Disk 1 | Disk 2 | Disk 3 | Disk 4
As I have written my own walkthrough, I please ask that you use this guide just for that reason and for no other purpose. If you would like to use this walkthrough on your site or for other purposes taking this as your own, please e-mail me for my permission.
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1. Trip to Alexandria
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After the wonderful opening, you'll find yourself controlling Zidane in a dark room. Do whatever you like but as you progress you'll come to a boss battle right away with Baku. Attack with everyone, but leave one character to steal items, probably Cinna. Upon the end of that "battle", you'll be introduced to Vivi.
Vivi came to Alexandria to see the play performed by Zidane and company, but don't go rushing to the event just yet. Search every spot you see in houses and outside to find a multitude of things. In Memorial Square (the area with a statue in the middle), search around the houses on the outside to find a few cards. The other areas have more cards, along with a few items and gil. Search and make your way up to the ticket booth. To the left of the booth are the two girls jumping rope, and if you can perform well, you can get some good cards (more info on the Side Quests page). Now when you try and cash in your ticket, you'll find out it's a fake and will now try to see the show by breaking in. Head down the alley on the left and you'll bump into a man painting a sign. When Puck comes along, agree to be his slave. Follow him through the bell tower where you'll first meet a pair of moogles. Head across the rooftops, stopping along the way at chimneys to find some stashed gil. At the end of this sequence, it's back to Zidane...
The play begins and alas, another mock battle with Baku. This time he has two guards with him but it's still overly easy at this point. Take out the guards and then Baku after that. After the button-tapping stage fight, your next goal is to find and kidnap Princess Garnet. Head up the stairs and after a short scene, she'll run right by you. Again you'll switch characters, but this time to Steiner, the Queen's head knight. Search every room of the castle to find all of the knights of Pluto, and by the end you should be heading up a tower. After a CG scene, you'll be in control of Zidane again, chasing Garnet through the Prima Vista. Steiner will follow you and initiate a couple battles on the airship and on the stage. In your first meeting, have Cinna steal and the others attack. Use the same idea for the next battles, except attack with Marcus and Zidane, have Vivi use his magic, and heal with Garnet when and if necessary. Again, this should not cause any troubles whatsoever as I wouldn't even consider it a boss battle even though it's supposed to be one. After some nice cutscenes, you'll be on your way and out of Alexandria, but stranded into the Evil Forest.
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2. Escape from the Queen
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When the Prima Vista crashes into the Evil Forest, you will need to go out and find Garnet as she was thrown from the ship. Search around for some loose items and when you're ready, head through the hollow tree. Before heading to the next screen, walk around fighting some Fangs and Goblins to build a couple levels before going on to your first real boss.
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Boss: Prison Cage - HP: 513, 533 - AP: 3 - Gil: 0 - Weak vs.: Fire
Win: Phoenix Down, Eye Drops, Goblin Card - Steal: Leather Wrist, Broadsword
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This battle shouldn't pose much of a problem, attack quickly and heal with potions if necessary. Once Zidane goes into trance, blow this guy away with his Dyne skills. As for the second part of the battle, Vivi will be captured but will still cast Fire magic against him every round. Attack with Steiner and have Zidane steal those couple items that may come in handy this early in the game.
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Despite your efforts, Garnet is still gone and so Zidane heads out with Steiner and Vivi to go searching for her. But Baku has other ideas and doesn't want him to leave without a fight. You can steal a Hi-Potion and Iron Sword from him for your keeping before you attack him. Use potions if necessary, but he won't put up much of a fight (only 150 HP). Go find Steiner and Vivi to have them join you and talk to Blank on your way out of the ship. You can buy some items from Cinna and when you're done, head back through the forest. Save with the moogle by the lit-up tree stump and continue to find the root of all evil in the forest.
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Boss: Plant Brain - HP: 916 - AP: 20 - Gil: 468 - Weak vs.: Fire
Win: Phoenix Down - Steal: Iron Helm, Eye Drops
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Make sure you have all your new weapons and armors ready to go before this battle. Have Steiner use the Fire Sword technique as long as he can and cast Fire with Vivi. Steal and heal when necessary with Zidane. The only attack you'll need to worry about is the Pollen technique which may Blind your party. Use Eye Drops for a round and continue on your way. Blank will come to your aid and give you another attacker and that should be more than enough help to put this boss down.
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You'll now have to escape some Plant Spiders, but they should go down without a problem. After you escape the forest and revive Garnet, you'll be able to continue on your way to the south. Wander around the world map if you please, but then head south of the Evil Forest to reach the Ice Cavern.
