Beginner's Guide To Gambits: Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age

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Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age has already been out over a week, but it's still important to understand the ever-impressive Gambit system.
In this Gambit System guide, which is very much aimed at beginners, we will be covering a few different topics, such as the difference between Ally, Foe and Self gambits, some basic setups and the new gambits that have been included specifically for The Zodiac Age.
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Featured in this video are the following topics relating to Gambits in The Zodiac Age
- Targets, Actions, Criteria and Priority
- Gambit Phasing
- Self Gambits
- Ally Gambits
- Foe Gambits
- New Gambits in The Zodiac Age
Roboskater by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@mitchelloliver18]

I just got the switch version. I played this game when I was ten in a demo in game stop and never stopped thinking about because how unique it was. Final playing through the story this is my favorite battle system so far. It like a mix of tactics and original versions!

[@EhCloserLook]

FFXII = Best FF game.

[@KingAssassin13]

Same here I remember playing the demo and thinking this game looks awesome, the demo introduced me to the final fantasy franchise. After some time had passed I bought myself a ps3 and remembered the demo and mistakenly bought ff13, then went on to play ff10, ff15, ff7, ff7remake, ff1 and now I am finally trying out ff12 for the first time

[@Qazqi]

Regardless of how insignificant it is in the grand scheme of things, I will forever be salty that the Steal gambits aren't smart like the rest of the gambits are. "If an ally already has protect, I won't cast it again." Okay, makes sense. "If an enemy doesn't have anything else to steal, I might as well keep stealing." ???? Why should I even have to use a workaround like 100% HP in the first place?

[@azil3117]

FF Fanatic , I agree with this. This and then trying to use poach on enemies that are immune to it

[@kellysor3694]

Set the top priority gambit to Foe: Status HP critical - Poach directly above Foe: HP = 100% - steal. On another charter, set their main gambit to attack the same Foe as the main "theif". You won't run into the problem of stealing from an enemy who have nothing to steal because their HP will be below 100% after being hit by the other support characters.

[@Qazqi]

That helps, but like all Steal workarounds, it isn't as good as a smart Steal is. This doesn't guarantee you'll steal from each enemy.

[@apnwu369]

Yeah its definitely annoying but it gave me something to focus on all game while my gambit setup took care of the rest. Finally being able to have full control over AI characters was so awesome and I am so sad that no game has done it since.

[@kellysor3694]

FF Fanatic - stealing will be carried out on every enemy so long as their HP is 100% this usually works better on 3+. On screen enemies. the other supporting character targets the same Foe as the theif, so the HP gets reduced. It's not entirely fail proof, but the system works to maximize Steal and Poach. And the third character, usually the healer, is set to attack anything in case the foe is immune to Poach.

[@Emperor_Ghaleon]

Played this gem when it first came out on the PS2 when I was in high school, so getting to replay this version has been great. Also fun getting to see how my play-style has changed regarding the gambit system and it’s Zodiac tweaks.

[@cloudbloom]

I've always liked the gambit system and it's still just as good in the zodiac age

[@ty_teynium]

So much content this game has! And some people think we lying when we say this game is underrated.

[@PhellpsBrasiliano]

I'm really excited for the advanced gambits video

[@SteveEsp3]

Yes! Love it, can't wait to see videos with more in depth setups, thanks!

[@War624]

I always thought it was strange that people didn't like the Gambit system, because it "plays itself". I never had an issue with it. It's no different than the scripts system in Baldur's Gate and other CRPGs. It makes sense with the game being more "action" focused. I honestly wish the FF7 Remake had it.

[@astroboy3002]

Gambits in Ff7 remake! Blasphemy!!

[@AccipiterSmith]

Nah, the ADB and Gambit system won't fit on FFVII Remake, but i'm pretty sure this has a potential for idk an FFIX Remake or something?

[@isaiahd2123]

You actually helped me rethink my gambits to be more efficient. Thsnks for this video.

[@cgbranin]

This video was really helpful for me. I'm new to FFXII. Looking forward to seeing more advanced techniques. Thanks! Subscribing now.

