                                   Arc the Lad Collection Guides
                                           by Billy Lee
                                              Version 1
                                              leeroy3825@hotmail.com
                                              4/19/02

*****************************************************************************
                               Disclaimer
This document (c)2002 Billy Lee.  This FAQ may not be used or distributed for
commercial use.  It may not be distributed at all without written permission
from the author(that's me).  Arc the Lad collection and Arc the Lad are
(c)1995-2001 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  English Translation (c)2001
Working Designs Inc.  This guide must be displayed in its entirety.  No
pieces of this guide may be removed and/or copied to another location for
public display.
*****************************************************************************

Version History:
Version 1: Initial Release

Current Game being worked on in the set: Arc the Lad

------------------------------
Table Of Contents
---------------------
1. Intro and Stuff *
2. Game Package *
3. Arc the Lad *
4. Arc the Lad II
5. Arc the Lad III
6. Arc Arena
7. Acknowledgements *
----------------------
* = Section is new
+ = Section is updated

=============================================================================
1. Intro and Stuff

  Arc the Lad was released originally in Japan in 1995.  Over the years it's
evolved into one of the best series' in Japan, and last year in 2001, Working
Designs worked out a deal so that they could translate and release the game
series here in America.  Many delays later, the game is finally here, and it
was well worth the wait.

Contacting the author(that's me): If you need to get in touch with me for
  some reason about the guide, please feel free to do so using the email
  address listed above.  However, before you send the email, there are a few
  things you go make sure of to make my life easier.  And, if you make my
  life easier, I'll be more likely to respond sooner.
  1. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make sure there is a subject line to the email.
     There is far too much spam and viruses that are distributed through
     email, and unless there is a clear subject line, your email will be
     automatically deleted.  Does this mean you have to write the body of the
     email in the subject line?  No.  Just put something like JK2 question or
     Jedi Outcast, or something like that in the subject so I know it's not
     malicious.
  2. On the same note, email over 20k is also deleted automatically.  Again
     for the same reasons as listed above.  I haven't seen any legitimate
     questions over 1-5 k big, so that shouldn't be a problem.
  3. Please check to see whether your question is already answered in this
     guide.
  4. If you point out something I screwed up on(which I do, on occasion),
     that's great.  If I've been to vague or loose in directions making it
     hard to read/understand, let me know.
  5. I'm sorry, but I will not take screen shots and/or make movies of what
     to do in the game.  That requires way too much work on my end.

=============================================================================
2. Game Package

  Like all Working Designs packages, the game comes with some pretty cool
stuff.  Here's an inventory of what you get:

- 6 CD's.  5 of them are the game discs(Arc III is on 2 discs) and you also
  get 1 Making of disc in the package.

- An instruction manual that contains directions for all of the games, it's
  got a hard leather cover on it and the pages are printed on glossy paper,
  which is the really high quality stuff(put it this way, if you wanted to
  buy paper like that for your home computer printer, it'd cost about $1 a
  page, maybe even more).

- A black extras case that has a small magnet in it to keep it closed(so the
  contents don't go spilling out) that contains:
  - A PS1/PS2 memory card holder.  It only fits the ones that are made by
    Sony or that conform to those size standards.
  - 4 Analog Controller caps.  Little things that go on top of the Analog
    sticks.
  - 22 Character Standees.  They're pretty neat, each has a different 
    character picture on top, and the game they're from and their name
    written on the bottom.
  - Instructions on how to use the caps and standees.  In case it's too hard
    for you to figure out.

- An Arc the Lad Character Watch.  You only get this if you preordered the
  game and it's not included in the package, you get it directly from the
  software distributor.

  Well, that's all that it comes with.  If you're dissapointed that there
isn't more, well, be glad you got what you got.  Hell, it's not like Square
gave anything extra/special when they brought the PSx versions of Chrono
Trigger/Final Fantasy IV, V, VI over.

