Final Fantasy Shrine FFVIII Guide Challenge

Well, they’ve been promised in the past, they’ve been advertised, they’ve been promoted, but so far, nobody here at the Shrine has really created any guides worth pinning like some of the other sections of the Shrine.

So, to you loyal Final Fantasy VIII forums Shrine visitors, I issue thee the following daring quest:

<font color="red">@*** — The Final Fantasy Shrine Final Fantasy VIII Guide Challenge —***@</font>

Thou who partaketh upon this quest, you doth do service to thy noble countrymen (and women) of thine Shrine. All you need to do is create an FFVIII-related guide that will help out those who read the boards here. Browse around the forums, look for questions that seem to come up frequently and get thee to work. If your work’s good, it shall be pinnethed. There may be something else in it as well — we’ll have to see! So come on —- any brave knights out there dare to take this on?

Hmmmm as I have some time on my hands now and as FF8 is my fav game I don’t mind giving it a go….

Do you have any specific expectations/ requirements?

And is it supposed to be just like a normal FAQ?

Well, try looking at some of the guides in the, oh, say, FFX section. Something like those should be okay. Like I said, emphasis on anything you can find in this section that seems to come up a lot. And just make sure it’s accurate and interesting. Information that’s different or unique is of course helpful too.

Do you mean like, say the requirements to upgrade each weapon, and where to find them? If so, I’ll take a shot at it.

I also take a shot at it

Ok, cool, I’ve started already, just 2 more questions:

When writing it, should I consider that some people who might read the guide will be unfamiliar with Final Fantasy VIII and therefore write it in more detail and explain the basics so those people can understand?

Is there like a deadline for when you want this in?

I got dibbs on all that concerns weapons. Lets lay out what we want to do so there is no double works. Know what I mean?

Ok cool. I can do the Cards game, stroyline (mainly the ending as that seems to cause confusion among shriners) for now.

I want do an ALL GF Guide: Containing strategies, the GF abilities, How to get them, Junction Compability(This one is a little hard) and GF profiles,

Is this all gonna be merged into 1 guide or they all gonna be posted seperate?

Damn, that took loooong but i finished, I done a detailed guide to almost everything related with the triple triad card game so what do i do now, do i just make a new thread and post it there?

🙂 You guys are doing really great, I’m very pleased with all the thought being put into this. Let’s get the concerns out of the way then:

When writing it, should I consider that some people who might read the guide will be unfamiliar with Final Fantasy VIII and therefore write it in more detail and explain the basics so those people can understand?
Well, I don’t think we have to get down to bare-bones basics stuff. And I think maybe some stuff can be assumed that people know. However, I guess it’s more up to you and also partially dependent on if you’d ever like to post it somewhere other than the Shrine some day. Although if anyone’s interested, I may create an "FFShrine Exclusive" tag/graphic if you agree not to post it anywhere but here.

Is there like a deadline for when you want this in?
Nah, work at your own pace, just try to put some good work into it and keep at as you can. And remember that you can always change it once you’ve posted it.

Is this all gonna be merged into 1 guide or they all gonna be posted seperate?
I was thinking that there ought to be separate threads, but if there get to be a lot, I might merge them. It’s something to consider.

Damn, that took loooong but i finished, I done a detailed guide to almost everything related with the triple triad card game so what do i do now, do i just make a new thread and post it there?
Wow! You’re already done with one? That’s pretty sweet. Yes, please feel free to make a new thread if you haven’t already and post it there. Then I’ll look it over.

Oh, and just a small reminder that you can edit your previous post if you have something to add to it.

Alright, I think I’ll try doing one just for fun. I’ll do a Magic Junctioning guide. You know, what magic is best to junction to which stat, and how you can get it etc.

That sounds like a sweet idea — I’m sure a lot of people could use help on that.

I’m gonna start my…just about…NOW, i’l also replay the game for the tactics cover so it might take a while

Yeah. your’s might take some time, I have made some changes to mine and now it’s complete. Im going to post it in a sec. Agent0042, if you think some of the content needs to be edited then please tell me.

I had some useful save files so i’ve got most of the info, just more six GF’s and it’s done 🙂

Robski yours it’s GREAT, good Job man, did you use any site for help?