[@boysheartgirls]

This is one of the best Final Fantasy title in the series

[@SkyJumpEve]

Really appreciate this. I am pretty new to the gambit system and it was a little overwhelming.👍

[@Haplo2006]

Great video, looking forward the gambit set up ones. I've also been having trouble setting up gambits for things like steal and making useful gambits for time mage as all the debuffs seem pretty useful but as far as I have set it up it just stands there spamming one area debuff spell over and over. Hoping to learn more, cheers.

[@Lknight263]

Haplo Patryn for stealing i use, enemy 100% health because if you use any other gambit they just steal over and over even if it was successful. For time mage, i have the gambit set to use stopping debuffs when 2+ enemies are present. And slow i only put on for bosses that arent immune to it

[@cama838]

At first when you have two characters with cure. You put arise in slot 1 and the other character has it in slot 2. The slot one always goes first. It can be useful if you want to use Phoenix down with slot two and rise in slot 1 when you want to save Phoenix down.

[@emmychansuper]

I've been playing Final Fantasy XII on my PS2 years ago and I've spent over 100 hrs. on the Zodiac Age and I really love using the gambits! It's basically a way to get into programming your characters how to fight certain enemies. Heck, I setup that those who have healing spells to kill the undead! I do setup protect and shell separately on my own and let the characters do the rest with the fighting. I have HCBailly to thank for that when I've got the Zodiac Age and doing it properly unlike when I first played XII.

[@armashuvitz]

I don't get too bogged down in gambits. The only ones I use on a regular basis are attack, healing, black magic gambits for elemental weaknesses, and some item gambits for negative status effects. That's really all you need except for extreme instances like Yiazmat.

[@Asad-dc5wl]

OMG, you guys are the best Thank you so much for this!!!! xD

[@DaemonRiku00]

tbh, I remembered my first year in programming when I saw the gambit system. It's a glorified flow chart.

[@edotendo2196]

Ermmm what does that mean hahaha Can you elaborate moreee

[@BubJeans]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowchart

[@huckmart2017]

That's exactly what it is lol idk if its glorified

[@atlys258]

Even back to when the original first came out I always loved being able fine tune Gambits for some of the tougher more complex fights. But then again my Ashe and Penelo were always set to spam Ardor on every Oiled Fire-Vulnerable enemy or Scathe on every enemy immune to fire.. so most things died super fast without any effort 🤣

[@Remo1147]

Its a pretty cool flow chart, I like that they introduced it to the battle system

[@sammyshehole]

I like having a mix of some gambits but also relying on manual input for some choices.

[@StephSinalco]

Although very fun to use, the Gambits system still has some hard to admit flaws. The steal action has been highly discussed, but I just found out another annoying one : when one of your character is afflicted by an item with, for example, "silence", an Ally --> Vox will cast the spell in loop. By the way, I was quite surprised to see Ally (no condition) --> Vox does the same as Ally: status = silence --> Vox. Or am I missing something ?

[@Reydriel]

Gambits are also entirely optional. They're great when you're just grinding, but I would prefer to just control everyone manually when entering a story/new area (where micromanaging can become important as the enemies are relatively high/equal level compared to your party).

[@blackwidow7804]

Gambit system was ahead of its time. Thats why so many people didnt like 12.

[@drcox012]

In case you wanted support on this opinion 2 years later here it is. I agree. DA:Origins had AI setups and everyone LOVED that game. FF12 did it just a measly 3 years too early and everyone flames on it. People are fickle.

[@BRLink1]

Gambit system is the very reason why I remember this game after so many years

[@leonslaughter7972]

Big facts, beat the game 3 times never used gambits. Too old for that now it helps a lot.

[@geoffreysearby3181]

Hey, amazing video. Can I ask a question. Why would you put the ally=silence use vox after the attacking gambit. Didn't that mean that if enemies are present then curing the status effect would never happen? Same with haste or protect being at the end. Am I missing something?

[@dancewithyourcorpse281]

The original version, you can make everyone op. Was fun using berserk and haste with katanas. I love the gambit system here, way better that what dragon age tried.

