Final Fantasy XIII (PlayStation 3)

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Angry or tired character

When not in a battle, quickly move the Analog-stick Left and Right repeatedly. Character will become angry or tired.

Capped Weapon experience equation

This is an equation to understand how much experience you will need to spend to get any weapon capped at its current level.

n = Increase your weapon will grow after every level obtain. For example, at level 1 to 2 you need 1,000 experience. From level 2 to 3 you need 1,125 exp. n = 1125 minus 1000, which in this case is 125. So n for this weapon would equal 125.
x = The total number of levels you will need to cap (Star) your weapon. For example, from 1 to 21 (Star) for Tier 1 weapons requires 20 levels (21-1=20).
b = The base experience that your weapon has. For example, Axis Blade at level one needs 1,000 experience to reach level 2. 1,000 is the base experience.
The equation is as follows to determine how much experience it will cost to cap your weapon.

(xn-n)(x/2)+bx = Total experience to cap a weapon.

An easier way to consider this is x times n minus n. Then multiply that value by x divided by 2. Then, add b times x.

Changing options before Boss battle

Just as the cutscene before a Boss battle ends, press [Menu]. The menu screen will appear, allowing you to reconfigure paradigms, weapons, etc.

CP Farming in Chapter 11

There are two good places to level up your Crystarium when you come into the Archelyte Steppe in the beginning of Ch. 11. The first one can be found in the Southwest Corner of the main map, the Western Benchland. South of the pond, there is a peninsula where little birdlike characters mass around. At first this seems like an intimidating battle, considering that the enemies will summon characters making the battles very long. However, this can be remedied, if you have 3 of the following four characters: Lightning, Fang, Snow, and Sazh. You'll only really need the following paradigms: Commando x3 / Commando x2+Ravager / Commando x2+Medic / Sentinel+Commando+Medic / Sentinel+Medicx2. Set the base mode on Commando x3 and go into battle.

If you're able to get behind them it makes the battles all that much easier. Once you get the hang of things, you'll learn their pattern and be able to get them more often than not in a surprise attack. Have your leader, whomever you choose to have it attack with Ruinaga, followed by blitz. The Ruinaga will toss them into the air a tiny bit and hit multiple targets in a wide radius. The blitz should hit the same amount of people. Your support characters should attack with Blitz, Blitz, and then standard attack. The Ruinaga spell is important because it keeps the baddies from being able to mass a constant attack on you as well as keeping them unable to summon whoever they are going to bring into the battle. CP ranges from 2000 to 3500 for your 35-45 seconds of effort. If you're having a hard time, try Commando x2 + Ravager, and you may be able to juggle them a little, but the commandos really shred HP in this fight.

The second method should be undertaken when you've gotten more HP and strength, since the fights will be harder. North of the first point, there is a place where the big wolf and a behemoth are fighting. Hit them. Concentrate first on the Behemoth and take him out. Don't kill the wolf, since he's your buffer from being behemoth's lunch. Take them out, 6000+CP. Then turn around, jump down to the west and take out the 3 groups of wolfs for 2000-3000 CP. Repeat this and you'll have tons of CP in no time.

CP Farming in Chapter 8

Right at the clocktower in the park, you'll find a chest with five of those little robots running around it. You can beat them up for 640 cp and loop back to the prior chest area (with one of the monsters) and the group of five will respawn.

CP Farming in Chapters 8 and 9

Here are a couple really solid CP grinding areas in Chapters 8 and 9.

The first spot is right after the attack on Hope's home in Parumpolum in Chapter 8. There are two sets of soldiers who will keep respawning inside the house endlessly. All you have to do is run down the halls a bit and they come right back and they will be there again. Defeating them yields a good amount of CP, and they drop incentive chips which you can sell for 2,500 and buy upgrade parts for your weapons.

I maxed out all my players and upgraded Lightning's weapon from level 16-22 in only 40 minutes of fighting.

The second spot when you're going to rescue Sazh and Vanille in Chapter 9. After you finish the outside fighting portion on the flagship you head inside; in there you get a "green alert" warning the enemy to your presence. Instead of proceeding further, go back outside and you will see that the enemies have respawned.

