≪Jun. 22, 2010 (JST) Abyssea≫
*Japan Standard Time

What is Abyssea?

Abyssea is a realm composed of battle areas created with characters level 75 and above in mind. There, players may enjoy myriad rewarding activities such as leveling, engaging in thrilling battles against fearsome foes, and collecting powerful equipment.

*Characters must be level 30 or above in order to play "Vision of Abyssea," "Scars of Abyssea," and "Heroes of Abyssea." Furthermore, users must have installed and registered the Rise of Zilart and Wings of the Goddess expansions.

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Vision of Abyssea

"Vision of Abyssea" introduces three battle areas designed to pose a fitting challenge to characters level 75 and above.

Vision of Abyssea Areas

These battlegrounds provide an ideal venue for players to take their powers to newfound heights. Form parties and alliances, take on hordes of fearsome fiends, and reap the ample experience there for the taking.

Adventurers will also find impressive equipment in Abyssea. Defeating the most notorious fiends will yield the items necessary to forge and upgrade Empyrean Weapons, the successor series to Relic and Mythic Weapons. Possessed of great power, these arms will grant the wielder attribute bonuses and unique weapon skills when upgraded.

See further details on adventuring in Abyssea.
For a promotional video and Empyrean Weapons preview, visit the official Vision of Abyssea site.

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Scars of Abyssea

"Scars of Abyssea" introduces three battle areas designed to pose a fitting challenge to characters level 80 and above.

Scars of Abyssea Areas

These areas play host to "Bastion," a large-scale
combat system in which players who successfully
fend off hordes of enemies in intense, short-span
battles will be richly rewarded for their efforts.

See further details on participating in Bastion.

The rewards available to adventurers in Scars of Abyssea and Bastion include Empyrean Armor, a new set of equipment to follow the Artifact and Relic sets. In addition to the protection they afford, these armor pieces may also be upgraded to grant bonuses designed to enhance the wearer's potency at his or her job.

*Empyrean Armor pieces for the head, legs, and feet can be found in Scars of Abyssea areas, with body and hand pieces in Heroes of Abyssea areas.

See further details on adventuring in Abyssea.
For a promotional video and Empyrean Armor preview, visit the official Scars of Abyssea site.

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Heroes of Abyssea

"Heroes of Abyssea" introduces new battle areas designed to pose a fitting challenge to characters level 85 and above.

Heroes of Abyssea Areas

These areas form the stage for Dominion, a battle system
in which players can join the Resistance effort to reclaim the land for mankind by subjugating increasingly formidable ranks of notorious fiends.

See further details on participating in Dominion.

The rewards available to adventurers in Heroes of Abyssea and Dominion include Empyrean Armor, a new set of equipment to follow the Artifact and Relic sets. In addition to the protection they afford, these armor pieces may also be upgraded to grant bonuses designed to enhance the wearer's potency at his or her job.

*Empyrean Armor pieces for the body and hands can be found in Heroes of Abyssea areas, with head, leg, and foot pieces in Scars of Abyssea areas.

See further details on adventuring in Abyssea.
For a promotional video and Empyrean Armor preview, visit the official Heroes of Abyssea site.

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Traveling to Abyssea

Entering Port Jeuno with a character level 30 or above will trigger an event scene, after which players will receive their first mission offer along with a "traverser stone" key item required to journey to Abyssea.

Traverser Stones
Traverser stones can be obtained from the Port Jeuno NPC "Joachim," who will have an additional stone in stock every 20 hours (Earth time). Adventurers may call on Joachim at their convenience to collect their due amount of stones that has accumulated over time. He can also inform players of the number of stones in stock, or in the event that none have yet accumulated, the time required before the next stone becomes obtainable.