[@jordanadams9910]

I used to hate this game but ended up picking it up recently due to corona lol and I not only now love it I actually think it's the best ff game and gambits are fantastic you can choose how you play the game there's so much freedom in that let alone it having a rather large map to explore with secret bosses everywhere anywhere you look it's something new 8 of the espers are completely optional and you have to hunt them down no other ff game would have the balls to make literally 70 percent of the game optional if this game was released today it would go gangbusters it's so ahead of its time

[@OwtDaftUK]

I would love the gambit system to be used again in a future game. But it would need to be more complex so it's more satisfying. In the remaster, the gambit system was even more simple because the Zodiac age basically limits your options and so I will go back to the PS2 game once I platinum the remaster. I think the idea behind the gambit system is great, I just think it lacks the complexity and that's why you feel like the game is playing it self some times rather than been satisfying.

[@EpiKerCovers]

I love this channel.

[@Tony-fp7cn]

At first I did not like it and dropped the game for a whole month. I gave it another shot knowing how the main focus of combat was improving on your gambits skills, and have been enjoying it ever since

[@stinsonboyz2]

I forgot the name of it, but when i played the game years ago o didn't understand the "limit break" type mechanic. Could you make a video about it?

[@Qazqi]

Not that an in-depth quickening video wouldn't be good, but do note that the wiki page has all the info you should need on them: finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Quickening_(ability)#Final_Fantasy_XII

[@stinsonboyz2]

FF Fanatic fair enough...but i do like the way you explain things, plus it'd give me another video of yours to check out haha

[@idunno402]

If you liked the Gambit system, you might like other JRPGs with a similar system. Western RPGS (otherwise called CRPGs) like Pillars of Eternity 2 and Dragon Age: Origins also have something similar, though the former is extremely extensive and can be modded to your liking.

[@theone320]

Did you ever release the sequel video with basic setups?

[@thehavok4258]

All I need to know is how to turn the gambit itself on, google says hit x twice which just shuffles through the action menu.

[@clouduslakestream8781]

I honestly just came here to watch for the sake of feeding my needs for FFXII since it’s not yet released on XB1, I just keep looking for anything FFXII related. I literally can’t wait! Love this game and IMHO it has the best FF combat system by far! And for those arguing that automating the characters ruins your fun, switch gambits OFF? Simple 🤣 Good vid, I’ve experimented with Gambits like mad in my teens but I have some hope I learn something new from your upcoming “Advance Gambits” vid :)

[@randomyoshie5291]

0:55 I don’t think aeroga is a holy spell lol

[@Gigotis]

Nor is Thundara an earth spell haha.

[@Dragrflechette]

I just need to know how to get self Mp< 10% and foe furthest gambits on the original ff12

[@DeadAtrocity]

My biggest issue is that I want to steal from an enemy at the start of battle, but I wish there was a modifier or something to tell my characters, steal only once from this enemy. Same with casting slow, they just cast it over and over even if the enemy is already slowed

[@mikebarnes7441]

Set your designated thief as party leader and: foe: HP = 100% --> Steal foe: HP < 90% --> attack And your damage dealers with: foe: Party Leader's target --> attack This guarantees you get at least 1 steal per enemy. It prevents your theif being caught in a loop attempting to steal repeatedly just to be cut off by party members KOing the target. Instead of your theif being REACTIVE, and thus always being moments behind with it's actions, this guarantees your theif will be PROACTIVE. Your party will never target any enemy with pesky damage UNTIL you cast steal on said enemy first. This way you have can everyone doing damage including your designated theif. Results in super efficient combat sequences where you get your steals in and you blow through mobs 50% faster due to having all 3 party members dealing damage.

[@riftshredder5438]

Ok but how do you turn on the off ones?

[@josephbezerra7004]

Shouldn’t you set offensive magic attacks to what foes are vulnerable towards verses what is weak on them????

[@orionhunterdx1285]

nice vid

[@skyrim_indomniac3899]

What tickles my funny bone is that you said "healing before combat". In the zodiac version Balthier actually says "... vitality before violence; in my opinion of course..." when you're introduced to the gambit system. In a world of games developed with an over-abundant amount of hand-holding... that was a subtle way of the devs hinting at the most effective all-around approach to gambits. I'm just glad that ffxii didn't have the dreaded level down feature; though I will admit because it was so dreaded in ffxi; it led people to pay more attention and watch things like meters and timers... instead of just spamming buttons as one might in something like soul calibur, injustice, or biomutant.

