Airships are one of the hallmarks of a Final Fantasy game, and they are present in almost every single title in the franchise. This cool mode of transportation dates back all the way to the first entry in the series where it's a necessary upgrade to Bikke's ship.
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Acquiring the airship is a dangerous feat that requires you to sail through turbulent waters in a canoe, delve into an icy cavern, and somehow know that it's waiting for you in the middle of a desert. Once acquired, you can get on with defeating more elemental archfiends and saving the world.
How To Get The Airship
Getting the airship is quite a simple process. All you need to do is find the Levistone and take it to where the airship lies in wait. There aren't many clues in the game about this, simply a lone gentleman in the northwest corner of Crescent Lake who talks about the whereabouts of the Levistone.
The Levistone resides in the Cavern of Ice, which is situated to the north of Crescent Lake and requires that you have the canoe to reach.
How To Reach The Cavern Of Ice
- While there are many rivers around Crescent Lake that are tempting to explore, they lead only to Mount Gulg (the location of the fiend of fire) and to the lands near Elfheim. Instead, you need to get back into your ship and head to a different dock on the same side of the continent. It's found slightly to the north at the top of another lake.
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- The rivers that lead to the Cavern of Ice are very twisty and can quite easily get you lost, all while fighting tough enemies. Beware of White Crocs and Red Piranhas as they can hit really hard. Use Thundara or even Thundaga spells to make short work of them if you have to.
- Eventually, you will make your way to the Cavern of Ice — you can find it on the minimap easily, it's located in the little stretch of land surrounded by mountains and only accessible from the west.
The Cavern Of Ice
- The Cavern of Ice is quite a simple dungeon to traverse. The first floor is simply a very long corridor that will turn around and lead you to a staircase. This leads to another long corridor ending in a staircase. You'll start to become acquainted with the dungeon's foes as you make your way through the long dungeon, and some of them are really worth looking out for.
- Dark Wizards look like Astos recolors and are far more dangerous than that imposter. They can cast Scourge, which has a chance of instantly killing multiple party members with each cast. Try to finish them off quickly or run away as you won't have Instant Death protection yet.
- You'll also want to be wary of some of the tough physical hitters, such as Piscodemons, Remorazzes, and White Dragons. Cockatrices are also back with their petrifying attacks, so consider running away from them if you don't have a decent stock of Gold Needles or the Stona spell.
- After following the simple path, you'll end up in a room full of cracked flooring, two chests, and the tantalizing Levistone. The chest on the left contains the powerful Flame Sword so definitely pick that up, and then fall through one of the cracks to the bottom floor. You'll have to kill a Specter before proceeding, but it's an easy fight.
- The bottom floor of the Cavern of Ice is full of spiky flooring. This will damage you very slightly as you walk over it, and unfortunately, you'll have to take two detours over the spikes if you want the treasure here. The chests to the north have a nice set of Mythril Gloves and some great Ice Armor, which should be equipped immediately. The chests to the south have a ton of Gil, so don't forget them.
- Moving on up with the eastern staircase, you'll find yet another set of rooms that have chests in them. Be sure to search them all before falling through the conspicuous crack in the floor near the trio of chests at the north end of the room. You'll fall down right in front of the Levistone, but there's one more challenge to face before you can escape with your spoils.
BOSS: How To Beat The Evil Eye
- HP: 162
- Resistances: None
- Weaknesses: None
- Abilities: Thundara, Sleep, Silence, Stare, Gaze, Glance, Slow, Death, Kill, Hold
Despite that terrifying spell list, the Evil Eye is a complete pushover barely worth calling a boss. It's notable that this boss is easier than even Vampire and probably Astos, so much so that in previous versions of the game it makes for a fantastic grinding spot as it can be rechallenged.
As a precaution, be sure to pack some Phoenix Downs or the Life spell to counteract any nasty Death or Kill spells that land. Other than that, it's very possible to smack the Evil Eye down in one round of physical attacks. At least you get a nice chunk of EXP and Gil for your efforts — and the Levistone, of course.
Acquiring The Airship
- With the Evil Eye dealt with, you simply need to get out of the Cavern. To do this you simply need to drop down through one of the cracks and retrace your steps. When you reach the floor with the solitary crack that you used to get to the Evil Eye fight, walk around the outside of that room — you'll find a set of stairs to the northeast that will take you right outside.
- Head back through the rivers and get back into your ship (possibly for the final time!). Sail south to the dock near Crescent Lake once more and then hike your way south. There will be one more large river to sail through with your canoe, right next to a desert.
- Enter the desert while in possession of the Levistone and a small cutscene will play. Now you have your airship and get right on with the rest of the game. The first order of business should probably be getting your Class Promotion from the King of Dragons!