How to get as many Zodiac Spears as you desire

[ZodiarkTheTadpole]

So I found another way to get the Zodiac Spear. It doesn’t involve restarting the whole game, and it doesn’t involve running back and forth through the Henne Mines. All that it requires is a little technical literacy. Here it goes:

1) Get a USB key (AKA memory stick; preferably a Lexar model) if you don’t already have one, and format to FAT (not FAT32). You can find more info here: http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/123109

2) Get a copy of Action Replay Max EVO (must be EVO; you can buy one or download a bittorrent, up to you).

3) Make another save state on your memory card of the save state that you want the Zodiac Spear on (you’ll be editing the save, so consider this a backup).

4) Restart your PS2, insert your FAT formatted USB key, load up AR Max EVO, then select Memory Manager. If you’ve done everything correctly up to this point, the USB icon should be colored blue, and you will be able to Copy the save game file to the USB key. Do so. Turn off your PS2 and plug your USB key into to your PC.

5) You should have a ***.max file on your USB key. Now download PS2 Save Builder from here: http://www.ps2savetools.com/download.php and download Hex Workshop (a Hex Editor) from here: http://www.hexworkshop.com/ .

6) Open the ***.max file using PS2 Save Builder. You should see a .sys, .ico, and a raw data file. We will be editing the raw data file in Hex Workshop, so extract the raw data file onto your desktop.

7) Open up the raw data file using Hex Workshop. Now comes the part that requires patience and a bit of tech savvy. But it shouldn’t be too hard, as very clear instructions are outlined in these links: http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/...m/253000541831 and http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/409866 (Thank Tyreafus for this method when you get a chance. He’s the one who figured it all out)

8) Follow the steps that Tyreafus lays out (note that the line to edit for Zodiac Spear Quantity is 6992 NOT 6A58), make sure you update your checksum when you’re done editing.

9) Save the file to your desktop (save over the old one). In PS2 Save Builder, left click and select “Add” (or a similar function, can’t remember if that’s the EXACT name) and add in the new edited raw data file. It will ask if you want to overwrite the old raw data file: select “Yes”.

10) Now select “Save” in PS2 Save Builder, and save the whole file (.sys, .ico, raw data file) back to your USB Key (overwrite the previous ***.max file – keep the file names the same).

11) Back to your PS2: delete the “backup save state” (made in step 3 above) from your memory card. Reload AR Max EVO Memory Manager and “uncrunch” the edited save game from your USB to your Memory Card.

12) Voila! If you’ve done everything correctly, there will be a shiny new Zodiac Spear in your inventory when you boot up FFXII!

You can get as many Zodiac Spears as you like, and this method can be used to increase items, gil, etc. But I only added 1 Zodiac Spear, as that’s all I wanted. Good luck!

[Dell]

I don't want to cheat even if I have to check the treasure 1000000 times.

[ZodiarkTheTadpole]

Well, that’s your prerogative. It might be cheating in the sense that you’re essentially inputting a code to get something in a game, but it’s not cheating in the sense of obtaining infinite lives, or unlimited ammo. I only edited the code to produce one Zodiac Spear. Sure, I could have gotten a Zodiac Spear easily had I known about the 4 “do not open” chests before I was already 40 hours into the game, but I didn’t. At that point I felt “cheated” by Square. How was I to know that 4 random treasure chests are linked to the spear? They don’t have any markings, and nothing in the game really warns you not to open them.
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I was prepared to go about it the INSANE way… by reloading a thousand times and hopefully getting a chest to produce the Zodiac Spear, but it takes about 3 minutes per run (including reload time), totaling 3000 potential minutes, or 50 hours. So when I found out about this other method, I decided it would be a better use of my time to learn a bit about how save states are coded, and hack myself a spear. Sure, you can use this method to alter other things and thereby cheat in the sense of infinite lives and unlimited ammo, but I’m not condoning or dismissing this option. It’s just a fact about the method. Personally, it would take all the fun out of the game to get a million gil, etc. So I didn’t.