[@CaptainCafe]

Switch versions coming soon!

[@michaelmontano4280]

Final Fantasy Union I came to realize that this system is quite simple really. I did some experimenting last night of course "that's what she said,"😎:-) anyways now I understand the system.

[@luizations]

Honestly, i wish there was a gambit system in every rpg ever

[@printedprops8730]

The best steal from enemy i found: Thief gambit setup: Foe hp critical - Poach Foe 30%hp - attack Foe lowest hp - attack This way allies will move on to other foes when foe is less than 30%hp, giving the thief a chance to poach before allies steal the kill.

[@SleepyRPGman]

This is interesting. They added a light form of programming.

[@TheRoleplayer40k]

And man, I detest programming with a thousand passions

[@K82849]

I feel like Final Fantasy XIII borrowed from XII’s Gambit system to make the Paradigm system. The only difference is that you can’t change leaders and actively interrupt their actions but it’s very similar in terms of strategy.

[@javiermelgar5586]

Gambit makes my head hurt. too much stuff to worry about 😆

[@Rottypops]

I don't need tips on Gambits... I only clicked this cause I have no friends and want to hear other people talk about Gambits. I fucking love Gambits. Plz whisper sweet Gambits softly into my ear

[@Rottypops]

Gambits have completely re-written my philosophy on how RPGs should be done. At their core they serve to reduce redundant actions, not play the game for you like many would claim... 95% of all RPGs is normal attacking by pressing X/A... If the mob poses you no challenge that a normal attack couldn't handle, then of course you'd press X, select target, press X again... Why not have a system that attacked for you so you're not mashing X for 60+ hours. If you're running low on health, of course you're going to select an option to heal yourself back up... If you're poisoned, then of course you're going to select an option that alleviates your debuff... If youre KO'd, then of course you're going to revive a fallen member... If you're instinctively going to use basic solutions to basic situations, then why shouldn't you have a programmable feature to automate all your "of course I'll do this if that happens" decisions... Why are people expected to to do the same small actions again and again... FF12's Gambit system assists you with all your "of course I would" instincts/actions that you yourself program and account for, and instead let's you focus on the bigger picture of fights, when a mob or boss throws you a curve ball that youll need to handle in the moment while Gambits take care of the small things... That removal of the redundancy of pressing X over and over for 60 hours is such a relief, that it's hard to believe that most RPGs wouldn't include auto-grind features that take the grind out of grinding from 2006 and onward... Automation is now a feature I judge future RPGs on because the philosophy of taking out menu redundancy had really struck a cord with me.

[@brytheguy4515]

Dragon Age 1 and 2 have an almost identical system, alas it was tragically removed in inquisition

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

Didn't know that

[@MattyMcHatty]

The gambit system is great. It's the only way I could tolerate fighting Yiazmat in the original, just set up Gambits and go do something else.

[@EricGornicki]

How can you consider the system to be great when all you do is give orders for your characters and literally go do something else while they fight the most difficult boss in the game? Where's the fun in that?

[@MattyMcHatty]

Because it requires strategy. You need to put the right combination of Gambits together for the right effect and figuring that out, trialling different ideas is fun. Plus you've got the different jobs now which makes setting everything up even more challenging. No two bosses are the same so you often have to change your setup as well.

[@ex0stasis72]

A programmer's dream game.

[@thelocalfortuneteller]

Give me a new final fantasy tactics with a similar system.

[@Hi-Def]

Who else is disappointed they didn't add a "Ally: Don't have [insert buff here]" gambit? This would've made using measures more appealing.

[@Bad_TV_Bad]

Hi-Def There actually is a Gambit like this in the game: "Ally: any". It doesnt put the same buff on a person 2 times. Just when the buff wore off.

