Star Ocean: Second Evolution (Part 7) - Lacour
1From Herlie, take the boat to Hilton. Don't worry too much about buying any equipment, as you'll be getting that in spades pretty soon, and before you reach your next dungeon. Head southeast towards the city of Lacour. Before entering, though, make another character decision: Do you want Precis or Bowman? (I say Bowman's nothing short of useless.) If you want Precis, keep going southeast past Lacour to reach the city of Linga. As soon as you enter, a scene will play out. Exit the city and then enter a Private Action. Go right, down, and around to the lower left. Another scene will play out and Precis will ask if she can join you at the end. If you want Bowman, skip all that and continue on to Lacour.
The weapons shops are all closed here, due to the huge Tournament of Arms going on. But we want to talk to the king, so head to the castle up north. Talk to the lower receptionist to learn that the king won't take any appointments till after the Tournament. (Once you do this, you can't leave the city for a little while.) Now exit the castle and Claude will express his wish to enter the Tournament himself. Of course we shall listen to him. Go back up and talk to the upper receptionist to register for the Tournament. Your next step is to choose one of the four weapons shops in east Lacour. You will get to use their goods in battle (you can't use your own equipment). Here they are, from left to right:
"Counterpunch": Sinclair Sabre, Brigandine, Buckler, Plate Helm, Silver Greaves.
"Knockout": Long Edge, Leather Armor, Wooden Shield, Leather Helm, Leather Greaves.
"Slayer" (inside the door): Walloon Sword, Ringed Mail, Round Shield, Iron Helm, Iron Greaves.
"Straight": Gusguine, Banded Mail, Knight's Shield, Banded Helm, Plate Greaves.
You get different items to use in battle, but since you won't be controlling Claude, and he won't use items by himself, it won't matter much. He just has to win one battle, though. To basically guarantee the win, choose Slayer. However, since you get to keep a copy of all the items you equipped, you'll get more bang for your buck if you choose Knockout. It's a risk, and it's your choice to take it or not.
When you've picked a weapons shop, you'll get the Tournament Pass. You can now exit the town (Celine will be mad, but who cares about her?) and save. DO SO NOW. You can level up if you wish. However, while levels help, the battle you'll fight is mostly luck. Also, you can initiate a Private Action here involving an old woman in west Lacour. Go shopping for her and she'll give you a Star Ruby and Rainbow Diamond. When you're ready to fight, go to the inn at the top right and talk to the innkeeper.
You'll step out for a walk. Head to the far left of town and up the stairs to see a scene with Gamgee's granddaughter, Suphia. She'll tag along for a little while. You can enter Gamgee's house and talk to him if you wish. Head back to the first screen in town and enter the bar. Talk to the guy at the lower left and Suphia will move; talk to all three guys at the top left and she'll move again. Now try to exit and a longish scene will play out. When it's over, go back into the inn and into the far left room.
You'll wake up the next morning. Head into the castle. First off, you can pick up a Star Ruby in here (go up to the throne room, right, up the stairs, left, and into the first door up to get it). Next you'll want to head to the Coliseum. From the start, head left twice, up the stairs, and keep going. Talk to the soldier. After the scene, Dias will temporarily join your party (so if you haven't de-equipped him of anything yet, you get another chance.) Head back to Gamgee's house and talk to Suphia again, then go back to the bar. When you try to enter, you'll trigger a hilariously easy battle against three Armedknights, after which you'll get the Sharpness sword. You can go into the bar again for another talk with Gamgee. When you're done, go back to the Coliseum registrar and talk to him. Dias will leave your party again.