Balthier » Battle

Due to Final Fantasy XII's battle system (which I think is the awesomest thing since Grandia III and SaGa Frontier), any character can be developed however you want. And since a few other shrines put in default battle sections, I decided to be a sheep and follow along because I need more excuses to write content.

Although Balthier is equipped with a gun (light weapon) and light armor, I decided to outfit him differently for my own preferences. For my own personal battle party, I had Basch, Balthier, and Fran.

Basch was the leader, and the frontline fighter; he had a one-handed sword, a shield, and heavy armor. Balthier was also a fighter, but I equipped him with the two-handed spears and light armor for the majority of the game; eventually, I also switched his light armor out for heavy armor. Fran was equipped with a bow and mystic armor.

Now, keep in mind that I am a leveling whore. I found the battle system of the game to be much more enjoyable than the main game, so I obsessively and compulsively completed the top portion of the License Board for every character and gave them Golden Amulets to speed up the process, and by the last third of the plot I was already about ten levels higher than the bosses.

So, basically, my battle party worked because I leveled a lot, and mastered all spells and augmentations, and I still didn't have enough money to buy the next bloody set of upgrades, whether it be spells or weapons and armor. That pissed me off about the game.

But, basically, the point of this section was the discuss Balthier in battle. When it comes down to it, Balthier is just like any other character in the game, and can be taught in any way. You want Mystic Mage Manbeast Balthier? Can do. You want Hulking Powerhouse Manbeast Balthier? Can do. Want Sexy God of Your Battle System Manbeast Balthier? Can do. I must say, having him with every spell, the Zodiac Spear and some decent armor along with a Bubble Belt/Ribbon, Balthier is pretty awesome. Why you would give him a gun is beyond me.