In fact, just right outside the door you will get into a battle with five enemies which nets you over 700 CP each time as well as dropping Silicon Oil plus incentive and credit chips. After each fight, head back inside around two corners to respawn the enemy. Do this as many times as you want and head inside to the save point to sell the chips and upgrade your weapons and you'll get everyone to level 3 of all their roles in no time.

I prefer these two places becuase of the incentive chips.

Determining capped weapon experience

Use the following equation to determine how much experience is required to get any weapon capped at its current level:

n = Increase your weapon will grow after every level obtained. For example, to get from level 1 to 2, you need 1,000 experience. From level 2 to 3, you need 1,125 EXP. n = 1,125 minus 1,000, which in this case is 125. So n for this weapon would equal 125.

x = The total number of levels you will need to cap (Star) your weapon. For example, from 1 to 21 (Star) for Tier 1 weapons requires 20 levels (21-1=20).

b = The base experience your weapon contains. For example, Axis Blade at level 1 requires 1,000 experience to reach level 2. 1,000 is the base experience.

(xn-n)(x/2)+bx = Total experience necessary to cap a weapon. An easier way to understand this equation is x times n minus n. Then, multiply that value by x divided by 2. Then, add b times x.

Easy CP

When you are at Hope's home towards the end of Chapter 7, you will encounter an attack from groups of three PSICOM enemies. There is a save point, and a group of enemies to the left and right side of you. Defeat one set of enemies, and then fight the next set. Once you have defeated all of them, run around the room to the other side, and the enemies will respawn. You can repeat this as many times as desired and complete a battle each time in under one minute by simply using the Relentless Assault and Diversity combinations. After each battle, you will get 160 CP, as well as an item occasionally from the spoil that remains. This trick allows you to easily gain enough CP to use later on if you have already maxed out your current level, or you can max out your current level in the Crystalium system.

When you first arrive in Gran Pulse (Disc 3), you will be told to go to Vanille's village. On the way to the village you must go through Taejin Tower. Do the following steps there to get easy CP:

1. Defeat the Boss at the apex of Taejin Tower.
2. Take the elevator down to level four, and then the other elevator (the first room on the left when exiting the elevator) up to level five.
3. You will see a mission statue directly in front of the elevator (Mission 24)
4. Select the statue, and re-accept the mission. The target will spawn in the same room.
5. Kill the group of three that spawn to get 6,000 CP and an item that sells for 6,000 Gil.
6. Go back to the statue, re-accept the mission again, and complete it. Repeat these steps as many times as desired.

You can use the following tactic to kill them in approximately 34 seconds with tier two weapons. Have your party consist of Snow, Vanille (use her tier two Marlboros Wand), and Lightning. Tactics: Default - Ravager, Ravager, Ravager - Other - Commando, Saboteur, Commando. Start with the default Ravager x3 on the main target (in the middle; should be auto targeted) until he is staggering. Then, switch to your other tactic, and keep auto-attacking the same enemy. With help from Vanille (saboteur), he will die in a few combos while your other commando is already killing one of the side enemies. Keep attacking until he is dead. To make this easier, have the auto-haste "Sprint Shoes" gear equipped.

During the assault on the Estheim house, run around the circular hallway instead of taking the red circle out of the room. The soldiers are easy to defeat, and you can get anywhere from 120 to 200 CP per battle, as well as an incentive chip that you can sell if desired. An easy way to do this is to attack the soldiers at the window, and instead of turning around and going straight for the soldiers behind you, go around the hall and attack. Once you make it back, the soldiers at the window will have respawned.

When you enter the hall while on the Palamecia and the alarms go off (there is a safe point against the wall), defeat all the enemies. Instead of following the right turn, keep going. You will eventually end up back at the entrance to the ship. Kill all the enemies located there, then turn back. The enemies in the hall will have respawned. Most battles will get you at least two Credit Chips or one Incentive Chip, and a good amount of CP. Repeat this as many times as desired.

Use the following trick to get 6,600 CP in approximately two minutes. There are two Behemoth-like enemies fighting each other at Gran Pulse. Once you encounter them, a preemptive attack will always happen. Use the following Optima set-up: Attacker/Enhancer/Enhancer. Wait until you get Haste and Fire elemental offense. Then, switch to Attacker/Blaster/Blaster. Kill the purple creature to make the white one easier to defeat. Go back near the save point to have them respawn.

