=============================================================================== Final Fantasy X FAQ/Walkthrough (EU) Written by Diomedes Last Updated 1st April 2005 Version 1.305 =============================================================================== ;; ",,,;;@;@O@; """8 O.; .@. @@; 8ooo8o8"o.."o O OO.@;;. @@@; o.8oo;.8o.oo"8; ; ;;. 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To make sure you go straight to a certain section, copy and paste the search code on the right. 1. Introduction [01INTR] 2. Characters [02CHAR] 3. Game Basics [03BASC] 3.1. Controls [03CTRL] 3.2. Field Screen [03FSCR] 3.3. Menu Screen [03MENU] 3.4. Battle Screen [03BSRC] 3.5. Sphere Grid [03SPHG] 3.6. Battle Menu [03BMEN] 3.7. Elements & Status Effects [03ESTE] 3.8. Equipment Customisation [03ECST] 3.9. Aeon Customisation [03ACUS] 3.10. PAL/International Changes [03PALC] 4. Walkthrough [04WALK] 4.1. Zanarkand [04ZANA] 4.2. Submerged Ruins [04RUIN] 4.3. Salvage Ship [04SALV] 4.4. Besaid [04BESD] 4.5. S.S. Liki [04LIKI] 4.6. Kilika [04KLKA] 4.7. S.S. Winno [04WINN] 4.8. Luca [04LUCA] 4.9. Mi'ihen Highroad [04MIHI] 4.10. Mushroom Rock Road [04MHRM] 4.11. Djose Highroad [04DJSH] 4.12. Moonflow [04MNFW] 4.13. Guadosalam [04GDSM] 4.14. Thunder Plains [04THNP] 4.15. Macalania, Part One [04MAC1] 4.16. Bikanel Island [04BKNL] 4.17. Home [04HOME] 4.18. Airship [04ARSP] 4.19. Bevelle [04BVLE] 4.20. Via Purifico [04VPUR] 4.21. Highbridge [04HBRG] 4.22. Macalania, Part Two [04MAC2] 4.23. Calm Lands [04CALM] 4.24. Mt. Gagazet [04MGZT] 4.25. Zanarkand Ruins [04ZRNS] 4.26. The Final Showdown [04SHWN] 4.27. Inside Sin [04INSD] 5. Overdrives [05ODRV] 5.1. Tidus's Swordplay [05SWPY] 5.2. Yuna's Grand Summon [05GSMN] 5.3. Auron's Bushido [05BUSH] 5.4. Wakka's Slots [05SLOT] 5.5. Lulu's Fury [05FURY] 5.6. Kimahri's Ronso Rage [05RAGE] 5.7. Rikku's Mix [05RMIX] 5.8. Overdrive Modes [05OMDS] 6. Aeons [06AEON] 6.1. Valefor [06VLFR] 6.2. Ifrit [06IFRT] 6.3. Ixion [06IXIN] 6.4. Shiva [06SHVA] 6.5. Bahamut [06BHMT] 6.6. Anima [06ANMA] 6.7. Yojimbo [06YJBO] 6.8. Magus Sisters [06MGUS] 7. Blitzball [07BLTZ] 7.1. Basics [07BASC] 7.2. Tips [07TIPS] 7.3. Techs [07TECH] 8. Celestial Weapons [08CSLW] 8.1. Celestial Mirror [08CSMR] 8.2. Tidus' Caladbolg [08CDBG] 8.3. Yuna's Nirvana [08NRVA] 8.4. Auron's Masamune [08MSMN] 8.5. Wakka's World Champion [08WDCH] 8.6. Kimahri's Spirit Lance [08SPRT] 8.7. Lulu's Onion Knight [08ONKT] 8.8. Rikku's Godhand [08GDHD] 9. Monster Arena [09MNSR] 9.1. Basics [09BASC] 9.2. Tips [09TIPS] 9.3. Area Conquest [09AREA] 9.4. Species Conquest [09SPEC] 9.5. Original Creations [09ORIG] 10. Miscellaneous Sidequests [10MIQU] 10.1. Airship Coordinates [10CORD] 10.2. Baaj Temple [10BAAJ] 10.3. Cavern of the Stolen Fayth [10CVRN] 10.4. Remiem Temple [10RMMT] 10.5. Omega Ruins [10OMGA] 10.6. Al Bhed Primers [10PRME] 10.7. Jecht Spheres [10JCHT] 10.8. Miscellaneous [10MISC] 10.9. Dark Aeons & Penance [10DA&P] 11. Stat Maxing [11STMX] 11.1. Requirements [11REQR] 11.2. Goals [11GOAL] 11.3. Monster Arena [11MNSR] 11.4. AP Trick [11APTK] 11.5. Maximising [11MAXI] 12. Items [12ITEM] 13. Abilities [13ABIL] 13.1. Skill [13SKLL] 13.2. Special [13SPCL] 13.3. Black Magic [13BLCK] 13.4. White Magic [13WHTE] 14. Weapon Abilities [14WPNA] 15. Armour Abilities [15ARMA] 16. Frequently Asked Questions [16FAQS] 17. Thanks [17THKS] 18. Contact Information [18CONT] 19. Copyright Notice [19CYRT] 20. Closing [20CLSG] =============================================================================== 1. Introduction [01INTR] =============================================================================== Well, it's been a long time coming, but this guide is finally complete. I've been working on this for over a year now, at the moments I was home, bored, and had a little free time. Being my first walkthrough ever, I probably could have picked an easier game to write for, but it doesn't particularly matter now. What you see in front of you is the product of a lot of hard work, and hopefully it will serve you well in your endeavours through Spira. -- Masamune3 =============================================================================== 2. Characters [02CHAR] =============================================================================== --- [ Tidus ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Tidus is a young and enthusiastic Blitzball player from Zanarkand. He is the son of Jecht, considered by many to be a Blitzball playing legend. Tidus resents his father, and the inevitable comparisons drawn between himself and Jecht. One fateful day, his life is transformed when he is thrown from the life he knows and wakes up in Spira. In battle, Tidus is light-footed and is able to take down nimble enemies. This is because of his good accuracy. He also has high agility, meaning he has a higher turn rate, and can thus get in more turns that most of the other characters during battle. --- [ Yuna ] ------------------------------------------------------------------ Yuna is the daughter of High Summoner Braska, who defeated Sin 10 years ago. She decided to follow in her father's footsteps and become a summoner such as he, and hopes one day to become High Summoner. She is on a pilgrimage to all the Temples in Spira in order to obtain the Final Aeon. Yuna is the only person capable of summoning aeons, powerful creatures that can be used in battle; making her very important for tough battle and overkills. Not only that, but you will find that her white magic skills will be used more than most other character's abilities. --- [ Auron ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Auron, along with Braska, defeated Sin 10 years ago. He has become known as a legend among guardians, and while he is much older than most, he is still one of the strongest and wisest out there. Auron's advantage over the others is his high Strength stat, allowing him to be far more powerful than the rest of the party. Sadly, he lacks good agility, meaning his turn rate is somewhat lessoned. --- [ Wakka ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Wakka is the cheerful and skilled captain of the worst Blitzball team in history, the Besaid Aurochs. While they lose many games, he is proud of his team simply for "doing their best". The upcoming tournament will be his last, and then he will dedicate his useful services to Yuna. Wakka is easily one of the most useful characters in the game. The fact that he attacks with a ball that he throws allows him to physical attack distant opponents, while all other rely on items and magic. His best Overdrive, "Attack Reels", is the most damaging and destructive in the game. --- [ Kimahri ] --------------------------------------------------------------- Kimarhi is a Ronso from Mt. Gagazet, asked to protect Yuna temporarily as a child by Auron. He brought Yuna to Besaid, and was about to leave before Yuna asked him to stay. He has been by her side ever since, and would risk his life in a heartbeat if her life was in danger. Kimarhi is more or less what you make of him. He doesn't have a specific area of the grid to go down, and therefore must be sent sown the path o one of the other six characters. In all my games, I have never got a better usage out of him than as a white mage. Other believe him to be a good thif too. It's up to you how you want to craft him. Kimahri is also a blue mage, meaning he can learn the skills of fiends and use them during battle. --- [ Lulu ] ------------------------------------------------------------------ Lulu is one of Yuna's original guardians. She is smart and straight to the point, although at times she can be rather blunt. That being said, she loves Yuna like a siser and would do anything to protect her. She grew up with Yuna, Wakka, and Kimarhi. Lulu is particularly useful throughout the duration of the story as she has a powerful arsenal of black magic. Most of it is elemental, and she will undoubtedly be brought in many times during the game to deal with enemies with an elemental weakness. --- [ Rikku ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- A young Al Bhed girl with high spirits, although she seems to have strange reasons for joining the pilgrimage. She becomes part of the group to protect Yuna from enemies, and perhaps even to accomplish something else... Rikku is especially handy for the simple fact that she can Steal and Use (two of the best abilities in the game) without requiring any training up. Her Overdrive, "Mix", is the most useful in that it can be ued to damage enemies, or to help out your party using a collection of white magic and other handy spells. =============================================================================== 3. Game Basics [03BASC] =============================================================================== The game basics section is one of the most important parts of the guide, simply because it covers all the... uh, basics, for lack of a better word. Everything you need to know to get started with the game is listed right here. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.1. Controls [03CTRL] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --- [ Field Screen ] ---------------------------------------------------------- DIRECTIONAL PAD: - Move Character - Move Cursor LEFT ANALOG STICK: - Move Character - Move Cursor X: - Select Action - Examine - Interact CIRCLE: - Cancel Action - Walk (Hold Down) TRIANGLE: Menu START: Pause --- [ Battle Screen ] --------------------------------------------------------- DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move Cursor LEFT ANALOG STICK: Move Cursor X: Select Action CIRCLE: Cancel Action TRIANGLE: Defend L1: - Open Switch Menu - Cycle Characters L2: Cycle Characters R1: Scroll Up CTB Bar R2: Scroll Down CTB Bar SELECT: - Display Help Bar - Hide Help Bar --- [ Menu Screen ] ----------------------------------------------------------- DIRECTIONAL PAD: Move Cursor LEFT ANALOG STICK: Move Cursor X: - Select Action - Examine - Interact CIRCLE: Cancel Action L1: Cycle Characters L2: List Page Up R1: Cycle Characters R2: List Page Down =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.2. Field Screen [03FSCR] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This is the normal screen, or the out-of-battle screen. As you will spend most of your time looking at this type, I thought it was necessary to explain a few things. --- [ Moving Around ] --------------------------------------------------------- Moving around the field screen (the out-of-battle screen) is as simple as pushing one of the directional buttons or manipulating the left analog stick. The camera angle will decide which way you need to use the controls. --- [ Mini-Map ] -------------------------------------------------------------- In the top-right hand corner of the screen a mini-map will display showing you a GPS-type view of the area in which you are standing. The red arrow shows the location you should head to in order to continue the story. --- [ Save Spheres ] ---------------------------------------------------------- Save Spheres are located throughout Spira. They are basically just blue sphere-shaped objects. When you press X on them, you have the option of doing a number of things, depending on how far through the game you are. Apart from saving, they can be used to play Blitzball and to "teleport" back to the airship. --- [ Non-Playable Characters ] ----------------------------------------------- You can talk to NPCs by simply walking up to them and pressing X. They will often offer you a variety of options and information, depending on where you are and who you talk to. --- [ Chocobos ] -------------------------------------------------------------- Chocobos, those giant, lovable chickens that have become a staple of the Final Fantasy series, are back again. You have the ability to ride them in certain locations. After you talk to the appropriate people, you'll find yourself sitting on one of the big birds. You can dismount at any time using Circle, and can hop back on by pressing X when you are close to a chocobo. --- [ Environment Interaction ] ----------------------------------------------- Sometimes there are elements in the field screen that you can interact with. Generally, this is done simply by pressing X on them. Often a dialog box will appear letting you know that there is an action available. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.3. Menu Screen [03MENU] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= By pressing Triangle when in the field screen (that is, not in battle), you open up the menu screen. This contains a massive amount of information and options that you can tweak. --- [ Sphere Grid ] ----------------------------------------------------------- Where you can raise and shape your party as you see fit. See the Sphere Grid And Levelling section for more details. Use L1 and R1 to cycle between characters, and L2 and R2 to toggle the angle of the Sphere Grid. --- [ Item ] ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Item screen has a number of functions. Firstly, you can "Use" an item on a character, however this is limited only to recovery items. "Sort" allows you to sort out items by either manaully moving them around, or automatically putting them in order. "Equipment" allows you to view all the weapon and armour you have, and these can also be sorted manually or automatically. Lastly, "Key Items" allows you to VIEW all the special items, but nothing more. --- [ Ability ] --------------------------------------------------------------- Here you can select a character, then a list opens up revealing all of that character's learnt abilities. You can have your party members heal one another with Cure, Cura, or Curaga (assuming they know them). The numbers on the right denote the MP cost for using that attack/skill/special/spell. Use L1 and R1 to cycle between characters. --- [ Status ] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Check out your character's current stats, as well as learnt abilities. Do the latter by pressing X on desired character. L1 and R1 will cycle you through your characters. Use L1 and R1 to cycle between characters. --- [ Overdrive ] ------------------------------------------------------------- Select a characer, then you will be taken to a screen where you can view that character's current Overdrives. Up the top their Overdrive guage is shown. Selecting "Set Mode" allows you to change the current character's Overdrive mode. You will gain new Overdrive modes for each character when certain criteria are met. The mode will determie under what conditions your Overdrive guage will fill. See the Overdrives section for more