Secret Missions & Unlockables

Secret Missions & Unlockables

Beyond the main storyline, Ivalice holds a wealth of hidden challenges and valuable rewards for the discerning Marche and his clan. These secret missions often require specific conditions to be met, from possessing rare items to having a certain number of clan members. Mastering these will not only grant you powerful equipment and unique abilities but also unlock some of the game's most iconic characters, significantly enhancing your journey through FFTA.

Recruiting Special Characters

Several memorable characters can join your ranks, each bringing unique skills and story elements. Recruiting them often involves a series of specific missions, some of which are dispatch-based, followed by a challenging battle. Pay close attention to the prerequisites and mission numbers to ensure you don't miss out.

Ezel Berbier (Nu Mou, Sage)

Ezel is a brilliant inventor and a powerful Sage, capable of wielding both White and Black Magic. His unique abilities and high stats make him a valuable addition to any clan.

• Prerequisites:
  • Complete the main story mission "The Last Day."
  • Have a minimum of 24 clan members.
  • Complete the mission "Hero of Yore" (Mission #052) which involves defeating a powerful monster.
• Recruitment Mission Chain:
  1. "The Nu Mou and the Monster" (Mission #113): This is a dispatch mission. Send a capable unit to complete it.
  2. "Ezel's Letter" (Mission #114): After completing #113, this dispatch mission will appear. Complete it.
  3. "Ezel's Challenge" (Mission #115): This is the final battle mission. Ezel will join your clan upon its successful completion.
• Battle Strategy for "Ezel's Challenge":
  • Location: Baguba Port.
  • Enemies: Ezel (Sage), accompanied by various Nu Mou units (e.g., Alchemist, Black Mage, White Mage).
  • Laws: Varies, but often includes restrictions on elemental magic or specific weapon types. Check the law card carefully.
  • Tactics: Ezel, as a Sage, has access to powerful elemental spells and support abilities. He can be quite dangerous. Focus on isolating him if possible, or prioritize taking out his support units (healers/status effect users) first. Units with high Magic Resist or abilities like Shell are useful. Physical attackers with high speed can close the distance quickly. Consider bringing a unit with Silence or Sleep to incapacitate Ezel temporarily.
  • Reward: Ezel Berbier joins your clan.

Ritz Malheur (Viera, Fencer)

Marche's childhood friend, Ritz, is a formidable Viera Fencer with exceptional speed and evasion. Her presence brings both powerful combat skills and a touch of story continuity to your clan.

• Prerequisites:
  • Complete the main story mission "Materi."
  • Have a minimum of 24 clan members.
  • Complete the mission "Hero of Yore" (Mission #052).
• Recruitment Mission Chain:
  1. "Ritz's Request" (Mission #116): A dispatch mission.
  2. "Ritz's Letter" (Mission #117): Another dispatch mission, available after completing #116.
  3. "Ritz's Challenge" (Mission #118): The final battle mission. Ritz joins after you win.
• Battle Strategy for "Ritz's Challenge":
  • Location: Cyril.
  • Enemies: Ritz (Fencer), accompanied by other Viera units (e.g., Archer, White Mage, Elementalist).
  • Laws: Typically restricts physical attacks or certain weapon types. Adapt your strategy accordingly.
  • Tactics: Ritz is fast and can deal significant damage. Her accompanying Viera often include Archers or Elementalists who can inflict status effects or deal ranged damage. Prioritize taking down any enemy healers or status effect users. Ritz herself has high evasion, so accuracy-boosting abilities or magic attacks are effective. Don't let her get close to your weaker units. Using abilities that lower evasion or inflict immobilizing status effects can turn the tide.
  • Reward: Ritz Malheur joins your clan.

Paladin Cid (Bangaa, Paladin)

The stoic and powerful Bangaa Paladin, Cid, is a force to be reckoned with. His high defense, strong attacks, and healing abilities make him an excellent front-line unit.

