Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

Sir VG

Edit history:

Sir VG: 2010-05-16 02:39:57 am

2009-07-11 11:52:40 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Due to the nature of this game, there's PLENTY of openings for speed running this, since each chapter is not dependent on the others, with the exception (not mandatory, but helpful from what I hear) of the last one.

I'm working primarily on Yang's Story right now. My best time on it is 0:47 (for those that don't know, the game DOES display a save at the end. This is actually for importing into the final chapter), but I know it can be improved by coming up with a better strategy for Adamantoise. I read about a new band for Yang + Ursula, which should help in the fight (Yang Attack + Ursula Tenketsu), but I still need to test. Kain is a bitch in this section, since while the scenario is much like the Fable invasion in FFIV, this battle is NOT hopeless (you HAVE to win).

Feel free to discuss any section of the game you want in here, but be sure to be clear in what you're talking about for the others.

[hr]

Best Reported Times:
Main Story: 1:09 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Rydia DLC: 0:36 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Yang DLC: 0:34 (Sir VG, SS) / 0:30 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Palom DLC: 0:38 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Edge DLC: 0:28 (messenger, SS) / 0:26 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Porom DLC: 0:27 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Edward DLC: 0:25 (thri11ki11, Seg)
FuSoYa DLC: 0:40 (Sir VG, SS) / 0:34 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Final Chapter DLC:

Thread title:

Due to the nature of this game, there's PLENTY of openings for speed running this, since each chapter is not dependent on the others, with the exception (not mandatory, but helpful from what I hear) of the last one.

I'm working primarily on Yang's Story right now.  My best time on it is 0:47 (for those that don't know, the game DOES display a save at the end.  This is actually for importing into the final chapter), but I know it can be improved by coming up with a better strategy for Adamantoise.  I read about a new band for Yang + Ursula, which should help in the fight (Yang Attack + Ursula Tenketsu), but I still need to test.  Kain is a bitch in this section, since while the scenario is much like the Fable invasion in FFIV, this battle is NOT hopeless (you HAVE to win).

Feel free to discuss any section of the game you want in here, but be sure to be clear in what you're talking about for the others.

[hr]

Best Reported Times:
Main Story: 1:09 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Rydia DLC: 0:36 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Yang DLC: 0:34 (Sir VG, SS) / 0:30 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Palom DLC: 0:38 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Edge DLC: 0:28 (messenger, SS) / 0:26 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Porom DLC: 0:27 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Edward DLC: 0:25 (thri11ki11, Seg)
FuSoYa DLC: 0:40 (Sir VG, SS) / 0:34 (thri11ki11, Seg)
Final Chapter DLC:

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-09-03 08:56:53 am

2009-07-12 01:27:26 pm

I am playing but not speedrunning this; I'll help if I can. ~~I think Yang's looks like the easiest chapter to speedrun so far~~ (edit: As I said on page 5 of this thread, I was a moron when I said that.) but of course an amazing run of it would not be easy. Good luck reaching the boss before the moon phase changes, I bet you can do it.

If anybody doesn't know, this game is on WiiWare, is sold by chapter, and isn't all *officially* available yet. I am muy muy biased, but I think this game is incredibly good.

GameFAQs people love manipulating the game's random number generator, for rare drops and things. I wonder how useful that would be for a speedrunner. (Giant's Gloves? Cockatrice summon for Rydia?)

messenger

2009-07-12 02:18:35 pm

I have played through the main story, Rydia's, and I am half way through Yang's.

I didn't find the main story difficult at any point but it did take significantly longer than Rydia's. Fire swords near the end make short work of most enemies.

It seems necessary to level calca and brina in the sylph cave because the enemies in the sealed cave are pretty difficult to deal with. It is also annoying to have no healer. I dealt with this by using the brina dance command and equipping the heal rod to Rydia. This seems rather suspect for a speed run as the main damage dealer should be rydia and she should probably be constantly killing things.

I didn't know about the Yang band and I could have sworn I tried to band yang and ursula with yang's attack and nothing happened. I will have to try again. Getting the moon to the attack phase and getting a few extra claws make the first half of Yang's story pretty quick though.

Sir VG

2009-07-12 02:26:18 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Well, the main reason why the initial chapter is so long is that it's 2 or 3 chapters rolled into 1. I think the same applies to the final chapter. That one plays by a whole different set of rules and you're pretty much expected to NG+ it.

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-07-12 06:40:20 pm

2009-07-12 02:31:05 pm

In Rydia's chapter, using Dancing Daggers as an item does big damage. You'd need 3 Ore and a 300gil Dagger and a trip to the forge. (probably not worth it but maybe)

I agree it may be necessary to visit Sylph Cave.

Anyone that might speedrun this game, don't do it unless you love the game :S You will be forced to endure a great time of trial. And you can't just let your former self hit you three times and become a Paladin and be done with it.

(sorry, I just mean this is a hard game, and would require mammoth planning to speedrun)

edit: There are at least three ways this could be run.

You could run just the chapters you're going to import into the final part, import, run the last part, and add the times together. This would likely just be the original download and the final part. If the final part lets you play without importing anything, this method might not make sense.

Or you could do an all-chapters run (import, and add all the times together).

Or an individual-chapters run like an IL. There'd need to be rules about what can be imported into the final chapter. Since the final chapter isn't out and we don't know exactly how it works, we might want to hold back on making those rules.

...

edit: Lord_VG's probably right, only ind. chapters probably make sense, though I'd like to see a run where someone carries their stats and items over into the final chapter.

In Rydia's chapter, using Dancing Daggers as an item does big damage.  You'd need 3 Ore and a 300gil Dagger and a trip to the forge. (probably not worth it but maybe)

I agree it may be necessary to visit Sylph Cave.

Anyone that might speedrun this game, don't do it unless you love the game :S  You will be forced to endure a great time of trial.  And you can't just let your former self hit you three times and become a Paladin and be done with it.

(sorry, I just mean this is a hard game, and would require mammoth planning to speedrun)

[s]edit:  There are at least three ways this could be run.

You could run just the chapters you're going to import into the final part, import, run the last part, and add the times together.  This would likely just be the original download and the final part.  If the final part lets you play without importing anything, this method might not make sense.

