Balamb Garden
Final Fantasy VIII opens with an FMV of two students squaring off in a training match. One is injured in the battle and awakens in the infirmary. The medic, Dr. Kadowaki, asks if he feels all right. Give your hero a name (Squall is the default). Dr. Kadowaki phones Squall’s teacher, Quistis, to come get him. Watch the FMV showing her arrival then follow Quistis to the classroom.
After Quistis briefs the class, go speak with her. She reminds Squall to visit the Fire Cavern before taking his SeeD entrance exam. Check the Study Panel on Squall’s desk and read through all of the tutorials. By doing this, you’ll receive GFs Shiva and Quezacotl. Once done, leave the classroom. Squall bumps into Selphie, a new student, near the elevator. She asks for a tour of Balamb Garden. Take her up on the offer.
Talk to the guy near the elevator to get your first set of cards. Afterwards, ride the elevator down to the lobby and head south. Examine the Garden Directory to see what places are available to visit: You can rest and save your game at the Dorms, meet Seifer and his cronies at the Cafeteria, play cards with Dr. Kadowaki in the Infirmary, and visit the Library, which offers an Esuna DP, plus Occult Fans Vol.1 on the bookshelf to the right. Avoid the Training Center for now. When finished, head south to the Front Gate. You’ll find a Cure DP on the way there. Speak with Quistis to learn how to junction GFs then exit the Garden.
Draw points: Cure, Esuna
GFs: Quezacotl, Shiva (2F Study Panel)
Magazines: Occult Fans Vol. 1 (Library)
Balamb Region
On the World Map, you can save at any time. Fight a few random battles in the area to collect some Blizzard spells before entering the Fire Cavern, which is east of Balamb Garden. It’s nestled behind a forest.
Draw Points: N/A
GFs: N/A
Magazines: None
Enemies: Bite Bugs, Glacial Eye (Fields/Mountains), Caterchipillar, T-Rexaur (Forests), Fastitcalon-F (Beaches)
Fire Cavern
Upon entering, Quina instructs you on magic junctioning and Squall’s Limit Break. When finished, approach the Garden faculty waiting at the cave. One of them asks Squall how much time he’ll need. Allow yourself 20 minutes. Enter the cave and follow the path north until you reach an intersection. Use the Fire DP on the right then continue down the center path. Fight random enemies as they appear, leaving about 6 minutes on the timer before facing Ifrit at the end of the cave.
BOSS >> GF IFRIT
HP: 1,068 Weakness: Ice Strength: Fire
AP: 20 Draw: Fire (Fira), Cure, Scan
Strategy: Being a fire-based creature, avoid using any fire spells on him. Cast Shiva and use Blizzard spells to make short work of him. He has a decent attack rating so don’t forget to heal your characters when needed. You don’t know it, but you’re actually being accessed by the Garden faculty throughout the first few events in FF8... the Fire Cavern is one place where Squall is tested on his Judgment. To score well in this scenario, finish the battle with Ifrit with as little time as possible left on the clock. Whittle down Ifrit’s HP to around 100 and stall until the timer hits 15 to 20 seconds. Quickly use a barrage of Blizzard spells to bring the battle to an end. You’ll see how well you scored later in the game.
Once defeated, you receive GF Ifrit and Quistis gives another tutorial on elemental usage. Afterwards, exit the Fire Cavern and return to Balamb Garden.
Rare Cards: Ifrit
GFs: Ifrit
Draw Points: Fire
Magazines: None
Enemies: Bomb, Red Bat, Buel
Balamb Garden (2nd Visit)
Upon your return, Quistis teaches you about GF abilities. When she leaves, head back to the Dorm to change clothes and rest. Afterwards, return to the Lobby and speak with Cid. After he selects your party, follow Seifer.
Rare cards: None
Monsters: None
Draw Points: None
Magazines: None
GFs: None
Balamb City/Naval Ship
Seifer drives the car to Balamb City in the southwest. Once there, immediately board the ship (your instructors won’t like it if you dally). On board, Xu briefs the group on their mission: to liberate the city of Dollet. When Seifer orders Squall to check the situation outside, do as he says.
