Arc the Lad Strategy Guide
by JDP
[email protected]

Created: 4/22/02
Last update: 4/23/02

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x. Updates
1. Introduction
2. Guide
3. Techniques

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x. Updates

(4/23/02)
A way to open the chests in Nicarus Marsh was discovered.
Pretty ingenious, I say. I'm amazed I didn't think of it! lol.
Thanks to BrooksGoddess for dat info.

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1. Introduction

This is the guide for the US version of Arc the Lad.
This guide only covers the first game in the series.
I am sorry if some infoz is incorrect, such as
monster names, etc. because I wrote this while playing
the game straight through. I beat in in 7 hours 38 minutes.

Well, if you have anything to contribute to this guide/questions
email them to me @ [email protected]

Thanx
-JDP

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2. GUIDE

The game starts out with kukuru at the Guardian Peak, and she climbs the
mountain, and extinguishes the flame. She then hears a voice saying that it has
been freed. She comes back down, and is assured by the Mayor that she has done well.

It causes a Snowstorm to occur. Then you see Arc at his house, getting ready to
leave to go investigate what happened to his father. His mom comes in opens the
chest, yadda yadda. A flashback happens. Then your able to play as Arc. 1st grab
the armor from the now open box. Then make sure to check the top vase on the west
wall to get a healing herb. In the furnace there is a stone. Talking to Arc's mother
will get you a Kaiser glove, holy water, and healing stuff.

Then leave, and you see Kukuru the Guardian again, getting ready to relight the
flame. Arc shows up and takes the flame from her.

On his way up, he runs into the Ark Ghoul, which he finds out is the one who
killed his father. The Ghoul deals Arc a mighty blow, and then flies off, leaving him
for dead. Then a great white light shines over Arc and heals him.
Then it told him what happened to his father, and  what his destiny is to be
and gives him the power to defeat any monster. Arc gets up and runs off to
continue his ascension up the Guardian Peak.

You find yourself in the first fight of the game with
Arc fighting some green blobs that can multiply themselves.
This fight is really, easy, but it's fun. Kudos to designers
of the fighting. To climb up on to different levels of the
cliff, go to the areas where u see the roots or vines (or
what ever those are) sticking out. Also there is a energy
fruit in a chest near the top.

After the fight the Ark Ghoul appears before Kukuru back at
the entrance. It tries to kill her, but Arc rekindles the flame
just in time to reseal the monster.

A few days have gone by the news of Arc's abilities have
spread through out the land. He has been summoned to meet
the king.
You are at Arc's house again. He sayas farewell to his mother, Polta,
and then heads off to the Village Gate, where Kukuru has walked him to.
There she tells him about how their destinies are intertwined, and
then Arc heads off out the gate.

Now you are the worldmap. This is a unique take on the worldmap. Simply
just highlight Palencia Castle (it will be highlighted a kind of Magenta).
Also at this worldmap, you can return to Arc's home in Touvil.
At home Arc's mother will give him a healing herb and tell him that his
father had left a letter for him. This letter tells you of fighting techniques.
At the entrance of the Castle group of soldiers is running out the door, with a
small
runty one following behind. He trips and falls, and gets back up and
runs off again. After entering the castle and getting past the guard, you are
lead to
speak to the king. He begins to tell you about the Ark, but his minister,
who seems a bit fishy to me, tells him that it is too soon to trust
such knowledge to Arc, since they're not sure yet if he is really for real
or not. So Arc is sent off on a quest to Colbo Plain, just north of the
castle.

*Colbo Plain*

Arc senses something is wrong, and then hears a russling among the tall grass.
Out comes the runty soldier who begs for mercy, thinking that Arc is a monster.
Then once he realizes he's not a monster, he introduces himself as Poco. AFter
the introduction, they are ambushed by a group of ghosts, blobs, and these
trollish goblin things. This fight is harder than the first one, but is still
fairly easy. When there is a large group of monster in one area, try using
Arc's Lava attack to take them all out.

After the fight they return to Palencia Castle to announce the sad news
that the Battalion had been destroyed. The minister insists on still not
believing
Arc and asks how they can really believe that he is so great. Instantly Arc's
chance to prove himself once and for all arrives as a soldier runs in telling them
that monsters are at the castle's doorsteps. So Arc and Poco bravely volunteerto
to pick up where the kingdom's best forces have failed.
At the Castle entrance Kukuru is trying to fight some of those green blobs.
Arc and Poco run over and join in her in battle.
After the battle, Kukuru falls down in extreme fatigue. After some rest, the
group meets again with the king. This time the king praises Arc for his great skills,
but the minister, Andel, still inisists on being rude and distrustful or Arc. Then
the you receive a history lesson from the King, and are told to travel to  Toyoke
forest. After the meeting, a scene plays out in the minister's chamber where you learn
his true motives behind trying to will the king into not trusting Arc and his
friends.

Now go to Seirya Skyport, where you will take a plane to the Millmana. At the
skyport you meet a warrior who introduces himself as being your guide. Now go to the
Capital HQ. Here at the HQ you will be led into the General's Office. Here, again they meet
yet another person who doubts their power, and tries to talk them out of it. The
General Yagun and his monkey laugh at them, but they instantly win him over into
letting them continue into Toyoke forest, but only after they have proved themselves by
destroying monsters some monsters near the immediate area.
Before heading off to Ruvag woods and the Sembara Marsh, the warrior lets you
talk to some people around the HQ. One of the soldiers informs you it might be a good idea
to go to Nicarus forest to polish up on your skills first.

*Nicarus Forest*
Here is just a lot of skeletons. Note, Arc's "Burn Ground" does not work on the
Skeletons unless they're paralyzed. Also, once near death, the skeletons will
become paralyzed and fall to the ground as a pile of bones, appearing to be
totally dead; strike them once more to finish them off and clear away this obstruction of
bones. Also make sure to watch Kukuru's health closely, since she is the weakest
member of the party, and is the most likely to be slain first, if at all. I suggest
using Poco's Battle Drum at the beginning of battle.
Also be careful not to obstruct your path, it is very easy to get characters
stuck and unable to find a place to move/run to. But, the good news is that if there
is a space open on the other side of a monster, Kukuru can jump over the monster.
To open up the chests in the middle of water, attack them with  a bomb or a rock.

*Ruvag Woods*
The fight in Ruvag Woods uses very much the same strategy of making sure to
leave clear walk ways, but this time you are fighting ghosts, a couple of dudes, and some
weird plants that multiply by planting their seeds. The plant make walking difficult because
they are stationary, while everyone else is mobile. The dudes are more offensive
will run right towards you, while the ghosts are more on the defensive side and will be
prone to attacking you and then running away from you. Be careful when standing
around the plants, because although they are rather weak in the health department, they
can blast you with pollen, which will greatly reduce your health; this attack has a
range of 1 square.

*Sembara Marsh*
This fight is seemingly harder, because you are fighting against these flying
insects that can move about virtually anywere on the map. They deal a fairly good attack,
too. Also, this map is seemingly more cramped than the other 2. Make sure to use
Poco's Battle Drum here, too. The bugs insects and dudes are strong. I found
that it's best if you split up, having Poco and Kukuru go one way, and Arc go another
way by himself; by this time, if you trained enough at the Nicarus Forest, Arc \
should be strong enough to handle these monsters on his own.

After defeating the monsters in the woods and marsh, return to HQ, where you go
back to the General's Office. General Yagun still is untrusting of the 3 adventurers,
but he allows them to head on to Toyoke Forest. After Arc and his friends leave his office,
he sends out a mysterious person to follow them and finish them off.

*Toyoke Forest*
They are led by their guide again, but he quickly loses them. He must have been
still sore about Kukuru knocking him. So, the gang is left to fend for themselves among
the monsters. The monsters here are the ghosts, the plants, and the flying insects that we
ran into in the previous Ruvag woods and Sembara Marsh, plus there is a new monster, that
is purple; the new one is fairly easy. Here in Toyoke forest, the passages are even smaller!
So, be careful. This map seems to be just a long narrow path throught the forest, so just keep
your group together battling your way through the forest.
Also, good thing is that Arc, Poco and Kukuru can jump over plants.

After the fight, they reach the this large, magnificient tree. After admiring
it's beauty for
a while, a Forest Spirit appears. The forest spirit reveals that Arc's father,
Yoshua, is still alive and had received healing from her. She reveals more about
Arc's quest, and tells him to return to Touvil after giving him the "Hero Crest".

At the worldmap you may notice that Ruvag and Sembara are now available again
on the map.
Go back there and you can train some more. Other than training, there is
nothing left to do, but go back to Millmana Skyport.

