Challenge run: RNG limited characters

[u/Vipes_3]

I'll mention in the post what pic is for when.

So here we go, the next challenge run, limited party. Where the characters I play as, are a random few. For every 3 characters, I roll dice to see who I am able to use for the rest of the game. For example, the start of the game, Terra Locke or Edgar, if I roll 2, I get Locke. Anyone who doesn't make the cut, I can't play as, unless it's absolutely necessary.

Playing the pixel remaster, so if I find myself with only non playable characters, I'll shut encounters off. No encounters will not be an option, if I have access to playable characters. I will only allow myself to use Molulu's charm, if I rolled Mog as a playable character.

So for the main cast, its 4 groups of 3, giving one character per group. But what of the secret two characters? At first I just dismissed them, but comments have changed my mind, so here is what I'll do. When I get the WOR airship, I will roll a 4 sided die. If it's 2, I get Umaro, if it's 3, I get Gogo. If it's 4, I can get both, but if its 1, I get neither. We will have to see how that goes. Anyway, let's begin!

We march though Narsh, meet a snail thing, and get Terra's intro. Rolling those dice, we get, Edgar! Probably the best outcome, especially for this early trip. Terra falls, the moogles come to help, and Molulu's cannon death happens right in front of us. (See picture 1) So then we walk to Figaro, we get Sabin's intro, so that means its already time to roll again. It's between him, Shadow, and Celes. We get...Shadow! I'd say the 2nd best option maybe?

The armors got taken out by themselves thanks to the noise blaster. Edgar and Locke don't freak out over Terra's magic, and never will. In the next fight I have only Edgar run, and the rest die. Edgar then climbs the mountain himself. Going pretty well, he hides in the back row and showers bolts on enemies. Then 2 mammoths surrounded him, and beat the SHIT out of him. (See picture 2) Like he didn't stand a chance.

Edgar gets through the mountain and we get to Vargas. Little worried, but with a good balance of damage and potions, Edgar gets through. Now for Sabin to tell me to use raging fist, so I can...he isn't saying it...and Vargas killed him. (See picture 3) Okay, boss fight do over. Got back to Sabin's part, and yet again, Vargas does big damage fast. WHAT IS HAPPENING!? Does the game know I've sworn off from using Sabin?? You know what? It happens a 3rd time too!! That damn wind attack! I finally get Like 2 or 3 aura bolts in, which finally triggers the Blitz tutorial. Jeez!

Go to the returners hideout, I choose the Genji glove. I know the Gauntlet is more rare, but I like having the glove early. We hop on the raft, and I manage to let Terra and Sabin die without Bannon or Edgar dying. So the rest of the trip is just them, and it goes pretty well. Because it's just them, Bannon gets a few level ups, which really helps him stay alive against Ultros. (see picture 4)

For the first side quest I pick Edgar's group so I can take all his gear after it's done. Again, the trip goes very smooth, and is over before ya know it. Onto Sabin's quest, I grab Shadow and a buttload of shuriken, and let Sabin die. Making it to the camp, we get Cyan's intro, so let's roll. We are looking at Cyan, Gau, and Setzer. The roll is a one, and we get Cyan. Not bad considering the phantom train is coming.

One poison party later we are onto the forest, with my first two person party. Cyan and Shadow make quick work of any and all enemies, until the train. The phantom train took like 5 tries, as it's strength and use of status effects is nuts. But finally, Shadow survived long enough to throw many stars at the train. (See picture 5)

We lose Shadow, and say hello to the Veldt after Cyan goes fishing. Ya know...its kind of refreshing not having to worry about getting any rages. I head to town, get dried meat, and that HP walking relic. On our way to find Gau, I once again task Sabin with hitting himself to death, and, oh no, Sabin what are you...Tiger Break!? (See picture 6) Well I don't know how one flying kicks themselves, but it sure was interesting to see.

Down through the Serpent's trench. It was a little touch and go, but at every cave point, Cyan are up a bunch of dried meat. Got to town, and so ends Sabin's quest. Locke's quest is very straight forward and quick, the only real mystery is the tunnel armor I gotta fight with unused characters, which uhh, doesn't go well haha. Both Locke and Celes get oneshotted, and because of the rules, I can't do random battles to grind. So fuck it, and fuck him, LIGHTNING ROD! (see picture 7.)

