Final Fantasy VIII - Junction System Guide for Beginners

Hopefully this will help newcomers to the game now that the Remaster is out. I keep seeing people struggle greatly with the system and ignore key points, some of which the game doesn't say much about if anything. This is mainly a non-spoiler guide. I also will not mention how to be broken in the game or how to abuse the system. Also, before anyone wants to mention it, yes that is how the game displays on a TV. I didn't do any stretching or anything to the video.

Music:

FFVIII - The Stage is Set
FFVIII - Junction
FFVIII - The Salt Flats

[Maxtory]

In all those years I learned two things:
FF8 -> People use too much summons
KH2 -> People use too less summons

[MichaelFlare]

I have beaten this game at least 4 times when i was 9 years old (in 1998/9). Last night, I watched a YouTube video of someone summarizing the entire game in 45 minutes. I had absolutely no idea nor understood the story until last night. 9 years of age was just way too young for the brain to understand so many things. I see so many people on the internet complain about the Junction system and I have absolutely no memory of hating the system at all. After watching this video, it hit me. JESUS CHRIST, I was so so young to even understand any of this! No wonder, it all makes sense now. Never have I drawn magic from enemies NOR used the refined magic ONCE. I do remember ALWAYS using my summons. OMG

[xl]

This guide actually helped me play this game without wanting to tear my hair out

[alec]

Even after reading the tutorials very very carefully I still came here to figure out what the hell I'm doing.

[ballroomscott]

FFVIII is my favorite game! I'm so glad this video exists! Too many "tutorials" just show people how to break the game rather than teaching people how the game actually works.

[joelthepizzawizard]

This is the perfect video for understanding the system. The junction system is actually really fun and enjoyable with the ONLY negative being how long drawing takes in my opinion.

[jgrgrs]

Absolute best guide I've found on the subject.

[mukhtaralbuali]

Can't believe I waited until Ultimecia Castle to learn the system...

[Renegado]

Just started this game, thank you for this guide, I was spamming summons and wondering how the hell magic works, but you made it very simple, thanks!

[andrewkos]

To be completely honest, I find the actual act of Junctioning to be pretty fine all thing considered. The main issue I have is how tedious Magic Drawing is, but the 3x Speed Booster in the Remaster makes it tons more bearable.

[stevent]

I've been watching junction guide videos here and there for the last couple weeks, losing interesting and hesitating to start FFVIII because of it, but this video is BY FAR the best video I have run across! Every bit of it understood and I don't feel like I'm missing a bit. Can't thank you enough for taking the time to make this guide!

[bgallagrr]

That journey to Esthar with Edea in your party sweet and nostalgic for me. Amazing. Great guide as well.

[thenargles]

This video has taught me more than I ever learned about junctioning than when I played this games for hours as a kid on the original PS. I've just got the remaster on the Switch and this is going to be super helpful. Thanks!

[namine]

Thank you so much for making this guide. I've just started playing the remaster this week and this has helped a lot with understanding the basics of junctioning and how to maximise the benefits from it.

[FallenWarriorXV]

Just picked up FF8 after sleeping on it for years, and this was incredibly helpful and easy to follow. Thanks!

[darksayese]

Bro thank you so much for explaining when I bought this game i was already 5 hours in it grinding leveling up trying to understand this junction shit and learn it on my own but damn it was confusing so i looked on YouTube junction and your video popped up thanks again bro merry Christmas and happy new year

[wickedclown]

Thank you! My wife recently got me into the ff series, ive played 10 and 9 so far and started 8, the others were self explanitory but ff8 system threw me for a loop! Thanks again buddy!

[xaviergagnon]

Great guide my dude! Just started this game and had a tough time understanding the junction system, but now I get it and I'm ready to play this bad boy! Many thanks

[TheGreenRanger]

Thank you for this tutorial.

21 years ago I blitzed through the campaign mainly relying on GF's.
I never really understood or fully utilised the Junctioning or Magic system so when I fought Adel on Disk 4 i got stuck. I couldn't use GF's (due to Rinoa) and had no decent magic to protect her. Once you engage in this area you cannot leave and gain only 1XP per random battle...so I was truly screwed.

Fast forward 21 years and i'm finally going back to try and beat this game once and for all. I still had no clue on the magic/junactioning system and your video really helped.

Wish me luck!

[aozf]

One correction, Squall and Seifer do crit but it's not based on the luck stat. It's the R1 trigger pull for the gunblade. They always crit if you press the button with the right timing.