Ex2PG Combined Stats - 28 Iifa, the Ancient Tree of Life
1Field Treasures: Hi-Potion, Phoenix Down, Healing Rod, Ether, Lamia's Flute, Remedy, Elixir, Brigandine
Steals: Oak Staff from Soulcage (256/256)
Mognet Letters: Deliver #14 From Mogryo to Mocchi
This is another one of those segments where I make things a little easier with the "No Encounters" simulation, solely a 'quality of life' decision.
Getting to the Iifa Tree encounter-less isn't an issue, but getting through the 5 screens of roots (especially that long run) without one is. In my Path C run from 2013, I actually did make it to the moogle encounterless, so it can be done but it's astronomically small. This is a very complex segment with all of the equipment changes and precise handling of the random encounters. One of the reasons this is probably the toughest segment in the Ex2PG.
Before saving at Mocchi, equip Vivi with the Peridot and Mythril Vest, Eiko with the Cachusha and Golem's Flute, optimize Zidane and give him the Mythril Dagger and Germinas Boots. As for abilities, activate Zidane's Protect Girls, Auto-Potion and Alert. Dagger needs Concentrate that the Robe of Lords provides. Everyone moves to the back row.
To avoid forced EXP here, one character needs to be Zombied and the only one alive at the end of a fight. Dagger is our choice, since Zidane is set up to cover for her and Eiko.
Deliver the letter for Mocchi and save!
Target Time - 6:09:37, Gil - 106498, Random Encounters - 1
On the way to the forced battles, you need to encounter a Dracozombie at some point as it's the only enemy than can give you the Zombie status. Throw a Tent on it and hope to Silence and Blind it, then have Dagger cast Shell on herself. Have Zidane (with help from Vivi first), Vivi, and Eiko KO themselves so when Zombie Breath is cast, Dagger is the only target. With the equipment she has and at full HP, she will survive, then have her throw an Elixir on the Dracozombie to dispatch it.
After each fight, revive Zidane and use a Potion to full heal him, do not use Dagger's Life spell until instructed to do so. Dagger can take one hit with the Robe of Lords, but you cannot heal her now. Zidane will now cover for Dagger and Auto-Potion gets him back to full HP. Flee from all encounters still. If you encounter a Stroper during your decent, after it acts use a Soft if Dagger is alone to dispatch it. Same with another Dracozombie with an Elixir. Remember to hit the switches to release a couple treasures and pick up everything, as you won't be back here.
As you can see for me, I went back to Mocchi and saved so I could 'No Encounter' the rest of the segment so this is equivalent to a 2nd encounter, so account for that when comparing to the targets listed. It took me about a day of tries just to get the Dracozombie and get back to save without another encounter.
Just before exiting the last screen before the forced fights, equip Dagger with the Healing Rod, Bandana, Glass Armlet, and Coral Ring. Eiko gets the Magic Armlet you just took off of Dagger. Phoenix Down anyone who is KO'd and make sure Zidane is at full HP so he can cover for the girls.
After some text the first of two forced fights...
Forced Encounter #1: If you're lucky, this could be a pre-emptive making everything easy! Have Eiko cast Cura on the Zombies, then once all of them have acted, have Vivi cast Thundara on your own party, and Dagger immediately cast a Cura of her own on the Zombies. Zombie reverses the effect of curative spells, but not elemental absorption. Dagger's Concentrate ensures the Cura is strong enough to kill. This is a Robe of Lords strategy, so don't do this with the Magician Robe.
More text, but do not Phoenix Down anyone...
Forced Encounter #2: Only a lone Dracozombie here, and Dagger can survive anything but a Zombie Breath, so just throw an Elixir on it. The hard part is over but there is still work to be done!
Before fighting Soulcage, get the Elixir and Brigandine, and do the following in order... Take your time here as you don't want to go through this again!
1) Use the Magic Tag on Dagger to remove Zombie so she can get Soulcage's AP.
2) Equip Zidane with the Black Belt and Brigandine, active Zidane's HP+20% ability but DEACTIVATE Dagger's Concentrate, this is critical for the next step.
3) Use Dagger's Life spell on everyone, but in Zidane's case, he will be revived with his HP ending in 7, this is for the next segment!
4) Equip Dagger with the Extension, Vivi with the Fairy Earrings, and Zidane with a Power Belt and Mythril Armlet. Activate Zidane's Ability Up but de-activate Protect Girls and Auto-Potion.
Soulcage is undead so a simple Elixir toss is all you need. If Zidane get's a chance, try to steal but it doesn't really matter. I heard he can party-wipe you but I have never seen it happen, yet.
Key Abilities Learned: Zidane - Bandit
Once you are back on the world map, save that game!
Target Time - 6:24:14, Gil - 113816, Random Encounters - 5