Community Archive
User:Zatias/Chocobo Racing
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This article is a personal guide. Information expressed in this guide is one player's opinion and may be more opinion than fact. Strategies and information contained herein may not work for everyone. No non-minor changes should be made without consulting the author. Changes or questions should be discussed on the talk page. |
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Racing Basics
If you haven't raised a racing bird, you should read up on it before you attempt to become a zealous racer. Great investments and time are required to reach a top-class racing chocobo.
Registering Your Bird
You can race your bird as soon as it is ride-able. All you need to do is get a Racing Form from your chocobo caregiver and trade it to one of the people at the entrance of the Chocobo Circuit. If your chocobo is retired, you may use the VCS Registration Card in place of it.
Keep in mind that the race chocobo's stats will NOT increase (if you are in the process of raising it) until you get and trade a new Race Form. The bird's stats will then be upgraded to its current state.
If the stats are the same as the last trade, you will get the message "Unable to register at this time."
The nation in which you register your chocobo will be your "Team". You may switch teams at any time, but you may not keep any chocobucks earned from one nation when you switch to another.
Your Chocobo and the Racetrack
Each chocobo is an individual and has certain strengths and weaknesses that must be considered and respected. It takes a lot of work to raise a good race bird, and even then, you may get unlucky with some races.
Attribute Contribution
All of a race bird's stats contribute to how it races. A "dumb meathead" chocobo could be outclassed by an intelligent bird with lower physical strength.
- Strength: The higher the strength, the faster the bird is able to run. It is near impossible to win a race with low strength. Also, the stronger the bird, the slower it will tire (see Stamina)
- Endurance: The more endurance a bird has, the longer it will be able to maintain its top speed (see Stamina)
- Discernment: High discernment means a high chance to have an early start when the gate opens, as well as the ability to adjust pace correctly.
- Receptivity: A receptive bird is more likely to avoid accidents, land and evade attacks, and use items correctly.
- Stamina: Not to be confused with endurance (though it is influenced by it), is your bird's hidden "fuel gauge". Stamina reserves are used from the start of the race all the way to its finish. When depleted, your chocobo will spout sweat beads, and will slow its speed to the minimum velocity. Obviously, this is an important stat for a good race bird.
- Abilities: Gallop increases Strength by a full level, and Canter increases Endurance by a full level. Auto-Regen seems to affect the potency of Stamina Apples.
- Weather: Example: A chocobo that likes sunny days will do the best it can on sunny days. Chocobos that dislike a certain weather will be greatly affected by it. Note: Rainy weather causes the track to become muddy in certain places, which can slow your bird greatly.
- Gender: I have speculated that a chocobo of one gender is more likely to be distracted by a bird of the opposite gender.
Your Chocobo's Commands
You must give your jockey orders to command your chocobo. How well your chocobo responds to them depends on its Discernment.
- Keep Pace - The default orders for your race bird, this option keeps the chocobo's pace at a steady rate. Birds with high stamina will be able to maintain a high speed for the majority of the race by using this command. Items will generally be used about halfway through the race.
- Stamina Apples, Fire Biscuits, or Speed Apples are best for this order.
- Sprint - This option orders the jockey to make the chocobo start the race off strong, maintaining its top speed until it reaches about 75% of its stamina reserves. This option usually leaves birds too tired to pull the final spurt of the race, however. Items are generally used at the start of the race.
- Stamina Apples or Shadow Apples are your best bet here.
- Final Spurt - Often the most attractive order for your chocobo, this commands it to race steadily but always leave about 25% of its stamina reserves for a final, high-speed dash at the end of the race. Items will generally be used towards the end of the race.
- Speed Apple, Gysahl Bomb, or Pepper Biscuit are all good options for this command.
Free Run
You get this option after you complete the Novice races. Though it is called a "Free" Run, it costs gil to participate in, starting from 100g. The cost of these runs resets at JP midnight. There is no limit to the amount of Free Runs you can do in a day.