In addition to the abovementioned Joachim, traverser stones may also be collected from the following NPCs:
Gilburt : Port San d'Oria (I-8)
Erich : Port Bastok (K-11)
Jerrett : Heavens Tower, Windurst

Three stones will initially be the maximum amount you may possess at one time, but this number can be increased to five through the acquisition of certain key items.*

*The key items for increasing your carrying capacity may be obtained, one each, in the following add-ons:
Vision of Abyssea / Scars of Abyssea / Heroes of Abyssea

How to Enter Abyssea
With a character level 30 or above in possession of a traverser stone, examine a cavernous maw located at one of the areas listed below. You will subsequently be transported to the corresponding area in Abyssea.
La Theine Plateau (E-4) / Konschtat Highlands (I-12) / Tahrongi Canyon (H-12) / Buburimu Peninsula (F-7) / Valkurm Dunes (I-9) / Jugner Forest (J-8) / South Gustaberg (J-10) / Xarcabard (H-8) / North Gustaberg (G-7)

Cavernous Maw Transport Service
The NPC "Horst," stationed beside his compatriot Joachim, will be able to transport adventurers to any of the cavernous maws leading to Abyssea areas that they have already visited. The fee for this service will be paid in cruor.

In addition to the abovementioned Horst, cavernous maw transport services are also available from the following NPCs:
Ivan : Port San d'Oria (I-8)
Ernst : Port Bastok (K-11)
Kierron : Heavens Tower, Windurst

*Making use of this teleportation service requires that you have triggered a certain cutscene at the corresponding cavernous maw.

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Necessary Preparations

Visitant Status
The "visitant" status is essential for those wishing to journey within Abyssea. You will be permitted to remain there only while this status is active. Upon arrival in Abyssea, speak with a "Conflux Surveyor" NPC posted nearby to be granted visitant status in exchange for traverser stones. One stone will allow you a 30-minute stay (Earth time), with 120 minutes being the maximum permitted duration. Methods exist that allow players to extend their visitant duration.

*Players must acquire visitant status within five minutes (Earth time) of arriving in Abyssea. Failure to do so will result in automatic expulsion.
*Visitant duration continues to decrease even after log out. Players who log in to Abyssea when their visitant status has already worn off will find themselves instantly expelled.
*Be warned that the Visitant status will wear off if you are affected by the black magic spell "Tractor."

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Reentry

Players will automatically be transported out of Abyssea when their visitant status wears off. To reenter Abyssea, you must first obtain more traverser stones. Please note that 60 minutes (Earth time) must elapse before your next visit to Abyssea. Those who voluntarily leave Abyssea with greater than five minutes of visitant duration remaining, however, are not subject to this wait. Since a character's visitant duration and waiting time is common across all Abyssea areas, you may move freely between areas so long as the effect duration permits. Upon reentering, however, even those with carry-over visitant duration must have the status reissued by a conflux surveyor.

*Players with no carry-over visitant duration who leave Abyssea without acquiring the status will be subject to the abovementioned 60-minute waiting time.

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Journeying Within Abyssea

Abyssea can be considered a collection of expansive battlefields the entry to which does not require claim; it can be accessed by any character fulfilling the requirements. Encampments and teleportation devices have been established throughout all areas to facilitate continuity of progress from one visit to the next, allowing rewarding adventuring without the need for large time investments.

Quests
Several quests can be undertaken in Abyssea. At first only a limited number of NPCs will offer quests, but others will come to trust you with their plight as you continue to prove your worth.

*Players with the Pennant status (see below) in effect will be temporarily unable to accept or report completion of Abyssea quests.

Notorious Monsters
Abyssea is inhabited by hordes of fearsome notorious monsters, and dauntless adventurers can arrange a confrontation through any one of several methods such as defeating certain other creatures, or using trigger items. Such monsters are known to have weaknesses which, when exploited, will allow adventurers to impair their foe's movement and abilities. Striking at a foe's weakness may also cause the creature to yield additional treasures in defeat, but the probability will decrease if the same strategy is applied repeatedly.

Items
The creatures of Abyssea yield unique items found nowhere else in the known world. As before, players may cast lots on treasures dropped by felled enemies. Treasure chests are also known to appear on occasion.

Cruor
"Cruor" is a versatile substance which serves as the currency in Abyssea. It can be obtained by defeating monsters or as rewards for quest completion. There are NPCs who will accept your cruor and offer equipment, key items, or transport services (the aforementioned Horst in Port Jeuno) in exchange. Cruor is also the power source needed to activate the teleportation devices known as "Veridical Confluxes" (see below).

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Bases, Encampments, and Facilities

Upon arriving in Abyssea, you will find yourself at a central base of sorts. These strongholds are home to helpful NPCs who will grant visitant status (as described above) and assist your cause in countless other ways.