Extra ATB

Set up two of the same Paradigms, and have them close to each other in the top of the menu. You do not have to use the same ones, but do so if it is the best attack. You might want to try this with your battle speed set to slow until you get used to the process. During turn 1, let your ATB charge. For example, if you have four attacks, during the third attack display the "Paradigm" menu, and highlight the next Paradigm. Once you see your fourth attack on screen or guess the timing for turn 2, use the extra ATB. After using this extra ATB during turn 3, charge your ATB so you can use it again. You must charge a turn to get an extra ATB. However, you cannot use an extra ATB to get another extra one. Note: You can just charge the ATB half way to get an extra one. For example:

Turn 1: Attack, then switch Paradigm at end of attack.
Turn 2: Extra ATB attacks.
Turn 3: Repeat turn 1.

Final Fantasy 4 reference

The town of Palompolum is a reference to the twin magicians Palom and Porom from Final Fantasy 4. When properly translated into the Western alphabet from Japanese kanji, Porom should be spelled "Polom" or "Polum." The town's name is simply the names of the twins combined into one word.

Hoppin' Mad

Whenever you have control of your character outside of battle, move the analog stick left and right quickly. Do this enough (6 or so times) and your character will come to an abrupt stop and emote -- expressing anger or fatigue.

Last Second Menu

At the last second before a cutscene ends (and leads into a boss battle), press the MENU BUTTON and you'll be sent to the Menu Screen. (This is useful if you forgot to change weapons, switch paradigms, etc.).

Secret Animation

If you turn the left stick in a slow circle on the field screen, the character that you are controlling will do a secret animation. For example, Hope will shake his head and hands.

Secret Trophies

Complete the following tasks to unlock PlayStation 3 trophy rewards.

TrophyHow to unlock
Dorgann's Trophy ( Silver )Completed all high-level Cie'th Stone missions.
Exorcist ( Silver )Triumphed over undying lowerworld souls in seven fierce battles.
Floraphobe ( Silver )Toppled a green terror and cut an oversized succulent down to size.
Galuf's Grail ( Silver )Completed all Cie'th Stone missions.
Gysahl Wreath ( Bronze )Discovered buried treasure with a little help from a chocobo.
Instrument of Change ( Gold )Witnessed the dawn of a new crystal legend.
Instrument of Dissent ( Bronze )Survived the Purge to confront a greater peril.
Instrument of Faith ( Silver )Defied destiny's charge and embarked on a different path.
Instrument of Fate ( Bronze )Took the first steps toward challenging an unjust fate.
Instrument of Flight ( Bronze )Slipped through the net and lived to fight another day.
Instrument of Hope ( Bronze )Traveled to the world below, seeking a way to alter fate.
Instrument of Rebellion ( Bronze )Made plans to infiltrate enemy-occupied territory.
Instrument of Shame ( Bronze )Carried the burden of guilt to the end of the line.
Instrument of Survival ( Bronze )Evaded pursuers, though memories of the past still gave chase.
Instrument of Tragedy ( Bronze )Strode into danger's den and paid the consequences.
Instrument of Truth ( Bronze )Recognized the true threat to the world's future.
Instrument of Vengeance ( Bronze )Resolved to be more than a victim of circumstance.
Instrument of Wrath ( Bronze )Took the fight to the enemy's door.
Kelger's Cup ( Bronze )Completed all low-level Cie'th Stone missions.
L'Cie Paragon ( Gold )Earned a 5-star ranking for all Cie'th Stone missions.
Natural Selector ( Silver )Passed Titan's trials.
Pulsian Pioneer ( Bronze )Took over 10,000 steps on the lowerworld surface.
Superstar ( Gold )Earned a 5-star ranking in the battle to determine the world's fate.
Ultimate Hero ( Platinum )Acquired all trophies.
Xezat's Chalice ( Bronze )Completed all mid-level Cie'th Stone missions.

Snow's "Perfect Defense" state

With an advanced party, it is possible for Snow to enter a "perfect defense" state. Equip him with his Winged Saint weapon or save the queen upgrade (for the improved Guard II ability); your three active party members must have reached Role level 5 as Sentinels. Paradigm Shift to Tortoise (SEN + SEN + SEN), and have snow preform Steelguard or Mediguard. Any attack aimed at him during that time will inflict only 1% damage or less.