[@Hi-Def]

BTVB Gaming There are Measures with beneficial effects when used to strike an ally. How can I make Penelo, equipped with a Caliper, attack Vaan to apply haste if and only if he doesn't have haste? using "ally: any" just makes her attack Vaan all the time.

[@Bad_TV_Bad]

Hi-Def Oh I never use the rods. They are kinda bad. I give penelo the crossbow. That way she stays away from the tank and DPS without getting rekt.

[@Eldagusto]

It is the best battle system’

[@SilverBld]

Can I ignore the gambits? It's just so overwhelming.

[@graymatter9431]

I have this game on the switch and as much as I try to love it I get so dam confused with the gambit system this video was great but I’m still confused

[@michaels.125]

Lol, me too! I think it goes from priority least likely first, to, priority most likely last, 1 - 10. This is the way i am understand it...

[@Jim90117]

All gambits do is perform something when you want it, so if your characters are below 20% health then you can set a gambit to auto heal them.

[@loco1731]

Enamy TP = 100% --> Steal

[@johanrosenberg6342]

I'm currently playing XII for the first time on PS2. (I was going to get tZA, but the original was cheaper, so I went with that.) I really do enjoy the gambit system! There are many games designed around co-op that allow you to play by yourself, but many such games suffer because the difficulty is set with co-op in mind, or because the player has to control teammates manually, or let a questionable AI control them. Even if FFXII isn't a co-op game, I think gambits would work great in a game like that. I also enjoy the system because rather than being fully automatic, like the auto-battles in FFVI mobile (What is the point of random battles if I just watch them unfold? Can't they just remove some health and give me some exp everytime I walk somewhere?), it actually feels like something from a game, a sort of puzzle.

[@Bad_TV_Bad]

The Gambit system is great. I can't understand the feeling that the game is playing itself. If someone doesnt like the Gambit system you can actually turn it off and do everything by yourself. And btw no Computer is doing your Gambits. There could have been more complex gambits like: "(insert enemy here): steal/poach/attack". I allways get tillted when I farm certain enemies and I allways have to menually select them... I know you can work around that by using the elemental weakness Gambit but still... I dont know how many enemies are weak to Holy in the Necrohole of Nabudis. End my suffering.

[@shane1489]

I’d like to invite everyone to consider how this remake went compared to the GTA games. In this pretty much everything is better or at least as good while in GTA every single possible thing is somehow much worse.

[@N4p0100]

OOOHHH so that's how you play the game

[@heavyrain5949]

1:50 seems like that wasn't really an issue given 7R does this really well

[@acetraker1988]

I just recently started FF12 ZA and I had played the original game... -As someone who did games design I liked the gambit systems the most out of all of the FF systems.. The issue is with ZA class restrictions rather than the OG had you able to do anything with any character -My OG strat is impossible to do in ZA as it was Vaan, Basch and Balt. Balt and Bas where crit life spear dmg dealers and Vaan sword shield tank with a ton of buffs and brave+berserk for the dealers. Haste etc and generally good skills. I could do 60-70% of a bosses life in one combo. It not doable due to changes in class and brave being white lv9 not green lv6 etc...

[@charlie_nax]

the gambit system singlehandedly fixed the "dumb AI" problem most modern games have today, and yet... is so stupidly simple, the real marvel is no other game design team has taken notes from it in all these years...

[@crozraven]

I think gambit system should be features again in FFVIIRemake, especially with the game seems to take a more action real time based system. Tactical Behaviors are not "game play itself." it's a useful tools to micro manage your party in a more fluid & managable manners. DAO & DA2 & PoE2 & Dragon's Dogma also have this similar features & this are some of great RPG games.

[@ArveEriksson]

The Gambit system is a lot better in concept than its PS2 implementation... Too much time spent in the menu! I'm hoping for some creature comforts in Zodiac Age. (Still haven't played it, but will eventually.)

[@reeformii1811]

The only problem with ff12 is that you can only have 3 allys out at once and i dont like that because my characters lvls get way too low

[@bigmacattackful]

Welcome to almost every other final fantasy game....?

