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Orthros is an Elite Mark in Final Fantasy XII located in the Garamsythe Waterway, in the Southern Sluiceway. The earliest the hunt can be accepted is after obtaining the Dawn Shard, and reaching the clan rank of "Headhunter".

Orthros will appear if the active party consists of all three female characters (Fran, Ashe, and Penelo). The player can swap characters after Orthros appears, so it is not necessary to fight Orthros with an all-female party. Guest characters (Larsa and Reddas) do not count towards the restriction and can thus be in the party as well.

Orthros is a source of the ingredient Slime Oil, which can be stolen from it. In the original version, this item is very rare, as the only other way to obtain it was to win it from the tier 90 footrace at Balfonheim. The Zodiac versions add more sources for it.

When the party acquires the Stolen Articles from Orthros, its description will read, "Don't tease the...flan?", in reference to the phrase "Don't tease the octopus, kids", used by Ultros in Final Fantasy VI.

Orthros is also fought in the Zodiac versions' Trial Mode at Stage 41 along with three White Mousses, where equipment can be stolen from it: Wyrmfire Shot (uncommon) and Defender (rare).

Clan Primer[]

Hunt 35: Crime and Punishment[]

XIIBill-Orthros

Mark Bill.

Petitioner: Contrite Thief
Petitioner's Location: Lowtown (North Sprawl)
  • A petition has been submitted for the hunting of Orthros (Rank 5). The petitioner is the contrite thief in the North Sprawl of Lowtown.
  • Hunt accepted. The contrite thief stole a bundle of articles, but lost it to Orthros. She wants to return the bundle to its rightful owner. Orthros is known to dwell in the southern reaches of the Garamsythe Waterway, but may only be found under certain conditions.
  • Orthros defeated! Report to the contrite thief in the North Sprawl.
  • Hunt reported. Returned stolen articles to their rightful owner.


Bestiary entry[]

Being an ancient Inhabitant of the Garamsythe Waterway with an inordinate Fondness of comely Maidens. Possessing a sort of Chameleonism, whereby it assumes the Hue of that which it consumes, it is said to glow as Gold for in the Past it ate a Merchant's Store of Coin. This creature consumed a thief's ill-gotten plunder, which she now wishes to return to its rightful owner, thus has she petitioned the hunt for this Mark.

Stats[]

AI script[]

Abilities
TypeNameCondition
ThundagaHP <50% when opponent is close (25%)
SlowgaUse all battle (5%)
BreakUse all battle (5%)
BleedUse all battle (5%)
ImmobilizegaOpponent is far (5%)
DisablegaOpponent is far (5%)
DarkraOpponent is close (25%)
Opponent is far (50%)
Phantasmal GazeOpponent is close (5%)
LungeOpponent is close (25%)
SlapHP <50% when opponent is close (25%)
FlashWhen opponent is close (5%)
Mythril BubblesWhen opponent is close (5%)
Properties
TypeProperty
Targeting
Linking
Attacks
Pursuit

Battle[]

FFXII Mythril Bubbles

Mythril Bubbles.

Orthros is a Flan-type enemy, and thus physical attacks are ineffective, but Orthros is not immune to them. It attacks with spells like Slowga and Immobilizega, along with other status magick. Its Mythril Bubbles move is particularly dangerous, as it can inflict several status ailments. Orthros can be inflicted with Blind.

Strategy[]

The battle can be made easier with a few preparations. Sashes block the mark's Slowga spell. Bravery and Faith augment damage, while Protect, Shell, and Haste augment defenses, as well as inflicting Blind and using protection against dark-elemental damage.

An effective combination is to inflict Sleep on Orthros, cast Reflectga on the party, and spam Firaga, causing three (or four if a guest is present) hits of Firaga on Orthros per cast. A Nihopalaoa can be used with a Prince's Kiss (Alarm Clock) to quickly inflict Sleep. The Sleep spell will also always work if the caster equips the Indigo Pendant.

The player can start a Quickening chain when the flan glows red to finish it off faster. If the party does not have a powerful Black Mage in the Zodiac versions, they can use motes. They can also summon Belias.

Rewards[]

The player will receive the Stolen Articles after the battle, which the Contrite Thief returns to Samal. He comes by to give the player a Blackened Fragment, which is part of the three medallions sidequest.

Gallery[]

Etymology[]

Orthros refers to the octopus Ultros that first appeared in Final Fantasy VI. Despite being a flan, it is the same color and its description alludes to Ultros.

In Greek mythology, Orthrus or Orthus was, according to the mythographer Apollodorus, a two-headed dog who guarded Geryon's cattle and was killed by Heracles. He was the offspring of the monsters Echidna and Typhon, and the brother of Cerberus, who was also a multi-headed guard dog.

The Orthros of Final Fantasy has no connection with the mythical Orthros, save for their link to Typhon, which in the Greek myth was the father of Orthros and Cerberus.

Related enemies[]

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