Estersand Odds & Ends

Explore the Estersand in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. Find the Poison magick, hunt the Rare Game Nekhbet, and discover hidden treasures like the Wizard's Hat and Argyle Armlet.

You’ve escaped the Barheim Passage cave-in and entered the Estersand. Before returning to Rabanastre, you can explore this zone with Captain Basch, hunt the Flowering Cactoid, and find some Rare Game and treasures. The main areas to focus on are Sand-Swept Naze and Yardang Labyrinth.

Sand-Swept Naze

Upon entering Sand-Swept Naze from the Passage Entrance, head south to a dead end on the east. You’ll find an Urn containing the Poison magick (Black Magick 5), which is exclusive to this location. Also in this area is the Rare Game, Nekhbet.

Nekhbet (Rare Game)

To spawn Nekhbet, defeat Cockatrices in the zone. Each Cockatrice killed has a 20% chance to make Nekhbet appear. It can spawn in three locations: the center, the eastern end (near Murmuring Defile), or the westernmost point. Nekhbet appears with buffs like Bravery, Faith, and Protect.

Nekhbet has nearly 4,000 HP and a stronger physical attack than Mimic Queen. Its attacks can inflict Slow. It knows Purify, so using ailments like Poison may be ineffective. Its Poke attack is stronger than its regular attack and can also inflict Slow. Mucus can also inflict Slow. Its damage increases when below 50% HP.

Nekhbet can drop a Small Feather or a Wizard’s Hat (Mystic Armor 3). You can steal a Rainbow Egg from it. It is weak to Water and absorbs Fire.

Argyle Armlet Treasure

In the westernmost part of Sand-Swept Naze, find the area transition to the north leading to the Banks of the Nebra. From there, head south to two large rock formations. Follow the eastern edge of these rocks south to a smaller stone. On its western side, an urn may contain an Argyle Armlet (Accessories 3).

Hunt - Flowering Cactoid (Yardang Labyrinth)

The next targets are in Yardang Labyrinth, south of Sand-Swept Naze. These include the hunt target Flowering Cactoid (“Dalmasca’s Desert Bloom”) and the Rare Game Ripe Rampager.

To begin the Flowering Cactoid hunt, you must first accept it from the notice board in the Sandsea. Then, before speaking to Dantro in the Outpost, clear out the random enemies (Wolves and Cockatrices) in Yardang Labyrinth. Leave neutral Cactoids and Cactites alone. After clearing the area twice, head to the Outpost.

Find Dantro in the Outpost (sitting on a crate talking to a Seeq). He will discuss the Mark. The Flowering Cactoid will then appear. If you haven’t visited the Outpost before, search the easternmost part of the map past a palm tree near the cliffs for an urn.