Players venturing into Final Fantasy Resonance may encounter a sealed stone early in their playthrough, especially if exploring off the main path. This stone contains a valuable reward, but accessing it is gated by game progression and a difficult encounter. To open the sealed stone and claim its prize, players must first obtain the Gaia Hammer.
The sealed stone is located in the north-central desert of Grandshelt, southeast of the Cavern of Swords and northwest of the town of Kol. NPCs in Kol and news bulletins in Zoldaad may mention its existence, but this information is optional. Missing these cues means missing out on Titan, a powerful Esper.
Obtaining the Gaia Hammer
The Gaia Hammer is acquired by successfully completing the Fledgling-rank gladiator trials within Grandshelt. These trials become available only after restoration efforts have progressed in the city, which aligns with the start of Chapter 4. While it is technically possible to finish the Fledgling challenges before completing Zoldaad's main story quests, the final bouts are significantly easier around level 30.
Preparing for the Battle
To succeed in the gladiator trials and the eventual battle against the sealed stone's guardian, a varied elemental setup is recommended, including fire, water, ice, and light attacks. Bringing mist restorative items is also advisable. Recommended party members and Visions include Noctis, Tronn, Squall (for Jake, due to his higher strength), and Cecil. Shantotto can also be a viable option, as her Salvation Scythe can inflict debuffs on enemies that do not possess dark resistance. Fina's Light Veil ability is particularly helpful in the final fight against the stone's guardian, as it can mitigate poison effects.
Players struggling with these encounters can temporarily lower the game's difficulty setting and increase it again after acquiring the Gaia Hammer and defeating the sealed stone's guardian.
The Sealed Stone Encounter
Once the Gaia Hammer is in possession, players should return to the sealed stone. Before breaking it, it is crucial to be prepared for a battle against an enemy weak to wind and resistant to earth. There is no opportunity to change party compositions, Visions, or equipment after initiating the encounter. Players can choose to lower the difficulty if they find the subsequent fight too challenging.
