So, I tried Poaching today. [Archive] - Eyes on Final Fantasy Forums

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feioncastor

10-26-2006, 08:54 AM

For the first time, I actually was serious about catching and breeding monsters, and then poaching them for good equip. I don't have a guide handy (I'm sure there are a million on the net, but I like to figure stuff out, if I can...), so I caught a few different classes of monsters, waited to breed all three of their types, and then went into battle with Secret Hunt and sadistically slaughtered them, Orlandu style.

And I'm not sure who gave it to me, but I got a "Holy Lance" from someone. Up until today, I had figured that the best spear was the Oberisk. I've heard about a "Javelin II" or something, that you get from Nelveska Temple, but I've never gotten it, so I'm not 100% sure about that whole story.

So anyway, I figured I'd catch a few really tough monsters, and poach them. So I headed to Germinas Peak, where I nabbed me a Blue Dragon! And I'm fairly certain that one of the three Dragons I poached provided a wonderful Dragon Whisker.

So I wanna ask, what other creatures are good for the poaching? I tried to get a Mindflare, but wouldn't you know it, everytime I got close enough to invite him, I ended up Berserk or Confused. So I just Orlandu'd him. I'd bet that the three-headed dragons give you sweet stuff, but I've never seen them outside of the final set of fights, most notably, the one with Balk. And Behemoths. They're probably okay too. I don't know. I know that Chocobos aren't... At least, they never gave me anything great, I don't think.

I did get a weird item, though. I got a stick-type weapon that's weaker than the Octagon Rod, but isn't sold in stores. It doesn't have any cool effects like +3 MA or anything. It's called "Ivory" something or other. I thought it was strange to get a bad item that you can't buy in stores!

Oh, and I kicked out Rafa and Malak to make room for my monsters. Agrias and Mustadio stayed because Mustadio leads to Beowulf/Cloud, and Agrias is hot. And Meliadoul fits in there somewhere, although her skill is WORTHLESS against non-human opponents. And I stole a Defender from her in Bervenia. It was sweet. That sword brings new definition to the Knight's "Weapon Guard".

Yeah.

Jowy

10-26-2006, 05:14 PM

Raise a bunch of the Uribo species, and start slaughtering them left and right for some of the perfumes. With Chantage, you'll have a nice little immortal female army.

The only opportunity to capture a Hydra is during the Nelveska battle.

Paul

10-26-2006, 08:21 PM

could someone explain the concept of poaching to me, because i don't really understand... i am on chapter 4, just about to fight the sluice gate battle at bethla garrisson. then i was going to get beowulf and do all that cloud stuff.

i have been to nelveska but there was nothing there.

Jowy

10-26-2006, 08:28 PM

There will be a battle related to the Cloud sidequest in due time. You'll need Move-Find Item to get the best spear and shield in the game. Make Rafa your locator slave, and head to the top of the two tallest pillars using your newest unit as a stepping stone.

When you destroy a monster with Secret Hunt as an equipped ability, using only regular attacks to defeat it, you'll get a message stating that the poach was successful. You can then go to the Fur Shops across Ivalice and get some rare goodies. Most noteworthy is the Chantage, if you missed stealing it from Meliadoul or just want an unstoppable Amazon army.

feioncastor

10-26-2006, 11:32 PM

I don't see what's so great about Chantage. I mean, I'd much rather put a Bracer, or Germinas Boots, or a Feather Mantle. Reraise doesn't help too much because I think it brings you back with a small amount of HP, so unless your turn comes up right then, you'll just again anyway. I've tried using acessories that cast Reraise, and it's never been worth not equipping a different, better accessory. Honestly, most of the Female Only equipment is BS to me. The "Bags" are like flails and axes in that the damage usually isn't what it says it will be when you target the enemy. The perfumes are okay, I guess, but that slot is better used on a better accessory. The Barette is great for preventing status ailments, but if you're going into an average battle, that won't be much of a concern. In most battles, status ailments aren't going to cost you the battle (excepting any jerk-offs that use Nightmare or Mind Blast). They may slow you down because you have to have your item user toss out a Remedy or an Echo Grass or something, but as I said, I'd much rather give my female warrior a Thief's Hat (+2 Speed, yay) or a Flash Hat (You know) than prevention from status ailments that I most likely will not encounter. I might use the Barette before fighting someone that I know is gonna Death Sentence or Blood Suck me or something... But other than that, it's pretty lame.

