Valkyrie Profile

Valkyrie Profile is a highly unique RPG that combines real-time and turn-based combat with 2D platforming elements, all set against a backdrop of Norse Mythology. This guide will explore every aspect of the game across its three distinct modes.

The game features three difficulty modes: Easy, Normal, and Hard. Each mode offers varying experience points from enemies, different dungeon layouts, and a varying number of recruitable characters. Hard mode is not significantly more difficult but is longer and includes unique dungeons with more challenging puzzles. Easy mode is generally not recommended, as Normal mode provides a more complete experience and better access to powerful weapons for the endgame. Hard mode offers unique dungeons and more characters.

This guide references information from Keith Rhee's Best Ending Guide, Steven Bruck's Hard Mode Guide, and Aryuze RV's Debug Mode FAQ.

Navigating the walkthroughs involves understanding directional cues for exiting rooms. "Right" means exiting to the right, "Up" means exiting "To the Rear," and "Down" means exiting "To the Front." If multiple exits are available, they will be specified. "Up and to the right" indicates moving to the upper part of the screen before exiting right. Treasure chests may be hidden behind scenery or on high ledges; use the X button to pick up and move chests, and the Circle button to set them down.

Artifacts marked with an asterisk (*) are recommended to keep. However, all artifacts can be retained without penalty if at least one character is transferred per chapter.

The PSP version of Valkyrie Profile is based on the Japanese PSX version. While this guide remains functional, several key differences exist:

Differences:

• The anime and FMV (Full Motion Video) scenes (moving images in a game) have been replaced with 12 CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) movies.
• You cannot sort items.
• Only your active party can change equipment.
• If you switch Valkyrie's weapon from a bow to a sword or vice-versa, all her skills will unequip themselves. This can cause issues during the A ending, where she automatically receives a sword.
• Some enemies, such as Barbarossa, do not cast their Great Magics, making them easier in this version.
• Some North American censorship is present (Badrach's smoking is removed), while other censorship is absent (Lezard retains a pentagram when he teleports).
• The original North American voices are included, but new voice actors were hired for the movies, with the exception of Lenneth, who uses the same voice actor.

Q: Why is this game so expensive?

A: Supply and demand. Only 73,000 copies were sold in North America. In addition, the game is extremely sensitive to scratches. The smallest scratch can make it unplayable, so not all of those copies work. Combine that with excellent word of mouth that this is a must-play game, and the game is suddenly impossible to find for less than $100.

Q: Where can I find this game?

A: Ebay is the only consistent place to find it, but be prepared to pay steep prices. If you don't mind importing, it's very easy to find a Japanese copy (it has been reprinted several times). Be careful about buying this game used - see above note about scratches. If you own a PSP, you can now get Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, which is the same game with minor changes.

Q: How do I get out of the first dungeon?

A: Go back to the beginning where the Fairy is. Place crystals on the wall with the square button and climb out.

Q: Where are the Flame Jewels? (Lotus Gems for the Japanese version)

A: In the Hard Mode dungeons. There's one in each of Salerno Academy, Dark Tower of Xervah, Citadel of Flame, Sunken Shrine, Arianrod Labyrinth, Celestial Castle. There's two in the Tombs of Amenti. Clockwork Mansion does not have a Flame Jewel.

Q: Which artifacts should I keep?

A: All of them. Seriously. As long as you transfer at least one high Hero Value character per Chapter, you will suffer no negative effects from this. If you insist on sending something to Odin, at least keep the ones I've marked with an asterisk (*) in the walkthrough.

Q: How do I use the Holy Grail?

A: You don't. Leave it in your inventory and each Chapter it will produce a Holy Drop that you can Use. The Golden Fowl works the same way. Note that having two Holy Grails doesn't increase the number of Holy Drops, so you can transmute one into a Bracelet of Zoe.

Q: Why won't my Seal Rating go down?

A: You're looking at the Evaluation, not the Seal Rating. Seal Rating is on Valkyrie's Status screen, where Hero Value would be on other characters.

Q: Who do I transfer in Chapter 3 if I don't have an archer?

A: Don't worry about it. You don't have to meet Freya's requirements exactly. Just send someone with a high Hero Value and you'll be fine.

Q: Easy, Normal, Hard. Which should I choose?

A: Hard mode is the best overall. You can get every character, and they all start at level 1, so you can make them stronger by using Bracelets of Zoe. Hard has eight dungeons that aren't in the other modes, and they are all puzzle-oriented. If you're not good at solving puzzles, pick Normal, because the dungeons are easier to get through. Don't ever play Easy, unless you want an extra challenge. Normal has everything that's in Easy mode, and more. You can't get any of the good weapons or skills in Easy, so it's actually harder than the other modes. Although you can reach the Seraphic Gate from all modes, you can only open the locked doors with the Flame Jewels found in Hard mode.

Q: Will there be a sequel to this game?

A: YES!!! Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria is now out for the PS2. It has a better story than VP1 but weaker gameplay, so it's a bit of a different experience.

Q: What's Attack Trust, Hit Trust, and Defend Trust?

A: These are a sort of average of the hidden stats of equipment. Each weapon has four hidden stats (chance to do full damage, random variance of damage, chance to stun, and something relating to hitting the enemy). The most noticeable effect of Attack Trust is the random damage dealt. For example, the Angel Slayer, most powerful sword in the game has an Attack Trust of 1. Sometimes it will deal amazing damage, sometimes it will deal laughable damage. As a general rule, the higher the Attack Trust, the more reliable the damage that will be dealt. There are exceptions however (Faim Fenn and Foul Slayer). You can safely ignore Hit Trust and Defend Trust - you won't notice any effects from these during the game.

Q: What are the Xs and Os in the weapon descriptions?

A: Each character has three potential attacks they can use. The weapon equipped determines which are available. Valkyrie starts with an O X X weapon, so she can only use her first attack. The weapon Freya gives her at the end of the first dungeon is O O O, so she can attack three times.

Q: Can I beat Brahms in his castle?

A: Yes, you won't be able to hurt him with physical attacks, but magic works on him. Just make sure you have lots of Union Plumes to bring back the people he kills while you wear him down with magic. Note that beating him, losing to him, and choosing not to fight him all have the same effect.

Q: What do I do at the end of the Cave of Thackus?

A: If nothing happens when you reach the end, you forgot to get the item from the wizard's body. Go back to the dead body and search it to find what you need.

Q: Why can't I find Lezard?

A: You must complete Lezard's Tower in Chapter 4. If you leave the tower, make sure you don't see any cutscenes (such as recruiting another character). If this happens, Lezard will be gone permanently and you won't be able to meet him or get the A ending.

Q: How do I open the bookcase in Dipan?

A: Go outside the castle into the town. Enter the very first building that you come to and go upstairs. Talk to the woman there and now you can open the bookcase.

Q: How do I stop my weapons from breaking?

A: Stop using them. Most weapons that you find in dungeons have a chance of breaking at the end of each round of combat. Don't equip these weapons unless you're fighting enemies that they should be used against (like Dragon Zombies for the Dragonslayer). Note that the only time the game checks for breakage is when control shifts from the characters to the enemy. So if you can kill all the enemies in one turn, there is no chance of weapon breakage. Wands use a different system however. Wands have no chance of breaking with normal spellcasting, but can break any