Or you could do an all-chapters run (import, and add all the times together).

Or an individual-chapters run like an IL.  There'd need to be rules about what can be imported into the final chapter.  Since the final chapter isn't out and we don't know exactly how it works, we might want to hold back on making those rules.[/s]

...

edit: Lord_VG's probably right, only ind. chapters probably make sense, though I'd like to see a run where someone carries their stats and items over into the final chapter.

Sir VG

2009-07-12 03:49:56 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Honestly, this game HAS to be done IL, and then the final chapter is NG/NG+ differential. Everything else is separate (yet crossed over), has no order, ends with credits, and you need separate save files for each for the final chapter. There's no way (and no point) in doing a "full game" run.

(And it's "out", just not officially.)

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-07-12 06:18:50 pm

2009-07-12 04:16:09 pm

Quote from Lord_VG:

Honestly, this game HAS to be done IL, and then the final chapter is NG/NG+ differential. Everything else is separate (yet crossed over), has no order, ends with credits, and you need separate save files for each for the final chapter. There's no way (and no point) in doing a "full game" run.

(And it's "out", just not officially.)

I disagree that there is no point; seeing the fastest way from start to end with importing the data would be something, especially if the last part starts off tough for low-level characters.

But as for 'no way,' you're probably right. It would mean adding at least two files' times together. It would be up to SDA's rule-makers, and like I said I think you're right. This should probably be run more like individual characters in a Castlevania game. That makes me sad.

edit: You said the final part can be run NG. Does that mean you know the final part can be played without importing anything? I had doubted it could. If it can, then individual chapters is looking better.

edit: To me, the game starts with Ceodore's military training and ends with the final boss of the final chapter, and side chapters are side quests. But I suppose that for SDA the game should start with the beginning of each chapter and end with each chapter's credits. Oh well, I think I'll stop whining about this; actual strategy discussion would be more productive.

[quote="Lord_VG"]
Honestly, this game HAS to be done IL, and then the final chapter is NG/NG+ differential.  Everything else is separate (yet crossed over), has no order, ends with credits, and you need separate save files for each for the final chapter.  There's no way (and no point) in doing a "full game" run.

(And it's "out", just not officially.)
[/quote]

I disagree that there is no point; seeing the fastest way from start to end with importing the data would be something, especially if the last part starts off tough for low-level characters.

But as for 'no way,' you're probably right.  It would mean adding at least two files' times together.  It would be up to SDA's rule-makers, and like I said I think you're right.  This should probably be run more like individual characters in a Castlevania game.  That makes me sad.

edit: You said the final part can be run NG.  Does that mean you know the final part can be played without importing anything?  I had doubted it could.  If it can, then individual chapters is looking better.

edit: To me, the game starts with Ceodore's military training and ends with the final boss of the final chapter, and side chapters are side quests.  But I suppose that for SDA the game should start with the beginning of each chapter and end with each chapter's credits.  Oh well, I think I'll stop whining about this; actual strategy discussion would be more productive.

Sir VG

2009-07-12 10:44:43 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote:

edit: You said the final part can be run NG. Does that mean you know the final part can be played without importing anything? I had doubted it could. If it can, then individual chapters is looking better.

From what I'm aware of, you don't have to complete anything, even the initial chapter. The reason to import is to make it a lot easier. I haven't gotten to play it yet, though it is "out" (Just not officially). I'll double check later, but I'm pretty sure you don't have to. The only reason you need the initial chapter is that the final chapter is DLC.

messenger

2009-07-12 10:48:14 pm

I finished Yang / Palom / Edge stories. Yang is pretty fast and pretty easy, but Palom and Edge seem just as fast.

Yang's attack / Tenketsu doesn't really do much more damage then just tenketsu + focus. I think Tenketsu causes slow? If that doesn't then it was definitely the new band.

I failed to realize the Particle bomb band ability in Palom's story which was silly. It doesn't seem like weapons are useful at all since MP is so abundant. The only thing that seems difficult is Dark elf which I can't really say how possible that guy is low level seeing as he could two hit both of my characters.

I couldn't find any bands in the Edge one, but game faqs will prolly clear that up. There is no need for much equipment as a lot of really good stuff is found along the way, but the order of the missions is pretty critical as it will lead to other weapons and exit items being left over for later characters.

slowbro

2009-07-13 12:43:59 am

Edge: For IL speedrunning purposes, (I'm almost sure) murder the subordinates immediately. There's no boss that has to be beaten at the end, just the enemies in the (unrunnable) fights where the subordinates would have jumped in. But those fights are scary (Belphegors who can lower your HP to 1, Flame Beasts and Ice Beasts weak to Ninjitsu). Run from everything else unless you have to level up just a little.

I imagine Palom's, Rydia's, and probably Ceo & Kain's would require significant planning. Yang's does to, of course, I didn't mean the optimal strategy is at all obvious in Yang's.

Sir VG

2009-07-13 12:57:41 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Quote:

Yang's attack / Tenketsu doesn't really do much more damage then just tenketsu + focus. I think Tenketsu causes slow? If that doesn't then it was definitely the new band.

From what I read in the Band list, Yang Attack + Tenketsu is suppose to cause slow, which helps because the adamantoise puts an absolute hurt on your party, especially since you start the battle with 4 members at 1 HP from the initial sequence.

The battle against Kain isn't too bad, but I probably need to have a couple of high potions prior to the fight. Adamantoise needs some too, but I'd probably need less then usual if that band attack works as well as I think it will. I mean, that is one fricken LONG fight under normal circumstances.

The big thing I need to do really is get there before the 30 minute mark, so I Tenketsu and Focus are higher, and figure out really how many High Potions and Phoenix Downs I need. Shouldn't need much of the latter, if slow helps me out.

---
Palom: The biggest thing there is figure out a real strategy for the cavern, because the tower isn't too bad, especially with all those HP+MP pots around. And you can apparently warp down each floor until you get out.

---
Edge: I agree a bit with the killing everybody off, because if the 4 other ninjas die in their separate sequences, the game doesn't end, it just stops the sequence. I haven't finished Edge's Story yet, but I did get to the Tower of Babil before getting my ass kicked.

