How to Obtain the Zalera Esper in Final Fantasy XII

Okay, so this is definitely one of the top three difficult fights for me in the game. Whether I went in unprepared or whatever, it was still tough.

First, you have to complete the little side quest where you take the flower from the guy in the desert post village to the girl taking care of the traveler in the village by the bank of the big river. It takes a while, but I just did it so I could finish it. I found out about its relevance to Zalera and the Barheim Passage way later. So, once you’ve finished this side quest, you’ll get the Barheim Key and you’ll be able to enter the passage that was blocked off due to events earlier in the game. This is the place you went to after breaking Basch out of prison.

When you enter the passage through this new entrance, head forward and then to the save point. You’re going to need it. After the save point, head backwards from it and go to the right into a newer area. I recommend exploring the area a bit first in order to find out whether or not the bad guys are too much for you right now. If so, you might want to head back, (although, I did defeat Zalera after running from every other enemy. I was too weak for them, but I also used almost all my items in the Zalera battle, so it’s your choice).

Simply take the path that leads you deeper into the passage. You’ll soon come across a bunch of undead enemies. Fight them or run away. Make your way over to the next save crystal. Save here. Cast Haste, Protect, Shell, Bubble, Faith, and Bravery on your party and save again. Now, go forward a bit more and there is Zalera. Are you sure you’re ready for this? I warned you!

Well, for a good portion of the battle, Zalera will be immune to anything. Attacks, magic, etc. You need to defeat his little friends first. He’ll summon them two more times after you beat the first batch and then he’ll be ready to take some damage. Oh, and the battle is timed. You lose if the timer goes off, so beat him quick. I simply used my mist quickenings on him at this point because after many failures, I found out that he re-summons his group of friends after barely any time, meaning you have to do a bunch of damage in a tiny amount of time. Now, he’s brought is buddies back, so repeat the killings and then focus on Zalera again. Use the mists that you can right now (if your party isn’t targeted, you’re lucky enough to be able to switch in another character and use their mists. If you can’t switch party members, simply use what mists you can and do your best to charge and use them really quickly.)

It took me three separate rounds of mists before he died and they were high chains (two of them above ten!) so it might take you a few tries. Once you defeat Zalera, you have that esper and also a new path to the Garamsythe Waterway.

Good luck!