Poaching is awesome. I've stumbled across two weapons that I had no idea even existed, even after playing the game for well over 250 hours. And I found a useless weapon that I didn't know existed, but it's still neat to have found it. Tonight, I'm going to Nelveska Temple and inviting a three headed creature. Then I'm gonna make it have babies, and then I'm going to kill said babies.

BG-57

10-27-2006, 01:19 AM

Ok, here's a complete poaching list from gamesfaqs.com, by Matt Hobbs. I have highlighted what I consider must-haves when poaching. The rest of the items are easily obtainable by other means.

Chocobo
Phoenix Down
Hi-Potion

Black Chocobo
Eye Drop
X-Potion

Red Chocobo
Remedy
Barette

Goblin
Potion
Hi-Potion

Black Goblin
Hi-Potion
Antidote

Gobbledeguck
Mage Masher
Ancient Sword

Red Panther
Antidote
Battle Boots

Cuar
Soft
Germinas Boots

Vampire
Holy Water
C Bag

Bomb
Fire Ball
Flame Rod

Grenade
Water Ball
Flame Whip

Explosive
Lightning Ball
Flame Shield

Skeleton
Holy Water
Ether

Bone Snatch
Hi-Potion
Partisan

Living Bone
Wizard Mantle
Elf Mantle

Ghoul
Ether
Ninja Knife

Gust
Hi-Potion
Main Gauche

Revnant
Hi-Ether
Mythril Gun

Floatiball
Shuriken
Platina Dagger

Ahriman
Magic Shuriken
Air Knife

Plague
Yagyu Darkness
Zorlin Shape

Pisco Demon
Echo Grass
Hi-Potion

Squidlarkan
Small Mantle
Sleep Sword

Mindflare
Hi-Ether
Dracula Mantle

Juravis
Potion
Rubber Shoes

Steel Hawk
Phoenix Down
Hunting Bow

Cockatoris
Soft
Feather Mantle

Bull Demon
Battle Axe
Giant Axe

Minitaurus
Coral Sword
Slasher

Sacred
Holy Lance
Ivory Rod

Morbol
Platina Dagger
Ice Shield

Ochu
N-Kai Armlet
Chameleon Robe

Great Morbol
Elixir
Madlemgen

Woodman
Eye Drop
Healing Staff

Trent
Gold Staff
Fairy Harp

Taiju
Defense Ring
Defender

Dragon
Jade Armlet
H Bag

Blue Dragon
Cashmere
Dragon Rod

Red Dragon
Salty Rage
Dragon Whisker

Behemoth
Defense Armlet
P Bag

King Behemoth
Ultimus Bow
Cherche

Dark Behemoth
Wizard Rod
Stone Gun

Hyudra
Blood Sword
Scorpion Tail

Hydra
Setiemson
Rubber Costume

Tiamat
Ryozan Silk
Whale Whisker

Uribo
Maiden's Kiss
Cachusha

Porky
Chantage
Nagrarock

Wildbow
Ribbon
FS Bag

As you can see, you should be breeding and poaching from the Chocobo, Flotiball, Bull Demon, Morbol, Woodman, Dragon, Behemoth, and Uribo classes.

BTW, Nelveska Temple is the first chance to recruit Hyrudras, but not the last. Random battles in END in Deep Dungeon also provide oppurtunities.

You can meet the Uribo class as early as Zigolis Swamp, but for a long time I got them at Finath River.

