FINAL FANTASY X: NO SPHERE GRID/NO SUMMON/NO OVERDRIVE CHALLENGE
By Thundaka ([email protected])
Copyright 2004 Thundaka.
This guide is solely for private use. If you wish to host this guide on your
website, contact me for permission before doing so. Any profitable use is
strictly prohibited.
VERSION HISTORY
v1.00: It's finally done! I'll need to do another playthrough to find some
of the stuff I missed the first time (mainly Biran's and Yenke's HP). Also,
I plan to add a Frequently Asked Questions section once I start getting e-
mails. It's probably not perfect, so any corrections or additional tips and
suggestions are appreciated.
v1.10: Added Biran and Yenke's HP. Also fixed a few typos, and added a
warning about the fourth Dark Matter.
v1.11: Made some minor changes.
v1.21: Corrected the number of Echo Screens needed for Silencetouch.
v1.31: Added a new tip under the BFA strategy.
v1.41: Made some additions to the Calm Lands and Zanarkand sections.
v1.51: Added a note on stealing from Sin's arms.
v1.61: Made a small correction in the Seymour strategy.
v2.61: Gave the FAQ a major overhaul. Expanded the monster-capturing section
to include strategies for ALL capturable fiends, and added Dark Matter-free
tactics to the Anima, Evrae, Seymour Natus, and Seymour Flux strategies.
Finally, I modified KenLionheart's Seymour Flux strategy in order to allow
survival even if Cross Cleave is used.
v2.62: Made some very minor grammatical and format changes.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the toughest challenge in Final Fantasy X. The No Sphere Grid/No
Summon/No Overdrive challenge was designed for those who find the normal
game and standard No Sphere Grid challenge too easy, and want an extra
challenge. There are three ironclad rules:
1. Never activate any node on the Sphere Grid.
2. Never summon an aeon.
3. Never use anyone's overdrive.
(NOTE: At six points, the game forces you to either summon or use an
overdrive. These exceptions will be marked in the strategy.)
Together, these three rules greatly constrict the player. Without the Sphere
Grid your characters quickly become vulnerable to enemy attacks, and lack
the high attack power and many of the abilities (Haste and the Nul spells, for
example) that are key to winning a regular game. Without summoning, powerful
attacks that could otherwise be blocked with an aeon will have to be absorbed
by the party.
Most importantly, without overdrives--in particular, without Rikku's Trio of
9999--you cannot dispose of bosses before they're able to inflict devastating
damage. To compensate, this strategy requires three powerful items to finish
bosses quickly: Dark Matter, won as a league prize in blitzball; Shining
Gems, given by the Monster Arena owner for capturing every fiend in
Macalania; and Supreme Gems, given by the Monster Arena owner for unlocking
two Species Creations. A host of support items are also required to disable
the bosses and protect your party members. Thus, Rikku and her Use ability
are crucial to every boss from Macalania on.
Note that customization is allowed. Every boss prior to Braska's Final Aeon
has been defeated using only bought and dropped equipment. However, due to
his devastating sword swipe, his ability to petrify characters, and his even
more devastating overdrives, the odds of defeating BFA without certain
customized equipment are very low. Thus, since the final boss requires
customization, I am allowing it throughout the rest of the challenge.
WHAT THIS GUIDE IS NOT
This guide is not meant to be a general gameplay guide. Most bosses in a
normal game can be beaten with little danger by a few aeon overdrives,
whereas the NSGNSNO challenge often requires rare items that must be acquired
well in advance.
Also, it should not be used by those attempting other No Sphere Grid
challenges. With Trio of 9999 and Sunburst at your disposal, you have no
need for the elaborate defensive strategies described in this guide. Read
Dustman's No Sphere Grid FAQ and Gestahl's No Sphere Grid/No Summon/No
Customizing FAQ for strategies with overdrives.
WARNING: This challenge is only recommended for those who have finished the
game and are thoroughly familiar with the CTB system and blitzball.
Therefore, there are numerous **SPOILERS WITHOUT WARNING** throughout the
game. Consider yourself notified.
=============================================================================
NO SPHERE GRID/NO SUMMON/NO OVERDRIVE STRATEGY GUIDE
I. Zanarkand
Let the challenge begin! After some gorgeous cutscenes, you will meet up
with Auron and the game will begin proper.
Kill the Sinscales in front of you and run on. At the top of the road, you
will face the first boss of the game.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sinspawn Ammes
***NSGNSNO Exception 1***: Auron is forced to use his Dragon Fang overdrive.
You can try to activate the button combination, if you'd like, but it makes
no difference; all five Sinscales will die.
Just hit Ammes until all his tentacles disappear. Demi can never kill you,
but remember to restore your HP at the save sphere afterwards. DO NOT be
tempted to use Spiral Cut.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
After saving, run on and become ambushed by Sinscales. Kill the Sinscales
with flickering wings until the Tanker becomes a target. Then take out the
Tanker.
A long cutscene ensues. (In case you didn't notice, the area where Tidus
meets his younger self is the same place where you fight BFA at the end of
the game.) Eventually, you wake up in the water at Baaj Temple.
II. Baaj
Open the chests in the water for 200 gil. If you want to, you can download
Al Bhed Primers from a previous save file at the Al Bhed compilation sphere
in the northwest corner. It's not necessary to complete the challenge, but
it will greatly enhance your understanding of the cutscenes that follow.
Save before heading over the bridge. Don't forget to grab the Hi-Potion on
the path to your left. After walking north, kill two Sahagins and let
Geosgaeno finish the third off. I'm not considering him a boss here, since
he can't kill you and the battle will automatically end on Geosgaeno's third
turn.
Inside the temple, examine the campfire and gather the Flint and Withered
Bouquet. (A Hi-Potion and an Ether are in chests near the Withered Bouquet.)
Make yourself a campfire, watch a really weird dream sequence, and it's time
to face the first real boss.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Klikk
1500 HP
Attack until Rikku joins you. Use a Grenade, and then steal while Tidus
continues to attack. Use a Potion if necessary.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the Al Bhed ship, Rikku will give you a Sphere Grid tutorial. Enjoy the
pretty pictures and make frequent use of the X button. Then dive down to the
underwater ruins. Along the way, you'll encounter at least one Piranha.
Steal a Grenade before killing it.
Open the door and turn on the power source, stealing Grenades from the
Piranhas you meet. Then it's time to meet everyone's favorite squid...Tros!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Tros
2200 HP
By now you should have plenty of Grenades. After Rikku uses one, Tros will
immediately hide behind a pillar; use the opportunity to throw another one,
while Tidus defends or uses Stand By. From there, continue throwing Grenades
and use Pincer Attack to keep Tidus in range. After five or six Grenades,
Tros will be gone.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once Rikku brings the plot up to speed, Sin will carry our hero away. Dazed
and confused, he wakes up in...
III. Besaid
Meet Wakka and the Aurochs. Before you go, talk to the Aurochs to get a Hi-
Potion and 200 gil. Then follow Wakka, get pushed into the water, and kill
Piranhas with Wakka's ball. Simple.
In Besaid Village, open all the chests you can find--there are three in a hut
between the item shop and the Crusader's Lodge. Enter the temple and
approach Lord Braska's statue. Sleep in Wakka's hut, and enter the temple
again.
Time for the Cloister of Trials. You know the drill: touch the glyph on the
wall, use a Glyph Sphere to open the door at the bottom of the stairs, touch
another glyph to access the Besaid Sphere, and place the Besaid Sphere in the
pedestal.
While you're here, you should get the Rod of Wisdom. Take the Glyph Sphere
out of its place in the door, and place it in the sphere-shaped recess along
the left wall. Remove the Destruction Sphere and place it where the Besaid
Sphere was. Open the newly revealed chest to acquire the Rod of Wisdom.
Finally, push the pedestal forward to exit the Trials and initiate the next
series of cutscenes.
In the morning, the party leaves Besaid Village. Complete the first two
tutorial battles as always: have Tidus attack the Dingo, Wakka attack the
Condor, and Lulu cast Thunder at the Water Flan. But the third battle is
different.
**NSGNSNO Exception 2**: After switching her in, Yuna is forced to summon
Valefor against the Garuda. To defeat Garuda easily, use Sonic Wings
continuously to delay its turn. The battle will be won just as Valefor
reaches overdrive.
Finally, Wakka gets to practice Dark Attack against another Garuda. Take him
down with Tidus, Wakka, and Lulu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Kimahri
750 HP
Somewhere in the midst of these tutorial battles, you will run into Kimahri.
Don't sweat it. Attack him a few times, and use a Potion or two if needed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before leaving Besaid, remember to collect a Remedy, Ether, and Seeker's Ring
as farewell gifts from the villagers. Pick up two Antidotes to the left of
the dock. Then it's off to Kilika!
IV. S.S. Liki
You can pick up a Remedy below deck. Be sure to top off your Potion supply
at 20 by kicking the suitcase.
While you're down there, you'll run into O'aka XXIII, merchant
extraordinaire. You can donate gil to him if you'd like, but it won't help
you for a long time; only his prices at Mushroom Rock are affected by your
donation.
Above deck you must approach Yuna, talk to Wakka, and then talk to Yuna.
After a cutscene, Sin will suddenly appear out of the water.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sin's Fin
2000 HP
Have Kimahri and Tidus kill two of the three Sinscales. Leave the third one
alive, and attack Sin with Lulu's magic, Wakka's ball, and Kimahri's Lancet.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wakka will jump into the water after Tidus, triggering the next boss battle.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sinspawn Echuilles
2000 HP
As in a normal game, Dark Attack is your best friend. Use Potions as needed,
and an Ether if Wakka runs out of MP.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
V. Kilika
Before talking to Wakka in the morning, head to the left to save the girl in
the rickety structure. Her sister, the owner of the tavern, will give you an
Ether as a token of gratitude.
After talking to Wakka, head into the Kilika Woods. Lancet the Ragora, but
do not use Jump or Seed Cannon. Talk twice to Luzzu for some Antidotes.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Lord Ochu
4649 HP
Lord Ochu is optional, but the Elixir Luzzu gives for beating him is well
worth it.
Keep Yuna in the front line. You will be using Esuna and Cure quite a lot to
cure Poison Claw. Attack with Kimahri and Lulu's Fire. When Lord Ochu falls
asleep, wake him up immediately by hitting him. He will counter with
Earthquake; this takes off half your current HP, so you can't die.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before going on, talk to a Crusader in the woods to receive a NulBlaze Shield
for Tidus. On the temple steps, save and be prepared to fight yet ANOTHER
boss.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sinspawn Geneaux
3000 HP
Still not much different from a normal game, except that you can't use
Valefor's overdrive. Take down the Tentacles with Fire and Kimahri's spear;
then attack Geneaux's shell until he comes out to play.
Once out of his shell, Geneaux uses Venom, Water, and Staccato. None do much
damage, though you'll want to have Yuna handy to cure the poison from Venom.
Continue attacking with Kimahri and Lulu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The last boss fight in Kilika done, you can head up the steps. From here,
you can watch Lulu insult Wakka, sneer at the haughty Goers, and cringe at
Dona's putdowns.