[QUOTE]Yang's attack / Tenketsu doesn't really do much more damage then just tenketsu + focus.  I think Tenketsu causes slow?  If that doesn't then it was definitely the new band.  [/quote]

From what I read in the Band list, Yang Attack + Tenketsu is suppose to cause slow, which helps because the adamantoise puts an absolute hurt on your party, especially since you start the battle with 4 members at 1 HP from the initial sequence.

The battle against Kain isn't too bad, but I probably need to have a couple of high potions prior to the fight.  Adamantoise needs some too, but I'd probably need less then usual if that band attack works as well as I think it will.  I mean, that is one fricken LONG fight under normal circumstances.

The big thing I need to do really is get there before the 30 minute mark, so I Tenketsu and Focus are higher, and figure out really how many High Potions and Phoenix Downs I need.  Shouldn't need much of the latter, if slow helps me out.

---
Palom: The biggest thing there is figure out a real strategy for the cavern, because the tower isn't too bad, especially with all those HP+MP pots around.  And you can apparently warp down each floor until you get out.

---
Edge: I agree a bit with the killing everybody off, because if the 4 other ninjas die in their separate sequences, the game doesn't end, it just stops the sequence.  I haven't finished Edge's Story yet, but I did get to the Tower of Babil before getting my ass kicked.

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-07-13 01:30:49 am

2009-07-13 01:10:47 am

I would recommend healing only with Phoenix Downs on Adamantoise. Obviously there's a problem with that: having money to buy them. A possible alternate strategy, probably not optimal: Battle on Waning Moon with the generic Monks in front (with Phoenix Downs).

My lv25 Edge blew through the Beasts with ninjitsu (and got lucky on the Belphegors). Course you're nowhere near level 25. Keeping Tsuk or Gekkou alive might possibly help. Izayol and Zang have bosses to fight. You know I'm guessing a lot. edit: All the subordinates start with low levels and terrible equipment, so they'd need a lot of work to be helpful. Does all the subordinates' armor add up to enough money to buy a Metal Boomerang? Attacking with one sword and one boomerang from the back row does full damage. There's a weapon for Edge just before Babil. There's a lot of armor in the cave. edit: Eek, teach me what a paragraph is.

Riskbreaker Y

2009-07-13 01:24:12 am

berserker status

godfuckingdamniwanttoplaythisgamesobadly.

i never thought i'd say this but i really wish i had a Wii right now...wow.

sorry, continue your lively discussion Grin

messenger

2009-07-13 12:07:58 pm

Quote from Lord_VG:

---
Palom: The biggest thing there is figure out a real strategy for the cavern, because the tower isn't too bad, especially with all those HP+MP pots around. And you can apparently warp down each floor until you get out.

Yeah but warping really sucks as the tower is not straight through so it goes 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> 3 -> 4 -> 5 -> 6 So it takes like 10 warps to get out. Still faster than running I think. It is really gay that exit doesn't work.

Sir VG

2009-07-14 05:05:57 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Yang's Story:

I managed to get it down to 0:44, though I know 0:43 is possible. I mean, looking at my DVD recorder, I'm sure I missed it by less then 10 seconds, and I made a few errors - enough that would account for that. Whether anything less then 0:43 is possible, I sure it might be, but it'll be damn hard. Yes, I made it to Adamantoise in under 0:30 (by about 10 seconds). As expected, once I got there, the moon phase doesn't occur until after the boss fight is completely over.

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-07-17 11:01:55 pm

2009-07-14 09:41:41 pm

Yang's Story:

And the band that casts Slow and the damage-raised special attacks all worked out?

That's exciting, sounds like you've already completed a pretty impressive speedrun of one of these chapters. (even though it can be improved)

What were your levels? (if you want to tell)

Edge's Story: (edit: This strategy is obsolete. I improved on it a few posts down.)

edit: Edge's can definitely be beaten solo, only fighting the four required fights in Babil. I just got a :34, but :30 or probably less might be a good number to shoot for. Edge entered Eblan to sell the other ninjas' stuff to buy a Metal Boomerang and Hi Potions (I ended up with more than I needed). In the cave Edge got armor on floor 1, gloves on floor 2 (those two are right on your route) and a sword just before the tower.

The Belphegors just alternate Tornado - puny attack; I used my two normal Potions during the fight. Flame Beasts: Flood, Hi Potion, Flood. After that fight I learned Heal Pill. The next fight is easy, but I don't know the fastest method. Finally, for the Ice Beasts, one Flame and one attack beats each one; I'm guessing Flame one, Flame both, Flame the remaining one will work (you'll need a Hi Potion).

The latter part of the dungeon has tougher enemies; just get lucky and don't get into a bad Back Attack. I needed one Hi Potion against the boss I don't have to beat, and some running from a freakishly ugly sprite, and that's it. My finishing level was 19.

Yang's Story:

And the band that casts Slow and the damage-raised special attacks all worked out?

That's exciting, sounds like you've already completed a pretty impressive speedrun of one of these chapters. (even though it can be improved)

What were your levels? (if you want to tell)

Edge's Story:  (edit: This strategy is obsolete.  I improved on it a few posts down.)

edit:  Edge's can definitely be beaten solo, only fighting the four required fights in Babil.  I just got a :34, but :30 or probably less might be a good number to shoot for.  Edge entered Eblan to sell the other ninjas' stuff to buy a Metal Boomerang and Hi Potions (I ended up with more than I needed).  In the cave Edge got armor on floor 1, gloves on floor 2 (those two are right on your route) and a sword just before the tower.

The Belphegors just alternate Tornado - puny attack; I used my two normal Potions during the fight.  Flame Beasts: Flood, Hi Potion, Flood.  After that fight I learned Heal Pill.  The next fight is easy, but I don't know the fastest method.  Finally, for the Ice Beasts, one Flame and one attack beats each one; I'm guessing Flame one, Flame both, Flame the remaining one will work (you'll need a Hi Potion).

