FF9 Disc 1 Domination

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-03-19 05:49pm

As a bit of fun i've decided to see how much I can level up my characters and how much equipment I can gather in just Disc One. I began my endeavour after departing Lindblum castle with Zidane, Vivi, Freya and then picking up Quina (Who I have nicknamed "The Dulok").

Because of the "Level Up" ability, Freya is now pushing level 75, with everyone else currently at level 65. The reason for this is the abundance of Garuda birds for 1700 exp each on the plateau above Gizamaluke's Grotto, and once I leveled up enough with Garuda's I moved on to the Grand Dragons (only possible at first because of the Coral Ring obtained when Freya won the Master Hunter title.)

I've supplemented those levels with each of the Chocobo treasures that I was able to access, and with the Frog Catching side quest. The Silk Robe, Silver Fork, and Gastro Fork are great pickups and boosted Quina's frog drop immensely. I'm debating whether I should try and defeat Quale so early and steal from him in the process, he has Ninja Gear and a Robe of Lords. Als, I have almost 2000 Chocobo points and I am considering saving up those for a possible run at a Protect Ring or Robe of Lords, more likely the Protect Ring.

Quina has every possible Blue Magic I could acquire, including White Wind and Mighty Guard.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2007-03-19 05:59pm

Well, initial suggestion is that you're gimping yourself due to FFIX's stat growth system, wherein your current stat at level up determines the increase in that stat, so playing at low levels until you have the best accessories and gear to boost your stats is actually the more twinky way to play it.

Otherwise, if you can take on Grand Dragons, you're sorted, because they're one of the best XP/time encounters, and all the time you spend grinding them will boost Dragon's Crest, which is probably the cheapest guaranteed 9999 in the game at 16MP (It's damage is Freya's level*number of dragons killed).

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-03-19 06:25pm

Vendetta wrote:Well, initial suggestion is that you're gimping yourself due to FFIX's stat growth system, wherein your current stat at level up determines the increase in that stat, so playing at low levels until you have the best accessories and gear to boost your stats is actually the more twinky way to play it.

You fucking kidding me? Shiiiiiiiiit.

EDIT: Fortunately I have old save game files prior to my big push, but I am still going to forge ahead on this for now.

Otherwise, if you can take on Grand Dragons, you're sorted, because they're one of the best XP/time encounters, and all the time you spend grinding them will boost Dragon's Crest, which is probably the cheapest guaranteed 9999 in the game at 16MP (It's damage is Freya's level*number of dragons killed).

I love Dragon's Crest, and i've had that in mind since I was first able to kill 'em. Quina's Frog Drop will eventually get maxed out, and Limit Glove when applicable has been great.

EDIT: Can't forget Lv. 5 Death. Once I get that those Dragons will be toast.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2007-03-19 06:42pm

Darth Fanboy wrote: You fucking kidding me? Shiiiiiiiiit.

Nope. Well, it's not quite that simple.

What actually happens is that wearing equipment that boosts a given stat increases the chance that it will go up when you level up. With the best bonuses you have a roughly 30% chance per level up to increase stats. They also go up at certain fixed levels. (Some stats are also dependent on others, HP depends on Strength at level up, MP on magic, every three points of strength and magic gives you one point of speed)

This can, if you twink out completely, give you roughly twice the stats you would have if you levelled up naked.

I love Dragon's Crest, and i've had that in mind since I was first able to kill 'em. Quina's Frog Drop will eventually get maxed out, and Limit Glove when applicable has been great.

EDIT: Can't forget Lv. 5 Death. Once I get that those Dragons will be toast.

Yep. It's second only to Thievery for damage/cost. And you have to steal a lot more times for Thievery to reach 9999.

Of course, if you wanted to do complete twinkery you'd try for Excalibur II (In the Gate of Space on disc 4, but only if you get there in under 12 hours game time)

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-03-19 07:38pm

I can't imagine getting any enjoyment about rushing through one of my all time favorite video games in under 12 hours like that. I'm up almost over 50 right now drawn out over the span of a month.

LMSx · Post by **LMSx** » 2007-03-20 12:05am

Vendetta wrote:Well, initial suggestion is that you're gimping yourself due to FFIX's stat growth system, wherein your current stat at level up determines the increase in that stat, so playing at low levels until you have the best accessories and gear to boost your stats is actually the more twinky way to play it.

Otherwise, if you can take on Grand Dragons, you're sorted, because they're one of the best XP/time encounters, and all the time you spend grinding them will boost Dragon's Crest, which is probably the cheapest guaranteed 9999 in the game at 16MP (It's damage is Freya's level*number of dragons killed).

Are you sure it's Freya's level x number of dragons? I thought it was the # of dragons, squared. After 100 dragons you max out at 10,000 damage which rounds off to 9999.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2007-03-20 12:24pm

Possibly. It might be Frog Drop that has the level component in.

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2007-03-20 12:35pm

While Vendetta's right about how the stats grow, in FFIX UNLIMITED POWER is totally unnecessary. So while all of your characters will be about 1/2 - 2/3 as strong as they could possibly be, it really isn't that huge of a deal. Four Lv. 99 characters, with good gear, abilities and strategy from the person in charge (that's you) will be able to wipe the floor with anything you'll encounter.

So, in short, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Vendetta · Post by **Vendetta** » 2007-03-20 02:19pm

Yeah, but if you're doing freakish games like grinding to level 70 on disc 1 it's because you want to make the game your absolute bitch, and stat maxing is a part of that I feel.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-03-20 06:50pm

There is still some stat maxing to be had, after all Garnet, Steiner are at levels 12, and 15 respectively. Amarant and Eiko will probably be at very high levels though when they join.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-03-23 12:41am

So I halted leveling up as soon as I got word from Vendetta in this thread, and still managed to utterly wipe the floor with Quale. Stealing Ninja Gear, and a Glutton's Robe in the process while also obtaining the Gastro Fork, and thus completing collecting weapons for Quina. I'm sitting at 4,000 Chocobo points, and since I was unable to get the Robe of Lords stolen from Quale i'm going to have to try and earn it the old fashioned way, but i'm torn between that and the Protect Ring. The Robe would give a huge boost to Vivi's defense for the rest of the game and aid in that leveling up later, but the Protect Ring has good abilities on it and can be used by everyone, it's also 1500 points cheaper, which means it would shave at least a day or two of Chocobo scrounging to earn it.

Darth Fanboy · Post by **Darth Fanboy** » 2007-03-28 11:20pm

Quick Update. Fruits of CHocobo Hot or Cold on Disc 1 also netted me a Cachusha, Extension, and I cashed in 8500 points for the Protect ring. I kept a save file to do further damage later, but because I amassed over 900k Gil I decided to move on and hit the auction house at Treno, I grabbed as much of everything as I could, including two each of some of the more expensive items.