Phantasy Star Zero (DS)

[Silvergun X]

I'll play with you tonight mate, my friend code would've changed though so let me dig out my DSi and i'll PM it to you.

[kryss]

Just got to what I think is the last level on normal over the weekend. Once i finish that does it unlock all the same stages on hard or do I have to go through the story mode from the beginning?

You only go through the story itself once. The quests also add more background and info.
After finishing the story you can just go to the field in any difficulties you've unlocked as much as you like to level your character.

[Silvergun X]

You only go through the story itself once. The quests also add more background and info.
After finishing the story you can just go to the field in any difficulties you've unlocked as much as you like to level your character.

Unless you plan on playing Super Hard difficulty offline.

When you reach hard you gain an optional quest which was known as Eternal Tower. It takes a few hours to do and is very very repetitive, but in order to unlock S. Hard difficulty for offline play you have to complete this quest.

[Briareos]

Unless you plan on playing Super Hard difficulty offline.

When you reach hard you gain an optional quest which was known as Eternal Tower. It takes a few hours to do and is very very repetitive, but in order to unlock S. Hard difficulty for offline play you have to complete this quest.

Wow, what is the ballpark level you need to finish that one?

Also with things like HP material, what does it mean when it says 'can be used up until the users limit'?

What do star ratings really equate to? I know it means rarity but I have found a five star Valiant Frame that is worse than my 3 star shell frame, does rarity not always equate to goodness in the world of Phantasy Star?

[neoboy259]

I've just picked this up and am really enjoying it. Shamefully, I never got into PSO on the Dreamcast.

A quick Q regrading the multiplayer though. If I go online do I just replay existing areas to grind and loot? Or are there online only quests/areas?

[kryss]

Also with things like HP material, what does it mean when it says 'can be used up until the users limit'?

A character can only have up to 100 (?) materials used on them.

What do star ratings really equate to? I know it means rarity but I have found a five star Valiant Frame that is worse than my 3 star shell frame, does rarity not always equate to goodness in the world of Phantasy Star?

Checking the necessary level you need to be to equip a weapon/armour is also a big factor. A 5* something that can be equipped at level 10 won't be as good as a 3* one that can only be equipped at level 30.

At least, that's the way I understand it.

[Briareos]

A character can only have up to 100 (?) materials used on them.

Gotcha. Is there a way you can keep track of how many you have already used?

[kryss]

I think that might be in the character status...Yep, if you press start and then L it brings up the 4th page of the character status, showing how many you've used and which.

[neoboy259]

Is this meant to be so difficult on story mode, especially near the beginning?

Got to a

->Open Spoiler<-

dragon boss

and he wipes my party out pretty quickly. Then I find I have to spam my healing items to stay alive, then he kills me. Now I have no healing items, run to the shop to buy some more, only for him to wipe us out again. Now I've got no cash, so no healing items. Do I just retire the quest, retry and grind the stage so that I can stand a chance? Or am I missing something????

[hudson]

There is a pattern of sorts. Well, I don't know best the way, but I find you can go straight in (I have a melee weapon) from the start get a few combos or charged attack (hold your attack button) before he gets firey angry. When he moves further away from you, just roll out of the way of fireballs or flank him really wide out of the way of his firing line whilst getting close again to get some more hits. He'll go in the air and come down for swoops. Just look around or check your radar for him and dodge his attacks. I tend to repeat this and it works fine. Just make sure you edit your Palette to have maybe some Monomates and Monofluids on the alt (R) buttons.

Not sure what the best tactic is to have your team mates set to. Maybe to cure you or stick together?

[neoboy259]

There is a pattern of sorts. Well, I don't know best the way, but I find you can go straight in (I have a melee weapon) from the start get a few combos or charged attack (hold your attack button) before he gets firey angry. When he moves further away from you, just roll out of the way of fireballs or flank him really wide out of the way of his firing line whilst getting close again to get some more hits. He'll go in the air and come down for swoops. Just look around or check your radar for him and dodge his attacks. I tend to repeat this and it works fine. Just make sure you edit your Palette to have maybe some Monomates and Monofluids on the alt (R) buttons.

Not sure what the best tactic is to have your team mates set to. Maybe to cure you or stick together?

Cheers, managed to best him before i flung my DS across the room! But after handing in the quest, I went through the same stage and I'm fighting him again?? Either my cart is broke or I need to read the manual lol.

edit: never mind, managed to continue the storyline now!

[Briareos]

Cheers, managed to best him before i flung my DS across the room! But after handing in the quest, I went through the same stage and I'm fighting him again?? Either my cart is broke or I need to read the manual lol.

edit: never mind, managed to continue the storyline now!

Yes, I think repeating the quests is a hallmark of the franchise from what I can gather. I think the true way to play it is to repeat every quest until you unlock the hardest difficulty level, whereupon you repeat the very hard levels for the best loot and exp.

On a side note, I just looked up what my Mag's photon burst really does and I'm happier with it now, I thought Granir wasn't that good but now I think it's one of the best!

EDIT UPDATE:

Got to the last boss last night and got killed on the

->Open Spoiler<-

second form where it's the weird dark animal

. I guess I need to go back and be a higher level next time!

[Briareos]

Quick questions on this one, I've fully ground a weapon and have added and element, taking it to element level 1. I have many more of this element in my inventory and I was hoping to take the weapon up to element level 5 but when i try to add more of the same element it says the element is already on. Essentially how can I increase elements levels? I tried adding a different element but it is still level 1, any ideas?

Also I've maxed out my first mag and am now feeding up my second to just be Attack and Defence boost (I'm a HUCAST). Will a mag with 0 mind stat be stupid or does it not work that way?

[kryss]

MIND is for TP and techniques so having 0 is fine for a HUcast.
Can't help on the other question sorry. I'll have a play later and so what's what.

[Briareos]

Just finished Hard mode and have unlocked super hard with my HUcast. I've been playing with Swords all this time but since getting a Chronos Scythe I've seen the light of wielding weaker weapons that hit six times per combo instead of three. Played the snowfields and got the best dagger in the game, the Foie Haze and am going to go around again to see if I can get a better one.

Now I'm on super hard I'm looking to make my endgame equipment list, do any of the veterans want to share what they have for their HUcasts? I'm training up a MAG for 50/50 ATP DFP at the moment and am looking to do the same with materials. I have a slow protect and am looking for an ice one now to help me with Humilias.

Still yet to find the

->Open Spoiler<-

bakery or pizza

areas to get me the

->Open Spoiler<-

compress PA

unit...