The latter part of the dungeon has tougher enemies; just get lucky and don't get into a bad Back Attack.  I needed one Hi Potion against the boss I don't have to beat, and some running from a freakishly ugly sprite, and that's it.  My finishing level was 19.

Sir VG

2009-07-15 09:54:10 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Yang's Story:

I don't remember what my levels were. I didn't gain that many - only a couple per character from starting. The band that casts slow REALLY helps, since Adamantoise really can lay on the damage in New Moon. Hell, he can just lay on the damage period. I think I bought about 10 High Potions (some before Kain), got 1 potion off of a drop, and bought 3 Phoenix Downs. In the end, all I had was 1 Phoenix Down left. I remember screwing up a couple of commands with Ursula though, so that was really my difference maker.

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-07-15 12:33:57 pm

2009-07-15 12:27:44 pm

So Yang's requires little extra fighting, Edge's no extra fighting ... Dang Leonora starts off at level 3, and the Elf is tough, so I think Palom's will require a lot of extra fighting. Switch their gear at the beginning maybe; Leo may need Palom's strong starting equipment. And Rydia's will (require extra fighting), I think. I don't know if the main story will require much; Hooded Man starts off pretty badass, and Ceodore can steal Cecil's equipment (all except the Kingsword is very useful).

This isn't a competition, but 0:44 in Yang's is clearly TONS more impressive than my 0:34 in Edge's. That description I gave is all I had to do. (I saved 2 places on the way.)

Sir VG

Edit history:

Sir VG: 2009-07-16 04:06:51 pm

2009-07-15 05:11:50 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Yang's Story:

I've cut the time down to 0:42, barely. I figured I made that by about 10 seconds. (10 seconds seems to be my magic number, huh?) Final Levels for Yang and Ursula - 16 and 13 respectively (I think they start at 15 and 10 respectively). I used up every item I had and thought I was screwed on the Kain fight, since Ursula went down, but Yang managed just fine on his own. So in order to get lower, another 50+ seconds will need to be chopped off, which at this point pretty much means you're gonna have to find a way to either up Yang or Ursula's attack or defense without leveling or spending money (and not spend much time in the process). I don't have any ideas for that at this point for that.

Edit:
Most of the stuff seems out of the way or worthless, looking through notes I've found. Here's what I'm seeing that I'll have to look into:

Mt. Hobs West Slope - Power Armlet
Impact Crater Middle Section - Metal Knuckles
Impact Crater Lower Section - Silver Armlet, Faerie Claw
Adamant Isles Yang's first section - Silver Breastplate (Might be too far out of the way, we'll see)
Adamant Isles post "Formal Training" flashback - Hell Claws, Rune Armlet

The big thing is despite all of these, I STILL need to reach Adamantoise sub-30. Because making it there post-30 makes the band, Tenketsu, and Chakara too weak.

Edit 2: Hell Claws is too far out of the way, and Faerie Claw doesn't increase attack, only cause confusion, so both are worthless. Metal Knuckles is a must, for Yang. Rune Armlet helps out Ursula in defense, Power Armlet in Offense. I also can grab 2 High Potions (Mt. Hobbs Summat, Meteroite Bottom Floor on the way out).

I managed to get a low 0:42 (missing 0:41 by my magic 10 second mark), so I think if I skip the Silver Breastplate, 0:41 is doable. I think that'll be the limit though (0:40 I think would probably only be possible with EXTREME luck - constant critical hits, numerous misses from Adamantoise, and Ursula's Tenketsu always finding the weak point). In that run though, I barely survived Kain. Ursula was dead and Yang had like 4HP at the end. That was a little close for comfort.

Edit 3: 0:41 is done. I think I just missed 0:40 by my magic mark. I got an extra chest at Mt. Hobs for a High Potion, got the 500 Gil chest at Fabul after the Kain fight, then used it to buy a 2nd Metal Knuckles on the ship and gave that to Ursula. Everything pretty much went right, though I could have used a couple of less random battles post-Adamantoise (the game loves to jack it up on Mt. Hobs return trip and post-Adamantoise). I felt I did get a lot of luck though, so whether it's repeatable for 0:40, we'll see.

Yang's Story:

I've cut the time down to 0:42, barely.  I figured I made that by about 10 seconds.  (10 seconds seems to be my magic number, huh?)  Final Levels for Yang and Ursula - 16 and 13 respectively (I think they start at 15 and 10 respectively).  I used up every item I had and thought I was screwed on the Kain fight, since Ursula went down, but Yang managed just fine on his own.  So in order to get lower, another 50+ seconds will need to be chopped off, which at this point pretty much means you're gonna have to find a way to either up Yang or Ursula's attack or defense without leveling or spending money (and not spend much time in the process).  I don't have any ideas for that at this point for that.

Edit:
Most of the stuff seems out of the way or worthless, looking through notes I've found.  Here's what I'm seeing that I'll have to look into:

Mt. Hobs West Slope - Power Armlet
Impact Crater Middle Section - Metal Knuckles
Impact Crater Lower Section - Silver Armlet, Faerie Claw
Adamant Isles Yang's first section - Silver Breastplate (Might be too far out of the way, we'll see)
Adamant Isles post "Formal Training" flashback - Hell Claws, Rune Armlet

The big thing is despite all of these, I STILL need to reach Adamantoise sub-30.  Because making it there post-30 makes the band, Tenketsu, and Chakara too weak.

Edit 2: Hell Claws is too far out of the way, and Faerie Claw doesn't increase attack, only cause confusion, so both are worthless.  Metal Knuckles is a must, for Yang.  Rune Armlet helps out Ursula in defense, Power Armlet in Offense.  I also can grab 2 High Potions (Mt. Hobbs Summat, Meteroite Bottom Floor on the way out).

I managed to get a low 0:42 (missing 0:41 by my magic 10 second mark), so I think if I skip the Silver Breastplate, 0:41 is doable.  I think that'll be the limit though (0:40 I think would probably only be possible with EXTREME luck - constant critical hits, numerous misses from Adamantoise, and Ursula's Tenketsu always finding the weak point).  In that run though, I barely survived Kain.  Ursula was dead and Yang had like 4HP at the end.  That was a little close for comfort.

