The spiritual successor to Tactics Ogre and quite possibly the greatest Final Fantasy spin-off of all time, Final Fantasy Tactics is Square’s other PS1 masterpiece from 1997. The title would release in the wake of Final Fantasy VII‘s breakthrough success on the PlayStation, earning it a significantly larger audience than it would have otherwise. The game was initially conceptualized by Yasumi Matsuno after finishing his work on both Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre for Quest and Enix. Joining Matsuno in his transition to Square to work on Final Fantasy Tactics would be several key members from the Tactics Ogre development team, along with Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi jumping on as producer.
Helped in no small part by Final Fantasy VII‘s mainstream crossover, Tactics would sell over a million units in just a few months, becoming one of the most successful Final Fantasy spin-offs and one of the best-selling TRPGs. Coincidentally, Tactics‘ place in the Final Fantasy franchise would help it earn the place as many fans first TRPG and boost the profile of the genre in the West. Since its initial release, Final Fantasy Tactics has continued to earn critical acclaim as well as earn recognition for being one of the most important RPGs in the PS1 library.
Final Fantasy Tactics Premise
The story of Final Fantasy Tactics positions the game as the first title to take place in the fictional kingdom of Ivalice. Following his foiling of a plot to destroy the nobility, the young Ramza becomes disillusioned with his position as a noble and chooses to become a mercenary instead, placing him in the trajectory of his former childhood friend-turned-enemy Delita as they both work on opposite sides of a blooming war. What Ramza uncovers, and eventually foils, is a plot involving ancient demons controlling the nobility and royalty in hopes of turning Ivalice into a place of never-ending bloodshed.
Tactics brings back the Job system from both Final Fantasy III and V, refining it through the addition of new Jobs and the expansion of available abilities. As a tactical/simulation RPG (TRPG/SRPG), battles in Tactics take place on a grid, with characters navigating squares to obtain advantageous positioning against enemies. Characters act according to their CT, which is affected by a character’s speed stat and Job choice. There are 20 Jobs available in Final Fantasy Tactics, each of which has several abilities players can purchase with JP or Job Points. Along with their current Job assignment, players can equip secondary Job abilities as well as a wide variety of passive buffs to combat, equipment, or mobility.
Though several specific characters join the party, Tactics gives players the option to recruit mercenaries in towns. These randomized characters can then be built any way the player chooses, granting a significant amount of customization in terms of the player’s party composition. When characters die during battles, a timer appears over their heads. If this timer reaches zero, the character is lost forever.
Final Fantasy Tactics Main Characters
Not to be outdone by its impeccable gameplay, Final Fantasy Tactics features one of the series’ greatest narratives, bolstered by its incredible cast. Joining the hero and young noble-turned-outlaw Ramza Beoulve is one of the Final Fantasy franchise’s greatest selection of side characters and villains. Contrary to most Final Fantasy games, there is no clear delineation between the “good guys” and the “bad guys”. Instead, Final Fantasy Tactics presents one of the most mature stories in the series by acknowledging that, in war, morality becomes a murky grey area at best. Heroes can become villains, and vice versa. The main characters in Final Fantasy Tactics include:
Heroes
- Ramza Beoulve: The hero of Final Fantasy Tactics, Ramza is the youngest member of House Belouve and an aspiring knight. His involvement in what becomes known as the War of the Lions leads him to change the history of Ivalice and avert its destruction.
- Agrias Oaks: Agrias is the sworn protector of Princess Ovelia and an ally to Ramza. She joins up with Ramza and helps him gain some powerful allies in his quest to stop the Lucavi and put an end to the war ravaging Ivalice.
- Count Cidolfus Orlandeau: Cidolfus, AKA Thunder God Cid, is a Sword Saint and hero of the 50 Years War. When Duke Goltana betrays him and sentences him to execution, Cid joins up with Ramza in his quest.
- Meliadoul Tengille: A Knight Templar in the corrupt Church of Glabados, Meliadoul is an enemy to Ramza and his allies until she uncovers the truth behind the Zodiac Stones and the Church’s intended use of them.
- Mustadio Bunansa: Mustadio hails from the machine city of Goug and uses his knowledge of ancient cultures to help Ramza in his quest.
Villains
- Delita Heiral: Ramza’s childhood friend, Delita rises through the ranks to become one of Ivalice’s most influential figures and a future enemy. Though the two never cross swords, Delita is always acting in his own interest. The history books paint Delita as the hero of the War of the Lions.
- Wiegraf Folles: One of the most powerful knights in Ivalice, Wiegraf is the leader of the Death Corps/Corpse Brigade. The group’s quest to disrupt the remaining nobility and royalty following the 50 Year War leads to him becoming one of Ramza’s sworn enemies.
