Final Fantasy Tactics was different from the mainstream Final Fantasy games because it reverted back to a turn-based game when the active time battles were becoming popular. However, it switched for a good reason: it had a battle system based entirely on strategy. Final Fantasy Tactics was the first in the series to adopt the system of a checkerboard-like map on which characters moved and fought. It was the third game of the Final Fantasy series to use a job system, following those of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy V and improving upon them. It's a complex game, to be sure - to help alleviate that complexity, please use our exclusive Final Fantasy Tactics Walkthrough to help you through the game!
The game begins with Princess Ovelia praying for safety at Orbonne Monastery before starting a short journey. She steps back at her guardian, Agrias’, command, and they prepare to leave. Before they can, three mercenaries come in, assigned to help Agrias protect Princess Ovelia on the trip. The leader of the three, Gafgarion, complains to Agrias that they need to get going. Before they can leave, however, one of Agrias’ soldiers bursts into the room, wounded, explaining that the Monastery is under attack. Agrias runs out of the Monastery to confront them, and the mercenaries follow, leaving Ovelia in the care of a priest of the Monastery, Simon. Agrias notices outside that the crest of the soldiers attacking is that of the Black Lion, Goltana. Before they can discuss it further, the battle begins.
| Enemies: | Knight x1, Chemist x1, Archer x3 |
| Guest Characters: | Gafgarion (Dark Knight), Agrias (Holy Knight), Rad (Squire), Alicia (Knight), Lavian (Knight) |
| Geomancy Available: | Carve Model, Demon Fire, Hell Ivy, Local Quake, Water Ball |
Not much strategy is required for this battle because the only character you can control is the main character of the game and one of the mercenaries, Ramza. When it’s Ramza’s turn, explore the opportunities there are available to him. Look at how far he can move and what abilities he can use, and press the select button on an ability to learn more about it. The more experimenting you do, the better the outcome will be. The best thing you can do in this battle is to try to move behind or to the side of one of the enemies and attack that way, because attacking from the front makes your attack easier to be avoided. The battle will be won by the combined strengths of Agrias and Gafgarion, who use Stasis Sword and Night Sword, which do great damage from long range.
When you win the battle, you’ll hear a scream, apparently from Ovelia inside the Monastery. Agrias dashes inside to try to save her, but a man in gold armor is taking her away on a chocobo and gets away before Agrias can do anything about it. Ramza watches from afar, because he knows the princess’ abductor…