Final Fantasy 12 - Exodus, the Judge-Sal location, requirements and strategies
Everything you need for tackling the tricky Esper.
There are thirteen Espers in Final Fantasy 12, eight of which are optional foes outside of the main story. Exodus, the Judge-Sal is one of the earlier of those optional Espers that you'll be able to attempt tackling, but don't expect it to be easy!
All of the Espers are highly challenging, so here on this page we'll be taking you through Exodus' location, requirements, and of course strategies for how to defeat Exodus in combat, too.
If you're looking for one of the other Espers, you can head back to our Esper battles, locations, and strategy hub. For other tips and explainers meanwhile, head to our Final Fantasy 12 The Zodiac Age guide and walkthrough, where we cover plenty more.
Exodus, the Judge-Sal location and requirements
Before you get to the actual battle, here's everything you need to know about Exodus, the Judge-Sal:
- Prerequisites: repair Salikawood Gate.
- Location: Mosphoran Highwaste, Empyrean Seat.
- HP: ~120,000
- Weaknesses: None.
- Absorb: None.
- You'll need: Ghysal greens, Dispel, Shell.
- Recommended level: 47.
- Steal: Libra gem, Elixir, High Arcana.
Babbling Vale
Speak to the Learned Man standing next to the Shrine of Northwest Wind. Keep reassuring him you understand his theory, and when he's finished talking speak to the Caravaner stood on his own next to a crate and he'll tell you about a wayward Chocobo that's been seen nearby.
Touch the Shrine of South Wind nearby to activate it, and then exit to the north east.
Rays of Ashen Light
Speak to the Chocobo, feed him some greens, and ride him south.
Empyrean Way
Just to the right the floatweed will have formed a bridge. Cross it, and head west through the tall grass into the next area.
Skyreach Ridge
Dismount the Chocobo and take the left path at the fork.
Babbling Vale
Stand next to the Weathered Rock and press X to knock it out of the way, activate the Shrine of West Wind, then head down across the bridge created by the rock. Activate the Shrine of Northwest Wind, then double back over the fallen rock and re-enter Skyreach Ridge.
Skyreach Ridge
Turn left at the fork and head north west. Some more floatweed will have created a bridge that will allow you to reach Empyrean Seat.
For more help with? Final Fantasy 12? Our Final Fantasy 12 The Zodiac Age guide, walkthrough, Switch and Xbox differences gives an overview of the game to get you started. Elsewhere, there's our hidden Espers strategy and locations and Elite Hunts and Marks pages, how to get the best Zodiac Jobs for each character, advice on farming LP from Jellies and even how to get the Zodiac Spear.
Exodus strategies and how to defeat it
Exodus starts by casting Reflect on himself, so Dispel it as quickly as possible. You can take advantage of the fact that he's desperate to keep his magic shields up - when they're down his next move will be to try and get them back so by repeatedly getting rid of them you can slow, if not outright stop, his attacks for a good portion of the fight.
For the first part of the fight, whacking at him with heavy weapons and hitting him with Bio when his shields are down is about as much strategy as you'll need.
At around 50% HP he will cast Unleash on himself, and that's when the trouble starts - from here on in his main attack is Scathe, and that can wipe out your entire party in one go if you're not careful. Cast Shell on everyone, and get ready to heal or resurrect; multiple healers may be a good bet - if you're struggling, take control of one of the healers and just run around in circles at a distance; it'll prevent you from attacking but should mean you'll survive unscathed.
When he reaches critical HP he'll throw up a Paling making him immune to physical damage. If you can keep his Reflect down then fall back to magic attacks, particularly Bio, or use the opportunity to heal and Shell everyone, and wait for the Paling to drop before either resuming your onslaught or using a Quickening.
When you're done you can activate a few more shrines around the Highwaste to access some hidden areas for loot.
Head back to our Esper battles, strategies and locations hub for more on the various other Espers, or our main Final Fantasy 12 The Zodiac Age walkthrough and guide hub for plenty of other guides, too!