How much do I have to farm levels?

[mystemacc]

At first I wanted to max all characters and stuff, but now I am in Nibelheim and I just want the game to end. A little bit the game's age, a little bit that I know the plot more or less, I gave up on farming more than I have to.

So I just want to level only what I have to so I can beat the weapons and other optional and tough enemies and finish the game and seeing all content.

So is it enough if I level Cloud, Tifa and one more? Are some characters necessary? Will I need 6 in some parts of the game?

I play the game with a guide so I don't miss anything and I am about level 30 in Nibelheim, no suggestion to farm yet in order to do anything.

And if some of you have already played 1-6, are they worth playing? I wanted to play all of them eventually but damn they are old. I don't mind playing old games but I don't want to have to grind in all games.

[Electric Cupcake]

You don't have to at all, unless trying to unlock limit breaks or level up materia fast.

Or you want to get Beta as soon as possible.

Final Fantasy 4-6 is the golden age of the series. FF7 is a milestone in gaming, but it's overrated compared to 1-6.

But play the PSP versions of 1 and 2, the 3d remake of 3, both the PSP version and 3d remake of 4, and the GBA versions of 5 and 6.

The Pixel Remasters are nice, but cut out a lot.

[mystemacc]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

You don't have to at all, unless trying to unlock limit breaks or level up materia fast.

Or you want to get Beta as soon as possible.

Final Fantasy 4-6 is the golden age of the series. FF7 is a milestone in gaming, but it's overrated compared to 1-6.

But play the PSP versions of 1 and 2, the 3d remake of 3, both the PSP version and 3d remake of 4, and the GBA versions of 5 and 6.

The Pixel Remasters are nice, but cut out a lot.

Cut what out? oh boy, that's what I don't like.

i wanted to get the games when it's on sale on steam and be done with it.

Maybe I should just watch playthroughs for the story.

[Electric Cupcake]

The bonus dungeons in FFI are a bit tedious, and the bosses are all guest appearances from other FF games, so that's not entirely crucial.

Final Fantasy 2, the Soul of Rebirth is an entire second campaign that happens parallel to the end of the main campaign.

FF3, the 3d remake fleshes out the story and gives the characters backstories and adds a superboss, so there's actually a reason to level up the jobs and get the bonus weapons.

Likewise, FF4 adds bonus dungeons and super bosses and more complicated gameplay mechanics with the augment system in the 3d remake, and the PSP version includes the Interlude Chapter and After Years sequel campaigns.

FF5 and FF6 in the GBA version and older mobile version adds new jobs and abilities, and challenge dungeons that are very satisfying for endgame-level parties.

[Daenoxiis]

That's fair, OP.

To be direct and short:

Most of the game can be pretty tackled at the 50 - 60-ish range for levels pretty effortlessly.
Going beyond that, is honestly just for us completionist grind guys.

As for your party:

You're going to want to try to keep everyone balanced in level through the end of Part 1 of the game. So, BEFORE you go to the City Of The Ancients near the end of Part 1.

The reason for this is because Part 2, the whole party divides.
Only certain characters will be available for you to choose from during Part 2.

So to make Part 2 easier on yourself, get them up to par in Part 1.

To be honest, Part 2 is the most grueling part of the game for me, BECAUSE it divides up the party, which makes it FEEL more grindy than it actually is...BUT, if you prepare for it ahead of time, than honestly you can just blast through it and everyone gets back together in Part 3 anyway.

Oh, and uuhh, if you wanna grind levels faster and more efficiently in Part 1, go back to Junion, pay the small fee to go up the elevator, and go down the hallway until you see the marching band practicing.

There's a button on the wall behind the instructor that's red and noticeable, when you press it, the room will start flashing red.

You can grind in here against higher level enemies for higher EXP.
The most EXP you can get per battle will be in this room in Part 1 of the game against enemies that aren't bosses.

There is a save point and an inn to recover to the North of this room, and to the South there are some shops.

Whenever you exit this room and reenter you must press the button to turn the enemy encounters on again.

Here is a video for what you are looking for, for a better visual if you decide to maximize your experience leveling efficiently:

https://youtu.be/jraXR2z2YdA?si=FvRUdSf5df7rdEbc

[mystemacc]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

The bonus dungeons in FFI are a bit tedious, and the bosses are all guest appearances from other FF games, so that's not entirely crucial.

Final Fantasy 2, the Soul of Rebirth is an entire second campaign that happens parallel to the end of the main campaign.

FF3, the 3d remake fleshes out the story and gives the characters backstories and adds a superboss, so there's actually a reason to level up the jobs and get the bonus weapons.

Likewise, FF4 adds bonus dungeons and super bosses and more complicated gameplay mechanics with the augment system in the 3d remake, and the PSP version includes the Interlude Chapter and After Years sequel campaigns.

FF5 and FF6 in the GBA version and older mobile version adds new jobs and abilities, and challenge dungeons that are very satisfying for endgame-level parties.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, that means I am not even going to attempt going through that mess. I will watch playthroughs and save myself some money and time.

