Glitches (Chrono Cross)

Kid Helps Herself

Several years ago, I discovered a cool yet benevolent glitch in Chrono Cross completely by accident while using the Relief Charm during the Hydra Humour Subquest in "New Game +" mode.

Before entering or completing the Viper Minor scenario involving Nikki, Pierre, or Guile in "New Game +" mode, use the Relief Charm to select Kid as your substitute in battle, choose two other members of your entourage (not including her, of course) to complete your three-member party, and play through that section of the game. Once you awaken in Guldove, keep these settings until you reach the point where Kid succumbs to the effects of the poisoned dagger that Lynx threw at her, then choose the optional subquest to obtain the Hydra Humour needed to cure her.

Now, here is the neat part of the trick: even though Kid's name will disappear from the available party members roster, if you get into a fight at any point between the beginning and end of this subquest, you will discover that she will still appear as Serge's substitute in battle as a completely functional character! This glitch only works under the specific set of circumstances outlined above, will not work if you select not to try and save her yourselves, and is known to have the following inherant limitations:

1. Kid will be stuck using whatever elements, weapon, accessories, and armor she was equipped with before she became incapacitated until such time as she "officially" rejoins your party.

2. While in walkabout mode, you will be unable to cure her of any status ailments (Poison, Flu, Sprain, etc.) that she may acquire, though you will be able to relieve her of them while in battle mode.

3. If you select another character as Serge's replacement using the Relief Charm at any point during the subquest, the trick will immediately end and Kid will no longer be accessible until she "officially" rejoins your party.

What may make this trick worth everyone's while to try out is that, up until this point in the game, Kid is the only member of your party who possesses the ability to steal, and playing as her during this subquest will allow you to swipe items from enemies you normally might not be able to. For the record, I have thus far managed to pilfer a Plaster Cap from the Wingapede, a blue Ice Lance element from Madame Pentapus, and a Tablet from the Hydra. However, I have not gone on a exhaustive stealing binge to discover what rare items, if any, can be acquired in this fashion, so some "Chrono Cross" veterans might want to experiment further with this...

Special thanks to Dingo Jellybean, author of one of the many Chrono Cross FAQs out there, who initially helped me get the word out about this glitch I discovered.

From: Cheats and Glitches

--Lunar Archivist 19:15, 1 Dec 2004 (CDT)