details. Use L1 and R1 to cycle between characters. --- [ Equip ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Again, choose a character, and then you are taken to a screen that allows you to set the current weapon and armour for that party member. You have a choice between all weapons and armour that are of that characters type (for example, Tidus only uses swords, and Lulu only wears bangles). Use L1 and R1 to cycle between characters. --- [ Status ] ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Status screen displays the selected characters stats, Overdrive gauge, Overdrive mode, and current equipment. Pressing X will allow you to view all their current abilities. Use L1 and R1 to cycle between characters. --- [ Aeons ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Here you can view the HP and MP of all your aeons. By selecting "Status", you can further view the selected aeon's stats, and Overdrive guage. Pressing X will allow you to view all their current abilities. Use L1 and R1 to cycle between aeons. The "Abilities" and "Attributes" sub-menus are explained a bit later on in the Game Basics section. --- [ Formation ] ------------------------------------------------------------- Fiddling with Formation lets you move around your party members for battle. Select a character using X, then move them up or down the order and swap them with another character by pressing X again. The top three slots are your active characters, so moving anyone to those spots will put them in your immediate battle line-up. --- [ Customise ] ------------------------------------------------------------- Here you are able to customise both weapons and armour with auto-abilities to make them stronger or more efficient. All you do is choose a piece of equipment that needs to be customised, and you are taken to a new screen with a list of all the possible abilities you can customise onto it. A more detailed rundown is found a little later in the Game Basics section. --- [ Config ] ---------------------------------------------------------------- These are the games options. Unfortunately, it lacks a screen position option, but here is what is on offer for you to change around. SOUND: Simple stuff, really. If you don't have a stereo television (all modern ones are), then choose "Mono" so you hear all the sounds. Else, stick with "Stereo". SUBTITLES: Here you can turn cutscene subtitles on or off. NAMES: This option talks bout the subtitles in cutscenes, and whether or not the names appear before dialogue, so you know who is speaking. CURSOR: "Default" resets the cursor during battle to "Attack" each time you get a new turn. "Memory" places the cursor at the last used command, and meaning you don't have to go through all the submenus again just to use a command again. To be safe, I'd leave it on "Default". HELP: You can toggle this on or off, and it affects whther or not the help bar across the top of the screen is visible. It divulges all sorts of useful information, so definitely leave it "On". AEONS: This option refers to aeon summoning sequences and Overdrives. Set it to "Short", unless you want to see all the summons all the time. MAP: Use this to turn the mini-map on or off. Leave it "On". VIBRATION: I's say this option is pretty obvious. Do whatever you like here. I personally prefer it to be "On", but it may annoy you. --- [ Help ] ------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a very handy reference to just about every feature of FFX. It gives you a rundown on controls, terms, gameplay elements, screen elements, the works. If you are ever in doubt about something, chances are it can be found here with a great explanation. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.4. Battle Screen [03BSRC] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --- [ Characters ] ------------------------------------------------------------ The battle screen is composed of a number of elements. You will instantly recognise your characters. They stand in a straight line formation, in a group of three. No more than three characters can be active at the one time, however, less than three chracters can be, if you use the Escape command. The current character has a small arrow above his/her head (though this looks much different from the target selection arrow). --- [ Enemies ] --------------------------------------------------------------- Opposite your characters lies your enemy, or enemies. A maximum of five enemies can be pitted against you at once, though it's generally no more than three. --- [ Status Bar ] ------------------------------------------------------------ The status bar is on the bottom part of the screen. It displays the current HP, MP, and Overdrive gauges of each of your active characters. --- [ Command Menu ] ---------------------------------------------------------- On the bottom of the screen your command menu is found. It opens up, depending on what commands you choose. The availability of options in the Command Menu can be affected by certain statuses the character may be under, such as Silence or Curse. --- [ Help Bar ] -------------------------------------------------------------- At the top of the screen, assuming you have it activated, if the help bar. It gives a brief desciption (if any) of a variety of things, including the effects of attacks or items, the name of the enemy you currently have targetted, as well as other information that may bee necessary. --- [ Target Data Window ] ---------------------------------------------------- If you have a weapon equipped with Sensor, or you have used Scan on a target, (both of course, assume that the target is not immune) then each time that target is selected a multitude of information about them (such as elemental affinities, HP, and MP) will appear in a small window in the top-left corner of the screen. There are four oval shapes of different colour that, when placed in context, reveal information about what elements the target is weak, strong, or immune to. Red is fire, yellow is thunder, blue is water, and white is ice. (1.5x): Target will take one and half times as much damage from the corresponding element. (1/2): Target takes only half damage from this attacks based on this element. (+): Target is strong to this element, and will absorb all damage done and replenish HP. --- [ Target Selection ] ------------------------------------------------------ The arrow that appears after a command has been chosen indicates the target to which the command will be assosciated with. Certain commands (such as Sentinel) do not allow any targets to be selected other than the character using the ability, while the generic "Attack" commands allows you to select any target by using up/down to navigate between targets, and left/right to swap between the enemy group and the active party members. --- [ CTB Bar ] --------------------------------------------------------------- The CTB bar indicates the order of turns. Each of your characters are denoted individually with a small picture, but enemies and bosses are simply identified with generic words. Knwoing how to read and interpret he CTB bar is absolutely vital in the planning of strategies. It's utilisation is not something that can be taught, rather knowledge is gained through personal experience. Basically, the order of turns is shown from top to bottom, where the top icon represents the current turn, the one below it the next turn, and so on. Use the L2 and R2 buttons to move through a finite number of turns. You should also be aware that during battle the order of turns can be changed depending on the actions of your characters and enemies. --- [ Damage Indicators ] ----------------------------------------------------- WHITE NUMBERS: Denotes the amount of damage done to a target. The value is displayed above the target. GREEN NUMBERS: Denotes the amount of recovery done to a target. The value is displayed above the target. MP: Denotes that MP was affected by a certain action. White numbers with "MP" mean MP was lost, green numbers mean MP was gained. MISS: Denotes that an attack has failed to strike the selected target. IMMUNE: Denotes that a status has failed to be inflicted because the target is immune to that particular status. --- [ Overkill ] -------------------------------------------------------------- If you defeat and enemy with a very strong finishing attack, you might get an Overkill. You chances of getting an Overkill is not determined by the HP of the enemy before you finish them off. It is a set damage value. Therefore, the Overkill value is the same for every fiend of the same type (for example, all Dingo fiends). The Overkill value varies drastically, however, from fiend to fiend. Try to get an Overkill in as many battles as possible. It results in more AP and doubles the number of items dropped. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.5. Battle Menu [03BMEN] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --- [ Attack ] ---------------------------------------------------------------- This is the simplest move, one which both characters characters and aeons can use. It is also the most common type of enemy attack. When you select "Attack", you will be prompted to select a target to carry out the attack on. After selecting the target, your character/aeon will use up their turn. --- [ Special Attack (Aeons Only) ] ------------------------------------------- Most aeons have a unique ability assigned to them (such as Bahamut's Impulse), and this ability is located directly under the "Attack" command. It does not use up any MP, and is used in the same way as the "Attack" command. --- [ Summon (Yuna Only) ] ---------------------------------------------------- The Summon command is only available to Yuna. Selecting it opens up a sub-menu that allows you to select and aeon to summon and control. The current HP, MP, and Overdrive status of each aeon is displayed in the sub-menu. --- [ Skill ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Skills are all physical attacks with special properties, such as the added bonus of status effects, faster turn rate, or stealing, to name a few. Each character can learn all the Skills on the Sphere Grid, and most aeons can learn the majority of Skills. --- [ Special ] --------------------------------------------------------------- Specials are a group of commands that don't necessary result in causing damage (although some, like Spare Change, do). They too can cause positive status effects on party members (such as Cheer or Aim), amongst other things. Each character can learn all the Specials on the Sphere Grid, and most aeons can learn the majority of Specials. --- [ Black Magic ] ----------------------------------------------------------- Black Magic is the set of offensive magic attacks designed to inflict damage on enemies. Whilst they are mostly elemental, there are several Black Magic abilities that have special properties (such as Osmose or Drain). Each character can learn all the Black Magic on the Sphere Grid, as can most aeons. --- [ White Magic ] ----------------------------------------------------------- White Magic abilities encpompass the range of extremely useful positive status effects such as Haste, Protect, and Reflect, to name a few. There is also one offensive magic spell, Holy. It is an elemental class of its own. Each character can learn all the Black Magic on the Sphere Grid, as can most aeons. --- [ Item (Characters Only) ] ------------------------------------------------ The Item command allows all characters to use normal items that you can buy from shops - not special items. These are used with the Spcecial ability "Use". Items that can be used with this command are recovery and healing items such as Potions and Phoenix Downs. --- [ Overdrives ] ------------------------------------------------------------ Overdrives are the unique attacks of both characters and aeons. Overdrives become available for use when the Overdrive gauge becomes full. For characters, they often require some sort of user input to maximise effectiveness. The status bar will have the word "Overdrive" written above it when you are able to perform an Overdrive attack. In order to use them, press left when at the main command menu, then select from the available Overdrives. --- [ Switch (Characters Only) ] ---------------------------------------------- You can switch your active party members by pressing L1 when a character has a turn. You can then scroll though all the available inactive party members and swap them into battle. --- [ Trigger Commands (Characters Only) ] ------------------------------------ Trigger Commands are special commands used only in certain battles. They allow characters to perform actions they cannot normally do during random encounters. The status bar will have the words "Trigger Command" written above it when you are able to perform a Trigger Command. In order to use them, press left when at the main command menu, then select from the available Trigger Commands. --- [ Weapon/Armour Change (Characters Only) ] -------------------------------- You are able to change the current character's weapon or armour at any stage during battle. However, they can only swap to a weapon/armour piece that is of their own type - no interchanging between characters. In order to use it, press right when at the main command menu, then select "Change Weapon" or "Change Armour". --- [ Escape (Characters Only) ] ---------------------------------------------- The escape command is generally open for use during battles. Almost all boss battles and certain random encounters are unescapable, however. When you use the Escape command, one of your characters attempts to retreat. However, sometimes they may begin to escape then come back, like they were attacked by their conscience or something. In order to use it, press right when at the main command menu, then select "Escape". --- [ Defend (Characters Only) ] ---------------------------------------------- The Defend command can't actually be selected from a menu - it's activated using the Triangle button. Using Defend will allow the current character to skip their turn and take up a defensive status that reduces damage from physical attacks by 50% (this can be compounded by Protect, Cheer, and Defence +X% armour abilities). The character will also get a turn a little earlier than they normally would, to compensate for the skip. --- [ Shield (Aeons Only) ] --------------------------------------------------- The Shield command is accessed by pressing left when at the main command menu. It is also a compromise action - your aeon takes four times less damage in return for no Overdrive gain. --- [ Boost (Aeons Only) ] ---------------------------------------------------- The Boost command is accessed by pressing left when at the main command menu. Boost is a compromise action - your aeon takes extra damage in return for a larger Overdrive gain. --- [ Dismiss (Aeons Only) ] -------------------------------------------------- By selecting this command, your aeon will leave the battlefield, and you will regain control of your party. