Final Fantasy XV: How To Unlock Chocobos and Racing Guide

Final Fantasy XV‘s Chocobos are an essential part of your quest, mainly because they’re so, well, quirky. They also present a number of really interesting side challenges and events, including races, which are great fun and well worth investing in.

Chocobos are also tied to a Trophy, called “Chocobo Jockey”, in which all you to do is ride a chocobo. In this guide we’ll take you through how to unlock them to earn the achievement, and also cover all of the levels and racing fundamentals available to you.

These beasts are generally found in and around the Wiz Chocobo Post, so let’s see how you can unlock the “Rent-a-Bird” service to call one in an utilise whenever you need.

How To Unlock Chocobos

Step 1: At the start of Chapter 3, you’ll visit the Alstor Coernix Station. Noctis will receive a phone call from Iris, followed by a conversation with Prompto. He’ll suggest that you visit the Chocobo Post, which you should agree to. This will initiate the “Friends of a Feather” quest.

Step 2: Speak to the Wiz once you reach the Chocobo Post.

Step 3: Once you finish that first conversation with the Wiz, start a second chat. A list of hunts will appear: select the “A Behemoth Undertaking”. Complete this hunt. Return to the Wiz and to complete Friends of a Feather quest.

Completing this will reward you with 1,500 EXP, as well as a Chocobo whistle. You will also have access to the Rent-a-Bird service.

Chocobo Upgrades

When you first starting riding a Chocobo, they will have base stats of 17mph running speed, 25ph sprinting speed, a jumping height of 5 foot 5, and a stamina of 60. The longer you spend moving on a bird, the faster it will level up.

Level 1

Riding Time: —

Bonus Reward: 

 

Level 2

Riding Time: 2 minutes

Bonus Reward: Dash de Chocobo ability unlocked, allows you to summon your chocobo to flee a battle area.

 

Level 3

Riding Time: 6 minutes

Bonus Reward: Max stamina increased by +10, while running spread increased to 20mp.

 

Level 4

Riding Time: 8 minutes

Bonus Reward: Kick de Chocobo ability unlocked, which allows your bird to join in a battle and deliver power kicks to enemies.Max stamina increased by +10, with sprinting increasing to 28mph.

 

Level 5

Riding Time: 12 minutes

Bonus Reward: Max stamina increased by +10, with sprinting increasing to 28mph.

 

Level 6

Riding Time: 16 minutes

Bonus Reward: Dance de Chocobo, allowing Chocobo to buff you.

 

Level 7

Riding Time: 20 minutes

Bonus Reward: Max stamina increased by +10, while jumping height increases to 8 foot 8.

 

Level 8

Riding Time: 20 minutes

Bonus Reward: Rush de Chocobo ability allows your bird to unleash a number of powerful attacks.

 

Level 9

Riding Time: 24 minutes

Bonus Reward: Max stamina increased to +10, while stamina recovery rate multiplied by 2.

 

Level 10

Riding Time: 30 minutes

Bonus Reward: Link de Chocobo ability unlocked, allowing bird to perform Blindside-link attacks with Noctis.

 

Chocobo racing

Once you’ve finished the “A Behemoth Undertaking” quest, you can join in some fun chocobo races. Simply speak to the man inside the small cabin, across from the Wiz Chocobo Post to the south of the highway.

There are seven races for you to compete in, although you’ll need to unlock most of them as you progress through the game and other races.

vs. Prompto

How To Unlock: Finish the “A Behemoth Undertaking” quest.

Difficulty: Easy.

Reward: Rounsey Medal

 

vs. Gladio

How To Unlock: Beat Prompto.

Difficulty: Medium.

Reward:Destrier Medal

 

Chocobo Hoops: Grange Gallop

How To Unlock: Beat Gladio

Difficulty: Easy

Reward: Short Course Medal

 

vs. Ignis

How To Unlock: Reach Chapter 5 and complete Grange Gallop race.

Difficulty: Hard

Reward: Corser Medal

Full Field

How To Unlock: Beat Ignis

Difficulty: Easy

Reward: Fat Chocobo Medal

 

Chocobo Hoops: Rocky Road

How To Unlock: Win a Full Field race

Difficulty: Hard

Reward: Long Course Medal

 

vs. Iris

How To Unlock: Reach Chapter 6 and win the Rocky Road race

Difficulty: Medium

Reward: Jannet Medal. Visit the man at reception to obtain the Jockey Master Medal for earning all other racing medals.