Edit 3: 0:41 is done.  I think I just missed 0:40 by my magic mark.  I got an extra chest at Mt. Hobs for a High Potion, got the 500 Gil chest at Fabul after the Kain fight, then used it to buy a 2nd Metal Knuckles on the ship and gave that to Ursula.  Everything pretty much went right, though I could have used a couple of less random battles post-Adamantoise (the game loves to jack it up on Mt. Hobs return trip and post-Adamantoise).  I felt I did get a lot of luck though, so whether it's repeatable for 0:40, we'll see.

Sir VG

Edit history:

Sir VG: 2009-07-17 12:06:04 pm

2009-07-16 07:24:09 pm

Fucking Weeaboo

Lunarian's Story:

Until you leave the lunar palace, there's only scripted fights - which all cater to your character's spell list beautifully - Blizaga, Thundaga, Firaga, then Bio. There's no random fights until you leave the Lunar Palace, which is good because the scripted ones will put a hurting on. Unfortunately you have to head to Bahamut's Palace, but it's not Behemoth's this time in the scripted bridge squares - it's COUNT MALBOROS. F***ING MALBOROS. UGH. And to make matters worse, then have an entrapment spell. MY. GOD. And leveling up will take WAY too long, so it's a matter of finding out what it's weak against.

Edit: They're not weak to anything in particular, so it's pretty much blow the crap out of it with strong spells, escaping out, tent. Rinse and repeat. With testing, it's shown that they do NOT come back. And no fight after the 3 of them. However, you get to fight the Mysterious Girl (armed with Asura!) in I think the first non-hopeless fight against her. You can't hit Asura with anything (it always misses) and Mysterious Girl is armed with a buttload of HP. This outta be interesting. If that isn't enough, then she comes back again with Leviathan (though I found this fight to be easier). Then it's race through to the bottom and fight Zeromus, though you don't win this, but it's not a hopeless boss fight - it's actually pretty cool.

~~My rough (non-recorded) time was 1:11.~~
First recording done, with a time of 0:57. I need to look over this and figure out exactly what I really needed for items, then drop the rest. I don't think I used that many Dry Ethers, which would chop off probably a couple minutes alone going through the Impact Crater on the moon. I did use a LOT of cottages and tents, mainly for Bahamut's Lair, and to manipulate the moon back to full, so I had high power Black Magic for the Mysterious Girl and Zeromus fights. There is no 30 minute moon change cycle in this section, though I remember it happening in the 1:11, so it might be a 1 hr cycle change in this chapter. (And yes, I did this all single session. Flaring Mysterious Girl does some nice damage.)

Lunarian's Story:

Until you leave the lunar palace, there's only scripted fights - which all cater to your character's spell list beautifully - Blizaga, Thundaga, Firaga, then Bio.  There's no random fights until you leave the Lunar Palace, which is good because the scripted ones will put a hurting on.  Unfortunately you have to head to Bahamut's Palace, but it's not Behemoth's this time in the scripted bridge squares - it's COUNT MALBOROS.  F***ING MALBOROS.  UGH.  And to make matters worse, then have an entrapment spell.  MY.  GOD.  And leveling up will take WAY too long, so it's a matter of finding out what it's weak against.

Edit: They're not weak to anything in particular, so it's pretty much blow the crap out of it with strong spells, escaping out, tent.  Rinse and repeat.  With testing, it's shown that they do NOT come back.  And no fight after the 3 of them.  However, you get to fight the Mysterious Girl (armed with Asura!) in I think the first non-hopeless fight against her.  You can't hit Asura with anything (it always misses) and Mysterious Girl is armed with a buttload of HP.  This outta be interesting.  If that isn't enough, then she comes back again with Leviathan (though I found this fight to be easier).  Then it's race through to the bottom and fight Zeromus, though you don't win this, but it's not a hopeless boss fight - it's actually pretty cool.

[s]My rough (non-recorded) time was 1:11.[/s]
First recording done, with a time of 0:57.  I need to look over this and figure out exactly what I really needed for items, then drop the rest.  I don't think I used that many Dry Ethers, which would chop off probably a couple minutes alone going through the Impact Crater on the moon.  I did use a LOT of cottages and tents, mainly for Bahamut's Lair, and to manipulate the moon back to full, so I had high power Black Magic for the Mysterious Girl and Zeromus fights.  There is no 30 minute moon change cycle in this section, though I remember it happening in the 1:11, so it might be a 1 hr cycle change in this chapter.  (And yes, I did this all single session.  Flaring Mysterious Girl does some nice damage.)

slowbro

2009-07-17 07:54:43 pm

Good luck man. I'll refrain from reading your post because I don't want to spoil that chapter for myself, heh heh. Obviously you will do fine without my help.

I'm going to see if there are any Cross Shurikens worth getting in Edge's chapter. If I could find two not far out of the way, they may make one of the Beast fights a lot faster. But it's doubtful it'll be worth it.

btw, my mind just doesn't work right to speed-navigate RPG menus, so it is very unlikely I will record any videos for this Sad

messenger

2009-07-17 08:27:58 pm

I have become interested in Edge's story as well (It is taking my mind off my other run). I think I am going to go for 0:30 and if I can get that I will try to record something. Anyways, the run itself is pretty straight forward (as previously mentioned) and I will give it a go a few times this weekend and see what I come up with.

slowbro

Edit history:

slowbro: 2009-07-18 03:19:11 am

2009-07-17 10:02:11 pm

Quote from messenger:

I have become interested in Edge's story as well (It is taking my mind off my other run). I think I am going to go for 0:30 and if I can get that I will try to record something. Anyways, the run itself is pretty straight forward (as previously mentioned) and I will give it a go a few times this weekend and see what I come up with.

Awesome!

Edge's chapter:

By refining my strategy, not stupidly saving in the last save room, and some stellar luck running away later in the dungeon, using my old save outside the Cave of Eblan I got my time down from :34 to :31 (unrecorded). Main strategy improvements: fixing 2 stupid mistakes I made in planning.

