Like many of the other mechanics at play in the game, Final Fantasy II‘s Password System is a unique feature that would never appear again in the series. Final Fantasy II Passwords are key terms that players will be able to learn from specific NPCs throughout the game’s adventure. Once players learn one of the game’s several Passwords, they can then bring these terms up in conversation to progress the story, engage in side quests, or even just see some new dialogue options. Considering that Final Fantasy II was released back in 1988, it’s amazing to see that the Password System lays the foundation for the branching dialogue trees and NPC interactions that would become the cornerstone of Western RPG design more than 2 decades later.
Each of the Passwords in Final Fantasy II can only be learned from specific characters at specific times. You’ll know that it’s possible to learn a Password from an NPC when, during conversation, a certain bit of text appears in red. Selecting “Learn” when interacting with the NPC will show a list of learnable terms, and after learning a Password, you’ll have it available forever. Then, using these Passwords in conversation will have a variety of different effects depending on who the player is talking to. This guide will cover where players will learn each of the game’s Passwords as well as where to use them.
Wild Rose
The first Password players learn is Wild Rose. After playing through Final Fantasy II‘s beginning and watching the scenes that follow, Firion ends up in a conversation with Princess Hilda. Ask Hilda about Wild Rose and learn that it is the symbol of the Rebellion. After learning the term that will identify Firion and his companions as members of the Rebellion, head to the city of Fynn and mention Wild Rose to the Bartender at the Tavern. He will take the party down to see the ailing Scott, who will reward the player with his signet ring after mentioning Wild Rose.
Mythril
After using Wild Rose to acquire Scott’s ring, bring the ring back to Hilda in Altair and ask her about Mythril. She mentions that the Rebellion needs the precious metal to aid in the construction of more sturdy armaments against the Emperor’s forces. Mention Mythril to Minwu and he will join the party as well as grant them use of his Canoe. After Minwu joins the party, the player can speak with Hilda again to learn two more Passwords.
Dreadnought
After Minwu joins the party, players can speak with Hilda again in the Rebels’ hideout to learn about the Emperor’s Dreadnought, a massive aerial battleship the evil Emperor uses to fly around the world and squash any resistance. Once the player makes it to Bafsk (after flying on Cid’s Airship for the first time), mention the Dreadnought to the soldier just outside the Magic shop to enter the Bafsk Cave.
Airship
Following learning about the Dreadnought, players can learn the Airship password from Hilda as well. As it turns out, the world of Final Fantasy II only has one airship and it’s under command by the pilot-for-hire Cid. Using Minwu’s Canoe, the party will enter the port city of Paloom and then sail to Poft. It is in Poft that the player will meet Cid, where it’s now possible to ask him about his Airship. Following this, players can now solicit rides in Cid’s Airship to certain locations on the map.
Sunfire
After clearing Bafsk Cave and obtaining the Pass, head back to Poft and learn about Sunfire from Cid. Apparently, Sunfire is what powers the Dreadnought and is also the only thing capable of destroying it. After heading back to Altair, mention Sunfire to Hilda to learn more about the substance which will then see the player learning the next Password.
Goddess’s Bell
Mentioning Sunfire to Princess Hilda will see her bring up the Goddess’s Bell, which players can then learn from Hilda as the game’s next Password. With the new Password in tow, returning to Salamand and speaking again to Josef will progress the main story. Mention the Goddess’s Bell to Josef, who then joins the party and helps them clear the Snow Cavern dungeon.
Dragoons & Wyverns
After using Sunfire on the Dreadnought‘s engines to destroy it, the party will end up back in Altair. From here, speaking to the King and then speaking to Gordon will see the party learn the next two passwords — Dragoons and Wyverns. Soon after, Leila will join the party and the adventurers will find themselves in Castle Deist. Speak to both the mother and her son and mention both Dragoons and Wyverns to learn about the world’s last remaining Wyvern and its valuable egg. Accordingly, acquiring this egg becomes the next part of the main quest.
Mysidia, Masks, Ekmet Teloess, & Ultima Tome
After rescuing Princess Hilda and retaking Castle Fynn, speak to Hilda on the throne to learn the game’s next three Passwords — Mysidia, Masks, and Ekmet Teloess. Before departing to put those new Passwords to use, speak with Gordon to learn yet another Password in Ultima Tome. With this information, head to the city of Fynn outside the castle and speak with Paul in the southwestern house. Asking him about Ekmet Teloess will see him tell of a secret passage in Castle Fynn. Heading back to the castle and speaking Ekmet Teloess on the northeast wall of the throne room will reveal the secret passage.
This passage is where the player will acquire the first of the two masks necessary to acquire Ultima and several other items in the Fynn Sewers. Afterward, heading to Mysidia and using the White Mask will open the path to the Tropical Island and obtain the Black Mask. After acquiring the Crystal Rod and using both Masks, head to Mysidia Tower to get the Ultima Tome and have one character learn the game’s most powerful spell.
Cyclone
After clearing Mysidia Tower and obtaining Ultima, head back to Castle Fynn and speak with Hilda to learn about the Cyclone. Before departing to enter the Cyclone, head back to Paul’s house in southwest Fynn and mention Cyclone to him to obtain a plethora of chests, including one containing the highly valuable Blood Sword. Afterward, head back to Castle Fynn and use the Mirror Room to summon the Wyvern and then enter the Cyclone.
Palamecia & Jade Passage
Hilda will teach the player the last of Final Fantasy II‘s Passwords after completing the Cyclone dungeon and transforming the world map. Once back in Fynn, speak with Hilda to learn about Palamecia and the Emperor’s current location. After defeating the Emperor here and completing the Palamecia Castle dungeon, some scenes will play out that concludes with the player back in Castle Fynn. Here, players can learn the game’s final password from Hilda. Ask Hilda about the Jade Passage and see Leon rejoin the party before heading into the game’s final two dungeons (the Jade Passage and Pandaemonium).
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Gameplay screenshot.