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The Subterra is the optional underground area of the Pharos in Final Fantasy XII accessed by finishing the Pharos event. Subterra is divided into four levels: Penumbra, Umbra, Abyssal, and Unknown.

To enter the Subterra, players have to use the Dais of Ascendance located at the center of the Pharos near the Gate Crystal. It will take players down to the first level, Penumbra. From there, players need to obtain Black Orbs to unlock the entrances to the other levels: Umbra and Abyssal. Unlike other areas in the game, the Subterra lacks an obtainable map.

Locations[]

  • Penumbra - Interior
  • Penumbra - North
  • Penumbra - South
  • Umbra - Interior
  • Umbra - North
  • Umbra - South
  • Abyssal - Interior
  • Abyssal - North
  • Abyssal - South
  • Hell's Challenge

Treasures[]

Penumbra - North[]

Zodiac
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Gil Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
86 70% 80% 1 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Diamond Armlet Hastega Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
87 70% 80% 1 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Orrachea Armlet Shock Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (C)
88[note 1] 5% 0% N/A Indigo Pendant
89 70% 80% 1 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Battle Harness Reverse Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
90 70% 80% 1 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Firefly Chaos Bombs Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
  1. Chest does not respawn.
Original
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
18[note 1] 30% 0% Gil Item Gil Item
N/A Holy Rod N/A Knot of Rust
19 90% 10% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ether ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
20 90% 10% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ether ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
  1. Chest does not respawn.

Penumbra - South[]

Zodiac
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Gil Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
91 70% 80% 1 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Golden Amulet Assassin's Arrows Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
92 70% 80% 1 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Embroidered Tippet X-Potion Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
93[note 1] 20% 0% N/A Ring of Renewal
  1. Chest does not respawn.
Original
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
21 90% 10% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ether ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
22 90% 10% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ether ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
23[note 1] 40% 0% Gil Item Gil Item
N/A Dragon Whisker N/A Knot of Rust
  1. Chest does not respawn.

Umbra - North[]

Zodiac
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Gil Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
94 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Amber Armlet Stink Bombs Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
95[note 1] 5% 0% N/A Cameo Belt
96 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Thief's Cuffs Holy Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
97 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Turtleshell Choker Time Bolts Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
  1. Chest does not respawn.
Original
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
24[note 1] 30% 0% Nihopalaoa
25[note 1] 30% 0% Venetian Shield
26[note 1] 30% 0% Ultima Blade
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chest does not respawn.

Umbra - South[]

Zodiac
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Gil Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
98 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Gillie Boots Scathe Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (C)
99 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Berserker Bracers Windslicer Shot Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
100 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Sage's Ring Dark Matter Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
101 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Jade Collar Sapping Bolts Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
102 70% 80% 2 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Pheasant Netsuke Elixir Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
103[note 1] 5% 0% N/A Nihopalaoa
  1. Chest does not respawn.
Original
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
27 55% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Save the Queen ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
28 55% 40% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Common Rare
1 Gil Knot of Rust Fomalhaut ≤ 2 Gil Megalixir Knot of Rust
29 55% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ivory Pole ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
30 55% 40% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Morning Star ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
31 65% 70% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Common Rare
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ether ≤ 2 Gil Megalixir Knot of Rust
32 55% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ame-no-Murakumo ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust

Abyssal - North[]

Zodiac
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Gil Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
104 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Quasimodo Boots Scathe Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
105[note 1] 10% 0% N/A Ribbon
106 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Opal Ring Icecloud Arrows Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
107 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Hermes Sandals Elixir Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
108 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Bubble Belt Dark Shot Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
109[note 1] 10% 0% N/A Wither
110 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Germinas Boots Scathe Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
111 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Sash Holy Mote Knot of Rust Meteorite (B)
112 70% 80% 3 gil Item 1 Item 2 Common Rare
Ruby Ring Dark Matter Knot of Rust Meteorite (A)
  1. 1.0 1.1 Chest does not respawn.
Original
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
33 50% 60% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Crown of Laurels ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
34 50% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Ether ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
35[note 1] 50% 0% Gil Item Gil Common Rare
N/A Ribbon N/A Dark Matter Knot of Rust
36 50% 60% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Knot of Rust Zwill Crossblade ≤ 2 Knot of Rust
37 50% 60% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Antares ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
38[note 1] 45% 0% Gil Item Gil Common Rare
N/A Lordly Robes N/A Dark Matter Knot of Rust
  1. 1.0 1.1 Chest does not respawn.

Abyssal - South[]

Zodiac
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Gil Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
113 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
114 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
115 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
116[note 1] 100% 0% N/A Megalixir
117 2% 80% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Great Trango
118 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
119 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
120 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
121 40% 97% 3 gil Knot of Rust Common Rare
Knot of Rust Baltoro's Seed
  1. Chest does not respawn.
Original
Chest Spawns Holds Gil% Normal Treasure Diamond Armlet Treasure
39[note 1] 50% 0% Gil Item Gil Item
N/A Dueling Mask N/A Knot of Rust
40 50% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Aegis Shield ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
41 50% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust White Mask ≤ 3,000 Gil Knot of Rust
42 50% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Black Robes ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
43 50% 50% Gil Item 1 Item 2 Gil Item
1 Gil Knot of Rust Deathbringer ≤ 2 Gil Knot of Rust
44 65% 50% Gil Item Gil Item
≤ 200 Gil Knot of Rust ≤ 500 Gil Knot of Rust
45[note 1] 50% 0% Gil Item Gil Item
N/A Circlet N/A Knot of Rust

Quests[]

Completing Subterra[]

Map 34 Pharos Subterra

Map of Subterra for the original Final Fantasy XII; the Zodiac version has different treasures (see above).