=============================================================================
3. Arc the Lad

Section Progress: Walktrhough up through the first guardian stone.

Note to Playstation 2 owners: Do not run this game with the Texture Mapping
  option set to Smooth, that will cause graphical glitches rather than make
  the graphics better.

===============
Section TOC
------------
3-A: Game Basics
3-B: Walkthrough
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

3-A: Game Basics

  This game plays very much like other strategy RPGs like Vandal Hearts,
Final Fantasy Tactics, and Ogre Battle(to name a few).  However, there are a
few differences.
- At the beginning of the battle, one of your characters will prompt you to
  ask whether you really want to fight now or not.  Take notice that this is
  going to be the only chance you're going to have to run away.

- When it's time for one of your characters turns, you will be able to move
  them around with the D-Pad and/or Left Analog Stick.  You move the
  character around just as though you were moving them in a normal walking
  around area, but with the slight difference that you have a limited amount
  of space to move them around in.  You get to increase the amount of space
  you can move over time through levels.  Also, some characters can move more
  than other characters, for example Kukuru can usually move 1 block further
  than Arc can.

- When you're highlighted on a character, you can press Start to bring up
  their status screen.  You can see what skills they have and change their
  equipment.  You can also hit R1 or L1 at this time to be able to move the
  cursor around and see what you're up against.

- You cannot walk through any enemies or even other players on your side.
  This is both good and bad.  It's bad obviously because it limits your
  movement, but it can prove to be useful if there are a lot of enemies
  around.  You can navigate to a narrow place and form a wall with your
  characters, thus reducing the number of enemies that can attack you as they
  end their turn when they attack.  Watch out for Flying enemies though, they
  don't seem to have any movement restrictions that I know of.  If you want
  to move past another character, you need to wait for your Jump rating to go
  up a few levels.  You'll then be able to jump over an enemy and/or player.
  Just take note that if you want to jump over the enemy/character, you need
  to move in a straight line and hold the direction you want to move in down
  in order to make sure you jump over them.  No diagonal jumping I'm afraid.

- To attack an enemy you have to move next to them and then face them by
  pressing the D-Pad/Analog in the direction of the enemy and then pressing
  the X button on the controller.  This will automatically end your turn, so
  make sure you've done all the moving around you're going to do before you
  choose to attack.  In the case of multiple enemies, you will only attack
  the enemy you're facing.  I'm not sure whether the direction the enemy is
  facing at the time of the attack makes a difference or not, it doesn't seem
  to though.

- If you don't want to attack(or can't), just move around, or not do anything
  on your turn, press the Triangle button on the controller.  This will bring
  up a prompt for you to end your turn.  If you're worried about ending
  everyone's turn and letting the enemies get a double turn, don't be.  The
  only turn that ends when you do this is the one for the character you're
  controlling at the time.

- Not doing anything on your turn will increase your MP.

- To use an Item in battle, press the Square button.  This will bring up a
  box showing all of the items you have in your possession.  To use an item,
  move over to it with the D-Pad/Analog to highlight it and press X to select
  the item.  Then you can select who you want to use the item with.  Take
  note that many items have limited ranges and some items that are used to
  deal damage to enemies can only be thrown in the 4 Cardinal directions.  To
  cancel the item using process, press Triangle at any point and you'll be
  taken back to the previous option.

- To use Magic in battle, press the Circle button.  You will then be shown a
  ring of all the magic you currently have learned.  Use the D-Pad/Analog to
  move around the ring and select the magic you want to use, taking note that
  Healing and Defensive Magic will show you a grid of what will be effected
  by them.  If you want multiple people to be effected by the Magic, you have
  to make sure you're standing next to them for them to be effected.  Some
  Healing magic has a larger area effect(meaning it will hit more than just
  right next to the character casting it), which is easier to target.  Make
  sure you look at the range of the spell before you cast, since once you
  press X to select the magic, it's automatically casted.

