STAR OCEAN: TILL THE END OF TIME Cooking Guide Created: September 18, 2010 By: George Ho (gh87@live.com) Version: 2.15 Table of Contents Version History Introduction Disclaimer Notes to Editions Activating Item Creation Overview of Cooking Playable Characters Non-playable Characters Changing Orders Obtaining recruitable items <01> Worthwhile items <02> 1,000~1,020 fol items <03> 3,300~3,400 fol items <04> 400-fol items <05> Items used more than once per unit <06> 6,943-fol items <07> worthless items <08> Deadly items (formerly w.o.r.s.t. items) <09> Battle Items (formerly B.E.S.T. ITEMS) <10> Items not part of Item Creation Strategies ??. ----- No "Conclusion" yet; hopefully coming soon! ----- ??. ----- No "Frequently Asked Questions" yet, sorry! ----- ??. ----- No "Index" yet; hopefully coming soon! ----- Legal Credits ========================= Version History ========================= 3.00, November 19, 2012, changed opinions, ratings, introduction, and disclaimers. Also, spoiler encouraged, as the game is old, almost out of stock, and not available in any other systems yet. 2.15, July 4, 2011, changed ratings, added more comments, created "1,000~1,050-fol items" section 2.11, May 13, 2011, corrected major errors on items, added notes on MIRAGE, gave credit to Japanese guides, added notes on items 2.1, April 20, 2011, added tweaks in Disclaimer, added "Strategies" section, changed format of Table of Contents, moved Version History to top, changed format of section headings Renamed "B.E.S.T. items" to "Battle items", renamed "w.o.r.s.t. items" to "Deadly items", copy-edited some sections and added line spaces between entries, formatted and added ratings in sections of "Deadly items" and "Battle items", replaced entries of (badly-voiced) Noblemen with abstract version of Noblemen in "Items not part of Item Creation" 2.0, April 19, 2011, rewrote Introduction and Overview of Cooking, expanded Legal, changed Table of Contents format, expanded Playable Characters, removed Reviewing Cooking, added incompleted sections 1.51, October 20, 2010, changed info about Umai-Bo 13 1.5, October 18, 2010, changed ratings and opinions of this guide 1.4, October 8, 2010, changed ratings and opinions of many items, and added and removed ratings 1.3, October 5, 2010, changed the "Non-playable Characters" section, fixed minor typos, changed the "w.o.r.s.t. items" and "B.E.S.T. ITEMS" sections 1.21, September 26, 2010, adjusted "Non-playable Characters" section 1.2, September 22, 2010, fixed typos and paragraphs, added "Items not part of Item Creation" and "Version History" sections 1.1, September 21, 2010, changed my opinions and layout, added "Items used more than once per unit" section 1.01, September 20, 2010, fixed errors, altered charts and comments 1.00, September 18, 2010, started this guide ====================== Introduction ====================== This guide shows you how important Cooking is. Some FAQs and Guides tell you that Cooking is very useless. Unfortunately, they do either overlook or not realize the consequences of not carrying Food items in your inventory: if exhausting almost ALL of your Useable Items, your playable characters may be very vulnerable to tough enemies, especially from Maze of Tribulations and Sphere 211, and their attacks and deadly status effects, such as Petrification, which a character may be petrified forever... unless you use an item that heals "Petrification". (Frozen status may be gone when a battle ends. I must correct myself from earlier editions.) Speaking of guides, I have researched BradyGames and other guides, including the ones by EChang and Alex, and I must compare my guide to theirs. Be notified that BradyGames guide have tons of errors and inaccuracies; if you use it, you have been warned and must put it into consideration. Viett's guide tells you more about these errors, including those not related to Cooking. This guide also shows, based on other guides, BradyGames, and other people's advices, which Food items are Worthwhile, worthless, and useable in battles. The "Worthwhile items" section may be long, but the items are worth the try. The items are useable in only the Fields; they help you save Useable items for battles only, so you don't have to use Useable items in the fields, unless the Useable item works in only the Fields, such as Tomes of WRITING. The "worthless items" are the Food restorables without percentages; they heal 20~50 HP. I don't know what strategy to tell you, but they are not worth creating again. Same goes for items that DEPLETE your character's HP or MP, unless you want to kill off a character for solo battles or battle bonus gauge, especially . Now comes the "Battle Items": they heal the whole party 30% HP. They are worth creating much more than "Worthwhile items" themselves; also, they are useable in battles. I separated long lists of items of the same price; see Table of Contents, and you may figure out the reasons yourself. I put up the incomplete section of "Frequently Asked Questions" without having questions displayed. If you have any questions, send me an electronic mail to gh87@live.com. As for Item Creation, I will explain it in details in the next section after the Disclaimer section, which helps you understand the guarantees of this guide. ==================== Disclaimer ==================== ** WARNING ** This guide has spoilers. However, at the time of this revision, this game is eight years old. Don't expect me to avoid any spoilers of anything so old and so very old. Same goes for new ones. This guide is written intentionally for personal, private use without profits. This guide and its author are not affiliated with Sony, tri-Ace, Square Enix (then Squaresoft and enix), BradyGames, and any other companies, organizations, and persons. As evident, I witnessed different prices for items from Item Creation from YouTube clips of the original Japanese version. If you are playing the original Japanese version, some prices may have been different. However, I recently bought the guide of the original Japanese version, and I found NO different prices and ratings for Food items. With major exceptions, everything else is the same. Also, I included my general reviews and ratings of below items. They may not guarantee your benefits if intended. Even the battle items (formerly B.E.S.T. items) may not guarantee your strategy if you are not satisfied. However, I will leave my guide as is with minor tweaks, unless my opinions of any item, such as "Marbled Sirloin 1000," may change mainly based on errors. Also, I set spoilers of this game apart from Disclaimers, so you may see them in other sections. Also, this guide is for those who want to use Cooking. I must keep non-Cooking references minimal as possible, unless related to Cooking, such as activating Item Creation. If you want to challenge yourself by avoiding Item Creation during the whole game, I will not guarantee OR force you to guarantee: this game will not be beatable without the Item Creation system. In fact, the Item Creation system of this game is complicated as is, especially without using this guide. The effort is a lot of amount to explain in other sections below. Again, if you want to avoid Item Creation, I can't stop you; however, "Items not part of Item Creation" is a very worthwhile section if you are afraid of long-distance trails of dungeons, especially in Disc 2. I have previously attempted to beat the game without using Food items. Unfortunately, I found this strategy inconvenient: playable characters got annihilated over and over; Useable items, like Blueberries and Blackberries, were almost exhausted, even with Compounding Item Creation; distance between a town and a dungeon complicated matters for tougher dungeons. Don't demend me to include the glitches!! I hate glitches... not enough to include them. Even Private Actions don't have glitches, I hope not. Moreover, Morever, don't demand me to explain any further experiences of not equipping an accessory, such as REGENERATION SYMBOL and RING OF MENTAL POWER, and of not teaching a character a healing or supporting spell. This guide also does not include time factors of any character. Don't ask me how the guides know them; still, please refrain from demanding time factors, even when they are related to Item Creation. Now at the time of newer platforms, this game may be remade into Microsoft XBOX ### or Nintendo's newer platform someday. Now is not a good time... This game is exclusive for PlayStation 2; if you have the older editions of PlayStation 3 excluding skinnier editions with massive gigabytes of hard drive, then this game may work for your PS3. However, I have seen reports of problems with the compatibility of playing the PS2 game in the PS3. I won't guarantee: this game may or may not work; instead, PS2 works better for its games as I would recommend, but the choices are in your hands. Also, there is no official downloadable version at this time. There are some secret (sub-)sections