Anyway, eventually you'll enter the Cloister of Trials. Place the Kilika
Sphere in the first door and remove it to open the path. Put a Kilika Sphere
in the second door and then take it out. Then push the pedestal next to the
second door, and touch the glyph to open it. Remove the Kilika Sphere from
the door to your right and put a Glyph Sphere in its place to gain access to
the Destruction Sphere.
I highly advise you get Kimahri's Red Armlet, as it will prove useful in
later areas. Put a Kilika Sphere in the pedestal, and push it on top of the
shining glyph. Place the newly revealed Kilika Sphere in the last door, and
put the Destruction Sphere in its place. Collect your treasure, take the
Kilika Sphere out of the third door, and enter the Chamber of the Fayth.
Before you leave Kilika, make sure you have at least 3100 gil. You will need
it once you get to Luca. Then board the S.S. Winno.
VI. S.S. Winno
Enjoy the pretty view. Go up the ramp to eavesdrop on Lulu and Wakka's
conversation. Then go back down to save.
You will now be offered the Jecht Shot Challenge. You will be playing a lot
of blitzball later on, so you should get this now. Press X and the
appropriate direction button to silence Jecht's taunts. Remove 11 taunts,
and the Jecht Shot is yours.
VII. Luca
Enjoy the ten minutes of cutscenes that follow. Review the blitzball
tutorial if needed. Once you regain control of Tidus, visit the bar in Luca
Square. Oh no, we missed the game! That's alright, though; Wakka has it
under control. Once Yuna is kidnapped, visit O'aka at the docks.
**IMPORTANT ITEM ALERT**: You must buy the Stunning Steel from O'aka! With
it, Tidus can inflict Slow; this is crucial for a number of later bosses.
Equip the Stunning Steel and face off against your first batch of machina.
Lulu's Thunder can take one out instantly, and the Stunning Steel can prevent
the other from getting a second turn. Have Kimahri use Lancet, since their
Magic Defense is so much lower than their Defense. After dispatching them,
save at dock 4 and board the Al Bhed ship.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Oblitzerator
6000 HP
Have Kimahri and Tidus defend while Lulu casts Thunder at the crane three
times. Then have Tidus use the crane. Oblitzerator will become powerless,
and you can kill him at your leisure.
Since Oblitzerator is such an easy boss, you should reset until he drops
Lightning Steel for Tidus. To greatly increase your chances, kill Kimahri
and Lulu before defeating Oblitzerator. This weapon will make Extractor
significantly easier.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a miracle play, Wakka makes a last-second shot against Nimrook to beat the
Al Bhed Psyches. (Yeah right!) Equip the Lightning Steel before talking to
Wakka. Listen to his pep talk, and the game against the Luca Goers will
commence.
I will not offer any advice on this game, since there is absolutely no need
to win. (What could you do with a Strength Sphere?) I do, however,
recommend leveling up your team, especially Tidus. Pass back and forth
between Tidus and your defenders, and break to Abus often.
Save after the game, and get ready to take on a swarm of fiends. With the
Lightning Steel equipped, Tidus will take down a Sahagin Chief with every
hit. Get control of Auron, and kill the Vouivre. The Garuda can be
problematic, but with Dark Attack, Power Break, and Slow he shouldn't be too
hard to beat. Then watch as Anima takes out the fiends in the stadium with
Pain. Very cool.
Not much left to do in Luca. Remember to collect 1000 gil from a treasure
chest on your way out of town. Auron is now a member of the party, giving
you access to Power Break. Endure the laughing scene--I hope you have the
mute button handy--and you're off to the Mi'ihen Highroad!
VIII. Mi'ihen Highroad
At the first save sphere, the blitzball scouting system will be explained.
After this happens, go back into Luca to recruit Jumal and maybe Wedge.
Jumal is sitting on a bench in the square, and Wedge is guarding the stadium.
Sign both for one game.
I do not recommend playing blitzball right now, since you are so short on
gil. However, now would be a good time to set Dark Matter as the league
prize. To do this, save your game and check the blitzball menu. If the
prize is not Dark Matter, soft reset and check the menu again until it
appears. In future blitz games, keep the following advice in mind:
1: Be on the lookout for good techniques. For example, Tidus should learn
Anti-Wither and Anti-Venom ASAP, and your defenders should learn level 2 and
level 3 tackles when they appear.
2: Break through one defender at a time using the Square button. With his
high EN Tidus can break through almost anyone, allowing him to get close to
the goal and score with Jecht Shot.
3: Use Jecht Shot as often as possible. Besides greatly increasing the odds
of scoring, Jecht Shot gives Tidus plenty of EXP, allowing him to rapidly
become the best shooter in Spira.
Proceed straight down the Highroad. The fiends here are potentially
dangerous for the first time in the game. You can try fighting them for
extra gil, but you're probably better off escaping. You'll want to Escape
from most random battles from here on. Heal between battles with Yuna's
Cure.
Along the way, you'll meet Belgemine. Challenge her to a fight to restore
Yuna's MP. No, this does not violate the no-summon rule. Simply Escape as
soon as the battle begins to forfeit. Belgemine will give you a Seeker's
Ring for your trouble.
Make your way to the end of the third screen, talking to travelers for items
as you go. Rest at Rin's Travel Agency, buy a few Phoenix Downs, and save
your game. Don't forget to sign Ropp. (Rin will give you 2 Mega-Potions.
You want as many as possible when you face BFA--stock up.) Then it's time to
take care of the Chocobo Eater once and for all.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Chocobo Eater
10,000 HP
Equip the Stunning Steel on Tidus. Begin by blinding Chocobo Eater with Dark
Attack. Have Auron Power Break him, and hit him with the Stunning Steel
until Slow takes effect.
Once he's slowed, switch in Lulu, Kimahri, and Auron. Now attack him
nonstop, healing only with Phoenix Downs. Reapply Dark Attack when
necessary; Wakka will likely need an Ether. With a little luck, you can kill
him before he's able to push you over the cliff.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As a sign of gratitude, Rin will give you a free chocobo ride. Go back along
the Highroad to pick up the chests you missed. On the Newroad, you will find
a yellow chocobo feather; press X to reach Kimahri's Heat Lance. Then go to
the second screen of the Oldroad. Press X at the feather there to acquire a
Thunder Blade and a Scout with Thunderstrike. The Scout is important for
defeating Extractor, and the Thunder Blade is very effective against Maze
Larva in the Via Purifico.
At the Operation Mi'ihen checkpoint, you can donate 100 gil to receive a non-
elemental Scout; none of the other rewards are worth it. After a short
cutscene with Seymour, save and enter Mushroom Rock Road.
IX. Mushroom Rock Road
This place gives me the creeps. Talk to the Crusaders you meet for items.
The Crusader who blocks the way back gives Lulu a Tough Bangle with HP +20%,
quite useful against Sinspawn Gui. Be sure to have Kimahri in the frontline
at all times; his Red Armlet will reduce damage from fire, thunder, and ice
attacks. Along the way, talk to Shelinda to restore Yuna's MP.
Once you get to the command center, buy at least 30 Phoenix Downs from O'aka.
While you're at it, buy the Lucid Armguard--it will help you when capturing
Malboro. Then tell the guard that you're ready.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sinspawn Gui
12,000 HP (Head: 4000 HP)
If only Rikku was here. This will be a long, slow fight.
Begin by Power Breaking the body. The head is your first priority; it kills
your party members with Thunder, and has a nasty status attack in Venom.
Damage the head with Lulu's spells, Wakka's ball, and Kimahri's Lancet. If
anyone dies, switch in Yuna or Tidus (the two characters with the highest
Agility) to use a Phoenix Down, and switch them back out.
Once the head is gone, you will only have one threat per round. Cast Lulu's
spells on the body, and have Auron and Kimahri kill the arms so they can join
in. Once Lulu runs out of MP, restore it with an Ether or Elixir. Keep this
up, and Gui will eventually fall.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You didn't think it was going to be over that quick, did you?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sinspawn Gui, Part II
6000 HP (Head: 1000 HP)
Take out the head immediately with a -ra spell from Seymour. Cast five more
at the body, and Gui is gone for good.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once Gui dies, witness Operation Mi'ihen fail miserably. Several reflective
cutscenes later, the pilgrimage continues. Don't forget to pick up a Hi-
Potion from the chest behind Auron.
X. Djose Highroad
**IMPORTANT ITEM ALERT**: Talk to the first Crusader you see to receive
Yuna's Soft Ring. This armor is important against Seymour Natus, and will
become her armor for BFA.
This area contains many fiends to run away from. Keep Kimahri, Auron, and
Yuna in the front line; Kimahri and Auron have the most HP, and Yuna improves
the odds of escaping if ambushed by Basilisks. Make your way to the Djose
Temple.
Inside the temple, you will find a Mega Phoenix in the right antechamber and
an Ether to the left of the stairs. Enter the Trials.
Place both Djose Spheres into the first door to open it. Put two Djose
Spheres into the wall to the right of the second door. Then push the
pedestal, with Djose Sphere inserted, under the device. Insert the now-
charged sphere in the right receptacle, and the door will open.
Step on the shining glyph to move the pedestal back to its original position,
and place both Djose Spheres from the device into the pedestal. Push the
pedestal into the electric field below to create a stepping-stone. Push in
the pedestal at the far end to light the "eye," return to the shining glyph
to bring the pedestal back, and place the three Djose Spheres in the
appropriate receptacles to activate the elevator. Go up, push in the five
pedestals on the upper level, and visit the Chamber of the Fayth.
Don't bother with the Destruction Sphere treasure. It is a Magic Sphere,
completely useless in this challenge.
Before leaving the temple, be sure to grab Wakka's Switch Hitter from the
back of the inn. You may want to sign Kyou on your way out.
XI. Moonflow
More unpleasant enemies to escape from, including the ever-nasty Ochu.
Accept Belgemine's challenge, and then run away. In addition to the useless
Summoner's Soul, she will give you six Smoke Bombs and restore Yuna's MP.
At the Moonflow dock, buy Auron's Blue Bracer. The Macalania Woods will be
much safer with this armor. Pick up 5000 gil, equip the Scout (with
Lightningstrike) and the Stunning Steel, and save. Then board the shoopuf.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Extractor
4000 HP
This once harmless boss is a huge threat in NSGNSNO. If Extractor is not
slowed, it will use Depth Charges to inflict Darkness and 350 damage on Tidus
and Wakka. Once Slow takes effect, switch the Stunning Steel for the
Lightning Steel.
Extractor will come down after being dealt 500 damage. With Lightningstrike
this only takes three hits, giving you an extra turn for healing. Just attack
him, healing with Potions or Hi-Potions as necessary.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once you reach the north bank, you will meet an old friend: Rikku! Her Steal
and Use abilities will be crucial to defeating just about every boss that
follows. Before you can use them, though...
**NSGNSNO Exception 3**: After stealing 2 Bomb Cores from a chest, you will
have no choice but to use Rikku's Mix overdrive. I shouldn't have to tell
you this, but don't waste the Bomb Cores. Mix two Power Spheres for a Frag
Grenade, overkilling the Bunyip.