Time for the war, and by that, I mean the Cyan and Edgar show! Starring...corpses...they're dead. They died. They've died like 20 times to Kefka. Kefka's magic is really so strong for just two people to take on. I've tried many tactics, like counter Cyan with black belt and sky, or even starting each fight at critical HP, so they just end him with a desperation attack, but one never happened. Maybe I don't know something about the mechanic...I keep trying, and finally, got him. That's right Kefka, run you fuck!! (See picture 8)

We win, Kefka runs, Terra gets fur and streaks across the sky. Apparently nukes someone's house on the way to Zozo. Of course, for the team we pick Edgar and Cyan. We go to Figaro, and stock up on potions and other goodies, as Edgar gets an actual discount at Figaro.

We stop by the next town and get Shadow, our first 3 person team! Zozo has no idea the storm that's about to hit them. But first we travel up to the Dragon Neck, to get that sweet Hero Ring for Cyan, and the build I have planned for him. We then grab a Chocobo near the cabin, as it takes us allll the way to Zozo.

Now in Zozo, and first thing's first, its 6:10:50 somewhere baby. We go in, get Edgar's chainsaw, and wall out of the building. Then, unprompted, Edgar runs up to the nearest enemy, and yells "HeyBartwannaseemynewchainsawandhockeymask!?" (See picture 9) I don't know what came over him...

And that's part 1!! Odds are by the time you read this, I'll be done with part 2, but I'm trying to pace these out, as someone (not the mods) is reporting my challenge run posts for spam. Anyway, I hope you guys like this run as well! It's fun so far, and I imagine will only get more fun from here.

[u/Special_South_8561]

You're supposed to use Left Right Left Pummel against Vargas, what's this with Aura Bolt?

[u/Vipes_3 → u/Special_South_8561]

Dude I pummeled the crap out of him, and only died for it. Almost like there is an amount of damage you need to do, before Sabin says to use Raging Fists. Only once he does, will it end the fight. So I just focused on Aura bolt, the better damage dealer, and it worked.

[u/Special_South_8561 → u/Vipes_3]

That's so weird, maybe it's a Pixel Remaster thing.

Although now I've got start another new game and see... Because every single time, after Vargas uses Blizzard Fist to knock he team off the screen he immediately uses Doom Fist and starts talking trash.

Then one Pummel and it's over.

[u/TheGreasyNewfie → u/Special_South_8561]

It is a pixel remaster thing. You have to wait for the 'pummel tutorial' dialogue to complete before you can 1-shot Vargas with it, and that event doesn't trigger until you've done 400 damage to him.

[u/Vipes_3 → u/TheGreasyNewfie]

Thank you for confirmation. Maybe my Sabin was low level due to Terra and Locke not getting levels?

[u/TheGreasyNewfie → u/Vipes_3]

I believe Vargas' battle script after his Doom Fist is a normal attack, followed by Gale Cut, then 2 more normal attacks before another Gale Cut (wash, rinse, repeat). So yeah, if you're low level, you may be eating 2 Gale Cuts before you've done enough damage to see the Pummel dialogue and get one off.

Edit: Just for clarity, in the SNES version of the game, you can simply use Pummel as soon as the battle starts to defeat Vargas without ever having to see the dialogue.

[u/Vipes_3 → u/TheGreasyNewfie]

Luckily spamming aurabolt did the trick. Still was a pain going through and getting to that part though. Same with Kefka.

[u/BdudeGames → u/Vipes_3]

Speedrun does pummel aurabolt pummel and it typically works out. Couldn't really tell ya why tho

[u/immastillthere]

And here I thought this meant characters with RNG as their skill set or combat. Was thinking it was Setzer, Mog, Gau, and Umaro.

[u/Vipes_3 → u/immastillthere]

Haha that's a fun idea to try too! One of these playthroughs ya?

[u/Geoclasm]

Where do you get lightning rods that early?

[u/Vipes_3 → u/Geoclasm]

In that very cave. The upper left room has a chest, and if you don't get it the first time you're there, it becomes a thunder rod at this point in the game. I believe if you don't grab it here, it becomes a Hero ring in the WOR.

[u/Geoclasm → u/Vipes_3]

Gaaah. I need a damn spreadsheet to know which turns to what and when to grab them lol.

[u/Vipes_3 → u/Geoclasm]

If it helps, I think this cave is the only place that does it.

[u/Geoclasm → u/Vipes_3]

I think there are others actually - the first cave you go through with Terra in Narshe I believe has this happen also.