To recruit Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, recruit Mustadio before Chapter 4, start the robot quest at Clockwork City of Goug, buy a flower from the Flower Peddler in Sal Ghidos, then return to Sal Ghidos to trigger Cloud’s arrival and the recruitment encounter. The extended quest chain adds several rumors and battles between those checkpoints.
Which version this guide covers
This route is for The Ivalice Chronicles. Square Enix says the release includes both an enhanced version and a classic version that faithfully recreates the 1997 release alongside the War of the Lions translation. Make sure you are following instructions for the version you are playing; older guides can describe a different Cloud progression and equipment setup. Square Enix’s release information explains the two versions.
How do I recruit Cloud?
- Recruit Mustadio in Chapter 2. Keep him available before you reach the Chapter 4 Goug sequence; he is a prerequisite for starting Cloud’s quest.
- Visit Clockwork City of Goug in Chapter 4. Begin the sequence involving the construction or reactivation of the robot. Cloud appears during this part of the story, then leaves.
- Go to Sal Ghidos and buy a flower. Speak with the Flower Peddler and purchase a flower. This is a key trigger for the next scenes.
- Return to Sal Ghidos. The flower-related events continue, Cloud appears again, and the encounter that follows gives you the opportunity to recruit him.
Nintendo Life’s September 30, 2025 walkthrough identifies the Goug, flower, and return-to-Sal-Ghidos checkpoints: How to recruit Cloud Strife. A detailed GameFAQs walkthrough also describes recruiting him once Sal Ghidos is reached.
What if the quest does not advance?
The simple checkpoint route can obscure the intervening triggers. If returning to Sal Ghidos does not move the sequence forward, follow the longer chain rather than repeatedly revisiting the town. IGN’s video guide outlines these steps:
#1 Best Overall
- FINAL FANTASY TACTICS –The Ivalice Chronicles– Amazon Exclusive Edition includes a double-sided poster.
- Combat - Lead your party in exhilarating encounters where strategic positioning and forward planning determine the outcome. Use the varied terrain of 3D battlefields to your advantage, skillfully manipulate the turn order, and victory will be yours for the taking.
- Character Growth and Customization - Combine a wide variety of jobs and abilities to craft your very own strategies. As your party members grow, they will gain access to more jobs, each with its own unique abilities. Once learned, abilities can be used even after changing to another job. With over 20 jobs to master—including white mage, black mage, dragoon, and many others from the FINAL FANTASY series—and hundreds of abilities to learn, you have the freedom to experiment and discover the combinations that best suit your party. Chocobos and other creatures can also be tamed and led into battle.
- Two Versions: Enhanced and Classic - With improved graphics, fully voiced dialogue, and refined gameplay, the enhanced version provides the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of Ivalice. Along with the fine-tuning of several features and battle mechanics, the inclusion of the more accessible "Squire" difficulty setting makes the enhanced version an excellent starting point for first-time players. The classic version unites the graphics and gameplay of the original 1997 version with the renowned War of the Lions translation for a unique way to experience this beloved title.
- If you own the Nintendo Switch software in physical format, you can play the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition by downloading only the Upgrade Pack free of charge.
- Read the Haunted Mine rumor in Gollund.
- Speak with Beowulf in Lesalia.
- Complete the four battles in Gollund.
- Return to Goug, then complete the Fort Besselat battles.
- Buy the flower in Sal Ghidos.
- Read the Nelveska rumor in Zeltennia.
- Defeat Construct 7 at Nelveska Temple.
- Return to Goug before completing the final Sal Ghidos sequence.
The checkpoints and order above follow IGN’s Cloud recruitment video guide. Treat this as the extended quest chain for when the shorter route is not enough to explain the next trigger.
Do you need to find the Materia Blade first?
No. In The Ivalice Chronicles, Cloud joins equipped with the Materia Sword, also described in guides as the regular Materia Blade. The old Move-Find Item location is not a recruitment requirement. The GameFAQs walkthrough separately describes a Materia Blade+ at that treasure location, which is an optional item distinct from Cloud joining your party. See Nintendo Life’s recruitment guide and the GameFAQs walkthrough for their equipment and item details.
Rank #2
Why older Cloud guides may not match
Cloud’s earlier version-specific recruitment and equipment instructions are easy to confuse with this release. Square Enix describes The Ivalice Chronicles as offering both enhanced and classic versions, while reporting about the enhanced version notes changes to Cloud’s stats and starting equipment. In an interview report, director Kazutoyo Maehiro said Cloud’s stats were adjusted and that he would come equipped with the Materia Blade when he joins, making him more approachable to use. GamesRadar’s interview report attributes that explanation to Maehiro.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- IMMERSIVE STRATEGY GAMEPLAY: Wandering Towers delivers a thoughtful strategy board game experience built around planning, timing, and tactical movement. Players must anticipate opponents’ actions, manage positioning, and make smart decisions each turn, creating constant engagement, meaningful choices, and a dynamic tabletop experience that rewards clever play and adaptability across repeated sessions.
- MAGICAL FANTASY THEME: Set in a whimsical fantasy world filled with moving towers and roaming wizards, this board game blends strategic depth with a lighthearted magical theme. The visual design and theme enhance immersion without overwhelming complexity, making it appealing to both experienced strategy fans and families seeking an imaginative and engaging game night option.
- HIGH INTERACTION AND REPLAY VALUE: Every session of Wandering Towers feels different due to player interaction and shifting board conditions. Strategic movement and competitive positioning ensure no two games play the same, encouraging experimentation with new tactics and approaches while maintaining balance, tension, and replayability that keeps players returning for more.
- HIGH INTERACTION AND REPLAY VALUE: Every session of Wandering Towers feels different due to player interaction and shifting board conditions. Strategic movement and competitive positioning ensure no two games play the same, encouraging experimentation with new tactics and approaches while maintaining balance, tension, and replayability that keeps players returning for more.
- COMPACT PLAYTIME WITH MEANINGFUL CHOICES: With a streamlined structure and focused objectives, Wandering Towers delivers a full strategic experience in a short play session. The efficient pacing keeps turns engaging and avoids downtime, making it easy to fit into busy schedules while still offering satisfying gameplay and thoughtful tactical decisions from start to finish.
Rank #3
- DELUXE EDITION INCLUDES: Weapon: Akademy Blade (Raises a unit's speed attribute slightly while equipped), Headwear: Akademy Beret (Prevents the Charmed status while equipped), Combat Garb: Akademy Tunic (Grants Shell while equipped), Accessory: Ring of Aptitude (Boosts JP earned while equipped), Consumable Items: Phoenix Down x10, Black Equipment for Ramza, Red Equipment for Ramza
- STORY - Ivalice—a kingdom blessed by the light of the gods and ruled by the Two-headed Lion. A year after her defeat to Ordallia in the Fifty Years' War, the king succumbed to malady, leaving a mere boy of two to ascend the throne.
- COMBAT - Lead your party in exhilarating encounters where strategic positioning and forward planning determine the outcome. Use the varied terrain of 3D battlefields to your advantage, skillfully manipulate the turn order, and victory will be yours for the taking.
- CHARACTER GROWTH AND CUSTOMIZATION - Combine a wide variety of jobs and abilities to craft your very own strategies. As your party members grow, they will gain access to more jobs, each with its own unique abilities.
- TWO VERSIONS: ENHANCED AND CLASSIC - With improved graphics, fully voiced dialogue, and refined gameplay, the enhanced version provides the perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of Ivalice. Along with the fine-tuning of several features and battle mechanics, the inclusion of the more accessible "Squire" difficulty setting makes the enhanced version an excellent starting point for first-time players.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
