Archylte Steppe is a vast grassland in the world of Gran Pulse. In Final Fantasy XIII-2 it is visited in an unknown time period (??? AF), and is inhabited by a village of hunters who have a weather-controlling device. There are thus four "versions" of the steppe, as the enemies depend on the weather. There is no sign of Cocoon on the horizon.
Though the Archylte Steppe appeared in Final Fantasy XIII, none of the area is reused for Final Fantasy XIII-2, and it is thus effectively a different area.
Datalog[]
- Travel Guide: Archylte Steppe
- Area Information
The Archylte Steppe is a broad plain located in a remote corner of Pulse. The few explorers who reach the steppe return with reports of a tribe of fiercely independent nomadic hunters who have lived off the land here for centuries, cut off from the rest of human civilization.
The actual location has not been made public, but tourists with a bent for adventure might consider renting an airship and putting together their own expedition.
- From the Editor's Desk:
Some believe that the hunters are descendants of the original inhabitants of Pulse, while others claim they are a lost tribe of Cocoon. If you could get close enough to win their trust, they might tell you their story.
Story[]
Serah and Noel trying to solve the paradox.
Serah, Mog, and Noel travel to Archylte Steppe to fix an anomaly affecting the Sunleth Waterscape 300 AF, and find themselves in a sandstorm-filled field. They come across a hunters' settlement that has a weather-changing device. The chocobo breeder mentions that she and the others were previously citizens of Cocoon who had to acclimate to life on Pulse, though they were initially fearful of the transition.
Battle against Faeryl.
After earning the hunters' trust by defeating a pack of Goblins and retrieving wool, Serah and Noel are taught how to use the weather machine. They uncover the Faeryl, a monster sucking up Miniflan. The path to the Faeryl is blocked by a Long Gui, but Serah and Noel use the device again to remove it, as it doesn't like thunder. They defeat the Faeryl and discover that it accidentally ate a Fragment, which meant whatever Miniflan it would swallow would be transported to the Sunleth Waterscape. With fragment in hand and the paradox seemingly solved, the two return to the Sunleth Waterscape.
Quests[]
Component farming[]
There are several notable "farming" locations for the components needed to level up the Paradigm Pack monsters.
The areas of Stonestump Wastelands and Grave Ridge (Sunny) have plentiful Buccaboos that drop the Grade 3 biological monster component Potent Orb.
In Clearwater Marsh (Rainy), the player can encounter Hedge Frogs, Mud Frogs, Swampmonks, and Caterchipillars, all of which drop Potent Essence, a Grade 4 biological monster component.
In Clearwater Marsh (Sunny), the Microchu spawn in mass numbers, allowing the player to collect many Potent Crystals, as well as the rare item component Sunpetal, making this the best location for farming Grade 5 biological monster components. It is also reasonably frequent during the rainy season, allowing the player to collect a number of Potent Crystals at the same time as collecting Potent Essences.
The Vampire Cie'th on Grave Ridge, Stonestump Wastelands, and the Clearwater Marsh (Stormy), offer a 20% chance of dropping Potent Generators, making them the only realistically farmable choice for this Grade 5 mechanical monster component.
Weather[]
Noel examining the weather changing device.
There is a weather-controlling device in the hunters' settlement the player can use after doing an errand for the hunters.
- Cloudy = Both levers upright
- Rainy = Left lever upright, right lever lowered
- Stormy = Left lever lowered, right lever upright
- Sunny = Both levers lowered
The player can use the golden cactuar waypoint that appears as a tornado on windy weather to teleport the party to the west side of the steppe. Sheep roam the plains in cloudy weather. Stormy weather causes only Cie'th to appear on the plains.
See the Enemies section for what enemies spawn in each weather.
The three Gigantuars[]
To unlock the Time Gate covered with chaos found on the steppe, the player must defeat three Gigantuars. These are the Cactuar statues found in the Archylte Steppe. One is found on the Stonestump Wasteland in any weather. There is another in Clearwater Marshes (northeast) behind a rock. It needs to be uncovered with Moogle Hunt in sunny weather. A third statue is found in Clearwater Marshes (Central) that needs to be uncovered with Moogle Hunt in rainy weather.
Areas[]
Map of the Archylte Steppe.
In the northeastern side of the Steppe there is a nomad village where hunters live and possess a device that can change weather on the steppe.
- Plains of Eternity
- Sanctorium
- Nomad Camp
- Grave Ridge
- Stonestump Wastelands
- Clearwater Marshes
Treasure[]
| Item | Location | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Remedy x2 | Plains of Eternity | None |
| Potion x3 | Plains of Eternity | None |
| Mana Droplet x8 | Nomad Camp | None |
| Grimoire Hat | Nomad Camp | None |
| 600 gil | Nomad Camp | None |
| Power Sliver x8 | Sanctorium | Moogle Throw |
| Fractured Horn x2 | Plains of Eternity | None |
| Vitality Droplet x6 | Stonestump Wastelands | None |
| Mana Chip x8 | Grave Ridge | Moogle Throw |
| Phoenix Down | Grave Ridge | Moogle Hunt |
| Mana Bolt x8 | Grave Ridge | None |
| Vitality Sliver x9 | Grave Ridge | Moogle Hunt |
| Single Horn | Grave Ridge | Moogle Hunt |
| Guardian's Edge | Clearwater Marshes | Moogle Throw |
| Wild Artefact | Clearwater Marshes | Moogle Throw |
| Gysahl Greens x3 | Clearwater Marshes | Moogle Hunt |
| 700 gil | Clearwater Marshes | None |
| Unicorn Horn | Clearwater Marshes | Moogle Hunt |
| Dragon Hide Backpack & Mog's Clock | Sanctorium | Defeat Faeryl |
| Chichu | Plains of Eternity | Improved Moogle Throw |
| Nanochu | Clearwater Marshes | Improved Moogle Throw |
Enemies[]
The appearance of enemies depends on the area's weather. Defeating the Ochu during rainy weather, Long Gui during sunny weather, Immortal during cloudy weather, and Yomi during stormy weather, earns the player the "Big Game Hunter" achievement/trophy.