- In the case of Offensive magic, you will still be able to see the range of
  the skill when it's highlighted, but you won't cast it automatically, you
  will be instead prompted to choose a target.  If there is an enemy in range
  it will automatically selected.  You can then select a different monster if
  you want to or use this opportunity to move the cursor around and examine
  the area more(which is a good idea).  When you've got your enemy targeted,
  press X again to cast the spell.  You can press Triangle at any point
  before casting it to cancel the process.  Offensive skills hit the enemy
  only, so if one of your players is within the effect area of a skill, they
  won't take damage from it.

- To open chests, attack them with either your normal attack or an item(i.e.
  Stone).

- After Battle, your HP/MP will automatically be restored.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Walkthrough

  This is a Walkthrough in progress.  Please don't email me about the
walkthrough for places not covered yet.

Note: Boss HP are approximations based on how much damage they took before
  they croaked.

::Arc's House
  After some scenes, you'll be in control.  First, hit X on the chest to get
the Sword and Armor.  On the left side of the wall, examine the top of the 3
chests for an herb, then gow down and talk to Mother for a Kaiser Glove,
Energy Fruit, Revival Tonic, and Sacred Water, then check the stove for a
stone(don't ask, just do it).  When you've got everything, leave for a bunch
of scenes.

::Guardian Peak
  When all that's over, you're in your first battle against a couple green
goo things...  Well, anyways, equip the Kaiser Glove Mother gave you.  This
battle is really easy, the enemies all die in one hit, so just deal with them
and don't forget the chest with an Energy Fruit in it.  After the battle,
there will be a few more scenes.

::Seirya Map
  Head to Palencia Castle.  You can go back home if you want, Mother will
give you an herb and you can read a letter from your father explaining the
basics of battle, but that's it.

::Palencia Castle
  There will be more scenes, then you're on the map again.

::Seirya Map
  Head to the Colbo Plains

::Colbo Plains
  Poco will join you here for another easy battle.  The only enemies you have
to be careful of are the zombies, as they take more than 1 hit to die(rotting
bastards...).  Well, once you're done there'll be a brief scene, then you're
on the map again.

::Seirya Map
  Back to the Castle!

::Palencia Castle
  More scenes, then another fight(notice a pattern yet?).  Kukuru joins you
here.  The first thing you should do is move Kukuru back to be in line with
Arc and Poco, she'll die too quickly if you leave her out there on her own.
Once she's back, proceed with the killing.  The two bad guys that you haven't
seen before(the wizard and his friend) will give you a Magic Card and Boots
(respectively).  After the fight, more scenes, then back to the map.

::Seirya Map
  You can go back to the Colbo Plains for more fighting, but when you're
ready, go to the Skyport.

::Seirya Skyport
  Say yes when you're ready to head out, then watch the scenes.

::Millmana Map
  Head to Capital HQ.

::Capital HQ
  After a few scenes, you'll be free to walk around.  Too bad there's nothing
to do but talk to a few people/soldiers.  Well, talk to the guard at the
bottom of the screen and move on to your next fight.

::Millmana Map
  You now have your choice of where to go.  I recommend gaining a few levels
in the Nicarus Forest before going on to the harder areas.  I was level 9
when I did the Forest and 11 when I did the Marsh.  None of the areas are
really hard if you play it safe and don't get overexcited.  To get the
treasure chests that seem unreachable, simply throw a rock at them(use them
as an item).  Once both areas are complete, go back to HQ.

::Capital HQ
  Watch the scenes.

::Toyoke Forest
  After a brief scene, you guessed it!  Battle time.  This one is quite
annoying in the fact that you have a lot of ground you've got to cover.  The
actual fighting is easy enough though.  After the fight there will be more
scenes.

::Millmana Map
  You can fight more if you want to gain levels, but otherwise go back to the
Skyport and on to Seirya.

