In Final Fantasy Resonance, players will eventually encounter ancient items, ranging from weapons to armor. While initially possessing very low stats, these items hold the potential to be upgraded into some of the most potent gear available. This requires obtaining the items and then successfully challenging formidable bosses.
Upgrading Ancient Equipment
Access to the Chamber of Arms, a temple located north of Dirnado and east of Gronoa, becomes available after obtaining the airship at the start of Chapter 5. Within this area, players can find pedestals, each displaying a different type of equipment. By bringing the corresponding ancient item to its pedestal, players can initiate a boss fight. Defeating this boss is the key to upgrading the ancient equipment to its enhanced form.
These boss encounters involve level 50 enemies, each with two distinct forms. After depleting their initial health bar, they will transform, presenting a second, more challenging phase. It is advisable to save your progress at the nearby save point before engaging these bosses, as you may need to adjust your party's Visions to succeed.
Locating Ancient Equipment
Some ancient equipment can be easily missed if players are solely focused on progressing the main story. Several factors are important to note when searching for these items:
- The merchant ship's inventory appears to rotate. If a desired item is not available, purchasing other items may expedite its reappearance.
- Upgrading the airship's scanner requires specific items. Lid will not prompt this upgrade until all potential scanner-findable items have been discovered. Players will know they have found all such items when the scanner yields no further results. Then, presenting the required item to Lid will allow for the scanner's enhancement.
- If a listed dungeon location is unfamiliar, it likely means further story progression is needed. For instance, Lasswell's weapon is found in the game's final dungeon.
Here is a detailed list of the ancient armor, weapons, and accessories, along with their locations:
| Equipment | Character | Location | | :-- | :-- | :-- | | Ancient Greatsword (Ragnarok) | Rain | Rewarded from Colosseum Fledgling Battle 3. Access the colosseum by heading left from the main plaza in Grandshelt. | | Ancient Katana (Sasuke's Blade) | Lasswell | Found in a treasure chest to the left of the second save point in the Crystal Tower. | | Ancient Bow (Artemis Bow) | Fina | Complete the "Secrets Unearthed" side quest for Chloe in Felicitas' item shop. After obtaining the airship, speak to her again, then visit the Chamber of Arms to receive the bow. | | Ancient Hammer (Thor's Hammer) | Lid | Upgrade the airship's scanner with the Resonance Stone, found in a chest in Mt. Reizan, and scan the area west of Dirnado. | | Ancient Tome (Last Resort) | Nichol | Purchased from the roaming merchant ship for 45,000 gil. | | Ancient Firearm (Arcturus) | Jake | Rewarded for turning in 76 tablet shards in Oblivion Palace's 3-star room. | | Ancient Rod (Wizard's Rod) | Sakura | Use a Cabin Key obtained from a man outside the inn in Sian. The rod is found inside the cabin located north of Sian. | | Ancient Whip (Fire Birch) | Archwitch Fina | Rewarded for turning in 84 tablet shards in Oblivion Palace's 3-star room. | | Ancient Cuirass (Tatenashi Armor) | Rain, Lasswell, Lid, Jake | Rewarded from Colosseum Brawler Battle 5. | | Ancient Cloak (Lordly Robes) | Fina, Nichol, Sakura, Archwitch Fina | Purchased from the roaming merchant ship for 40,000 gil. | | Ancient Accessory (Gold Hairpin) | All | Located inside the Quarry Cave, on an island west of Zoldaad. | | Ancient Garment (Mirage Vest) | All | Upgrade the airship's scanner with the Magi-tenna, obtained from an NPC in Gaberada, and scan the area below Gronoa. This may require finding other items first. |
Each item comes with unique effects that can significantly enhance a character's combat capabilities. For instance, the Ancient Greatsword offers a substantial boost to physical and magic attack, while increasing stagger power and non-elemental damage. The Ancient Garment provides a defensive boon, nullifying damage once per battle.