With Rikku now in the party, there are plenty of things to steal. You can
steal Mega-Potions, Stamina Tablets, Elixirs, and Dragon Scales from the
chests, Remedies from Ochu, and Antarctic Winds from Snow Flan. You should
also steal from the Bite Bugs, since you will eventually need at least one
Poison Fang. Escape from these battles, pick up a Mega-Potion in a chest, and
enter Guadosalam.
XII. Guadosalam
Once Tromell welcomes you to Guadosalam, you can customize your equipment.
Pick up a Mega-Potion and an Elixir in chests before entering Seymour's
mansion. After several cutscenes there and on the Farplane, the way to the
Thunder Plains will be open.
Now would be an excellent time to start playing blitzball for Dark Matter.
You will need at least three Dark Matter before you fight Seymour. If you do
not receive at least one Return Sphere as a top-scorer prize, I suggest
winning it in a tournament. (A tournament appears every fourth time you
enter the blitzball menu; set the prizes the same way you set Dark Matter as
a prize.) Use the Return Sphere to customize a First Strike weapon for
Rikku.
NOTE: It is possible to complete this challenge without using a single Dark
Matter. However, it is still the easiest way to defeat numerous bosses--Evrae
and Seymour Flux are particularly difficult without it. To make things easier
on yourself, you should get the Dark Matter.
Before you can go on, you must get some Petrify Grenades. Equip the Vanguard
and ride the shoopuf back to the Moonflow, stealing items as you go. In the
Djose Temple section of the Highroad, you can steal Petrify Grenades from
Basilisks; steal at least a dozen before you continue.
Also, I highly recommend stealing 20 Silence Grenades for Silencestrike on
Kimahri's spear. Silence Grenades can be stolen from Funguars; they like to
inflict Sleep with Pollen, so make sure at least one character escapes before
stealing. While you're at it, steal Bomb Fragments, Electro Marbles, and
Antarctic Winds from the fiends you meet; you will need several of each for
Spherimorph.
And if you're running short on gil, you can acquire Wakka's Ace Wizard on the
S.S. Winno. It has a selling price of 20,000 gil, enough to finance your
blitz team through Macalania. In any event, you absolutely must steal a
Poison Fang (three if you want to kill Anima without Dark Matter) and Silver
Hourglass BEFORE you face Crawler.
Don't forget the 8 Lightning Marbles in a chest on the way to the Farplane.
Use them to make a Lightningproof bracer for Auron.
XIII. Thunder Plains
A scary place, no doubt about it. Equip Rikku's Vanguard and Auron's Yellow
Bracer, and make an end run for the Travel Agency. Once you get there you
can pick up Tidus' Yellow Shield outside the Agency, granting him
Lightningproof. Pray to at least one Qactuar stone along the way; Rikku can
steal much-needed Chocobo Feathers from the little fellows. Do not bother
dodging the lightning bolts--you will receive an Ether and an Elixir after
being hit 20 and 80 times, respectively.
Make sure Rikku is constantly stealing. You need as many Electro Marbles,
Lightning Marbles, Lunar Curtains, Light Curtains, and Chocobo Feathers as
you can get your hands on, and at least one Silver Hourglass. Silver
Hourglasses are rare steals from members of the dragon species--Kusariqqu on
the Thunder Plains.
XIV. Macalania
Though less unnerving than the Thunder Plains, Macalania Woods is every bit
as dangerous. Keep the Blue Bracer equipped at all times. Rikku should
steal from Blue Element, Chimera, and Wasp.
**IMPORTANT ITEM ALERT**: When you reach the far end of Macalania forest, buy
the Sonic Steel. I repeat, BUY THE SONIC STEEL. Without this weapon, you
will not be surviving Seymour Natus.
Un-equip all elemental weapons, save, and follow Auron to the sphere pool.
Hopefully you've got a good stock of elemental items by now.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Spherimorph
12,000 HP
Begin by weakening his attacks with Power Break. Once you've determined his
element have Lulu cast the opposite elemental spell, or attack with the
opposite elemental item (i.e., Antarctic Wind for Fire, Fish Scale for
Thunder, Electro Marble for Water, and Bomb Fragment for Ice). Keep the
party's HP up with Cure, attack with Kimahri after each Elemental Shift, and
keep attacking until you kill Spherimorph. In the meantime, you can steal
Ethers from him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Talk to Clasko at the Travel Agency, and tell him that he should be a
breeder. Buy Hi-Potions inside, and save.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Crawler
16,000 HP
Once again, the Stunning Steel is the key to this battle. Have Tidus attack
until Slow takes effect. Then bring in Rikku, use a Light Curtain on her,
and heal the party with Hi-Potions.
Leave the Negator in place, and attack with Electro Marbles or Lightning
Marbles. Crawler will use Gatling Gun, dealing relatively small random-
hitting damage to your characters. After 18 Electro Marbles (fewer if Tidus
and Auron join in with Lightningstrike weapons), Negator will be gone with a
minimum of trouble.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This battle is a key turning point. From here on, you will not be able to go
back to Macalania Woods or the Thunder Plains. Be certain that you have 3
Dark Matter, 10 Petrify Grenades, 1 Poison Fang (3 if you're not using Dark
Matter), and 1 Silver Hourglass in your inventory. You can steal Arctic Winds
and Sleeping Powders from the monsters outside as needed.
*WARNING*: If you do not yet have 3 Dark Matter, do not approach Jyscal's
sphere. The option to play blitzball will be lost after you watch the
sphere, and will not return until you reach the Calm Lands. Also, if you've
acquired Attack Reels, SET DARK MATTER AS THE LEAGUE PRIZE. When you're able
to blitz again at the Calm Lands the league prize will always be Status
Reels, sealing the Dark Matter and making Seymour Flux extremely difficult.
Prior to battle equip the Sonic Steel, Auron's and Tidus' Lightningproof
armor, and any element-Ward armor. Have a good supply of Phoenix Downs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Seymour, Anima, and Guado Guardians
Seymour: 6000 HP; Anima: 18,000 HP
Switch Tidus for Rikku, and use a Petrify Grenade to eliminate the Guardians.
Switch Tidus back in, and have him Talk to Seymour. On Tidus' next turn,
replace the Sonic Steel for the Stunning Steel. Attack him until Slow takes
effect, using Phoenix Downs as needed; then let Rikku join in with elemental
items. Before Seymour's HP drops below 3000, use a Lunar Curtain and Chocobo
Feather on Auron. Then finish him off.
Seymour will summon Anima, who will immediately use Boost. Big mistake.
Throw a Dark Matter for an instant kill.
Seymour now moves into his multi-spell phase. Unfortunately, Slow from the
first stage of battle is removed; but a Hasted Auron will still have two or
three turns for every turn of Seymour's. If he hits Auron and either Rikku or
Tidus, use a Phoenix Down on the fallen character and a Hi-Potion on Auron.
If he hits Tidus and Rikku, use two Phoenix Downs. If he uses Multi-Thundara
(which both Tidus and Auron are immune to), use a Phoenix Down on Rikku and
defend. Finish him off with Tidus and Rikku's elemental items.
--Dark-Matter Free Anima strategy: Prior to finishing the first form, Rikku
must use a Chocobo Feather on herself. What you need to do is this: have
Rikku use Arctic Winds until just before Anima is about to use Pain. Then
pull her out of the front line--you can't allow Anima to kill her. Use a
Phoenix Down on whoever Pain kills, and then switch Rikku back in. Don't
bother attacking with your other characters; even Tidus won't do much damage,
and you need to make sure your characters can throw a Phoenix Down as soon as
possible after Pain. You should have time to use 9 Arctic Winds, leaving her
with around 5000 HP. Finish her off with two Poison Fangs--make sure she is
Boosting when you use them!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Seymour drops Silencestrike weapons half the time. Also, Anima often
drops Silencetouch. If you don't wish to steal 20 Silence Grenades for Maze
Larva, or you're trying a No Customization game, it may be worthwhile to wait
until he drops a weapon for Yuna, Auron, or Kimahri.
That wasn't so tough, was it? The Macalania Cloister of Trials, on the other
hand, is tedious as ever. Push the pedestal to the right, so it stops in the
middle of the ice mound. Take the Macalania Sphere from the recess on the
right side, place it in the pedestal, and push the pedestal up so it slides
down the ramp; push it to the right to activate the first column.
Take the Glyph Sphere out of the middle column (on the upper level), and
carry it below to the receptacle on the far left. Use the newly revealed
Macalania Sphere to activate the third column (on the lower level). Finally,
move the Macalania Sphere powering the ramp to where the Glyph Sphere
originally was. The way out of the Trials is open. Do not waste your time
with the Destruction Sphere; the treasure is a useless Luck Sphere.
Go out of the Trials, down the stairs, and out of the temple. Before you
leave, buy whatever supplies you need to get through Bikanel. After O'aka
disappears, you will be forced to battle at least two Guado Guardians.
Fortunately, you can Escape from them; continue running, and make your way to
the save sphere. Have at least two Sleeping Powders and several Arctic Winds
ready before you face Wendigo. (If you want to kill Seymour Natus without
Dark Matter, have about 45 Arctic Winds--20 to use on Wendigo, and 24 to
customize Iceproof.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Wendigo and Guado Guardians
18,000 HP
Use a Petrify Grenade to get rid of the Guardians, followed by a Sleeping
Powder. You can now attack with impunity. Use Arctic Winds, Fire, and
Lancet to inflict damage without waking him. Toss another Sleeping Powder
when he wakes up.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below the ice, talk to Kimahri and Yuna. Take Tidus' Avenger out of the
chest next to Auron. Then say goodbye to Yuna for a few hours, and say hello
to Bikanel Island.
XV. Bikanel/Home/Airship
Pick up 4 Remedies from a chest in the oasis. Walk forward a few steps, and
you will be forced to battle a Zu.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-BOSS ALERT!
Zu
Oh no! How can Tidus hope to beat the mighty Zu by himself? Help!!!!
Relax. Even if Tidus gets killed on Zu's first hit--he will survive if he
defends--you can still escape once Lulu and Auron join. You COULD beat him
if you used Power Break, Slow, and a lot of items, but it's not a battle I
especially recommend.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pick up Wakka and Kimahri, running away from random battles until you reach
Rikku. Don't forget the chests with Al Bhed Potions.
Once Rikku rejoins the party, start stealing like mad. There are plenty of
items to steal here on Bikanel: Smoke Bombs from Alcyone and Zu, Sleeping
Powder from Sand Wolves, Shadow Gems from Sand Worms, and Chocobo Feathers
from Cactuars. In particular, you must have plenty of Smoke Bombs and Shadow
Gems and at least 2 Sleeping Powders before you leave the island; I'd
recommend at least 40 Smoke Bombs and 20 Shadow Gems. Steal from the machina
you meet to win Hi-Potions and gil. And if you still don't have a Silver
Hourglass, you can steal them from Mushussu. You can find lots of Zus and
Sand Worms in the ruins on the Central screen.
On the West screen, you will have to fight at least one Sandragora; use a
Petrify Grenade to beat it instantly. You should also kill the two
Sandragoras to the south. One of them guards a chest with 2 Megalixirs, the
other one with two Teleport Spheres. Teleport Spheres can be used to
customize Evade & Counter weapons, valuable for random battles and gil-
raising.
