Learn how to effectively farm Cactuars in the Kashkabald Desert in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered. Get tips on increasing Hit% and dealing with their 1,000 Needles attack for massive AP gains.
Walkthrough
- 1From Balamb Garden, fly east towards the ocean.
- 2Continue east, maneuvering north around landmasses, and cross the strait separating southern Esthar from northern Esthar.
- 3Follow the eastern coast of the southern landmass south until you see a desert over cliffs.
- 4Sail south along the coast, turn west as it curves, and continue west to a beach.
- 5Land on the beach, exit your vehicle near mountains, and proceed west.
- 6Navigate through a narrow mountain gap, continue west, then east around more mountains to reach the Kashkabald Desert.
Tips
- In the Kashkabald Desert, you can encounter Abyss Worms, Chimeras, and Cactuars.
- Abyss Worms can be mugged for Magic Stones or Windmills and have weak points to air and water.
- Chimeras are dangerous, with attacks like Aqua Breath and Stop, and can be mugged for Red Fangs. They are weak to holy damage.
- Cactuars give 20 AP each but have 100% Evasion and high Spirit, making them hard to hit without sufficient Hit%.
- Cactuars have low HP (200-1,400) but can use the damaging 1,000 Needles attack.
- To reliably hit Cactuars, raise your Hit% to at least 100%. Squall's gunblades and Selphie's ultimate weapon offer 255% Hit%.
- Use Initiative or Auto-Haste to ensure you get turns before Cactuars flee.
- Diablos' Hit-J ability can boost Hit%, especially when junctioned with Triple or Aura.
- Avoid fighting Cactuars when they appear with other enemies to prevent accidental leveling.
- Grind until you have acquired all of Tonberry's shop skills.
- You may encounter a UFO in the Kashkabald Desert; this is a normal, albeit strange, event.
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