Thanks.
I used a couple of sites just to make sure what I was writing wasn’t wrong, but it was kind of hard as I have 56k and can’t be on the net for long so I couldn’t depend on web sites that much, the game booklet helped a bit and my save files were very useful.

Good Luck with your’s.

Thanks, working on the table of contents x_x

Did you make the PuPu card quest?

Yeahh! That’s the one! I knew I missed one. It’s because I actually didn’t do it myself but I know its somthing to do with UFO’s. I will research it and add it to my guide. Thanks for that!

Lol np, i would understand why you didn’t that one is boring as hell

Thank you guys for all your work so far! I’m just gonna finish reading up some other posts here at the Shrine and then I will take a look at those.

I’m still interested in anyone’s thoughts on the idea of creating an "FFShrine Exclusive" tag.

I’m sorry Agent0042…

I promised you a GF guide and I’m here right now, still stuck, working on it. I’ll try and get it done now. Also, here’s what I’ve written so far:

Greetings! I made this guide about GF’s in FFVIII. This guide will(hopefully) help you understand what GF’s do in the game, how to find them, and other stuff about them. Let’s start off!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction to GF’s(GF Compatibilities, Boost, etc.)
II. GF Information – GF status for each level and how to find them
III. Some Tips about GF’s

I. Introduction to GF’s

-What is a Guardian Force?-

A Guardian Force(or mostly known as GF) is basically a type of monster that can be summoned and they can help you fight battles in FFVIII. They are just like Aeons in FFX except that in FFVIII, everyone can summon GF’s unlike in FFX. In FFX, only Yuna can summon Aeons(GF’s in FFVIII). There’s a lot of GF’s in FFVIII that can also be found in other various Final Fantasies, such as Shiva and Bahamut.

-How does a GF work?-
In FFVIII, you can level up your GF’s just like your characters. A GF has its own level, HP, and a set of moves. You can make your GF’s learn new abilities by filling up their AP that are obtained in battles. They’re just like your characters, and they should also be taken care of just like your party.

When you call upon a GF in battle, a countdown will start and will reach zero or slower, depending on the character’s compatibility with summoned GF. The GF’s HP will replace the character’s HP while the countdown goes, allowing the GF to absorb the damage done to the character(NOTE: Status attacks, such as Silence or Poison goes to the character, not to the GF. If a character is attacked by a Silence spell while summoning the GF, the summoning of the GF cancels out.) However, remember that GF’s have a limited amount of HP. You should also remember that you cannot cure them during battle. If you try to cure them with a spell or an item, it will go to whoever summoning the GF. If the GF’s HP reaches to zero, then the GF gets knocked out. You can revive GF’s by using a certain item found in the game. Unlike your party members, GF’s can quickly regain HP while your characters walk around. So you don’t have to worry that much about your GF’s HP in battle.

-GF Compatibilities-
GF Compatibilities determines how long it will take your GF to call in battle. 0 is the lowest, which means the slowest and 1000 is the highest, which means the fastest. Try to get your party members’ compatibility with their GF’s reach 1000, or near 1000. It’s for the best. You can’t have your party members summon a GF in a tough battle and wait for an eternity for the GF’s to appear.

Here are some ways to raise your compatibility with your GF’s:
1. Summon them in battles — If you do, around 20 points or something like that will be given to your GF compatibility(NOTE: If you have two or more GF’s junctioned to one character, and you summon one of them, the other GF’s that didn’t get summoned would likely have their compatibility points go down at least one or two points sometimes.)
2. Use items — Some items in the game can be used to raise compatibility points for your GF’s. Here’s the list.

Quezacotl = Dynamo Stone
Shiva = Arctic Wind / North Wind
Ifrit = Bomb Fragment / Red Fang
Siren = Silence Powder
Brothers = Dino Bone
Diablos = Steel Orb
Carbuncle = Dragon Skin
Leviathan = Fish Fin
Pandemona = Shear Feather / Windmill
Cerberus = Dragon Fin
Alexander = Moon Stone
Doomtrain = Poison Powder / Venom Fang
Bahamut = Shaman Stone
Cactuar = Cactus Thorn
Tonberry = Chef’s Knife
Eden = N/A

3. Use items to revive the GF’s — Reviving them or healing them with GF recovery items can have your GF’s like your characters more and raise their compatibility with you party members.