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.6. Sphere Grid [03SPHG] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The structure of the Sphere Grid does indeed look a enormous and confusing at first glance. Progress a little and you'll see there's nothing to it. --- [ Battle AP & Sphere Levels ] --------------------------------------------- Basically, after each battle, your character's will almost always gain AP (except for a few select battles). Only character's who participated some way in battle (that is, performed some kind of action, thus having a turn) will gain AP. AP is not divided, a set amount is given to each character. Because of this, it is well worth your time to make sure each character gets a turn during battle. Equipping weapon abilities like Double AP and Triple AP will increase the amount of AP that a particular character gets. The AP you get from battle goes towards your Sphere Level count. Each character has their own individual Sphere Level count. It starts at a set amount (depending on the character) and decreases as you gain AP. When this count reaches 0, you gain a Sphere Level. The more times it reaches 0, the more Sphere Levels you will gain. However, the more Sphere Levels you gain, the larger the initial number or AP required becomes higher. This number will stop rising at 22000 (meaning you will eventually need to get 22000 AP in order to gain a Sphere Level). It sounds like a lot, but as you progress through the game, the more AP each enemy will give upon killing them. There is a nice method for gaining ridiculous amounts of AP, and this information can be found in the Stat Maxing section. So what do you do with the Sphere Levels? You use them to move around the Sphere Grid. Each Sphere Level allows you to move one space on the Sphere Grid, assuming you haven't moved there before. If you have been along a path before, you can move four spaces for every Sphere Level. You should also know that it is possible for every character to learn every ability on the Sphere Grid, as well as activate every single stat node. What's more, you can add new stat spheres to the many empty nodes on the Sphere Grid. Why is this useful? it makes your characters even stronger. This simple premise is what Stat Maxing is based upon. --- [ Stats ] ----------------------------------------------------------------- Now for the last little bit. When you reach a node with a stat or ability in it, you need to activate it. Doing this raises your character's stats, or teaches them a new ability. Raising stats makes your characters more powerful, and teaching them new abilities allows them to perform new actions during battle (and sometimes out of battle, depending on the ability). Here's a list of what stats affect what: STRENGTH: Allows characters to hit for more damage physically. DEFENCE: Lowers physical damage taken. MAGIC: Allows characters to hit for more damage magically. MAGIC DEFENCE: Lowers magical damage taken. AGILITY: Increases turn rate (amount of turns you get in battle). LUCK: Increases chances of dealing/being dealt a critical hit, chances of hitting and enemy/evading enemy attack. EVASION: Increases chances of evading enemy attack. ACCURACY: Increases chances of hitting an enemy. --- [ Activating Nodes ] ------------------------------------------------------ Now for activating nodes. To activate a node, you need to use a special type of sphere. Different types of nodes are activated by different spheres. POWER SPHERES: Activates Strength, Defence, and HP nodes. MANA SPHERES: Activates Magic, Magic Defence and MP nodes. SPEED SPHERES: Activates Agility, Evasion and Accuracy nodes. ABILITY SPHERES: Activates Skill, Special, Black Magic, and White Magic nodes. FORTUNE SPHERES: Activates Luck nodes. --- [ Key Spheres & Locks ] --------------------------------------------------- On the grid there are a number of Lock Spheres of differing levels. The level generally corresponds to power or importance of the thing they are protecting, if you will. For example, Ultima, the most devastating of all black magic spells, is surrounded by a number of Level 4 Lock Spheres. These stop your characters from moving to that particular node on the grid, and therefore will generally block your path. However, those pesky Lock Spheres can be removed, allowing your characters to move right on past them, and even use the cleared node to house important new stat increases. By using a Key Sphere of a corresponding level on a Lock Sphere you will delete it from the Sphere Grid, leaving a free node in it's place. However, using say, a Level 3 Key Sphere on a Level 2 Lock Sphere will not work. It has to be the specific level to be used. LEVEL 1 KEY SPHERE: Clears Level 1 Lock from the Sphere Grid. LEVEL 2 KEY SPHERE: Clears Level 2 Lock from the Sphere Grid. LEVEL 3 KEY SPHERE: Clears Level 3 Lock from the Sphere Grid. LEVEL 4 KEY SPHERE: Clears Level 4 Lock from the Sphere Grid. --- [ Movement Spheres ] ------------------------------------------------------ You can use one of several special spheres to move around the ground without requiring Sphere Levels. However, there is sually a catch. For example, with Teleport Spheres, you can only move a node which has already been activated by either the current character or an ally. RETURN SPHERE: Returns character to any node they have activated. FRIEND SPHERE: Moves character to the current location of an ally. TELEPORT SPHERE: Moves character to any previously activated node. WARP SPHERE: Moves character to any node. --- [ Stat Spheres ] ---------------------------------------------------------- You will be using a lot of these when you max your stats. Basically, they fill any empty nodes with a specific stat increase. HP SPHERE: Places HP +300 node in an empty node. MP SPHERE: Places MP +40 node in an empty node. STRENGTH SPHERE: Places Strength +4 node in an empty node. DEFENCE SPHERE: Places Defence +4 node in an empty node. MAGIC SPHERE: Places Magic +4 node in an empty node. MAGIC DEFENCE SPHERE: Places Magic Defence +4 node in an empty node. AGILITY SPHERE: Places Agility +4 node in an empty node. LUCK SPHERE: Places Luck +4 node in an empty node. EVASION SPHERE: Places Evasion +4 node in an empty node. ACCURACY SPHERE: Places Accuracy +4 node in an empty node. --- [ Miscellaneous Spheres ] ------------------------------------------------- Aside from the types of spheres already listed, there are quite a number of other spheres that have a purpose of their own. ATTRIBUTE SPHERE: Activates any type of node . SKILL SPHERE: Activates Skill node. SPECIAL SPHERE: Activates Special node. WHITE MAGIC SPHERE: Activates White Magic node. BLACK MAGIC SPHERE: Activates Black Magic node. MASTER SPHERE: Activates any type of node. CLEAR SPHERE: Removes stat sphere from the Sphere Grid. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.7. Elements & Status Effects [03ESTE] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --- [ Elements ] -------------------------------------------------------------- Elements are really simple in FFX. All you have to do is remember a few little rules. Fire beats ice, and vice versa. Also, thunder beats water, and vice versa. So if you were coming up against a fire fiend, they would be weak to ice magic. Ice fiends, on the other hand, are weak to fire magic. Same thing goes for thunder and water. Holy, the ultimate white magic spell, is also considered an element. There are very few enemies who are weak or strong to it, however. The last type of element is "gravity". These attack deal damage based on current or maximum HP. Some targets are immune, while others are not. --- [ Positive Status Effects ] ----------------------------------------------- NULBLAZE: Targets under NulBlaze are immune to at least one fire-based attack. It can be casted on a target using with the NulBlaze spell. It can be countered using Dispel, or a fire-based attack. NULSHOCK: Targets under NulShock are immune to at least one thunder-based attack. It can be casted on a target using with the NulShock spell. It can be countered using Dispel, or a thunder-based attack. NULTIDE: Targets under NulTide are immune to at least one water-based attack. It can be casted on a target using with the NulTide spell. It can be countered using Dispel, or a water-based attack. NULFROST: Targets under NulFrost are immune to at least one ice-based attack. It can be casted on a target using with the NulFrost spell. It can be countered using Dispel, or a ice-based attack. HASTE: Targets under Haste have a greater turn rate and faster animations. Haste can be casted on targets using Haste, Hastega, or Chocobo Feathers, to name a few methods. It can be countered using Slow or Dispel. PROTECT: Cuts all damage from physical attacks by half. When calculating the damage, the damage the attack would do without Protect is calculated, and then it is divided by two. As a result, even under Protect it is more than possible to concede 99999 HP from one attack. Protect can be casted on targets using Protect or Light Curtains. It can be countered using Dispel. SHELL: Cuts all damage from magical attacks by half. When calculating the damage, the damage the attack would do without Shell is calculated, and then it is divided by two. As a result, even under Shell it is more than possible to concede 99999 HP from one attack. However, it also halves the amount of recovery from healing magic. Shell can be cast on targets using Shell or Lunar Curtains. It can be countered using Dispel. REGEN: Targets under Regen will automatically gain a set percentage of HP after the turn of every target on screen. With the normal Regen spell, this lasts until the tenth turn of the character under Regen. With the Auto-Regen armour ability, the effect is indefinite. The spell can be cast using Regen or Healing Springs, and countered using Dispel. REFLECT: Causes all casted magic to be Reflected onto the target (including healing magic) that casted it, or under certain conditions, a random enemy target (where the "enemy" can be fiends and bosses, or even your own characters). A spell can not be Reflected more than once, so Reflecting a character and then casting offensive magic off that character assures it will strike a target. The opposite works for healing magic. Reflect can be casted on targets using Reflect or Star Curtains. It can be countered using Dispel. AUTO-LIFE: Targets under Auto-Life will be automatically revived when they are KOed. Auto-Life can be casted on a target using with the Auto-Life spell. It can be countered using Dispel. --- [ Negative Status Effects ] ----------------------------------------------- DARKNESS: Causes targets to miss almost all physical attacks. It is denoted by a black cloud around the target's head. Can be inflicted by Dark Attack, Dark Buster, and Smoke Bombs, to name a few methods. It can be cured using Esuna or Eye Drops. SILENCE: Renders affected targets unable to cast magic spells of any kind. It is denoted by a speech bubble. It can be inflicted using Silence Attack, Silence Buster, and Silence Grenades, to name a few methods. It can be cured using Esuna or Echo Screen. SLEEP: Affected targets will be unable to take their turns, until they are physically struck, cured, KOed, or the battle ends. It is denoted by the generic "ZZZ". It can be inflicted using Sleep Attack, Sleep Buster, and Sleeping Powder, to name a few methods. It can be cured using Esuna. POISON: The afflicted target loses a certain percentage of their MAX HP each time they take a turn. It is denoted by a series of green dots around the target's head. Casting Bio or using a Poison Fang are just a couple of ways you can inflict Poison. It can be cured using Esuna or Antidote. CONFUSE: Confused targets will attack themselves or their allies instead of enemies. It is denoted by yellow stars around the target's head. It cannot be casted by your own character, only by enemies. It can be cured using Esuna. BERSERK: The afflicted target will lose primary control of their actions, with a temporary boost given to Strength (which lasts until status is cured, target KOed, or battle ends). Berserked targets flash a reddish colour. When Berserked, targets will only use physical attacks. It can be cured using Esuna. PERTIFICATION: The affected target is turned to stone. If enough damage is dealt to the petrified character, they will be shattered, and killed. Petrified targets become motionless and turn a stony colour. Certain enemy attacks will always shatter your characters if you do not have some form of proofing on your armour. You can petrify enemies using Stone Breath or Petrify Grenades, to name a few methods. It can be cured using Esuna or Soft. ZOMBIE: Causes all recovery magic and/or items to cause damage to afflicated targets. Using Drain on them will cure them. Zombied targets display a greenish tinge. Zombie can be inflicted using Zombie Attack, Zombietouch weapons, or Zombiestrike weapons. It can be cured with Holy Water. CURSE: The afflicted targets will not be able to use their Overdrives when cursed. Cursed targets flash a black colour. It can be cured with Holy Water. KO: Whenever one of your characters has their HP reduced to zero, or death is used on them, they will be put in a special status known as "knocked-out". They will still be present on screen, but they will not have any turns or be able to switch with other party members. KOed character lay motionless on the ground. Only "alive" characters can cure them, using Life, Full-Life, or Phoenix Downs to revive them. SLOW: Causes the turn rate of afflicted target to be lowered. Their action animations are also slowed, though this is more of a cosmetic consequence that has no battle implications. Can be inflicted by Slow, Slowga, and Silver Hourglass, to name a few methods. It can be cured by casting Haste or using Dispel. POWER BREAK: The afflicted targets have reduced strength when using physical-based attacks. You can Power Break enemies using Power Break, Full Break, or Banishing Blade. It can be cured using Dispel. ARMOUR BREAK: Armour broken targets have had their defence stat reduced to zero, meaning that any physical damage caused to them will be a maximum according to the strength stat of their attackers. You can Armour Break enemies using Armour Break, Full Break, Banishing Blade or Frag Grenade. It can be cured using Dispel. MAGIC BREAK: The afflicted targets have reduced magic when using magic-based attacks. You can Magic Break enemies using Magic Break, Full Break, or Banishing Blade. It can be cured using Dispel. MENTAL BREAK: Targets under Mental Break have their magic defence stat reduced to zero, meaning that any magic damage caused to them will be a maximum according to the magic stat of their attackers. