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9: Superbly Sprited

We've killed one crazy zodiac monster, but if there's one, there's... probably like 12 of them. Something around that number, anyway.

As we're going into a new chapter, we get a little bit of exposition (and harsh words) before we begin.

I don't know what they're talking about, I'm not in this chapter

If this age of war is the "big tide" like a fate we can't avoid, can I go against it?
Now I head for Lesalia to tell my brother Zalbag there's someone manipulating this war...

The narrator changes on occasion. This time, we get Ramza. He does a good job, especially considering his experience - give him a hand.

We've gone from the 22nd of July to the 20th of October. Almost right, game, but not quite!

The fur shop I'll never be able to use opens in chapter three. This is the last time we'll see it.

The oracle sticks haven't been getting much more interesting, just +1 WP every time. Maybe one day...

Also, bags. This one is worth the GNP of a small first world country. They do random damage, too, so fuck that noise... but the +1 MA could potentially be useful until better weapons with the same bonus start showing up.

And of course, twist headbands, the old favourite, start showing up. +2 PA! It's glorious! Pity we don't have anyone who cares... or do we? Of course, since we are now in chapter three, we once again need to determine a new job, this time from the pool of Geomancer, Lancer, Mediator, and Summoner. Aaaaand... my third job is

Geomancer!

Geomancers only have one command for their skillset - "elemental", which changes its effect - element and status added - depending on the terrain the user is standing on. Or is just greyed out if you don't know the appropriate terrain effect yet - each one must be unlocked. Some are a lot more common than others, some barely ever come up. Either way, it's instant (hooray), covers a + area, and has decent range. All of which are good things. It also uses both PA and MA, and deals mediocre-ish damage compared to black magic, which is not so good. Each terrain effect only costs 150 jp to unlock... but there are 12 of them in total.

Geomancers get the Counter Flood reaction ability, which hits the attacker with geomancy. It's pretty good!

Geomancers get the passive ability Attack UP. It's Magic Attack UP, but not for magic! It's pretty great. Notably, it affects all physical attacks even if they use MA in the formula - stick damage is boosted by AtkUP, not MAtkUP.

Geomancers are in a fierce competition with oracles for "worst movement ability" with Move on Lava (does what it says and how much lava have you seen lately?) and Any Ground which removes the movement penalty for flowing water (normally double cost).

Geomancers get hats, clothes, and robes, so nothing new there, but they can also use shields, swords, and axes, which lets us vary things up a bit. They also have 4 natural move! That's one whole extra step! So. Good.

Geomancer is a very solid hybrid class, and IIRC MAtkUP applies to Elemental as well, so they're quite happy with that. Nonetheless, I want to say that they don't have the greatest synergy with our old classes - mages are poor users of Geomancy because it relies on PA and mages have none of that, and geomancers are slightly worse at magic than oracles, who are in turn a bit worse than wizards. The geomancer's other abilities don't do much for wizards and oracles, either, outside stick-swinging (which, granted, can be pretty deadly with AtkUP!)

Still, it is a Good Class, and we'll see just how good. So yes. That headband. It will see use.

Maybe these things, too. Note the magic gauntlet - 20k gil, +2 MA. Looks very nice, especially for a geomancer who already has 4 move and loses some MA compared to our other classes! ...but at least for geomancy, it's no better than the diamond bracer at 1/4 the cost.

Remember that bit about it being October? Sure took us a long-ass time to get back here! But I suppose we were dodging assassins all the while.

...

Fuck's sake Ramza where are the JP?

Speaking of, since we're still low on those, I went and did the propositions for the top-left section of the map.

Some of the rewards were actually very worth it!

I don't know if this is, though...

With some of us actually having learned new skills, let's head on to Coaland Goal City.

You sassy motherfucker.

Of course, this map should provide no trouble whatso

olan

olan what the fuck are you doing

so as I was saying the enemies can actually be a bit troublesome, including two thieves who are fast as fuck and can nab your gear. This one fails, though.

I might actually be upset about this if they, you know, let me keep Olan.

Chemists also do their thing...

...but in doing so, they step within nuke range.

This is black magic, I didn't buy the snow geomancy just for this map. Ramza doesn't even have JP for a single geomancy effect yet.

WHAT THE FUCK OLAN WHY

To think, some of you doubted Bolt 3

Don't you fucking

son of a fuck!

At least Alfador didn't fall for the thief's womanly wiles, that would have been even worse.

Fucking finally!

I kill one of the thieves before it goes off...

...and neutralizes the entire remains of the enemy party.

Galaxy Stop is ridiculous.

Petrified frog!

Another botched steal attempt. I stall...

...in the hopes of this happening,

...but the rewards...

...aren't worth it. There's a whole lot of abilities, sure, but after three crystals I only picked up like one ability I'm actually allowed to use. Boo.

Oh, and one of these, just because.

Having picked up the goodies, I end the map by setting the last thief on fire. Yo.

And then we get a neat little scene.

So much personality.

So damn good.

And with that, Ramza finally has the points for his very first geomancy effect! (Watch him never use it.)

Nancy, meanwhile, picks up Flare - the wizard's big middle finger. Expensive, but painful, and non elemental for any bothersome white robe wearing asshats who might get in your way.

And then, on to our destination.

It... could have gone better.

Let me just gush about the spriting here again. I can't show off all of it, but Ramza has a lot of little gestures and different stances here.

Even better, once Alma shows up...

...I mean this is a pretty long gif, but look at them! We've come a long, long way from VI and its "standing, looking down, kneeling, done!" sprites.