Upon arriving at Seirya Skyport, a messenger of the king tells you that you are
needed at the Castle. Off to the Castle it is now.
Once on the worldmap you might also notice 2 new places marked. Quinta Hall and
Karagan Plain; there you can train, too.

Upon arriving at Palencia Castle, a group of soldiers pass by escorting what
Poco said to be a most likely dangerous criminal, but Kukuru senses that he doesn't
appear to be one. Once the guards have passed, Arc and his friends learn that
the criminal was a guard for in town, and an outstanding one at that. But,
he wasn't arrested for anything he had done, but rather for what he believed;
and also of the ministers sinister plot.

In the Castle prison you are shown the "criminal", Tosh, being locked away.

Then we Arc and his friends in the Audience Chamber. Something fishy is going
on, as they are not brought before the king but rather the Minister, who informs
them that the king has taken ill and that he will relay their report to the
king for them. But, he quickly sends Arc away as news of the prisoner comes from a
guard. Once outside the Audience Chamber, our heros decide to go the dungeon to see
what is going on.

*Palencia Prison Dungeon*
You see Tosh being told about how his sentenced has been passed, and learn
about why Tosh is a criminal. He rebelled against the minister after the minister had
burned his village down, and tried to eradicate his clan. After the guards have left,
Tosh has a flashback, and then decides to break out. He tears open his door, and runs
away.

*Palencia Castle Warehouse*
Arc, Poco, and Kukuru walk in on Tosh attack a guard. The guards turned into
monsters and struck Tosh down. But, Kukuru's mirror started to shine, signifying that
they were all great heros, and brought a great strength to all the heros in the
room.
Tosh jumped back up, and was ready to fight.
The fight is fairly easy and fast. Just make sure to watch your health, even
though the monsters have generally weak attacks.
After the fight, Tosh refuses to explain why he was captured to Arc and his
friends, and runs off back upstairs.
Arc, Poco, and Kukuru, go back to the Audience Chamber where the King says that
a spirit told him that Arc is descended from royalty. The Minister tries to
persuade the king that Arc must be a spy, but the king refuses to believe it. Arc shows
the king the Hero Crest to prove that he is descended from royalty. Then they
leave; as they leave the chamber, a guard comes annoucning that Tosh has broken loose.
The king orders him to recapture him.
Then you see another scene where the minister is in his chamber informing the
mirror of Arc's advancements.

Now head on to Touvil. At the village gate, Kukuru smells smoke! So, quickly Arc dashes
to his house, only to find that his house has been burned to the ground. I think we
all know who the culprit is!! ERR! Then he receives a letter from his father telling
about how to save the world, and of special book that will help him Off to the Ancient
Monolith it is (it is located north of Touvil) At the Ancient Monolith they discover
some mysterious writing. A voice tells them to reveal their power, and transports them
to Illusion World.

*Illusion world*
In Illusion World you will fight this giant blue genie looking monster. He can
attack you from afar with Tornados and put you asleep, and also has a close-up
multiple attack punch. He can also summon these bright pink flames that can walk about and
attack you. All these have pretty strong attacks, so you will want to watch your characters
Health closely. First thing I suggest you do is use Poco's Battle Drum. The best strategy
for winning this battle is to destroy the flames first, then
kill the blue giant monster. The only place to attack it though is it's center in
the belly. You will most likely want Arc on either the Front or side of the monsters
belly, with Kururu attacking either the front of side, with Poco diagonal to
the monsters belly inbetween Kururu and Arc, healing them.
See diagram below for what i mean:
                          AM    M = Monster, A = Arc, P = Poco, K = Kururu
                          PK

After the fight, you are returned to the Ancient Monolith and meet Gogen, of
whom you have just freed from the structure. You learn that Gogen is the book, and
he tells ou about how to obtain the power of the Ark, and that you must go to Alatos.
But, first ou will be in need of an airship. So back to Palencia Castle it is!
At the Castle the king grants you an airship, and gives Poco a new technique,
the Wild Lion Drum.  Now go back to the skyport.

Before flying off you see a brief scene in which Tosh learns that from The
Sword Spirit n his sword that his destiny is to join Arc's quest. So Tosh runs down from
his mountain
and joins Arc just as they're boarding the airship.
After you have taken off, you will find that a new map has popped up. This is a
map for the Airship. Alatos is located West of Seirya.