1st Run:100g | 5th Run:400g
2nd Run:150g| 6th Run:600g
3rd Run:200g | 7th Run:800g
4th Run:300g | All other runs:1,000g
- 1st Place Reward: 5 Chocobucks
- 2nd Place Reward: 3 Chocobucks
- 3rd to 7th Place: 1 Chocobuck
You will encounter extremely powerful chocobos 6 times out of 8 runs. They are:
MeteorBrian of San d'Oria
InvincibleLeg of Bastok
StarOnion of Windurst
All three birds have First-Class Strength, as well as the abilities Gallop and Canter. They all use Speed Apples and it is very difficult to win against them without an item.
They have a set pattern of appearance, depending on your affiliation. 1 out of the 6 times of the races against them, all three will be present, making it even harder to win.
Official Races
These races are not related to the chocobo circuit, and are story-type missions in which the player gets to watch his/her chocobo rise to the top. You may only participate in one official race per day (unless you lose, in which you can try again). The "day" resets at JP Midnight.
Novice Races
Beginner races to give you a feel for chocobo racing, these missions are quite easy if you have a good runner.
Race Name Objective Number of Chocobos Fee Reward Novice Race I Place 3rd or higher 4 Free 500 gil Novice Race II Place 3rd or higher 6 Free 1,000 gil Novice Race III Place 3rd or higher 8 Free 1,500 gil, 3 Chocobucks
You may now select "Free Run" in the racing menu.
Challenge Races
These races test your chocobo against other promising birds, including one that you have known since you started raising your beloved chocobo...
Race Name Objective Number of Chocobos Fee Reward Challenge Race I Place 1st 2 3 Chocobucks 3,000 gil International Race I Place 3rd or higher 8 5 Chocobucks 5,000 gil International Race II Place 3rd or higher 8 10 Chocobucks 5,500 gil Challenge Race II Place 1st 3 15 Chocobucks 6,000 gil CRA Classic Place 1st 8 20 Chocobucks 6,500 gil, 10 Chocobucks, Bronze Trophy, Gysahl Medal, Title: Chocorookie
You may now enter the Pashhow Swamptrot.
The Pashhow Swamptrot
A treacherous racing ground for the inexperienced, the swamptrot pits you up against the best of the best birds as well as several monsters!
Race Name Objective Number of Animals Fee Reward Dueler's Race Place 1st 2 25 Chocobucks 15 Chocobucks, 7,000 gil Survival Race Place 1st 8 30 Chocobucks 15 Chocobucks, 7,500 gil Deadly Race Place 1st 8 35 Chocobucks 20 Chocobucks, 8,000 gil Mystery Race Place 1st 8 40 Chocobucks 20 Chocobucks, 8,500 gil Lethal Race Place 1st 8 45 Chocobucks 30 Chocobucks, 9,000 gil, Chocobo Pullus Torque Dream Race Place 1st 8 50 Chocobucks 30 Chocobucks, 10,000 gil, Mythril Trophy, Sakura Racing Badge, Title: Chocochampion
The Chocobo Circuit
Accessible from all major settlements, the circuit is the best place to challenge your bird against the best of the best in Vana'diel.
Climbing the Ranks
You must prove yourself as a worthy chocobo breeder and your bird as a tough competitor to climb the ranks and finally compete in the Crystal Stakes. This is done by placing 1st through 3rd, earning Solo Victory Points (SVP). Higher tiers require more SVP, but do not expend them upon signing up for the race. The only way to lose SVP is to lose your competitive spirit and not race for 30 days (Earth time).
You may compete in one race per earth day. The timer for participating again does not reset at JP midnight, but at the same time you entered the day before (i.e. enter a race at 6PM, you will not be able to race till 6PM tomorrow).
