This is a quick guide to Final Fantasy 5R, a hardtype romhack of Final Fantasy V.

There are dozens of spoilers in this guide. Consult this if you get stuck, but don’t read ahead if you want to challenge yourself to figure out the bosses.

Acquisition

If you’re looking for this modified version of Serity’s translation of FF5R, you can find it on romhackplaza, or you can check out this patcher I built.

It always has the latest version of the game, and there are some nice preset editions (thanks, Gens!) that are available which make this game easier, too!

https://ff5rclean.vercel.app/

Changes from FFV

  1. Job Changes of Note

    1. Thief
      1. Can steal multiple items!
      2. Steal often, the whole game
    2. Ninja
      1. Shuriken are only 250g in this version
      2. Buy as many as you can afford, they will help immensely
    3. Red Mage
      1. can equip Bows: more effective in the back row as a result
      2. the sooner you unlock DualCast, the better
        1. it’s an unneeded luxury in the original game, but it’s important in FF5r!
    4. Blue Mage
      1. shines a bit brighter in this version, as GoblinPunch can rly help defeat some early game bosses (make sure you learn this before entering the Canal)
      2. WhiteWind and MightyGuard are required for the super bosses
    5. Paladin Mime
      1. hidden Job in World 3 is changed
      2. has slightly better equipment options than Mime
      3. still earns !Mimic ability at 999 ABP

  2. Overall Changes

    1. Battles are tougher, especially later in the game
    2. Playing on the slowest battle speed is strongly advised (Wait 6)
    3. Some new gear exists, and there’s even a Staff that hits like a Sword late in the game. Keep your characters Stealing and you won’t miss out on awesome stuff like the Imp Armor (which is completely waterproof) and many other prizes that will make the game more enjoyable.
    4. The Super and Super Special versions of this romhack allow ALL Jobs to customize 3 of the 4 Ability slots, not just Paladin, so… if you’re playing those versions you’ll be able to Steal more easily, and bring a LOT more flexibility to all battles.

    <aside> ⚠️

    Unless you’re a purist and want to experience this game as closely to the author’s vision as possible, I encourage you to try some of the more accessible versions (like “Deep Clean” for easier stealing and Learning, or “Super Special Deep Clean” for both of those plus more powerful Jobs).

    </aside>

FF5r Bosses, Magic, &c **Guide

This romhack offers many upgrades to the original FFV bosses. Some demand a special strategy. A final, optional Super Boss requires special gear (see the Steal often note above).

Early Game

  1. Tycoon

    1. Wing Raptor
      1. casts WhiteWind, recovering its current HP worth of HP
      2. party needs to
        1. hit it really hard, as fast as possible
        2. use Potions to keep all 4 heroes alive
        3. let this fight be a lesson to use items more than in FFV!
      3. if you’re having trouble
        1. get everyone to Level 4
        2. set Config to “Wait 6” for the most manageable battle speed
    2. Aero
      1. available in Wind Shrine from Chimera
    3. Goblin Punch
      1. BlackGoblin, Wind Shrine
    4. Vampire
      1. double back to the Pirate Den after receiving the ship and find the Steel Bat; they use Vampire if they’re damaged (careful, don’t kill it)
    5. DeathClaw
      1. once you have !Control, the Rollybug in the Pirate Cave can teach you this; Charm or Confuse (via !Dance) might work, too. Regardless you can’t Learn this at the start of the game
    6. Lix
      1. it’s possible to visit Lix much earlier in this version of FF5r
      2. learn the Alluring Air song (it’s not available all game & can be missed)
      3. sell items and farm gil to afford a NinjaSuit, which is excellent armor
      4. buy Shuriken before you get the Airship (they’re very OP in this romhack, and usable once you unlock Ninja job)
    7. Kraken ( Karlabos )
      1. this is a timed fight, so focus on DPS
        1. Monks are a viable approach
        2. blast Bolt spells with 4 Black Mages if all else fails
      2. vulnerable to GoblinPunch strategy
        1. which means: if the caster is the same level as the target, huge damage ensues
        2. iirc he’s level 5: I’ll double check this soon

  2. Worus

    1. Scarmiglione ( Magisa )
      1. one of the tougher bosses in the entire game, imho!
      2. eliminate 3 of the 4 the zombies asap, and then prepare to use all of your Phoenix Downs 😅
        1. when he dies, he’ll revive soon IF a Zombie is still standing
        2. be ready to do burst AoE to kill Zombies as soon as he dies
      3. vulnerable to GoblinPunch strategy if you’re at level 9 (highly advised)
    2. Flash
      1. Headstones in North Mountain carry Glasses which protect against Darkness status, and they also will try to cast Flash, (which works like Blindna). If you’re lucky you can spend one of the Ethers you’ve found and it will cast Flash before you kill it. Monks are a liability if you’re attempting this, bc they can Counter and kill it accidentally.
    3. Cagnazzo ( Garula )
      1. another timed fight, but not as strict as Kraken
        1. once he gathers water the short countdown begins
        2. blast him with Bolt when he gathers water or you’ll party wipe soon after
      2. Can inflict, paralyze, Slow and Mute
        1. there’s no way to deal with Mute yet, so it’s a RNG type fight 😡
      3. vulnerable to GoblinPunch strategy if you’re at level 10 (highly advised)
    4. Lv Up
      1. a special spell that’s only available in this romhack and “FFV Pixel Freemaster” by Nintenja
        1. every time it’s cast the hero gains one effective level in battle
        2. helpful for
      2. hidden in Worus Castle basement
    5. Shiva
    6. Tycoon Treasures

  3. Karnak & Great Library

World Access

  1. Post-Karnak
  2. After the Earth Crystal

Galuf’s World