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3. Heading to Dali
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Once you enter the Ice Cavern, you'll quickly realize that Vivi's fire spell comes in handy for thawing out frozen treasure chests. Among several items you can find another Leather Wrist and Mage Masher. It's pretty straight-forward through the cave until you come to the fork in the road. Go to the left to find a moogle and save. Then head up the right path. Everyone except Zidane will fall asleep and so the next boss battle will have to be a solo act.
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Boss: Black Waltz No. 1/Sealion - HP: 229, 472 - AP: 5 - Gil: 339 - Weak vs.: Fire
Win: Hi-Potion, Phoenix Down, Fang Card - Steal: Silk Shirt, Remedy, Mythril Dagger, Ether
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Attack the Sealion first and steal if you can handle it. Since you're alone you'll have to heal yourself if your HP are running low. You should hit a trance and use the Tidal Flame on the Sealion to make him bow out quickly. Once the Sealion is gone the mage should follow suit soon after as he has fewer HP. Upon victory you will be able to leave the Ice Cavern.
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Head across the high plain (fight some battles for experience if you wish) until you see the small village of Dali. Spend the night at the Inn and you will see everyone has gone off exploring. Do the same, picking up items along the way. Dagger can be found at Eve's shop, talk to her and she will return to the Inn where you should talk to her again. Now as for Vivi, head to the windmill, open the hatch inside, and head underground. There you will find that Vivi has been kidnapped along with some more bad news for Vivi. Follow the kidnappers searching for items along the way. There is also a barrel where you can find a moogle to save. When you see a machine with a conveyor belt, head through the door at the top. Work your way around and you will eventually be heading for a cargo ship in search of Vivi. But once you do find him you'll discover another mage to face.
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Boss: Black Waltz No. 2 - HP: 1030 - AP: 5 - Gil: 441 - Weak vs.: Fire
Win: Ether, Zaghnol Card - Steal: Steepled Hat, Leather Plate
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Even though he is weak against Fire, use Blizzard spells and Sword Magic against him. He will counter any other type of magic you use. Steal items with Zidane and cure with Dagger when needed. Make sure everyone stays alive since the Black Waltz is looking to take the Princess so he is not looking to kill her.
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Once he is defeated, return to Dali to stay at the inn and stock up on items if you are short. When you're ready head on back to the Cargo Ship to take your flight to Lindblum.
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4. Great City of Lindblum
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As you get onto the cargo ship and start your way towards Lindblum, you'll find you're not alone in the skies.
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Boss: Black Waltz No. 3 - HP: 1128 - Gil: 0 - Weak vs.: Thunder
Win: Nothing - Steal: Steepled Hat, Linen Cuirass, Silver Gloves
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This Waltz has some good items to steal, so have Zidane steal from him and heal when needed since Dagger will not participate in this battle. Use Thunder with Vivi and the Thunder Sword Magic with Steiner while he still has magic points.
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After you escape from the Black Waltz and view a nice CG cut scene, you will be taken to the City of Lindblum and led to the Regent Cid's chamber. Lunch will be served, where you will wander to the Industrial District and run into Freya, who will later join your party. When you wake up at the inn in the Business District, you can freely explore all the areas of the city. Search every district carefully for loose items and shop at the various shops at the market square. Here you'll also be introduced to a Synthesis shop where you can get a new item by giving up two items and some gil. Head through the Industrial and Theater Districts for careful inspections before going back to Lindblum Castle.
Make your way to the guest room where you saw Dagger a little earlier, but you'll find she's not there right now. Look around for a couple items and return to the lobby. There Zidane hears Dagger, but you need to get by the guard to get up the lift. Head towards the guest room again, but rather than going up, go down to a ledge where there is a soldier sleeping. Once you take his uniform, you'll be able to get past the guard to get on the lift. At the Upper Level, take the stairs on the left to go through the engine room and then the tower. There you'll find a telescope and Dagger.
After the scene, you'll begin to prepare for the Festival of the Hunt. For the hunt, equip your best armor and weapon, and also the Beast Killer ability helps. Then run around killing as many enemies as you can in the various districts. If you win with Zidane, you'll receive 5000 gil. If Vivi wins, you'll get the Theater Ship Card and if Freya wins you'll receive a Coral Ring. After the festival and some more bad news, Steiner and Dagger will leave for now and you'll be left with Zidane, Freya, and Vivi. Before going on with your journey, stock up on potions and ethers as you'll need them with the absence of Dagger. When you're ready, take the castle lift down to the lower level and then the trolley to Dragon's Gate where you'll begin your journey to Burmecia.
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5. Gizamaluke's Grotto
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As you leave Lindblum, there are a couple things you can do before proceeding to Burmecia. North of Dragon's Gate lies Qu Marsh, where you will find Quina trying to catch a frog. Catch one for it and Quina will eventually join your party. Quina is a Blue Mage so eat as many enemies with it before continuing on to get a few abilities that may come in handy. Another point of interest is the Chocobo Forest to the east where you can begin the Chocobo Hot & Cold mini-game. It would be a definite advantage to begin that side quest at this point. Just be careful as there are stronger enemies once you cross the river. When you are satisfied with your progress, head on up to the entrance of Gizamaluke's Grotto which is north and a little east of Dragon's Gate (in the mountain range).