not listed in the Table of Contents; for reasons I don't want to say, I don't want to list a section. If usually a section contains spoilers, then I may not list that section in the table of contents. Don't attempt to demand me to list a secret section! =========================== Notes to Editions =========================== This is version 3.00. I can rewrite the Introduction if I may. However, aside from changing comments and ratings and fixing errors, I left the rest of this guide as it was in previous versions. I deleted the "Review" section because I have not played this game for a long while. Also, I can assume: there is no discussion on Food items in message boards, according to my Internet analysis. Posts discuss mainly finding ways to beat the game and something not related to "Cooking". As mentioned in Disclaimers, this guide may not represent your views or anyone else's. Also, this game is available only on PlayStation 2; currently, no remakes or downloadable versions are in consideration. In the first few versions, Marbled Sirloin 1000 was, sarcastically, rated higher outrageously than five star. As I progressed through the game, I found out the secret of items that have the factor of "xx% chance of breaking": each of these items can be used more than once until each is gone, usually several times. Therefore, I demoted the Marbled Sirloin 1000, a good worthwhile item, into no more than five stars. Also, I have added more sections separate from "Worthwhile items" because of high amount of items with the same retail price, such as 3,300-fol items. Not one question was asked within versions; I still left FAQs section under development. I have added the "Strategies" section for those who may have been frustrated with the gameplay of Item Creation, especially when creating 20 quantities. I hope this helps... unless I am wrong. ================================== Activating Item Creation ================================== To start Item Creation, you must go to Peterny, to the West side, and to the building across the Inn. Find the girl Welch, talk to her, and choose to become the inventor. After the Introduction to Item Creation, you will see different categories: one of them is Cooking. Adding Cooking in one workshop costs 800 fol--that's right, 800 fol. Some workshops have Cooking installed already, so you do not have to add it. Also, you will be given an "Invention Info" with a picture of Welch beside it, which it will be in the camp menu. The most important commands are "Change Orders" and "Check Info". In "Change Orders", you can switch an inventor's status between "Original Creation" and "Standby". "Original Creation" makes a character actively work and use your money for upcoming inventions; "Standby" halts a character from working and using your money. If you are producing items in Workshops, and your signed inventors are "Original Creation," you may use more money for their success or failures AND your production line. In "Check Info", you can look through the workshop map, patented/licensed items, inventor information, and ranking list. I do not need to tell you these details as the descriptions appear in the game and other guides. I don't have enough energy to tell you other commands; please do not demand me to insert details about them. ============================= Overview of Cooking ============================= ---------------- To Boost Success ---------------- Making one item costs 9.5%~10.5% of the shop price without using adjustments, based on 1% rarity and 99% availability. In other words, the production cost of an item is +/- 5% combined with 10% shop price. One character's level is equivalent to the success rate of creating an item at the specific price. Adding one or two more characters boosts success rate. To boost a success rate of 20%, you must purchase the KEEN KITCHEN KNIFE in GEMITY available in Disc 2. Even with the higher success rate, the quality goes down during production line, and failed experiments may happen. Press "X" after producing one to three quantities of an item as soon as possible without declining quality rate to 0%, which stops your production and voids created quantities of an item! Saving and reloading are very important, depending on your needs of failures and successes. Reload if money is very important to you and you made mistakes. ----------------------------------------------- Inventors and Their Inventions (and Supporters) ----------------------------------------------- All cooks make their own items, and putting three cooks together in one line may raise success but, depending on a similar cost and an inventor whom you use, may result a different item from what you intend to create. For example, the 40-fol items are created by different inventors; some similar inventors create many different items for 38~42 fol (no adjustments). ---------------- Using Food items ---------------- As you must either know or have already known, Food items are useable in only the fields; they cannot be used in battles. However, I think almost no one knows this: some are useable anytime, anywhere, especially in battles! These are the B.E.S.T. ITEMS you can make. Also, there are items to be used more than once per unit; almost no one knows this either, I think. Even so, a unit will be gone after used several times. As I explained in the Disclaimer, exhausting all the Useable items until they are gone makes your characters vulnerable to deadly attacks. Not attaching your characters REGENERATION SYMBOL and RING OF MENTAL POWER, the MP-recovery accessories, and not teaching your non-Symbological characters, such as Maria and Fayt, the recovery spells, such as Healing and Antidote, make things more complicated, even if you are a skilled player. Even if equipped, you still need to heal MPs with Food items. Even if Food items are useable in only the fields, they still help you save the better items from other fields, such as Compounding and Engineering, for battles only, so you will avoid exhausting your inventory. Besides, recruiting IZAK, an Engineer, requires obtainable items from the R-duo sidequest and recruiting all other Engineers to boost a success rate of HEALING DEVICES. Without IZAK... good luck! ============================= Playable Characters ============================= NOTE: I do not reveal the characters' time margins. Please do not demand me to include them. The game does not reveal the playable characters' time and cost adjustments either; also, don't ask me how the BradyGames guide knows about their adjustments; I haven't the slightest clue about it. NOTE: Due to the nature of this game, aside from ADRAY and MIRAGE, both additional playable characters of DIRECTOR'S CUT, also called the International version, you may not recruit ALL characters. Also, I must leave out the levels of characters' skills of IC fields, such as SMITHERY and COMPOUNDING, and must extremely minimalize the battle gameplay of characters as possible. Many "Private Actions" are not included in this guide. Nevertheless, to recruit either person of ELICOOR II, there are ways to make that person appear as a personal hero of the hostage situation in Disc 2. Speaking of hostage, the location is the KIRLSA TRAINING FACILITY. Those living in ELICOOR are NEL, ALBEL, and ROGER. As for PEPPITA, recruiting her would mean leaving out two other Elicoorians for the whole game. The rest are permanently playable, especially MIRAGE and ADRAY, who is added for DIRECTOR'S CUT. FAYT Level: 16 Cost: 0% REVIEW: He is not a great cook by the looks; he makes the same items that NEL and MAYU make, but not all items. If you don't want NEL or MAYU, a non-playable character, then use FAYT if you can. CLIFF Level: 9 Cost: 0% REVIEW: This guy makes the same BEST meats that DAMDA MOODA and ROGER make; ADRAY appears in only Director's Cut, which is also released in the overseas English-dub version, makes the same BEST meats they make. If you understand Japanese and are playing the original, non-Director's Cut version, then CLIFF is your best chance. However, his talents shows that you need THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA to create 20 units of any BEST item that you want to obtain. MARIA Level: 19 Cost: -10% REVIEW: Even if she is more talented and cheaper than FAYT, putting FAYT and MARIA into the same line results one of two possible items, especially if you are making one item for 15 fol. The same goes for MAYU and NEL if you are using MARIA. She makes MAMMOTH MEAT, the BEST item ever made. SOPHIA Level: 43 Cost: -5% REVIEW: Her talents are close to RIGEL's but not as much. She is a very great supporter and very useful, especially if you want to use CLIFF who makes BEST ITEMS. Be careful if you are using RIGEL and SOPHIA in one same line to create a 40-fol item. ADRAY (not included in the non-"Director's Cut" version) Level: 20 Cost: +30% REVIEW: Is he the "best swordsman and engineer" of all? The matter is that he is one helluva cook like MAYU, but