East Spur Stairs

[The scene changes to a dark tunnel, filled with rubble, where the viera kneels beside the apparently ruined hover bike. Vaan and her partner stand behind her.]

Viera: What happened? Our hover didn’t just drop – it disappeared.

Man: Bah, forget it. Even if we could fly… the Ifrit’s playing with fire, and I’d rather not get burned. We’ll go the old-fashioned way.

[The man notices Vaan is staring at the viera.]

Man: Not many viera where you come from, boy?

Vaan: It’s Vaan. [to the viera] Sorry.

Man: Well, Fran is special… in that she’d deign to partner with a hume.

Fran: Oh? Like a sky pirate that chooses to steal through the sewers?

Vaan: Pirates? You’re sky pirates? So you have an airship?

Balthier: It’s Balthier. Listen thief – Vaan. If you ever want to see your home again, you’ll do exactly as I say. Myself, Fran, and you. We’re working together now. Understood?

[Vaan notices Balthier is now eyeing the glowing stone in his hand.]

Vaan: Don’t even think you’re going to be getting this.

Balthier: The thought never crossed my mind.

[Balthier and Fran join the party!]

Balthier: Ah, Vaan. There’s something I want to check before we set out.

As I thought. You don’t know much about gambits yet, do you?

Listen carefully – I don’t care to repeat myself. For each gambit, you can combine one action with a target for that action. Example: you can arrange that Cure be cast on an ally whose HP falls below fifty percent. Useful, that. Of course, one error of judgment, and you could well find yourself throwing punches at that same ally. If you’ve a good head on your shoulders, it should come easily enough. Hmm… I fear a more detailed explanation is in order.

This is the Gambit Screen. You can reach it from the Party Menu. To create a Gambit, you need only select an action and a target for that action. Here, let me show you. I’ll start by changing the action of one of my gambits.

Now whenever an ally gets hurt, I’ll toss a potion his way. Charming, eh? Of course, that’s a sure way to go through our stock of potions. So let’s adjust the target to make sure things don’t get out of hand.

Now I’ll only ever use potions when an ally’s HP drops below seventy percent. That should be a little more bearable. Nothing to it, really. You can set a gambit’s action to more or less any ability you have at your disposal.

Targets aren’t so simple. You’ll have to pick up new ones from gambit shops.

But that isn’t all. You can also prioritize your gambits. Allow me.

The gambit in the first slot always takes priority. As it stands now, even if an ally’s HP starts to fall, should there be foes near, I’ll only attack. For which I could rightly be criticized. In general, it’s better to prioritize healing before attacking. Vitality before violence, if you like.

Oh, another thing – you can turn gambits off and on here, from the Gambit Screen, as well as from the Battle Menu. Of course, gambits won’t do you much good if they’re turned off. Still, discretion is the better part of valor. If you need to beat a hasty retreat, try turning gambits off first. It’s hard to fall back when your allies insist on picking a fight.

Well, that’s the long and short of it. I’ll set my gambits as they were before we started. Feel free to change them later if you like.

We’re like to come across new actions and targets, so don’t be afraid to experiment with new gambit combinations. But don’t put all of your faith in any one combination. With each passing day, the world finds new and exciting ways to kill a man.

Be flexible! If you find yourself up against beasts that don’t take well to fire, create a gambit to cast Fire on nearby foes. Likewise, should we face a creature that used Poison, a gambit to cast Poisona on poisoned allies just might come in handy. A bit much to take in? Don’t let it worry you – you’re in good company. Yes, these sewers are thick with the bones of others who had similar “difficulties”.

[Gambits has been added to the Party Menu.]

[Party has been added to the Party Menu.]

Let’s be off then, shall we?

[When you examine the Fallen Soldiers…]

Balthier: Insurgents. Most like they thought to take advantage of a lax watch while the fete’s on. …to feed the good consul a length of steel for his supper. I should think Vayne used to such hospitality. Clever. He used himself as the bait to draw them near, and then sent in the air brigade. A fine, bloody banquet. Hmph. I daresay I’ve soiled my cuffs. If a dungeon’s waiting for us at the end of the night, it had best have a change of wardrobe.

[Examine the Fallen Soldiers a second time…]

Vaan: I’d take you with us if I could… but there’s just no time. Sorry…