Conflux Surveyors
Ever working to unlock the mysteries of inter-dimensional travel, these NPCs will afford players with visitant status. Besides allowing you to remain in Abyssea, visitant status also makes you eligible for experience point bonuses and other benefits available upon fulfilling certain conditions.

Cruor Prospectors
These enterprising types will provide you with items, temporary items, key items, and status benefits in exchange for some of the cruor that you've amassed.

Atma Infusionists
Adventurers who possess one of the many varieties of "atma" key items and have fulfilled certain conditions may speak to one of these alchemical adepts to unlock its powers. Atma may be acquired by exploiting the weaknesses of the notorious monsters that inhabit Abyssea. The powers granted by infused atma will only be effective while you are in Abyssea.

Veridical Confluxes
The world of Abyssea is vast and often intimidating. To traverse the realm with greater ease, players will want to make effective use of the "Veridical Confluxes" scattered about each area. First, a conflux must be activated by examining it and paying a nominal fee in cruor. Once a conflux has been activated, you may spend additional cruor to warp instantaneously from it to any other conflux that you have activated in the area. Veridical Conflux #01, located at the central encampment of each area, and Veridical Conflux #00, located at each Resistance outpost (see below), may be warped to free of charge.

*#00 Veridical Confluxes exist only in the three Scars of Abyssea areas (Abyssea – Attohwa, Abyssea – Misareaux, and Abyssea – Vunkerl).

Martellos
Another device you will find throughout the Abyssean landscape is the martello. These curious metallic contraptions allow players to restore their HP or MP and cure themselves of status ailments. Martellos are powered by a magically endowed fuel that will gradually be depleted with each use.
A martello whose fuel tank is empty must be replenished before it can be used again. Replenishment of martellos is handled through a quest that may be undertaken by speaking to the "Machine Outfitter" NPC at the central base. This NPC will also offer another quest by which players may install spare tanks to increase a martello's maximum fuel capacity.

*Players may not carry both the martello fuel and fuel tank key items at once; the two quests must be undertaken separately. Furthermore, leaving the area, logging out, or getting expelled from Abyssea will cause the loss of these key items, requiring the quest to be restarted.

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Battling the Abyssean Hordes

Upon commencing battle with an Abyssean fiend, the attacking party or alliance will lay claim to that foe, and other adventurers will be unable to participate in the fight thereafter.

The strength of Abyssean monsters and the frequency with which they appear will vary based upon the party's level and the speed with which similar foes have been dispatched. High-level parties will draw the attention of even more formidable fiends, and slaying foes in short order will see the equally rapid arrival of reinforcements.
Adventurers in Abyssea will face a challenge that is constantly adapting in accordance with their abilities.

*The EXP bonuses afforded by Dedication and Corsair's Roll will not apply within Abyssea.

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Bastion

Bastion is the name given to defensive battles waged by the Resistance and its adventurer allies against the ever-encroaching Abyssean hordes. Bastion battles take place in the areas below introduced in Scars of Abyssea:
Abyssea – Attohwa / Abyssea – Misareaux / Abyssea - Vunkerl

Stout-hearted adventurers who lend their sword arms to Bastion can expect to earn handsome rewards in experience or limit points, cruor, and Resistance Credits, the last of which can be exchanged for Empyrean Armor and useful temporary items. As evaluation for Bastion battles is conducted on a per-enemy basis, even those with limited time can earn rewards commensurate with their contributions.

Participating in Bastion

1) Proceed to a Bastion Area.
Adventurers can confirm the status of Bastion battles by speaking with either the Port Jeuno NPC "Horst," or the Bastion Prefect overseeing each area's outpost.

*Please be aware that system messages indicating the commencement of a Bastion battle will not be displayed for those who have switched on the chat filter for Campaign-Related Data.

2) Sign Up for Bastion
Each of the three Scars of Abyssea areas is home to a military outpost, within which a "Pulse Martello"—the cornerstone of the resistance effort—is stationed. Adventurers must help to repel the Abyssean hordes that storm the outpost, seeking the destruction of the Pulse Martello.
The outpost can be conveniently reached by teleporting to Veridical Conflux #00.

