Gold Cup or Bust is a Side Quest that can be unlocked during Chapter 12 of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (FF7 Rebirth). Read on to learn more about how to unlock Gold Cup or Bust, how to complete it, as well as the available rewards for completing the side quest.

How to Unlock Gold Cup or Bust

Complete Esoteric Secrets of the Elders Side Quest

The Esoteric Secrets of the Elders is a side quest in Nibelheim that can get as soon as you reach Chapter 11. You will need to complete it in order unlock the Gold Cup or Bust side quest once you reach Chapter 12.

To accept the side quest, you can either head to the Chocobo Sage's Manor at the start of Chapter 11 or accept the side quest from the Noticeboard in Nibelheim.

Esoteric Secrets of the Elders Walkthrough

Reach Chapter 12 of the Main Story

Finally, to unlock Gold Cup or Bust, you will need to progress and reach Chapter 12 of the main storyline in the game. The side quest should become available once you reach Costa del Sol. Accept it at the Costa del Sol Noticeboard before heading to Gold Saucer.

Chapter 12: A Golden Key Walkthrough

How to Complete Gold Cup or Bust

1. Talk to Billy
2. Reach Gold Jockey Rank
3. Choose Piko as Your Chocobo
4. Equip Debonair Equipment
5. Perform a Start Dash
6. Learn the Course Track
7. Win All 3 Races

Talk to Billy

Map Image	Overworld Image

After you've accepted the request from the Community Noticeboard, head towards Chocobo Square in Gold Saucer and talk to Billy.

Reach Gold Jockey Rank to Compete in the Gold Cup

Rank	How to Unlock
Bronze	Earn 2 First-Time victories in available races
Silver	Earn 3 First-Time victories in Bronze Rank
Gold	Earn 3 First-Time victories in Silver Rank

You will have to earn the Gold Jockey Rank in order for you to compete in the Gold Cup. It may take some time before you reach Gold Rank, but the races can be won through practice and a bit of effort.

There are various tips that could be followed to win Chocobo races in the game.

• Pick up Dash Balloons
• Puck up Ability Balloons
• Drift during sharp turns
• Drift to gain speed

Chocobo Racing Guide and Best Chocobo

Choose Piko as Your Chocobo

Piko	Speed Burst - Temporarily increase your speed. Maintain top speed for long enough to become invincible and knock rivals out of the way.

It is recommended that you choose Piko as your Chocobo for the race. Piko's stats are average at best, which gives him more versatility for players who want to cover all bases in all 3 courses.

Additionally, he also has the Speed Burst ability which significantly increases his speed to help you catch up or widen the gap with other racers. Try to use it immediately when it is available to take advantage of it.

Chocobo Locations in All Regions

Equip Debonair Equipment

Debonair Equipment
Debonair Hat	Increases all stats when 1st Place Chocobo is nearby
Debonair Waistcoat	Decreases time duration of Moogle rescue when heading off course
Debonair Anklets	Increases speed when nearing the finish line

It is also recommended that you use the Debonair Equipment to raise the overall stats of your Chocobo during the race.

The individual effect of each equipment also helps in increasing your speed and maintaining your momentum throughout the race.

Best Chocobo Gear

Win Grade III Races to Earn Debonair Equipment

You will need to win The Coeurl Championship, The Behemoth Grand Prix, and The Ultima Stakes from the Grade III Races in order to unlock the Debonair Equipment for your Chocobo. These races are also necessary to unlock the Gold Cup.

Perform a Start Dash

When the number ''2'' appears during the starting line, hold down the X or R2 button to gain a burst of speed at the beginning of the race. This will let you start ahead of most racers and avoid bumping into them, which can disturb your momentum and lose your speed.

Learn the Course Track of Each Race

All Track Course Maps
Track 1				Track 2				Track 3
All Track Course Obstacles
Barrier Doors						Bomb
Deceleration Tracks						Rotating Rods

You will first need to get acquainted with the course tracks in order to win the races in the Gold Cup. If you learn to navigate the tracks, avoid all obstacles, and anticipate sharp turns, you'll increase your chances of winning all 3 races.

Track 1 Tips and Shortcuts

In the first track, you can find a shortcut by going up the ramp near the end of the lap. Use your Speed Burst ability if you have it ready. While flying, you can fly across the grass and land at the red ability balloons to increase the durationn of Speed Burst.

Another tip for this track is to save your Dashes for the water areas at the beginning of the track. This will help you go across the water quickly and help you pass through the barrier doors.

Track 2 Tips and Shortcuts

For the second track, you can find a shortcut during the two sharp turns after the long straight. Here you can use your boosts to drift through the grass and skip the other turns. Although, beware of the rotating rods placed on this shortcut. Try to use your boosts to pass through the boxes instead.

There will also be plenty of rotating rod obstalces in this track. When there are two of them at either side, try to stay close to the center to avoid getting hit. You will also want to pass through the rod by following its rotation direction. For example, if it is rotating clockwise, you should go through it on its left side.

Track 3 Tips and Shortcuts

During the third track, there will be several sharp turns towards the end of the lap. You can quickly bypass these sharp turns by drifting through the small patches of grass instead. This saves you a little bit of time, but just enough to gain a significant advantage each lap.

Additionally, this track has plenty of corners where you will have to drift. Try to follow the racing line by staying at the opposite side of the direction you will drift. For example, if you have to drift to the right, then stay on the left side before the corner. This lets you pass through the corner as fast as possible.

Win All 3 Races and Aim for 1st Place

The ranking you've earned throughout the races you participated in are determined by the number of accumulated points. Winning all 3 races may not be necessary, but achieving it otherwise will result to a slightly different cutscene that plays out at the end.

You can always have the option of retrying a race when you're not entirely happy with the results. Additionally, retrying a race will not affect the previous race you've participated in, so you can keep retrying each track until you get 1st on all three.

Gold Cup or Bust Rewards

List of Rewards

Rewards for Completing Gold Cup or Bust
▸ 10 Party EXP ▸ Player EXP (based on current level)

Increase Favorability With Tifa

Completing Gold Cup or Bust will also increase your friendship with Tifa. This will affect the events that will occur when you visit the Gold Saucer later in the game.

Romance and Relationship Guide

Gold Cup or Bust Information

Information and Overview

Basic Information
Recommended Level: Any
Availability		Region		Side Quest Giver
Chapter 12		Corel		Billy
Unlock Requirement		Complete the side quest “Esoteric Secrets of the Elders”

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