Now enter Home. Inside, you will have to fight three forced battles.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-BOSS ALERT!
Guado and Bombs/Dual Horns/Chimeras
It's not as hard as it looks. Use a Petrify Grenade to win each battle,
stealing items if Rikku gets a spare turn.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
After saving, go back up the corridor. You can enter the door to your left
and fight some Dual Horns; win with a Petrify Grenade. The "treasure chest
of dreams" will prompt you to select your prize; select the left item in the
middle row to receive a Mega-Potion. While you're here, steal Arctic Winds
from Chimera, Bomb Cores from the Bombs, and Musk from Evil Eye; you can also
occasionally steal Mega-Potions from Dual Horn.
Outside the Summoner's Sanctum, open the chest for a Level 2 Key Sphere.
Before leaving, head to the back of the room; there's a chest with 10,000 gil
in it. Board the airship and save. Recruit Brother (and if he's free,
Nimrook) for the Aurochs now.
Come back to the bridge and speak to Brother. Evrae and the fiends will now
come out to play. Steal a dozen or so Bomb Cores before going on deck. If
you want to beat Natus without Dark Matter, you'll need an additional 24 to
customize Fireproof; otherwise, Fireproof is not necessary. Customize
Silencestrike on Kimahri's spear now. If you're short on Hi-Potions, Phoenix
Downs, or Softs, or Kimahri doesn't have a weapon with a free slot, buy them
from Rin. Customize Silencetouch (60 Echo Screens) or Silencestrike on
Kimahri's spear now, if you haven't already.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Evrae
32,000 HP
Begin by using a Smoke Bomb and Silver Hourglass, then Power Break him just
in case. Attack with Smoke Bombs, Kimahri, and Auron. While you're here,
steal a Water Gem or two from him; they will be useful against Seymour Natus.
When Evrae breathes in, have Rikku or Tidus immediately pull the airship
back. Poison Breath will miss; and if Cid gets a free turn before you have
to move back in, he will use Guided Missiles for 2400 damage. He can use
Guide Missiles three times before he runs out.
Once his HP drops below 12,000, use a Dark Matter to win instantly.
--Dark Matter-Free Evrae Strategy: Things become messy once Evrae's HP falls
below 10,670 and he enters the Haste phase. It would be wise to customize
Evade & Counter weapons for Rikku and Auron, since Evrae's swipe can connect
even through Darkness. Make sure that you've used Chocobo Feathers on Rikku
and Auron, and a Lunar Curtain on Auron, before Evrae Hastes himself. Use
Smoke Bombs continuously until Evrae breathes in. Then replace Rikku with
Tidus, and have Auron change weapons. Switch him for Rikku, use a Phoenix
Down on Tidus, and assault him with Smoke Bombs once more. After Evrae
breathes in, have Auron switch back in and use an Antidote on himself; Tidus
will now use a Hi-Potion on Auron. Bring Rikku back in, rinse and repeat.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
XVI. Bevelle
Upon landing in Bevelle, you will be forced to fight five battles against the
Yevon forces. With a few Smoke Bombs, Sleeping Powders, and Bomb Cores,
these become easy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NON-BOSS ALERT!
Warrior monks and machina
Battle one: Use a Petrify Grenade or two Smoke Bombs to kill the warrior
monks.
Battle two: Use a Sleeping Powder to put the warrior monks out of commission.
Heal one of them with a Potion, and use a Smoke Bomb to stop the machina's
attacks. (You do not want to kill both warrior monks, or the machina will
eject the party one by one with Thrust Kick.) Then use Bomb Cores on the
machina until it falls. Have Auron finish the warrior monk.
Battle three: Same as battle one.
Battle four: Same as battle two.
Battle five: Use a Petrify Grenade or two Smoke Bombs to kill the warrior
monks. Then attack the machina with Bomb Cores until it falls.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eventually, you'll escape the guards and run into the temple. Save outside
the Cloister of Trials. The Trials consist of three sections: the upper
section where you begin, the lower section containing the Glyph Sphere and
Destruction Sphere, and an offshoot from the lower section containing a
Bevelle Sphere.
Enter the upper section. Go to the left platform to retrieve a Bevelle
Sphere; place this sphere in the right platform to access the lower section.
Go to the offshoot and collect the Bevelle Sphere.
In the lower section, stop at the last platform and use the Bevelle Sphere to
activate the bridge. Go back, and stop at the second platform to acquire a
Glyph Sphere; insert this into the glyph at the end of the bridge to pick up a
Destruction Sphere. Go back once more, and place the Destruction Sphere where
the Glyph Sphere was on the second platform. You can now leave the Trials;
stop at the first platform and push the pedestal to leave. NOTE: To get
Kimahri's Knight Lance, you must have a Bevelle Sphere in your hand when you
leave the Trials. Take the sphere activating the bridge from the third
platform.
Upon leaving the Trials, go up the stairs to receive an HP Sphere. If you
brought the Bevelle Sphere with you, use it to activate the walkway. Step on
the shining glyph to bring the pedestal up; push it into the walkway, and the
Knight Lance is yours.
When you get control of your characters again, Yuna will be in the Via
Purifico. Without Tidus or Rikku, this is a very dangerous place. Run up
to the second teleport pad you see, and hope you don't get ambushed. Go east
to get Kimahri; go north to get Auron. Then save and run up the corridor.
Along the way, you will have to fight at least one Maze Larvae. Use
Kimahri's Silencestrike spear to stop Watera. Then melee the Maze Larva with
Kimahri and Auron; with just a little luck, he will go down without being
able to cast a single spell. WARNING: If you want to kill Seymour Natus
without Dark Matter, it is crucial that you customize an Iceproof armlet for
Kimahri and equip it before Yuna reaches the end of the corridor.
When you reach the end, you will meet Isaaru. Despite what you might expect,
the following battles are quite doable without aeon overdrives. Heal Yuna
beforehand, just in case.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Isaaru's aeons
Grothia: 8000 HP; Pterya: 12,000 HP; Spathi: 20,000 HP
**NSGNSNO Exception 4**: Summon Shiva. Cast NulBlaze on her. Hell Fire,
being a fire attack, will do no damage. Then recast NulBlaze to negate
Grothia's Fira. Attack him seven times, healing with Blizzard as necessary.
**NSGNSNO Exception 5**: Summon Bahamut. Use Firaga until he runs out of MP.
Then just punch him. Shield will reduce Energy Ray damage to pitiful
amounts, but you'll survive even without Shield.
**NSGNSNO Exception 6**: Summon Shiva or Ixion. Bahamut will not attack
except for his Mega Flare overdrive. Attack him, Shield before each Mega
Flare, and heal if necessary. (With Shield, you can survive three Mega
Flares before you will need to heal.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are now out of the most dangerous area in the game. Also, there will be
no more exceptions to the challenge; you can never summon or use an overdrive
again.
We now join Tidus, Rikku, and Wakka in the watery section of the Via Purifico.
Steal 15+ Dragon Scales, and occasional Water Gems, from the fiends down here;
if you don't have any Dark Matter, steal an additional 24 to customize
Waterproof. Save and face everyone's favorite undead enemy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Evrae Altana
16,384 HP
This is the easiest boss fight in the game, easier than even Sinspawn Ammes.
Have Rikku steal a Water Gem, and kill him with two Phoenix Downs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
After defeating him, pick up Wakka's Rematch and Tidus' Avenger. Swim on to
the end of the Via Purifico.
You will have to make your way down the Highbridge to face Seymour. If you
are short on Softs, buy more from O'aka. Once you've reached the far save
sphere, equip Yuna's Soft Ring and Tidus' Sonic Steel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Seymour Natus
36,000 HP
Switch Tidus for Rikku. Use a Dark Matter to force him out of his Multi-
spell phase and into his Break phase. Then use a Chocobo Feather on Yuna.
Seymour will now petrify one of your party members with Break. The key
during this phase is to arrange your turn order so either Yuna or both other
characters always get a turn between Seymour and Mortibody. Either change
weapons or defend to manipulate your turns. At the next available
opportunity, use a Poison Fang and Lunar Curtain on Seymour. Now attack with
Bomb Cores, Dragon Scales, and Water Gems. Be sure to Power Break Mortibody,
and have Auron Talk to Seymour.
When Seymour's HP drops below 12,000, he will kill one character per turn
with Flare. Mortibody will now heal Seymour with Cura; but thanks to Shell
and Poison, it will not heal him enough to help. Attack with items and heal
with Phoenix Downs. Have Auron attack Mortibody, as he can deal damage
faster through Mortibsorption than through Seymour's Protect.
--Dark Matter-Free Natus Strategy: Since we can't end the multi-spell phase
quickly, protection against all four elements is required. If you've been
following my advice up to this point, you should enough items to customize
three Iceproof, three Fireproof, and three Waterproof armors. You only have
two Lightningproof armors, unfortunately, but that is something we can deal
with. Rikku, Yuna, and Kimahri absolutely require Iceproof. Add Fireproof to
Tidus' Lightningproof shield (this will come in handy later); if you have an
armor with two empty slots, pair Waterproof and Fireproof on it.
Begin the battle by switching Tidus for Rikku. Use a Poison Fang on Seymour,
then a Lunar Curtain on Kimahri. Once Multi-Blizzara has been used, bring in
Tidus and Auron (Lightningproof) and have Kimahri equip the Red Armlet.
Thunder+Multi-Thundara will do 400 damage to Kimahri and zero damage to the
others; use a Hi-Potion on Kimahri when you have the chance. Now switch in
your other -proof characters as appropriate, using them to block Seymour's
attacks. He attacks in the following order: Ice->Lightning->Water->Fire
->repeat. All the while, Poison eats away at his HP; Rikku can toss Dragon
Scales and Water Gems if she gets the chance, but your main job is just to
survive until he falls below 24,000 HP. Then use the tactics in the main
strategy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intense, wasn't it? You'll get a break from hard bosses for a while. Enjoy
the music video at the lake, pick up Yuna's Lucid Ring at the campsite, and
enter the best area of the game--the Calm Lands.
XVII. The Calm Lands
This area is full of goodies to steal: Poison Fangs from Nebiros, Dream
Powder from Skoll, Petrify Grenades from Anacondaur, Ice Gems from Chimera
Brain, and especially Fire Gems from Flame Flan. You can also play blitzball
again--important, since you will need a Dark Matter for Seymour Flux.
You now have a choice: You can begin monster capturing now, or you can go
straight through the Calm Lands and face Defender X. If you plan on monster
capturing, you should head for the chocobo trainer in the northwest corner of
the Calm Lands. Otherwise, just walk through. Make sure you have at least
30 Fire Gems before you cross the bridge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Defender X
64,000 HP
Throw a Smoke Bomb at him, and nearly all his attacks will miss. Now use
Fire Gems continuously. Haymaker will never miss, so be sure to have enough
Phoenix Downs. If he uses Mighty Guard, have Lulu cast Fire to remove
NulBlaze.