-How can a GF learn new abilities?-
The process is simple. In the GF Menu, set an ability for a GF to learn(You can set any ability in the list that is available.) Then as you fight battles, you earn AP points. Once a GF has acquired that amount of AP needed to have the ability you had set for it to learn, it will learn the ability and move on to the next ability. Or you can set it on another ability. Learning some Abilities will unlock previously unavailable Abilities to learn. For example, learning the Elem-Def-J Ability with a GF might unlock the Elem-Defx2 Ability to learn.

-How can you get GF’s?-
Most GF’s are hidden in the game. Some of the GF’s are given to you, some of them, you have to draw from a boss monster, some of them are obtained in sidequests, some of them, you have to battle with before they join your party and some of them, you need to use items to have them summoned. If you mostly don’t draw magic out of monsters(Especially in boss battles…) you’ll probably miss some of them. You can always re-draw them from the boss monsters in Ultimecia’s castle in the last part of the game.

But it’s best if you got them before that part. That way you can level them up and stuff like that.

-How do GF’s gain EXP and level up?-
GF’s level up just like your party members. For example, Ifrit is junctioned to Rinoa, and Rinoa goes into battle and gains 200 EXP. Since Ifrit is junctioned to Rinoa, and Rinoa gained 200 EXP, Ifrit also gains 200 EXP and level up if she reaches her "Next Level" EXP amount. However, if two or more GF’s are junctioned to one character, the EXP gained will be divided among the GF’s characters. So let’s say that both Shiva and Ifrit are junctioned to Rinoa. If Rinoa gets 200 EXP, then Shiva and Ifrit will both gain 100 EXP each.

NOTE: This doesn’t apply with AP. Just EXP.

-Boost-
Boost is one of the easiest GF abilities for your GF to learn. Why? It’s only costs at least 10 AP to learn. Once you learn it, hold the Select button down during the GF animation and rapidly press the Square button. Press it until the "X" appears in front of the finger on the screen, then stop. Once the "X" disappears again, resume tapping as quickly as possible. Keep doing this to boost the damage the GF does. This is extremely useful, and should not be
underestimated.

II. GF Information – How to find each GF’s

Name: Quezacotl
Element: Lightning
Attack Name: Thunder Storm

How to get Quezacotl — Examine Squall’s study panel at the very beginning of the game(When Squall is in Quistis’ classroom.) You’ll get Quezacotl automatically.

Quezacotl’s Lightning attack is a very good attack especially against water-elemental enemies.

Name: Shiva
Element: Ice
Attack Name: Diamond Dust

How to get Shiva — Examine Squall’s study panel at the very beginning of the game(When Squall is in Quistis’ classroom.) You’ll get Shiva automatically.

Shiva’s Ice attack is also a good attack at almost anything especially at fire-elemental enemies.

Name: Ifrit
Element: Fire
Attack Name: Hell Fire

How to get Ifrit — Go to the cavern in the east side of the Balamb Garden and defeat Ifrit. To defeat Ifrit easily, keep on using ice magic in him(If you have some…) or use Shiva against him. After you defeat him, you get Ifrit and his card also!

Ifrit’s Hell Fire is a good attack, and best used against ice-elemental enemies.

Name: Siren
Element: N/A
Attack Name: Silent Voice

How to get Siren — During Squall’s first SeeD mission in Dollet. When you reach the top of the Dollet communication tower, you’ll have a battle with Biggs and Wedge, then after a few moments, they’ll get sucked up by this weird tornado like air and Elvoret will appear. Quickly draw Siren out of Elvoret. DON’T FORGET TO DRAW SIREN OUT OF ELVORET. After you draw Siren out of Elvoret, finish off the monster and enjoy your new GF.

Siren’s Silent Voice attack inflicts Silence and some damage, I think, to the enemies. It’s best if you used Siren against enemies who attack and rely on magic.