Sprint Shoes accessory

You can either find this item or make them. This is one of the methods to make them using a Tetradic Tiara. Follow the order exactly. Also, this works best if you have the accessory that makes you more likely to get a drop after a battle. Make sure you upgrade it to the top tier as well.

1.Buy Four Iron-Bangles (500 Gil each)
2.Make sure there are no Tetradic Tiaras in your inventory.
3.Repeatedly do mission 7 (Disc 3, Gran Pulse) until you get the rare drop of a Tetradic Tiara.
4.Save the game.
5.Break down all four Iron-Bangles.
6.Upgrade Tetradic Tiara level 1 to Tetradic Tiara ? (only one level till star).
7.Break down Tetra Tiara ?
8.Repeat the steps as desired.

The result should be one raw material that sells for 12,500 Gil, three Talisman and one pair of Sprint Shoes. You can do the same process if you get the drop of Tetradic Crown instead of the Tiara, however instead of breaking down four Iron-Bangles, just break down three. Also, instead of getting the Sprint Shoes you'll get something else called Herme's Shoes. If you upgrade this to the star level (just one level) then upgrade it with the correct crystal/stone/etc., it will turn into the Sprint Shoes. Alternately, you could take the Tetradic Crown, upgrade it to star level, then using the correct stone/crystal (Mnir Stone or something similar) you can turn it into Tetradic Tiara and do he process above.

Super Weapon Exploit

Each character has one super weapon that can be obtained by fully upgrading one of his/her stock weapons.

Each player has seven stock weapons but the final result after maximum upgrades yields the same super weapon.

Upgrading is done through the shop at save points. There are two parts to upgrading:

(1) Spamming items which give a low amount of EXP to increase multipliers, and (2) Using items which give a lot of EXP, and that now give even more EXP due to your multiplier, to upgrade your weapon substantially.

An efficient way to build the multiplier is to go to the Creature Comforts store and buy Vibrant Ooze. Apply 36 of those to your weapon and you will have a 3x multiplier. Then you can apply Perfect Conductor for 2577 EXP.

Themes

Unlock the indicated trophy to unlock the corresponding PlayStation3 character theme.

ThemeTrophy
FangUnlock the the "Treasure Hunter" trophy.
HopeObtain the "Instrument Of Change" trophy.
LightningObtain the "Superstar" trophy.
SazhObtain the "Lore Master" trophy.
SerahObtain the "Ultimate Hero" trophy.
SnowObtain the "L'Cie Paragon" trophy.
VanilleObtain the "Instrument of Faith" trophy.

Trophies

Complete the following tasks to unlock PlayStation 3 trophy rewards.

TrophyHow to unlock
Adamant Will ( Silver )Felled a heavyweight of the lowerworld wilds.
Commando's Seal ( Bronze )Mastered the Commando role.
Limit Breaker ( Silver )Dealt 100,000+ damage with a single attack.
Loremaster ( Gold )Discerned the full attributes of 100 enemies.
Master's Seal ( Silver )Fully developed all characters.
Medic's Seal ( Bronze )Mastered the Medic role.
Ravager's Seal ( Bronze )Mastered the Ravager role.
Saboteur's Seal ( Bronze )Mastered the Saboteur role.
Sentinel's Seal ( Bronze )Mastered the Sentinel role.
Synergist's Seal ( Bronze )Mastered the Synergist role.
Treasure Hunter ( Gold )Held every weapon and accessory.

Upgrading Tips

Study Bones / Ooze / Tail are the three 80gil items which take 36 to equal a 3x multiplier. So, 2880 gil gets you 3x. If you're a Gil pincher - save money and wait until you can upgrade an item to max level in one shot - save the investment to a one time shot at multiplier. Furthermore, you won't need to level up any weapons until you're at a point you should be able to afford the expense.

If you would rather just play and level up - do that - don't worry about the gil it costs you - just have fun and be happy.

While Fluids and Oils may give more EXP, they're a waste since the inorganic items are so much better - you are better offf getting to 3x as soon as possible, and then switching to inorganic.

For farmable scenes (like chapter 11) - nothing beats the bomb parts. I had nearly a two full stacks of bomb things from Marks and used them to level up most of the accessories required so I could unlock 'em all for the treasure hunter achievement/trophy.