RNG Tracking is used in FF8 to acquire specific Triple Triad cards on the first game with specific NPCs. Using this method, we can get Zell's Ma to play the Zell card on the first game we play with her, rather than hoping for her to randomly play the card 10% of the time. The value we track isn't actually the HEX value, but rather the number of times the value has incremented in the run. In more advanced runs, this method is also used to get the Quistis Card from the Trepe fan for some extra time save.
Card RNG always starts with a zero value from New Game and is saved to the save file of the game. With this knowledge we can track all events that would increment the card RNG value, then arrive at the required NPC with a known value to manipulate the game.
Since this method has been discovered, generally people will use calculators built for purpose to track the RNG. The advantage is that this method will pre-count certain events that will occur every run and also have quick options to change certain outcomes.
Generally speaking the events tracked are:
- Encounters
- Attacks from Squall/Zell/Seifer
- Limit Breaks used
- GFs summoned
- Certain Enemy attacks
- The camera angles during victory fanfares.
As we typically run on a fixed/known step route, we can include the value the RNG in incremented from these encounters in advance of the run. For example, encounters with 2x Red Bats in the Fire Cavern increase the RNG by +15. The Ifrit fight adds +10 and the victory fanfare camera is always +2. The value added in advance of the run is often called the 'Base value', to which variables are then added to.
Once you arrive with a known card RNG value to Zell's Ma, you use one of the scripts which have been created to time when you should accept to play a game of Triple Triad with them. If successful the Zell card should appear in the first game. The timing method is a series of asterisks moving from right to left that the player uses to start the game on a required frame.
The scripts to find the cards first try, also offer the option to find the card on a second game. This can be used both as a backup, or as a strategy to consistently acquire the cards on 2nd attempt.