Kids on Patrol
The "Kids on Patrol" side quest is a heartwarming undertaking in the Sector 5 Slums that tasks Cloud and his companions with locating a group of adventurous children who have wandered off. This quest is not only a charming diversion but also a crucial step in unlocking further side content and potentially a valuable reward for Aerith.
Quest Giver and Location
To initiate "Kids on Patrol," speak with the Wounded Shinra Soldier located near the entrance to the Sector 5 Slums, close to where you first meet Aerith. He'll explain that a group of children, led by a boy named Marlboro Jr., have gone missing while playing a game of "monster hunt" in the surrounding areas. Your objective is to find them and ensure their safe return.
Walkthrough: Finding the Missing Children
This quest involves a series of investigations and monster encounters. Follow these steps to successfully complete "Kids on Patrol":
- Speak to the Shinra Soldier: As mentioned, find him near the Sector 5 Slums entrance to begin the quest.
- Investigate the First Clue: The soldier will direct you to a nearby area where the children were last seen playing. You'll find a child's drawing on the ground.
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Follow the Trail: The drawing will lead you to a small, overgrown path. Proceed down this path, keeping an eye out for further clues. You'll encounter your first group of enemies: Guard Scorpion variants.
- Recommended Loadout: Aerith (Mage focus), Cloud (Physical attacker), Tifa (Melee DPS).
- Enemy Weaknesses: Guard Scorpions are weak to lightning.
- Locate the Second Clue: After defeating the initial enemies, you'll find another clue, likely a discarded toy or another drawing, pointing you further into the area. This will lead you towards a more densely populated monster zone.
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Encounter More Monsters: The path will become more challenging, introducing tougher enemies such as Sweeper units and potentially more Guard Scorpions.
- Sweeper Weaknesses: Sweepers are weak to ice.
- Find the Children's Hideout: Continue following the trail of clues. You'll eventually stumble upon a makeshift hideout where the children have gathered. They'll be playing and seemingly unaware of the danger they've put themselves in.
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The "Boss" Encounter: As you approach the children, a larger, more formidable monster will emerge – the Gigas Fist. This is the mini-boss of the quest.
- Gigas Fist Weaknesses: Gigas Fist is weak to wind.
- Strategy: Focus on dodging its powerful physical attacks. Aerith can provide crucial healing and magical support. Cloud and Tifa should focus on staggering the Gigas Fist by exploiting its weakness and building up its stagger gauge. Use ATB abilities like Braver and Focused Thrust to deal significant damage once staggered.
- Return to the Shinra Soldier: After defeating the Gigas Fist, the children will be safe. Escort them back to the Sector 5 Slums entrance and report to the Shinra Soldier.
Rewards
The reward for completing "Kids on Patrol" is influenced by your actions in the Sector 5 Slums. Specifically, it depends on whether you have completed other side quests in this area and your overall progression. The primary reward is:
- Aerith's Weapon: A new weapon for Aerith, the Mythril Rod. This is a significant upgrade for her, boosting her magical attack power and providing a unique passive ability.
Important Note on Rewards: While the Mythril Rod is the standard reward for completing "Kids on Patrol," its availability is tied to completing a specific set of side quests in the Sector 5 Slums. To ensure you receive the Mythril Rod, it is highly recommended to complete all available side quests in Sector 5 before progressing too far into the main story. If you miss the opportunity, you may not be able to obtain this weapon on your current playthrough.
Missable Content and Tips
- Side Quest Completion: As highlighted, completing all Sector 5 side quests is crucial for obtaining the Mythril Rod. check your quest log and speak to all available NPCs in the slums before moving on.
- Enemy Preparation: Ensure your party is adequately leveled and equipped for the Gigas Fist encounter. Stock up on healing items like Potions and Hi-Potions.
- ATB Management: Efficiently manage your ATB gauge. Use it for healing, buffs, and powerful offensive abilities, especially when the Gigas Fist is staggered.