As far as perfumes go, I swear by Setiemson. Putting my female units in Haste automatically is a big time saver and I can give them better knights swords than Excalibur without loosing the speed boost.

dodhungry

10-27-2006, 02:34 PM

oh by the way...about that Javlin 2 your talking about....you can snab one in the deep dungeon heres a quick tutorial:

Ok real simple. Equip all your characters with the catch ability before going into a random battle in the deep dundeon. It dose not matter which fight you do. As long as there is an enemy Ninja present you have a chance to get one. When the battle starts the enemy ninjas will throw random items one of them being the Javlin. so..the more ninjas present the better the chance of getting the Javlin.

oh and if you thought the Chaos blade was powerfull...I do believe the Javlin 2 is slightly better......

BG-57

10-27-2006, 10:29 PM

And for the love of Pete, if you're trying to recruit Hyrudras at Nelveska Temple, use Train instead of Invite! Save yourself a lot of grief. :eep:

feioncastor

10-28-2006, 02:06 AM

And for the love of Pete, if you're trying to recruit Hyrudras at Nelveska Temple, use Train instead of Invite! Save yourself a lot of grief. :eep:

Funny you should say that. My Mediator got me one first try, with a 39% success rate. The biggest hang up for me was trying to get the two items because the stupid birds kept petrifying Beowulf (my Move-Find Item guy). Orlandu quickly made short work of the birds, though.

BG, I don't see why the Nagrarock is a must have item. It ROYALLY sucks. The attack power is 1 and it adds frog... That's not that great. At all. Like, even a little bit. I'd much rather give someone a decent sword and lose the stupid frog thing. I mean, honestly, what is the point of that sword?

And why is the ivory rod so good? I think the Octagon Rod is better.

BG-57

10-28-2006, 02:21 AM

I was trying to do three things in the Nelveska Temple battle:

1) Get Javelin (II) and Escutcheon (II).

2) Recruit a Hyrudra.

3) Keep Worker 7 New alive long enough to complete steps 1) and 2). A little tricky considering it's attacks were self-damaging and it was immune to healing spells.

Consider yourself lucky if Invitation worked for you on the first try. Train works every time you get a enemy monster critical without killing it, so it would have cut step 3) short.

I'm not suggesting that Nagrarock or Ivory Rods are useful weapons in combat. What I'm suggesting is that poaching is the easiest way to get them:

I have highlighted what I consider must-haves when poaching. The rest of the items are easily obtainable by other means.

Anyone who wants at least one of every item in the game has to do some poaching. Some items can't be gained in any other way.

feioncastor

10-29-2006, 04:32 AM

Okay, so is there any purpose to the Nagrarock? I seem to remember Despotus making a riddle about how it seems weak at first, but then... something, I don't remember.

Oh, and the Javelin 2 brings another level of purpose to the Lancer class. I mean, I've always thought they were okay before, but now, he's rivaling Orlandu's Sword Skills in terms of damage. Especially when I give him "Two Hands".

Hey, BG, have you found that when a monster has an egg, you have a lesser chance of getting a "better" type of that class of monster? For example, it takes a while to make a Bull Demon have a Sacred. Is that true, or am I just really unlucky? With my Uribo, I kept getting more and more Uribos and only a few Porkies and Wildbows.

And one more thing, which places have you found the following monster classes most common:

Behemoth
Uribo
Morbol
Woodman
Dragon

I found a Dragon once at Germinas Peak, and I caught him, but I haven' seen them there since. And there was an Uribo in one of the Underground Colliery battles, and I got him, but I accidently poached him so I have no parent Uribo now. I tried to get a morbol from the fight where you save Reis, but it was too hard to do it without killing Reis, plus she was killing the badguy as I was trying to do it. Made it kinda tough.

I got a Dragon, got a few things from it and its children, but I didn't realize there are more than one item per monster, so I poached my last one, and now that I know I didn't get everything they had, I need another one!

