1. GET READY   - select to begin entering battle commands
2. FORMATION   - adjust chr's position and turn order (refer to formation
menu heading for detailed explanation)*
3. MEDIUM      - equip guardians, PS or Gears (refer to medium menu heading
for detailed explanation)
4. AUTO BATTLE - set ABM settings (refer to auto-battle menu heading for
detailed explanation)
5. SYSTEM      - customize game's settings (refer to options menu heading for
detailed explanation)
* Beside RFX based turn order in battle, you're given the option of manual turn
order. For example, if you wish all enemies go before you, put Clive to be the
first to execute the command for current turn. Since Clive is the slowest of
the bunch, all enemies will go before him, followed by Clive and whatever order
you selected. Please note that manual turn order has to be inputted EACH TURN
SEPARATELY!
---------------
BATTLE COMMANDS
---------------
Battle commands (BCO from now on) are entered after you select Get Ready ECO.
Pressing Triangle brings out help message for any selected BCO. In addition, it
can also display each chr's status when it's that chr's turn.
1. SHOOT         - attacks selected opponent with chr's ARM
- if amount of bullets remaining is 0, chr engages in melee
combat with selected opponent
- each ARM has set amount of bullets chr can use
- [bullets remaining / max bullets available] gauge is
visible above the chr's HP display window
- reload chr's ARM by selecting Guard
- increase amount of bullets chr can carry by upgrading
chr's ARM
2. GUARD         - reduces amount of damage received for current turn
- reloads chr's ARM
3. ITEM          - use items
4. FORCE ABILITY - use chr's special powers by using up Force points
(detailed explanation below)
5. ARCANA        - use magic spells related to equipped mediums
- specific spell requires a set amount of Force points, but
it doesn't cause them to decrease
------------
FORCE POINTS
------------
Force points (FP from now on) are needed to perform more powerful actions, such
as Arcana and Force abilities. Numbers and bars at the bottom of the HP display
show FP for each chr.
FP increases as chrs attack enemies, or when enemies attack chrs. When blue bar
crosses 25% increments, 'FORCE LEVEL UP' message will be briefly displayed. FP
acquired in one battle do not carry over in next battle (exceptions are
expected, of course). Default FP depends on chr's level, so if Jet is level 30,
his FP gauge will start at 30 FP in each battle.
---------------
FORCE ABILITIES
---------------
Each chr has three Force abilities (FA from now on) he/she can choose from. Two