How to WIN Flag Races!

[Invisible Egg!]

At last I have de-throned Balmung as the Flag Race Champion! Here's how I did it:


There first step to winning the Flag Races is to use the Grunty with the highest top speed (Iron Grunty in Dun Loireag, Bony Grunty in Carmina Gadelica). I know they don't accelerate or corner well, but that is irrelevant. Poor acceleration and cornering can be overcome by racing skills. However, no amount of racing skill will increase your top speed. I should point out that Balmung used these Grunties to get his 1st place record. He obviously had the right idea.

Now some of you may ask: "How do I overcome poor acceleration and cornering with my racing skills?" Well, the answer is simple: DRIFTING. Drifting is a basic racing technique that involves sliding around turns, rather than making hard, right-angle turns. By drifting, you lose less momentum, thereby staying at (or near) your top speed. To properly drift around turns requires just a little practice. As you approach a curve in the course, actually begin to turn before you reach the curve. As you drift, you will come into the turn already facing the proper direction, having lost little or no momentum. Trust me on this!

Disband your party before racing! That's 2 less people to run into! Wait until they've warped out at the Chaos Gate before starting a race. Their absence helps signifigantly. In case you don't know, running into obstacles (such as people, Grunties, or rocks) will slow you down. In a race: slow = bad.

Camera control! I found it easier to race when the camera was zoomed out completely in 3rd-person perspective. This way you can see the course better, as well as any nearby obstacles. Use the R1 and L1 buttons (or the Right Analog Stick) to rotate the camera as needed, while staying zoomed out.

Flag order! You can obtain the flags in any order you wish, but only one specific order will allow you to achieve a 1st-place ranking. Let me explain it for each Root Town:

Dun Loireag (Iron Grunty)- This course requires perfect execution of drifting techniques. After the first few corners, turn right and head for the Green Flag. Begin to turn around just before you reach it, and as you slide to the flag, you'll already be heading to your next flag. Drift through the next set of turns and head straight to the Red Flag. Why the Red Flag? Isn't the Blue Flag just as far? Just head for the Red Flag next because it's at the end of a STRAIGHTAWAY (these are important in races). A straightaway gives you time and room to reach your top speed (fast = good). As you near the Red Flag, turn around and slide to it. Speed off the opposite way, and drift around the final turn as you head for the Blue Flag. Race complete!

Carmina Gadelica (Bony Grunty)- Start off by heading toward the Blue Flag 1st. It's directly ahead of your starting position. Begin to turn around just before you reach the Blue Flag, and your momentum will keep you moving towards it as you accelerate in the opposite direction. Drifting! Now head around the corner and go straight toward the Red Flag. Again, begin to turn around just before you reach it, which will give you a head start on the next flag. More Drifting! Round the next corner and head directly to the Green Flag. You win! (well, hopefully)

What do you get for all this trouble? Some pretty awesome prizes! Several Gold and Silver Grunties are yours if you win 1st and 2nd place several times (these increase your maximum HP and SP). But perhaps cooler than that, winning 1st place for each race unlocks Desktop Images 51 and 52! (51 unlocked by winning in Dun Loireag, 52 in Carmina Gadelica). These background pictures are my favorite so far, displaying the different Grunties in each Root Town setting, with Elk even riding one of them!

Good luck at the Flag Races! I hope these tips help a lot. Just remember, it takes practice to get through the races perfectly. I'll try to add more winning strategies for the other Root Towns after I play volumes 3 and 4 of the game.

[Rhyste]

At last I have de-throned Balmung as the Flag Race Champion!

Dude, I'm going to pop out of your TV screen ala Sadako in The Ring and K33L J00 for de-throning my hubby wuvvy. ;_;

[Invisible Egg!]

From Net Slum:

The #1 time is always Balmung's, unless you kick him off of it, of which will make me come and do cruel things to you... like tickle you with feathers and make you watch the Teletubbies on endless loop. >_>

I'm sorry, Rhyste! But at least I gave Balmung mad props for knowing which Grunties to use! Don't K33L ]\/[3 !!!!1!!1!!