BG-57

10-29-2006, 09:32 PM

Okay, so is there any purpose to the Nagrarock? I seem to remember Despotus making a riddle about how it seems weak at first, but then... something, I don't remember.

Here's the riddle you mentioned. Took me a while to dig it up:

What am I?
At first glance, I might appear weak;
But if to test my might you seek,
Strike at your foe,
And land a sure blow.
'Tis he who shall be the meek.

Nagrarock is useful for turning units into frogs or back again. That's it. It's actually useful if an ally has been frogged and you don't want to cast a recovery spell

Oh, and the Javelin 2 brings another level of purpose to the Lancer class. I mean, I've always thought they were okay before, but now, he's rivaling Orlandu's Sword Skills in terms of damage. Especially when I give him "Two Hands". !

Lancers can do more concentrated damage with Javelin (II), but I prefer the flexibility of Orlandu's skill set. Go with what works for you though. The game certainly allows all sorts of gameplay styles.

Hey, BG, have you found that when a monster has an egg, you have a lesser chance of getting a "better" type of that class of monster? For example, it takes a while to make a Bull Demon have a Sacred. Is that true, or am I just really unlucky? With my Uribo, I kept getting more and more Uribos and only a few Porkies and Wildbows.

That has been my experience as well, but I haven't got the statistics to back it up. I also think that the upper level classes tend to have a better chance of breeding upper level offspring.

And one more thing, which places have you found the following monster classes most common:

Behemoth Poeskas Lake or VOYAGE
Uribo END
Morbol Araguay Woods
Woodman Araguay Woods or MLAPAN
Dragon Bed Desert or VOYAGE or HORROR

I found a Dragon once at Germinas Peak, and I caught him, but I haven' seen them there since. And there was an Uribo in one of the Underground Colliery battles, and I got him, but I accidently poached him so I have no parent Uribo now. I tried to get a morbol from the fight where you save Reis, but it was too hard to do it without killing Reis, plus she was killing the badguy as I was trying to do it. Made it kinda tough.

There are random battles that you can get all the rare breeds from, if you're willing to wait until Deep Dungeon opens up.

I got a Dragon, got a few things from it and its children, but I didn't realize there are more than one item per monster, so I poached my last one, and now that I know I didn't get everything they had, I need another one!

I find it's best to reset after poaching a monster if you get the wrong item in the Fur Shop. Once poached, the item will always be a certain thing, but it's determined randomly at the moment of poaching.

feioncastor

10-29-2006, 10:04 PM

I now have 11 of the perfume that casts Haste and + 1 MA. Setiemson... That's the stuff. I keep getting that stuff instead of the Rubber Costume, which I've only got one, and it's pretty good. It's not bad even for casters.

I noticed that the Chaos Blade says that it petrifies the person who has it equipped when you enter battle. Can this be nullified by using an accessory or other piece of equip that protects against petrify?

BG-57

10-30-2006, 02:50 AM

Both are very worthwhile. Setiemson's Auto-Haste is the best positive status condition in the game. Rubber Costumes are actually the best armor for Engineers, Chemists, Soldiers and the like. Essentially any job that doesn't normally wear heavy armor benefits tremendously from the Rubber Costume. Although the name sounds a little kinky. For yuks and giggles try equipping Cloud with a Ribbon and Rubber Costume. :D

I've never had a problem with equipping Chaos Blades. They only seem to petrify the units that get hit by them. Now the Stone Gun is another matter. It petrifies it's wielder at the beginning of the battle, no matter what protective gear they wear. You're better off with a spell gun.

feioncastor

10-30-2006, 10:14 PM

Yeah, I noticed that cloud can wear ribbons and barettes and stuff. What is the deal? Ramza can't. Probably because Ramza's a real man, and Cloud's just a wuss with an identity crisis.

I LOVE the Secret Clothes. I know they don't have much of an HP boost, but the whole +2 Speed thing makes up for it. That and a Theif's Hat make a Ninja go first in every battle, even before those with an Excalibur or Setiemson. Infinite awesomeness.

