(2) Fire Cavern, Dollet Mission

Fire Cavern


By this time I have 100 of Fire, Blizzard and Cure (and yes, Scan as well). I head off to the Fire Cavern. It is east from Balamb Garden.

From Balamb Garden:  Balamb Town (right) and Fire Cavern (left).

Go inside the cave. Quisitis will then give you a tutorial about Junction magic. She’ll also ask you if you need a review of your gun blade. It’s going to be up to you if you want to review. Straight up are 2 guardians, they’ll ask for on how long you think you can finish the task at hand. I always choose 20 minutes. It gives me time to draw/ card the monsters. I can always up my SeeD level by taking the test anyway (see SeeD Tests link). Usually, 4 Shiva summons are enough. After you defeat Ifrit (you’ll also get his card when you defeat him), head out again. Don’t forget to card Bombs as this allows you to make an item to make Ifrit compatible to the summoner (see Guardian Forces link).


Once you’re back in Balamb Garden, play some cards. Cards can be useful when converted to items for weapons upgrade or magic (see Card Mod link). You can play with the receptionist at the entrance gate, the receptionist in the Libarary, the guy hanging out of the Library, a couple of guys in the cafeteria and the kid jogging around the Garden in that order. Once you’re good with the cards that you have, (I suggest like 10 games each or until you get bored), proceed to your dormitory and change clothes.


You will automatically be where the directory is and Zell will be introduced in the game. You’ll find out that Seifer is in your team as well and he’s your Captain. You will end up in the Quad riding the car. Once you’re in the ship, Xu will be giving out instructions. When Seifer tells you to go outside, do so. It’ll help in your SeeD ranking later on. CG movie when you to the deck.


Speaking of SeeD ranking this mission will determine what your initial SeeD ranking will be, so be a professional at all times. During the test, DO NOT talk to anyone other than your team mates. DO NOT go to the left side of the fountain until Seifer goes there. DO NOT hide from the boss by going inside the stores. DO NOT jump off the cliff. And talk to the dog when you’re running away from the boss to save him/ her.


Dollet Mission (SeeD Test)


Once you’ve landed in Dollet go up the stairs to the save point. Save your game.

There will be three instances where you’ll battle Galbadian soldiers. First is right after the save point. Second instance is before the bridge. Last is on the alley above the fountain. Remember not to go to the left side of the fountain unless Seifer does first. Don’t forget to stock on magic for junction or use.


After you’ve cleaned up the Galbadian soldiers, talk to Seifer twice. After a short script, try to talk to Seifer twice and he will decide to go to the tower. Follow him. Once you get to the tower, he’ll leave you and Selphie will appear. Notice that all of Seifer’s magic are now assigned to Selphie, but she doesn’t have the GF junctioned. So junction whatever GF Seifer had and you’re ready to go. Follow Selphie inside the tower, draw blind from the draw point and save your game.


Ride the elevator going up and the scene will be on Major Biggs and Wedge. When you reach that level a CG movie starts. After that you’ll be fighting Major Biggs and then Wedge will join him. Don’t forget to draw as much Esuna from Major Biggs as you can.


Once you’ve defeated Major Biggs and Wedge, you’ll be fighting Elvoret. DO NOT forget to Draw Siren. The only time you can draw Siren again is in Ultimecia’s castle (Disk 3). You can also draw Double from Elvoret.


After defeating Elvoret, Selphie will tell Seifer that they have orders to retreat in 30 minutes. Go down the elevator and SAVE. Once outside, you’ll encounter X-ATM092. You will have to RUN away from X-ATM092 as it will try to run after you. DO NOT avoid any encounters with X-ATM092 for your SeeD ranking after this test. It is weak in Lightning so use Quezacotl in every chance you’ve got. You can draw Protect from X-ATM092 if you want to. Keep running until you reach the SeeD vessel. Short CG will play.


Once you’re back in Balamb, Seifer will take your car. You’ll have to walk, which is fine. DO NOT talk to anyone until you’ve given your report. Try to get Siren’s Refine Life Ability by defeating (or carding) the monsters in the area. There’s also an Esuna draw point at the rail tracks behind Balamb Town, so don’t forget to draw that as well.


When you’ve got Siren’s Refine Life Ability (L-Mag RF), head back to Balamb Town and go to the store. Make sure you buy Tents (total of 40 if you can afford it, I could only buy 28) and have Siren create 1000 Curagas for all 4 of your characters. 10 tents make 100 Curaga (see Item link).


You can head over the Balamb Garden once you’ve got the GF skills that you want. Zell and Selphie will go to their dorms. When you get to the directory, Headmaster Cid, Quistis and Xu will discuss what has happened in the mission. Head to the library and talk to Seifer. After Headmaster Cid leaves, go back to the directory, all students who participated in the exams will have to go to the 2nd floor. After you’ve talked to everyone in the area, wait and someone will start calling out names. You’ll be in Headmaster Cid’s room.  After his speach, talk to him to get the Battle Meter.


Run towards the elevator and the next screen will be the 4 of the new SeeDs. Talk to each and Zell will ask you to go to the classroom. Head to the classroom and before you even reach it, Seifer and company will give you a round of applause. The next scene will be Selphie in your room telling you to get changed. Go ahead and change, take your SeeD exams (Menu>Tutorial>Test) and save your game. (See SeeD exam answers).


Zell and Selphie will then talk to Squall. Then Rinoa. After that is a very nice CG movie. Once the movie is done, you’ll end up in the balcony and Quisitis will ask you to go to the “Secret Place”. This is a room in the Training Center near the save point. Head out of the balcony and you’ll be in your room. Change and save then proceed to the Training Center.


When you’re in the Training Center you’ll meet up with Quistis, make sure to junction the GFs currently assigned to either Zell and Selphie. Quistis will give you a tutorial on Status-J. Either head left or right and follow the path. It’s a loop so it’s not hard to figure out. Make sure that you stock up on Sleep and Silence. If you’re current characters are already at 100, exchange some to the ones that isn’t at 100.

Head left to leave Training Center

Once you’re done, or bored, head on to the save point and save. Go inside the “Secret Place” and Quistis will rant. When you’re back at the save point, save. Then head on to the left of the screen. When you’re near the exit you’ll hear a cry for help and you’ll fight a Granaldo. Don’t forget to draw and cast Protect from the Raldo before you start drawing Shell and Blind from Granaldo and Protect from the Raldo.


Head out of the Training Center and after one parting shot from Quisitis, go to your dorm. Zell will greet you there and tell you that you have a new room. You’ll sleep. When you wake up, Selphie will tell you that you have your first mission. Pick up “Weapons Monthly, April Issue and save your game.