It's wise to have a few Chocobo Feathers in stock, in case he decides to cast
Slowga. SOS Haste/Auto-Haste armor could be useful, though they are by no
means necessary. (To get SOS Haste or Auto-Haste, you must do monster
capturing beforehand.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I suggest you blitz for your fourth and final Dark Matter now. You will not
be able to play at the save spheres in Gagazet or the Zanarkand Ruins, and
Dark Matter is absolutely mandatory for Seymour Flux. If you don't have
Silence Grenades (you will need at least three for monster capturing, and a
fourth for Seymour Flux), go down to the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth and steal
them from Thorn. You can also win Stamina Tablets and Silver Hourglasses
from Magic Urns, though there are better ways of getting both.
After playing your last game, go up Gagazet to meet the Ronso.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Biran and Yenke Ronso
Biran: 1152 HP; Yenke: 864 HP
Since Biran and Yenke's stats are tied to Kimahri's, this fight is as easy as
ever. For an easy win, use Lancet continuously. This will teach Kimahri
several Ronso Rages he will never use; but more importantly it will heal him
and damage them, so he will never need to use a Potion.
Concentrate on taking out Biran first. Mighty Guard will do nothing, since
Lancet ignores Shell; and after he has Hasted himself, Yenke will never use
White Wind. Grin broadly as Yenke admits defeat.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now it's shopping time! The Ronso sell weapons and armor with two slots
empty for customization. Buy a Glorious Targe and two Glorious Bracers. If
you run short on gil, sell the Knight Lance; you can also get good gil by
selling Underdog's Secrets, Gambler's Spirits, and Wings to Discovery.
Go back to the Calm Lands and begin monster capturing. The chocobo trainer
will be to your left as you return from Mount Gagazet. Ride a chocobo to the
Monster Arena, and buy weapons for Auron and Wakka. Steal 10 Petrify
Grenades from Anacondaur to customize Stonetouch onto Wakka's Catcher. If
necessary, you can open the chests in the southeast corner of the Calm Lands
for 15,000 gil. (For advice, see the included NSGNSNO Monster Capturing
Guide, Part I.)
While you're here, consider visiting Remiem Temple. Talk to the chocobo
trainer (she'll be just to your left as you return from Gagazet) and ride a
chocobo to the Macalania exit. Go east, and press X at the yellow chocobo
feather to gain access to Remiem. The first time you win the race, you will
receive the Cloudy Mirror; you have to get this sometime before Seymour Omnis.
If you wish, you can race again to win an Elixir (1 chest and no poles), a
Megalixir (2 chests and no poles), 30 Wings to Discovery (they sell for about
100,000 gil; 3 chests and no poles), or 30 Pendulums (for Master Thief on
Rikku's armor; 4 chests and no poles).
After capturing the fiends in the Calm Lands, Macalania, and the Thunder
Plains, you will need SOS Haste armor for Wakka and Yuna. You can either
throw Petrify Grenades at Ogres until they drop the right equipment (Wakka's
must have an empty slot or contain HP +10%, and Yuna's must NOT contain
HP +10%), or you can steal from Qactuars in the Arena until you have 40
Chocobo Feathers. The former takes a long time, while the latter is
expensive; which is less frustrating is up to you. Be sure to have at least
one Chocobo Feather, one Silence Grenade, and one Poison Fang before you head
up Mount Gagazet.
XVIII. Mount Gagazet/Zanarkand Ruins
It would be wise to customize an Evade & Counter weapon for Auron, and equip
his Yellow Bracer, before heading up Gagazet. With these protections, the
only attacks that can hurt him are Bashura's punch and Nidhogg's flamethrower
attack. Customize the Glorious Targe with Auto-Haste, leaving the other slot
empty for the time being.
There are several chests to open along the mountain trail. One contains 2
Mega-Potions; another contains Auron's Defending Bracer (Stoneproof and
Poisonproof). Along the way, steal Fire Gems from Grenade, Lightning Gems
from Imp, Dream Powders from Bandersnatch, Soul Springs from Bashura, and
hopefully a Gold Hourglass from Nidhogg. You need at least 3 Soul Springs to
add HP +10% to Wakka's Fast Break. (HP +10% will make his HP odd, putting
him in critical HP and Haste immediately after being revived by a Phoenix
Down. This is important against Spectral Keeper.)
Also, ALWAYS STEAL FROM MACHINA. In addition to generating gil, they will
sometimes drop Mega-Potions--as mentioned earlier, these will be important
against Braska's Final Aeon.
Once you reach Wantz, buy a full stock of Holy Water and Phoenix Downs, and
as many Hi-Potions as you can afford. Even if you already have a full stock,
you MUST talk to him--Auron will need to buy equipment from him later on.
Finally, customize Auto-Med onto Auron's Glorious Bracer (20 Remedies--you can
steal more from Malboro if necessary), and make sure Rikku's Auto-Haste armor
is equipped before you save. Then grab a horseshoe, pray, or whatever you do
to give yourself luck, because you will need it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Seymour Flux
70,000 HP
Except for Braska's Final Aeon, this is the hardest boss battle in the
NSGNSNO challenge. Credit for this strategy goes mainly to KenLionheart:
Begin by using a Poison Fang on Seymour, followed by a Silence Grenade. Then
use a Chocobo Feather and Light Curtain on Auron, and start using Shining
Gems; stop attacking if the next item will put Seymour below 35,000 HP. Have
Auron defend and Rikku switch out for Tidus prior to Mortiorchis' third turn.
He will kill everyone except Auron with Cross Cleave, then use Lance of
Atrophy on Auron; but because of Auto-Med, Full-Life will not kill him.
Switch Rikku back in to use Phoenix Downs, and heal Auron with a Hi-Potion.
Wait until Mortiorchis casts Full-Life a second time, and use a Dark Matter.
A few Shining Gems should easily kill him before Total Annihilation.
--Dark Matter-Free Strategy: Rather than killing him before the second Cross
Cleave, wait and allow Poison to slowly eat away at his HP. Since you can't
use Silence Grenades, you must be careful that Auron isn't in the frontline
when Seymour cast Dispel (after the second Lance of Atrophy). Switch him back
in and defend afterwards. Once he is below 20,000 HP, it will be safe to
finish him off with Shining Gems. Be sure to use a Silence Grenade to stop
Flare.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you finally beat him, do a little victory dance. Relax while you watch
the loooong cutscene with the Fayth, and enter the Gagazet cave.
In addition to the enemies from the trail (Bandersnatches, Nidhoggs,
machina), you can now steal Musks from Ahriman, Remedies from Mandragora,
Ethers from Behemoth, and Star Curtains from Dark Flan. Once you have 8
Dream Powders and 16 Musks, customize Sleepproof and Confuse Ward onto
Auron's Glorious Bracer. You must have at least one Star Curtain when you
leave the cave.
Enter the water to access the Trials of Gagazet. You can steal plenty of
Water Gems here, but the random battles are quite dangerous. Equip the
Vanguard, the Sonic Steel, and the Rematch to minimize your odds of a Game
Over. Hit the ball in the center, fit each character in the right hole
(green for Rikku, blue for Tidus, red for Wakka--same as their Sphere Grid
colors), and go out to face Sanctuary Keeper.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Sanctuary Keeper
40,000 HP
Begin by using a Star Curtain on him. Follow it up with a Silver or Gold
Hourglass; he will try to Haste himself, but thanks to Reflect it speeds you
up instead. (The Stunning Steel will have the same effect, but it only works
half the time.) Wrap it up by blinding him with a Smoke Bomb; he will counter
with Haste, which again speeds up a party member, and maybe Tail Sweep, which
will miss due to Darkness.
He will then use Photon Wings to inflict Sleep, Confuse, and around 1000
damage to the party. Thanks to the Lucid Bracer, Auron will survive. Use a
Mega Phoenix to revive your party, and a Hi-Potion to restore Auron to full
health. With Sanctuary Keeper in Slow, Darkness, and Reflect, you can use
Shining Gems with impunity. Mana Breath will kill the character it's used
on, so be ready to use a Phoenix Down at a moment's notice.
Note that Sanctuary Keeper sometimes will cast Reflect on a character. When
he does, kill that character with a Poison Fang and revive BEFORE attacking--
the next time he's hit, he will use the Reflected character to Haste himself.
If you wish to save your Shining Gems, you can beat him with just Fire Gems
and a Poison Fang. The 10,000 extra damage from Poison is crucial for killing
him before the second Photon Wings.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here lies Zanarkand, the end of the pilgrimage. Make your way down the road,
stealing Star Curtains, Remedies, and Ethers along the way. In the Dome,
steal plenty of Candles of Life from the Fallen Monks, and run from
everything else. Don't forget to pick up 10,000 gil in a chest along the way.
Complete the Cloister of Trials, and save your game. Get into a random fight
outside, and have Wakka and Yuna die. Equip everyone's Haste armors, and
reenter the Trials.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Spectral Keeper
56,000 HP
You will get a full round before he attacks, so take advantage of it. Move
Rikku to the left circle behind Spectral Keeper, Yuna to the middle circle,
and Wakka to the right circle. Now use a Shining Gem on him; since no one is
in front of him, his counterattack will miss. Move Yuna back to the front
middle circle, so everyone has an empty space between them.
On his turn, Spectral Keeper will KO one of your characters with Berserk
Tail. When someone other than Rikku is KO'd, have Rikku use a Shining Gem on
them (since they are already dead, the counterattack will do nothing) and the
other survivor revive with a Phoenix Down. Haste is crucial in this battle--
you'll frequently run into situations where a Hasted character can use two
Phoenix Downs when a non-Hasted character would have to use a Mega Phoenix.
NEVER use Mega Phoenixes, as they restore your characters to full health and
negate SOS Haste.
When he plants Glyph Mines, forget about Shining Gems and immediately move
off the affected circles. On the next available opportunity, move your
characters so they're spaced out as before. Then resume using Shining Gems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
With that out of the way, SAVE IMMEDIATELY, or you will regret it. Now go
back outside, and steal 10 Candles of Life from Fallen Monks. You should
have 40 Remedies by now; if you don't, warp outside the Dome and steal from
Mandragora. Also, have a dozen or so elemental Gems, 4 Chocobo Feathers, and
at least one Star Curtain; go back to Gagazet to steal these. Add Deathproof
onto Auron's Auto-Med bracer, and customize Zombieproof or Auto-Med for Yuna
and Rikku. Any Confuse Ward armor for Kimahri or Wakka would also be useful.
Make your party Rikku, Tidus, and Yuna.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Yunalesca
Form 1
24,000 HP
Yunalesca's attacks don't do much damage in comparison to the bosses you just
defeated. However, she is fast, and her status-dealing attacks will make
life difficult if you don't know how to deal with them.
Despite being easiest, her first form severely complicates things. She
alternates between Absorb, which steals half a character's max HP, and a slap
which dispels everything but Reflect and Regen. Begin by using a Star Curtain
on Rikku, and stealing until you get 3 Stamina Tablets. Thanks to Reflect,
her Sleep counter will bounce harmlessly off. Heal damage from her slap and
Absorb with Hi-Potions, and use a Chocobo Wing every now and then to keep up
with her.