On the Cave's first floor, I had been picking up Silver Breastplate. But Edge's starting armor, Shinobi Gear, gives him +3 speed and not much less defense. I assumed the defense would be needed and would make up for the loss in speed :S True, the Flame Beasts do a little more damage with Shinobi Gear on, but they miss more often I think, and ... you can get in two Floods before they get in their third round!! So there's no healing necessary during the fight. I do still think you should get Rune Armlet on 2nd floor, and probably the sword near the end of the cave.

My other mistake was I had dismissed throwing stuff, since normal Shurikens do so little damage. But Cross Shurikens and a Battle Axe OHKO Beasts (not Belphegors though). Battle Axe does a little more damage than Cross Shuriken; maybe it'd be useful against one of the three robots.

My new strategy:

Kill off the other ninjas of course. I don't know which moon phase works best to kill each ninja. Izayoi probably wants to run up her tower until the 'second floor,' to find tougher enemies and make suicide faster. Tsuk dies very slowly against some enemies but quickly against others. An outside possibility: It might possibly be best to get a Metal Boomerang from a Monster in a Box as Tsuk, but I think buying one is better.

Enter Eblan as Edge and buy a Metal Boomerang (possibly two and skip the sword in the cave?) and some Hi Potions using money from the other ninjas' gear you swiped off them. If Crescent Axe does good damage as a thrown item, you may want to get it as Gekkou (before the first suicide opportunity) and not sell it. If you're gonna save once, on the map screen as Edge is probably the best time.

In the cave, do not get the Silver Breastplate. Get the Rune Armlet on floor 2 and the Cross Shuriken right on your path on floor 3. I think you should get the sword by the save room, but 2 Metal Boomerangs might possibly suffice. (You lose 2-5 seconds by getting the sword.)

Equip the sword, the Metal Boomerang and the Rune Armlet at this point, and switch to the back row! In this game Edge does full damage from the back row if he has at least one boomerang equipped.

1st battle: Belphegors
I end up attacking the first one 3 times, the second one 2 times and using 2 potions during the fight, but if you really want to be agressive you can heal only once and hope the enemies miss sometimes. edit: By all means look for a faster strategy if you want; this takes a while.

2nd battle: Flame Beasts
Quickly, Flood twice. You may need one of their four attacks to miss. edit: If you already have two throw items that do good damage by this point, perhaps throw twice to win this fight. (Crescent Axe? An extra Metal Boomerang or the sword from the cave? I don't know if these can OHKO the beast.) It might be a little faster than two Floods.

Get at least one of the following to throw: Battle Axe at the end of floor 1, and/or Cross Shuriken at the start of floor 2.

3rd battle: three robots
I don't get why the front one seems to have more HP than the others. Anyway, experiment with this battle; I don't know the fastest way to beat it.

4th fight: Ice Beasts
Throw twice for the win.

Run from the increasingly scary fights after that. I think the speed from Shinobi Gear will make back attacks and Surpriseds less common.

I think Mysterious Girl calls Ifrit when you hit her the third time, so do that. Probably use 1 Hi Potion when you need it. The rest is easy and apparently not dangerous.

[quote="messenger"]
I have become interested in Edge's story as well (It is taking my mind off my other run).  I think I am going to go for 0:30 and if I can get that I will try to record something.  Anyways, the run itself is pretty straight forward (as previously mentioned) and I will give it a go a few times this weekend and see what I come up with.
[/quote]

Awesome!

Edge's chapter:

By refining my strategy, not stupidly saving in the last save room, and some stellar luck running away later in the dungeon, using my old save outside the Cave of Eblan I got my time down from :34 to :31 (unrecorded).  Main strategy improvements: fixing 2 stupid mistakes I made in planning.

On the Cave's first floor, I had been picking up Silver Breastplate.  But Edge's starting armor, Shinobi Gear, gives him +3 speed and not much less defense.  I assumed the defense would be needed and would make up for the loss in speed :S  True, the Flame Beasts do a little more damage with Shinobi Gear on, but they miss more often I think, and ... you can get in two Floods before they get in their third round!!  So there's no healing necessary during the fight.  I do still think you should get Rune Armlet on 2nd floor, and probably the sword near the end of the cave.

My other mistake was I had dismissed throwing stuff, since normal Shurikens do so little damage.  But Cross Shurikens and a Battle Axe OHKO Beasts (not Belphegors though).  Battle Axe does a little more damage than Cross Shuriken; maybe it'd be useful against one of the three robots.

My new strategy:

Kill off the other ninjas of course.  I don't know which moon phase works best to kill each ninja.  Izayoi probably wants to run up her tower until the 'second floor,' to find tougher enemies and make suicide faster.  Tsuk dies very slowly against some enemies but quickly against others.  An outside possibility:  It might possibly be best to get a Metal Boomerang from a Monster in a Box as Tsuk, but I think buying one is better.

Enter Eblan as Edge and buy a Metal Boomerang (possibly two and skip the sword in the cave?) and some Hi Potions using money from the other ninjas' gear you swiped off them.  If Crescent Axe does good damage as a thrown item, you may want to get it as Gekkou (before the first suicide opportunity) and not sell it.  If you're gonna save once, on the map screen as Edge is probably the best time.

In the cave, do not get the Silver Breastplate.  Get the Rune Armlet on floor 2 and the Cross Shuriken right on your path on floor 3.  I think you should get the sword by the save room, but 2 Metal Boomerangs might possibly suffice.  (You lose 2-5 seconds by getting the sword.)

Equip the sword, the Metal Boomerang and the Rune Armlet at this point, and switch to the back row!  In this game Edge does full damage from the back row if he has at least one boomerang equipped.

1st battle: Belphegors
I end up attacking the first one 3 times, the second one 2 times and using 2 potions during the fight, but if you really want to be agressive you can heal only once and hope the enemies miss sometimes.  edit: By all means look for a faster strategy if you want; this takes a while.

2nd battle: Flame Beasts
Quickly, Flood twice.  You may need one of their four attacks to miss.  edit: If you already have two throw items that do good damage by this point, perhaps throw twice to win this fight. (Crescent Axe?  An extra Metal Boomerang or the sword from the cave?  I don't know if these can OHKO the beast.)  It might be a little faster than two Floods.