Rare Cards: None
Monsters: None
Draw Points: None
Magazines: None
Gfs: None
Final Fantasy VIII opens with an FMV of two students squaring off in a training match. One is injured in the battle and awakens in the infirmary. The medic, Dr. Kadowaki, asks if he feels all right. Give your hero a name (Squall is the default). Dr. Kadowaki phones Squall’s teacher, Quistis, to come get him. Watch the FMV showing her arrival then follow Quistis to the classroom.
After Quistis briefs the class, go speak with her. She reminds Squall to visit the Fire Cavern before taking his SeeD entrance exam. Check the Study Panel on Squall’s desk and read through all of the tutorials. By doing this, you’ll receive GFs Shiva and Quezacotl. Once done, leave the classroom. Squall bumps into Selphie, a new student, near the elevator. She asks for a tour of Balamb Garden. Take her up on the offer.
Talk to the guy near the elevator to get your first set of cards. Afterwards, ride the elevator down to the lobby and head south. Examine the Garden Directory to see what places are available to visit: You can rest and save your game at the Dorms, meet Seifer and his cronies at the Cafeteria, play cards with Dr. Kadowaki in the Infirmary, and visit the Library, which offers an Esuna DP, plus Occult Fans Vol.1 on the bookshelf to the right. Avoid the Training Center for now. When finished, head south to the Front Gate. You’ll find a Cure DP on the way there. Speak with Quistis to learn how to junction GFs then exit the Garden.
Draw points: Cure, Esuna
GFs: Quezacotl, Shiva (2F Study Panel)
Magazines: Occult Fans Vol. 1 (Library)
Balamb Region
On the World Map, you can save at any time. Fight a few random battles in the area to collect some Blizzard spells before entering the Fire Cavern, which is east of Balamb Garden. It’s nestled behind a forest.
Draw Points: N/A
GFs: N/A
Magazines: None
Enemies: Bite Bugs, Glacial Eye (Fields/Mountains), Caterchipillar, T-Rexaur (Forests), Fastitcalon-F (Beaches)
Fire Cavern
Upon entering, Quina instructs you on magic junctioning and Squall’s Limit Break. When finished, approach the Garden faculty waiting at the cave. One of them asks Squall how much time he’ll need. Allow yourself 20 minutes. Enter the cave and follow the path north until you reach an intersection. Use the Fire DP on the right then continue down the center path. Fight random enemies as they appear, leaving about 6 minutes on the timer before facing Ifrit at the end of the cave.
BOSS >> GF IFRIT
HP: 1,068 Weakness: Ice Strength: Fire
AP: 20 Draw: Fire (Fira), Cure, Scan
Strategy: Being a fire-based creature, avoid using any fire spells on him. Cast Shiva and use Blizzard spells to make short work of him. He has a decent attack rating so don’t forget to heal your characters when needed. You don’t know it, but you’re actually being accessed by the Garden faculty throughout the first few events in FF8... the Fire Cavern is one place where Squall is tested on his Judgment. To score well in this scenario, finish the battle with Ifrit with as little time as possible left on the clock. Whittle down Ifrit’s HP to around 100 and stall until the timer hits 15 to 20 seconds. Quickly use a barrage of Blizzard spells to bring the battle to an end. You’ll see how well you scored later in the game.
Once defeated, you receive GF Ifrit and Quistis gives another tutorial on elemental usage. Afterwards, exit the Fire Cavern and return to Balamb Garden.
Rare Cards: Ifrit
GFs: Ifrit
Draw Points: Fire
Magazines: None
Enemies: Bomb, Red Bat, Buel
Balamb Garden (2nd Visit)
Upon your return, Quistis teaches you about GF abilities. When she leaves, head back to the Dorm to change clothes and rest. Afterwards, return to the Lobby and speak with Cid. After he selects your party, follow Seifer.
Rare cards: None
Monsters: None
Draw Points: None
Magazines: None
GFs: None
Balamb City/Naval Ship
Seifer drives the car to Balamb City in the southwest. Once there, immediately board the ship (your instructors won’t like it if you dally). On board, Xu briefs the group on their mission: to liberate the city of Dollet. When Seifer orders Squall to check the situation outside, do as he says.
Rare Cards: None
Monsters: None
Draw Points: None
Magazines: None
Gfs: None
