Turtapod

Scan Description

“Attacks with magic and sharp claws. When attacked, it may change defence mode in order to protect itself from damage.”

Where to Find It

Esthar City, the Sorceress Memorial, and the Great Plains of Esthar (after the Lunar Cry)
Lunatic Pandora

Vital Statistics

Like nearly every enemy in Final Fantasy VIII, this enemy’s level rises with your party’s average level, and its rewards change across three level brackets. Check out the Character and Enemy Leveling page for the full explanation of how enemy levels work.

Level brackets	Low 1–29 Mid 30–39 High 40–100
HP by level	Lv 1: 1,205	Lv 10: 1,275	Lv 20: 1,400	Lv 30: 1,575	Lv 100: 4,200
HP formula	0.25x² + 5x + 1200 (x = enemy level)
AP	2
Triple Triad Card
Card	Rarely turns into Trauma

Elemental Affinities

Element	Effect
Fire	Normal
Ice	Normal
Thunder	Normal
Earth	Normal
Poison	Normal
Wind	Normal
Water	Normal
Holy	Normal

Status Vulnerabilities

Percentages are the base chance for the status to land before level and junction modifiers; the higher the number, the easier it is to inflict.

Status	Works?
Death	70%
Poison	80%
Petrify	70%
Darkness	80%
Silence	80%
Berserk	60%
Zombie	70%
Sleep	80%
Slow	90%
Stop	50%
Doom	80%
Gradual Petrify	70%
Confuse	60%
Drain	100%
Degenerator	80%
Vit 0 (Meltdown)	100%
The End	Works

Draws, Steals, and Drops by Level

	Low (1–29)	Mid (30–39)	High (40–100)
Draw	Cure Esuna Dispel	Cure Esuna Dispel	Cura Esuna Dispel
Mug	Wizard Stone x2	Wizard Stone x4	Wizard Stone x8
Drop	Wizard Stone x1	Life Ring x2 or Healing Mail x1	Life Ring x6 or Healing Mail x3
Drop (with Rare Item)	Life Ring x1	Regen Ring x1–2	Regen Ring x2–3
Devour	Restores max HP	Restores max HP	Restores max HP

Attacks

“Defensive mode”: A counter stance triggered by physical attacks: three turns of massively boosted Vitality and Spirit.

Strategy

Lead with magic, or cast Meltdown to make its defensive stance irrelevant.