Get at least one of the following to throw: Battle Axe at the end of floor 1, and/or Cross Shuriken at the start of floor 2.

3rd battle: three robots
I don't get why the front one seems to have more HP than the others.  Anyway, experiment with this battle; I don't know the fastest way to beat it.

4th fight: Ice Beasts
Throw twice for the win.

Run from the increasingly scary fights after that.  I think the speed from Shinobi Gear will make back attacks and Surpriseds less common.

I think Mysterious Girl calls Ifrit when you hit her the third time, so do that.  Probably use 1 Hi Potion when you need it.  The rest is easy and apparently not dangerous.

Sir VG

2009-07-18 02:25:11 am

Fucking Weeaboo

The Lunarian's Chapter (Don't look if you don't want spoilers):

I'm creating a bit of a necessary item list, mainly for me.

I need a cottage after Count Malboro #1 (to Waxing Moon), as well as #2 (Full Moon). The dilema comes in that I NEED to have it on a full moon for Mysterious Girl, so I either need to use 4 tents/cottages, or run back to the Lunar Palace and restore my MP. I could use the Dry Ether I found in Bahamut's Lair, but I need to save that for Mysterious Girl fight #1.

Unicorn Horn will be helpful for the Mysterious Girl fights, since she has a binding spell there (for Golbez to save Fusoya). I need at least an Ether or a Dry Ether for MG#1, since Fusoya's MP usage is so high. I think by calculations I would be fine using just an ether in that fight. Having a Phoenix Down helps for the MG#2 fight, since there she actually pulls out Meteo. Since she doesn't have the curing Asura there, I can manage w/o needing an Ether (unless things go horribly wrong, cause I only had 2MP in my 0:57). Zeromus I used 2 Ethers, 2 X-Potions, and another Phoenix Down. So I could just use a Dry Ether instead of an Ether (or I know there's an Elixer I can get on the way down), and use more Curaga/Curaja instead of having Golbez use items.

So I've used/think I need:
Phoenix Down: 2
X-Potion: 2
Unicorn Horn: 1
Ether: 1
Dry Ether: 1
Tent/Cabin: 6

And getting the Ice Shield in Bahamut's Cavern will help for Golbez a bit, as will a Mythril Helm on the way up.

I know I can find on the way up 2 tents, 2 cottages, an ether, a unicorn horn, 2 phoenix downs, and 2 x-potions. I can find a Dry Ether in Bahamut's cavern not far out of the way. I can also buy cabins and tents from the Shoppingway at the beginning. So that pretty much cuts out a TON of searching in the Impact Crater - so 0:50 realistically is possible, I think. I think I wasted 5 minutes on the west side of the crater, plus cut out a minute or two searching on the east side, since I don't think I need anything other then maybe a backup ether for MG#2.

(An extra ether can easily and quickly be found above the save point in the impact creater.)

The Lunarian's Chapter (Don't look if you don't want spoilers):

I'm creating a bit of a necessary item list, mainly for me.

I need a cottage after Count Malboro #1 (to Waxing Moon), as well as #2 (Full Moon).  The dilema comes in that I NEED to have it on a full moon for Mysterious Girl, so I either need to use 4 tents/cottages, or run back to the Lunar Palace and restore my MP.  I could use the Dry Ether I found in Bahamut's Lair, but I need to save that for Mysterious Girl fight #1.

Unicorn Horn will be helpful for the Mysterious Girl fights, since she has a binding spell there (for Golbez to save Fusoya).  I need at least an Ether or a Dry Ether for MG#1, since Fusoya's MP usage is so high.  I think by calculations I would be fine using just an ether in that fight.  Having a Phoenix Down helps for the MG#2 fight, since there she actually pulls out Meteo.  Since she doesn't have the curing Asura there, I can manage w/o needing an Ether (unless things go horribly wrong, cause I only had 2MP in my 0:57).  Zeromus I used 2 Ethers, 2 X-Potions, and another Phoenix Down.  So I could just use a Dry Ether instead of an Ether (or I know there's an Elixer I can get on the way down), and use more Curaga/Curaja instead of having Golbez use items.

So I've used/think I need:
Phoenix Down: 2
X-Potion: 2
Unicorn Horn: 1
Ether: 1
Dry Ether: 1
Tent/Cabin: 6

And getting the Ice Shield in Bahamut's Cavern will help for Golbez a bit, as will a Mythril Helm on the way up.

I know I can find on the way up 2 tents, 2 cottages, an ether, a unicorn horn, 2 phoenix downs, and 2 x-potions.  I can find a Dry Ether in Bahamut's cavern not far out of the way.  I can also buy cabins and tents from the Shoppingway at the beginning.  So that pretty much cuts out a TON of searching in the Impact Crater - so 0:50 realistically is possible, I think.  I think I wasted 5 minutes on the west side of the crater, plus cut out a minute or two searching on the east side, since I don't think I need anything other then maybe a backup ether for MG#2.

(An extra ether can easily and quickly be found above the save point in the impact creater.)

messenger

2009-07-18 11:41:50 am

Thanks for the help!

Quote from slowbro:

My new strategy:

Kill off the other ninjas of course. I don't know which moon phase works best to kill each ninja. Izayoi probably wants to run up her tower until the 'second floor,' to find tougher enemies and make suicide faster. Tsuk dies very slowly against some enemies but quickly against others. An outside possibility: It might possibly be best to get a Metal Boomerang from a Monster in a Box as Tsuk, but I think buying one is better.

I think Izayoi wants waxing as she is the weakest. I agree with the second floor idea. I was trying to kill her off last night and she missed herself 3 times in a row. As for Tsuk I was actually thinking about getting a box, but I don't think money is all that tight. I will have to experiment a little.

Quote from slowbro:

Enter Eblan as Edge and buy a Metal Boomerang (possibly two and skip the sword in the cave?) and some Hi Potions using money from the other ninjas' gear you swiped off them. If Crescent Axe does good damage as a thrown item, you may want to get it as Gekkou (before the first suicide opportunity) and not sell it. If you're gonna save once, on the map screen as Edge is probably the best time.

Crescent Axe seems to be worth the money / damage potential as it costs like 4 seconds to get.