::Seirya Map
  Before you leave the Skyport you'll be greeted by someone telling you to go
back to the castle, so head there.  Take note that the two new areas that
have opened up require a high level to beat.

::Palencia Castle
  After a lot of scenes you'll be fighting in the storehouse.  Take note that
Tosh has joined up with you for the fight.  In other words, let the rest of
your crew do the work if they can and don't put any equip on him at the start
of battle.  Afterwords, there will be more scenes, like usual.

::Seirya Map
  Touvil it is!

::Touvil
  Watch the scenes.

::Seirya Map
  A new area has opened up, go there.

::Ancient Monolith
  Watch a scene, then you fight your first boss.
 Boss: Illusion Lord
HP: 95
Attacks:
::Ice Attack - Area Effect 3
::Fire Attack - Area Effect 2
- It counters every physical hit you make for quite a bit of damage(~20).
- Use the items you've collected along the way(Small Bomb, Stone) to
  take it down easily.

Minions: Illusion Flame x4
HP: 40 Each

  After the battle, there will be more scenes, and Gogen will join up with
you.

::Seirya Map
  Back to Palencia Castle

::Palencia Castle
  More scenes, Poco will get a new spell(well, musical instument, but it's
the same thing) and you'll get full access to the airship.  Then you're on
the map again.

::Seirya Map
  Head to the Skyport.

::Seirya Skyport
  There will be more scenes and Tosh will join up.  You'll then get to the
big world map!

::World Map
  There's not really anything new anywhere, so head to Alatos.

::Alatos Skyport
  A brief scene, then you're on the map

::Alatos Map
  There's only one place you can go to, so head there.

::Chongara's Shop
  Watch the scenes.

::Alatos Map
  Go to the Forbiddon Dungeon

::Forbidden Dungeon
  A fight, big surprise.  To end the fight and go down to the next level,
have one of your characters step on the down stairs on the other side of the
dungeon.  Take note that your characters don't recharge HP/MP between floors.
  On Floor 1 you fight Warlord enemies, nothing special, same one's as
     before.
  On Floor 2 you'll fight Werewolf enemies.
  On floor 3 it's Voodoo Man and Werewolf baddies.
  On floor 4 you fight Demi Monk and Voodoo Man monsters.
  On floor 5 it's Demi Monk and Blood Knight time.
Once you get the Summon Pot on Floor 5, make your way back up the stairs and
to the map.

::Alatos Map
  Head back to Chongara's Shop

::Chongara's Shop
  Watch the scenes.

::Alatos Map
  Head to the Azenda Highland

::Azenda Highland Cave
  Chongara will join you for this battle.  The enemies are quite tough here
so you might want to gain a few levels in the dungeon first.  Explosion and
Burn Ground Work great against the bats.  You can use Chongara's Ability to
make floors/bridges/whatever to get to the chests that are out of jumping
range.
  After the fight there will be more scenes.  You'll get the Light Stone and
the King's Image for Chongara.  You'll then be on the map.

::Alatos Map
  Go to the Skyport

::Alatos Skyport
  There are a few scenes here, and Chongara becomes a permanent member of the
party.

::World Map
  Head to Greyshinne

::Greyshinne Skyport
  Watch the scenes, then you're on the map.

::Greyshinne Map
  Go to the only other place you can.

::Amaidar Temple
  Don't get over excited, it'll be here next update.  For now though, my
hands hurt from typing so much so I need to take a break.

=============================================================================
4. Arc the Lad II

Not here yet, hold y'er horses!

=============================================================================
5. Arc the Lad III

Impatient little bugger aint'ya?

=============================================================================
6. Arc Arena

Hiya! I attack you for coming in before I'm dressed.

=============================================================================
7. Acknowledgements

Most recent version of this guide always available at www.gamefaqs.com

Mike - My best friend... Awwwwww..........
Sony - Making the Games
Working Designs - Translating and (finally) releasing the game in the US,
  even though there was a six month delay, it was worth it.