In order to progress through the underground passage, you will need to collect Gizamaluke Bells to ring in front of doors. You should find the first one to the right that you'll receive from a Burmecian soldier. Use the bell at the top and the bell will shatter, meaning you'll have to find more to open up more doors. Here you'll find Zorn and Thorn setting loose a bunch of Black Mages on you. They really aren't much of a threat, more of an annoyance, so push them aside as you continue. Cross under the bridge and fight the next Black Mage where you'll receive another bell. Head up the steps and open the door to the left. Along the way you should find a Bronze Vest and another wounded soldier and bell. Return to the main area and use the bell on the lower-right door. Make your way to the large bell and use the Kupo Nut to free the moogle trapped inside. Grab the next bell and follow the moogles. Talk to the moogles, save, and get the Holy Bell from Moguta. Head back to the main room and use the Holy Bell to get into the central room of the grotto. Here you'll find something is wrong with Master Gizamaluke, which of course means you have to fight him.
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Boss: Gizamaluke - HP: 3175 - AP:5 - Gil: 800 - Weak vs.: Thunder
Win: Tent - Steal: Ice Staff, Magus Hat, Elixir
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Gizamaluke may look big, but like every early boss, he shouldn't put up much of a fight. Have Vivi cast Thunder magic while Freya should use her Jump ability. You can also blind him with Zidane's Soul Blade ability (if you bought the Ogre in the Lindblum Synthesis shop), but then steal from him when you get the chance. Use Quina for healing and attacking.
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After defeating Gizamaluke, you will be clear on your path to Burmecia, but before we go there, you will be sent back to Steiner and Dagger on their journey to Treno. Search around with Steiner and you will be able to find the Multina Racket for Dagger. You will reach an underpass where Steiner wants to drop off Dagger so she can get out of the bag, but people will be in the way. Talk to them to get them to move over to the left side of the square, and head to the tunnel where Dagger will unveil herself. If you're having trouble, talk to Mary and console her to move her out of the way. Then talk to the Earnest Young Man and tell him you're here to work. Then talk to the worker on the left and then back to the man on the right to tell him the worker is slacking off. Continue up to the cable car station, but make sure to equip Steiner and Dagger with their best armor and weapons before heading up. But before you find out why, it's back off to see how Zidane and company are doing.
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6. Discovery at Burmecia
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As you leave Gizamaluke's Grotto, you'll be on a clear path to Burmecia. But before you go, head west past the desert to find some Chocobo tracks and get a chocograph if you started the mini-game. When you're ready, head on into Burmecia. Here there will be plenty of random battles, so be sure you come prepared. Dive deep into the kingdom searching along the way for items. After you defeat another group of black mages, head up the stairs to the left door. Be very careful in the next room as not all of the treasure chests have treasure inside. Some are just Mimic monsters that call Magic Vices to steal from you. Take out the vices ASAP and defeat the Mimic to get an Ether. Continue now past the bell door and up to the west. As you run towards the treasure chest on the top left, the floor will slip out, creating a bridge on the level below you. Head back outside and go to the door on the right under the balconies. Go now to the second floor and through the doorway on the right. Make your way around the balconies to a bedroom with another soldier. Here you should be able to find the Protection Bell. Head to the third level outside and use the bell on the door. As you get to the temple, enter the central bottom door to rescue some Burmecians, and then head to the right stairs. Cross the balcony to reach the doorway on the left. In the courtyard, enter the door on the left first to find a Mythril Spear for Freya. Equip immediately for her Reis's Wind ability. Now go the the door on the right to find a moogle to save and a Lightning Staff for Vivi. Now head through the middle and you'll reach the castle walls. Choose to leave Freya alone and she will lead you up and inside. Here you'll find an interesting conversation and your final battle for Disk 1.
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Boss: Beatrix - HP: 3630 - AP: 0 - Gil: 0 - Weak vs.: Nothing
Win: Nothing - Steal: Chain Plate, Mythril Sword, Phoenix Down
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By far Beatrix will be the toughest boss you have faced so far. At the start, slow her down with Vivi and have Freya cast Reis's Wind to cast Regen on your whole party. Attack with Quina and steal with Zidane (use the Bandit ability if you have it to speed things up). Use some second-level magic spells with Vivi and Jump with Freya after the first round. She will put up a big fight, but this should be enough to defeat her. And don't worry, it's normal that she decimates your party before she leaves.
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After Beatrix leaves you will see a nice CG introducing Kuja, and then on to Disk 2.