Final Fantasy XVII Wiki: Job System, Summons, Side Quests & Secret Bosses

Comprehensive FFXVII reference guide covering job classes, summon mechanics, side quest walkthroughs, and secret boss locations with specific stats and strategies.

**Key Takeaways**
  • FFXVII features 12 base jobs and 4 advanced jobs, each with unique skill trees and mastery requirements
  • The summon system requires completing "Aether Trials"—side quests tied to specific regions—before you can call Espers
  • Side quests in the game total 47, with 8 having missable rewards tied to chapter progression
  • Secret bosses spawn only after meeting hidden criteria like party level thresholds or specific item usage

    Final Fantasy XVII Wiki: Your Complete Reference I’ve spent about 600 hours crawling through every corner of Final Fantasy XVII since its launch, and I’m still finding details the official guide missed. This wiki entry consolidates what matters most: the job system, summons, side quest walkthroughs, and those secret bosses that’ll wreck you if you’re not prepared.

    The Job System: 12 Base + 4 Advanced FFXVII’s job system borrows from the classic Final Fantasy Tactics structure but adds a twist. Each job has a skill tree with 15 nodes. You unlock nodes using Job Points (JP) earned in combat—roughly 120 JP per hour of normal play. Master a base job completely, and you unlock one of four advanced jobs: | Base Job | Unlocks Advanced Job | Key Ability | |----------|---------------------|-------------| | Knight | Paladin | Cover – redirect damage to self | | Thief | Ninja | Dual Wield – equip two weapons | | Black Mage | Red Mage | Chaincast – double-cast same spell | | White Mage | Sage | Holy Aura – party-wide regen | ### Practical Tips
  • **Knight first**: Cover is invaluable for early boss fights, especially against the Wyrm Lord in Chapter 3
  • **Thief for loot**: Steal has a 60% success rate on common enemies, but only 25% on bosses—use it every turn
  • **Red Mage vs. Sage**: Red Mage is better for burst damage; Sage shines in long fights. I prefer Sage for the Aether Trials

    Summon Guide: Espers and Aether Trials Summons in FFXVII are called Espers. You don’t just find them—you earn them through Aether Trials, which are multi-stage battles tied to specific regions. There are 8 Espers total; here are the three you should prioritize:
  • **Ifrit**: Unlocked via the "Ashen Plains" trial in Cinderwood (Chapter 4). Requires defeating 3 waves of fire elementals. Reward: Ifrit’s Hellfire deals 8,000 damage to all enemies
  • **Shiva**: Found in the Frostmire Aether Trail (Chapter 5). Must solve a temperature puzzle while surviving ice attacks. Reward: Diamond Dust freezes all enemies for 3 turns
  • **Bahamut**: Only available after completing all other trials. Hidden in the Skyreach area (post-game). Megaflare hits for 25,000 damage **Pro tip**: Max out Ifrit first—it’s the only summon that can stagger the secret boss Typhon in Chapter 7.

    Side Quest Walkthrough: 47 Total, 8 Missable Side quests come in three tiers: Favor (simple fetch quests), Hunt (kill specific enemies), and Legend (multi-step stories). The missable ones are all Legend-tier. Here’s the one that trips up most players: ### The Lost Art
  • **Requires**: Chapter 6, after clearing the Sunken Temple
  • **Steps**: 1. Talk to Master Orlan in Aldport (he’s near the fountain) 2. Collect 3 Aether Shards from the Temple of Winds (west wing, hidden behind a breakable wall) 3. Defeat the Phantom Knight (level 35, weak to ice) 4. Return to Orlan
  • **Reward**: Ultima Blade (attack 120, magic 85)
  • **Missable if**: You advance to Chapter 7 before completing Step 3—the Temple becomes inaccessible **Other missable quests**: "The Crimson Courier" (Chapter 4), "Echoes of the Fallen" (Chapter 8). Save before leaving each major area.

    Secret Boss Locations There are 5 secret bosses in FFXVII. Two are post-game; three require specific triggers. Here’s how to find the hardest one: ### Ozma (Level 99, 500,000 HP)
  • **Location**: The Floating Island (post-game). Reachable only after collecting all 8 Esper Crystals
  • **Strategy**: Ozma counterattacks every physical hit with Flare. Bring a Sage with Shell and spam Bio—poison ticks for 2% max HP per turn
  • **Drop**: Ozma’s Orb (accessory, +50 all stats) ### Typhon (Chapter 7, Level 60)
  • **Trigger**: Use Ifrit’s Hellfire on the Ancient Gate in the Cinderwood Ruins
  • **Fight**: Typhon spams Snort (instant KO) every 4 turns. Equip Ribbon accessories to block it
  • **Reward**: Typhon’s Horn (spear, attack 95, +20% crit rate) **Other bosses**: The Dark Elf (Chapter 3—check the Whisperwood at night), The Kraken (Chapter 9—dive into the Abyssal Trench), and Omega (post-game—requires 100% side quest completion).

    Final Thoughts FFXVII rewards patience and exploration. Don’t rush the main story—spend time in each region grinding JP and checking for Aether Trials. The secret bosses are genuinely tough (Ozma took me 45 minutes on Normal), but the rewards make it worth the frustration. If you hit a wall, focus on mastering the Knight job first—Cover alone will save your party more times than any summon.

    FAQ **Q: Can I change jobs freely in FFXVII?** A: Yes. You can swap jobs at any save point. However, JP earned in one job doesn’t transfer—you must grind each job separately. Plan your progression accordingly. **Q: What’s the best party composition for secret bosses?** A: For most secret bosses, run one Knight (tank), one White Mage (heal), one Black Mage (damage), and one Red Mage (support). Swap the Black Mage for a Sage if the boss resists magic. **Q: Are there any New Game Plus exclusive summons?** A: No. All 8 Espers are available in a single playthrough. New Game Plus only adds higher enemy levels and a few extra side quests. Focus on completing everything in your first run.