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Lhusu Mines
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

Lhusu Mines

Guide to the Lhusu Mines in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. Learn about traps, enemies like Steelings and Skull Defenders, and find treasure like the Osafune katana and Topkapi Hat.

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Guide to the Lhusu Mines in Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. Learn about traps, enemies like Steelings and Skull Defenders, and find treasure like the Osafune katana and Topkapi Hat.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    From the starting point after the cutscenes, head north to a large east-west passage with train tracks.
  2. 2
    Look east: if you don't have the Silence magick, you'll find it in a treasure chest here.
  3. 3
    Turn west and follow the tracks to the western end of the passage.
  4. 4
    Encounter and defeat Steelings. Ignore the two southern paths for now.
  5. 5
    At the far western end, a Skull Defender may appear. Defeat it and check the dead-end for a treasure chest that might contain a Bronze Mace.
  6. 6
    Return to the east-west passage and head south through the two tunnels you previously ignored. Both lead to a smaller east-west passage with Steelings.
  7. 7
    Instead of following these smaller passages, look for two more tunnels running south.
  8. 8
    Take the western-most of these two tunnels to reach the next area transition.
  9. 9
    Take the eastern tunnel first to find more treasure. The two-tracked passage running east-west here is blocked by a gate to the west.
  10. 10
    In the smaller tunnels, you'll face Steelings. In the east-west passage with train tracks, you'll encounter Skeletons and Skull Defenders.
  11. 11
    Defeat the Steelings and undead. Explore the eastern end of the tunnel to find a chest that may contain an Osafune katana.
  12. 12
    West of the chest are stairs leading to a switch that cannot be used yet.
  13. 13
    Continue exploring and you may find a tutorial on traps.

Tutorial - Traps:

  1. Traps are introduced in the Lhusu Mines. Keep Libra active at all times to see them as red circles on the ground.
  2. Traps can affect all nearby characters when triggered, but not enemies.
  3. Common traps cause damage (e.g., Explosion, dealing non-elemental damage). Others can reduce MP, inflict ailments, or rarely restore HP/MP.
  4. Traps are normally invisible. Libra is the primary way to detect them.
  5. To ensure traps are detected, equip a Bangle or have a character with a "Self: Any -> Libra" gambit.
  6. Ways to avoid traps include:
    • Equipping the Steel Poleyn accessory.
    • Having the Float status effect, obtainable via Time Magick or Float Motes.
  7. Without these, rely on Libra and careful movement, hoping companions don't trigger them.

Oltam Span Area:

  1. Return north to the tunnel and take the western tunnel you previously neglected to reach the Oltam Span area.
  2. This area is a bridge with train tracks and depressed walkways on either side. Both the bridge and walkways contain traps.
  3. The southern walkway may have a chest containing a Topkapi Hat.
  4. The northern walkway may have a chest containing Onion Bombs.
  5. You will face more Steelings and undead here.
  6. The Rare Game, Aerieel, may spawn on the bridge. It appears when you get close.
  7. Aerieel is a stronger, undead Steeling. Curative magicks and items (like Phoenix Down) are effective against it.
  8. Aerieel has Gnaw and Leech attacks, and its regular attacks can inflict poison.
  9. Aerieel can drop a Bat Fang (common) or Golden Armor (rare).
Tips
  • Keep Libra active at all times to detect traps. A "Self: Any -> Libra" gambit is recommended.
  • Consider equipping a Bangle for passive Libra or the Steel Poleyn accessory to walk over traps safely.
  • The Float status effect can also prevent trap activation.
  • Aerieel, being undead, can be defeated instantly with a Phoenix Down.

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