It is recommended to have strong weapons, armor, and accessories that guard against Confuse.

It is useful to stock up on items, especially Vaccines (Serum in Zodiac versions), Phoenix Downs, Antidotes, and Eye Drops just in case a Ribbon is not available. Gambits for Arise, Steal, and Curaja are also useful. The Sight Unseeing Technick works against the frogs and mistmares in the middle portion, which can be useful as the enemies are intended to swarm the player.

It is strongly advised not to equip the Diamond Armlet while searching treasures in Penumbra in the original version, as it will turn the treasures into a Knots of Rust. Many treasures can be only one item, however, so it does not matter if the Diamond Armlet is equipped, and there is a treasure in the middle of the southern portion of Umbra that is a Megalixir, but only if the Diamond Armlet is equipped. The treasures that always contain good equipment have low spawn rates of 30% per entry and will never respawn. If the treasure turns out to be gil, it is only 1 gil, or 2 gil with the Diamond Armlet equipped.

In the Zodiac versions, the treasures are completely different, and the player does not need to worry about the Diamond Armlet. There are may good treasures to be found here, notable among them the Ribbon and Nihopalaoa accessories, and the Wither Technick.

The player needs to collect Black Orbs and place them in the pedestals in rooms in every corner to make the next level available (see here for the number of orbs needed per pedestal). The Phoenix can be fought at any time. It is not required to light up all the rooms to fight Phoenix, but it is recommended. The Massive Black Orbs found in certain rooms make obtaining the required number of orbs easier. If a Black Orb is left alone, it will join the Massive Black Orb, but adds to the Massive Black Orb threefold, thus quickly compounding. In addition to this map, there can also be a Massive Black Orb in Umbra in the room with the Magick Pot. The Massive Black Orbs are in pre-designated areas, but only one Massive Black Orb spawns per floor.

After lighting up the pedestals in the Abyssal floor, a new destination appears at the Dais of Ascendance. If the Phoenix has not yet been defeated, the player is prevented from reaching the final area by a "mysterious force", and returned to the First Ascent. If the Phoenix has been defeated, the mysterious force disappears and allows the player to access a new floor, which contains the Hunt mark Shadowseer if the bill has already been accepted from Montblanc.

This floor is only accessible preceding the Shadowseer Elite Mark. After the hunt is completed, the player cannot return to Hell's Challenge.

Hunts[]

Ixion is an Elite Mark found in the Penumbra-Interior area. The hunt becomes available after the events in the Pharos. It is petitioned by Whitecap Wench at Balfonheim Port (Quayside Court - The Whitecap). Ixion can be found on any of the three floors. The lift must be coming down from the first floor and if there are other monsters around, the player should take the lift back up to the first floor and try again until there are no enemies around. After running around the circle for a while Ixion will show up.

The Shadowseer is an Elite Mark found in the Unknown area of Subterra after placing all the black orbs in the Penumbra, Umbra and Abyssal areas. The hunt becomes available after the events in Pharos. After losing a certain amount of HP, Shadowseer will summon Pandaemonium and put up two palings, becoming invincible. Killing Pandaemonium will drop the palings, allowing the party to injure it until it summons the Slyt. The Shadowseer will repeat this with the other Pharos bosses (Fenrir and Phoenix), at which point it will lament that it is out of creatures to summon. The hunt is petitioned by Montblanc in Rabanastre.

Rare Game[]

Vagrant Soul has a 25% chance of appearing in the Subterra, in the room behind the ancient door in the northwest section of the Abyssal, after the Shadowseer has been defeated. It can be found in the large chamber behind the ancient door at the end of the hallway behind the fool's façade in the eastern room of the northwest section.

To spawn Luxollid, the player must kill the Vagrant Soul, and then head to Umbra-South without saving or leaving the Subterra.

Enemies[]

Musical themes[]

"Ashe's Theme" plays when reaching the Pharos as well as being the location theme for the Subterra.

In The Zodiac Age version, it is "Gloom" (暗影, An'ei?), a new theme composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto. Upon entering Hell's Challenge however, the music played is "Ashe's Theme".

Gallery[]

Etymology[]

Subterra comes from the word "subterranean", "sub" meaning under and "terra" originating from the Latin word for Earth.

Penumbra means a space of partial illumination between the perfect shadow on all sides and the full light.

Umbra means "shadow" in Latin.

Abyssal means "of or like an abyss; immeasurable; unfathomable."

Notes[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Chest does not respawn.
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