[Dell]

Well, that’s your prerogative. It might be cheating in the sense that you’re essentially inputting a code to get something in a game, but it’s not cheating in the sense of obtaining infinite lives, or unlimited ammo. I only edited the code to produce one Zodiac Spear. Sure, I could have gotten a Zodiac Spear easily had I known about the 4 “do not open” chests before I was already 40 hours into the game, but I didn’t. At that point I felt “cheated” by Square. How was I to know that 4 random treasure chests are linked to the spear? They don’t have any markings, and nothing in the game really warns you not to open them.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o> </o>
I was prepared to go about it the INSANE way… by reloading a thousand times and hopefully getting a chest to produce the Zodiac Spear, but it takes about 3 minutes per run (including reload time), totaling 3000 potential minutes, or 50 hours. So when I found out about this other method, I decided it would be a better use of my time to learn a bit about how save states are coded, and hack myself a spear. Sure, you can use this method to alter other things and thereby cheat in the sense of infinite lives and unlimited ammo, but I’m not condoning or dismissing this option. It’s just a fact about the method. Personally, it would take all the fun out of the game to get a million gil, etc. So I didn’t.

It would take the fun out of the game when you don't try to get things by yourself.

[ZodiarkTheTadpole]

If you find it more rewarding to reload, run, etc. I have no problem.

But you can't really use the argument that I'm not "trying to get things myself"... I am, and did... it takes time and effort to learn how to alter save states...

And personally, running back and forth or reloading my games a thousand times isn't my idea of fun... ever.

[Dell]

If you find it more rewarding to reload, run, etc. I have no problem.

But you can't really use the argument that I'm not "trying to get things myself"... I am, and did... it takes time and effort to learn how to alter save states...

And personally, running back and forth or reloading my games a thousand times isn't my idea of fun... ever.

Well, that's okay.

I'm not the kind to give up, so I just continue doing it until I get the spear. :mog:

[skillzboy4]

realistically chances of doing the reload thing to get the zodiac spear is extremely low ive been doing this for about 2 weeks now and nothing..

[Zeromus_X]

It's...still cheating. I don't see how this is any different from inputting a password to get infinite lives or similar at all.

Anyway, Katana spammage ftw.

[ZodiarkTheTadpole]

I didn't deny that it was cheating, but look at it like this: I'm not inputting passwords to get buffs so I can beat the game, I'm merely inputting a password to get an item that I would otherwise have to either start over completely or waste 50 hours of my life trying to get.

The issue isn't whether or not it's cheating. The issue is whether or not this type of cheating (hacking to get one item you would otherwise still have gotten, but only after wasting hours of your life) is reasonably justified.

Note: I already beat the game. I'm now just levelling up my characters to 99, collecting most of the best weapons, and finishing up the sidequests.

[skillzboy4]

anyways do u know where i can get Action Replay Max EVO other bittorrent?

[Roto13]

It's just a spear. The game isn't that hard.

[ZodiarkTheTadpole]

AR Max EVO lets you copy PS2 memory card files to a USB key. I got mine off bittorrent. you can probably buy one at best buy/ circuit city (not sure, didn't check)... you can also use sharkport to transfer your files. Here's a link to other possibilities:
http://www.mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=45729

Good luck!

Roto13: yeah it's just a spear, but I wanted to have it because it's got the highest attack power rating of any weapon in the game (it's just nice to have). And you definitely do not need it to beat the game.

[razorchant]

i downloaded a AR Max EVO torrent and there were only three files in it that werent programs, they were just .ccd, .img and .sub fiels, are these the right files? if so, do i just put them into a flash drive?
help please...

[Cleric]

That's cool if it is your thing. Each time I have played through ff12 I have effed up getting that damn spear, but I'm not really missing it yet even if it is the most powerful weapon. To me, masamune + genji gloves + haste=a smile on my face.

[Masamunemaster]

yea the zodiac spear may have the besy attack rating but its not the best...you may think the +20 from the wyrmhero blade is better but you only get +8 evasion...that means less of a chance to use it.

I think the best HAS to be the tournesal(140 att and +25 eva) or the wyrmhero blade(130 att and +50eva), yea you may sacrifice 10 or 20 attack but you gain soooo much evasion...and add that with genji gloves haste and beserk it even beats the masamune in some ways....but I still prefer the masamune^^