Now comes the difficult part: you want to switch in Auron, Kimahri, and Wakka
so their next turn will be after Rikku but before Yunalesca. (To do this,
have them change weapons.) Use, in order, a Chocobo Feather, a Stamina
Tablet, a Hi-Potion, a Light Curtain, and a Lunar Curtain on each of them;
this is time-consuming, but it is necessary to survive Mind Blast. Take care
not to have them on the frontline when Yunalesca gets her turn. She will
either use Absorb--if you've used a Stamina Tablet but not a Hi-Potion on one
of them, this will kill him immediately--or dispel the protections you've
added with her slap.
Once Auron, Kimahri, and Wakka have Haste, Protect, Shell, and double HP,
finish her first form with Fire Gems. (No sense wasting Shining Gems on an
easy opponent.) Before finishing her off, switch in Kimahri and Wakka and
have them defend; Hell Biter will zombify them, doing minimal damage. Switch
Auron and Yuna back in.
Form 2
48,000 HP
Upon entering the second form, Rikku must die. If Regen is reflected from
Rikku back to Yunalesca, the battle becomes unwinnable. Use a Shining Gem on
Yunalesca; this should provoke a counterattack and kill Rikku. Once she
dies, revive her with a Phoenix Down and a Potion. Now use a Chocobo Feather
and Light Curtain on Yuna, and begin the assault. Always fully heal Rikku
before using a Shining Gem, and always fully heal her before Yunalesca's next
move; Hell Biter and her counter both do about 270 damage, so she cannot
survive one right after the other. (Don't bother using a Chocobo Feather or
Light Curtain on Rikku; Yunalesca's counterattack will remove them.)
Form 3
60,000 HP
Prior to finishing her second form, switch the Medical Targe for the Haste
Targe. Allow Hell Biter to zombify Rikku, and replace Yuna with Kimahri (or
Wakka). Now finish her. Her first move will be Mega Death; since Rikku and
Kimahri are zombies, and Auron is immune, it will have no effect. Re-equip
the Medical Targe, use a Holy Water and Hi-Potion on Rikku, and switch Yuna
back in.
To defeat the third form, you must be aware of Yunalesca's pattern. She has
a set five-step pattern: Mega Death, Hell Biter/Curaga/Regen (one of the
three), Hell Biter/Curaga/Regen, Mind Blast, Hell Biter/Curaga/Regen, repeat.
Generally speaking, you want to use Shining Gems in the two rounds after Mega
Death. Before every Mind Blast, switch Rikku and Yuna for Kimahri and Wakka,
and have them defend. In addition to about 300 damage (through Shell), Mind
Blast inflicts Confuse or Sleep. You can use a Remedy on Auron, but cure
Kimahri or Wakka with Esuna or a physical attack--Remedies also remove
zombie, which you do not want. After taking them out for the round after
Mind Blast, switch your zombies back in to survive Mega Death.
Should you need to heal either Kimahri or Wakka, do it immediately after Mega
Death; Yunalesca will most likely re-zombify them with Hell Biter, which you
want.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
XIX. On the airship
At long last, you've got the airship again! You can go anywhere in Spira
now. So...where to?
That is largely your choice. I would see the Highbridge event first--you
have to anyway before you can face Sin. Then, you should visit the secret
airship locations. They contain some nice equipment--in particular, you will
need the Victorious and the Phantom Bangle for Seymour Omnis--and the Omega
Ruins is necessary to unlock One-Eye. (You can pick up another Teleport
Sphere in the Omega Ruins after solving the glyph puzzle.) From Besaid or
Kilika, ride the S.S. Liki and talk to Clasko to receive a Friend Sphere.
It would be wise to pick up Wakka's Pep Talk from the Gagazet cave if
you haven't yet.
You will also need Auron's Masamune for Omnis. If you haven't already, visit
Remiem Temple to win the Cloudy Mirror. Go to the fork in the road at
Macalania Forest, and talk to the mother and son. Go back to the campsite
where you spent the night, and tell the father to meet his family. Then
return to the fork, talk to either parent twice, and find the son near the
large crystal. Use this crystal to transform the Cloudy Mirror into the
Celestial Mirror.
Visit the gorge below where you fought Defender X, north of the Calm Lands.
Head immediately to your right, where the Crusaders are residing. Pick up
the Rusty Sword, and head back to the save sphere. From the airship, warp to
Djose Highroad, and head west until you reach an alcove containing an
elevator and a statue of Lord Mi'ihen. With the Rusty Sword and the
Celestial Mirror, you can now collect the Masamune.
Sometime before you fight Sin, you will need to finish monster capturing.
For details, see the included NSGNSNO Monster Capturing Guide, Part II.
You'll probably want No Encounters equipment. It will make capturing in
certain areas (in particular, the Omega Ruins) and walking Inside Sin much
safer. There are two ways to get No Encounters. You can capture a Ghost in
the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth, and use Candles of Life until it drops No
Encounters armor--this should take 30 battles or so. Or you can fight
Geosgaeno at Baaj Temple, and win it on one of his weapons.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Geosgaeno
32,767 HP
All you need is an Evade & Counter weapon for Rikku. Geosgaeno will most
likely petrify and shatter Tidus and Wakka; allow him to do this, and attack
with Fire Gems. His physical attacks will never connect, and if she doesn't
Struggle his regurgitation attack can't kill her. Don't bother putting Rikku
in Haste, since he will also gain Haste after swallowing her.
After seven Fire Gems, you've won. Reset if he drops armor instead of a
weapon.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you finally have the proper items, go to Macalania Woods to buy a Tetra
Bracer and Shiranui for Auron. (You also need to buy empty-slotted weapons
for Yuna and Rikku, but you can get these cheaper from the Kilika shop.) If
you don't have the gil, visit the Omega Ruins and steal from chests to unlock
Mimics. Use a Petrify Grenade to get rid of the accompanying Zaurus, and a
Candle of Life to kill the Mimic; this will net you an easy 50,000 gil. Once
you have the Bracer, customize Auto-Protect (80 Light Curtains), Auto-Potion
(4 Stamina Tablets), Auto-Phoenix (20 Mega Phoenixes), and Stoneproof (20
Petrify Grenades). Sell all your Potions, and buy a full stock of Hi-Potions
and Phoenix Downs. Equip the Phoenix Bracer, the Haste Targe, the Phantom
Bangle, and any SOS Haste armor. Then get ready to face off with Sin.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Left Fin/Right Fin/Sinspawn Genais/Sins' Core
Left Fin
65,000 HP
Move in, and pummel Sin with Supreme Gems. His bodyblow attack will kill
everyone except Auron, and delay Auron's next turn. But thanks to Auto-
Potion and Auto-Phoenix, that won't be a problem.
While you're here, it might be wise to steal some items. You can steal Mega-
Potions normally (obviously a useful item), and Supreme Gems with Master
Thief--besides the 60 from Greater Sphere, this is the only way to acquire
more Supreme Gems. ("Overdrive" Sin and Seymour Omnis also have it as a
rare steal, but you won't have time to steal from them.)
Right Fin
65,000 HP
Same as Left Fin. You can commonly steal X-Potions, and rarely Shining Gems.
(Shining Gems are also a rare steal from Black Element and Varuna--don't
waste your time on them.)
Sinspawn Genais
20,000 HP
Use two Supreme Gems to force him into his shell. Then use a Fire Gem or
Poison Fang to kill him.
Sin's Core
36,000 HP
Switch the Haste Targe for the Victorious, and bring Lulu in. The Core will
only use Gravija and occasionally counter for about 550 damage with elemental
spells. With the Victorious and Phantom Bangle, Lulu and Rikku will never
both die; and with Auto-Potion, Auron will always survive. Use 4 Supreme
Gems to obliterate the Core.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Then, as soon as you've beaten Sin, guess what? You get to face him again!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Overdrive" Sin
140,000 HP
As with many previous battles, this is just a matter of timing. Put Rikku,
Auron, and Wakka in the front line. Use a Chocobo Wing and Stamina Tonic in
the first round; have Wakka heal himself with a Hi-Potion. From the second
round on, use Supreme Gems continuously.
Sin counters every sixth action with an attack that inflicts 700 damage and
either Petrify, Confusion, or Zombie. After her fifth Supreme Gem, switch
Rikku for Yuna (equipped with the Soft Ring) and have her attack Sin. The
counter will kill Yuna and damage Auron and Wakka. Switch in Rikku at the
next opportunity, and continue using Supreme Gems. Use a Phoenix Down on
Yuna, and heal Auron and Wakka as necessary. Do the same after the tenth
Supreme Gem. Doing so, you should be able to kill him just before Giga
Graviton.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
XX. Inside Sin
I hope you have No Encounters here.
Before heading on, you must collect Yuna's Phantom Ring. When you reach the
save sphere outside the Garden of Pain, un-equip No Encounters and get into a
random battle. Have one character escape and allow Auron and Wakka to die.
Equip the Masamune, the Victorious, the Phantom Ring, the Phantom Bangle, and
the Pep Talk. (If you customized Fireproof armor for someone earlier,
substitute that character for Wakka.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Seymour Omnis
80,000 HP
Seymour attacks the party with multi-Firaga spells. Thanks to Fireproof,
Fire Eater, and SOS NulBlaze, you are safe--for the moment. Use four Supreme
Gems on him, and only four; attacking five times will trigger Dispel and
Ultima.
Bring in Auron, and change armors so he can switch out before Seymour's turn;
use a Chocobo Feather on him, and switch him out. Change the Victorious for
the Haste Targe, and replace Rikku with Wakka.
After Seymour's next turn, immediately switch in Rikku and start using
Supreme Gems. With Auto-Haste (which can't be dispelled), Rikku will be able
to use four more Supreme Gems in the two turns before Ultima. Once the
Supreme Gems have been used, Seymour will be left with perhaps 1000 HP. To
get rid of the rest, have Auron attack. With Haste, he will get two turns
in; and thanks to the Masamune's unique damage properties, he will be able to
do 550 per hit. Have Lulu cast Ice for good measure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steal at least 12 Healing Water from Adamantoise, and customize Alchemy onto
Rikku's, Yuna's, and Auron's weapons. Before entering the Tower of the Dead,
you should have the following equipment in your inventory:
Rikku: Survivor (Alchemy), Haste Targe (Auto-Haste/Stoneproof)
Auron: Kotetsu (Counterattack/Zombiestrike/Alchemy), Phoenix Bracer
(Auto-Phoenix/Auto-Potion/Auto-Protect/Stoneproof)
Yuna: Healing Rod (Alchemy/Zombiestrike), Phoenix Ring (Auto-Phoenix/
Stoneproof)
Wakka: Miracle Comeback (Auto-Phoenix/Stoneproof)
Tidus: Sonic Steel (First Strike), Soft Shield (Stoneproof)
Save your game, and pray. You will probably face Braska's Final Aeon more
than a dozen times before you finally bring him down. Enter the Tower,
collect 10 crystals without being hit by a pillar, and enter Dream's End.
Equip all appropriate equipment, and walk forward for the hardest battle in
Final Fantasy X.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Braska's Final Aeon
Form 1
60,000 HP
Replace Tidus with Rikku. Use a Silver Hourglass to slow the Yu Pagodas.