Quote from slowbro:

In the cave, do not get the Silver Breastplate. Get the Rune Armlet on floor 2 and the Cross Shuriken right on your path on floor 3. I think you should get the sword by the save room, but 2 Metal Boomerangs might possibly suffice. (You lose 2-5 seconds by getting the sword.)

I noticed the cross shuriken. I will have to see what the difference in power between the metal boomer is and sword.

Quote from slowbro:

Equip the sword, the Metal Boomerang and the Rune Armlet at this point, and switch to the back row! In this game Edge does full damage from the back row if he has at least one boomerang equipped.

This is very useful!

Quote from slowbro:

1st battle: Belphegors
I end up attacking the first one 3 times, the second one 2 times and using 2 potions during the fight, but if you really want to be agressive you can heal only once and hope the enemies miss sometimes. edit: By all means look for a faster strategy if you want; this takes a while.

This is where my run ended last night. I think there were like 3 or 4 potions on the way so I can just use those. I think this the scariest fight of the whole run. Do they only use tornado / weak when the character is at full?

Quote from slowbro:

2nd battle: Flame Beasts
Quickly, Flood twice. You may need one of their four attacks to miss. edit: If you already have two throw items that do good damage by this point, perhaps throw twice to win this fight. (Crescent Axe? An extra Metal Boomerang or the sword from the cave? I don't know if these can OHKO the beast.) It might be a little faster than two Floods.

Get at least one of the following to throw: Battle Axe at the end of floor 1, and/or Cross Shuriken at the start of floor 2.

I will have to see if I can take the hits.

Quote from slowbro:

3rd battle: three robots
I don't get why the front one seems to have more HP than the others. Anyway, experiment with this battle; I don't know the fastest way to beat it.

Aren't they susceptible to shock?

Quote from slowbro:

4th fight: Ice Beasts
Throw twice for the win.

Does flame really suck that much?

Quote from slowbro:

Run from the increasingly scary fights after that. I think the speed from Shinobi Gear will make back attacks and Surpriseds less common.

Yeah the back attacks suck

Quote from slowbro:

I think Mysterious Girl calls Ifrit when you hit her the third time, so do that. Probably use 1 Hi Potion when you need it. The rest is easy and apparently not dangerous.

My findings concur with this. It seems Ifrits has a pattern of firaga, firaga, hellfire -> end of battle. I don't think attacking him will speed this up at all.

Thanks for the help!

[quote="slowbro"]

My new strategy:

Kill off the other ninjas of course.  I don't know which moon phase works best to kill each ninja.  Izayoi probably wants to run up her tower until the 'second floor,' to find tougher enemies and make suicide faster.  Tsuk dies very slowly against some enemies but quickly against others.  An outside possibility:  It might possibly be best to get a Metal Boomerang from a Monster in a Box as Tsuk, but I think buying one is better.
[/quote]

I think Izayoi wants waxing as she is the weakest.  I agree with the second floor idea.  I was trying to kill her off last night and she missed herself 3 times in a row.  As for Tsuk I was actually thinking about getting a box, but I don't think money is all that tight.  I will have to experiment a little.

[quote="slowbro"]
Enter Eblan as Edge and buy a Metal Boomerang (possibly two and skip the sword in the cave?) and some Hi Potions using money from the other ninjas' gear you swiped off them.  If Crescent Axe does good damage as a thrown item, you may want to get it as Gekkou (before the first suicide opportunity) and not sell it.  If you're gonna save once, on the map screen as Edge is probably the best time.
[/quote]

Crescent Axe seems to be worth the money / damage potential as it costs like 4 seconds to get.

[quote="slowbro"]
In the cave, do not get the Silver Breastplate.  Get the Rune Armlet on floor 2 and the Cross Shuriken right on your path on floor 3.  I think you should get the sword by the save room, but 2 Metal Boomerangs might possibly suffice.  (You lose 2-5 seconds by getting the sword.)
[/quote]

I noticed the cross shuriken.   I will have to see what the difference in power between the metal boomer is and sword.

[quote="slowbro"]
Equip the sword, the Metal Boomerang and the Rune Armlet at this point, and switch to the back row!  In this game Edge does full damage from the back row if he has at least one boomerang equipped.
[/quote]

This is very useful!

[quote="slowbro"]
1st battle: Belphegors
I end up attacking the first one 3 times, the second one 2 times and using 2 potions during the fight, but if you really want to be agressive you can heal only once and hope the enemies miss sometimes.  edit: By all means look for a faster strategy if you want; this takes a while.
[/quote]

This is where my run ended last night.  I think there were like 3 or 4 potions on the way so I can just use those.  I think this the scariest fight of the whole run.  Do they only use tornado / weak when the character is at full?

[quote="slowbro"]
2nd battle: Flame Beasts
Quickly, Flood twice.  You may need one of their four attacks to miss.  edit: If you already have two throw items that do good damage by this point, perhaps throw twice to win this fight. (Crescent Axe?  An extra Metal Boomerang or the sword from the cave?  I don't know if these can OHKO the beast.)  It might be a little faster than two Floods.

Get at least one of the following to throw: Battle Axe at the end of floor 1, and/or Cross Shuriken at the start of floor 2.
[/quote]

I will have to see if I can take the hits.

[quote="slowbro"]
3rd battle: three robots
I don't get why the front one seems to have more HP than the others.  Anyway, experiment with this battle; I don't know the fastest way to beat it.
[/quote]

Aren't they susceptible to shock?

[quote="slowbro"]
4th fight: Ice Beasts
Throw twice for the win.
[/quote]

Does flame really suck that much?

[quote="slowbro"]
Run from the increasingly scary fights after that.  I think the speed from Shinobi Gear will make back attacks and Surpriseds less common.
[/quote]

Yeah the back attacks suck

[quote="slowbro"]
I think Mysterious Girl calls Ifrit when you hit her the third time, so do that.  Probably use 1 Hi Potion when you need it.  The rest is easy and apparently not dangerous.
[/quote]

My findings concur with this.  It seems Ifrits has a pattern of firaga, firaga, hellfire -> end of battle.  I don't think attacking him will speed this up at all.