• Prerequisites:
  • Complete the main story mission "The Last Day."
  • Have a minimum of 24 clan members.
  • Complete the mission "Hero of Yore" (Mission #052).
• Recruitment Mission Chain:
  1. "Cid's Request" (Mission #119): A dispatch mission.
  2. "Cid's Letter" (Mission #120): Another dispatch mission, available after completing #119.
  3. "Cid's Challenge" (Mission #121): The final battle mission. Cid joins after you win.
• Battle Strategy for "Cid's Challenge":
  • Location: Sprohm.
  • Enemies: Cid (Paladin), accompanied by other Bangaa units (e.g., Warrior, White Monk, Dragoon).
  • Laws: Often restricts magic or specific weapon types. Be prepared to adapt.
  • Tactics: Cid is a tank, boasting high HP and defense. He can also use healing abilities. Magic attacks are generally more effective against him, as they bypass his physical defense. Abilities that ignore defense (like certain Soldier or Gladiator skills) are also highly recommended. Be wary of his accompanying Bangaa, especially Dragoons, who can deal heavy damage with Jump. Focus fire on one enemy at a time to reduce their numbers quickly.
  • Reward: Paladin Cid joins your clan.

Llednar Twem (Human, Agent)

Llednar is a unique character with a dark past and powerful abilities. Recruiting him is a post-game challenge that requires significant dedication.

• Prerequisites:
  • Complete the main story.
  • Complete all 300 missions in the game. This is a monumental task, requiring careful planning and execution of every available mission.
  • Have Marche as the only unit in your clan for the final mission.
• Recruitment Mission:
  1. "The Hero Gaol" (Mission #300): This mission only appears after all other 299 missions are completed.
• Battle Strategy for "The Hero Gaol":
  • Location: Ambervale.
  • Enemies: Llednar (Agent), accompanied by powerful monsters and possibly other unique units.
  • Laws: This mission often has very restrictive laws, sometimes even prohibiting all actions except basic attacks. Plan your Marche's build accordingly.
  • Tactics: This is a solo battle for Marche. You MUST have Marche be the only unit in your clan when accepting this mission. Your Marche needs to be incredibly powerful, with maxed-out stats, the best equipment, and a versatile job combination (e.g., Soldier/Ninja for Double Sword and high attack, or Paladin/Ninja for defense and offense). Consider equipping Marche with abilities like Auto-Regen, Reflex, or Counter. Use items strategically. This is arguably the toughest challenge in the game.
  • Reward: Llednar Twem joins your clan. He comes with unique Agent abilities and high stats, making him one of the most powerful units.

Pallanza (Bangaa, Gladiator) & Shara (Viera, Sniper)

These two characters are not directly recruited in the same way as Ezel, Ritz, or Cid. Instead, they are unique units that can be generated through specific means, often involving a bit of luck and careful manipulation of the game's unit generation system.

• Prerequisites:
  • Pallanza: To get a Bangaa with the unique name "Pallanza," you need to recruit a Bangaa unit from the Pub that has a specific set of starting jobs and stats. This is largely random. The best chance is to repeatedly check the Pub after completing a significant number of missions and increasing your clan's fame. Look for a Bangaa with high Warrior and Dragoon job levels.
  • Shara: Similar to Pallanza, Shara is a randomly generated Viera unit. Look for a Viera with high Fencer and Sniper job levels.
• Recruitment Method:
  • There are no specific missions for Pallanza or Shara. They appear as standard recruits in the Pub. The key is patience and resetting the game if the desired unit doesn't appear. Some players report higher chances of unique names appearing after completing certain story milestones or having a high clan level.
  • While not "story" characters, these named units often come with slightly better base stats or unique job progressions, making them desirable for completionists.

Unlocking Advanced Jobs

Certain powerful jobs are not available from the outset and require specific conditions to be met. These often involve mastering a set number of abilities from prerequisite jobs. Once the conditions are met, the job becomes available for that race.