Weather can be changed by moving the levers on the weather machine in the hunter's camp.
| Monster | Area | Weather | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbed Specter | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge | Cloudy | |
| Blue Chocobo | Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Buccaboo | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Buccaboo Ace | Stonestump Wastelands | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Buccaboo Ace | Grave Ridge | Sunny, Rainy | |
| Cactuar | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | |
| Cactuaroni | Plains of Eternity | Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Caterchipillar | Clearwater Marshes | Rainy | |
| Chelicerata | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Cloudy | Stops appearing after Goblin Fragment is obtained. |
| Chelicerata | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | Stops appearing after Faeryl is defeated. |
| Chocobo | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | This is a normal yellow chocobo. |
| Chonchon | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Stormy | |
| Clione | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | Stops appearing after defeating Faeryl. |
| Clione | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Cloudy | Stops appearing after obtaining the Goblin Fragment. |
| Cloudburst | Stonestump Wastelands | Cloudy | Good ravager to have in the monster pack. |
| Debris | Grave Ridge | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Faeryl (Boss) | Sanctorium | Any | Must first be triggered through Sunny weather and story events before it may be fought in any other weather. |
| Flanbanero | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | Appears after Faeryl is defeated. |
| Flangonzola | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | Appears after Faeryl is defeated. |
| Flowering Cactuar | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | |
| Fomoire | Clearwater Marshes, Grave Ridge | Stormy | |
| Gancanagh | Stonestump Wastelands, Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Gancanagh Ace | Stonestump Wastelands, Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Ghast | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Stormy | |
| Gigantuar (Fixed) | Stonestump Wastelands, Clearwater Marshes | 1st tablet - Any 2nd - Rainy 3rd - Sunny |
In the Clearwater Marshes, the Cactuar tablets must be found using Moogle Hunt. All three tablets appear once Faeryl is defeated. |
| Goblin | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | Appears after obtaining Goblin Fragment. |
| Goblin Chieftain | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | Appears after obtaining Goblin Fragment. |
| Hedge Frog | Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Immortal (Fixed) | Stonestump Wastelands | Cloudy | Sidequest target. Available after defeating Faeryl. Will reappear after defeat when weather is changed from and back to Cloudy. |
| Ispusteke | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge, Clearwater Marshes | Stormy | |
| Long Gui (Fixed) | Sanctorium | Sunny | Appears as a fixed encounter in Sunny weather. Will reappear after defeat when weather is changed from and back to Sunny. |
| Major Moblin | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge, Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Malebranche | Clearwater Marshes | Stormy | |
| Metal Gigantuar | Stonestump Wastelands | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | Rare monster. Appears as a spacetime distortion. |
| Mewmao | Clearwater Marshes | Rainy | |
| Microchu | Stonestump Wastelands, Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Miniflan | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | |
| Moblin | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge, Clearwater Marshes | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Mud Frog | Clearwater Marshes | Rainy | |
| Navidon | Clearwater Marshes | Rainy | |
| Ochu (Fixed) | Clearwater Marshes | Rainy | Sidequest target. Available after Faeryl is defeated. Will reappear after defeat when weather is switched from and back to Rainy. |
| Pulsework Gladiator | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge | Cloudy | |
| Reaver | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | |
| Red Chocobo | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Samovira | Grave Ridge | Sunny, Cloudy | |
| Scutari | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Seeker | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Stormy | |
| Silver Lobo | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Swampmonk | Clearwater Marshes | Rainy | |
| Testudo | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge | Cloudy | |
| Triffid | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny | |
| Vampire | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge, Clearwater Marshlands | Stormy | |
| Varcolaci | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge, Clearwater Marshlands | Stormy | |
| Vodianoi | Grave Ridge | Sunny, Cloudy | |
| Vouivre | Sanctorium, Plains of Eternity | Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy | |
| Wladislaus | Stonestump Wastelands, Grave Ridge, Clearwater Marshes | Stormy | Previously seen in Final Fantasy XIII as a sub boss in Orphan's Cradle. |
| Yomi (Fixed) | Grave Ridge | Stormy | Sidequest target. Available only after Faeryl is defeated. Will reappear after defeat when weather is switched from and back to Stormy. |
Musical themes[]
The Archylte Steppe has multiple themes depending on the weather. During sunny weather, the "Plains of Eternity" plays, composed by Naoshi Mizuta and with vocals performed by Joelle, while its non-lyrical counterpart, "Plains of Eternity -Aggressive Mix-" plays whenever enemies appear. The "Gapra Whitewood" theme plays during rainy weather. The "Vile Peaks" theme plays during cloudy weather, and "Will to Fight" plays in stormy weather.
Other appearances[]
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]
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Behind the scenes[]
Archylte Steppe 900 AF, concept art.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Ultimania Omega has a concept art that depicts the capital of Cocoon, Eden, crashed to Archylte Steppe after the events of Final Fantasy XIII.[1] This idea was never used. Other concept artworks depict Archylte Steppe in 900 AF covered in a vast city with a building reminiscent of the government building in Eden in Final Fantasy XIII. This area would have had two versions: daytime and sunset.[1]
There were also plans to have a downloadable scenario to take place in the Archylte Steppe where Snow would have ridden his Shiva Sisters motorbike across the steppe, killing monsters, but this idea was abandoned.[1][2]
Gallery[]
