Chocobos have always been Final Fantasy’s most loyal companions, but Final Fantasy 16 takes a different approach to these fan-favorite mounts. Here’s how the game handles chocobo riding-and what that means for exploring Valisthea.
Continue reading to find out when you unlock chocobo mounts and how to ride them.
How to unlock chocobos in Final Fantasy 16?
Progress through the main story until reaching Martha’s Rest during The Gathering Storm quest. Speak to Rowan the traveling trader near the southern bridge to pick up the side quest The White-Winged Wonder. Follow the marker to find and rescue the white chocobo Ambrosia from bandits, then complete the task to gain the ability to summon her in open field areas by holding R3 and mounting with X.
After you perform the Casting and return to Martha’s Rest, interact with Rowan to start the “The White-Winged Wonder” side quest. Head to the marked location on your map to find the flock of chocobos and save them from a group of bandits to reunite with your old friend, Ambrosia.
It took us around 14 hours of gameplay to reach this point, but we took our sweet time exploring the land, watching every cutscene, and completing every side quest until this point. If you were to rush, you could get reach this side quest very quickly.
How do you ride chocobos in Final Fantasy 16?
To ride chocobos in Final Fantasy 16, hold down R3 in open field areas to summon Ambrosia, Clive’s loyal white chocobo. Stand next to her and press X to mount up. While riding, steer with the left stick, hold R2 to gallop for faster travel across Valisthea’s maps, and press L2 to slow or perform drifts by combining it with left stick tilts. Dismount anytime by holding R3 again, letting you bypass foes or grab items without stopping.
After completing the “The White-Winged Wonder” side quest, you’ve successfully unlocked chocobos! However, you can’t just ride any chocobo you find out in the wild in Final Fantasy 16. You can only ride your trusted chocobo, Ambrosia.
Step by step guide to complete The White-Winged Wonder quest
Yes, “The White-Winged Wonder” is a key side quest in Final Fantasy 16 that unlocks your chocobo mount, Ambrosia. It becomes available mid-game during the main quest “The Gathering Storm” in Martha’s Rest.
Quest Prerequisites
Complete the “Release” sub-mission in “The Gathering Storm” and report back to Martha at the Golden Stables. Exit the tavern to spot the green “+” quest marker near the bridge.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
-
Step 1: Speak to Rowan. Find Rowan the Traveling Trader at the Fallen Gate or near the bridge in Martha’s Rest to accept the quest about the hunted chocobos led by Whiteheart.
-
Step 2: Follow the trail. Head southeast across the bridge (about 150 yards) to the first marker for a white feather cutscene, then southwest (another 115-160 yards) to Crooked Nash’s Pier or the abandoned house area.
-
Step 3: Defeat the bandits. Fight and eliminate 6 poachers/bandits attacking the chocobo flock; they drop items like Steelsilk, Gil Bug, EXP, Ability Points, and gil.
-
Step 4: Watch the cutscene. Reunite the flock with Ambrosia, concluding the quest and unlocking her as your mount via Ambrosia’s Tack.
Rewards and Notes
Rewards include 250 XP, 20 Renown, 60 Sharp Fang, and Ambrosia’s Tack (chocobo summon item). This “+” quest is unmissable for full completion, enabling fast travel in open fields.
How to use the Chocobo mount Ambrosia after unlocking it
Yes, after unlocking Ambrosia via “The White-Winged Wonder” side quest, summoning and riding her is straightforward in Final Fantasy 16’s open-field areas. She serves as a fast-travel aid across large zones like the Greatwood or Rosaria.
Summoning Ambrosia
Hold down R3 (right thumbstick) in eligible outdoor zones to call her to your location. She’ll trot up automatically, then press X while near her to mount up.
Riding Controls
Use the left stick to steer, hold R2 for a gallop sprint, X to jump over obstacles, and Square to swipe at minor foes. Circle dismounts her anytime.
Usage Limits
Ambrosia cannot be summoned inside towns, dungeons, the Hideaway, or during main quests-only vast open fields. Riding her for the first time unlocks the “When You Ride Alone” trophy.