he is more expensive. Also, he makes some BEST ITEMS ever, made also by CLIFF, ROGER, and/or DAMDA MOODA, and is more talented than these males. MIRAGE (not included in the non-"Director's Cut" version) Level: 26 Cost: -5% REVIEW: She invents some worthwhile items that others, such as RIGEL and MAYU, make. However, her talents don't surpass SOPHIA's to support subpar cooks for the BEST items. I don't know what to advise you about her; good luck! < Optional characters > NOTE: To get the 2nd Elicoorian, DO NOT RECRUIT PEPPITA. Visit ELICOOR in Disc 2 when you can. ADRAY should not be called the 2nd Elicoorian; why they added him is beyond me! PEPPITA (also called "SOUFFLE" in the Japanese version) Level: 6 Cost: +10% REVIEW: She resembles DAMDA MOODA and is an optional character. I don't know what is the best time to use her, and she is not non-playable, like DAMDA MOODA. For MAMMOTH MEAT, RIGEL, ALBEL, and MARIA are more talented than PEPPITA; using either of them is more convenient, however, than using using CLIFF, DAMDA MOODA, or ROGER if you don't want to make other B.E.S.T. Food listed under its own section. FOR DISC 2: Choose to recruit her in Moonbase. However, doing so would mean that you'll never recruit the 2nd Elicoorian. NEL Level: 30 Cost: 0% REVIEW: She is the second best playably chef of all playable chefs. She is optional as the game progresses in Disc 2, and, if you have NEL in your party, use her rather than either MAYU or FAYT because she is the most talented of these three who make their same Food items. FOR DISC 2 KIRLSA HOSTAGE: When you recruit ALBEL as playable character in Disc one, if you rest in the Peterny Inn, the event will trigger between FAYT and ALBEL. Say that you 'hate him', so he will not save you a** in Kirlsa. Also, after recruiting ALBEL and ROGER (for treasure hunting), if you go to the house of ROGER's rival in Surferio, the event will trigger among boys who want to be men. When that happens, ROGER will take both people's place in Kirlsa. In other words, that little guy will save you in Kirlsa Ruins. Whatever you do, I recommend that you not rest in Peterny and that you do not go to houses, unless the map indicates a green or blue arrow. If you want to know the location of Roger's rival, it is south of shops, located at east side of SURFERIO. Otherwise, try not to recruit ROGER at all, especially in the DUGGUS FOREST. FOR DISC 2 POST-MOONBASE: Recruit NEL in Aquaria by choosing 'There's no time'. ROGER Level: 2 Cost: 0% REVIEW: The worst cook of all cooks, in my humble opinion. However, he makes the same BEST meats that CLIFF, ADRAY, and/or DAMDA MOODA makes. I would not recommend using him at all. FOR DISC 2 KIRLSA HOSTAGE: Recruit ROGER twice in Disc One: once in Duggus Forest and the next in Surferio for treasure hunting. After you recruit ALBEL, go to Surferio, and then go to the house of Roger's rival, so the event among adventure-seeking boys triggers. That way, he'll save you in the Kirlsa Ruins. Be warned that ALBEL events in Peterny may override ROGER's chances to join you forever. FOR DISC 2 POST-MOONBASE: Go to Surferio and then recruit him by accepting his offer to join you. ALBEL Level: 16 Cost: +5% REVIEW: He makes one BEST ITEM -- MAMMOTH MEAT, invented also by others like RIGEL. I have no other advices to tell you the best time to use him; he can help support THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA for 20-fol items. He is, however, optional. FOR DISC 2 KIRLSA HOSTAGE: Once he joins you in Disc One, rest in Peterny, so he may try to attack FAYT during his sleep! Then say that you 'don't hate him'. That way, he may save you and then join you. FOR DISC 2 POST-MOONBASE: This guy is harder to beat in solo battles. I'm not kidding. However, he will not appear in Elicoor. To make him appear, go to Kirlsa Town (not Ruins!), and then go to Woltar's mansion, where Airyglyph soldiers guard. Speak to Woltar, so Woltar may tell you that he is self-training in the Urssa Lava Caves. Beat ALBEL if you can, and then tell him to 'join them'. ================================= Non-playable characters ================================= If you miss recruiting any of these inventors below in Disc 1, they would not be recruitable until you visit Elicoor II during the Eternal Sphere quest in Disc 2. Moreover, please do not demand me to insert their personalities, unless you want me to realize how their personalities relate to their AI inventions in different workshops. DAMDA MOODA Level: 6 Time: 0% Cost: +10% STARTS: After signing up for Item Creation in West side of Peterny LOCATION: Aquios, Outdoor alley on West side AVAILABLE: After completing the DUGGUS FOREST quest TO RECRUIT: Must have WINKING SAGE CIDER in your inventory (see "Obtaining recruitable items") REVIEW: This guy's level is very subpar at best; nevertheless, he makes the BEST ITEMS that not the best inventors create. However, even his BEST items are also created by most likely CLIFF and ROGER, who are both subpar as Damda, yet Cliff is the best out of these three. Also, he is talented as PEPPITA, and his skill almost resembles hers. WORTHWHILE?: DON'T BOTHER! Even if he is the only inventor of JOYFUL BANDIT CIDER, there are better items than that one. Also, he is as pricey as PEPPITA, but PEPPITA is playable in battles. (Previous editions: He is the only inventor of JOYFUL BANDIT CIDER, although you do not have to use him or create this item. [UPDATE]: BEST ITEMS (then) = Battle Items (now). Originally, I thought him as not talented as CLIFF. However, I figured: using him in a line with more talented chefs, KILLER CHEF and RIGEL/NEL, would diversify and overlap items that may cost the same as their own inventions. "400-fol items" are examples. In other words, he is a hit or miss. MAYU Level: 20 Time: 0% Cost: -30% STARTS: After signing up for Item Creation in West side of Peterny. LOCATION: Kirlsa Training Facility, 3rd Floor, A room with save and recovery points and the dungeon workshop AVAILABLE: After resting in the Peterny Inn for the first time; in Disc 2, she will not appear in her location, if not recruited, until the Eternal Sphere quest; TO RECRUIT: Must have ADORABLE KITTY DOLL in your inventory (see "Obtaining recruitable items") REVIEW: Most of her items are invented by FAYT and NEL, I'm afraid. However, she makes one BEST ITEM that may also be created by THE KILLER CHEF and DAMDA MOODA -- GROWLING FIST CIDER; nevertheless, THE KILLER CHEF is more talented. One thing to say: if you do not recruit her in Disc 1, then she will not appear in Disc 2 until the Eternal Sphere quest. Positivies are that she (a) discounts the costs of upgrading factors of items and (b) invents worthwhile items also made by FAYT and NEL. WORTHWHILE?: I would recommend recruiting her as soon as you successfully invent ADORABLE KITTY DOLL in the IC Crafting field in Disc 1. [UPDATE]: BEST ITEMS (then) = Battle Items (now) RIGEL Level: 47 Time: +40% Cost: 0% Starts: After battling with ALBEL in Bequerel Mountains Location: Kirlsa, the grocery store at East of the Inn. Available: See "Starts" How to recruit: Must have GOLDEN CURRY in your inventory (see "Obtaining recruitable items") REVIEW: RIGEL is more talented than MAYU, NEL, and FAYT, but she does not invent the same worthwhile items that they do; she makes different ones at the same price. Plus, she is the slowest cook. If you are using RIGEL and creating items for a very cheaper price, then you may cause an overlap, unless you are lucky. At least she makes great creation support for your inventors. WORTHWHILE?: Still, she makes a few BEST ITEMS ever made; recruit her when you invent the GOLDEN CURRY as soon as possible. [UPDATE]: BEST ITEMS (then) = Battle Items (now) THE KILLER CHEF Level: 75 Time: -30% Cost: 0% Starts: When arriving at Airyglyph after the Mosel quest Location: Outdoors within Surferio Available: Only in Disc 2 How to recruit: Must have KEEN KITCHEN KNIFE in your inventory (see "Obtaining recruitable items") How to obtain this item: See "Obtaining recruitable items" REVIEW: THE KILLER CHEF is simply the fastest, greatest cook of all cooks. Too bad he has to support the other inventors who create the BEST ITEMS ever made; he still makes one -- GROWLING FIST CIDER. WORTHWHILE?: If only the KNIFE is available sooner... You must recruit him with the 55,000-fol KNIFE, but the KNIFE also boosts your Cooking success. Buy two, and keep one with you when you give the other! [UPDATE]: BEST ITEMS (then) = Battle Items (now) ========================= Changing Orders ========================= To change orders, go to the camp menu, select "Invention Info", and then select "Change Orders". Cooking has a bunch of items at 40 fol and 694 fol; changing orders is very important, especially for your convenience. If you recruit non-playable characters and leave them into "Original Creation" statuses, they would use your money for their inventions, especially if you are working in the workshops. If you put them into "Standby", they would be inactive and stop using your money. If you are wandering in dungeons, you would receive money, depending on your working points, including those who signed with you. "Original Creation" makes your inventors active and helps you save time from workshops, so you do not have to invent all items; moreover, it earns you millions of Fol, even if you lose money for inventions while you are levelling up your characters in dungeons. Before you leave towns for dungeons, always switch your inventors from "Standby" to "Original Creation". Before you invent an item yourself, always switch from "Original Creation" to "Standby", so you do not lose more money, and save your game into your memory card as soon as possible before you fail a lot. ===================================== Obtaining recruitable items ===================================== WINKING SAGE CIDER To recruit: DAMDA MOODA Purpose: Heals 30% HP/MP Obtaining without creating: * Fight the bandits in Sanmite Steppes until you enter Sphere 211 for the first time * No other methods I know so far... Let me know what else beside creating. Inventors: RIGEL, THE KILLER CHEF, CLIFF, NEL, ROGER Shop price, 1% rarity: 3,300 fol Workshop price, no change: 313/314~346/347 fol Rating: 80 ADORABLE KITTY DOLL To recruit: MAYU Field: Crafting Purpose: Reducing enemy's fury by 5% at the start of a battle Obtaining without creating: Don't know so far... Inventors of Crafting: STANICE, FAYT, CLIFF, NEL, ROGER, ADRAY Shop price, 1% rarity: 2,410 fol Workshop price, no change: 229~253 fol Rating: 2 GOLDEN CURRY To recruit: RIGEL Purpose: Heals 50 HP (no percents; just 50 Health Points!) Obtaining without creating: Don't know so far... Inventors: DAMDA MOODA, MAYU, KILLER CHEF, FAYT, SOPHIA, NEL, ROGER, PEPPITA Shop price, 1% rarity: 630 fol Workshop price, no change: 60~66 fol Rating: 65 KEEN KITCHEN KNIFE To recruit: THE KILLER CHEF Purpose: Boosts 20% Cooking success rate To obtain: Buy one for 55,000 fol in a Gemity shop ======================= <01> Worthwhile items ======================= NOTE: The shop prices are based on 1% rarity and 99% availability shown in the "Invention Info" menu with Welch on the background. The workshop prices are based on 10% of the shop price. ANOTHER NOTE: I separated 400-fol and 6,943-fol items into sections due to long list of items that are priced the same. ANOTHER NOTE: Because the "chance of breaking" factor makes its items reuseable until a few or several times, I separated these items into a section. ANOTHER NOTE: I separate 1,0x0-, 3,300-, and 3,400-fol items into sections for easier reading. Without having better items from other fields, such as Crafting, in your inventory or equipped into your characters, these items may be very useful, especially for early Disc 1. How much you use these items below depends on how many other better items you have in your inventory. If you overuse the BEST ITEMS until they are gone, and you do not have FOOD items with you, then you are in serious trouble. ([UPDATE]: BEST ITEMS = Battle Items) These items are graded out of five astericks for recommendations, especially by overlapping, usefulness, and convenience. Regardless, ALWAYS SAVE before you fail AND/OR RELOAD if you fail!! ***** = ALWAYS DO AND USE THIS **** = Great convenience *** = Not bad ** = Frustratingly inconvenient * = Even if worthwhile, I would not make this item again!! Recovers 30% M.P. (single), 150 fol in shops, 14~16 fol to invent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Inventors | My rating, each: ------------------------------------------------------------| ***** Vanilla Ice Cream | 20 | RIGEL, MARIA, ALBEL | ------------------------------------------------------------| Tuna Salad | 25 | MAYU, FAYT, MARIA, NEL, MIRAGE | ------------------------------------------------------------| Sachertorte | 50 | RIGEL, MIRAGE | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: These items are very cheap and convenient to make. Using RIGEL, MARIA, and MAYU/NEL results one of three possibilities, especially in Disc 1. Umeboshi (not in non-"Director's Cut" version) Purpose: Heals petrification, freezing, poison, and paralysis, single person (can be refined into "whole party") Store price: 180 fol Workshop price: 17~19 fol Evaluation Rating: 20 Inventors: DAMDA MOODA, MAYU, NEL, MIRAGE My rating: **** Comments: Even with "Cure Condition" spell, learned by ADRAY and SOPHIA, this item is worth inventing. This item is worth inventing also when both symbologists are suffering from either of these symptoms listed on "Purpose". Also good for others who do not wear Amulets of Freedom and Anti-Stone Amulets, especially in post-game. Frozen status quickly disappears after the battle is over in Director's Cut. Therefore, the heal "Freezing" factor is useless in the fields. I'm not sure about the original version; however in both versions, Frozen status quickly disappears during battles AS LONG AS your characters ARE NOT killed while frozen!! Recovers 30% HP (all items), 200 fol in stores, 19~21 fol in Workshops, can be refined into better percentage -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Umai-Bo | Rating | Inventors | My rating, #1-6, ------------------------------------------------| 9-12, 14: ***** 1~3,12 | 30 | RIGEL | ------------------------------------------------| 4~6 | 30 | FAYT, MAYU, NEL | #7-8: ** (Earlier, -*) ------------------------------------------------| 7~8 | 30 | DAMDA MOODA, CLIFF, ROGER | ------------------------------------------------| 9~11,14 | 60 | THE KILLER CHEF, SOPHIA | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: These are very good items to create, especially if you use RIGEL, NEL, and THE KILLER CHEF in a same line. I should tell you: These items may be overlapped by "worthless items" with the same price as above. Be careful! However, #7 & #8 are not worth creating, unless you risk using CLIFF in one line. Out of curiosity, #13 is listed in the "Items used more than once per unit" section. In the previous editions, I assumed mistakenly: UMAI-BO 12 is created by THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA. Actually, #12 is made by RIGEL instead. Curry Rice My rating: *** (Earlier, -1/2) Purpose: Recovers 30% H.P., single, can be refined into better percentage Store Price: 200 fol Workshop price: 19~21 fol Rating: 30 Inventors: All cooks except Rigel, The Killer Chef, Sophia, and Albel Comments: This may be overlapped by Umai-Bos and "worthless items", unless you are lucky. Decorated Cake My rating: ***1/2 (Earlier, -1/2) Purpose: Heals 30% H.P., single Store Price: 220 fol Workshop Price: 21~23 fol Rating: 50 Inventors: MAYU, FAYT, NEL Comments: Finding 23 fol would take a lot of buttons to press; good luck! Also, this item may be overlapped by other items, including "worthless items", if attempted to spend 21~22 fol for this item. By DAMDA MOODA, [CLIFF, and ROGER]; recovers 30% HP, single, can be refined into better percentage: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Stores | Workshops | My rating -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gelatinous Potion | 60 | 250 fol | 24~26 fol | -----------------------------------------------------------------| Petite Sirloin | 5 | 300 fol | 28/29~31/32 fol | **** -----------------------------------------------------------------| Itty-Bitty Steak | 60 | 300 fol | 28/29~31/32 fol | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: These items may be overlapped by "worthless items" that may price the same as above. Be careful! Earlier, I rated them lower Kid's Meal My rating: ***** (w/ CLIFF: -*1/2) Purpose: Heals 30% H.P., single Inventor: RIGEL Rating: 60 Shop price: 300 fol Workshop price: 28/29~31/32 fol Commments: This is much better than what the subpar cooks invent; using SOPHIA makes 27 fol available and easier than 28~30 fol. UPDATE: However, if you use CLIFF as a supporter, then the results may be one of his inventions above rather than this item. 500 FOL in shops, 47/48~52/53 FOL in workshops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Inventors | Purpose -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gratin | 30 | MAYU, FAYT, MARIA | | | NEL, MIRAGE | Cures incap, restores 30% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mont Blanc | 50 | RIGEL | Cures incap, restores 30% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sirloin 140 | 80 | RIGEL, MARIA | Restores 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My rating, each: *****, w/ THE KILLER CHEF; no rating w/o him (...unless I am incorrect about CHEF's gender)! Comments: Originally rated with SOPHIA; rating with SOPHIA is an insult to strategics like me. By THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Shop | Workshop | Purpose, single -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marbled Beef Sirloin | 70 | 1100 fol | 104/5~115/6 f | Restores 70% HP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peach Dessert Soup | 60 | 1300 fol | 123/4~136/7 f | Cures incap, | | | | restores 60% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: Still worth using; try less than 128 fol for Peach Dessert Soup because the Tough Steak may overlap it otherwise. My ratings: N/A, although great items... By DAMDA MOODA and others listed below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rati | Other inventors | Purpose, single | Shop | Workshop -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jumbo Pot | | CLIFF, ROGER, | | | 266~288, Stickers | 40 | ADRAY | Heals 70% HP/MP | 2800 f | 291, 294 f -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blue Moon | | CLIFF, ROGER, | | | 290, 293, Cider | 40 | ADRAY, PEPPITA | | | 296~311, ----------------------------------------| Recovers 30% MP | 3050 f | 314, 317, Joyful | | | | | 320 fol Bandit Cider | 80 | None | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My ratings for: * Joyful Bandit: * * Jumbo Pot Stickers: **** * Blue Moon Cider: *** w/o CLIFF; +** w/ CLIFF Comments: Ones made by CLIFF or ADRAY are the best ones. The DAMDA MOODA-only item is not worth your time and convenience; avoid that. Previous versions, now voided: [CLIFF is your man here for anything you want to invent. ADRAY's level is superior, but he is very costly. If you want to use my strategies according to the "Strategies" section, then try DAMDA MOODA for ONLY 3,050-fol Ciders.] [...The Jumbo Pot Stickers and Blue Moon Cider are the only more convenient of all DAMDA MOODA's inventions. Otherwise, good luck making 3 to 5 of them with DAMDA MOODA.] 3,900 fol in shops, heals 50% HP/MP, single: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Inventors | My rating | Workshop prices ------------------------------------------------------------|------------------- Howling Fox Cider | 75 | DAMDA MOODA, MAYU | **** | 370/371, 374, 378, ------------------------------------------------------------| 382, 386, 390, Sapodilla Juice | 90 | THE KILLER CHEF | **** | 394, 398, 402, | | | | 406, 409/410 fol -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous versions, now voided: [Comments: Only the Sapodilla Juice I would recommend. No questions asked!] Comments: Actually, both items are very good items. However, attempting to use DAMDA MOODA or CLIFF may result either a "Battle item" or a lower rate of success for one of above items. Originally, each was rated higher; LORD'S OZONI may overlap these items; otherwise, reverse can happen. Hungry Harpy Cider Rating: 90 Shop price: 4,200 fol Workshop prices: 399~441 fol (410 fol may or may not result this item; I possibly have done that in my unit, but I'm not always confident with this possible. I need your confirmation, please, if you have E-mail.) Purpose: Cures incap and heals 60% HP/MP Inventors: All non-playable chefs except Rigel; can't create this in dungeons. My rating: ***** Comments: Like Peach Dessert Soup, this is worth creating. Save your Resurrection Elixirs and Resurrection Mists for battles, and use these Food items very often. By THE KILLER CHEF and RIGEL, 5700 fol in shops, 541/542~599 fol in workshops, each ***** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Purpose, single | Comments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pomegranate Juice | 95 | heals 70% HP/MP | Even when they overlap each ----------------------------------------------| other, their purposes and Lansium Juice | 99 | heals 90% M.P. | obtaining both top talents make ----------------------------------------------| these items the most Mangosteen Juice | 100 | heals 90% M.P. | worthwhile. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tip: Produce two or three units per item production, and you will be fine. Marbled Sirloin 1000 My rating: ***** (originally rated higher... way higher!) Purpose: Heals 100% HP/MP, single Shop price: 8700 fol Inventors: THE KILLER CHEF, SOPHIA Workshop price: 826/827~913/914 fol Rating: 60 Comments: Without Healing, this is worth using; save Verdurous Potions for battles, and use this sirloin for fields. I used to think this is the most worthwhile until I invented and used other items that break after several uses ("Items used more than once per unit"). Spicy Stew, by THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA Shop price: 25,120 fol Workshop price: 2386~2638 fol Purpose: Heals 100% HP/MP, gives a life threatening feeling Rating: 40 My rating: [I haven't used it (originally rated low...)] Comment: This item has a bad factor that interferes a good one. I am not sure how reliable it is; I am not even sure if this item is worth refining. ============================ <02> 1,000~1,020 fol items ============================ Without cost adjustments, each 100-fol item costs 95~105 fol to invent in workshops. However, there are some exceptions. I never intended to separate these items from "Worthwhile items." However, that section becomes very long if this section merges. Purpose: Restores 50% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | DAMDA MOODA | RIGEL | CLIFF | ROGER | My rating -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boiled King Crab | 40 | | X | | | ***** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Otoro | 60 | X | | X | X | ***1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: I would prefer the BOILED KING CRAB. Don't ask! Purpose: Restores 70% MP (all); cures petrification (BBQ Pork Ramen only) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Inventors | Store | Workshop -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bleu Cheese | 60 | RIGEL, MARIA, ALBEL | -- | -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haute Chinese Soup | 60 | THE KILLER CHEF, SOPHIA | -- | -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBQ Pork Ramen | 40 | MAYU, FAYT, MAR, NEL, MIR | 1020 f | 97~107 fol -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Previous versions, now voided: [My rating: *****, only for RIGEL, SOPHIA, and CHEF, even with overlaps.] My ratings: *****, strategically use RIGEL, CHEF, and MAYU/NEL for all above items except Otoro. ============================ <03> 3,300~3,400 fol items ============================ Silver Scepter Cider Rating: 70 Inventors: DAMDA MOODA, CLIFF, ROGER, PEPPITA Purpose: Recovers 50% H.P. My rating: *** Comments: I am not confident about my rating. I wanted to rate this one star less; I left "My rating" as is for strategies. 3,300 fol in stores, 313/4~347 fol in workshops, By RIGEL only -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Purpose, single | My rating -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rambutan Juice | 70 | Restores 50% MP | -------------------------------------------| ***** Tamarind Juice | 70 | Restores 50% HP | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: Don't use DAMDA MOODA if you want a mindless overriding strategy. 3,300 fol in stores, 314/4~347 fol in workshops, By THE KILLER CHEF and others below -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Purpose, single | Inventors besides him? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiery Cyclops Cider | 75 | Recovers 30% MP | CLI, ROG, ADR, PEP, DAM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hogplum Juice | 80 | Recovers 50% MP | not available -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leaping Titan Cider | 80 | Recovers 30% HP/MP | not available -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winking Sage Cider | 80 | Recovers 30% HP/MP | RIGEL, NEL, CLIFF, ROGER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My ratings: N/A, each (was rated ***** each) Comments: 3,300-fol items look very inconvenient to invent, but the combination of RIGEL and SOPHIA helps my ratings become valid. This comment was voided earlier, but I realize that DAMDA MOODA is not worth my time. By the way, you can substitute NEL or MAYU for SOPHIA, MAYU she does not invent any of them above. Previous versions: [Strategically, you may use DAMDA MOODA, RIGEL, and THE KILLER CHEF to make two to three units per item that costs the same. Therefore, this strategy could void the ratings of any 330-FOL item (whether 3,300 or 3,400 in shops). Be it low- or high-rated; still unrated if strategic.] 3,400 fol in shops, 323~357 fol in workshops, Cures incap & restores 30% HP/MP, By MAYU and DAMDA MOODA: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | My rating -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broken Prophet Cider | 50 | *, with MAYU: +*** ---------------------------------| Brass Demon Cider | 80 | Strategically, use CHEF, RIGEL, and MAYU -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ==================== <04> 400-fol items ==================== The list is too long to belong to "Worthwhile items", so it has its own section. Making 20 consecutive quantities of any of these items is a total pain, yet they are very worthwhile. I would recommend producing 2 to 4 units per line, so you do not have to restart the game over and over again. In workshops, each item costs 38~42 fol (without adjustments). By RIGEL and others listed below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | MAR | ALB | MIR | Purpose -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deluxe Fruit Bowl | 10 | X | X | | Recovers 30% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corn on the Cob | 25 | | | | Recovers 50% M.