(DO NOT use a Gold Hourglass, as the additional damage will make the second
form significantly harder.) Use a Stamina Tablet or Stamina Tonic on Auron,
and heal him with a Hi-Potion.
Since he only uses single-character attacks in the first form, you cannot die
with Stoneproof and two Auto-Phoenixers. Have Yuna and Auron try to inflict
Zombie on him. Zombie is very important: not only does it stop Power Wave
from healing him, it allows your non-Rikku characters to do 4000 damage with
Mega-Potions. Rikku should use Shining Gems when BFA isn't zombified, and
Mega-Potions when he is (no sense wasting your limited supply). Use a Star
Curtain on Auron--it may save your life in the second form.
Form 2
120,000 HP
Here comes the tough part. BFA's sword slash does 1800 damage through
Protect and adds a Delay effect. Even though Yuna and Rikku aren't affected
by Delay, they still must wait through two of BFA's turns after being
revived--more if he kills them again. This is where Auto-Phoenix and Auto-
Potion come in handy; Auron will often need to survive two or three sword
slashes before anyone is able to act again. Continue using Shining Gems,
Mega-Potions, and Zombiestrike as appropriate. It would be wise to have
Auron defend. If BFA uses Jecht Beam (700 damage) on Auron followed by a
sword swipe, and he's not defending, you are gone--and thanks to
Counterattack, he can often zombify BFA even while defending.
Triumphant Grasp, only an annoyance in the first form, will likely lead to a
Game Over if he uses it on Auron now. If possible, switch Auron for Wakka just
before each Triumphant Grasp, and switch him back in at the next opportunity.
But as dangerous as this is, it's nothing compared to when he is below 60,000
HP. In addition to using the sword much more frequently, his overdrive
becomes Ultimate Jecht Shot. This deals 5000 damage to all, and is guaranteed
to cause Game Over. Thus, the object is to kill him before he's able to get a
full overdrive.
Keep him above 60,000 HP until Rikku is able to get two turns before BFA.
First, use a Supreme Gem to take out both Yu Pagodas. Then switch Rikku for
Tidus. Talk to stop BFA's turn and empty his overdrive. Switch Rikku back
in; with a little luck, you can use two more Supreme Gems before Rikku is
killed again.
The object is to keep killing the Pagodas with Supreme Gems, so they can't
appear together for Power Wave. This will be difficult, because each
Pagoda's HP increases to the total amount of damage it took to kill it last
time; if you do even a little bit less you will have to use two Supreme
Gems, raising its HP to nearly 20,000. In addition, the right Pagoda casts
Curse to inflict Sleep, Poison, and 500 damage. This is why you want to use
a Star Curtain; if this puts Auron to sleep, you are in serious trouble.
Ultimately, it boils down to luck. If you get a second opportunity to Talk,
use it. Throw Supreme Gems nonstop, and hopefully you will beat him to
overdrive.
juarezmj has contributed the following useful tip:
If Tidus, Kimahri, or Wakka is made into a second tank, you will be able to
prevent a Game Over when BFA uses Triumphant Grasp on Auron in the second
form. Once you use a Stamina Tonic and heal, their HP will be over 1000; with
Protect and Defend, they can survive everything except the overdrives. This
will give you enough time to re-double Auron's HP and make him a viable tank
again.
To make him into a tank, you'll need to make him an Auto-Phoenix/Auto-Potion/
Auto-Protect/Stoneproof armor like Auron's, customized on a Tetra armor from
Wantz. You should also add Counterattack and Zombiestrike on his weapon.
(Alchemy isn't worth it, since he'll never get a turn to toss a Mega-Potion.)
I would pick Kimahri, since his Dragoon Lance already contains Evade & Counter
and Magic Counter and has a free slot. You should already have enough
ingredients for Auto-Phoenix, Auto-Potion, and Stoneproof; but you'll need to
steal another 41 Light Curtains to add Auto-Protect. The Gemini in the Sea of
Sorrow are a good source.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the Final Aeon disappears into sweet pyreflies, congratulate yourself.
You've all but completed the NSGNSNO challenge. Now, just a few more pesky
enemies to take care of.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSS: Possessed Aeons and Yu Yevon
The final battles are pathetically easy. Take out the aeons with five
Shining Gems or Supreme Gems, and kill Yu Yevon in three rounds with a Candle
of Life.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE END
=============================================================================
=============================================================================
**************************************************************
NO SPHERE GRID/NO SUMMON/NO OVERDRIVE MONSTER CAPTURING GUIDE
**************************************************************
Monster capturing is an enormous component of the No Sphere Grid/No Summon/No
Overdrive challenge. In order to kill the bosses after Biran and Yenke, you
must have an ample supply of Shining Gems and Supreme Gems, both of which are
acquired from the Arena owner. In addition, the items for certain mandatory
armor abilities, such as Deathproof, Auto-Haste, and Auto-Phoenix, can only
be acquired through the Monster Arena.
This guide is divided into two parts, dealing with monster capturing before
and after Yunalesca. All strategies assume you have capture weapons for Wakka
and Auron--Wakka's with Stonetouch, Auron's with Piercing--and an ample supply
of Shadow Gems, Sleeping/Dream Powders, and Silence Grenades.
The three areas in part I are absolutely mandatory. So are Mushroom Rock
Road, Djose Highroad, the bird species, the dual horn species, and the bat
species in part II. The other prizes are optional, but many can be of great
assistance against the final boss or when unlocking other prizes.
=============================================================================
PART I
Prizes: Calm Lands: 60 Farplane Winds
-Malboro, Chimera Brain, Coeurl, Nebiros, Skoll, Shred,
Flame Flan, Anacondaur, Ogre
Macalania: 60 Shining Gems
-Chimera, Xiphos, Blue Element, Murussu, Mafdet, Iguion,
Wasp, Evil Eye, Ice Flan, Snow Wolf
Thunder Plains: 99 Chocobo Wings
-Iron Giant, Qactuar, Gold Element, Larva, Aerogue, Buer,
Kusariqqu, Melusine
A) Calm Lands
Malboro: Might as well get this one out of the way, right? Equip any Evade &
Counter weapons and Confuse Ward/Berserk Ward armor that you possess. Use a
Shadow Gem, three Fire Gems, a Poison Fang, and a Bomb Core to lower its HP
enough for Auron to capture it. Malboro will use Bad Breath after you've
damaged it seven times, probably on your second turn. Hope that someone is
not Confused or Berserked, cure Poison with an Al Bhed Potion, and use Eye
Drops on Auron.
Coeurl: Use a Dream Powder to put it under. Use a Poison Fang, wait two
rounds, and capture with Auron.
Nebiros: Petrify with Wakka. Eliminate the accompanying enemies, since Wakka
will often miss.
Flame Flan: Silence him with Kimahri's Mage Hunter or a Silence Grenade.
Petrify him with Wakka.
Anacondaur: Throw a Dream Powder. Use a Poison Fang and Hi-Potion, wait two
rounds, and capture with Auron.
Ogre: Throw a Smoke Bomb. Attack with Wakka until the Ogre is petrified.
Chimera Brain/Shred/Skoll: Petrify with Wakka.
B) Thunder Plains
Iron Giant: Throw a Smoke Bomb, and petrify with Wakka.
Qactuar: Petrify with Wakka. Don't be surprised if it takes you several
battles.
Larva: Petrify with Wakka. Use a Silence Grenade for safe measure.
Gold Element: Use a Silence Grenade, followed by a Grenade. Capture with
Auron.
Aerogue/Buer/Kusariqqu/Melusine: Petrify with Wakka.
C) Macalania
Blue Element: Use a Silence Grenade and Lulu's Thunder. Capture with Auron.
Everyone else: Petrify with Wakka.
=============================================================================
PART II
Prizes: Besaid: 99 Stamina Tonics
-Dingo, Condor, Water Flan
Kilika: 99 Poison Fangs
-Killer Bee, Dinonix, Yellow Element, Ragora
Mi'ihen Highroad: 99 Soul Springs
-Raldo, White Element, Mi'ihen Fang, Floating Eye, Dual
Horn, Bomb, Vouivre, Ipiria
Mushroom Rock Road: 99 Candles of Life
-Garuda, Red Element, Funguar, Gandarewa, Thunder Flan,
Raptor, Lamashtu
Djose Highroad: 99 Petrify Grenades
-Basilisk, Ochu, Simurgh, Garm, Bite Bug, Snow Flan, Bunyip
Bikanel Island: 99 Shadow Gems
-Alcyone, Sand Wolf, Mushussu, Zu, Sand Worm, Cactuar
Sunken Cave: 40 Silver Hourglasses
-Dark Element, Nidhogg, Imp, Yowie, Epaaj, Valaha, Tonberry,
Ghost
Mount Gagazet: Blossom Crown
-Grenade, Bashura, Grat, Bandersnatch, Dark Flan, Behemoth,
Mandragora, Ahriman, Grendel, Splasher, Achelous, Maelspike
Omega Ruins: 60 Designer Wallets
-Zaurus, Floating Death, Master Coeurl, Master Tonberry,
Black Element, Halma, Spirit, Puroboros, Machea, Varuna
Inside Sin: 99 Lunar Curtains
-Exoray, Gemini A, Gemini B, Adamantoise, Behemoth King,
Wraith, Demonolith, Great Malboro, Barbatos
Bird species: 99 Mega Phoenixes
-4 each of Condor (Besaid), Simurgh (Djose Highroad),
Alcyone (Bikanel Island)
Dual horn species: 99 Light Curtains
-5 each of Dual Horn (Mi'ihen Highroad),
Valaha (Cavern of the Stolen Fayth), Grendel (Mount
Gagazet)
Bat species: 60 Stamina Tablets
-4 each of Floating Eye (Mi'ihen Highroad),
Buer (Thunder Plains), Evil Eye (Lake Macalania),
Ahriman (Mount Gagazet), Floating Death (Omega Ruins)
Wolf species: 99 Chocobo Feathers
-3 each of Dingo (Besaid), Mi'ihen Fang (Mi'ihen Highroad),
Garm (Djose), Snow Wolf (Macalania), Sand Wolf (Bikanel),
Skoll (Calm Lands), and Bandersnatch (Mount Gagazet)
Armored mole species: 99 Gold Hourglasses
-3 each of Raldo (Mi'ihen Highroad), Bunyip (Djose), Murussu
(Macalania Forest), Mafdet (Lake Macalania), Shred (Calm
Lands), and Halma (Omega Ruins)
Dragon species: 99 Purifying Salts
-4 each of Vouivre (Mi'ihen Highroad), Lamashtu (Mushroom
Rock), Kusariqqu (Thunder Plains), Mushussu (Bikanel), and
Nidhogg (Sunken Cave)
Two Species Creations: 60 Supreme Gems
5 of every fiend: 99 Dark Matter
D) Besaid
Dingo/Condor: Capture with Tidus and Wakka, respectively. You don't even
need Stonetouch here.
Water Flan: Petrify with Wakka, or wear him down with Fire/Ice, Lancet, and
Auron's sword.
E) Kilika
Ragora: Toss a Sleeping Powder. Have anyone capture him.
