Final Fantasy Resonance hides a collection of ancient weapons, armour and accessories that initially appear almost useless, with some showing stats of just one. Their real value is unlocked through upgrades, turning them into some of the strongest equipment available.
This guide explains where to find every ancient item, what each one does and how to upgrade them. For more gaming and arcade coverage, explore the RETROCADE Arcade Blog and browse the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.
How to upgrade ancient equipment
Once you receive the airship at the beginning of Chapter 5, the world map becomes fully accessible. Travel to the Chamber of Arms, a small temple north of Dirnado and east of Gronoa.
Speak to the woman inside to receive the Ancient Bow. The chamber also contains pedestals displaying different equipment. After collecting a matching ancient item, interact with its pedestal to begin a boss challenge and upgrade the equipment to its complete form.
Every upgrade boss is level 50 and uses a distinct gimmick. Each encounter has two forms: after the first health bar is depleted, the enemy transforms and must be defeated again. Save at the nearby save point before starting, as you may need to rearrange your Visions and try again.
Ancient equipment locations
Several items are easy to overlook if you focus only on the main story. Keep these points in mind:
- The roaming merchant ship appears to sell its stock in a set order. If the item you need is absent, purchase the available item and wait for the stock rotation.
- Lid can upgrade the airship scanner only after you have discovered every item currently findable with it. When scanning produces no further discoveries, speak to Lid while carrying the required upgrade item.
- Some dungeon names may be unfamiliar until you progress further. Lasswell’s weapon, for example, is located in the final dungeon.
The complete list follows. On a mobile device, wide location and effect details may require horizontal scrolling.
Ancient Greatsword (Ragnarok) — Rain
Location: Reward from Colosseum Fledgling Battle 3. Reach the colosseum by travelling to Grandshelt and going left from the main plaza.
Stats and effect: 191 physical attack and 99 magic attack. Raises stagger power and increases damage from non-elemental attacks by 25%.
Ancient Katana (Sasuke’s Blade) — Lasswell
Location: A chest to the left of the second save point in the Crystal Tower.
Stats and effect: 209 physical attack and 160 magic attack. Raises critical-hit rate and the chance to evade physical attacks by 20%.
Ancient Bow (Artemis Bow) — Fina
Location: Speak to Chloe in Felicitas’ item shop and complete the “Secrets Unearthed” side quest. After obtaining the airship, speak with Chloe again, then find her in the Chamber of Arms to receive the bow.
Stats and effect: 133 physical attack, 174 magic attack and 155 sanctity. Restores MP equal to 2% of damage taken and increases healing-magic potency by 10%.
Ancient Hammer (Thor’s Hammer) — Lid
Location: Upgrade the airship scanner with the Resonance Stone, then scan west of Dirnado. Find the Resonance Stone in a chest along the route through Mt. Reizan; the main story takes you along this path.
Stats and effect: 151 physical attack, 142 magic attack and 124 sanctity. Increases stagger power and raises damage by 30% after a physical critical hit.
Ancient Tome (Last Resort) — Nichol
Location: Buy it from the roaming merchant ship for 45,000 gil.
Stats and effect: 112 physical attack, 193 magic attack and 124 sanctity. Fills the Limit Burst gauge by 10% when performing a non-damaging action and extends the wielder’s buffs by one turn.
Ancient Firearm (Arcturus) — Jake
Location: Hand in 76 tablet shards in the three-star room of Oblivion Palace.
Stats and effect: 237 physical attack and 94 magic attack. Fills the Limit Burst gauge by 10% and raises the wielder’s luck level by one on their turn.
Ancient Rod (Wizard’s Rod) — Sakura
Location: Speak to the man outside the inn in Sian to obtain a Cabin Key. Use it at the location north of Sian to enter the building and collect the rod.
Stats and effect: 163 physical attack and 216 magic attack. Increases damage by 30% when attacking an elemental weakness and grants a 20% chance to evade magic attacks.
Ancient Whip (Fire Birch) — Archwitch Fina
Location: Hand in 84 tablet shards in Oblivion Palace’s three-star room.
Stats and effect: 151 physical attack and 207 magic attack. Damage increases according to the number of debuffs and status ailments affecting the target. Debuffs and status ailments inflicted by the wielder last one additional turn.
Ancient Cuirass (Tatenashi Armor) — Rain, Lasswell, Lid and Jake
Location: Reward from Colosseum Brawler Battle 5.
Stats and effect: 259 physical defence, 153 magic defence and -30 speed. Prevents Instant Death.
Ancient Cloak (Lordly Robes) — Fina, Nichol, Sakura and Archwitch Fina
Location: Buy it from the roaming merchant ship for 40,000 gil.
Stats and effect: 159 physical defence and 217 magic defence. Allows magic to hit targets affected by Reflect.
Ancient Accessory (Gold Hairpin) — All characters
Location: Found inside Quarry Cave, located on an island along the western side of Zoldaad.
Stats and effect: 30 magic attack. Halves MP cost.
Ancient Garment (Mirage Vest) — All characters
Location: Upgrade the airship scanner with the Magi-tenna, then scan the area below Gronoa. You may need to discover other scanner items first. Obtain the Magi-tenna from a hooded non-player character in Gaberada: go towards the rear of the village and west beneath the staircase leading to the village elder.
Stats and effect: 229 physical defence and 153 magic defence. Nullifies damage received once per battle.
Turn rare finds into powerful gear
Ancient equipment is designed as a long-term collection project. Track the merchant ship’s stock, complete the Colosseum and tablet-shard challenges, and upgrade the scanner whenever new exploration areas become available. If you are planning a dedicated gaming setup for RPGs and other classics, browse RETROCADE’s arcade machines, bartop arcades and arcade parts.
Leave a Reply