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pasta Salad | 40 | X | X | | Recovers 30% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chocolate Banana | 60 | X | X | | Recovers 50% M.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kirschtorte | 60 | | | X | Recovers 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fruit Parfait | 70 | X | X | | Cures incap, recovers 60% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My ratings, each: ****, w/ KILLER CHEF By DAMDA MOODA, CLIFF, ROGER, and others listed below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | PEPPITA | ADRAY | Purpose -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grilled Tuna Head | 60 | X | X | Recovers 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soft-Shelled Turtle | 70 | X | X | Recovers 50% M.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Watermelon Bar | 70 | | | Recovers 30% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My ratings: *** due to subpar cooks; +1/2 with ADRAY (originally, these were rated lower) By MAYU, NEL, FAYT, and others listed below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | MARIA | ADRAY | MIRAGE | Purpose -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natto | 20 | | X | | Recovers 30% HP/MP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chopped Steak | 30 | X | | X | Recovers 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cold Soba | 30 | X | X | X | Recovers 50% M.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fresh Spring Rolls | 30 | | | | Recovers 50% M.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kimchi | 50 | X | | X | Recovers 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Almond Jelly | 60 | | X | | Recovers 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fried Turnips | 60 | X | | X | Recovers 50% H.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pear Tart | 70 | | | | Recovers 50% M.P. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My ratings: ***** (originally, these were rater lower when you use anyone except NEL or MIRAGE) Roast Duck Rating: 30 Inventors: THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA Purpose: 50% HP recovers My rating: ***** Comment: Along with other items, this item is worth trying. Previous editions, now voided: [Comment: This is the best item of all 400-fol items. If you have KEEN KITCHEN KNIFE, try using the only inventors of this item. In other words, only two inventors in one line. So far so good?] Conclusion: This section is filled with too many items at one price. Do either 2-3 or 3-5 units per production line with KILLER CHEF and two others, as I strongly recommend. Using items by CLIFF, ROGER, or DAMDA MOODA are not strong points for me, unless you want ADRAY at a high price. Previous editions, now voided: [Conclusion: The only convenient item is Roast Duck; making it is unavailable until Disc 2. If you want to diversify your collections, use THE KILLER CHEF, RIGEL, and NEL/MAYU/CLIFF; try to make 2-3 units per production line. Otherwise, go for only KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA to make Roast Duck; this items is easier with KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA in one line. UPDATE: Originally, I recommended making 3-5 units per production. However, I realized that this is more time-consuming than 2-3 units.] ========================================= <05> Items used more than once per unit ========================================= These items are discovered to have an ability to be used more than once per unit, which would qualify them as B.E.S.T. items. However, like most items, they are useable in only the fields. In fact, they could help you save other items and recovery spells for later. With their ability, each unit would be used either once or at least several times until it is gone. What makes this ability so great is the chance of breaking. If you attempt to remove this factor, the ability will be gone as well, and the unit will be gone after its first use. If you want to reduce the chances without removing the factor, you need Cooking Ingredients, and good luck. Also, with the "chance of breaking" factor, these items go beyond the purposes, something that not any player can imagine in other games like Star Ocean 3. If an item is described to heal 30% MP and cure incapacitation, then it heals also your characters' HPs by 30%~70%. All items have a lot in common: "30% probability of breaking". Refining any item either removes this factor or reduces chances to 20%. If it is 20%, then leave an item alone; otherwise, restart the game and then forget refining them. UPDATE: Umai-Bo 13 has "50% probability of breaking" and is refined into either adding another factor of breaking probability or reducing a probability. FACHUCHON Inventors: THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA Shop price: 4,293 fol Workshop prices: 408~451 fol Purposes: Restores 30% MP; Cures paralysis, petrification; Cures incap & restores 60% HP/MP 4,343 fol in shops, 413~456 fol in workshops, rating 99, Cures incap & restores 60% HP/MP, cures petrification, recovers 30% HP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Inventors | Other purposes | My rating -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legendary Otoro | CLIFF, ROGER, DAMDA | Cures poison | *** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ozoni of Madness | KILLER CHEF, SOPHIA | Cures paralysis | ****1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: Who else creates Legendary Otoro? I would rather use Antidote than invent that. Neverthelss, Hungry Harpy Cider may override them at same prices; be careful. Previous editions, now voided: [Comments: Using CHEF, RIGEL, and CLIFF produces 50% chance of success. Still, this strategy could work if you want to produce just one or 2~3 units.] 12,343 fol in shops, 1172/1173~1296 fol in workshops, Rating 99 Restores 90% HP/MP, cures petrification, cures incap & restores 60% HP/MP, My rating, each: **** (earlier versions: +*) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Inventors | Other purposes | Comments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Giant King Crab | RIGEL, PEPPITA | Cures paralysis | Using SOPHIA, THE ----------------------------------------------------------| KILLER CHEF, and Magical Salad | KILLER CHEF, SOPHIA | Cures paralysis | RIGEL validates my ----------------------------------------------------------| ratings. Well-Aged Cheese | KILLER CHEF, SOPHIA | Cures poison | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comments: These items lost one point for expensive creation price. But they are still worth inventing. UMAI-BO 13 Rating: 99 Purpose: Restores 30% HP Inventors: FAYT, NEL, MAYU Store: 50,103 fol Workshop: 4760~5261 fol My rating: *1/2 (earlier: +**) Comments: This item is the most powerful of all Umai-Bos. However, the price is too high to invent, and 50% chance of breaking doesn't help either. Also, the IC rating is too high, and refining them is very costly. This item... coincidentally, #13 is a bad luck number, especially when the 13th day of the month is also Friday. This item is a bad luck! Previous versions, now voided: [Comments: I think this is the best of all Umai-Bos; too bad other Umai-Bos by RIGEL, SOPHIA, and THE KILLER CHEF are higher rated by me because refining this item into a long-lasting item is a pain.] (I originally thought that the factor would disappear if refined. Nevertheless, refining this item is very costly yet makes this near-endless if refined into "1% chance of breaking" successfully.) ------------ Conclusion ------------ There are more in the next section. After all that time, I thought Marbled Sirloin 1000 is the most worthwhile item until I used these items and found out their ability. Still, using subpar cooks for Legendary Otoro results a lower success rate. ====================== <06> 6,943-fol items ====================== The list is too long to belong to "Items used more than once per unit" and "Worthwhile items", so it has its own section. Rating of each item is 99. In workshops, making one costs 659/660~729 fol. Like 400-fol items, they below make Cooking very complicated, yet they are worth spending more than 400-fol ones. NOTE: MAYU, FAYT, and NEL do not make these items, and they are also not listed as inventors of these items in the BradyGames chart. You can use either of them as support, but that is all. All items serve the same purposes: they 1) cure petrification, 2) cure incapacitation & restore up to 60% HP/MP, and 3) have 30% chance of breaking. However, they have their own additional factors listed below. By KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA only: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Other purposes | My rating, ----------------------------------------------------------------| each: ***** Amazing Tenderloin | Recovers 90% H.P.; cures paralysis | ----------------------------------------------------------------| Comments: Demonic Durian | Recovers 90% M.P.; cures poison | Using RIGEL ----------------------------------------------------------------| makes my Devilish Sea Squirt | Recovers 90% M.P.; cures poison | rating very ----------------------------------------------------------------| valid. Even Dragon Pot Stickers | Recovers 90% H.P.; cures poison | with bunch of ----------------------------------------------------------------| items on the Luscious Gratin | Recovers 90% H.P.; cures poison | list ----------------------------------------------------------------| Slimy Gelatin | Recovers 90% M.P.; cures paralysis | ----------------------------------------------------------------| Super-Spicy Stew | Recovers 70% HP/MP; cures paralysis | ----------------------------------------------------------------| Tearful Risotto | Recovers 90% M.P.; cures paralysis | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By CLIFF, ROGER, DAMDA MOODA, and other below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | ADRAY | Other purposes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Golden Natto | | Restores 90% H.P., cures poison -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Handmade Soba | X | Restores 90% H.P., cures paralysis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luscious Oysters | | Restores 90% H.P., cures paralysis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supreme Dorayaki Pie | X | Restores 90% H.P., cures poison -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ultimate Ramen | | Restores 90% M.P., cures paralysis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My rating, each: **, +*1/2 with ADRAY (originally rated lower) Comments: Maybe not worth inventing; leave them to DAMDA if you have him and put him under "Original Creation" status. Also, THE KILLER CHEF and RIGEL invent their own items, and using a subpar cook would lower chances of success for other items. Be careful if you are not strategic! By RIGEL, PEPPITA, and others below: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | ADRAY | Other purposes -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beautiful Ice Cream | | Restores 90% M.P., cures paralysis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lilien's Ultimate | X | Restores 90% H.P., cures paralysis -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perfect Duck | | Restores 90% H.P., cures poison -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My rating: *****, like inventions by KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA Comments: RIGEL invents her own items, especially if you use her along with THE KILLER CHEF and SOPHIA. However, with all three together, you feel the ecstacy of anticipation. Conclusion: I would recommend using THE KILLER CHEF, RIGEL, and SOPHIA for any item other than inventions by CLIFF, ROGER, DAMDA MOODA, and ADRAY. UPDATE: However, if you want to use my strategies according to "Strategies" section, be my guest, and use CLIFF, KILLER CHEF, and RIGEL. ====================== <07> worthless items ====================== Obviously, the worthless items are the ones that cure 50 HP or less; I will not include GOLDEN CURRY because it is a recruitable item, even though it is technically worthless, especially afterwards. Also, these worthless items may either be overlapped by or overlap other worthwhile and BEST items of all FOOD items. Moreover, I will not grade them because it is pointless to grade them. However, they may be useful if your characters are Level 1 for the final boss of this game. Otherwise, they are worth selling. To make information short, everyone invents these items. These items recover 20 Health Points without percentages. The Guild rates each item a 1. Also, every cook makes these items below. Realize: I don't capitalize the names of items below for reasons. discordant dessert shop price: 60 fol workshop price: 5~7 fol tasteless stew shop price: 210 fol workshop price: 20~22 fol super-sweet curry shop price: 310 fol workshop price: 29(?)~33 fol =================== <08> Deadly items =================== Be careful of making these items below if you want to make the worthwhile ones; these overlap by the same cost. If you invent them and don't want to use them, then sell them. Even refining these items to remove factors makes these items useless and a waste of money and materials. I don't want to go over the summaries of these items. Previous versions; useable? Maybe not?: "Nevertheless, even if they are the w.o.r.s.t. (wonderfully, overbearably, ridiculous, superbly timid) items ever made, you can use them to deplete characters, such as ADRAY, for Battle Bonuses and solo battle trophies. To be honest, the MP-killers are more powerful than the HP-killers. This is based on my experiments with characters who have less than 100% HP/MP remaining." The above entry is useable for depleting characters' HPs and MPs; however, I will not call them the "worst" or "w.o.r.s.t." as I previously did because of additional playable (yet unnecessary) characters like MIRAGE or ADRAY. I can use the below items to kill off ADRAY, even though he can still invent items in Workshops. As for the 2nd paragraph, I am not sure anymore whether the MP-killers are more powerful than the HP-killers. I used "cheap cider Realize: like "worthless items," these names of items are not capitalized. depletes Health Points (HPs), rating 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Shop | Workshop* | Inventors ------------------------------------------------------------------------- cheap cider | 320 fol | 30~34 fol | All except Roger, Peppita, and NPCs ------------------------------------------------------------------------- awful cider | 420 fol | 40~44 fol | ADRAY ------------------------------------------------------------------------- * based on no adjustments depletes Mental Points (MPs), rating 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Shop | Workshop | All inventors? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- spicy cake | 860 fol | 81/82~90 fol | Yes, except The Killer Chef ----------------------------------------------------------------------- cheap sashimi | 955 fol | 91~100 fol | Yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------- tough steak | 1350 fol | 128~142 fol | Yes ----------------------------------------------------------------------- =================== <09> Battle Items =================== Formerly called B.E.S.T. ITEMS, they are now called Battle items. For some reason, I no longer consider them the B.E.S.T. because of conflicts with inventing quantities of items that may be overlapped by other items. Still, they are great alternatives to items from ENGINEERING and COMPOUNDING. Previous versions; some words... useable? Maybe not?: "All of these items below are also useable IN BATTLES! These are very important if you want to diversify your inventories by saving your HEALING DEVICES and party BERRIES for later. These are the BRILLIANTLY, EXCEPTIONALLY, SUPERBLY TERRIFIC (B.E.S.T.) ITEMS you must know below. Too bad they cannot be refined at all; still, worth inventing and then using as substitutes for BERRIES from "Useable Items"." By DAMDA MOODA, CLIFF, ROGER, ADRAY, and others below, restores 30% HP (the whole party), 2,100 fol in shops, 199/200~221 fol in workshops: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Additional inventors? | My rating -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PREHISTORIC MEAT | 20 | No | ****1/2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAMMOTH MEAT | 70 | RIGEL, MARIA, ALBEL, PEPPITA | ***** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEW: These are the early alternatives to higher-rated Compounding and Engineering items with the same purpose, but both may overlap each other for the same price, especially if you use any subpar inventor of these meats. Still, it's fun to make these meats, even with the overlapse. For MAMMOTH MEAT, use RIGEL, THE KILLER CHEF, and SOPHIA. LORD'S OZONI Purpose: Heals 60% HP, whole party Inventors: DAMDA MOODA, [CLIFF, ROGER, ADRAY] Rating: 80 Shop price, 1% rarity: 4,100 fol Workshop price, no change: 389/390~430/431 fol (Even a 410 fol may create "Hungry Harpy Cider", unless I'm wrong) REVIEW: Alas, this item is a pain to make, especially if you are playing the original, non-"Director's Cut" version in Japanese. If you want to use CLIFF, then you need RIGEL and THE KILLER CHEF. Otherwise, ADRAY is your best bet, unless you are playing the original, non-"Director's Cut" version. Restores 30% HP (whole party), 5,000 fol in shops, 475~525 fol in workshops -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name | Rating | Inventor(s) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JACKFRUIT JUICE | 80 | RIGEL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GROWLING FIST CIDER | 95 | DAMDA MOODA, MAYU, THE KILLER CHEF -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REVIEW: These drinks are very impossible to make in dungeon workshops. Still, these are the BEST drinks to make, even when they are more expensive and graded higher than other alternatives with the same purpose. Using THE KILLER CHEF and RIGEL in one same line is very overlapping, yet these items are worth creating with SOPHIA. ====================================== <10> Items not part of Item Creation ====================================== For those who wanted to follow the Solo Character Challenges Guide, this section helps you fulfill your better experience, especially if you do not want to do "Original Creation" at all. You will be informed the items that are not evaluated by the Guild throughout the game. You can buy many as you want if you have enough money, especially in Disc 1. I will not grade them as you please; I will comment at the minimal. Please do not demand which exact shops have these items; try all the shops yourself with the help of the map. The shops are indicated with the green arrow on the activating map; enlarge it with the R2 button. Alternatively, recruit all NPCs, register them, put them in "Original Creation" or "Standby" status, and spend time in dungeons, so you earn more money. UPDATE: I no longer will obtain paragraphs of Noblemen; they sound annoying and do not anymore relate to Cooking. You can battle them to get Idols; attack them several times until they (annoyingly) beg to "Spare Me". However, Idols are worth selling, so you can buy more expensive Food items as story progresses. Steamed Bun Fol: 200 fol, single; 4,000 fol, 20 units Purpose: Recovers 30% HP, single Location: Shops of all non-dungeon areas except Moonbase and Arkives Comments: This helps you save Blueberries, especially in Disc 1, and Physical Enhancers for battles only. This can be refined into a better item, which requires Cooking Ingredients. Using MAYU reduces the costs, depending on other inventors you are able to use. Apple Pie Fol: 400 fol, single; 8,000 fol, 20 units Purpose: Recovers 50% HP, single Location: Shops of Arias, Trading Town of Peterny, Sacred City of Aquios, and Gemity Comments: Same for Steamed Buns. Gooseberry Juice Fol: 3,100 fol, single; 62,000 fol, 20 units Purpose: Recovers 30% HP, single Location: Shops of all Elicoor II towns/cities except Sacred City of Aquios Comments: This is the most expensive Food item not part of Item Creation. Good luck making money of them. Loquat Juice Fol: 3,050 fol, single, 61,000 fol, 20 units Purpose: Recovers 30% MP, single Location: West side of Trading Town of Peterny Comments: Until you are involved with Item Creation, this is the only item that recovers M.P. This cannot be refactored, and there are cheaper, better alternatives from Cooking. Also, it is a pain to walk into Peterny for buying this item, yet it helps you save Blackberries and Mental Enhancers for battles later. Pomello Juice (or Pomelo Juice, according to spelling, not the game) Fol: ...Please don't ask! Purpose: Recovers 100% HP, single Location: Shops of Whipple, Arias, and Trading Town of Peterny Comments: The price goes up as time goes by. This item is avoidable at all costs; try Marbled Sirloin 1000 if you want to use Cooking. Shake Fol: Not available in shops!! Purpose: Recovers 90% HP, single Location: The main lounge of Hyda Resort Hotel Comments: This item has only one unit, and it is used only once. To obtain it, examine one replicator of the HYDA HOTEL, and then you will witness the cutscene of FAYT and SOPHIA discussing this item. King Durian AND Sea Squirt Fol: Not available in shops!! Purpose, each: Cures all HP or incapacitation, single(?) Location: Requires Grab Bag accessory purchased in 3rd floor Maze of Tribulations; Comment: If you have the Grab Bag accessory and equip it to Fayt, stay at any inn or resting place with the "Morning Wake" theme to get thest items. ==================== Strategies ==================== STRATEGY #1: The popular strategy would be resetting the game (or loading the saved data) if mistakes happen, especially for those (who created 20 quantities of a similar item) have created beyond the maximum quantities. STRATEGY #2: If you want to create different items invented by same inventors and supporters and made and sold at similar prices, and you do not want to reset the game all the time, try to create two or three quantities per production time. Then repeat this over and over until 20 units, a maximum amount, of one item at the same price are in your inventory. Finally, stop, and then go for different fol. For example, if you want to use KILLER CHEF, NEL, and RIGEL to produce items for 38~42 fol, I would recommend producing two or three items, stopping, and then going for other items with the same people. If the production results the similar item you have already done, then check to see if you reach 20 units, a maximum amount, of that similar item in your inventory. For Battle items: CLIFF creates both MAMMOTH MEAT and PREHISTORIC MEAT. If you want to use CLIFF, and you want to use RIGEL (also creator of MAMMOTH MEAT) and THE KILLER CHEF as supporters for these items, just produce two or three quantities. Any other strategies I am missing, e-mail me at gh87@live.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ??. ----------------------- No Conclusion yet, sorry! -------------------------- Please E-mail me at gh87@live.com; I will gladly respond as soon as possible. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ??. ----------------- No Frequently Asked Questions yet, sorry! ---------------- Please E-mail me at gh87@live.com; I will gladly respond as soon as possible. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =============== Legal =============== This guide is copyrighted (c) by George Ho (Gh87) in 2010-11. All rights reserved. If you want to use my guide for your own purposes, please ask permission first; preferably, send me E-mail to gh87@live.com. Reproductions of this guide by someone other than me are prohibited; this will be taken action if this may occur. Below is the entry from previous versions: "In case of my own future demise, I will make plans to avoid "public domain" status in order to protect my guide from being plagiarized and credited as if I am not the author of this guide. Right now, I don't have enough legal fees, time, and energy to do so, leaving the public domain possible. Nevertheless, I must be notified the rules and guidelines from anywhere, such as GameFAQs, or anything if I overlook something important." While the above entry is still valid, currently, with digital technology, download versions, more game platforms and all other upcoming events, this guide may be likely to be in the "public domain". Nevertheless, like me, video game players still use PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 still uses the buttons similar to previous PlayStation platforms. Therefore, I still will not allow this to be in public domain until I declare it officially. ================= Credits ================= Thanks to BradyGames for its own Strategy Guide, even with errors in the book. Thanks to nameless players of STAR OCEAN: TILL THE END OF TIME for their own experiences that may influence others' experiences, including mine. Thanks to the fans of STAR OCEAN games for providing information of those games in their own websites. Thanks to Internet communities for helping everyone strategically in websites and message boards. I will not mention forum usernames because there are too many. I'm sorry if you aren't mentioned, but I am anticipating specialties. Thanks to EChang and Alex for their own guides, hosted by GameFAQs, to others. Thanks to MJEmirzian for, with all due respect, expressing opinions about Item Creation and Cooking in this user's guide. Thanks to Viett (Adam Tran) for pointing out BradyGames errors in his own guide, hosted by GameFAQs. Thanks to Lewis Murphy, aka Demonfayt, for his guide, which includes refinery factors. Thanks to one of my cousins for letting me borrow his unit of BradyGames guide. Special thanks to enter-brain (eb!) for the Japanese-language guides of this game, both original (ISBN 4-7577-1491-2) and Director's Cut (ISBN 4-7577-1860-8). Special thanks to MasterCard for letting me use my own credit card to purchase and own this game and BradyGames guide. Special thanks to Microsoft for initially installed organizers, such as Notepad and Calculator. Special thanks to GameFAQs for its database system. Special thanks to tri-Ace and Square-Enix for creating this game. Special thanks to Sony for PlayStation 2. Thanks to readers like you, including more than 3,000 total GameFAQs visitors. Finally, thanks to myself, George Ho, for this guide.