Cactuar (Final Fantasy XIII)

The Cactuar is an enemy in Final Fantasy XIII found in Gran Pulse. If the player takes a trip to the hill on the Eastern Tors of the Archylte Steppe (the area is guarded by Adamantortoises, but it is easy to sneak past them), they will witness a cutscene involving Sazh Katzroy and a Cactuar. Following the cutscene, Cactuars can be found throughout the Archylte Steppe.

Unlike most enemies, Cactuars will never openly engage the player in the field. Instead they flee to the outermost point of their territory, meaning the player must corner them, or if lucky enough, catch up to them if they wish to fight the creature.

The Cactuar has uncharacteristically high HP and does possess the 1000 Needles ability like Cactuars of previous games, that is once activated through Cactus Dance when it turns into a Giant Cactuar. The regular Cactuar has a moderately strong Kick attack and Cactus Dance. If one does not attack the Cactuar while it uses the Cactus Dance, it will grow into a stronger kind of Cactuar, the Giant Cactuar. Players just arriving on the Archylte Steppe in Chapter 11 will find it difficult to defeat the Cactuar, however they pose no threat when fought later in Chapter 13.

Related Enemies

 * Flowering Cactuar
 * Giant Cactuar
 * Cactuar Prime
 * Gigantuar