During a Bastion battle, the Bastion Prefect NPC will issue the "Pennant" status to participants. Only those who have received this status will be able to attack Bastion foes and earn rewards. Similarly to Besieged and Campaign, characters belonging to different parties and alliances can cooperate in felling the same enemy.

- Pennant Status
Characters under the effect of the Pennant status will be subject to restrictions on certain other activities. Players who wish to engage in activities such as ordinary leveling and NM battles must first speak with the Bastion Prefect to have the status removed. The Pennant status will automatically wear off upon the conclusion of a Bastion battle, but you may choose to have it removed at any time.

Under the effect of a Pennant:

You cannot engage in battle with non-Bastion foes.

Similarly, non-Bastion foes will be unable to attack you.
You cannot have healing and enhancement magic cast upon you by characters not issued with the status.
You cannot receive or complete quests offered in the Abyssea area in question.
You will not be subject to an experience penalty if incapacitated.

*The Pennant status does not prevent you from being ejected from Abyssea should your Visitant status wear off.
*Both Pennant and Visitant statuses will wear off if you are affected by the black magic spell "Tractor."

3) Repel the Hordes!
The fiends will relentlessly hone in on one target: the Pulse Martello that forms the keystone of the Resistance's defenses. To protect this vital but highly vulnerable target, makeshift searing ward replicas known as "Clone Wards" have been constructed in the immediate vicinity. The Pulse Martello will fall quickly if subjected to direct assaults from the enemy, so soldiers of the Resistance would do well to keep the Clone Wards functioning at full capacity at all times.

When an enemy is felled (regardless of whether the killing blow is struck by an adventurer or a Resistance NPC), adventurers will receive experience points, limit points, cruor and Resistance Credits commensurate with their contributions to the fight. Enemies will also, on rare occasions, yield purloined "martello cores," items which may be used to upgrade the Pulse Martello.

*Players level 59 and below will be limited in the amount of experience points, cruor, and credits they can obtain.

- Resistance Credits
Adventurers who battle bravely on behalf of the Resistance will be rewarded with credits, which may be traded to the Bastion Prefect NPC to receive the legendary Empyrean Armor, useful temporary items, and various other goods.

- Martello Cores
Upon acquiring these potent power sources from your foes, they will be automatically outfitted to the Pulse Martello. They will then grant a wide range of favorable effects across the entire area, from increased experience points to a greater likelihood of receiving valuable spoils, and more.

4) Laying Down Arms
You may withdraw from combat at any time during a Bastion battle. You will, however, need to speak with the Bastion Prefect NPC to have your pennant status removed if you wish to engage in other quests in Abyssea. Pennant status will also wear off automatically when the battle ends, be it in victory (annihilation of the enemy) or defeat (the fall of the pulse martello).

Resistance Ops
Adventurers may also aid the Resistance by undertaking special missions to upgrade and repair the traps that serve to hinder the progress of the enemy. Speak to a "Resistance Sapper" NPC to register for these operations, for which you will be rewarded in cruor and Resistance Credits upon successful completion.

*After reporting successful completion of an operation to the Resistance Sapper, you will have to wait one full day (Vana'diel time) before undertaking another.
*Please be warned that changing areas, logging out, or disconnecting while an operation is in progress will result in the mission being abandoned and all related key items being lost.
*Resistance ops may not be undertaken or completed while you have the Pennant status in effect.

Enemy Sighted!
Bastion battles will arise in all three Scars of Abyssea areas: Abyssea – Attohwa, Abyssea – Misareaux, and Abyssea – Vunkerl. The more adventurers distinguish themselves in their exploits, the sooner the hordes will take notice and commence their attack. Amassing considerable quantities of martello cores will also serve to attract the attention of formidable fiends.

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Dominion

"Dominion" is a new battle system introduced in the Heroes of Abyssea add-on. In Dominion, players will lend their strength to the Resistance in an effort to subjugate the savage hordes and reclaim the lands of Abyssea - Altepa, Abyssea - Uleguerand, and Abyssea – Grauberg for mankind.

Success in battle will earn the player Dominion Notes, currency which can be redeemed for a plethora of rewards including Empyrean armor, augmented items, and more.