After landing at the Alatos Skyport, you are greeted by Chongara who tells you
to
go follow him to his shop. At the worldmap, go to Chongara's Shop. He offers to
tell you about where to find the next guardian spirit, but for a price.
So you have to set off to the Forbidden Ruins.

*Forbidden Ruins*

Floor 1: This floor is really easy. Just beat up the dudes with swords, jump
over the walls to open the chests. Then to proceed to the next floor, have one of
your characters stand on the stair while ending his turn.

Floor 2: On this floor there are these purple and white wolves. They have a
stronger attack, but shouldn't be much of a problem. Defaet them and then grab open the
2 chests before proceeding on southward to the stairs.

Floor 3: On this floor there are wolves and a couple mages. The mages have
can block attacks with their shields, as well as shoot magical blasts that
cover a wide area. The wolves can jump over walls. Next to the exiting stairs, there
is a chest that has 42 exp and a bracelet inside.

Floor 4: This floor is ridden with zombies and more mages. The zombies can cast
'silence' which will keep your party members from using their techniques.
You can either run straight to the exit, or go south to get all the items
and acquire your experience for fighting. There are 3 chests: a stone, insomnia
card, and an atrophy ball.

Floor 5: On this floor you will find zombies and red knights. They all can cast
silence, and the red knights are heavy hitters. This is a fairly easy fight, though,
if you can manage to keep your health high. At the south there it branches off to the west
and east.East path you will find a Small Bomb, West you will find the Summon Pot that
you were sent to find. Now you should head out of the Ruins by going back up the stairs.

Floor 6: If you chose to go to floor 6, this one is rather difficult. There are
those red knights again, but much stronger this time, and some black dust clouds.
It's impossible to kill the dust clouds so don't even try, just focus on the
knights. Jump over the walls to get the chests, but don't bother trying to fight; also
you send only your strongest characters inside that inner wall, because the clouds
are strong.

Floor 7: Things get even tougher...you are faced with these flying creatures of
death that can deal you a great amount of damage, and the dust clouds again.


Go back to Chongara's Shop. There you will give him the pot, and see a
flashback about how  he was asked by Arc's father to help him. The next day they head off
to Azenda Highland, just south of the shop. Go to Azenda Highland from the map.

*Azenda Highland Cave*
This is a fairly long and tough fight. You should try to keep all your
characters as close as together as you can, incase anyone needs healing, etc. Try to avoid
having characters wandering off alone. After the fight you will meet the next guardian
spirit, receive its stone, and then say a fond farewell to Chongara.
Now go to the Alatos skyport, where Chongara will have decided to rejoin you,
and you learn the next destination: East Amaidar in Greyshinne.
Once in at the next Skyport you learn about some fighting monks. Then you should
go to the Amaidar Temple.

Upon arriving at the temple you are stopped from entering by Iga. This fight
is really easy. It's Arc against Iga.
After the fight Iga takes you meet the Archmonk, who turns out to be a monster.
In this fight, just make sure not to have any lone stragglers, and keep your
health up. I suggest defeating the grey monsters roaming around first before
attacking the archmonk in the center of the floor.
After the fight head on to Mt. Amaidar.

*Mt Amaidar*
This fight is harder. I suggest first using Poco's Battle Drum technique, then
attacking the Wild Hemo-ji's to your right, first. Then heading on after the
Boogie-Men and purple slimes to the north. You should first focus on defeating
the Wild Hemo-ji's and boogy men, and defeat the slimes last. Also, the
Hemo-jis
and turn you into some sort of stupid creature, while the boogiemen can cast
a wild wind, adn the slimes can split.
After the fight you meet the Earth Guardian who gives you his stone.
Then you find that you have returned to Amaidar Temple where Iga thanks you
and decides to join the group. After a farewell to the Monks you should
head back to the Skyport, or if you wish to train you can go back to Amaidar
Temple.
At the Skyport you get your next lead, and board the skyship.