[@questworld360]

I kind of wish they would have reported the original not the Zodiac age

[@anewchallenger2825]

personally, Id like it if they separated the target and criteria. the target should be free and the criteria is the one you buy on stores

[@sentinell4873]

Sorry people hate the gambit system the same way people hate turn-based game. If you have some issue about not being able to mash buttons then go play hack and slash.

[@nebucadneza1914]

now why dont have MMORPG not a gambit system? if i was a Game Director i would instantly make a MMORPG around semi afkable mechanics and hard boss encounters where you have to play manualy or have you "gambit" setup to work with others in a raidgroup

[@acetraker1988]

hard boss encounters is bad game design mentality... hard for the sake of hard is worthless. Rewarding for players based on decent factors but ultimately actually easy if you think about it is far better... -It like how FF13 is far better than the 2nd FF13 game as the OG game had strat you could build and play without much skill but FF13 2nd dumbed it down to pointless level.. Did not play FF13 -3rd. Kinda how the OG Dark Souls is based on DND style design. The game/controls are easy the challenge is pattern recognition and not pressing buttons when you shouldn't. Whereby say fighting games are mobas are about manual dexterity....first and game knowledge 2nd... This is why most mmorpg fail cause they focus way to heavy of RAIDs or END GAME, as in reality that content is Exclusionary content and very few people actually play it, like I think the stats on most of the top games are like 0.1 to 1% of the total users actually do this kind of style content... IT'S kinda like that content needs- Massive effort to make good and maintain low pop and the only outcome is some minor group might feel good about themselves The majority of the game pop will hate it's inclusion in the game and the fact it takes resources away from actual content everyone could play. People who WANT it can complete it very quickly and thus whine for MORE content, basically no shelf life and this begins a never ending EGS (end game syndrome) . Wasting resources time and development. It be far better to add a new storyline or extra content for all / side missions than multiple big boss raid fights.... Good example of these is factors is Destiny and all the drama that RAIDS caused in that game... From someone who spend 4 years learning games design only to realise the industry got fucked in the ass by suits and other people's agendas... Currently game designers or publishers are using Gameplay Loops that never end, with micro-transactions to enrich themselves rather than producing actual content...So they have abandoned typical good games design for a while now....

[@DJATOMICA95]

That's FF-11

[@saeklin]

As a programmer, I thought FF12's gambit system was clever, I just couldn't get into the characters or story at all. I wish they had kept the isolated battle scenes from previous games, though. Was kinda silly when scenery got in the way or you lose track of where characters are. One thing I wish Enix would implement is action queuing from KOTOR. My favorite thing in that was pausing the combat, setting up a chain of actions for each character, and watching it unfold. It did get tedious however for mundane enemies, when you're just spamming the attack command, much like FF.

[@Jim90117]

Just watchout for Reverse, the cancer of the gambit system.

[@Agumon5]

I understand the Gambit system, and what they were going for, I absolutely hate it. I really think it takes away from me enjoying this game. So far I'm about halfway through the game, and it's the least enjoyable mainline final fantasy game I've played. Much preferred 7,8,9, 10, and 15.

[@Jim90117]

You don't have to use it.

[@masonbenoit6214]

Ok I'm sorry if gambits confuses you you shouldn't be playing this game.

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

It's definitely clever and flexible bit not necessarily fun.

[@gamervagabundo5075]

i freaking hate that gambit system...like i really cant even continue the game because of it

[@finalhunter6177]

.... How? You genuinely don't need to use it.

[@EricGornicki]

I'm having a hard time making myself want to finish this game due this god awful battle system! I absolutely hate it. There's no engagement at all! You spend a lot of time in menus while your characters act for themselves and attack in the most boring and stiff way possible. Hope they don't do anything similar to this in future instalments of the franchise.

[@astroboy3002]

Gambits suck. They sucked in the original and they suck in this one. Having a party and making decisions in the heat of battle and adapting to your opponent has always been the thrill. If i want it automated ill watch a final fantasy movie. The only good things gambits are for is grinding low level open world opponents

[@sapphireglaceon]

hate this system wish they made it optional

[@finalhunter6177]

It IS optional.

[@sapphireglaceon]

@@finalhunter6177 well what i mean is still being able to have my characters be controlled by ai while i use one