Hordes of savage fiends prowl the harsh borderlands of Abyssea, with the members of each ranging in strength from the ordinary rank and file to multiple tiers of notorious monsters above them. Eliminate the grunts and peons, and more and more formidable foes belonging to the same group will be lured out of hiding. As you prevail over the enemy, the Resistance's sphere of influence in the given area will gradually expand to a maximum value of 100%, representing complete subjugation of the hordes.

A Dominion Primer

1. Expand the Resistance's sphere of influence via Dominion Ops
In the initial stages of the battle, you will encounter only enemy grunts on the battlefield. For a chance at achieving complete dominion, you will first need to lure out their notorious brethren. This can be accomplished through participation in focused offensive missions collectively known as "Dominion Ops."

Players wishing to undertake Dominion Ops may do so by speaking to any of the "Dominion Sergeant" NPCs posted at the locations below:

Abyssea – Altepa: (C-11 / G-8 / G-11)
Abyssea – Uleguerand: (G-7 / J-5 / K-9)
Abyssea – Grauberg: (F-10 / G-12 / L-6)

Upon signing up for a Dominion Op, players will be briefed on their objective, target area, and difficulty level. Exterminate your prescribed quota of fiends, and report your triumph to a Dominion Sergeant. This will lead to an expanded sphere of influence over the corresponding horde, and earn you experience and other rewards for your efforts.

*Players level 74 or below will be subject to reduced experience point yield.
*Completion of a Dominion Op may be reported to any Dominion Sergeant in the corresponding area.
*Progress review and cancellation may be conducted with any Dominion Sergeant in any of the three areas.

2. Subjugate groups to lure out notorious fiends.
Expand the Resistance's sphere of influence over a particular horde to 100%, and their notorious brethren will begin to enter the fray. Certain fiends will appear on the battlefield of their own accord, while others must be lured from hiding with the use of items.

3. Defeat notorious fiends to lure out higher-tier foes
Dispatch these notorious fiends and the Resistance's level of subjugation over each foe will increase, again to a maximum value of 100%. Achieve complete domination, and foes of yet higher tiers will rise to challenge you.

4. Face off against the highest tiers of fiends
Emerge victorious, and you will find yourself facing the highest tiers of the notorious fiends. These enemy overlords will pose a staunch challenge to even the most accomplished adventurers.

*The exact quantity of foes and NMs will differ for each group.
*The Resistance's sphere of influence will diminish over time if players do not keep up the attack. Notorious fiends that have appeared will remain on the battlefield, and will see their powers burgeon as the enemy's influence grows.

Dominion Rewards
- Dominion Notes
Players will obtain Dominion Notes upon reporting the successful completion of Dominion Ops, as well as upon dispatching notorious foes. Dominion Notes may be exchanged for equipment, temporary items, augmented items, and more.

- Battle Trophies
By defeating notorious foes, players may also acquire battle trophies, which can be redeemed for guerdon comprising a selection of augmented items. Battle trophies come in five echelons, with more powerful foes yielding higher-echelon trophies. It is also possible to exchange multiple lower-echelon trophies for a single higher-echelon trophy, and vice versa.

To redeem Dominion Notes and battle trophies, speak with the "Dominion Tactician" NPC posted near the entrance to each area.

*Information on the specific properties of the augmented equipment available through Dominion is highly classified. Augments will be assigned randomly, and will not be revealed until the transaction is complete.

Morale Boosts
Your successes on the field of battle will also serve to raise morale across the Resistance army, bringing an assortment of bonuses to all combatants. These morale benefits range from HP and attribute bonuses to increased treasure chest yield, and more. Each benefit has multiple levels of effectiveness that will increase as the Resistance's sphere of influence expands. You may review the morale bonuses currently in effect at any time by speaking with a Dominion Tactician or Dominion Sergeant.

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The Final Confrontation...?

Adventurers who prove themselves in all nine Abyssea areas will gain passage to an exclusive battlefield. What nightmares and wonders await those who would stake their claim as the champions of Abyssea?
Your greatest challenge yet is still to come!

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Abyssea Trilogy Bonus Gift

Players who have purchased and registered all three Abyssea battle add-ons are eligible to receive the Prishe Statue bonus gift item.

Learn more about the bonus gift.

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