Now head to Niedel. Once landed, head to the Tournament Arena. At the Arena
the party splits up and walk around as Arc. However, you can switch characters
by talking to them. Once you are ready to enter tournament, talk to the guy
near the stairs, and he will ask you who you wish to enter in the tournament.
After each round you can choose to switch characters by talking to them, but if
you do, the tourny master will ask if you wish to restart the tournament.
The first battles are ultra easy, and so is the last one; the final battle
just casts "Divine Judgement" which doesn't do worth $#%#. And the actual
final battle, the fight for the orb, is really easy, too.
After you win the orb, you find that your victory was too easy, and that
the ringmaster was actually a monster.
It's probably best just to use a lot of techniques that attack more than
1 creature at a time, because the boogie-men's wind attacks can take alot
out of you.
Then after Gogen drops the orb, releasing the Wind Spirit, who gives you
his stone, head back to the Skyport. There you learn that your next destination
is Zariban.

At the Zariban Skyport, a man greets you and announces that Arc's father,
Yoshua,
has made preparations for his arrival. So now head on to Saryu Village.

At the village, the greeter tells you some history, then the village is
attacked
by a beam of light. Arc and his friends run to the village where they run into
a monster, skeletons, and a lot of those stupid plants again. Probably your
biggest problem is the plants.
After the fight you talk to the village elder, then leave for the Water Shrine.

*Water Shrine*
Here you will fight a giant beetle surrounded by little beetles. Using multiple
creature attack techniques to take them out. Also, Bombs seem to work very well
against the giant beetle.
Next you get to fight that general biatch and his minions. This fight is kind
of
hard. The best attack is use Arc's Meteor Shower to take out large groups of
the monsters. Also Gale flash works very well on the boss.
After the fight you meet the Water Guardian who gives you his stone, and
Fu-jin.
Fu-jin is a monster summonable by Chongara.

Now on the map you will several places open: Salyan Desert, Ishima Rocks
and Raiden Ruins. In these places you can train. Once you are ready go back
to the Skyport.

Now go to Seirya and then to Touvil. Check the mail box and Arc finds a letter
telling him where the final Guardian is...it's in the Palencia Castle!!!
Now is probably the best time to start training and do anything else that
haven't
done yet, before going back into thecastle.

*BioLab Basement*
Once you go into the Castle they snoop around the warehouse, and then
enter a basement elevator. They take the elevator to the bio-lab,
where they find the Fire Guardian locked up. The scientists turn into
monsters.
This fight is hard. The ghoulish looking purple dudes can steal your
HP and distribute it among the other monsters! Not good. Try taking care
of the big boss monster and the ghouls before worrying about the slimes.
Use multi-techniques and healing.

After the fight the Fire Guardian is freed, and you receive Rai-jin, another
summonable monster. Then that stupid scientist starts the self-destruct
mechanism, and the party makes a run for it. But, as the begin to leave
via elevator, monsters appear. So, Arc and Kukuru stay behind to fight
off the monsters while the others leave.
This fight is easy. Just keep an eye out on your health, and use multi attack
techniques, such as that Meteor shower to make this a quick fight.
After this fight they run into more monsters on the elevator. Gale Flash seems
most effective on them.

AFter the fight, everyone meets back up together, Andel runs off, the king
dies,
and they all flee to the airship on the roof.

After that news reel goes by, you can go do whatever you want around the world.
When you are done, go back to Seirya, where they land in disguise (hehe)

Once in Seirya, go to Touvil. They sneak into town, and up to the Peak.
Arc and Kukuru extinguish the flame again, releasing the monster. The monster
tells them that he will meet the at the Ark. On Arc and Kukuru's way down
they run into monsters! This is a pretty tough fight, so make sure to watch
your health.
After the fight, leave to Sabbatico Falls, bordering south to Touvil.

At the Exterior this is a really tough fight. I suggest that you train, if you
feel that your characters are weak, before entering the Sabbatico Falls.
The first fight is a lot demons who can cast a very powerful spell that shoots
in a direct line. Lightning Gale is most effective attack on them.
After the fight, they go inside, place the stones, and then end up in
Illusion World again, this time fighting mirror images of themselves.
This fight should be fairly easy, but is rather hard because the "monsters" can
get quite tough at times; remember they have all the same techniques you do!
After the fight, the Ark congratulates them, and tells them that their quest
is near the end. Then they leave the interior...

Then it is the END! I'm not about to spoil the ending for you.


-------------------------------------

3. Techniques

Poco's Magic Attacks
* Battle Drum - Raises everyone in the area's atk value.
* Heal Harp - Heals everyone in a vertical/horizontal area.


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This document is Copyright 2002 Jason Payne. This document
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