Name: Brothers
Element: Earth
Attack Name: Brotherly Love

How to get the Brothers —
http://ffguides.telefragged.com/ff8/walkthroughs/tombmap.gif

1 – Entrance/Exit

2 – When you first enter the dungeon you’ll find a sword. When you examine it, it will give you a two or three digit code… which is what you’ve been sent for in the dungeon at the first place. But you want the GF right?(NOTE: Don’t forget the number code! You’ll need that after you get the GF!)

3 – If you keep moving on the dungeon, you’ll see this room that is the exact center of the tomb. It’s basically a dead end to all four paths that enter it. What it is is a huge, gigantic pit, with some sort of column in the middle that you can’t reach. (Yet.)

4 – Here is a path that is blocked by some sort of a wall with a bunch of writing. The former SeeD candidate has scrawled a couple of messages on the bottom as well as the directions to get out from here.

5 – Same thing as (4) on this end. It’s another wall with more writing and more directions on how to get out.

6 – Now, here’s where you’d want to go first. It’s a room with a "Mysterious Statue" of some sort… and it’s the boss Sacred! Be prepared! (Luckily, he is fairly easy.) Just beat him up with your attacks and cast Float on him to weaken him(If you have some…).

After you beat Sacred, he’ll run away and say it’s not over yet. You want to find him again of course. First, go to room number 5 and you’ll see that the wall has disappeared so you can get through now. Release the chain on the right, against the back wall. There’s also a hidden draw point in this room to give you more Float magic.

After that, go to room 4. You’ll notice that the wall blocking the room has also disappeared. Proceed further to room 4 and go to the left side of the room where there’s a bunch of gears in the wall. Examine it and Squall will pull a gear out of the wall and set it on the ground. This will let you access the room number 3 now. Go in there and be ready to have some Float magic or junction your characters properly because you’re gonna battle the Brothers!

Defeat the Brothers easily by casting Float magic on them. If you don’t have Float magic, make sure you get some before you go to the Tomb of the Unknown King or draw Float in the draw point I told you about in room number 5. Then just attack them with GF’s or your party members.

After you defeat them, they’ll join you and you’ll be able to use them now. The Brothers’ attack is fairly good especially against enemies that are weak against Earth element.

Wait… are there two GF faqs :(?

I promised Agent0042 a GF Faq a long time ago, and I never got to finish it. But now I’m trying to finish it up now. Who else is doing a GF Faq?

Me

Would you two be willing to merge the efforts that you have done so far, or collaborate then? I think that would help out.

Sure, np

There we go. Did my Junctioning guide all in one sitting. Damn, now I’ve got to do my homework… Well, you guys let me know what you think.

Would you two be willing to merge the efforts that you have done so far, or collaborate then? I think that would help out.
sure thing ^^

Cool. How about you PM each other then and work out the details?

Hey Agent, could I do a really detailed boss guide w/ strategies?? I don’t usually do guides, but I wanna contribute to the site. I can have it done by next week if I rush since it’ll take me a little while to go through the game again…

Without checking, nobody else has called a boss guide, right? You’re quite welcome to it.

Sweet, I just started on it tonight.

Cool. How about you PM each other then and work out the details?
we already are ^^

Also, I have a question:

Are these guides we’re doing… are they going to be stickied up in the forum?

Some of them already have been. That is the idea, although if there get to be an awful lot, I may still consider the idea of combining them into one thread. Oh, and I’m still interested in whether anyone cares or not about that FFShrine Exclusive tag idea. However, I hate to beat a dead horse, so this is the last time I’m gonna mention it unless somebody says something.

That would be neat to have a few FFS exclusive guides, I want mine to have that tag.

Cool! I’ll get to work on it then. All you have to do is agree then that you won’t post your guide anywhere other than here at the FFShrine forums. Oh, and the main site, if anything else ever happens with it.

Agent i said mine was a Final Fantasy Shrine exclusive, is that ok to you? I’l still have to ask Yui since it’s also his/her guide, but i think it’s ok with it so you can put the tag

Okay. As long as it’s okay with Yui, which I imagine it probably would be, I’ll get it posted as soon as it’s ready.