Race Signups and Rewards
Every 15 minutes race signups open for a certain race. Each tier's signup period will stay open until the next tier's applications are accepted. In short, no 2 races will be available for signups at the same time.
| Race Tier | Required SVP | Signup Time | Cost in Gil | Cost in Chocobucks | First Place Reward | Second Place Reward | Third Place Reward | Fourth Through Last |
| C4 | 0 | :01 ~ :15 | 500 Gil | 10 Chocobucks | 25 Chocobucks 5,000 Gil 3 SVP |
20 Chocobucks 2,000 Gil 2 SVP |
15 Chocobucks 1,000 Gil 1 SVP |
1 Chocobuck |
| C3 | 10 | :16 ~ :30 | 1,000 Gil | 20 Chocobucks | 40 Chocobucks 10,000 Gil 6 SVP |
25 Chocobucks 4,000 Gil 4 SVP |
22 Chocobucks 2,000 Gil 2 SVP |
2 Chocobucks |
| C2 | 20 | :46 ~ :00 (alternates with C1) | 5,000 Gil | 40 Chocobucks | 70 Chocobucks 50,000 Gil 9 SVP |
55 Chocobucks 20,000 Gil 6 SVP |
40 Chocobucks 10,000 Gil 3 SVP |
4 Chocobucks |
| C1- Crystal Stakes | 60 | :46 ~ :00 (alternates with C2) | 10,000 Gil | 80 Chocobucks | 120 Chocobucks 100,000 Gil 12 SVP CS Gold Cup Title: "Crystal Stakes Cupholder" |
100 Chocobucks 40,000 Gil 8 SVP CS Mythril Cup |
80 Chocobucks 20,000 Gil 4 SVP CS Bronze Cup |
6 Chocobucks |
As you see, chocobo racing is much like a craft. The higher the profit margin, the higher the risk.
Saddles and their Effects
Unlike any other chocobo races, in the circuit, chocojockeys must select what type of saddle their bird will race with. Saddles are generally used to balance out a chocobo's attributes.
|
Saddle |
Effect |
| Lauan Saddle | A standard model, the lauan saddle will stabilize your chocobo's stride. |
| Ash Saddle* | A standard model, the ash saddle will stabilize your chocobo's stride. It also increases your mount's endurance. |
| Elm Saddle¹ | A standard model, the elm saddle will stabilize your chocobo's stride. It also increases your mount's endurance. |
| Brass Saddle | A bit on the hefty side, the brass saddle can be somewhat taxing on a chocobo's endurance. It compensates for this, however, by increasing the bird's strength. |
| Silver Saddle* | A bit on the hefty side, the silver saddle can be somewhat taxing on a chocobo's endurance. It compensates for this, however, by increasing the bird's strength. |
| Mythril Saddle¹ | A bit on the hefty side, the mythril saddle can be somewhat taxing on a chocobo's endurance. It compensates for this, however, by increasing the bird's strength. |
| Grass Saddle | This lightweight grass saddle can create a marked improvement in physical performance. However, a chocobo will require some degree of discernment to reap its benefits. |
| Cotton Saddle* | This lightweight cotton saddle can create a marked improvement in physical performance. However, a chocobo will require some degree of discernment to reap its benefits. |
| Linen Saddle¹ | This lightweight linen saddle can create a marked improvement in physical performance. However, a chocobo will require some degree of discernment to reap its benefits. |
| Rabbit Hide Saddle | Crafted from the finest rabbit hide, this saddle can improve physical performance, but only for chocobos with at least moderate receptivity. |
| Sheep Leather Saddle* | Crafted from the finest sheep leather, this saddle can improve physical performance, but only for chocobos with at least moderate receptivity. |
| Buffalo Leather Saddle¹ | Crafted from the finest buffalo leather, this saddle can improve physical performance, but only for chocobos with at least moderate receptivity. |
¹ Available only to the nation's team that is currently at first place
*Available only to the nation's team that is currently at second place or higher
- Wooden Saddles seem to slightly increase endurance by decreasing the time your chocobo runs top speed.
- Metal Saddles increase a bird's strength while lowering endurance a bit.
- Cloth Saddles decrease a chocobo's discernment to improve strength.
- Leather Saddles decrease the bird's receptivity to improve endurance.
I have not been able to test every saddle out due to my nation being 2nd or last place, but I assume that higher ranked saddles produce more dramatic effects. I would appreciate if anyone has evidence to support or clear this suspicion.
See Talk Page.
Source entry: User:Zatias/Chocobo Racing. Cached on this server on 4 November 2026.