The endgame content in Final Fantasy XIII begins once you have reached the start of Chapter 13. While you can technically finish the main story first, it is highly recommended that you complete several of these steps before the final boss to unlock the Stage 10 Crystarium and maximize your efficiency.
The following guide outlines the most efficient order to complete the side quests, missions, and ultimate weapon farming.
Upgrading Strategy: Multipliers and Components
To upgrade equipment efficiently without wasting Gil, you must utilize the multiplier system. Components are divided into two categories: Organic and Mechanical.
- Apply Organic Components first: These provide very little experience but increase the XP multiplier. Use 36 Sturdy Bones, Barbed Tails, or Vibrant Ooze to reach the maximum 3x multiplier.
- Apply Mechanical Components second: Once the 3x multiplier is active, use high-XP items like Ultracompact Reactors, Superconductors, or Perfect Conductors in bulk. Applying them all at once ensures the multiplier applies to the entire stack before it resets.
- Use Catalysts: Once a weapon or accessory reaches its “Lvl. Star” rank, use the specific catalyst (such as a Perovskite or Trapezohedron) to transform it into its next tier.
Optimized Party Setup and Character Stats
For the most difficult endgame marks, party composition is dictated by specific stat ceilings and role availability. While any character can technically fill any role, their natural stat leanings and unique abilities make certain setups superior.
Character Maximum Stats (Crystarium Stage 10)
| Character | Max HP | Max Strength | Max Magic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fang | 24,000 | 2,005 | 1,300 |
| Snow | 30,000 | 1,500 | 1,200 |
| Lightning | 20,000 | 1,700 | 1,700 |
| Sazh | 27,000 | 1,000 | 1,400 |
| Hope | 18,000 | 1,100 | 1,900 |
| Vanille | 21,050 | 1,400 | 1,700 |
Character Roles and Utility
- Fang (Physical Lead): Boasting the highest Strength in the game and the devastating Highwind ability, Fang is a permanent fixture. She excels as a Commando and Saboteur.
- Lightning (Versatile Hybrid): Lightning has the fastest attack animations and high balanced stats. She is essential for maintaining Stagger chains as a Ravager and Medic.
- Hope (Magic Specialist): Hope possesses the highest Magic stat and is the premier Synergist, providing essential buffs like Haste, Bravery, and Faith early in the battle.
- Vanille (Premier Saboteur): While her HP is lower, her Magic is elite. She is the only character with the “Death” ability, which is vital for early Adamantoise farming and high level mark mitigation.
- Snow (The Ultimate Tank): With the highest HP pool in the game and the fastest Sentinel animations, Snow is the best choice for battles involving massive physical AOE damage.
- Sazh (Buff Specialist): Although his raw stats are the lowest, Sazh has a unique “Cold Blood” ability that can rapidly build stagger. He also gains access to the “Haste” and “En-spell” buffs very early.
The “Power” Party: Fang / Lightning / Hope. This is the most balanced team for general endgame content, covering all essential buffs, debuffs, and high damage output.
The “Survival” Party: Fang / Lightning / Vanille. Useful for fights requiring heavy debuffing and extra healing support.
The Best Weapons for Each Character
While every weapon can reach Tier 3 (Omega Weapon or equivalent), the passive abilities and final stats are determined by the Tier 1 base. The following are the top-tier choices for the endgame:
- Lightning: Edged Carbine. This weapon provides the highest Magic stat for Lightning, making her an elite Ravager.
- Fang: Taming Pole. Despite the “Stagger Lock” passive, its massive Strength and Magic stats make it the strongest balanced weapon in the game.
- Hope: Hawkeye. A pure Magic powerhouse that maximizes Hope’s healing and spell damage.
- Vanille: Belladonna Wand. Essential for the endgame due to its “Improved Debuffing” passive, which increases the success rate of the Death spell and other vital debuffs.
- Sazh: Procyon Isles. Focuses on “Stagger Maintenance,” which is crucial since Sazh’s primary utility is keeping enemies staggered for longer periods.
- Snow: Paladin. Increases Snow’s defensive capabilities, reinforcing his role as the game’s best Sentinel.
