The Al Bhed Primers
During the course of Final Fantasy X (FFX, FF10) you’ll find items called an “Al Bhed Primer”. These primers are used to decipher the Al Bhed language that various characters speak throughout the game. Each primer corresponds to one letter of the alphabet and will change that letter into the correct English version. Collecting all Al Bhed Primers will also unlock the Master Linguist trophy.
You can use our guide below to find all the Al Bhed Primers in the game to decipher the whole language. The Al Bhed Primer volumes decode letters in order, so volume one will decode the letter “A” for example.
Please be aware that several of the Primers are missable and if missed cannot be obtained again in a playthrough, so take care to collect them along the way and use our guide to ensure you collect them all.
Al Bhed Primer Locations
Al Bhed Primer Vol I – Al Bhed Salvage Ship
Found on board the Al Bhed Salvage Ship at the start of the game. If you miss this one it can be found again in the Sanubia Desert later in the game, to the northeast of the Oasis. This translates the Al Bhed Letter “Y” to “A” in English and it is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol II – Besaid Village Crusaders Lodge
On your first visit to Besaid Village, you’ll find the second volume on the floor just inside the Crusaders Lodge. This primer will be blocked later in the game by Dark Valefor, so if you miss it the first time you’re here you may need to defeat Dark Valefor before you can reach it again. This will translate the Al Bhed letter “P” to “B” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol III – S.S. Liki Power Room
This volume is found the first time you board the S.S. Liki, in the engine room with the Chocobos, on the floor, toward the bottom right of the screen. If you miss it there, it can be found again in the Sanubia Desert next to the tent where you find Wakka. This will translate the Al Bhed Letter “L” to “C” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol IV – Kilika Port Tavern
Found in the Tavern in Kilika Port, it’s on the bench slightly to the left of Kulukan the Blitzball player. This will translate the letter “T” to “D” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol V – S.S. Winno Bridge
Found on the floor just behind the ship’s captain. If you miss it here you can obtain it again in the Sanubia Desert, search for it near a pile of rubble where you find Kimahri. This will translate the letter “A” to “E” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol VI – Luca Stadium Basement B
Found on the floor behind the two people chatting opposite the Besaid Auroch’s Locker Room under the Stadium in Luca. This will translate the letter “V” to “F” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol VII – Luca Theater Reception
This primer is found on the ground, at the bottom of the stairs on the left-hand side, as you enter the Luca Sphere Theatre Reception. This will translate the letter “K” to “G” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol VIII – Mi’ihen Highroad (Rin)
This primer is automatically obtained from Rin when you arrive at Rin’s Travel Agency along the Mi’ihen Highroad. This will translate the letters “R” to “H” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol IX – Mi’ihen Highroad Newroad North
Found along the path from Rin’s Travel Agency as you work your way across the Mi’ihen Highroad Pathway (Newroad, North). This will translate the letters “E” to “I” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol X – Mushroom Rock Road Precipice
Found on a secret pathway to the southwest of the Valley area of Mushroom Rock Road (Precipice area). Translates letter “Z” to “J” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XI – Djose Highroad
Found along the Djose Highroad, behind a large pillar. Run along the east side of the edge of this part of the map to find it, it wont be visible until you’re already slightly past it. Translates the letter “G” to “K” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XII – Moonflow North Wharf
After you’ve ridden the Shoopuf across the Moonflow, you can find the next primer at the North Wharf, at the top of the ramp. Translates the letter “M” to “L” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XIII – Guadosalam House
On the floor of a house in Guadosalam, you’ll find it towards the center of the room. Translates the letter “S” to “M” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XIV – Thunder Plains Agency
Inside the Thunder Plains Agency, Rin will ask how your study of the Al Bhed Language is going, if you answer with “Okay” he’ll award you the next primer. If you don’t get it here you can find it later in the Sanubia Desert in a small dead-end area past where you find Rikku. Translates the letter “H” to “N” in English and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XV – Macalania Woods Lake Road
Macalania Woods Lake Road near the Save Sphere, you’ll find it hidden on the floor near where O’aka XXIII was standing. It’s also in the area near where Auron carved a hole in the path. This volume translates the letter “U” to “O” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XVI – Lake Macalania Agency Front
Just outside Rin’s Travel Agency in Macalania Woods, to the left of the front entrance. This volume translates the letter “B” to “P” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XVII – Sanubia Desert Central
Found in the central area of the Bikanel Desert in the middle of a hollowed-out building to the north of the map. Translates the letter “X” to “Q” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XVIII – Sanubia Desert Central
Also found in the central area of the Bikanel Desert near the northwest corner of the map, to the left of a sign jutting out of the ground. Translates the letter “N” to “R” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XIX – Al Bhed Home
Just outside the entrance to Home in Bikanel, on the west side of the map, southwest of the Save Point. Translates the letter “C” to “S” and this volume is missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XX – Al Bhed Home Living Quarters
Off the main hallway of Home is the Al Bhed Living Quarters, the volume is on a bed near a chest on the ground. This volume translates the letter “D” to “T” and is missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XXI – Al Bhed Home Main Corridor
Main Corridor of Home, at the end of the northeast corridor on the floor. Just before the door to the next area. Translates the letter “I” to “U” and is missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XXII – Bevelle Temple Priests’ Passage
On the ground along the pathway to the Bevelle Temple after the Wedding scenes. Translates the letter “J” to “V” and is missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XXIII – The Calm Lands Central
In the northwest section of the map in the Calm Lands. A small jutting-out section of land on the upper western portion of the map. Translates the letter “F” to “W” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XXIV – Remiem Temple
Found in the northwest corner of Remeim Temple, just to the north of the Chocobo. Translates “Q” to “X” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XXV – Cavern of the Stolen Fayth
Found in the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth, to the west of where the save point is, just follow the path to the end and you’ll find it on the ground. Translates “O” to “Y” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Primer Vol XXVI – Omega Ruins
Found in the Omega Ruins to the north of the map, on the ground past the point with four chests in a circle. Translates “W” to “Z” and is not missable.
Al Bhed Rankings
Collecting a certain amount of Al Bhed Primers will raise the player’s Al Bhed Ranking:
| RANK: | NO. OF PRIMERS REQUIRED: |
|---|---|
| Al Bhed Hujela (Novice) | 1 |
| Al Bhed Pakehhan (Beginner) | 4 |
| Al Bhed Typpman (Dabbler) | 7 |
| Al Bhed Maynhan (Learner) | 10 |
| Al Bhed Cbaygan (Speaker) | 13 |
| Al Bhed Hydeja (Native) | 16 |
| Al Bhed Unydun (Orator) | 19 |
| Al Bhed Medanyde (Literati) | 22 |
| Al Bhed Sycdan (Master) | 26 |