- Zalbaag Beoulve: Ramza’s older half-brother, Zalbaag works in secret with the Church. After poisoning his own father, he succumbs to the power of the Zodiac Stones to become one of the Lucavi.
- Marquis Mesdoram Elmdore: Marquis Elmdore is a devious noble who stages his own kidnapping to turn the tides of the War of the Lions. He is secretly an agent of the Church and works to orchestrate the resurrection of St. Ajora.
- St. Ajora/Altima: St. Ajora is the figurehead of the Church of Glabados and the original host for the demon Altima. Altima, as the leader of the Lucavi, dies 1,200 years before the events of Final Fantasy Tactics. As a result, the remaining Lucavi work through the nobility of Ivalice to instigate the bloodshed necessary for her resurrection via the War of the Lions. She is the final boss of the game.
Games in the Final Fantasy Tactics Series
One of the most popular and acclaimed Final Fantasy spin-offs of all time, Final Fantasy Tactics would become an unlikely cult classic on the PlayStation. The game’s dedicated following eventually gave way to the series being revamped for the Game Boy Advance, along with the original PlayStation version receiving a remaster/director’s cut of sorts with the PSP’s Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions. Though it’s been several years since the last time players saw a new entry in the Tactics sub-series of Final Fantasy games, the original remains a favorite among TRPG fans. Games in the Final Fantasy Tactics series include:
- Final Fantasy Tactics (PlayStation, 1997)
- Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (Game Boy Advance, 2003)
- Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (Nintendo DS, 2007)
- Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions (PSP, 2007)
- Final Fantasy Tactics S (iOS/Android, 2013)
Final Fantasy Tactics Cheats & Secrets
While it doesn’t have any official “cheats”, there are plenty of secrets hidden within Final Fantasy Tactics. Figuring out how to unlock specific Jobs or how to obtain some of the game’s secret characters can be tricky. Thankfully, the game’s age results in there being clear instructions for how to unlock all the secrets. Additionally, there are several Game Shark codes players can utilize if they have a Game Shark device or play Final Fantasy Tactics on an emulator.
Final Fantasy Tactics Secrets
Item Duplication
Players can utilize a helpful glitch to duplicate the best equipment in a category and equip it to multiple party members. After obtaining a powerful weapon, make sure a party member has the Two Swords skill. Assign this character the Knight job and equip the Two Swords kill. Equip the weapon you wish to duplicate into the left hand and a basic, weak shield in the right hand. Head to any castle shop and select “Best Fit” for that character. You should see a window pop-up with the powerful weapon available for purchase. Choose “Yes” to duplicate the weapon.
Igros Battle Glitch
Instead of killing all the knights on the battlefield during the battle with Dycedarg, leave at least one knight alive. During the second half of the battle against Adramelk (after killing Dycedarg), this knight will be the default target. Players can heal and buff this knight up while they score free damage against Adramelk, making the fight substantially easier. Not only that, the knight will deal significant damage alongside your party’s best attackers.
Gafgarion Glitch
Gafgarion eventually betrays Ramza to join the enemy during Chapter 2, gifting the player his equipment when he leaves. During the battle at Zirekile Falls where he betrays the party, players can use a Thief to steal anything Gafgarion has equipped and get two copies of each item.
Invisibility Glitch
The Invisibility status effect can be used for free EXP and JP from dead enemies. Assign a character the Lancer job. Afflict them with Invisibility, and have them Jump on dead enemies or party members. The invisibility status effect renders the game’s code unable to process that the target is dead, rewarding EXP and JP.
Instantly Kill Undead Enemies
Players can instantly kill undead enemies (Skeletons, Ghosts, Zombies) by using a Phoenix Down on them. Have a Chemist in your party and throw the Phoenix Down at the undead enemy to kill them instantly. Note that this move also never misses. Killing an undead enemy using this method will still cause the timer to appear, which will reanimate their corpse when it hits zero instead of gifting a crystal or treasure chest.
Deep Dungeon Item Farming
Once players can enter and fight through the Deep Dungeon, they can utilize a handy trick to farm powerful items. First and foremost, before entering the Deep Dungeon, make sure every party member has the Catch ability learned and assigned. After fighting through several floors of the dungeon, players will eventually arrive at a battle with several Ninjas, both male and female. Start by killing all of the male ninjas as soon as the battle begins. After, simply wait until the female ninjas start throwing weapons, each of which will be highly rare and powerful items. Equipping the Catch ability beforehand allows players to grab and keep any items the female Ninjas throw.
