Fastitocalon-F is a Triple Triad card in Final Fantasy VIII used to play the minigame and for turning into items with Quezacotl's Card Mod. Fastitocalon-F is the eighth card in the inventory, a basic Level 1 Monster Card. While simply known as Fastitocalon in battle, the "F" in its Triple Triad card signifies "fake" to distinguish it from the larger version of Fastitocalon.
Being a Level 1 card, the card values on the Fastitocalon-F are not strong. Its value placement may also be useful for games that use Same and/or Plus. It is an earth-elemental card, but the Elemental rule will not be in play until the player reaches Fishermans Horizon in Disc 2, or optionally heads for Dollet, unless paying a lot of money to the Queen of Cards. Placing the Fastitocalon-F on a tile with the matching stone symbol gives its values a +1 boost. The increased values are not used for Same/Plus calculations, but are used for determining Combo.
Obtain[]
The Fastitocalon-F monster has a 3.5% chance to drop the card. Using the Card command on a Fastitocalon-F has a guaranteed chance to procure a Fastitocalon-F card when it succeeds.
Any AI Triple Triad player who uses Level 1 cards has a chance of using Fastitocalon-F in a play, from where the player can win it in a card match.
The man in the 2F elevator hall in Balamb Garden at the very start of the game, right after Squall meets Selphie, gives Squall a starter Triple Triad deck when spoken to. Fastitocalon-F is part of the starter deck.
Card Mod[]
Five Fastitocalon-F cards refine into a Water Crystal with Quezacotl's Card Mod ability. This is a good item to get early, as it teaches Quistis one of her Blue Magics, Aqua Breath. Water Crystals further refine into Water spells, which the player can thus get early with Shiva's I Mag-RF ability. It is worthwhile to collect Fastitocalon-F cards if playing Triple Triad in the early game, though the enemy itself is also available to fight on the Balamb beach on the world map.
Physical version[]
In 1999, following the release of Final Fantasy VIII in Japan, Bandai produced a full set of collectible Triple Triad cards in Final Fantasy VIII Carddass Masters Perfect Visuals. The set was made up of the 110 cards as seen in the game along with 72 artwork cards and a collector's edition playing mat. The cards have a blue side and a red side. The cards have become a rare collector's item.