Final Fantasy IX/Evil Forest
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After a cutscene you will find yourself in a wooded area known as the Evil Forest. Here you find out that Princess Garnet was also thrown off the Prima Vista from the impact. You are also taught about ATE (Active Time Events) which will show up plenty of times throughout the game. To access an ATE, press 
. Activating the ATE will show you Garnet and Vivi running away from something.
As soon as you have learned about ATE, grab a Phoenix Down from the corpse above the Moogle and then talk to the Moogle to save your game. Once you have done so, move onto the next area accessed through the large tree trunk. There is nothing special in this area, but to make the upcoming events easier, it's best to train Zidane to level 4 or 5. When you are happy with his level carry on to the next screen.
On the next screen you'll first see Vivi backing away, and instantly you'll be able to tell something is wrong. Steiner happens to be here now, shouting at a strange looking creature from the forest. You'll be thrown into battle.
| Prison Cage |
|---|
| HP: 500, AP: 3, Gil: 436, Drops: Eye Drops, Goblin Card, Steal: Broadsword, Leather Wrist |
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You'll notice Zidane is now flashing pink. Here Trance is explained as something "induced by a surge of emotion," and it raises the power of that character for a few turns. When Zidane's gauge is full, note that where Skill once was is the ability Dyne. Feel free to use the new Free Energy ability, but do not use Tidal Flame, as it will also kill Princess Garnet and the game will be over. The monster does not yet have items to steal and Garnet's health is slowly draining, so concentrate on attacking the monster as quickly as possible. Make sure to only attack the lower half as otherwise you will hurt the trapped character. If you find the battle dragging, you can use a potion on Garnet, though it is not normally necessary. After a few attacks, Prison Cage leaves with Garnet still trapped. Immediately thereafter, however, the monster returns, trapping Vivi in its cage. This time, allow Zidane to steal the Broadsword for Steiner and the excellent Leather Wrist before attacking Prison Cage with all you've got. Vivi will cast Fire to assist you, but you will notice that Prison Cage will also sap HP from Vivi. Use potions to heal him, but be careful not to accidentally heal Prison Cage (press |
[edit] Prima Vista
Following the battle, Zidane finds himself back on the Prima Vista, arguing with Baku. When the conversation has finished, look next to Baku for a chest with Bronze Gloves. Walk to the left to go downstairs and trigger several new ATEs. At the bottom of the stairs is another chest containing a Wrist. Look in the room behind Blank to talk to Vivi and collect a few more items: an Ether is in the chest, and 116g is on the top bunk.
Upon leaving Vivi's room and talking with Blank, head through the door to the left and down the stairs. Here, search the northern part of the room for a Rubber Helm, then go south to find a Leather Hat. Backtrack a room and head east to find Baku. Be sure to get the Potion before reentering the cargo room, because now you're in for another fight.
| Baku |
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| HP: 200, Steal: Hi-Potion, Iron Sword |
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Zidane's boss makes for a pretty weak foe, but he holds some nice rewards. Before attacking him at all, be sure to steal both his useful Hi-Potion and the Iron Sword for Steiner. Baku's weak attacks and low HP make this an easy battle, so take your time getting the items—but don't get cocky and game over on such an trivial battle. |
Upon Baku's defeat, head back upstairs and into the western storage room to re-recruit Steiner into your party. Head 'back' into that room again to collect an Ether from the chest before going east into Vivi's room again. After talking to him, head back downstairs and south to receive some hints as well as Blank's Medicine.
[edit] Finding Garnet
Before heading back out into the enemy-infested forest, be sure to equip new, improved equipment and abilities on everyone in your party. Especially important is giving Vivi a Silk Shirt to learn Thunder and giving Zidane and Steiner the 'killer' abilities. These will all come in great handy throughout the next few areas.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Potion | 50g |
| Phoenix Down | 150g |
| Antidote | 50g |
| Eye Drops | 50g |
| Tent | 800g |
If need be, you can restock on basic items by talking to Cinna. When ready, continue into the forest towards where you earlier fought Prison Cage.