Secret Characters
There are 7 secret characters that players can recruit to Ramza’s party in Final Fantasy Tactics. Recruiting each of these special characters requires completing certain conditions in battle or beginning hidden side quests by listening to Rumors in towns.
Character | How to Unlock |
---|---|
Beowolf | Accompany Beowulf on his battles through Goland Coal City. Reis will join the party during the final battle after the players rescue her. |
Biblos | Clearing 10 levels of the Deep Dungeon rewards players with the secret character Biblos. |
Cloud | After recruiting all other secret characters and restoring Reis to her human form, players can head to Goug to begin the quest to get Cloud |
Reis (Dragon) | Accompany Beowulf on his battles through Goland Coal City. Reis will join the party during the final battle after players rescue her. |
Reis (Human) | Listen to the Rumors available at Zeltennia and then buy a flower from a familiar-looking flower girl in Zarghidas. After, return to Goug. Head to Zeltennia for a new battle and win. Reis will transform into a human afterward. |
Worker 8 | After transforming Reis and obtaining a new Zodiac Stone, head to Goug Machine City. A cutscene will play out in which the stone activates Worker 8, who joins the party. |
Cloud Strife
After players unlock the other 5 secret characters in Final Fantasy Tactics, they will have all the pieces in place to find and recruit Final Fantasy 7‘s protagonist Cloud Strife. Since this process is more complex than recruiting the rest of the secret characters, players can look to the steps below as a guide:
- Head to Zeltennia Castle and listen to the “Cursed Island” Rumor.
- Visit Zarghidas Trade City and buy a flower from Aerith.
- Travel to Goug Machine City with Mustadio and watch a cutscene play out.
- Go to Goland Coal City and listen to the “Ghost of Colliery” Rumor. After, head to Lesalia to meet and join up with Beowulf.
- Head back to Goland Coal City and finish the string of battles to recruit both Beowulf and Reis (Dragon) as permanent party members.
- Return to Goug with the newly acquired Zodiac Stone and activate Worker 8.
- Head to Nelveska Temple, fighting some of Worker 8’s companions. After, you acquire another stone that brings Cloud into this world.
- Travel back to Goug to meet Cloud, who then runs off to Zarghidas.
- Go to Zarghidas and save Cloud from the thieves. Winning the battle sees the hero join Ramza’s party.
Obtaining Cloud’s Materia Blade
After getting Cloud to join the party, players will notice that all he can do is defend and attack (for little damage). To unlock Cloud’s full potential, players need to find the weapon that grants him the ability to learn Limit Breaks. Make sure that your go-to party each has Move-Find Item learned and assigned as an ability and then head to Bervenia Volcano.
The Materia Blade is at the highest point of the volcano, which players will pick up after moving to that square on the map grid. After grabbing the Materia Blade, finish the battle at Bervenia Volcano and equip Cloud with his signature weapon.
Final Fantasy Tactics Unlockables
Jobs
Players must complete certain prerequisites before unlocking several of the available Job classes in Final Fantasy Tactics:
Job | How to Unlock |
---|---|
Archer | Reach Level 2 as a Squire |
Bard | Reach Level 4 as a Summoner and Level 4 as a Mediator |
Calculator | Reach Level 4 as a Priest, Level 4 as a Wizard, Level 3 as an Oracle, and Level 3 as a Time Mage |
Dancer | Reach Level 4 as a Lancer and Level 4 as a Geomancer |
Geomancer | Reach Level 3 as a Monk |
Knight | Reach Level 2 as a Squire |
Lancer | Reach Level 3 as a Thief |
Mediator | Reach Level 2 as an Oracle |
Mime | Reach Level 8 as a Squire, Level 8 as a Chemist, Level 4 as a Summoner, Level 4 as a Mediator, Level 4 as a lancer, and Level 4 as a Geomancer |
Monk | Reach Level 2 as a Knight |
Ninja | Reach Level 3 as an Archer, Level 4 as a Thief, and Level 2 as a Geomancer |
Oracle | Reach Level 2 as a Priest |
Priest/White Mage | Reach Level 2 as a Chemist |
Samurai | Reach Level 3 as a Knight, Level 4 as a Monk, and Level 2 as a Lancer |
Summoner | Reach Level 2 as a Time Mage |
Thief | Reach Level 2 as an Archer |
Time Mage | Reach Level 2 as a Wizard |
Wizard/Back Mage | Reach Level 2 as a Chemist |
Best Equipment & Location
Players can use the table below to reference the various best equipment for each weapon type in the game and where to find it:
Weapon | How to Obtain |
