Help Wanted: FFXII - Henne Mines Secret Area

[Kaibi Tsukushino]

I'm in the Henne Mines - Secret Area, and in addition to the game's map, I'm using this one: http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/final_fantasy_xii_henne_secret.png. It says there are treasures, with very valuable items, but none of the treasures are showing up. Why are they not appearing?

Secondly, my current levels are: 73, 67, 74, 70, 74, 68, respectively. I mostly use Vaan, Fran and Ashe. I learned a trick from this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOt7_rA73z8 which has helped significantly. However, there are many times where I'm still getting KO'ed left and right. Does anybody have any tips for me on how to successfully get through this secret area?

Thirdly, is there a Save Crystal before the esper?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Gabranth]

All treasure chests in FFXII have spawn rates, some low and some high. The majority of the chests in the secret area of Henne Mines have low spawn rates. Overall, taking into account the spawn rate, gil rate and treasure rates, you have a 10 -20% chance of actually obtaining the item you want.

As for your problems battle-wise, could you post your gambit setup and equipment. The following items and equipment helped me greatly:

Weapons: Excalibur and two Masamunes.
Armour: Maximillian, Grand Armour, Circlet and Dueling Mask.
Accessory: Sage's Ring, Ribbon and Bubble Belts.

Personally, I can't see where your problem lies - you have all six party members on a avarage level, much unlike the majority of players who use only three. Remember, Protectga and Hastega help greatly, so keep those buffs casted on a regular basis. Another word of advise is not to flee in the area containing the Etems - they'll teleport continously whilst casting spells all the same. Watch out for their Annul skills too - it causes your MP to drop to 0.

A great gambit setup, would be as follows (in chronological order):
Ally status: KO => Arise.
Ally HP < 30% => Curaja.
Ally status: Confuse => Remedy. (No need for Ally:Any; confuse is the major problem down here)
Foe party leaders target: Attack. (Never use Foe: Nearest - you have no control over your actions)
Ally MP <10% => Charge/Ether (Depending on your supply)
Ally Any: Protectga.
Ally Any: Hastega.
Ally Any: Shellga.

The latter three are optional. If you do use them, only set them on one character. (Or two in your case seeing as you have all six party members at a high level) Shell works wonder against the optional esper, Zodiark; the percentage rate of instant death caused by his Darkja skill is halved. Black Masks absorb the damage taken.

For your last question.....I don't remember a save crystal before the esper, so you'll have to trudge through the dungeon again if you die.

 

[Kaibi Tsukushino]

Wow, Gabranth. Thank you for all that information.

I have some extra questions, based on the advice you gave me...

For weapons, I only have one Masamune, and I don't have Excalibur. Armor: I don't have Maximillian, Grand Armor, or a Dueling Mask. Accessories: I don't have any Ribbons. I haven't encountered any of those, nor do I know where to find them...

For spells, I don't have Hastega. Again, I haven't encountered it at shops or anything. Sometimes when I research for where I am in the game, everybody has much better equipment, and some extra spells than I do at this point... Sad. Do you have further advice for this?

Thanks much!

PS... I'm at the spot before the esper. There is no crystal.

 

[Gabranth]

Indeed I do. Here's a list on the locations of important items and equipment:

Excalibur: Great Crystal. Diamond Armlet increases chance of obtaining it to 5%. http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/459841/43190

Second Masamune: I'll assume you acquired your current one by defeating both encounters of Gilgamesh....so the second one is procured through the Bazzar. You'll need rare items however.

Maximillian: Go to the Necrohol Of Nabudis, and find the secret Baknamy merchant. Check Gamefaqs for a map on his location.

Dueling Mask: Subterra (Pharos lower levels). Refer to the following map: http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/459841/46736
Its spawn rate is low however...

Grand Armour: You're better off leaving this one unless you're a perfectionist. If you intend on obtaining it, its located in the Necrohol Of Nabudis. The Rare Game, Helvinek drops it 5% of the time. To lure him out, kill 8 (I think) Etem-like creatures (of the death/scythe variety). Force him to follow you next to the boundary of another area. Defeat him, and quickly grab the loot and exit the area (before the EXP and LP signs appear. If its the Grand Armour, kudos to you, if it isn't, then re-enter the area and battle him again. Refer to the following video for exact details:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCcvMey_CYU

Ribbon: This is located in Cerobi Steppe and the secret area of the Henne Mines. Your chance of acquiring it in the Henne Mines is greater.....but the enemies cause it to be risky. The one in Cerobi Steppe has a 5% chance of being the Ribbon.

Hastega: South Bank Village in the Estersand.

Just to confirm, you do have Bubble Belts don't you? They're rather useful in all situations.

 

[Kaibi Tsukushino]

I do have Bubble Belts. I'm in the battle right now, and it started off okay until he started continuously casting Darkja and killing off my people. I am down to about two people, which is really sucking. I can't even cast Shellga fast enough. His health is now down to about 1/6th of his Max HP. I think I'll risk trying a Quickening Chain... that's about all I got left in my arsenal.

This is rough...

PS...

I just died...
Sucks. Hardcore.

PPS...

I think I'm going to use the mines to level up a bit, especially with that trick from the YouTube link. I will attack it again a little later.