But there's nothing wrong with the Rubber Costume, either. I'm liking it as well.

I haven't been able to land an "FS Bag" yet, but I'm okay with that because I really don't like the bags anyway. I don't like any of the weapons where the damage isn't what it says it will be, like Flails, axes and bags.

I also just got a "Robe of Lords" and I'm pleased with it. You know how you always wonder "Why did they give Knights the ability to wear robes?" Well, I think the Robe of Lords may answer that. You know, because in Chapter 1, you're never gonna give your knight a Linen Robe. No way, not when there's a Linen Curiass on hand. But, uh, now I'm thinking I might give my knight Time Magic or something. You know, if I had a knight. I could make one. In fact, I will make one. With Time Magic. Right now.

BG-57

10-31-2006, 02:35 AM

Yeah, I noticed that cloud can wear ribbons and barettes and stuff. What is the deal? Ramza can't. Probably because Ramza's a real man, and Cloud's just a wuss with an identity crisis.

I'm convinced it's a reference the subquest in FFVII where Cloud has to dress in drag to get into Don Corneo's mansion.

I LOVE the Secret Clothes. I know they don't have much of an HP boost, but the whole +2 Speed thing makes up for it. That and a Theif's Hat make a Ninja go first in every battle, even before those with an Excalibur or Setiemson. Infinite awesomeness.

But there's nothing wrong with the Rubber Costume, either. I'm liking it as well.

Speed rules in this game, even at the expense of protection.

I haven't been able to land an "FS Bag" yet, but I'm okay with that because I really don't like the bags anyway. I don't like any of the weapons where the damage isn't what it says it will be, like Flails, axes and bags.

The game will often try to automatically fit your female units with an FS Bag using the logic that a high WP=best weapon. Which ignores variable damage as you said. For what it's worth, it's the best bag weapon.

I also just got a "Robe of Lords" and I'm pleased with it. You know how you always wonder "Why did they give Knights the ability to wear robes?" Well, I think the Robe of Lords may answer that. You know, because in Chapter 1, you're never gonna give your knight a Linen Robe. No way, not when there's a Linen Curiass on hand. But, uh, now I'm thinking I might give my knight Time Magic or something. You know, if I had a knight. I could make one. In fact, I will make one. With Time Magic. Right now.

Have fun with that. :)

Mr.psyc!!

11-18-2006, 04:20 AM

i think i might start poaching again... but trying invite all those bloody monsters takes so much time.:cry: ohhh well im bored and i have nothing else to do so...whatever..... i would really like on of those robe of lords... equip that to my black mage and its over!!! lol

feioncastor

11-18-2006, 05:16 AM

BG-57

11-18-2006, 02:59 PM

Move-Find on VOYAGE.

Mr.psyc!!

11-27-2006, 02:03 PM

:twak: ok i didnt know that....i feel dumb now...ive been playing this game for years and i didnt know where to get a robe of lords....:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

BG-57

11-27-2006, 10:52 PM

I think you can also steal one from Kletian, but that's pretty pointless.

Maddness66

11-28-2006, 04:59 PM

Since we're somewhat on the subject...I'll add in my 2-cents. Incase you are unaware, there is an alternate method of obtaining some of the game's strongest weapons. In the case you flubbed the poaching or move-found a phoenix down instead of that Javalin 2 or Chaos Blade, fear not, for those weapons are not yet out of reach. In the Deep Dungeon, level 9, HORROR, fight random battles until you square off against the Samurai and (more importantly) lvl 99 Ninjas. Ninja's have a nifty skill called THROW, which they use the great effect, as you've realized, I'm sure. Now at level 99, they tend to carry an extra stock of Chaos Blades and Javalin 2's handy, just incase. And, since all you have to do is equip your characters with CATCH and stand at the edge of your starting platform (thus preventing them from getting in melee range) and wait for the goodies. Some items I've recieved from them include, but not limited to, Chaos Blades, Javalin 2s, Scorpion Tails, and Ragnaroks.

oh and if you thought the Chaos blade was powerfull...I do believe the Javlin 2 is slightly better......

