You're roaming the sun-bleached dunes of the Corel Desert, the heat shimmer is messing with your eyes, and you just want to find that third Phenomenon Intel location so you can see what Kid G is yapping about. It’s annoying. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth loves its mini-games, but the Corel Protorelic questline—specifically "Phenomenon Intel 3: Unusual Training Grounds"—is a notorious roadblock for players who aren't used to the game's specific pacing.
You can't just stumble upon it.
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Most people get stuck because they expect the Intel to pop up the moment they finish the second one. Nope. Square Enix decided to gate this one behind story progression, which feels kinda mean when you're in the zone and trying to clear the map. To even see the icon for FF7 Rebirth Corel Protorelic 3 on your map, you basically have to leave the desert, go to the Gold Saucer, finish the main story beats there, and then wait for the game to tell you that the sandstorm has subsided or that Cactuar Rocks are now accessible.
Why the Corel Protorelic 3 is actually a giant Cactuar puzzle
Honestly, the hardest part isn't the combat. It's the navigation. Once you’ve actually unlocked the ability to track the third relic, you’re looking for a spot called the "Unusual Training Grounds." It’s tucked away in the southern reaches of the Corel Desert. Look for a massive rock formation that looks like it’s shielding something from the wind.
When you arrive, you aren't just fighting monsters. You're playing Cactuar Crush. Again.
If you hated the first two rounds, I have bad news. This one amps up the pressure. You’re playing as Yuffie, and the game expects you to be proficient with her elemental ninjutsu. If you’re just mashing the square button, you’re going to fail the timer. The trick is recognizing the color of the Cactuars immediately. Orange? Use physical. Green? Use magic. It sounds simple until there are twelve of them on screen and the timer is ticking down like a bomb.
Getting the Cactuar Statue to behave
Before the fight even starts, you have to find the Cactuar Statue. This is a recurring theme in the Corel region. You pick up the statue with the L1 button, and it emits a beam of light. Follow the light. It’s gonna point you toward a specific rock face or hidden crevice.
Don't overthink the light beam.
Sometimes it feels like it's pointing into a wall, but usually, there's a path just to the left or right that winds upward. In the case of the third intel, you’re looking for a specific altar. Once you place the statue, the "training" begins. This isn't just lore flavor; Kid G is literally testing your ability to handle "Cactuar-style" combat, which is mostly just a test of your reaction speed and ability to switch Yuffie's elemental affinity on the fly.
The gear setup you actually need
Don't go in there with your standard "hit things hard" build. You need speed.
Equip Yuffie with the First Strike Materia. Being able to dump an Art of War or a Windstorm right at the start of a wave is the difference between a Rank III finish and a frustrating "Try Again" screen. Also, make sure your Ninjutsu is set to the right element before the wave starts. You'll notice the Cactuars in this third trial have a nasty habit of grouping up.
Windstorm is your best friend here. It pulls them all into a neat little pile so you can delete them with a single elemental chain.
- Weapon: Crystal Cross (for the high Matk)
- Essential Materia: First Strike, Steadfast Block, and maybe a Speed Up if you have a spare slot.
- Accessory: Hermes Shoes or anything that boosts your ATB charge rate.
The timer is the real boss. You get bonus time for killing "Rainbow Cactuars," so prioritize them the second they spawn. They are twitchy and like to run, so use Yuffie’s throwing star to lock them down.
The Kid G Factor
Who is Kid G? If you played the INTERmission DLC in Remake, you recognize the goofy mask. In Rebirth, he’s the gatekeeper of the Corel Protorelic. His dialogue is... a lot. But pay attention to the hints he drops between trials. He’s obsessed with "The Fort" and the "Cactuar King." By the time you reach the third intel, the mystery of the Cactuar rocks starts to coalesce into a larger narrative about the desert’s ancient guardians.
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It's not just a mini-game; it's world-building that pays off in the final Corel Protorelic mission.
Common pitfalls in the Corel Desert
I've seen so many people complain that the icon won't show up.
Check your quest log. If you haven't finished the main quest "Chapter 9: The Planet Stirs," the game often locks the southern desert regions. You can wander around the northern sands all day, but the gate to the south—near the modular communication tower—won't open until the story dictates it.
Also, watch out for the Sandbowls. Those giant desert worms love to interrupt your trek to the third relic site. If you're under-leveled, they turn a simple walk into a 10-minute struggle for survival. Just run. You don't get enough XP from them to justify the headache when you're on a Protorelic hunt.
Mastery of the trial
Once you initiate the trial at the third altar, remember:
- Gladiatorial Cactuars take increased physical damage. Switch off your ninjutsu.
- Magical Cactuars (the bright green/teal ones) will barely take a scratch from your blade. Use the Shuriken throw and follow up with Ninjutsu.
- Gold Cactuars are your ticket to the high score. They aren't aggressive, but they are fast.
If you find yourself failing at the 80% mark, stop using abilities that have long animations. Yuffie's "Brumal Form" is great for dodging, but in Cactuar Crush, you want "Windstorm" and "Art of War." Simple. Fast. Deadly.
Finishing the Corel Protorelic questline
After you clear the third intel, you aren't done. But the hard part is over. The third relic is usually the "make or break" point for players because it requires the most precise movement and the most specific story triggers. Once you've secured it, you’ll unlock the path to the fourth and final location, which eventually leads to a showdown that explains exactly why these weird green statues are scattered all over the desert.
Getting through the FF7 Rebirth Corel Protorelic 3 is really about patience. It's about realizing that Rebirth is a marathon, not a sprint. You have to play by the game's rules regarding story progression, or you'll just end up frustrated at a locked gate.
Actionable Next Steps
- Verify your Chapter: Ensure you have completed the Gold Saucer main events in Chapter 9.
- Check the Map: Look for the Phenomenon Intel icon specifically in the southern "Searing Sands" area.
- Practice Yuffie’s Ninjutsu: Spend five minutes in the combat simulator if you aren't comfortable switching elements mid-combo.
- Equip ATB Materia: Make sure Yuffie starts the trial with at least one full ATB bar to clear the first wave of Cactuars instantly.
- Follow the Light: Use the L1 button with the Cactuar statue to find the hidden entrance to the Training Grounds if the waypoint feels vague.
The Cactuar King is waiting, and he doesn't respect players who can't manage their ATB. Get in there, clear the trial, and move one step closer to that final Gilgamesh encounter.