Chocobo Racing Guide

Category:Chocobo RaisingCategory:Guides
==What is Chocobo Racing?==
The CRA (Chocobo Racing Association) racetrack is the perfect place for players to test out and show off the skills of their very own chocobos. The automated races held at this exciting venue require players to piece together a picture-perfect plan based on variables such as chocobo condition and the weather, using options consisting of orders given to their jockeys and items to be utilized on the track. But that’s not all; performing well in these races earns players gil or VCS-mint chocobucks, which can be used to purchase items or services that assist in breeding.
(You must have the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion in order to take part in Chocobo Racing.)
For more information on chocobo breeding click here.
==How to Participate==
All Racing transactions now take place at the Chocobo Circuit.
Before participating in any races, players must first join one of the three teams (San d’Oria, Bastok, or Windurst). Each of the three regional CRA branches has its own racing team. While similar in many ways, each racing team also offers many unique services--from different items available at the Chocobuck Exchange Centers, to special races. Though players are required to select a racing team, they can change their affiliation (free of charge and without penalties) at any time.
==Register Your Chocobo==
Chocobos are registered by trading either a VCS Registration Card or a CRA Racing Form (obtained from your VCS Chocobo Trainer) to one of the following Team representatives:
*Alangriche (Chocobo Circuit - San d'Oria Entrance)
*Jazgeh (Chocobo Circuit - Bastok Entrance)
*Rungaga (Chocobo Circuit - Windurst Entrance)
These NPCs start the Novice Circuit, Free Run, and Official races, and are only accessible via the respective entrances located in San d’Oria, Bastok, and Windurst.
Please note:
*Players may only register one chocobo at a time.
*If a chocobo’s attributes change after CRA registration, players must re-register their chocobo for those changes to be reflected.
====Changing Affiliation====
In the event that players wish to change their affiliation, all records of their previous race results and chocobuck earnings will be stored at the CRA branch. While players cannot transfer those results and earnings to their new racing team, if they choose to return to a previous team, they will be able to start where they left off.
==Join a Race==
Currently, players can take part in four types of races:
Race Type 	
Fee 	
Prizes 	
Description
 Free Runs 	Gil 	Chocobucks 	“Practice” races that may be ran at any time.
 Official Races	Chocobucks 	Gil & Prizes 	Mission-style races sponsored by the VCS.
 Re-runs 	Chocobucks 	Gil 	Previously cleared official races.
 Circuit Races 	Chocobucks & Gil	Chocobucks, Gil and Solo Victory Points	Competitive races against other players.
===Free Run===
Placing in free runs earns the chocobucks necessary for participating in official races and purchasing items at the Chocobuck Exchange Centers. There are no limits to the number of races players may participate in each (Earth) day, but the fee will increase with each race. The cost for free runs is reset at 0:00 JST and increases as follows: 100 gil » 150 gil » 200 gil » 300 gil » 400 gil » 600 gil » 800 gil » 1,000 gil. Once the 1,000 gil fee is reached, the fee for participating in further free runs will continue to increase by 500 gil until it is reset the next (Earth) day.
Rewards for placing in free runs are in chocobucks. For placing first, the player receives 5 chocobucks; for second, 3 chocobucks. Third through seventh place are awarded 1 chocobuck. However, chocobos placing last will receive no reward.
Warning - three particularly strong chocobos often appear in Free Runs, each have extremely high stats and are very difficult to defeat, nearly always coming in first place. These chocobos are:
*MeteorBrian of San d'Oria, Black Chocobo with Elvaan Female Jockey.
*InvincibleLeg of Bastok, Blue Chocobo with Galka Jockey.
*StarOnion of Windurst, Green Chocobo with Tarutaru Female Jockey.
As of this writing, choosing the View the Paddock option and checking the 3rd, 5th, and 7th slots for any of these 3 aforementioned maxed chocobos should help decide if a special item is needed or not to win the free run in 1st place.
====Free Run schedule====
The opponents faced in free runs are not random. Rather, they follow a very specific schedule listed below. The "C" rank race is the easiest to place, as it contains only weak opponents, none of whom use items. While the "B" rank race does not contain StarOnion, MeteorBrian, or InvincibleLeg, it does contain Tausendsassa and Sternenschweif, who wield a speed-reducing Gysahl Bomb and a stamina-reducing Fire Biscuit, respectively, which can wreak havoc on any victory plan. The the "A" rank races contain only one of the strong chocobos, making it difficult to come in first, but they also contain several weak competitors such as Boko, who are relatively easy to beat, and thus these races are worth usually at least one chocobuck. The "S" rank race is arguably the most difficult race to place in as it contains all three of the strong chocobos and most of the B-rank racers as well, almost all of whom utilize items to improve their performance.
Note that your chocobo will always be in position #1.
Race	
Chocobos 	
Notes
C 	Boko 	None
C 	SpoonyBard 	None
C 	MalevolentJack 	None
C 	PouletValliant 	None
C 	ColonelSaunders	None
C 	TurboPiaf 	None
C 	NebulousHarmony	None
B 	RosseMutine 	None
B 	PlumeauVif 	None
B 	JoliePouliche 	None
B 	Sternenschweif 	Equipment: Fire Biscuit
B 	Tausendsassa 	Equipment: Gysahl Bomb
B 	LahmeEnte 	None
B 	RasenderBlitz 	None
S 	Musashi 	Equipment: Stamina Apple
S 	StarOnion 	Equipment: Speed Apple
S 	AtreaII 	Equipment: Speed Apple
S 	InvincibleLeg 	Equipment: Speed Apple
S 	TwinRidill 	Equipment: Gysahl Bomb
S 	MeteorBrian 	Equipment: Speed Apple
S 	Goldregen 	Equipment: Fire Biscuit
A1	AstreaII 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A1	MeteorBrian 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A1	Tausendsassa 	Equipment: Gysahl Bomb
A1	JoliePouliche 	None
A1	PoulletValliant	None
A1	NebulousHarmony	None
A1	Boko 	None
A2	Musashi 	Equipment: Stamina Apple
A2	InvicinbelLeg 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A2	Sternenschweif 	Equipment: Fire Biscuit
A2	RasenderBlitz 	None
A2	RosseMuntie 	None
A2	ColonelSaunders	None
A2	SpoonyBard 	None
A1	AstreaII 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A1	MeteorBrian 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A1	Tausendsassa 	Equipment: Gysahl Bomb
A1	JoliePouliche 	None
A1	PoulletValliant	None
A1	NebulousHarmony	None
A1	Boko 	None
A2	Musashi 	Equipment: Stamina Apple
A2	InvicinbelLeg 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A2	Sternenschweif 	Equipment: Fire Biscuit
A2	RasenderBlitz 	None
A2	RosseMuntie 	None
A2	ColonelSaunders	None
A2	SpoonyBard 	None
A3	TwinRidill 	Equipment: Gysahl Bomb
A3	StarOnion 	Equipment: Speed Apple
A3	GoldRegen 	Equipment: Fire Biscuit
A3	LahmeEnte 	None
A3	PlumeauVif 	None
A3	TurboPiaf 	None
A3	MalevolentJack 	None
===Official Race===
By successfully completing the objectives of these “mission-style” races, more challenging races will be unlocked. Chocobucks are usually required to participate in official races; however, the first race (Novice Race I) is available free of charge.
When participating in Official Races beyond the Novice rank, players may only race once per (Earth) day, reset at 0:00 JST. This restriction is across all three nations' racing associations; if you compete in a race in Bastok that is beyond Novice rank, you cannot go to San d'Oria or Windurst and race in any official races until the next (Earth) day.
====Novice Races====
:
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
====Challenge Races====
:
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
====The Pashhow Swamptrot====
Once you have won the CRA classic you can take part in the Pashhow Swamptrot Races. To enter, speak to the veteran CRA NPC in the Chocobo Circuit.- For Windurst: Chualulu.- For San d'Oria: Lafaurelle.- For Bastok: Zagied.
:
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
===Re-run===
For a small chocobuck fee, players can re-race previously completed official races. While prizes will be rewarded to those players who place, the amount will be considerably less than that which was received the first time. Only gil is awarded, and the gil reward is equal to 1/100th of the original gil amount received on the first run through.
===Circuit Races===
The main event! These competitive races offer big rewards. Starting in the C4, must rack up "Solo Victory Points" in order to unlock higher tier races, eventually participating in the Crystal Stakes (C1).
Unlike the Official races, Circuit races are repeatable, and require a payment of gil along with chocobucks. Prizes for the race change depending on your placing, similar to free runs, but much more dramatically.
Placing first through third on the C1-Crystal Stakes race will reward the chocojockey an additional crystal stakes cup to go in your mog house.
Races occur every 15 minutes, in the following order repeating every 2 hours: C1, C4, C3, C3, C2, C4, C3, C2. The following chart should make it easy to tell the status on any given race, with 00:00 being any even hour in JST or PST, and 01:00 being any odd hour in JST or PST. Remember to account for Daylight Savings Time.
Registration is now conducted at service counters located within the Chocobo Circuit. Additionally, if a player does not enter a chocobo into any race for over 4 weeks, half of the player's remaining Solo Victory Points will be deducted from their tally upon registering their next race.
Time 	C1 	C4 	C3 	C3 	C2 	C4 	C3 	C2
00:00	 	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close 	 	Signups close, bets open	Signups open 	 	
00:15	 	 	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close 	 	Signups close, bets open	Signups open 	
00:30	 	 	 	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close 	 	Signups close, bets open	Signups open
00:45	Signups open 	 	 	 	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close 	 	Signups close, bets open
01:00	Signups close, bets open	Signups open 	 	 	 	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close 	
01:15	 	Signups close, bets open	Signups open 	 	 	 	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close
01:30	Chocobets Close 	 	Signups close, bets open	Signups open 	 	 	 	Race Finishes
01:45	Race Finishes 	Chocobets Close 	 	Signups close, bets open	Signups open 	 	 	
Race Tier 	Required SVP	Cost in Gil	Cost in Chocobucks	First Place Reward 	Second Place Reward 	Third Place Reward 	Fourth Through Last
C4 	0 	500 Gil 	10 Chocobucks 	25 Chocobucks5,000 Gil3 Solo Victory Points 	20 Chocobucks2,000 Gil2 Solo Victory Points 	15 Chocobucks1,000 Gil1 Solo Victory Point 	1 Chocobuck
C3 	10 	1,000 Gil 	20 Chocobucks 	40 Chocobucks10,000 Gil6 Solo Victory Points 	25 Chocobucks4,000 Gil4 Solo Victory Points 	22 Chocobucks2,000 Gil2 Solo Victory Points 	2 Chocobucks
C2 	20 	5,000 Gil 	40 Chocobucks 	70 Chocobucks50,000 Gil9 Solo Victory Points 	55 Chocobucks20,000 Gil6 Solo Victory Points 	40 Chocobucks10,000 Gil3 Solo Victory Points 	4 Chocobucks
C1- Crystal Stakes	60 	10,000 Gil 	80 Chocobucks 	120 Chocobucks100,000 Gil12 Solo Victory Points.CS Gold CupTitle: "Crystal Stakes Cupholder"	100 Chocobucks40,000 Gil8 Solo Victory PointsCS Mythril Cup	80 Chocobucks20,000 Gil4 Solo Victory PointsCS Bronze Cup	6 Chocobucks
==Preparing for a race==
Before running a race, players will have the opportunity to make the following preparations:
:- Visit the paddock
::Players can visit the paddock and view the condition of all the chocobos scheduled to participate in the upcoming race.
:- Give orders to the jockey
::Players can give their jockeys one of the following three orders:
:: Keep Pace
:::Have the jockey maintain a consistent pace throughout the whole race. Makes the bird maintain a pace that lowers stamina steadily, while keeping in front if possible.
:: Final Spurt
:::Have the jockey save the chocobo's energy until the end of the race. Saves at least 25% stamina for the end, which is then used when the bird runs at Top Speed.
:: Sprint
:::Have the jockey push the chocobo to its limits from the get-go. Makes the bird run at top speed at the beginning until it reaches 75% stamina.
:- Equip items
::Players can equip their chocobo/jockey with items that improve attributes or wreak havoc on other racers. Before players can equip items, they must first trade them to the CRA representative. The representatives will hold on to one of each item.
::
===Jockey Orders & Equipment===
Selecting the appropriate item to equip during a race can be the difference between coming in first and coming in last. It is important to select an item that will complement a chocobo’s abilities and attributes, as well as the jockey’s orders and opponent condition. For example, jockeys who have been given the order to sprint, will often use items at the beginning of a race. In cases like this, equipping the jockey with a stamina apple will help his chocobo to maintain a quick pace for a longer period of time.
The following items can be used in all types of Chocobo race:
Item 	
Effect
Speed Apple 	Used during a race to temporarily boost the speed of a chocobo, and reduce endurace.
Stamina Apple 	Used during a race to temporarily regenerate a chocobo's stamina.
Shadow Apple 	Used during a race to temporarily resist the effects of any detrimental items aimed at the chocobo.
Pepper Biscuit 	Used during a race to greatly reduce the speed of an opponent chocobo.
Fire Biscuit 	Used during a race to greatly reduce the stamina of an opponent chocobo.
Gysahl Bomb 	Used during a race to temporarily reduce the speed of all surrounding opponent chocobos.
Spore Bomb 	Used during a race to reduce the discernment of all surrounding opponent chocobos.
Fairweather Fetish	Fetish Used during a race to temporarily clear up the weather.
Foulweather Frog 	Fetish Used during a race to temporarily call upon a rainstorm.
Chocobo Taping 	When equipped during a race, this item will slightly increase the strength of a chocobo.
Chocobo Blinkers 	When equipped during a race, this item will slightly increase the stamina of a chocobo.
Shadow Roll 	When equipped during a race, this item will slightly increase the discernment of a chocobo.
Chocobo Hood 	When equipped during a race, this item will slightly increase the receptivity of a chocobo.
Dream Apple 	This item is used by Sakura during the Dream Race, and is not available to players. It temporarily increases speed, stamina, and resistance to other chocobo's items.
Dream Cracker 	This item is used by Kayaki during the Dream Race, and is not available to players. It temporarily reduces the speed and stamina of all chocobos except Sakura and Kayaki.
If you take part in a Circuit Race you can select a saddle from the following:
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
==Starting a Race==
Once all preparations have been made, the race will begin. All races are automatic, so players only need to sit back and watch the action unfold on the racetrack.
:Weather
::Just as in the field, weather on the racetrack can affect a chocobo’s performance.
:Placing
::To make races fair for chocobos of all sizes, placing will be determined not by when a chocobo’s beak crosses the finish line, but when its saddle does.
:Items & Equipment
::All items equipped to a chocobo or jockey, regardless of their type, are consumable and can only be used once (though the effect of chocobo equipment will be present throughout the race).
==Rewards==
As well as gil and bragging rights there are numerous reward on offer.
===Chocobucks===
Chocobucks are a special type of currency for use at CRA-sanctioned establishments. Chocobucks can be earned by winning special races and can be exchanged for items and services used in chocobo breeding. Chocobucks are also required to participate in certain official races.
====Chocobuck Exchange Centers====
:Southern San d'Oria – Palabelle
:Bastok Mines – Gavoroi
:Windurst Woods - Robino-Mobino
:Note: You must be registered with a particular CRA branch before you can spend earned Chocobucks at a Chocobuck Exchange Center.
:Note: In order to use a Chocobo race training token you must trade the token along with the chococard of the Chocobo you wish to use it on to the Chocobuck Exchange Center NPC.
===Chocobo Circuit Titles===
Title 	
Required Wins
Winning Owner 	10
Victorious Owner	25
Triumphant Owner	50
==[Racing Advice]==
The following are a few tips for racing novices:
===Attributes===
A chocobo’s attributes directly affect its performance in a race. There are four stats, and 6 attributes . The four stats are: Strength, Endurance, Discernment, and Receptivity. These all affect the chocobos attributes, Evasion, Accuracy, Speed, Stamina, . 
:
:
:
:
:
===Stamina and Intelligence ===
*Stamina: At the start of your race, you bird has X stamina, an invisible HP bar. Throughout the race, this little bar is constantly dropping. Your chocobo's current speed will determine just how fast the HP bar drops.
*Intelligence: This stat will allow your bird to correctly adjust its speeds. A bird with low discernment and receptivity will not pace itself, and either use up its stamina early, or have a bunch left over at the end of race. When a bird's stamina hits zero, they automatically go down to the lowest speed.
Having a high intelligence on the other hand, will allow the bird to perfectly pace itself so it ends the race using its stamina to its full potential, without over working.
==Chocobo Racing Trivia==
*One of your opponents in Chocobo racing will be a bird named Boko. This chocobo has been featured in a few other FF games, mainly FFV where he is Bartz' best friend. Boko also appears in FFVIII as a summon that required the use of Gysahl Greens to summon into battle. He also appeared as a possible Chocobo team member in Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.
*Another opponent, ColonelSaunders, is a parody of Colonel Sanders, the founder and mascot of the fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken.
*LahmeEnte, the name of another chocobo opponent, is a play on the word "Lament," which itself may be a reference to "Regret," a famous American thoroughbred racehorse.