I’m gonna try to post the first half this weekend if I have time. I don’t to rush it, I want it to be really good cause it’s my first one.

i really wanna help but… i don’t no what to do 🙁

e.g. character profile and their abilities etc.

Is there anything that no one is doing? I have a lot of free time on my hands. I’m almost done with the weapons part.

Okay. As long as it’s okay with Yui, which I imagine it probably would be, I’ll get it posted as soon as it’s ready.
Yes, it’s alright with me 🙂

Yui since it’s also his/her guide
Her ^^

😀

e.g. character profile and their abilities etc.
okay i’ll do that

I’d like for mine to be FFshrine exclusicve, too. I don’t really have any inclination to post it anywhere else anyway.

Okay. That’ll be coming this evening.

If I haven’t said before, I, too would be most honored for my guide to be an FFShrine exclusive.

The tag is now live for all guides that have been posted so far. Here’s what it looks like:

<font size=-2>Posting on other sites or forums is strictly prohibited.</font>
Questions? (http://forums.ffshrine.org/private.php?do=newpm&u=1625)

I am al most done.

Final Fantasy VIII Weapons Guide

Squall:
Revolver (Starting Weapon):
Cost: 100gil
Atk: 11
Hit: 225
Rough Divide
Items Needed:
M-Stone Piece (x2)
Dropped by: Bite Bug, Funguar, Buel, Jelleye, Glacial Eye, Creeps, Belhemel, Blobra, T-Rexaur, Bomb, Vysage, Lefty, Righty, Elastoid, Gesper, Blitz, Death Claw, Abyss Worm, Gayle, Armadodo.

Screw (x2)
Dropped by: Geezard

Shear Trigger:
Cost: 100gil
Atk: 11
Hit: 99
Rough Divide, Fated Circle
Items Needed:
Steel Pipe (x1)
Dropped by: Wendigo, GIM47N

Screw (x4)
Dropped by: Geezard

Cutting Trigger:
Cost: 400gil
Atk: 18
Hit: 225
Rough Divide, Fated Circle
Items Needed:
Mesmerize Blade (x1)
Dropped by: Mesmerize

Screw (x8)
Dropped by: Geezard

Flame Saber:
Cost: 600gil
Atk: 20
Hit: 225
Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone
Items Needed:
Betrayal Sword (x1)
Dropped by: Forbidden

Turtle Shell (x1)
Dropped by: Armadodo

Screw (x4)
Dropped by: Geezard

Twin Lance:
Cost: 800gil
Atk: 22
Hit: 225
Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone
Items Needed:
Dino Bone (x1)
Dropped by: T-Rexaur

Red Fang (x1)
Dropped by: Hexadragon, Chimera

Screw (x12)
Dropped by: Geezard

Punishment:
Cost:1000gil
Atk: 24
Hit: 225
Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone
Items Needed:
Chef’s Knife (x1)
Dropped by: Tonberry

Star Fragment (x2)
Dropped by: Iron Giant, T-Rexaur, Tri-Face, Chimera, Hexadragon, Red Dragon

Turtle Shell (x1)
Dropped by: Armadodo

Screw (x18)
Dropped by: Geezard

Lion Heart:
Cost: 2000gil
Atk: 30
Hit: 225
Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone, Lion Heart
Items Needed:
Adamantine (x1)
Dropped by: Adamantine

Dragon Fang (x4)
Dropped by: Hexadragon, Blue Dragon

Pulse Ammo (x12)
Dropped by: N/A (Refine from Power Generator, dropped by Blitz)

Rinoa:
Pinwheel (Starting Weapon):
Cost: 100gil
Atk: 11
Hit: 99
Items Needed:
M-Stone (x3)
Dropped by: Bite Bug, Funguar, Buel, Jelleye, Glacial Eye, Creeps, Belhemel, Blobra, T-Rexaur, Bomb, Vysage, Lefty, Righty, Elastoid, Gesper, Blitz, Death Claw, Abyss Worm, Gayle, Armadodo.

