Beginner’s Guide to Final Fantasy Tactics: Ivalice Chronicles

So welcome to the world of Ivalice, where grand political drama meets deep, tactical warfare. This remaster of the legendary Final Fantasy Tactics (often called The War of the Lions) is a masterpiece of strategic role-playing. Renowned for its intricate job system, challenging chess-like battles, and epic story, it can be intimidating for new commanders. This spoiler-free guide will help you build a formidable army and survive the first crucial battles.

See other game guides : Guides and Walkthroughs in Gaming

1. Embrace the Mindset: This is a Tactical Chess Game

This is not a traditional JRPG. Combat is turn-based on a 3D grid, where positioning, elevation, and action economy are everything. The story is delivered through intricate political intrigue and cutscenes reminiscent of a medieval tapestry. Be patient, think several moves ahead, and treat every unit as a valuable piece on the board.

2. The Absolute Golden Rule: Save Constantly & In Multiple Slots

This is the single most important advice. The game has a single save slot for the story “Overworld” map. However, you can create multiple named save files.

• Before any story battle, create a new save. Some battles are points of no return, locking you into a sequence.
• Rotate between 2-3 save files. Never overwrite your only save. This prevents you from getting permanently stuck in an unwinnable scenario if you saved with a weak party before a tough fight.

3. Master the Core: The Job System & Character Building

Your units are defined by their Job (class). This is the game’s brilliant, customizable heart.

• Starting Jobs: Everyone begins as a Squire or Chemist. These are foundational.
• Unlocking Jobs: Master abilities (using JP) in a job to unlock more advanced jobs. It’s a branching tree. For example, leveling Squire and Chemist unlocks the powerful Knight.
• JP (Job Points) > EXP: In the early game, focus on earning JP over EXP. You want abilities, not just higher levels. Use the “Gained JP Up” support ability (from the Squire job) on everyone, as soon as possible.
• The “Monster” Tip: In random battles, consider leaving one weak enemy alive. Use this time to have your characters spam non-damaging abilities (like “Focus” from Squire) on each other to farm JP safely.

4. Building Your First Effective Team (The Core Four)

Diversify your team’s roles early. A balanced starting squad is:

1. Knight: Your frontline tank. High HP and armor. Use to break enemy weapons/armor and draw attacks.
2. Archer or Wizard: Your ranged damage. Archers are more accurate and can attack from great height advantage. Wizards deal massive elemental magic but have low HP.
3. Priest (White Mage): Your essential healer. The “Cure” spell is vital. Later, they get Raise and protective spells.
4. Flex Slot: This can be a second Knight, a Thief (for stealing valuable gear), or a Monk (incredibly powerful, unlocked from Squire + Knight). Keep your main character, Ramza, versatile.

5. Combat Fundamentals: Position, Height, & Speed

• Turn Order (CT): The CT (Charge Time) bar on the right shows turn order. Speed stat is king—it determines how often a unit acts.
• Height Advantage: Attacking from a higher elevation grants a significant accuracy and damage bonus. Always seek the high ground.
• Facing & Flanking: Attacking an enemy from the side or rear increases hit chance. Position your units to surround foes.
• Brave (Br) and Faith (Fa): These core stats, visible on a unit’s status page, are critical.
  • Brave (Br): Affects the success rate of physical abilities and reactions. Keep it high (70+ is good) for melee units.
  • Faith (Fa): Affects magic power and susceptibility. High Faith = stronger magic received and dealt. Low Faith for non-magic units makes them resist spells.

6. Essential Early Game Priorities

1. Get a Chemist with “Auto-Potion”: The Chemist’s Auto-Potion reaction ability is a game-changing survival tool. It automatically uses a Potion when hit. Equip it on everyone early.
2. Buy Potions & Phoenix Downs: Always keep a full stock. Phoenix Downs are your only way to revive fallen units in battle.
3. Don’t Neglect Ramza: Your main character is a powerful, unique unit. Invest in his Job growth. A common and strong early path is Squire -> Monk.
4. Recruit New Units: You can hire generic soldiers at towns. Do this early to have backup units and to experiment with different Job combinations without risk to story characters.
5. Manage Equipment: New gear in shops provides vital stat boosts. Thieves can also “steal” excellent gear from human enemies in random battles.

7. Understanding Permanence: Permadeath & Saving Allies

• KO vs. Crystal/Death: A unit reduced to 0 HP is Knocked Out (KO). A 3-count timer appears. If it reaches 0 before they are revived, they are dead forever (generic units) or permanently leave your party (unique characters).
• Always revive fallen units immediately. Prioritize this over attacking.

8. Difficulty & Mindset

• The Game is Front-Loaded: The first chapter is notoriously the hardest part. Once you understand the Job system and build a solid team, you will hit a powerful and satisfying stride.
• Random Battles Scale: Enemy levels in random battles scale with your party’s average level. This means power-leveling one unit can make random battles harder for the rest of your team.
• It’s Okay to Retreat: In a random battle going badly, you can use the “Retreat” option. You’ll lose the battle but keep your units and any JP/EXP earned before fleeing.

Your journey through Ivalice is one of strategic cunning and gradual mastery. Focus on building a versatile team, save diligently, and learn from each skirmish. The tactics you forge in these early battles will shape the destiny of a realm. Now, Commander, the battlefield awaits your orders in Final Fantasy World.