FF WalkthroughFinal Fantasy 2 throws you into combat immediately. Firion, Maria, Guy, and Leon flee the Empire's attack on Fynn, but 4 Black Knights catch up. This fight is unwinnable - you're supposed to lose.
Waking in Altair
You wake up in Altair, headquarters of the Wild Rose rebellion. Princess Hilda runs the resistance from the hideout here. Minwu, her advisor, healed your wounds. Maria's brother Leon is missing - last seen during the ambush.
Talk to Hilda in the throne room. She mentions the password Wild Rose. This is your introduction to FF2's keyword system - when you "Learn" a keyword, you can "Ask" NPCs about it to unlock dialogue and progress the story. Learn Wild Rose now, then ask Minwu (standing beside Hilda) about it. He'll confirm you're allies.
Before leaving the throne room, look left - there's a hidden passage through the wall leading to a chest containing a Potion. This chest becomes permanently missable if you don't open it before completing the Mysidian Tower much later in the game. Grab it now.
Preparing for the Journey
You start with 400 Gil. Head to the armor shop and buy Leather Caps and Leather Gloves for each party member, plus Bucklers for Firion and Guy (Maria uses a bow two-handed). The magic shop sells Cure, but you'll need to grind some battles first.
FF2 doesn't use traditional leveling. Your characters grow based on what they do in battle - use a weapon to increase its proficiency, lose HP to increase max HP, cast spells to level them up (max level 16). Focus on getting everyone's Cure spell leveled early; one party member with high-level Cure makes dungeons much easier.
Fight enemies on the world map near Altair until you have at least 300 Gil. You'll encounter Goblins, Hornets, and Leg Eaters - all easy targets. Stay close to town so you can rest at the Inn when needed. Once you have the Gil, buy Cure tomes for Firion, Maria, and Guy. If you have extra, Fire and Thunder are useful offensive spells.
Gatrea
Head northwest from Altair to find Gatrea. The enemies along the way are the same Goblins, Hornets, and Leg Eaters you've been fighting.
Gatrea is a small town with basic shops. The weapon shop sells Javelins if you want to try a different weapon type. Talk to the boy at the north end of town - he mentions a pub in Fynn where rebels gather. Resupply if needed, then head north to Fynn.
Fynn
From Gatrea, head west until you hit the ocean, then north through the forest. Follow the crescent-shaped body of water on your right, then head east and south when mountains block your path.
New enemies appear on this route: Wererats, Soldiers, Magicians (kill quickly - they cast spells), and Phorusracos (a large bird that's missable for bestiary completion - make sure to encounter one before the Cyclone chapter, though you'll have many more chances).
Fynn is occupied by the Empire. You can enter the town but not the castle. Do not talk to the enemy captains walking around - they're extremely powerful and will destroy your party. Navigate to the top of town to get past the wall barrier, then go left along the wall and down to find the pub.
The Secret Pub Room
Inside the pub, go to the top right and ask the Bartender about Wild Rose. He recognizes you as a rebel and reveals a secret door behind him.
Go through the secret passage to find a wounded rebel soldier in bed and 3 treasure chests.
Open all three chests, then ask the soldier about Wild Rose. He reveals himself as Scott, a prince of Kashuan and Hilda's betrothed. He's dying from his wounds and gives you a Ring to show Hilda as proof you found him.
Returning to Altair
Leave Fynn and retrace your route back to Altair. Be careful - there's no Inn in Fynn, so you might be low on HP and MP. Avoid unnecessary fights if you're hurting.
Rest at the Inn, then return to the rebel hideout. Talk to Hilda and show her the Ring. She recognizes it as Scott's and is saddened by the news.
Impressed by your abilities, Hilda gives you your first real mission. Learn these new keywords: Mythril (the rebellion needs this ore for weapons), Dreadnought (the Empire's secret airship), and Airship. Ask Hilda about Mythril - she mentions Josef in Salamand who knows where to find it.
Talk to Minwu - he'll join your party and give you a Canoe, allowing you to cross rivers and small bodies of water. Minwu is a powerful White Mage with high-level Cure already. He'll make the next section much easier, but note that guest characters like him are temporary - don't waste resources upgrading their equipment.
Next: Semitt Falls
Your mission is clear: find Josef in Salamand, then head to Semitt Falls to rescue trapped miners and secure Mythril for the rebellion. The journey takes you through Paloom and Poft first.
Before leaving, make sure you:
- Opened the chest in the rebel hideout (Potion)
- Learned all 4 passwords: Wild Rose, Mythril, Dreadnought, Airship
- Bought Cure for your permanent party members
- Stocked up on Potions and Antidotes
Treasure Chests
This chapter has 4 accessible chests - 1 in Altair and 3 in Fynn's secret pub room. The Altair chest is missable late-game, so grab it early.
Altair
| Item | Location | Image |
|---|---|---|
Potion | Rebel Hideout, left passage from throne room |
Fynn (Pub Secret Room)
| Item | Location | Image |
|---|---|---|
Potion | Fynn Pub secret room, left chest | |
Potion | Fynn Pub secret room, middle chest | |
Ether | Fynn Pub secret room, right chest |