Sabin's Scenario: The Imperial Camp

The Imperial Camp is one of the first areas in the game where it is very easy to permanently miss monsters that can appear on the Veldt. There are two encounters here that are not found anywhere else and need to be triggered: that with the Telstar and some Dobermans. Neither is especially noteworthy, though the Telstar Rage is the only one in the game with the Sonic Boom ability.

As soon as you try to enter the tent area, you'll see a cutscene between two Imperial soldiers and Kefka. Eventually the scene will shift to Doma Castle where you will meet, name, and gain control of Cyan. He will confront the force attacking his home. You can immediately attack the Leader in black armor, or you can start by confronting one or more of the troopers attempting to scale the walls. Each represents an encounter with a pair of Soldiers. They aren't particularly interesting but do sometimes drop Tonics. The Leader can be taken out easily with Dispatch or Retort, Cyan's level 1 and 2 SwdTech abilities. You will usually win a useful Black Belt from this fight.

The scene will shift back to the Imperial Camp where Shadow may suddenly be leading the party. This is your first chance to explore, and you should take advantage of it. There is nothing of value in the western tent, though if you speak to the trooper patrolling outside you'll find yourself in battle with two Soldiers and a M-TekArmor. Blitzes or Shuriken will make short work of the M-TekArmor, and the Soldiers can be taken out with simple physical attacks.

The eastern tent is far more interesting. The dog stationed outside will bark if you interact with it, but will not attack unless you choose to "kick" the chest inside the tent. You can also open the chest by "hitting" it, but the kick option is the only way in the game to trigger an encounter with Dobermans, so completionists will likely want to pick that. They will counter most Fight commands with Bite (and have a healthy 465 HP), so stick to special attacks. When there is only one Doberman left, it will Escape. All this fuss is over a measly Star Pendant.

When you're ready, head to the southern part of the Imperial Camp for a second cutscene, this time starring General Leo. When that's over, you can again attempt to head south but are interrupted by a third cutscene. You'll end up in a plot battle with Kefka, which can be ended with a single attack. Follow him and you'll eventually get a second chance to attack. Now is the time… to stop and gather more treasure!

Telstar and Treasures

Northwest from the second encounter with Kefka, you will find a tent containing two treasure chests. The one on the right contains a MithrilGlove, while the one on the left is guarded by the one-of-a-kind Telstar and contains a nice upgrade in the Green Beret. However, this is no simple fight. The Telstar has 1,800 HP and will summon Soldiers as reinforcements if the fight drags on. It can use Tek Laser for over 100 damage, the Muddled-causing SonicBlast, or the 1/4-HP Missile attack. (It can also use Schiller which only inflicts Dark). Perhaps most dangerously, it will counter any Blitz with Megazerk, which as you may imagine inflicts Berserk on the party.

To avoid Megazerk, you can have Sabin attack normally and let Shadow Throw Shuriken (assuming he's in the party). Going Berserk is a risky move but it does make the party deal 50% more damage with normal attacks so it can actually work to your advantage. This is a long fight, though, and you may very well need to use Tonics or Potions to heal. Almost all of the Telstar's special attacks are magic, so Inviz Edges and Shadow Edges aren't reliable.

There is a well-hidden treasure in a tent north of this one. To access it, walk behind the tent with the Telstar, all the way to the dead end there. You will automatically jump down and enter another tent where you can find a Barrier Ring.

When you speak to Kefka one more time, you'll find yourself fighting two Soldiers and two Templars. Templars are a bit tougher than Soldiers and have a double-damage counterattack, but this is not a difficult fight. Immediately after the fight ends, another cutscene will be triggered. This one will get the plot moving, and eventually you'll find yourself once again in control of Cyan.

Doma Castle

Cyan will be tasked with searching the castle. Your eventual destination is the room right of the king's room in the main hall, but you can explore the castle and talk to several soldiers before doing so. There is a Remedy to be found in a pot in the lower hall, but all other areas containing treasure are currently blocked.

After Cyan enters his own room, you'll find yourself back in the Imperial Camp. Cyan will be fighting imperial troopers, and you can join him by speaking to him. The first two times, you'll fight 3 or 4 Grunts, which are similar to Soldiers without the counterattack. The third fight adds a Cadet to the mix. He is tougher than his compatriots, and has an auto-Safe status, but can be easily taken down with special abilities.

After the third fight, you'll commandeer some MagiTek armor of your own. Your goal is to reach the original entrance to the camp, but you'll have three encounters along the way. M-TekArmors are vulnerable to the Bolt Beam, though any beam should take out any of your targets at this point.

Once you leave the Imperial Camp, you cannot return. Doma Castle is also closed to you for now. Take Cyan's advice and head for the Forest to the south.