Xenosaga III: Also Sprach Zarathustra
Special Attack FAQ Version 1.0
by Codex (
[email protected])
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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[01] Version History
[02] Introduction
[03] Character Special Attacks
[04] ES Special Attacks
[05] Leveling Special Attacks
[06] Gameplay Tips
[07] Copyright
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FAQ
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[01] Version History
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Version 1.0 9/14/06
- Added level acquired for rank 3 character special attacks
Version 0.95 9/12/06
- Added level acquired for rank 2 character special attacks
Version 0.90 9/11/06
- Character special attacks basic details
- ES special attacks complete
[02] Introduction
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This guide is intended to address questions that frequently arise concerning
special attacks, their acquisition and leveling, as well as serve as a refer-
ence during gameplay of Xenosaga III. Proceed with care; I've tried to mini-
mize spoilers, but they are still present as some attacks are acquired through
the storyline.
I'd like to thank the Gamefaqs Xenosaga III game board for asking questions, as
well as those who take the time to answer them over and over.
[03] Character Special Attacks
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Each character has three special attacks in all. They start off with one, and
acquire the rest via leveling or through storyline events.
The occasional playable characters (Miyuki, Canaan and Allen) do not have
special attacks.
Character Rank Name Boost Properties (Level Acquired)
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chaos 1 Phoenix Strike 2 Single large break + absorb Gnosis soul
2 Imperial Judgement 2 All medium ice ether attack (34)
3 Beloved Gospel 3 Auto revive all allies with max HP once (50)
(can be used multiple times per battle)
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KOS-MOS 1 G-Shot 2 Single large physical attack
2 X-Buster 2 All medium beam ether attack (31)
3 D-Teneritas 4 Single massive fire ether attack
Acquired in Chapter 10 after defeating T-elos
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Jin 1 Spark Waltz 2 Single large physical attack
2 Dragon Dance 3 Single large lightning attack (22)
3 Lightning Waltz 4 Single massive lightning attack
Acquired in Chapter 10 after defeating ES Levi
by examining sparkling object near the ES
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Jr. 1 Requiem 2 Single large physical + absorb Gnosis, Bio
2 Storm Waltz 2 All medium physical + large break attack (30)
3 Red Dragon 4 All large fire ether attack (43)
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MOMO 1 Freeze Shock 2 Single large ice ether attack
2 Guilty Rain 2 All medium lightning ether attack (24)
3 Gold Crown 2 Casts Offensive, Defensive, Balance Up (48)
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Shion 1 Break Bash 2 Single heavy break + higher crit to Bio
2 Lock Shot 2 All medium beam ether + seal boost (26)
3 MS2 3 Single large fire attack (41)
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Ziggy 1 Penetrate 2 Single large physical attack
2 Hind 2 All medium fire attack (26)
3 Intruder 4 Single massive fire + medium break attack (40)
[04] ES Special Attacks
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The ES can also use special attacks. The system is slightly different in that
each ES has its own boost gauge and can use their special attacks independently.
In order to execute a special attack, an ES must fill up their boost gauge to
at least 1. Selecting 'Anima' in the battle menu will allow you to access its
special attack. Once you select the Anima Awakening Level (which corresponds to
the special attack level), you can't change your mind. You can only use the
special attack level that corresponds to the Awakening level (i.e. you can't
use two level 1 attacks if you Awaken at level 2).
Level 1 Awakening: Acquired in Chapter 3, when you first board your ES on the
Floating Landmass
Level 2 Awakening: Acquired in Chapter 6 at Labyrinthos, after securing new
Vessels of Anima
Level 3 Awakening: Acquired in Chapter 8 at Abel's Ark, after destroying the
bosses within the four spheres
ES Rank Name Properties
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ES Asher 1 Shot Buster Single medium beam attack
2 Flare Buster All large fire attack
3 Cerberus Single massive lightning attack
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ES Dinah 1 R-Fang Single medium beam ether attack
2 X-Buster All large beam ether attack
3 X-Cannon Single massive beam ether attack
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ES Reuben 1 Iron Blade Single medium physical attack
2 Garuda's Wrath All large lightning attack
3 Lotus Blades Single massive beam attack
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ES Zebulun 1 Aird Star Single medium beam ether attack
2 Aird Rain All large beam ether attack
3 Meteor Burst All massive fire ether attack
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[05] Leveling Special Attacks
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Each special attack can grow in levels up to level 25. In general, this is
achieved by using the special attack for a given number of times. The only
exceptions are chaos' level 2 Imperial Judgment and Jr.'s level 3 Red Dragon.
These two skills are leveled through the absorption of souls by delivering a
finishing blow with each character's level 1 special attack (Phoenix Strike and
Requiem respectively). chaos' Phoenix Strike will absorb only Gnosis, while
Jr.'s Requiem will absorb both biologicals and Gnosis. The number of souls
absorbed can be checked through the character's status screen.
The number of uses/souls absorbed required for the next level increases at in-
crements of 3. For character special attacks, ES special attacks, and special
attacks relying upon soul absorption, the growth ladder is as follows:
Level 01 -
Level 02 6 ( +6)
Level 03 15 ( +9)
Level 04 27 (+12)
Level 05 42 (+15)
Level 06 60 (+18)
Level 07 81 (+21)
Level 08 105 (+24)
Level 09 132 (+27)
Level 10 162 (+30)
and so on until the attacks max out at level 25
[06] Gameplay Tips
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Special attacks are a powerful tool in your battle arsenal. Using them effec-
tively will help your characters grow and defeat their enemies more efficient-
ly. A few tips are listed below:
1. Equip gear to display data
Whether it is your characters or ES, it helps a lot to see your enemies'
physical/elemental weaknesses and strengths. Some array of enemies will have
opposing elemental affinities, while some bosses will shift on the fly. If
you're not aware of these properties, you may waste a valuable special
attack only to see it land 0 damage or even heal the enemy.
2. Kill enemies with your special attacks
Landing a finishing blow with your special attack will net you an extra 50%
in experience, skill points, and gold per enemy. Once you gain level 2 spe-
cial attacks, soften enemies up with all-enemy attacks and wrap up the bat-
tle with an all-enemy special attack for a hefty bonus. Keep an eye out for
elemental properties of both your targets and your attack.
3. Traps are your friend
Use your traps! These will gain you at least 1 boost gauge, and are espe-
cially effective with ES, since they have independent gauges. Use these
traps to charge up before a boss fight; you can always escape from a non-
boss battle after gaining boost. Rinse and repeat until full.
4. Increase your max boost
As you proceed through the game, you will come across necklaces that will
increase your max boost. These are necessary for using character special
attacks that require more than 3 boost gauges. They need to be equipped
on your active characters for them to be effective.
[07] Copyright 2006 Joy Tsiao
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