Step-by-Step Endgame Side Quest Walkthrough
1. Repairing Bhakti in Oerba
Your first priority upon reaching Oerba is to repair the robot Bhakti in the Dilapidated Dwelling. You will need to find five hidden parts around the village:
- Power Cable: Located near the windmill.
- Battery Pack: Found in the schoolhouse.
- Trochoid Gear: Dropped by a Vampire in the residential area.
- Aspheric Lens: Located in the Deserted Schoolhouse.
- Metal Plate: Found near the bridge.
Once repaired, Bhakti acts as your progress tracker. If you have walked 10,000 steps on Gran Pulse, talking to him will unlock the Pulsian Pioneer achievement and reward you with valuable items like Platinum Ingots and Ultracompact Reactors.
2. Chocobo Access and Mission 14
You cannot reach the best farming spots or the high level marks without a Chocobo. Complete the following missions in the Archylte Steppe to unlock them:
- Mission 01: Pond Scum (Ectopudding)
- Mission 02: Goodwill Hunting (Uridimmu)
- Mission 03: Massif Contamination (Ugallu)
- Mission 05: Joyless Reunion (Edimmu)
- Mission 07: Bituitus, the Pillager
- Mission 12: Geiseric, the Profane
- Mission 13: Eternity Unpromised
- Mission 14: Defender of the Flock
Completing Mission 14 awards the Gysahl Reins, allowing you to ride Chocobos in the Archylte Steppe.
3. The Growth Egg Strategy (Mission 55)
This is the most critical item in the endgame. The Growth Egg doubles the CP earned from all battles.
- Location: Aggra’s Pasture (requires a Chocobo to reach).
- Target: Neochu.
- Strategy: At lower levels, use Vanille as the leader and spam the Death ability while the rest of the party acts as Sentinels and Medics. This battle is highly luck dependent but mandatory for efficient leveling.
4. Titan’s Trials (The Faultwarrens)
After completing Mission 34, you gain access to the Faultwarrens. This is a branching gauntlet of missions (35 through 51). To complete the “Natural Selector” achievement, you must navigate every possible path to reach the final trial.
- Final Boss: Attacus, the Soulless.
- Navigation: Refer to the in-game map to ensure you are taking different paths on subsequent runs. You will need to complete the trial multiple times to clear every mission.
5. Weapon Upgrades and the “Treasure Hunter” Trophy
To obtain the Treasure Hunter achievement, you must have held every weapon and accessory in the game. You do not need to own them all at the same time.
The Adamantoise Grind (Gil Farming) To fund these upgrades, you must farm Adamantoises in the Archylte Steppe for:
- Platinum Ingots: Sell for 150,000 Gil.
- Trapezohedrons: The catalyst for Tier 3 weapons.
Recommended Tier 3 Weapons You only need one Tier 3 (Ultimate) weapon per character. The following base weapons are the most efficient:
- Lightning: Edged Carbine (Magic focus) or Gladius (Strength focus).
- Fang: Taming Pole (Highest balanced stats despite Stagger Lock).
- Hope: Hawkeye (Highest Magic stat).
- Vanille: Belladonna Wand (Improved Debuffing chance).
6. The Final Mark: Mission 64
Once all other missions are complete, you can challenge Vercingetorix in the Oerba – Village Livery.
- Strategy: Use a Poison based strategy. Vercingetorix enters a physical and magical immunity state periodically; use this time to heal and rebuff while Poison ticks away his health.
- Reward: Gold Watch (Increases the target time for missions, making 5 star rankings easier).
Final FFXIII Endgame Checklist for Completion
- Repair Bhakti in Oerba for early rewards.
- Complete Missions 1 to 14 to unlock Chocobos.
- Defeat Neochu in Mission 55 for the Growth Egg.
- Clear the Faultwarrens (Missions 35 to 51) for the Titan’s Trial achievement.
- Clear the Circle of Stones (Missions 56 to 63) for high-tier rewards.
- Farm Adamantoises for Gil and Trapezohedrons.
- Upgrade all accessories and at least one weapon per character.
- Defeat Vercingetorix in Mission 64.
- Talk to Bhakti one last time.