Javalin 2 has an Atk Pwr of 35, while the Chaos Blade has an Atk Pwr of 40. It's close, but not quite there.

Okay, so is there any purpose to the Nagrarock?

To answer your question, I'll ask you a question. What is more dangerous...a Summoner charging Shiva, or a frog? How about a ninja, or a frog? Perhaps an Ultima Demon or a frog? Nagrarock may be weak as all hell, but if you land the blow, your opponent will become a useless slimy frog, capable of no more than a 25 dmg atk.... Beats that AoE summon and Dark Holy doncha think?

*EDIT* I do believe someone already mentioned above the little HORROR trick, as I am not able to view that particular part of the message, I missed it. So, in the case that this was a partially double post, i apologize.

the_elf

02-22-2007, 04:09 PM

Hey BG-57, thanks for posting that list and the tips for poaching. Do you have guide that also describes all of the "must have" items that you can pick up with Move-Find Item, and the maps to search?

BG-57

02-23-2007, 02:42 AM

There are some useful items that you can get by Move-Find in almost every dungeon, but most of them can be eventually bought in stores. Make sure the unit that has Move-Find has as low a Brave as possible but still be above 10. Rafa is well suited for this.

I'm listing only unique or very rare items:

Germinas Peak
Vanish Mantle (mountain peak)

Nelveska Temple
Escutcheon II (top of left pillar)
Sasuke Knife (behind temple)
Nagrarock (back of cave)
Javelin II (top of right pillar)

Have Worker 8 move next to a pillar and have Rafa climb over him to get to the top.
Also be forewarned that Javelin and Javelin II have the exact same name. Same with Escutcheon and Escutcheon II. You can tell if you got the good stuff if you see the golden shield and silver spear.

Deep Dungeon

Nogias
Glacier Gun
Blaze Gun

Terminate
Save the Queen

Delta
Yoichi Bow
Mace of Zeus

Valkyries
Faith Rod
Kaiser Plate
Fairy Harp

Mlapan
Iga Knife
Excalibur

Tiger
Cursed Ring
Secret Clothes
Blast Gun

Bridge
Sage Staff
Koga Knife

Voyage
Ragnarok
Robe of Lords
Perseus Bow

Horror
Maximillian
Grand Helmet
Venetian Plate

End
Chirijiraden
Chaos Blade

the_elf

02-23-2007, 12:58 PM

So, really, just Germinas Peak, Nelveska Temple, and Deep Dungeon? I might have Rafa scout out every map just because. It might be helpful to score an early Feather Mantle or three, or something like that. Thanks again, BG! :)

BG-57

02-23-2007, 04:43 PM

Anytime. :)

BTW, the other good treasures in Deep Dungeon are Elixirs. But you can get those by poaching Great Morbols.

feioncastor

02-25-2007, 02:02 AM

I think you can also steal one from Kletian, but that's pretty pointless.

Anything that debilitates Kletian has plenty of good reason. It's easy to have Orlandu use "Night Sword" or "Lightning Stab" a couple times, but it's more fun to rob him bare, then Power/Speed/Mind Break him, and then use Foxbird or something to Chickenify him. I also like to include some Don't Move/Don't Act good times.

BG-57

02-25-2007, 01:15 PM

I meant that it's pointless to acquire a Robe of Lords from him, since it's part of the endgame battles you can't escape.

joshua2412

03-23-2007, 03:42 PM

The only opportunity to capture a Hydra is during the Nelveska battle.

No, you can get them in the Deep Dungeon as well...actually, that's the best place to go to add monsters, you can easily invite a behemoth, dragon, and Hydra all in the same battle. (although its probably best to do one at a time)

Then breed...and poach. repeat.

rightsidethief

03-27-2007, 01:36 AM