I like FFVIII a lot, so I think I can enjoy the games 7+ as they get more and more modern, I can skip all pre 7. Some prequels are just not meant to be played by me, like Heroes 1, Civilization 1, Elder Scrolls 1-4 and now FF1-6.

[mystemacc]

Originally posted by Daenoxiis:

That's fair, OP.

To be direct and short:

https://youtu.be/jraXR2z2YdA?si=FvRUdSf5df7rdEbc

Thanks, that's helpful. I'll follow your advice.

According to the guide I am almost half-way through the game anyway, so it's not that long even if I add a few grinding on it.

[Zero McDol]

Level 50 is what's needed to beat the game, more or less, or at least where I'd recommend leveling to.


Having 100%'ed this game twice on the PS2, I'm having issues motivating myself to even get through the Midgar story in the beginning, on Steam. Great game, but I think that I'm just burnt out on FFVII. Currently I'm attacking the megabuilding to rescue Aeris, but haven't gotten to her yet.

We'll see, I may just play a little at a time. I mainly just need to motivate myself to get through Midgar, then everything else will be fine.

[Electric Cupcake]

Being high level or using KotR against Jenova does make the final bosses more interesting.

[Liro Raériyo]

i seem to recall that every character that hits level 99 actually boosts the final bosses health by a big chunk, though i might be thinking of the wrong final fantasy... and seeing as basically every character can hit the damage cap of 9999 per hit well before level 99 its probably a better idea to not do that.

[rydz]

I would suggest Cloud, Yuffie and Cid for limitbreaks. Keep Yuffie's at level 3 and get Cloud and Cid's level 4's.

[Daenoxiis]

Originally posted by Liro Raériyo:

i seem to recall that every character that hits level 99 actually boosts the final bosses health by a big chunk, though i might be thinking of the wrong final fantasy... and seeing as basically every character can hit the damage cap of 9999 per hit well before level 99 its probably a better idea to not do that.

It IS true that he gets harder above a certain level, but, I mean, he's nowhere near impossibly hard. Just gotta remember to Dispel his Wall and use things like Comet 2 + W-magic + Quadra Magic, KotR, and a Regen on the whole party in combination with a Final Attack + Phoenix. Or even though it takes a long time to do, the Counter + Mime limit break loop. There's dozens of different approaches on how to trample him late game beyond that level limit where he gets harder. So even though he is technically harder, it's also technically easier if you know how to do certain things. Basically, if you can whip up on Emerald and Ruby, you'll wipe the floor with him.

[ItsRay]

Originally posted by Daenoxiis:

Originally posted by Liro Raériyo:

i seem to recall that every character that hits level 99 actually boosts the final bosses health by a big chunk, though i might be thinking of the wrong final fantasy... and seeing as basically every character can hit the damage cap of 9999 per hit well before level 99 its probably a better idea to not do that.

It IS true that he gets harder above a certain level, but, I mean, he's nowhere near impossibly hard. Just gotta remember to Dispel his Wall and use things like Comet 2 + W-magic + Quadra Magic, KotR, and a Regen on the whole party in combination with a Final Attack + Phoenix. Or even though it takes a long time to do, the Counter + Mime limit break loop. There's dozens of different approaches on how to trample him late game beyond that level limit where he gets harder. So even though he is technically harder, it's also technically easier if you know how to do certain things. Basically, if you can whip up on Emerald and Ruby, you'll wipe the floor with him.

lmao guys this boss is super easy you just need 24 maxed out knights of the round materia with 24 mime materia lmao imagine thinking this boss is hard lmao nerds

[Gypruzz]

Originally posted by Daenoxiis:

Originally posted by Liro Raériyo:

i seem to recall that every character that hits level 99 actually boosts the final bosses health by a big chunk, though i might be thinking of the wrong final fantasy... and seeing as basically every character can hit the damage cap of 9999 per hit well before level 99 its probably a better idea to not do that.

It IS true that he gets harder above a certain level, but, I mean, he's nowhere near impossibly hard. Just gotta remember to Dispel his Wall and use things like Comet 2 + W-magic + Quadra Magic, KotR, and a Regen on the whole party in combination with a Final Attack + Phoenix. Or even though it takes a long time to do, the Counter + Mime limit break loop. There's dozens of different approaches on how to trample him late game beyond that level limit where he gets harder. So even though he is technically harder, it's also technically easier if you know how to do certain things. Basically, if you can whip up on Emerald and Ruby, you'll wipe the floor with him.

Pretty much this. The final boss is harder the LOWER level you are, just as usual in gaming. Otherwise, he's little ♥♥♥♥, even compared to other FF final bosses (except X, maybe).
The power-ups he gets if you're high level are in no way even remotely enough to shorten the wide gap between your OP characters and him. Basically, if you want a tough final boss fight, just do a challenge run.