Creature Creator Overview

The Creature Creator unlocks very early on in the game. In fact, you’ll be able to access it right after you return to the Celsius after completing the opening sequence in Luca (outlined in the link below):

The Creature Creator system is pretty simple, and it doesn’t require much extra learning before you can add and level creatures or battle with them in your party, if you choose. This section covers the basics of the Creature Creator and expands on the information Shinra provides in his Creature Creator tutorial.

As a reminder, though, the Creature Creator is only available in the HD Release version of the game. Check out the link below for more information on the different game versions:

Trapping Creatures

The whole process begins with trapping creatures. The example Shinra uses in his tutorial is “capturing” Brother. Interestingly, you can “capture” other human characters and add them to your party, including the Leblanc Syndicate, Yaibal, Elma, Lucil, Baralai, Gippal, Nooj, and the list goes on. You’ll get Brother in your party whether you watch the tutorial or not.

All you have to do is select a location and select a Trap Pod size. It should go without saying, but different locations and Trap Pod sizes change your odds of capturing different fiends, and it may take a few attempts before you capture the creature you’re hunting for.

For more information on Trap Pods, capturing creatures, and the list of creatures that you can capture, check out the Trap Creature section of the guide:

If you run out of Trap Pods, you can earn more by completing another chapter of the game or by completing Fiend Arena tournaments (see below). You can only hold eight Trap Pods, so you’ll have to use some up (capture and release a creature) if you require a different Trap Pod size and then go hit up a tournament to earn more.

You can also earn Trap Pods by releasing a creature or by reducing your Trap Pod count down to zero. If you have no Trap Pods, just exit the Trap Creature screen and the game will automatically give you a Trap Pod S or Trap Pod M.

Lastly, you can only hold a maximum of 8 creatures. If you want to capture more, you’ll have to select one and release it.

Which Creatures Should You Use?

Well, you technically don’t have to use any. In fact, in many ways, Yuna, Rikku, and Paine are your most versatile party members, and the Creature Creator adds extra flair for players who want to experience the game differently. But if you do decide to add creatures to your party and want a Pokémon-style playthrough, you can learn more about which creatures offer the most utility by checking out the Best Creatures page in the Tips and Tricks section:

Developing Creatures

Developing your creatures is straightforward as well. The majority of their growth will come from three places:

• They level up like your party members as they gain experience at the end of battles.
• They will learn new abilities as they’re hit by certain attacks in battle. Some of these ‘learned attacks’ are worth seeking out, depending on the creatures you’re planning on using in battle.
• Equip them with Garment Grids, Dresspheres, and Accessories (yes, you can equip all three, and it is mandatory).

Shinra’s tutorial spends a lot of time explaining how to learn and unlearn abilities in the “Creature” menu. Just be careful, though, because this method will use up the item you select. For consumable items, like X-Potions and Megalixirs, this isn’t a big deal, because you’ll find more. But “using” an accessory to learn an ability is not a good idea if you’ll end up expending a powerful accessory. For example, you would never want to use Invincible or Iron Duke to learn an ability, no matter how powerful.

You can read more about how to develop your creatures in the “Developing Creatures” section:

Using Your Creature in Battle

This is as straightforward as how it’s shown in battle. Navigate to the “Party Members” menu option and move party members into and out of the primary party on the right side of the screen. Just remember, like Shinra says, that adding a “Medium”-sized creature means you can add only one other party member, and adding a “Large”-sized creature takes up all three spots (so a large creature becomes your only party member).

Creature History and Story Levels

Leveling up a creature or making use of the Fiend Tale Bonuses you receive at the end of each chapter is required to unlock certain creatures in the Fiend Arena and to earn the Lifetime Support achievement/trophy by viewing a complete ‘fiend tale’ (which not all creatures have).

You can see your creature’s fiend tales by accessing the “Creature History” menu option in the Creature Creator. Check out the sections below to learn more about building up your creature’s story levels, which creatures have a ‘fayth fragment’ instead of a story, and how to release your creatures:

Controlling Your Creature in Battle

Unfortunately, you won’t have much control over your creature’s behavior in battle. You can influence their decisions by adjusting the “cheer gauge,” represented by 1 to 5 star icons in the top-left corner of the screen.

Press the and buttons to adjust your creature’s motivation. As mentioned in the tutorial, new creatures will pretty much ignore these instructions, but even when your creatures become smarter, there may be instances where they simply refuse to use the attacks or abilities that you want them to. Not much you can do about that…

Fiend Arena

The Creature Creator also gives you access to an amazing new functionality that was added to the game called the “Fiend Arena,” which has two important elements you’ll want to make use of:

• Unlock and enter tournaments to gain experience and earn rewards.
• Using the Battle Simulator to test out strategies and Dresspheres as a method of power leveling your characters (see below)

Check out the Fiend Arena for more information: