Clive and a white winged chocobo
Screenshot by Destructoid

How to get a chocobo in Final Fantasy XVI (FF16)

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There has been a lot of argument aroundĀ Final Fantasy XVIĀ about what makes aĀ Final Fantasy. Is it role-playing systems, a moving soundtrack, or incredibly produced cutscenes? It is simpler than that, I argue. It is, among other things, the chocobos that makeĀ Final Fantasy. And you’ll probably want to get a chocobo of your own inĀ Final Fantasy XVI.

SinceĀ Final Fantasy II, chocobos have been a core part of theĀ Final FantasyĀ mythos. They are still ever-present in the world of Valisthea, and as you get weary of walking from place to place, you might even want to get Clive his own. The good news is that you can, but you’ll need to play a decent chunk ofĀ Final Fantasy XVIĀ before you get there.

Can you get a chocobo inĀ Final Fantasy XVI?

For those wanting a new means of traversal,Ā yes, you can acquire a chocobo inĀ Final Fantasy XVI.Ā After completing a special side quest in the game (marked by a plus sign next to the quest icon) you’ll be able to saddle up and ride in any ofĀ XVI‘s larger, more open zones.

You will, however, need to advance the plot of the game past a certain point. You’ll need to be past the entire fight at Oriflamme to get this quest. (Though we’ll try to keep it light, there are some mild visual and conceptual spoilers ahead, so be warned.)

Once you’re at the proper point in the game, you should see a side quest on your map near Martha’s Rest called “The White-Winged Wonder.” This is where you start on the path toward your very own chocobo.

Screenshot by Destructoid

How to complete The White-Winged Wonder in Final Fantasy XVI

Talk with the quest giver, and he’ll tell you about some troubles with the local chocobos. Apparently, a white-winged chocobo has been defending the local chocobos from ruffians, and the evildoers may have the heroic bird on the ropes.

Rush off towards the quest marker to go help out. Clive will find a white feather on the way, hinting that he’s on the right path.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Once you reach the designated area, you’ll find the white-winged chocobo and its pals surrounded by bandits. There is only one solution, and it involves a lot of sword-swinging, magic-casting, and Eikonic destruction.

After dealing with the bandits, Clive will approach the white-winged chocobo and have a startling revelation. Reunited with his long-lost friend at last, the quest giver shows back up to help take the other chocobos to safety. After consulting with him, Clive will gain a new partner in his ongoing quest, further affirmed by the quest rewards screen. Ambrosia has rejoined the party.

Screenshot by Destructoid

With Ambrosia back in the fold, you’ll be able to summon and ride a chocobo around Valisthea. Simply click in the right stick (also known as R3) and hold it, and Ambrosia will heed the call.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Keep in mind, this only works in field areas. You sadly cannot ride your chocobo around in cities or dungeons. But as you take on a bunch of side quests and re-traverse old haunts, having a little extra speed on your side is helpful. My pro-tip: you might want to tune down or turn off the DualSense haptics. Pulling down the R2 trigger to run gets a little tiring after a while, otherwise.


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Author
Image of Eric Van Allen
Eric Van Allen
Senior Editor - While Eric's been writing about games since 2014, he's been playing them for a lot longer. Usually found grinding RPG battles, digging into an indie gem, or hanging out around the Limsa Aethryte.