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.8. Equipment Customisation [03ECST] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When a new character joins your party, they bring their talents along with them. This opens up the Weapon and Armour Customisation Menu. It's an extremely useful option, and also very easy to learn, once you get a grasp of a few simple concepts. After you select "Customise" from the menu screen, you will be taken to a new screen containing a list of all the accessories you currently have in your possession. In order to customise a particular item, just use the directional buttons or analog stick to scroll through all your weapons and/or armour. When you find the particular accessory you wish to customise, press X. If you have enough items to customise the new ability, that technique will be in a white font. If you don't have enough items, or you have already customised that ability, then it will be greyed out. If you don't have the any of the item necessary to customise a specific ability, it won't even appear on the list. The number of items needed for customisation is shown on the right. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.9. Aeon Customisation [03ACUS] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You are able to customise your aeons by teaching then new abilties, or by hand-raising their stats painfully one at a time. Here's a low-down on how to do this. --- [ Teaching Abilities ] ---------------------------------------------------- Assuming you have the AEON'S SOUL key item, the "Abilities" option lets you teach an aeon new abiltities by using items. If you have enough items to learn a new ability, that technique will be in a white font. If you don't have enough items, or you have already taught the aeon that technique, then it will be greyed out. If you don't have the any of the item necessary to teach a specific technique, it won't even appear on the list. The number of items needed to teach the ability is shown on the right. --- [ Raising Attributes ] ---------------------------------------------------- If you have the SUMMONER'S SOUL key item, the "Attributes" option lets you can raise the stats of each of your aeons by using Power, Mana, Speed, Ability, or Fortune Spheres. All you have to do is select the stat you would like to upgrade, and the stat will go up by a very small amount. If you have enough items to raise the stat, that selected stat will be in a white font. If you don't have enough items, then it will be greyed out. The number of items needed to raise the stat is shown on the right. This method is by no means the best way to level up your aeons. As Yuna gets stronger, so do her aeons. Max her out, and your aeons will become very strong. The number of spheres required to raise a stat is wholly dependant on what the stat currently is. Stronger aeons will require more spheres to raise stats. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 3.10. PAL/International Changes [03PALC] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --- [ Sphere Grids ] ---------------------------------------------------------- In the PAL and International versions of FFX, there is a second Sphere Grid to choose from. The choice of Sphere Grids is made right after selecting the "New Game" option at the title screen. It is known as the "Expert Sphere Grid", and is a lot more flexible than the Standard Sphere Grid. However, it contains 55 less nodes than the Standard Sphere Grid, and substantially less key locks. Aside from the extra choice in Sphere Grids, the Sphere Grids also contain a few extra abilities for your characters to learn compared to the NTSC - U/C and NTSC - J versions. They are listed in the following sections. --- [ Standard Sphere Grid (PAL/International) ] ------------------------------ TOTAL NODES: 850 | SKILL: 22 | SPECIAL: 22 | BLACK MAGIC: 19 | WHITE MAGIC: 22 HP | MP | STR | DEF | MAG | MAG DEF | AGI | LUCK | EVA | ACC 19400 | 1260 | 187 | 150 | 142 | 124 | 174 | 18 | 124 | 70 --- [ Expert Sphere Grid (PAL/International) ] -------------------------------- TOTAL NODES: 805 | SKILL: 22 | SPECIAL: 22 | BLACK MAGIC: 19 | WHITE MAGIC: 22 HP | MP | STR | DEF | MAG | MAG DEF | AGI | LUCK | EVA | ACC 16200 | 1050 | 156 | 131 | 140 | 117 | 146 | 14 | 112 | 67 --- [ Standard Sphere Grid (US/Original Japanese) ] --------------------------- TOTAL NODES: 828 | SKILL: 16 | SPECIAL: 20 | BLACK MAGIC: 19 | WHITE MAGIC: 22 HP | MP | STR | DEF | MAG | MAG DEF | AGI | LUCK | EVA | ACC 19400 | 1210 | 170 | 142 | 136 | 126 | 173 | 16 | 124 | 70 --- [ Abilities ] ------------------------------------------------------------- The following abilities are only available in the PAL/International versions of FFX: - NAB GIL: Steal gil and attack enemies at the same time. - FULL BREAK: Power, Magic, Armour and Mental Break inflicted at once. - EXTRACT POWER: Makes target drop Power Spheres instead of regular items. - EXTRACT MANA: Makes target drop Mana Spheres instead of regular items. - EXTRACT SPEED: Makes target drop Speed Spheres instead of regular items. - EXTRACT ABILITY: Makes target drop Ability Spheres instead of regular items. - PILFER GIL: Steal gil from enemies. - QUICK POCKETS: Use a normal item with decreased recovery time. --- [ Weapon Abilities ] ------------------------------------------------------ The following weapon abilities are available only in the PAL/International versions to: - POWER DISTIL: Makes target drop Power Spheres instead of regular items. - MANA DISTIL: Makes target drop Mana Spheres instead of regular items. - SPEED DISTIL: Makes target drop Speed Spheres instead of regular items. - ABILITY DISTIL: Makes target drop Ability Spheres instead of regular items. --- [ Armour Abilities ] ------------------------------------------------------ The following armour abilities are available only in the PAL/International versions: - RIBBON: Protects against all negative statuses except for Death and Curse. --- [ Dark Aeons ] ------------------------------------------------------------ The Dark Aeons and Penance are exclusive to the PAL/International versions. They are optional super bosses, resembling your own aeons. Penance has more HP than any other boss, ever (a whooping 12,000,000), almost completely maxed stats, two arms that keep regenerating, and takes around forty minutes to beat. There is a Dark Aeon to resemble each of the aeons that can be acquired in your game, and Penance shows up after you beat them all. Each of them can only be truly defeated once, and they will disappear. --- [ Miscellaneous ] --------------------------------------------------------- - Quick Hit in the PAL/International versions requires 36 MP to use, and is about half the speed (in terms of recovery time) compared to the US and Japanese versions. - The requirements for Zanmato are more easily met in the PAL/International versions. This is because the starting compatibility is a lot higher in the PAL/International versions than the US or Japanese versions. - Omega Weapon in the PAL/International version has 999999 HP, and not 99999 HP like the NTSC - U/C and the NTSC - J versions. Several other stats have also been increased. All in all, he's much more difficult now. - You can more successfully bribe for 10x the MAX HP of a fiend in the PAL/International versions, instead of 20x the MAX HP in the other versions. However, you will get substantially less items and the success rate of a Bribe lowers dramatically. If you miss the first time, try just bribing 1 gil over and over until the fiend takes it. - The PAL version comes with a bonus DVD that has interviews with the voices actors for Tidus and Yuna, and a few of the Square staff. - The International version also has bonus DVD, showing "Another Story". It is a small clip concerning FFX-2, basically. - Oblivion, Tornado and Delta Attack all hit multiple times in the PAL/International versions (16, 2 and 6 respectively). - Behemoth King will not use Meteor if you capture him in the PAL/International versions. - Wakka's Attack Reels get an attack bonus if you stop the slots quickly PAL/International versions. =============================================================================== 4. Walkthrough [04WALK] =============================================================================== And here we have the generic walkthrough, the thing that makes up a large part of this document. I try to make it as detailed as easy to follow as possible, so make sure to abuse the Ctrl + F function to find a specific part. Enjoy! --- [ WARNING ] --------------------------------------------------------------- I aim to make my guide as spoiler free as possible, so there won't be much description of the story in the walkthrough. I may let a few things slip by though, so you have been warned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.1. Zanarkand [04ZANA] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You start off with in some groovy looking place. People are dancing and talking, and everyone is enjoying themselves. Then you skip to a person standing on something resembling a ship. That's the main character. Cool outfit huh? Anyway, move him on forward. There will be a bunch of people standing around. Talk to the group of kids on the left. They'll ask you your name. Here you can enter whatever name you wish. --- [ WARNING ] --------------------------------------------------------------- When you put in your name, make sure it's the one you want. You cannot change it later on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After that, talk to the two girls to the right. Now walk forward. Cutscene time. After the cutscene, run across the overpass. You won't receive any items by talking to people, but I do suggest you listen to the voiceover. Now, move into the next screen. Just walk though the crowd of screaming fans, and try not to get swamped. You'll be stopped a few times, but that's no matter. After watching what is perhaps one of the coolest videos in game history, with some of the most rocking music your bound to find, it's time to sadly move on. However, things are just starting to take effect for your hero... Walk forward and meet Auron. He was waiting for you? WTF? Oh well, just try to get past his awesome coolness for the moment, and follow him. After a brief explanation of things, he'll give you a sword. Now, it's just a simple matter of bashing the X button. While you can select a target, the computer does just as good a job of it. There is no need to go for the ones behind you, just the ones in front. After a few hits, you'll see another cutscene. Now it's time for a boss! === [ Sinspawn Ammes | 2400 HP | WEAKNESSES: None ] =========================== - After a brief explanation about Overdrives, perfrom Auron's Dragon Fang and Tidus' Spiral Cut as best you can. It doesn't matter if you don't get the button input right. - Ammes only has one attack: Demi. It can't kill you, so don't bother healing. =============================================================================== There is a blue sphere up ahead. Go up to it and press X. It's a SAVE SPHERE. Every time you see one of these, you are able to save your current game progress. Your HP and MP will also fill up again upon saving. I'd encourage you to save, not only now, but every time you see a new one of these. So, another cutscene, and we see the pair run into more trouble. Now it time to learn targeting. Once the bettle starts, just keep hitting X and killing enemies. Auron gets an idea. You see that machine over to the side? Time to lay a few blows on that instead. It's just a simple matter of selecting a target in order to hit. It's already selected for you in this battle, so don't worry. After that, there's another cutscene. You find yourself floating strangly in the air. You're pretty sure you couldn't do that last time... In any case, it's just a matter of flying to the man standing on the large circular platform. When you do, press Circle. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.2. Submerged Ruins [04RUIN] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The actual name of this place is Baaj Temple, but you'll discover more about this place much later on, so don't worry for now.. Anyway, after Tidus wakes up, swim north-east, towards a blue thing. Go up the stairs, and get 200 GIL from the chest. Now swim almost directly west, and head up another set of stairs. After going up the stairs, you should see another blue thing. That's an AL BHED COMPILATION SPHERE. It can be used to import saved Al Bhed Dictionaries from another save. After checking that out, head down. There will be a chest with POTION x2. After that, head towards the red arrow. Now you're in a new screen. Save. Alrighty. Now head up. You'll see the path fork, able to go left or forward. Go left, around,and get the HI-POTION from the chest. Go back to the fork and then head north. Cutscene... You're now in the water. Swim in any direction, doesn't matter which. After another cutscene, you'll be faced with three enemy Sahagin. Just kill two of them, and then the game will take over from there. Now you're up against a boss... === [ Geosgaeno | 32767 HP | WEAKNESSES: Fire, Thunder, Water, Ice ] ========== - Hit this guy three times, and he'll go away. He'll counter with punch, but that merely halves your CURRENT HP. =============================================================================== "Out of the frying pan and into the freezer" isn't a bad choice of words. Go up the passage. You'll find yourself in a hall. Walk forward and invesigate the "X" on your map. Time to get a fire going. Search the northern part of the big room with the firewood first and find the X-POTION (it's near a door, and behind some fallen stone). Now go to the green square on your map. After you get inside the door, walk back down, and find an ETHER in a chest. Now go up the stairs. Get the WITHERED BOUQUET. Keep going along, and into the next room. Head all the way down the end and grab the HI-POTION. Now head back the big circular room. Go into the south-west door, and grab the FLINT from the drawer. Go back the big room, and save your game (the big white square represents the SAVE SPHERE). Now walk up to the fire, and press X. Another cutscene. And now a boss fight. === [ Klikk | 2250 HP | WEAKNESSES: None ] ==================================== - Attack until another character joins in. Then Steal some Grenades from Klikk, then get ???? to use them. Use a Potion if your HP runs low. =============================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.3. Salvage Ship [04SALV] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You wake up on the deck of a ship. Grab AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME I from the top-right hand corner of the ship. Save you game. Walk up to the group of people, then chat to the guy on the left. He'll kindly give you POTION x3 even though you probably have no idea what he is saying. Now talk to the person who helped you in battle. She'll give you a rundown of the Sphere Grid, telling you how the system works. Once you're in the water, press Circle to dive. Head downwards, to the red arrow. You may have to fight a battle or two down there, just against Piranhas. Make sure you get ???? to steal some GRENADES from them. Have Tidus attack. Once you get inside the ruins, save your game again. Now swim forward and press X on the monitor, and Tidus will... uh... "open" the door. Head to the red arrow. There will be a fight against a large group of Piranhas, so just get ???? to Steal more GRENADES and Tidus to attack when they have been stolen from at least once. After that, Tidus will again "fix" something, by using his patented "if-I-bash-enough-it-will-eventually-work" technique. Anyway, the lights get turned on, and it's time to get moving. Go back the way you came. Oh, wait... === [ Tros | 2200 HP | WEAKNESSES: None ] ===================================== - Cast Cheer several times, then use Steal too, and pick up some Grenades. Use the Grenades while Tidus attacks. - First time Tros moves away, use the "Stand By" Trigger Command. - Use "Pincer Attack" Trigger Command when he moves away the second time, then finish it off. =============================================================================== The pair will swim out of that damn place. Head to the red arrow once more. You'll be taken back to the ship. After hearing a bunch of statements in a language you can't understand, you'll be left alone with the mysterious stranger that got you into that last mess. Okay then, her name's Rikku. Finally, I can start usng her name. Part of the way through your talk with her, you'll regain control of Tidus. Go save at the SAVE SPHERE, and then go back and talk to her again. Cutscene... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.4. Besaid [04BESD] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= You wake up on a beautiful beach, only to have a ball hit you in the head. What kind of ball is it? A Blitzball, of course. Suddenly some guy with a funky looking haircut calls out to you. Instinct tells you to go over and meet him. We'll you're right, you should indeed go over to him. --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- Swim to the right as far you can, and then swim into a little otherwise inaccessible beach with a chest. Get the stuff out of the chest. It's the MOON CREST. You'll need that later. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swim up to the guy with the mega hair-gel hairstyle. He'll introduce himself. He's Wakka, captain of the woeful Besaid Aurochs Blitzball team. After amazing the Aurochs with your 1337 Blitzball skillz, be sure to talk to each of them. You'll hoard yourself several items. If you don't get an item the first time, talk to them again. Four of them will give you an item, and one won't (what a tight-ass, huh?). Now go to the LEFT side of the beach, and grab ANTIDOTE x2 from the chest. Now go speak to Wakka again, who is waiting for you where the red arrow is. After more chit-chat, follow Wakka into the next screen. Head right at the fork in the road. You are about to take the "road less travelled by", so walk forward, and that dirty rat Wakka will push you in the water. Now time for a swim. Just follow the water along, making sure to pick up items from the three underwater crates. They aren't hard to miss, and you end up getting a PHOENIX DOWN, HI-POTION, and ANTIDOTE x2. You'll face a few groups of Piranhas on the way, but you should be able to dispatch them easily now. Part of the way through, a cutscene will takeover. after it's over, you emerge from the river, and find yourself chatting with Wakka once more. Once he's done, head to Besaid by moving towards the red arrow. On the way you'll meet up with Luzzu and Gatta, and they'll give you some information. Walk into Besaid. Upon entering, Wakka will ask you if you know the prayer. You get two options to answer him with. Choose either one, it doesn't matter - you get the same outcome. Now it's time to grab some items. Outside one of the tents there is a chest. Grab the PHOENIX DOWN it contains. Now you will notice on the mini-map that there is a sort of ghosted-out path between two of the tents. Head down into that little area and you'll score yourself POTION x2, HI-POTION, and 400 GIL. Alright, now feel free to check about town, learn a few things, although they may not make much sense right now. After that, head into the large tent on the left side of the village (the second one). Talk to Luzzu and Gatta. Grab the AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME II from the floor next to the desk at the very front. There's a SAVE SPHERE at the end of the tent. Make sure to check out the shop, which is the first tent on the left as you enter the village. You can browse from a list of items, although it has been my experience that you never really need any, especially right now. If you like, go for a little exploration around the village and talk to a few of the folks. Nothing particularly interesting, but go ahead anyway. Okie-dokie. Go into the middle tent on the right side of the village, and talk to Wakka. He'll tell you to go to the Temple. The Temple is that massive structure at the end of the village. Can't miss it. Head outside Wakka's house, and into the Temple, yo. Once inside the Temple, head to the left a bit and a scene will trigger with the priest. The main stairway is blocked off (you'll find out why soon), so don't bother with that yet. Now, go back to Wakka. When he presents you with the option of a nap, accept it (you must do this if you want the story to proceed). You'll have a dream, and Wakka and the priest discuss something. After you wake up, head back to the Temple. After the cutscene, it's time to excercise that noggin' of yours. Well, not really, as I'm going to tell you how to do it... Anyway, it's your job to go and save the summoner. To do that, you need to negotiate the often tricky puzzles inside each of the many Cloisters of Trials' located in various spots around Spira. Besaid, being your first, is also the easiest (as one would expect). There's a handy litle tutorial at the start, so pay attention. Now, here's how you get past... --- [ CLOISTER OF TRIALS: Besaid ] -------------------------------------------- 1. Move forward, and touch the glyph on the wall. 2. Touch the glyph that just appeared on the wall to your right. 3. Move through the newly opened wall and down the steps, and examine the thing on the wall. 4. After learning about spheres, grab the GLYPH SPHERE and then continue heading down the steps. 5. Put the GLYPH SPHERE in the door. 6. Remove the GLYPH SPHERE from the door after it opens, then continue on until the camera changes and you see something on the wall to the left of you. 7. Place GLYPH SPHERE here. Wall will open, and another sphere (a DESTRUCTION SPHERE) can be found inside. 8. Continue round the hallway until you see another glyph on the wall to your right. Touch the glyph. 9. Remove the BESAID SPHERE from the thing on the wall, and place it in the pedestal near you. 10. Go back and get the DESTRUCTION SPHERE. 11. Go back to little room where you initially obtained the BESAID SPHERE and place the DESTRUCTION SPHERE in it's absense. 12. Collect Rod of Wisdom from chest in the room that was just unveiled. 13. Push the pedestal containing the BESAID SPHERE directly forward until a certain point. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alright, so we are finished with that - for the moment. There are five more we need to complete by the end of the game, but we'll worry about them when we come to them. So now a cutscene takes over, followed by a breathtaking rendered FMV sequence. Try to keep it in your pants, fellas. After that, you'll be back inside the halls of the Temple. Go outside. You'll hear Wakka call you over, so listen to him and move towards the center of the village. You'll see another cutscene in which the new-found summoner tests out her abilities. She'll summon an aeon. After seeing this, you're given the choice to name it, exactly like the option given to you at the very beginning of the game. Name the aeon whatever you like (I always stick with Valefor, but that's because I'm very uncreative). If you're not sure whether or not you like the name, don't worry, you can obtain an item that allows you to rename them later on. As the new scene starts, it's now late at night. The village has gathered around the fire, to celebrate the villages new summoner, as well as enjoy a last night together with her and the Aurochs. Wakka introduces you to the Aurochs more formally, and they all discuss the upcoming Blitz tournament. Once you regain control of our hero, go the left, where the new summoner is. Some feral old woman tells you to "Stay away from the summoner!", but gets told by the summoner chick. The two get introduced, and now I can finally start using her name! Yay! Yeah, she's Yuna. After you talk, Wakka will ask you if you think she's cute. Now this decision DOES affect the game. It affects a few scenes you MAY get later on, as well as the animation of Tidus' best Overdrive. However, it WILL NOT affect the story itself at all. So don't worry about that. Choose however you feel at the time, choosing one or the other won't get you an item or anything. Now you can walk around and talk to the others (but not Yuna, that dirty scrub old lady tells you to take a hike again), but it's not necessary. When you're done, talk to Wakka and when he offers sleep, accept it. There'll be a few more cutscenes during the night. Once you wake up, be sure to save again. Then head outside. Cutscene time again (don't worry, it happens less regularly later on, but the story is still establishing itself, so bear with it). You'll be given BROTHERHOOD by Wakka, a very neat sword for Tidus. You also find out that Yuna is travelling with you on the boat. Like you didn't see that coming. Anyway, you need to head out of the village when you get the chance. --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- On your way to the dock, you'll be given a couple of tutorial battles, so make sure to take advantage of the things they tell you. Now, go back INTO the village and talk to the lady shopkeeper. She'll tell you her dog found something. Now go find the dog - it's found in the third tent on the right side of the village (the one closest to the Temple). Go inside then speak to the dog. Do this and you will acquire Valefor's second Overdrive, Energy Blast, which is significantly more powerful than her "normal" one. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As you head out, you'll see a scene with Yuna looking out over Besaid village. Wakka will pray at the stone-thing, and you have the option to do so too. Choose whatever you like, it's ultimately irrelevant as it doesn't affect the story at all. Head back out of the village, and continue up the path. After you proceed far enough, you'll be greeted by an awesome FMV, and then this... === [ Kimahri | 750 HP | WEAKNESSES: None ] =================================== - Don't bother wasting Potions if your HP gets low, you won't need them. - Kimahri will use a normal physical attack and Jump, both of which do limited damage. =============================================================================== More tutorial battles occur after this. So again, pay attention. Especially to the one involving changing characters during battle. After that tutorial, you should start using it in every battle possible. Make sure that every character gets a turn during battle, as AP is set, and not divided amongst the group. Any time a character is not used, AP is simply wasted. If you encounter any more battles on the way, use all your newfound knowledge to take out those fiends with ease. And finally, we reach the beach (hey, that rhymes). Make sure to talk to absolutely everyone here more than once. You should score some helpful items, including an ETHER, 400 GIL, REMEDY, SEEKERS RING, and a PHOENIX DOWN. When you're ready to leave, jump on the boat. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.5. S.S. Liki [04LIKI] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Alright, so after a cutscene (one where Tidus stares at Lulu's breasts for an awful long time) There are a few things to do here before we continue with the story. First of all, head to the back of the boat (in other words, head south-east from your current location) until you see a large set of stairs going up. Just before this, there is a door as well as a small set of stairs leading down. Take these stairs. You emerge in a room with several doors and a jibbering idiot blabbing on about nothing. The way he speaks to you, he deserves a punch in the face. Then he has the nerve to ask you for gil! You can talk to him, but I recommended AGAINST lending him gil. It's an absolute waste in my opinion, you hardly ever need to buy things from him. Still, if you're insistent, give him 1001 gil. No more, no less. This will give you the most worthwhile discount (half-price on everything he stocks for the rest of the game). First, save. Now head south, into the "Power Room". You'll talk to the woman there. Once you're done, go to the very bottom of the screen. Grab AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME III there. Go back to the room you were just in. Head into the door on your left. Keepa from the Aurochs is in there. There's also a REMEDY in a chest, so be sure to pick that up. --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- There's a suitcase in here. If you have LESS than 20 Potions, press X on it and Tidus will kick it. Do this until you have 20 Potions IN TOTAL. If you have 20 or MORE Potions already, then kicking it does nothing. Head back out to the main room. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alright, now go back up on deck. There are lots of people crowding Yuna, so walk up there. After you see a small scene with people talking about her having "noble blood" and the like, head back and talk to Wakka. After this scene, talk to Wakka and Lulu a few times. If I were you, I'd go back and save your game here. Up to you. In either case, go up and talk to Yuna when you're done. There will be a rather long scene where the two of them talk and some light is shed on both their histories. And then, out of nowhere, comes... === [ Sin | 2000 HP | WEAKNESSES: None ] ====================================== - The Fin is guarded by an unlimited amount of Sinscales, and three new ones are released after the current three are defeated. - The Fin is a ditance target. Only Wakka, Lulu, and Kimahri (Lancet) can attack the Fin. - Only kill TWO of the Sinscales. Kill of the third and three more are deployed in their stead, making it ultimately useless to have killed any of them. - Use Wakka and Lulu to attack Sin's Fin, keeping Yuna out to heal. - Finish off with Valefor's Overdrive to get the Overkill. =============================================================================== After that battle, it seems our hero is missing. So that champion Wakka jumps in to find him. But wait... === [ Sinspawn Echuilles | 2000 HP | WEAKNESSES: Darkness ] =================== - The Sinscales that accompany him should be ignored, again, they continue to respawn if you kill them. - Echuilles has two attacks: "Drain Touch" which he leeches some HP off your characters. Darkness prevents this. The other is "Blender", which does large damage. Darkness will not prevent this, so make sure to stay well healed before and after this attack is used. - Cast Cheer FIVE times, and use Dark Attack on Echuilles. - Remember to use Dark Attack after Darkness status wears off, and heal when necessary using Potions. =============================================================================== Whew... that wasn't too bad, but it's certainly the toughest we've had to far. Just watch the amazing FMV of Sin devastating Kilika, and the story shall continue... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.6. Kilika [04KLKA] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= When you arrive, Kilika is in a sorry state. Many deaths, and lots of work needed to restore order and peace. After the ship docks, the Aurochs do what they can to help. Townsfolk also ask Yuna to perfrom a "sending". What's a "sending"? We're about to find out. Save for the first time in a while, then proceed to the right. Talk to Wakka and the Aurochs, then go left this time. Here Tidus and Lulu talk and we find out a few things about life in Spira. There's another beautiful FMV sequence where Yuna perfroms a sending, too. Alrighty, after that, you'll go for a doze. When you wake up, you here the cool little "wake up music". Time to get underway. When you come down your room, talk to the little girl running around mindlessly. It seems she wants to be a Blitzball when she grows up. Right... Anyway, walk outside. Go left from your current location, and you'll see a little girl crying on some rock thing. It starts to collaspe, but our hero jumps on and saves her just in time. Time to get your reward for doing this. Head upwards into the house, as you can't go into the Temple yet (the guy fixing the platform is in your way). Nab 3x POTION from the chest inside. Head back out, and then all the way right into the next screen. As you approach, you'll see a hut at the fork in the path. Go inside. Grab the ETHER from the chest (a reward for saving the little girl), and AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME IV from the benchtop next to the drunk guy. Go back outside, and then downwards and talk to the old lady. She's own an equipment shop. None of the weapons are worth buying, but the armour can be pretty useful. After a good chinwag with the big guy, head left and go to the spot where the guy WAS fixing the platform and was in your way before. He's moved now, so you can continue on down that path. Do so. You now find yourself inside Kilika Forest. At first, it seems like a bit of a maze, but bare with me here, and I'll guide you to getting all the nifty items you can score here. After a cutscene, head south and save. Now go to the right at the first available path. In your first random enemy encounter you'll learn about Ronso Rages and Blue Magic. Make sure to pay attention on how to use Kimahri's Overdrives. Nab MANA SPHERE x2. Turn around and at the intersection head left (or west). Then go north and the next crossing. Grab the SCOUT from the chest. That's a nifty weapon for Wakka with the Sensor auto-ability that allows him to see the enemies current HP and other information. Continue walking forward, and find some people in armour up ahead. Talk to them to get a HI-POTION. Go back to the SAVE SPHERE, and save if you like. Now go north from your location. Talk to the people to get ANTIDOTE x4. Here you have a choice about whether or not you wish to fight a boss. You can do it now and gain some AP, or you can do it later, when it's A LOT easier and gain the same amount of AP. I always deal with him now, because the AP he gives is very handy for an upcoming battle. If you wish not to fight him, take the other route around him (the path on the right of the forest). But if you're feeling cocky... === [ Lord Ochu | 4649 HP | WEAKNESSES: Fire ] ================================ - Starting party should be Tidus, Yuna, and Lulu. Haste all of them. Cast Fire on Ochu. Yuna is there for healing. - When Ochu casts Sleep on himself, have Yuna use Esuna ON OCHU. This sleep status regenerates HP for Ochu. His normal attack inflicts Poison, so remove it as soon as possible. - Earthquake does large damage, so heal straight after. - Bring in Valefor and unleash her Overdrive. =============================================================================== Now that he's outta the way, head south again, and talk to Luuzu and Gatta once more to receive an ELIXIR and a NULBLAZE SHIELD from them. You can only get these if you beat Lord Ochu before you head up the Temple stairs. Proceed north and follow the path all the way around and get the LUCK SPHERE from the chest. Now from your current location, backtrack until you come to an intersection. Go east from here, then follow the path around until you reach the steps. Ascend. As we reach the next screen, it seems the fellas want a race. They want to race Yuna, what a bunch of pansies. Anyway, after that scene, save at the SAVE SPHERE. You may want to go back downstairs and into the forest to charge up Valefor's Overdrive gauge. When done, save again and continue up the stairs, and then get ready... === [ Sinspawn Geneaux | 3000 HP | WEAKNESSES: Fire ] ========================= - Active party should be Tidus, Yuna, and Lulu. Start with Haste. - The tentacles of Geneaux will absorb all magic casted at the BODY. Get rid of them straight away. You CAN cast magic AT them (fire magic works best). - Have Lulu cast Fire at the main body. - Once Geneaux's HP falls below 2400, he will come out of the shell. - Cure Venom with Esuna or an Antidote. Stattaco and Water can also do reasonable damage. - Use Valefor for an Overkill. =============================================================================== Phew, all these battles must be taking their toll on our poor hero. Oh well, he'll live. Anyway, once the battle is over, you'll learn a few nifty things about Sin and Sinspawn. Just continue up the stairs until you reach the Temple. Talk to Wakka when you get the chance, and then choose an option. Again, what you choose doesn't matter at all. I usually pray, but that's me. After that, save inside the Temple. Now it's time for another damn Cloister of Trials... --- [ CLOISTER OF TRIALS: Kilika ] -------------------------------------------- 1. Remove KILIKA SPHERE from pedastal, and place it in the door recess. 2. Remove KILIKA SPHERE again, then proceed through the door. 3. Place KILIKA Sphere in one of the northern wall recess. 4. Remove KILIKA SPHERE, and place it in one of the other wall recesses. 5. Touch the glyph on the northern wall. 6. Proceed through the entrance and find KILIKA SPHERE in right wall recess. 7. Remove KILIKA SPHERE and place it in empty wall recess in previous room. 8. Remove GLYPH SPHERE from pedastal, and place it in new wall recess. Wall rises, revealing a new room. 9. Step on the shining floor glyph in the second room to teleport the pedastal from the first room. 10. Remove KILIKA SPHERE from one of the two wall recesses in the first area, and place it in the pedastal recess. 11. Push pedastal onto shining floor glyph. 12. Remove DESTRUCTION SPHERE from hidden room and place it in the new recess uncovered after the pedastal went down in a blaze of glory. 13. Open the chest. 14. Go back and fetch the last remaining KILIKA SPHERE, then head north all the way and place it in the door recess. 15. Remove KILIKA SPHERE, then go up the stairs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, you're finally done with that. Only four more of those left to go. When you arrive in the "waiting room" with the guardians, talk to each of them several times. Then attempt to leave the room, and Yuna will exit. You score yourself a new, and very handy aeon - Ifrit. Name it what you will. After a few cutscenes, you'll find yourself in Kilika forest. Just head back the way you came to get back into the Port (just follow the wide path that goes down the centre). If you left Lord Ochu for now, then check out the strategy I have listed above. Only now, you have Ifrit, so you can summon him and pound away with Fire magic, if you like. After that, save your game at the entrance (or in this case, the exit) to the forest. Go into the next screen, back towards Kilika Port. Your finished here, so head back to the place your ship was, and you can depart for Luca. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.7. S.S. Winno [04WINN] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Getting ever closer to your first Blitzball match in Luca. It's not going to be easy, so here you can learn a technique that will make winning a great deal easier. First things first. The ship you are on now is exactly the same as the S.S. Liki, so you should know the layout pretty well. You start off in the main corridor where you can find O'aka (you can lend him money if you wish, but again, it's not really worth the time). Head in the door to the left. There's a chest in here containing a HI-POTION. Now go back into the main corridor, then up the stairs to get out onto the deck. Next to the stairs you just came up is a doorway that leads to the bridge (where the captain and first mate are). This room contains AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME V, so make sure to nab that. Now, go back outside. Head to the stern (the back) of the ship and you will see Yuna. This will trigger a scene with the Goers. You will then see Wakka and Lulu ascend the stairs to reach a higher platform. Now, simply try to walk up the stairs. A scene witll trigger involving Wakka and Lulu talking. Do this several times, until you finally reach the top. This means you have seen all the available scenes. Talk to Wakka and Lulu if you like. Now head down the stairs, and to the bow (the front) of the ship. Then head downstairs again to get into the main corridor (where O'aka is located). Save your game at the SAVE SPHERE. You'll see a Blitzball here. Simply walk up to it and a minigame will be initiated. --- [ EVENT: Learn the Jecht Shot! ] ------------------------------------------ In this minigame you can learn one of the best techs in all of Blitzball for Tidus' use alone. Jecht Shot allows you to knock out two defending players and raises your shot stat dramatically. The game itself is simple - whenever you see a message on-screen, press the direction and the X button corresponding to the position. In other words, if the message appears on the left-hand side of the screen, hold left and then press X. If the message is on the bottom-right of the screen, hold down-right and then X, and so on. If the message appears in the centre of the screen, simply press X. Got it? Make sure you make use of the practice session, then get right into it. If you fail the first few times, just reload and try again. The easiest thing to do is use the analog stick instead of the digital control. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wakka and the boys will join you, and congratulate you on your amazing skill (assuming you did it, of course). If you just couldn't do it, Yuna will talk to you instead. In either case, after a little discussion, you will be prompted to talk to Yuna again, so just walk up to her and another scene will initiate. After all of this, go back to staircase that leads below the decks of the ship. A woman will be there, and she will inform you that by the time you wake up you will be in Luca. That's good news. Accept the offer to sleep, save your game when given the option, and get ready for an action packed chapter... =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.8. Luca [04LUCA] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Finally, we are here. Your arrival to Luca is truly complete with yet another awesome FMV sequence. As soon as you save, a few cutscenes will ensue (a particularly funny one when our hero makes a fool of himself), and then you'll be prompted to see Maester Mika. When this happens, just go into the next screen (only one way is possible as a guard blocks one of the exits). Another scene, and then we finally get to learn how to play Blitzball. It's imperative that you cover ALL aspects of the tutorial. Your first game is going to be hard enough, so make sure you fully understand EVERYTHING. If you're still having trouble with it, check the Blitzball section for a more in-depth analysis. Needless to say, I'll be giving you a strategy for winning the game relatively easy, but it can't hurt. Anywho, soon Yuna will come in and interrupt Wakka and his pep talk. Seems our man Auron has been spotted, so it up to you to find him, ya? Good stuff. Before you set about finding "the man", let's treat ourselves to some of the better parts of Luca first. Namely, items. Lots of them. As well leave the locker room, we encounter some Al Bhed Psyches. You have no idea what they are talking about, and they seem to have no idea what Tidus is talking about, either. Nevermind that, it all becomes clearer much later on. Now, it's our job to find Auron, who was supposedly spotted in a cafe. Hold that thought for a minute, as the first thing we should do is grab some items and accessories located about Luca. First things first, leave the area you are in now and you will find yourself in at the reception desk main area. There are threee sets of stairs, as well as three different entrances/exits to different parts of Luca. The main centre staircase is blocked off for the moment, so that restricts us just a little. Anyway, head down the left stairs, and you'll find yourself in a room very similar to one you have just been in, only in reverse. Grab AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME VI from the floor near the guy, as well as the HI-POTION x2 from the chest at the back of the room. Leave this room, and back into the "main" area. Save at the SAVE SPHERE. Now, from here, go left. We are now in the docks. You can speak to O'aka here, and make a purchase, if you wish. You can also donate to his cause, but again, I still don't think it's worth it. If you like, buy the Stunning Steel, it comes in handy for later battles. Keep in mind IT IS NOT NECESSARY, but for your first time through, it certainly makes things a little easier. From Dock 1 (where we are now) grab the TIDAL SPEAR and 600 GIL from the two chests. Move into the next screen. Nab the PHOENIX DOWN x2. The next two areas have no items, so just go past them. Dock 5, however, has the two best things you'll find in Luca. Once you get to Dock 5, run north of where you are right now. On the mini-map, you will notice there is a faint ghosted path. That is where you want to go. It leads between a stack of crates on top of which a piece of timber (or something) has been placed. There are two chests here containing a HP SPHERE and a MAGIC SPHERE. For the moment, resist the temptation to use them. The stat increases they give are minor so far, and you'll be using them later on anyway (in a process called "Stat Maxing"). Leave this Dock, and you'll end up in the area with the reception desk (we just went full circle). Now, head south from the reception desk. This is where you wanna be. You'll probably get a cutscene, so just go with the flow. Oh yeah, you might end up with Yuna behind you as well, but that's nothing to worry about. At the intersection, go north. You'll find yourself at Luca Theatre. On the steps you can get yourself AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME VII. Alright, now make for the red arrow on your screen. You'll soon find yourself in Luca Square (despite the fact it's more of a circle that anything...) and invlolved in another cheesy cutscene with bad voice acting. "They must be so tall!" Shut up, woman. Nevertheless, instead of going into the cafe (where the red arrow is), go up the stairs to the east. At the top, you'll find a chest containing a handy 1000 GIL. There's also a SAVE SPHERE up here, so make use of its only function (for the dimwitted, save your game). Now go back downstairs, in to the red arrow, where the story will again take over. Dang it, where'd Yuna go? Seems the Al Bhed have nabbed her for there own seemingly sinister purposes. Time to rescue the damsel in distress. Follow the yellow-bricked ro... I mean... head to the red arrow. On your way, you'll encounter a number of groups of machina enemies. Use Lulu's Thunder attack to wipe the floor with them. Tidus and Kimahri will do significantly less damage than Lulu will, so just use them for a more of a support-type role. When you reach the SAVE SPHERE outside one of the docks, SAVE YOUR GAME. Now, get ready to fight, and use up any Sphere Levels you may have obtained. === [ BOSS: Oblitzerator | 6000 HP | WEAKNESSES: Thunder, Slow ] ============== Handily located next to Tidus is a crane. It can't be used in it's current state, but once Lulu casts Thunder on it three times, it becomes a deadly weapon. Haste Lulu, and let her do her thing. Have Tidus and Kimahri defend in the meantime. After Lulu uses her third and final Thunder, have Tidus use the Trigger Command "Use Crane". The crane will rip off a massive amount of HP. If that doesn't kill it, have Lulu cast Thunder or have Tidus and Kimahri attack until it finally falls. =============================================================================== So, you'll have your standard run-of-the-mill cutscene, where Wakka scores the winning goal in the last second to make it into the final. Way to go, champ (for those wondering, I think Wakka is teh cool). We also learn a few things about Yuna, but that's not for me to comment on here... Go to your trusty red arrow on the mini-map. That's where you need to be. Before you go inside, SAVE YOUR GAME. I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SAVE BEFORE YOU PLAY YOUR FIRST GAME OF BLITZBALL. And it's going to be a damn hard one, at that. When you go in, Wakka will be lying down. The man is is hurt, and it seems that he can't play in the final (poor guy, can't even play his own final match). It looks like the hopes and reams of Besaid are rested on the soldiers of our hero and the other pathetically weak Besaid Aurochs. But don't worry, as I have a nice little strategy for winning the cup... --- [ EVENT: Luca Blitzball Tournament ] -------------------------------------- This is most likely going to take a few restarts, but if you stick in there, you can win this thing. In order to keep those pesky Luca Goers players off you, all you need to do is get a player to get the ball and swim behind Keepa (your goalie). The Luca Goers will suddenly freeze, and they won't come near you. Use this time to get the ball around to EVERY player on your team, especially Tidus. After you pass the ball, the players will come unstuck, so make sure you get another blitzer to go behind your goalie and use the trick again. Do this for the entire first half. At half time, you should get a few stat increases in some of your characters. But most importantly, Tidus now is at level 3, and can use techs. Equip him with Jecht Shot. YOU MUST DO THIS. Leave everything else as is. Second half is where all the action is at. The first thing to do is pray you start off with the ball. If not, pray that you get it without being scored against first. Assuming that happens, do you little "freeze" trick again. Hopefully, Tidus will be somewhere up the front, with only two defenders near him. Now, pass the ball to him, and get him to swim to the goal. If you reach the goals with two or less defenders on you, use Jecht Shot, and you should almost definitely score. After three minutes of play, Tidus will be substituted off for Wakka. So you can choose to use the freeze trick for the remainder of the game and play it safe, or you can try and score again. Assuming this is your first time playing Blitzball, I'd recommend the taking the easy way. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the tournament ends, the crowd will be cheering, and you'll be breathing a sigh of relief (or one of frustration, if you already hate Blitzball). You'll also get a STRENGTH SPHERE for your troubles. Most definitely worth it. In either case, things aren't over just yet. Save your game when given the chance. Now, Tidus and Wakka have to fight off against several groups of Sahagin Chiefs. These are weak water fiends, so you shouldn't have too much trouble disposing of them. If all else fails, just cast Haste and Cheer on your party. Heal when needed. And now, we see the coolest character ever in his own awesome FMV sequence. Auron is here, and he has some serious ass-kicking to deal out. All of a sudden, you are in control of him, up against a simple dragon fiend. One hit should be enough to kill it. Tidus and Wakka meet up with Auron to fight off a Garuda. To beat this guy, have Tidus cast Haste on everyone, then get Wakka to use Dark Attack (on Garuda), and then get Auron to use Power Break on Garuda. This makes the battle pathetically easy. After that battle, it seems the odds no longer favour you... or do they? Seymour summons Anima, one of the most powerful aeons in the game, who dishes out some "Pain" and wipes out all the remaining fiends in the stadium. This is followed by several more cutscenes where some important information is reveiled to us quite early on (seems almost too early, doesn't it?). If you're wondering about what happens if you win/didn't win the Bltizball tournament, the scene is exactly the same, apart from the fact that Wakka holds a large trophy (if you won) or a Blitzball (if you didn't). When finally back in control, follow Auron (or head to the very helpful red arrow shown on the mini-map). As a result, you should find yourself at the top of the stairs past Luca Square (where you acquired 1000 gil from a chest earlier on). A few scenes later, and it seems we are on our way. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.9. Mi'ihen Highroad [04MIHI] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Aha! We now have the option to play Blitzball whenever we like. If you've been put off by the first game, I suggest you try it out again. It becomes quite fun when the odds aren't so difficult. You also have the option of scouting out new players from all over Spira, which becomes quite a sidequest of its own. For more information on that, check the Blitzball section. --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- I strongly urge you grab a few players for your team, as you can get the best Overdrive in the game (Wakka's "Attack Reels") right now if you wish it. I usually wait until I get to the end of the Highroad before I start playing, so first of all, let's go back into Luca and sign a few new guys to our team. First up, in Luca Square, there is a guy sitting on one of the benches. He's going to be our new goalie. His name is Jumal, so finding him is a just a matter of pressing Square on every person sitting on a bench. Next, head to Luca Theatre. Leaning on the wall along the pathway just before the theatre itself is a man. His name is Zalitz. Acquire him too. Leave Luca theatre, and return to the place with the reception desk and the three staircases. Guarding the centre stairs are Biggs and Wedge. Hire Wedge. You'll now be prompted to boot a player from the Besaid Aurochs from your team. Do so. Lastly, walk around Luca docks and hire Zev Ronso. Boot another Auroch from the team. Only one player left to go before you start playing Blitz. So let's hold that thought for the time being, and get back to the start of the Mi'ihen Highroad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In your first battle, you'll be given a quick tutorial on how to use Auron. Auron is easily one of the best characters in the story part of the game (and overall, as well), because of his high strength. Use it to your advantage, and get used to using his Power Break ability, which makes enemy attacks weaker. Other than that, just continue to use every character during battle. Make sure to talk to every person you come across. Almost all of them reward you with an item or an accessory. As you leave the safety of the SAVE SPHERE, talk to all the people walking around to get yourself a HI-POTION, ANTIDOTE x2, and HUNTER'S SPEAR. The HUNTER'S SPEAR is an amazingly good weapon at this point in time, so make sure you equip it for Kimahri straight away. Now move forward, and eventually you'll meet Maechen, a historian. Blah blah blah, and back to work we go. Around the back of the ruins he talks about there is an ICE BRAND for Tidus. It's not particularly useful, but it can be sold for a decent enough price. Continue north, and you'll also have a chat with the Chocobo Knights. Seems a chocobo eating fiend is on the rampage. Hmm... --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- If you happen to get into a fight with a Bomb, make sure to have Kimahri use Lancet on them to learn "Self Destruct". If you get into a fight with a Dual Horn, make sure to have Kimahri use Lancet to learn "Fire Breath". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up ahead, you'll see a woman standing in a little off-shoot of the road. Her name is Belgemine, and she challenges you to an aeons fight. DO NOT FIGHT HER YET. Instead, walk around and continually summon Valefor and get her (yes, her) Overdrive gauge built up. Don't worry about getting Ifrit's Overdrive gauge up, as you can't use him. If somehow you managed to charge up Yuna's Overdrive gauge by now to, then even better. It's never been full by this time for me, though. Now go back to Belgemine, and accept. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS: Ifrit | HP: 3500 | WEAKNESSES: Ice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An imposing boss, to be sure. Let lose from the outset with Energy Blast (or Energy Ray, if you don't have the former). On every second turn, Ifrit uses Meteor Strike, which does quick heavy damage. Counter this by using Shield the turn before he uses Meteor Strike. On your "free" turns, cast Blizzard on Ifrit. to inflict greater damage Only use your Overdrive when you are sure it will kill him, as it delays your next turn quite a bit, enough even for him to finish you off. If you managed to get Yuna's Overdrive gauge charged before battle, then this will be even easier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assuming you win this battle, you will receive an ECHO RING for Yuna. If you lost, you get a SEEKER'S RING. If you lose, it makes no difference at all. It's not a game over, and the item you get is not much better (the ECHO RING just has added protection against Silence). Carry on. In the next screen, the path is much the same. Get the RED RING from the man coming towards you, and the REMEDY from the chest. You'll also see a scene with a little girl talking about the Calm. Still much to learn about Spira, we have. Move on, young padawan. --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- At one point, you'll notice a blitzball sitting on the ground. TALK TO THE BOY NEAR IT FIRST, then press X to kick the ball. Do so and you'll receive SOFT x3. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the final stretch, you acquire more items than you can poke a stick at. I'm too lazy to walk you through getting them all, but it's just a simple matter of speaking to everyone on screen and opening all the chests. The chests aren't out of the way or anything, ansd should be easily spotted. You should end up with the following: ANTIDOTE x4, LEVEL 1 KEY SPHERE, ETHER, 600 GIL, HI-POTION, 2000 GIL and EYE DROPS x3. You'll also talk with Luzzu and Gatta, as well as Shelinda, someone new. That's all for this area. When you finally reach the agency, there will be a rather long-winded cutscene. You should be used to it by now. When you get the chance, save at the SAVE SPHERE conveniently located inside the agency. You'll nab a LEVEL 1 KEY SPHERE from a random person. Try to leave the agency, and you will meet Rin, owner of the establishment as well as many other agencies all over Spira. He'll give you AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME VIII and MEGA-POTION x2. Time for a boss fight. Save your game again. --- [ Helpful Tip! ] ---------------------------------------------------------- Here you can hire Ropp for your Blitz team. Kick out one of the Aurochs and now you have a good team for early levels, certainly enough to get you what you want for the time being. Now, I always play five games of Blitzball before the boss fight to get Wakka's Attack Reels. I suggest you do the same. For your team, put Tidus and Wege up front, Zev in the middle, Ropp and Zalitz in the defence, and Jumal as the goalie. Play two league matches (save after both of them), and then a tournament will become available. If the prize isn't Attack Reels, reset and heck again. There is a 50% chance that the prize is Attack Reels, so it houldn't take long. Now, playand win the tournament, and you have the best Overdrive in the game at your disposal very early on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now, it's time to fight. Walk outside, and go north a ways... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS: Chocobo Eater | HP: 10000 | WEAKNESSES: Fire, Power Break, Slow ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Because of the location of the fight, their is a cliff behind Chocobo Eater, and one behind your party. It works sort of like the Sphere Grid, and depending on how much damage is inflicted, you can move forward or be pushed back. Same applies for our friend here. Pushing him off the cliff is recommended, as you will get LEVEL 1 KEY SPHERE x2 for doing so. To push him back a space, inflict at least 500 damage while he is on his back. It's actually not a hard thing to do. If you have the Stunning Steel, use it to inflict Slow. You should be able to do it now. Chocobo Eater has a number of attacks at his disposal, and he is the most complex boss you have faced yet. Normally, he'll use his bash attack, dealing mediocre damage. From time to time, he'll point to a character and say "You're next!". That means his next attack will deal massive damage, so make sure to have that character defend for their next turn, and they should survive. He can also cast Blizzard when on his back, but that too does pretty low damage. So just make a habit of healing up when necessary with items or Yuna's magic. Main party should be Tidus, Auron and Lulu. Haste everyone, and get Auron to use Power Break. Cast Fire magic with Lulu. In order to knock him over, you need to deal 1200 damage to him. Try your best to push him back before he stands up again. If you don't manage to push him off the cliff, then just use an aeon Overdrive to get the Overkill. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm going to assume you beat Chocobo Eater, and did not get pushed off the cliff. If you were pushed off, then load your game and try again. Or else, you're on your own for the time being. Anyway, after the battle, Rin thanks you by allowing you to ride chocobos for free. Save your game inside the agency again, then talk to the lady outside with the chocobos and accept her offer. You can now pick up some nifty items on your travels on the highroad. Basically, whenever you see a feather on the road when riding a chocobo, just press X and the chocobo will perform some amazing feat of chocobo-type skills and get to a hidden location, where upon you will find an item or an accessory. Alright, so after the fight, head northwards on your chocobo. Head over the bridge, and into the next screen. After crossing the bridge, look for a chocobo feather on the ground. Press X on it. Your trusty chocobo will find it's way to a hidden location and you'll receieve a HEAT LANCE. Not much use, but worth a bit of money. Continue on down the road, and soon enough you'll see AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME IX laying on the road at the bend. Move on. When you reach the next screen, there is somewhat of a crossroads. I'm going to assume you want the items and accessories, so head down the south road. If not, then go north, to continue the plot. When you go south, you'll find another chocobo feather on the ground. This one is kinda tough to see at first, so walk slowly along here. As you head past two rocks that hang out from the wall, it will be just to the left of the path (or on the right hand side of our hero). Press X on it to obtain a THUNDER BLADE and SCOUT. Once you reach the next screen, tak to Lucil if you like. Head further down the road you'll come across yet another Chocobo Feather. It can't be spotted from the main path, so use your mini-map to locate the short path that comes of the Oldroad. Walk down to the end of it, and press X on the Chocobo Feather. You'll get a FORTUNE SPHERE for your troubles. O'aka can be found wandering about the Oldroad, but I never buy anything from him. If you find your item supplies running low then by all means, purchase some new stock. Sell some mediocre weaponary if you need the money. There also happens to be a SAVE SPHERE down here, so save your game if you like. When you finally reach the end of the road, there is a MARS CREST to be found. This item is important for a later sidequest, as was the MOON CREST you have already picked up from Besaid Island. Now that you have gotten all there is to be had down here, head all the way back to the crossroads you found yourself at earlier. There's another SAVE SPHERE here, too. Okay, so there's a guy here who is also a poor bastard, and he's begging for donations. Send him packing, there's nothing worthy to be gained from this exchange. Head north, and after you're told you can't proceed, walk south for a bit. A cutscene will take over. After it finishes, head north again. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 4.10. Mushroom Rock Road [04MHRM] =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Preparation for Operation Mi'ihen has begun, as can be seen. Walk forward a bit, and then a cutscene will again take over. After it finishes, walk back just a little (stay in this screen) and talk to the guy. He'll give you a TOUGH BANGLE for Lulu. This is a very good accessory - equip it on her straight away. You won't need to get her any further armour for a long time now. Walk ahead, and talk to the Crusaders. They will give you a range of handy items, including 2x PHOENIX DOWN, ETHER, and a HI-POTION. Move on and you'll soon be stopped by Clasko. Looks like it's time to move the Command Centre. So follow his lead and turn left, as the straight road is blocked for now. You'll see O'aka in a little alcove just here, so feel free to freshen up your inventory if you wish. No weapons here worth buying, though. In the next screen there is a platform on the ground. Talk to the person there to receive a HI-POTION. Press X when standing on the platform, and it will take you up to a higher level. Move on. The road here winds back an forth a lot, so be prepared to go for some time without saving. The battles here give good AP, so make sure that every character is being involved in the battles. You really want your characters in top shape for an upcoming battle. In any case, proceed forward down the "long and winding road". Early on you'll notice a person standing near a chest. Talk to the person to receive POTION x10 and get 1000 GIL from the chest. Move on and grab the REMEDY from the next chest. On the way you'll bump into Shelinda again, if you like let her white magic spells heal your party. If you happen to have any of your characters fill their Overdrives, make sure NOT to use them yet. Fill the Overdrive gauge of both Valefor and Ifrit. Many people suggest learning Lulu's level two black magic skills (Fira, Watera, Thundera, and Blizzara). I don't ever bother, and would suggest you not to either, it makes the upcoming battle way too easy. I don't know about you, but I like a challenge. Near the end of the path get the HI-POTION from the chest, then take the platform up to higher ground. When you get up here, be sure to talk to everyone, and receive an X-POTION and 400 GIL. When you see a left turn as you come from the previous platform, take it. You'll arrive at another platform that goes back down, along with a chest. It contains a SERENE ARMLET. Go back up to the level you were before, then head in the direction you were originally going. Take the next left turn you come across, where the path spirals around. At the end, grab the AL BHED PRIMER VOLUME X. Now find the green square on this level. There's another rising platform, to take right you up to the top. Use it. Head towards the trusty red arrow now. It will direct you towards a large machina elevator. Speak to the guy standing near it (not Gatta) to get a MEGA-POTION. You'll also come across a SAVE SPHERE. However, before you get on the lift, go past it and head to the right of the screen, then "south" into a little rock overhang. Here you'll see an optional, and yet rather important cutscene. After it finishes, walk back to the machina and choose to go up. Just before you leave this part, you may wish to get your aeon Overdrive gauges up. When you reach the top, head again towards the arrow on the mini-map. As you walk around in this new area, you'll see lots of cannons aimed out to sea. In any case, just head in the only possible logical direction (in other words, not the way you came) and you'll soon find yourself at the Command Centre. There's a SAVE SPHERE here. That mug O'aka is also sniffing around for some profit, so stock up on any items you may find yourself low on. He does have some weapons, the best of which happens to be a Stonetouch weapon (T.K.O.) for Wakka, and a Counter-Attack weapon (Avenger) for Tidus. However, they're expensive. If you really want to you can sell off all your useless accessories and buy one of them, but I usually don't. Whatever you choose to do, walk past O'aka and you'll see Gatta, and the party will stop to talk to him. After that you can talk to him twice more. I won't reveal what happens - find out for yourself (or if you really must know, check the Frequently Asked Questions section, but beware it will spoil things more than a little). It doesn't yield any items or weapons or even affect the overall story, but it does have a small impact. Anyway, after that, continue walking forward until you find yourself behind the walls of the Command Centre. In here you can nab yourself a MEGA-POTION and a SERENE BRACER (found right up the back of the Command Centre). Talk to people here if you like, but MAKE SURE YOU SAVE BEFORE TALKING TO THE GUY AT THE RED ARROW. The upcoming battle is a real doozy. Anyway, just say you're ready to begin to get things going. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS: Sinspawn Gui | HP: 12000 | WEAKNESSES: Power Break ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although I said this guy's HP is 12000, he is composed of a number of body parts - all of which can be attacked individually. The main body has 12000 HP, and destroying this ends the battle. The head, which casts some annoying magic, has 4000 HP. There are also two arms with 800 HP each. The arms are special in that they regenerate after a certain amount of turns. On with the strategy. The first order of business is to take out the head. Once it dies, it's gone for good. Have your main party consist of Tidus, Yuna, and Auron. Cast Haste on Tidus and Yuna. Use Power Break with Auron, then swap him out for Lulu. Have Tidus cast Haste on Lulu. Now that you have set up your party for the meantime, have Lulu concentrate her attacks on the head only. Yuna is there as healing support. Tidus should go for the arms. Have her cast NulShock to nullify damage from the head's Thunder attack. Have her defend for those turns when her healing spells aren't needed. From time to time a message will appear on-screen saying "The head is moving suspiciously". This means it's next attack is Poison, and this is a very annoying and damaging attack. To counter it, just make sure you attack the head before it gets a turn. Soon enough, the head will die, and turn grey. Now to change our focus. Bring in Tidus and Auron for Yuna and Wakka. Have Tidus cast Haste on Auron. Then swap Tidus out for Yuna. You may also wish to let Kimahri come in and have a turn to gain some handy AP from this battle at this stage (if not, just make sure you do at some stage). Now have Auron Use Power Break on the body, then beat away at the arms (use Dragon Fang if you ever get the chance) while Lulu concentrates the entire time on casting magic at the body. When both the arms are dead, have Auron also attack the body (make sure to have him use Power Break). Again, use Yuna as the healer, having her defend on the turns her skills aren't needed (defend is a very "fast" command, giving her move turns if she needs them). Repeat this until Gui's HP falls below 2000. Then have Yuna summon Valefor or Ifrit and unleash an Overdrive on Gui. Overkill is yours, meaning double AP. Yay! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now watch the awesome cutscene. However, things aren't over just yet... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSS: Sinspawn Gui | HP: 6000 | WEAKNESSES: Power Break ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unfortunately, this guy is back. But fortunately, you also have Seymour on your side, who is an absolute powerhouse. Don't worry about Auron or Yuna, Seymour will pretty much take Gui down by himself. Just concentrate on keeping them alive long enough to enjoy some more easy AP. Have Seymour dominate this boss with his level two black magic (Fira, Thundara, Watera, or Blizzara). For those that care, if you wait long enough you can fill up Seymour's Overdrive gauge and allow him to perform Requiem. You should know that this is the only time get to see it. Just don't be too disappointed when you see it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you wake up on the beach, you need to find either Luzzu or Gatta. If you stumble upon Gatta and you can't talk to him, well... you'll see. In this case, you need to find Luzzu. If you find Gatta and can talk to him, then again, you'll soon find out. Either way, just look for Gatta (he's proped up near the cliff wall). After a cutscene, you and the rest of the p