FF12

How to Defeat Zodiark - Espers

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This is the article page and guide for Zodiark, Keeper of Precepts in the game Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (FFXII, FF12, FF XII Zodiac Age). Information on where the Esper is, how to get them, and what skills they unlock are discussed here.

How to Defeat Zodiark

zodiark keeper of precepts ff12 espers walkthrough

Points to Consider

  • Fond of the spell Darkja, which he will throw out at the start of the fight.
  • A good tactic may be to use a sacrificial party member at the beginning to absorb his initial Darkja attack
  • Has a great weakness to Holy-element attacks
  • Hitting hard and fast with Berserked, Holy-element weapon-wielding characters is a big plus

In-Depth Battle Walkthrough

For all the build-up of Zodiark as the 'Keeper of Precepts' and his affinity to Holy-element weapons and spells because of this, he can be pretty vulnerable to heavy damage with the use of these weapons. Be warned, however, that his Darkja is the strongest there is in the game, and a character without any protection against Dark-element attacks can die pretty quickly.

That being said, equipping your characters (or party) with Demon Shields or Black Masks is a good strategy. Zodiark can also wreak havoc on your party with a variety of negative status effects, so having a Ribbon or any status effect-negating item is a good idea. A nice strategy would be to have your strongest melee attackers use Holy-element weapons. The Excalibur is good for this, or otherwise, the Ultima Blade can suffice. Having the Zodiac Spear or a similar weapon like the Holy Spear or the Gungnir can help too.

The Berserk status is a big help in making the battle quicker before Zodiark can put up any palings to negate your attacks or drop negative status effects on your party. It is recommended to end the battle as quick as you can, as Zodiark can shift his elemental weakness as his HP goes down, making the battle harder.

Zodiark - Stats and Moveset

zodiark battle ff12 espers walkthrough

Stats

Zodiark Lv.66
HP 336847
MP 999
Vitality 92
Magic Atk 50
Magic Def 37
Strength 53
Speed 25
Atk 112
Def 34
Esper Location Special Charter Dig, Henne Mines
Notable Skills Unlocked Banish Ray, Final Eclipse
Recommended Classes Any

*Note: Data is meant to reflect Zodiark's stats at Lv.66

AI Moveset

Skill Skill Definition
Scathe Non-elemental Black Magick that damages all foes in range.
Darkja Heavily damaging Arcane Magic dealt by Zodiark which causes Blind or Instant Death.
Lv.2 Sleep Deals Sleep. When target's level is at a multiple of 2, deals Sleep instantly.
Lv.4 Break Deals Petrify. If target's level is a multiple of 4, deals Petrify instantly.
Special Skills Piercing Graviga, Battle Cry, Limit Break, Great Barrier, Shift, Mana Spring, Evade+, Magick Wall, Attack CT0, Magick CT0
Unique Spells Banish Ray, Final Eclipse

Zodiark - Summoned Skills

zodiark summon ff12 espers walkthrough
Zodiark's summoned skills are befitting of his status as the top-tier Esper.

Movesets (Summoned)

Skills Skill Definition
Renew All allies within range fully regain HP.
Scathe Deals massive non-element damage to all foes within range.
Banish Ray A Dark-element attack that inflicts 9,999 damage.
Final Eclipse A non-element, Esper-ultimate attack that deals 50,000 damage.

Passive Augments

Skill Skill Definition
Ignore Reflect Reflect status is ignored when casting a spell.
Ignore Vitality Target's vitality is ignored when dealing status spells.
Ignore Weather & Landscape Environmental conditions doesn't affect caster.
Magick CT0 Sets Magicks' charge time to 0.
Hastega Upgraded Haste spell that bestows Haste status on all member of the party.

Zodiark - Benefits of Use

zodiark totem ff12 esper walkthrough
Zodiark is equipped with the best support skills in the game, so it's almost similar to having a complete party with him around. His Renew skill is enough to make sure you won't die an untimely death with him summoned. HIs Scathe can hit and deal heavy damage to a party of enemies. Have enemies that are resistant to his Dark-element Banish Ray? The Final Eclipse can help you deal with those pesky enemies. The skill deals 50,000 damage. Even if the enemy is left standing after this attack, it should be quick work for your party to take it down.

Final Fantasy XII Related Links

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List of Espers Walkthrough

Espers
Adrammelech, the Wroth Belias, the Gigas
Chaos, Walker of the Wheel Cúchulainn, the Impure
Exodus, the Judge-Sal Famfrit, the Darkening Cloud
Hashmal, Bringer of Order Mateus, the Corrupt
Shemhazai, the Whisperer Ultima, the High Seraph
Zalera, the Death Seraph Zeromus, the Condemner
Zodiark, Keeper of Precepts

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