• Ninja (Human):
  • Prerequisites: Master 2 abilities from the Thief job and 2 abilities from the Archer job.
  • Key Abilities: Throw (allows use of various items as projectiles, including powerful scrolls), Double Sword (equips two weapons, dramatically increasing damage output).
  • Strategy: Ninjas are fast physical attackers with excellent mobility. Double Sword is one of the most broken abilities in the game, making them top-tier damage dealers.
• Assassin (Viera):
  • Prerequisites: Master 2 abilities from the Fencer job and 2 abilities from the Sniper job.
  • Key Abilities: Last Breath (instant KO, often used for OHKO strategies), Shadowbind (immobilizes target, preventing movement and actions).
  • Strategy: Assassins are deadly Viera units specializing in instant KOs and debilitating status effects. Very effective against high-HP bosses or troublesome units.
• Sage (Nu Mou):
  • Prerequisites: Master 2 abilities from the White Mage job and 2 abilities from the Black Mage job.
  • Key Abilities: Giga Flare (powerful non-elemental magic attack), Bio (poison and damage, ignores Magic Resist).
  • Strategy: Sages are versatile magic users, combining healing and offensive spells. Their high MP and access to powerful abilities make them crucial for magic-focused clans.
• Defender (Bangaa):
  • Prerequisites: Master 2 abilities from the Warrior job and 2 abilities from the White Monk job.
  • Key Abilities: Defense Up (boosts defense, making them incredibly tanky), Weapon Attack (powerful physical attack that scales with weapon power).
  • Strategy: Defenders are the ultimate tanks, capable of soaking up immense damage. Excellent for protecting squishier units.
• Master Monk (Bangaa):
  • Prerequisites: Master 2 abilities from the White Monk job and 2 abilities from the Warrior job.
  • Key Abilities: Whirlwind (area of effect physical attack), Chakra (restores HP and status, making them self-sufficient).
  • Strategy: Master Monks are powerful unarmed combatants with good mobility and self-healing. They can deal significant damage without relying on weapons.
• Gladiator (Bangaa):
  • Prerequisites: Master 2 abilities from the Warrior job and 2 abilities from the Dragoon job.
  • Key Abilities: Blitz (powerful physical attack, often with a chance to stun), Beatdown (ignores defense, excellent against high-defense enemies).
  • Strategy: Gladiators are pure damage dealers, focusing on raw physical power and abilities that bypass enemy defenses.
• Blue Mage (Nu Mou):
  • Prerequisites: Master 1 ability from the White Mage job and 1 ability from the Black Mage job.
  • Key Abilities: Learns monster abilities through the "Learn" reaction ability. Examples include Goblin Punch, Dragon Force, Night.
  • Strategy: Blue Mages are unique in that they learn abilities from monsters. Equip "Learn" and have them get hit by monster skills to acquire them. This requires careful planning and exposing your Blue Mage to specific monster attacks.
• Morphed (Gria):
  • Prerequisites: Master 1 ability from the Hunter job and 1 ability from the Thief job.
  • Key Abilities: Morph (transforms into a monster, gaining its abilities and stats).
  • Strategy: Morphed units can be incredibly powerful, but require specific monster souls to transform. They are versatile and can adapt to many situations.

Rare Item Acquisition Missions & Crafting

Many powerful weapons, armor, and accessories are locked behind specific missions. These often appear as "Wanted" or "Gathering" missions on the Pub board. Successfully completing these missions yields rare components that can then be used at the Synthesis Shop to craft unique and powerful gear.

Important Note on Crafting: Once you acquire a rare component, visit the Synthesis Shop in any town. The new items it allows you to craft will appear in the "Create" menu. Some items require multiple components or a specific amount of Gil. Always check the shop after completing these missions!

The Clan League and Rank Up Missions

As your clan gains experience and completes missions, you'll rise through the ranks of the Clan League. Reaching higher ranks unlocks new mission types, better rewards, and access to more powerful items in shops. Your Clan Rank is a direct indicator of your progress and influence in Ivalice.