Valkyrie:
Cost: 200gil
Atk: 14
Hit: 101
Items Needed:
Shear Feather (x1)
Dropped by: Thrustaevis, Death Claw

Magic Stone (x1)
Dropped by: Bite Bug, Funguar, Buel, Jelleye, Glacial Eye, Creeps, Belhelmel, Blobra, Geezard, Abyss Worm, Ochu

Rizing Sun:
Cost: 400gil
Atk: 18
Hit: 103
Items Needed:
Saw Blade (x1)
Dropped by: Belhemel

Screw (x8)
Dropped by: Geezard

Cardinal:
Cost: 800gil
Atk: 24
Hit: 104
Items Needed:
Cockatrice Pinion (x1)
Dropped by: Cockatrice

Mesmerize (x1)
Dropped by: Mesmerize

Sharp Spike (x1)
Dropped by: Grand Mantis, Death Claw

Shooting Star:
Cost: 1000gil
Atk: 28
Hit: 107
Items Needed:
Windmill (x2)
Dropped by: Thrustaevis, Abyss Worm, Death Claw

Regan Ring (x1)
Dropped by: Torama, Chimera, Turtapod, Mesmerize, Lefty

Force Armlet (x1)
Dropped by: Ochu, Forbidden, Edea (2nd Fight)

Energy Crystal (x2)
Dropped by: Elnoyle, Behemoth, Red Dragon

Quistis:
Chain Whip (Starting Weapon):
Cost: 100gil
Atk: 12
Hit: 103
Items Needed:
M-Stone Piece (x2)
Dropped by: Bite Bug, Funguar, Buel, Jelleye, Glacial Eye, Creeps, Belhemel, Blobra, T-Rexaur, Bomb, Vysage, Lefty, Righty, Elastoid, Gesper, Blitz, Death Claw, Abyss Worm, Gayle, Armadodo.

Spider Web (x1)
Dropped by:Catchipillar

Slaying Tail:
Cost: 200gil
Atk: 15
Hit: 104
Items Needed:
Magic Stone (x2)
Dropped by: Bite Bug, Funguar, Buel, Jelleye, Glacial Eye, Creeps, Belhelmel, Blobra, Geezard, Abyss Worm, Ochu

Sharp Spike (x1)
Dropped by: Grand Mantis, Death Claw

Red Scorpion:
Cost:400gil
Atk: 20
Hit: 105
Items Needed:
Ochu Tentacle (x2)
Dropped by: Ochu

Dragon Skin (x2)
Dropped by:

FF_Fanatic — good. You should go ahead and start a new thread and put it in there — you can always edit it later when you need to update/finish it. BTW, did you want this one to be an FFShrine Exclusive?

If that isn’t too much trouble than yes, I would like it to be an FFShrine exclusive. I’ll probably complete the basic character stuff tonight. But at the latest it’ll be done tomorrow afternoon. My mom made me get off the pc, so I couldn’t finish it in one go.

EDIT: While I’m at it, is anyone doing Limit Breaks yet? If not then I’ll do them. Kinda fits in with what I’m doing already.

If that isn’t too much trouble than yes, I would like it to be an FFShrine exclusive.
It’s never too much trouble for me. I thought I saw somebody mention limit breaks, but you might want to check, I’m not sure. You guys also might wanna check anything that’s posted at the main FFShrine site and tailor your guides accordingly. Just an idea.

Does character profile/abilities mean Limit Breaks?

No idea, load up the document and check.

Nothing as of now, so I’ll start on a Limit Break Guide.

Sorry I haven’t been able to start typing everything, but it’s all done otherwise.

sorry ive been busy with homework so i’ll finish mine now
(100th post, yay!!!)

okay mine is finished but do you want me to do: Seifer, Laguna, Kiros, Ward and Edea or even Ultimecia

If you want to, then I think I’d say go for it. BTW, if you haven’t already (I haven’t checked yet) you’re welcome to post what you have so far in a separate thread. Oh, and did you want this to be FFShrine Exclusive?

I think that you really should include Seifer, Laguna, Kiros, Ward and Edea as they are all important and playable characters. But it’s up to you.

okay i’ll do Laguna and that and i’ll make a little bit less of a spoiler. and yes, please ffshrine exclusive
FF fanatic- yes you can do the limit breaks as it fits in with what you are doing

Thanks for confirming that. I’ll be starting it. Should be done by the 25th.