Yellow Element: Silence him with the Mage Hunter. Wear him down with
Fire/Ice and Lancet, and have Auron capture him.
Killer Bee: Capture with Wakka.
Dinonix: Capture with Tidus.
F) Mi'ihen Highroad
Dual Horn: Use Dark Attack and hit him until he is petrified. Darkstrike
weapons (sold at the Highroad Travel Agency) are also effective.
Floating Eye/Mi'ihen Fang: Use one of Lulu's spells and hit it with Wakka.
Raldo: Attack once with Auron.
White Element: Cast Fire. Attack with Auron.
G) Mushroom Rock
Garuda: Use a Poison Fang, followed by Dark Attack. If the damage puts him
under 2000 HP, heal with a Potion. Wait two rounds, and allow the poison to
bring him to very low HP; then capture him with Auron.
Funguar: Use a Grenade and capture with Auron. He likes to put the party to
sleep with Pollen, so equip Auron's Sleepproof bracer.
Red Element/Thunder Flan: Use a Grenade and capture with Auron.
Lamashtu: Capture with Auron.
Gandarewa/Raptor: Petrify with Wakka.
H) Djose Highroad
Basilisk: Put him under with a Dream Powder. Attack with magic and Grenades
until Auron can finish him with one hit.
Ochu: Use a Sleeping Powder/Dream Powder on him. Attack with Wakka,
reapplying Sleep until he is petrified.
Simurgh/Bite Bug/Bunyip/Snow Flan/Garm: Petrify with Wakka.
I) Bikanel Island
Sand Wolf/Alcyone: Throw a Grenade and have Wakka capture them.
Mushussu: Throw a Grenade and have Auron capture him.
Sand Worm: Throw a Sleeping Powder. Use Shadow Gems liberally, and capture
him with Auron.
Zu: Throw a Smoke Bomb and Poison Fang. Wait for his HP to fall to the point
where he flops on the ground; use an Antidote, and whittle him down until Auron
can capture him.
Cactuar: A pain in the neck. Auron and Wakka both need capture weapons with
Piercing. Have Rikku throw a Smoke Bomb, while the men attempt to hit him. A
good way to fill your quota is by participating in the Village of the Cactuars
minigame; the ones you fight there will never run away.
J) Cavern of the Stolen Fayth
Tonberry: Throw a Dream Powder at him. Use Shadow Gems and elemental items
until Auron can capture him in one hit.
Dark Element: Throw a Silence Grenade and a Dream Powder; this will put the
accompanying Nidhogg to sleep and leave the Dark Element with only a few HP.
Attack until it is captured.
Ghost: Throw a Silence Grenade. Use Shadow Gems liberally, and capture with
Auron.
Thorn: Petrify with Wakka. Once again, equip Auron's Sleepproof bracer.
Valaha/Epaaj/Nidhogg: Petrify with Wakka.
Imp/Yowie: Use a Sleeping Powder to negate their Evasion. Capture with Auron
or Kimahri.
K) Mount Gagazet
Bandersnatch: Throw a Smoke Bomb, eliminate the Nidhogg with a Poison Fang,
and petrify with Wakka.
Ahriman/Grendel: Put him to sleep with a Sleeping Powder or Dream Powder.
Now petrify him; if it does not work, use another Sleeping Powder or Dream
Powder.
Grenade: I really don't recommend trying to capture him without Stonestrike.
Stonetouch has only a 25% chance of working, and he'll Self-Destruct after
being attacked three times. Use Fireproof or Fire Eater armor to nullify his
attacks.
Grat: Like Grenade, Stonetouch has only a 1 in 4 chance of working against
him. Attack with Wakka, and toss a Sleeping Powder or Dream Powder if it is
not petrified.
Bashura: He's immune to Death, and his 50% resistance to petrify negates
Stonetouch. Use a Dream Powder and Smoke Bomb, and either wear him down with
poison or attack with Stonestrike.
Mandragora: Petrify with Wakka; use a Sleeping Powder or Dream Powder if you
don't succeed. He has 25% resistance to petrify; Stonestrike is recommended.
Behemoth: Toss a Dream Powder and a Poison Fang, and let poison eat away at
his HP. Make sure you use an Antidote when he is at low HP.
Dark Flan: Use a Silence Grenade to disable his attacks, and attack him with a
Zombiestrike weapon. Use a Hi-Potion, then a Healing Water; he'll counter
with White Wind, removing Zombie and leaving him at very low HP. Attack with
Zombiestrike and Potions until one more attack will kill him; switch to the
Beastmaster and capture. (It might be wise to replace the initial Hi-Potion
with a Frag Grenade, to remove his high Defense.)
Splasher: Petrify with Wakka.
Achelous: Use a Dream Powder, then petrify with Wakka. If he can't capture it
after two attempts, stop trying; it will counter the third attack it receives
by killing the party with Shock Wave.
Maelspike: Use a Smoke Bomb, and petrify with Wakka. Have one of your
characters Escape this battle, as he will sometimes cause a Game Over with
Maelstrom.
L) Omega Ruins
Floating Death/Zaurus/Master Coeurl: Put him to sleep with a Sleeping Powder
or Dream Powder. Capture with Deathstrike or Stonestrike. Don't forget to
steal Petrify Grenades from Zaurus.
Spirit+Black Element/Spirit+Halma: Black Element and Halma only appear in
these formations, so they must be treated as a unit. To prepare for Spirit,
customize an armor for Auron with Confuse Ward, Lightningproof or Lightning
Eater, Auto-Med, and Auto-Potion; remove all Potions from your inventory, and
keep plenty of Hi-Potions, Antidotes, and Phoenix Downs. I recommended that
you give Rikku and Wakka protection against all four elements; at a minimum,
they must have Lightningproof. Begin the battle by using a Star Curtain on
Auron. If you're facing Black Element, use a Silence Grenade to disable them;
if you're facing Halma, equip Evade&Counter. Spirit randomly counters any
action affecting him, including his own reflected magic, with Poison Mist;
this will kill Rikku and Wakka, forcing Auron to use two Phoenix Downs. Use a
Star Curtain on Spirit to prevent him from healing himself with Thundaga, and
whittle him down with Shadow Gems; when the Shadow Gems do less than 180
damage, have Auron capture him. Black Element is susceptible to Death, and
Halma is susceptible to both Death and Petrify; it is much easier to kill them
with Deathstrike and Stonestrike than by reducing their HP to zero.
Puroboros: Equip Fireproof or Fire Eater. Capture with Stonestrike or
Deathstrike.
Machea: Use a Smoke Bomb. Capture with Stonestrike or Deathstrike.
Master Tonberry: Put him to sleep with a Dream Powder, and whittle him down
with Shadow Gems. Capture with Auron.
Varuna: Equip the Haste Targe. Begin the battle by using a Star Curtain on
Rikku, then a Purifying Salt on Varuna. When he Hastes himself, remove it
with a Purifying Salt; when he casts Dispel, use another Star Curtain on
Rikku. Otherwise, whittle his HP down with Shadow Gems and non-elemental
items until he has about 1700 HP left. Then wait for him to cast a -ga spell
at Rikku, and capture him with Auron. If he should use Mana Focus, you have
two options: either use a Stamina Tablet/Tonic and Lunar Curtain on Auron to
survive Emblem of Fate, or use a Soul Spring and hope Auron is able to capture
him. Stonestrike will work 20% of the time, but on average it takes just as
long to capture him that way as it does by killing him with damage.
M) Inside Sin
Exoray: Capture with Stonestrike.
Gemini A and B: They're immune to both Death and Petrify. Put them under with
a Dream Powder, use Poison Fangs on them, and remove the poison with Antidotes
when they are at low health; remove their armor with a Frag Grenade while
you're at it. Capture with Auron.
Adamantoise: Use a Dream Powder and Poison Fang, and wait 20 rounds for his HP
to drop. (He is immune to Shadow Gems.) Stonestrike works 20% of the time.
Wraith: Use a Shadow Gem. If he is currently weak to an element, use two Gems
of that element; otherwise, use more Shadow Gems and non-elemental items to
lower his HP.
Demonolith: Equip Evade&Counter weapons and Stoneproof armor. Lower his HP
with Shadow Gems and non-elemental items.
Great Malboro: First Strike weapons are recommended any time you roam the
Omega Ruins, as are Confuse Ward+Berserk Ward+Auto-Med/Poisonproof armors. I
gave Rikku Confuseproof+Berserkproof+Auto-Med, just to be safe. Switch to
Evade&Counter once you have the proper status-protection armor; if Bad Breath
manages to inflict Confusion or Berserk, use a Remedy on the affected
character. Use seven Shadow Gems, followed by a Fire Gem and some
non-elemental items; capture him with Auron.
Behemoth King: The toughest of the bunch to capture. Equip Evade&Counter on
all three characters, the Phoenix Bracer on Auron, the Haste Targe on Rikku,
and Lightningproof on your third character. Start by using a Stamina
Tablet/Tonic and Lunar Curtain on Auron; by defending Auron can survive Heave
and Thundara. Use Shadow Gems to whittle down his HP, until he casts Mighty
Guard; remove this with a Purifying Salt. Behemoth King now gains access to
Flare and Tail; the first is guaranteed to kill a non-Reflected character, and
the second hits the whole party for more damage than BFA's sword swipe. The
easiest way to capture him is to equip Auron with an Evade&Counter capture
weapon, put him below 180 HP, and wait for Heave to be used on Auron; that way
you avoid the 8000+ damage from Meteor. Use a Phoenix Down, Stamina Tablet,
and Healing Water if Auron is hit with Flare, and make sure he defends on his
next turn. Surviving Meteor would require Auron to change to an armor with HP
+10% and defend, Rikku to use a Light Curtain and Hi-Potion on him, and your
third character to attack and capture him--all before Behemoth King gets his
next turn.
Barbatos: Equip Evade&Counter weapons and Auron's Phoenix Bracer. Begin the
battle by using a Lunar Curtain on Auron, and from there assault him with
Shadow Gems. Zombiestrike+Regen is highly effective against him; when he gets
below about 15,000 HP, remove it with a Purifying Salt. As usual, capture
with Auron.
=============================================================================
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Smokingfrog2--For proposing this challenge in its current form
Ken Lionheart--For providing the inspiration to try the NSGNSNO challenge,
and for his Seymour Flux strategy
juarezmj-For pointing out that Tidus could also survive BFA's attacks
Dark Locke and TrueDFX--For much inspired brainstorming on NSGNSNO strategies
Split Infinity--For discovering Yunalesca's, Overdrive Sin's, and Seymour
Omnis' attack patterns
Dustman, Hyprophant, and Gestahl--For setting the groundwork for this
challenge in their excellent FAQs
GameFAQs--For hosting this FAQ and our lengthy NSGNSNO strategizing
Squaresoft--For producing one of the best RPGs ever made
© Web Media Network Limited, 1999 - 2024 This site is not affiliated in any way with Microsoft, Sony, Sega, Nintendo or any video game publishers.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.
Super Cheats is an unofficial resource with submissions provided by members of the public. These are not usually tested by us (because there are so many), so please use them at your own risk.