• Clan Points (CP): You earn CP by completing missions. More difficult missions and those with higher star ratings yield more CP.
• Rank Up Missions: These special missions appear periodically as you accumulate sufficient Clan Points. They are typically battle missions against rival clans or powerful monsters.
  • Strategy: Always prepare thoroughly for Rank Up missions. They often feature tougher opponents and more restrictive laws. Prioritize taking out enemy healers or powerful damage dealers. Ensure your clan members are well-equipped and have learned essential abilities.
  • Example: "Clan League" missions (e.g., "Clan League 1," "Clan League 2," etc.) are the primary way to increase your rank.
• Benefits of Higher Ranks:
  • Access to more challenging and rewarding missions, including those for rare items and special characters.
  • Increased variety of items available for purchase in shops, including higher-tier weapons, armor, and accessories.
  • Higher chance of rare item drops from enemies in general missions.
  • Unlocking new areas on the world map, revealing new towns and mission locations.
  • Increased Clan Fame, which can influence certain mission availability and rewards.

The Jagd Missions & Lawless Zones

Jagd areas are unique zones where laws are completely absent, allowing for unrestricted combat. While dangerous, these areas often contain rare monsters and valuable loot, and are crucial for certain mission types.

• Nature of Jagd: In Jagd maps, there are no laws, no judges, and no penalties for using forbidden abilities or weapons. This means you can use your most powerful, law-breaking strategies without consequence. However, enemies in Jagd are often stronger and more aggressive.
• Unlocking Jagd Areas: Jagd areas are typically unlocked through specific story progression or by completing certain missions that reveal their locations.
  • Jagd Droma: Unlocked relatively early in the game through story progression.
  • Jagd Helje: Unlocked through story progression, usually after a certain point in the main plot.
  • Jagd Ahli: Unlocked later in the game, often after completing a series of missions or reaching a higher Clan Rank. This Jagd is typically home to the toughest monsters.
• Strategy for Jagd:
  • Unrestricted Combat: Since there are no laws, you can use any abilities or actions without penalty. This is an excellent opportunity to experiment with powerful combos or abilities that are usually restricted. Want to use "Fire" on a "Fire-Forbidden" day? Go for it!
  • Be Prepared: Enemies in Jagd areas are often stronger, have higher stats, and can be more numerous. Bring your strongest units, ensure they are well-equipped, and have a balanced party with healers, damage dealers, and support.
  • Healing & Revival: Battles can be prolonged and intense. Bring units with strong healing and revival abilities (e.g., White Mages, Red Mages, Chemists). Potions and Hi-Potions are also essential.
  • Rare Drops: Focus on acquiring rare drops from unique monsters found only in these areas. Some of the best equipment components and monster abilities can only be found here.
  • Mission Types: Many "Wanted" missions for powerful monsters, as well as some "Dispatch" missions, will take place in Jagd areas.

Other Notable Unlockables & Secrets

• Secret Areas:
  • Baguba Port: Unlocked after completing the mission "Emerald Keep" (Mission #018). This port provides access to new missions and a shop.
  • Muscadet: Unlocked after completing the mission "Magic Wood" (Mission #019). Offers new missions and a shop.
  • Ambervale: A late-game area, often associated with the final missions and the recruitment of Llednar.
• Sound Test:
  • How to Unlock: Complete all 300 missions in the game.
  • Access: After completing the final mission, a "Sound Test" option will appear on the title screen. This allows you to listen to all the music and sound effects from the game.
• New Game+:
  • How to Unlock: Complete the main story.
  • Features: While not a traditional New Game+ with carried-over stats, completing the game allows you to continue playing with your current clan, access all unlocked areas, and pursue any remaining side missions, including the challenging 300-mission completion goal.
• Secret Characters (Random Generation):
  • Beyond the named special characters, the game can randomly generate units with unique names (e.g., "Ezel," "Ritz," "Cid" as generic units, or other unique names like "Pallanza," "Shara," "Gajus"). These units often have slightly better starting stats or job combinations than generic recruits. They appear randomly in the Pub's recruit list, so frequent checking and soft-resetting (L+R+A+B) can be employed by dedicated players to find them.