---|---|
Nagrarok (Sword) | Move-Find Item inside Nelveska Temple (rear) OR Poach from Swine/Porky enemy |
Break Blade (Knight Sword) | Last floor of Deep Dungeon |
Perseus Bow (Bow) | 8th battle inside of Deep Dungeon |
Gastrafitis (Crossbow) | Goug Machine City shop during Chapter 4 |
Zorlin Shape/Zwill Straightblade (Knife) | Poach from a Plague enemy |
Whale Whisker (Pole) | Poach from a Tiamat enemy |
Scorpion Tail (Flail) | Poach from a Hyudra enemy |
Slasher (Axe) | Lesalia shop during Chapter 3 |
Chirijraden (Katana) | Last floor of Deep Dungeon |
Koga Blade (Ninja Blade) | 7th battle inside of Deep Dungeon |
Blast Gun (Gun) | 6th battle inside of Deep Dungeon |
Javelin II (Polearm) | Move-Find Item inside Nelveska Temple (podium) |
Sage Staff (Staff) | 7th battle inside of Deep Dungeon |
Faith Rod (Rod) | 4th battle inside of Deep Dungeon |
Madlemgen (Book) | Poach from a Great Morbol enemy |
Fairy Harp (Instrument) | 4th battle inside of Deep Dungeon |
Ryozan Silk (Cloth) | Poach from a Tiamat enemy |
FS Bag (Bag) | Poach from a Wild Boar enemy |
Final Fantasy Tactics Game Shark Codes
Players with a PlayStation and a Game Shark device can utilize any of the following Game Shark codes for Final Fantasy Tactics. Alternatively, players using an emulator can enter any of these cheats into the emulator’s “Cheat” menu. Note that some codes require a Game Shark 2.2 or higher.
Cheat | Code |
---|---|
Max/Infinite Gil | 800577CC FFFF 800577CE 0FFF |
Stop Timer | 800459BC 0000 |
Free Fitting Room | 801CD080 0000 |
No Dark Edges on Map | 800BB504 0011 |
No Random Battles on Green Locations | D008E708 0036 8008E70A 1000 |
Unexplored Land Complete | 80057976 FFFF |
All Locations Visited | 50000402 0000 80057958 FFFF |
Open Map | 50000602 0000 8005794C FFFF |
Have All Items | 50000702 0000 800597D0 6363 50000302 0000 8005975A 6363 |
Have All Accessories | 50001002 0000 800597B0 6363 |
Have All Head Equipment | 50000E02 0000 80059770 6363 |
Have All Chest Armor | 50001202 0000 8005978C 6363 |
Have All Weapons | 50002D02 0000 80059700 6363 |
Have All Shields | 50000802 0000 80059760 6363 |
Job Level Up After Battle | 8017EB54 0100 8017EB56 2443 8017EB70 0100 8017EB72 2443 |
Final Fantasy Tactics Cheat FAQs
What is the best Job class in Final Fantasy Tactics?
This is purely subjective and up to the player, but there are some classes/Jobs in Final Fantasy Tactics that are more powerful than they initially seem. One example of this is the Chemist, which becomes one of the best classes in the game at max level. Not only are Chemists dependable healers to have in any battle, but their range and ability to throw items across the battlefield are also indispensable. Similarly, the range and attack power of Lancers makes them a great option for melee fighters.
What is the max level in Final Fantasy Tactics?
The max character level in FFT is 99. The character level affects the growth of stats, which in turn affects the utility and effectiveness of certain jobs. Though characters max out at level 99, each Job class maxes out at level 8. However, to unlock all abilities for a Job and Master it, players will need to have Jobs equipped well past reaching max level.
How long to beat Final Fantasy Tactics?
A standard playthrough of Final Fantasy Tactics should take about 45 hours, but that’s assuming players have a general idea of their Job assignments and some skill with tactical RPGs. Most players will spend 60-80 hours on a single playthrough, especially when factoring in time to grind and master Jobs. Players hoping to see absolutely everything in Final Fantasy Tactics can easily spend 100-150 hours.
Do enemies gain levels as you do in Final Fantasy Tactics?
This is an important question, as the difficulty of Final Fantasy Tactics is substantial and players might wish to grind for an advantage. While story battles do not scale (meaning enemies remain at a static level regardless of the player’s), random battles do scale. Red locations on the map indicate story sequences/battles, while green dots indicate places where random battles may occur. Random battles and return trips to previous locations are practically necessary to Master several different Jobs and build out the best party compositions, and the enemies in these locations do scale to the player. Returning to story battles after will see you gaining the upper hand thanks to the static difficulty of these levels.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Final Fantasy Tactics key art.