#sphere grids

Alright, kids! If you've been following along on twitter, you'll know I'm currently playing through FFX/X-2 HD Remaster and livetweeting as I go. Well, I decided I wanted to talk a little bit about sphere grids and I just wrapped up in Bevelle, so now that my party is back together let's do this shit!

As the url probably suggests, I've got a fondness for quick hitters, and the more strength I can throw their way, the better. So my strategy in most games tends to be centered around how I can best hack and slash, rather than utilizing the diverse skills of the multiple job classes. Whatever, I do what I want. With Final Fantasy X, that means turning Rikku into a fucking tank, because shit yeah.

HD Remaster brings us the expert sphere grid, which is both overwhelming at first, and refreshing because I've replayed X so many times that I've already got my sphere grid paths mapped out, and now I have to actually think about it. So let's talk a little bit about my life choices, 'kay?

Tidus | HP 2720 | MP 212 Str 31 | Def 17 | Mag 31 | Mag Def 21 | Agi 22 | Luck 18 | Eva 16 | Acc 11 Old Strategy: Yuna's path -> Life, then back up his path New Strategy: Build up a strong white mage, then work on strength Notable Abilities: Steal, Use, Guard, Cura, Esuna, Life, Haste Weapon: Avenger - Counterattack Armor: Spiritual Shield (Cactuar drop) - MP Stroll

Rikku | HP 3749 | MP 245 Str 28 | Def 14 | Mag 25 | Mag Def 19 | Agi 31 | Luck 22 | Eva 7 | Acc 13 Old Strategy: Mug, then down Wakka's path to Auron's path New Strategy: Mug, then Wakka's path to increase accuracy, then Auron's for strength Notable Abilities: Mug, Guard, Provoke, Haste Weapon: Tit-for-Tat (customized Cactuar drop) - Initiative, Evade & Counter, Piercing Armor: Soldier's Targe - HP +10%, HP +5%

Yuna | HP 1475 | MP 224 Str 11 | Def 11 | Mag 32 | Mag Def 37 | Agi 19 | Luck 17 | Eva 38 | Acc 3 Old Strategy: White mage, equipped with death strike New Strategy: White mage cross-trained with black mage Notable Abilities: Cure, Esuna, Life, Fira/Thundara/Watera/Blizzara Weapon: Rod of Wisdom - Magic +5%, Magic + 3%, Sensor Armor: Spiritual Ring (Cactuar drop)

Lulu | HP 2856 | MP 252 Str 13 | Def 19 | Mag 36 | Mag Def 46 | Agi 14 | Luck 17 | Eva 56 | Acc 3 Old Strategy: Black mage New Strategy: Black mage cross-trained with white mage Notable Abilities: Cure, Esuna, Life, Fira/Thundara/Watera/Blizzara, Shell, Protect Weapon: Cactuar Spy (Cactuar drop) Armor: Tough Bangle - HP +20%

Wakka | HP 3218 | MP 90 Str 37 | Def 25 | Mag 31 | Mag Def 5 | Agi 20 | Luck 19 | Eva 12 | Acc 41 Old Strategy: Wakka's path, then Auron's New Strategy: Wakka's path, then Auron's Notable Abilities: Cure, Esuna, Dark Buster, Silence Buster Weapon: Rematch (Bevelle chest) - Evade & Counter Armor: Bright Armguard - Dark Ward

Auron | HP 4230 | MP 93 Str 52 | Def 30 | Mag 9 | Mag Def 12 | Agi 13 | Luck 17 | Eva 13 | Acc 4 Old Strategy: Auron's path New Strategy: Auron's path Notable Abilities: Guard, Threaten, Haste, Power/Magic/Armor/Mental Break Weapon: Dark Blade (customized drop) - Piercing, Poisontouch, Darkstrike Armor: Regen Bracer - SOS Regen

Kimahri | HP 1844 | MP 118 Str 28 | Def 21 | Mag 23 | Mag Def 6 | Agi 9 | Luck 18 | Eva 9 | Acc 7 Old Strategy: Black mage New Strategy: Auron's path Notable Abilities: Cure, Esuna, Haste, Lancet, Guard, Fire/Thunder/Water/Blizzard Weapon: Hunter's Spear - Piercing, Sensor, Strenth +10% Armor: Red Armlet - Fire/Ice/Lightning Wards

The teal deer of that is all paths lead to Auron, because shit he's such a heavy hitter. I'm really excited about going for completion in this game, because historically FFX is a game I've replayed more times than I can count, rather than working up one save file to completion. The most I've done in the past is go for all of the celestial weapons, so the added promise of PlayStation trophies and the fun I've had going for completion on later Final Fantasy games has me excited as fuck. ALSO ALSO ALSO the remaster has all of the International bonuses for both games, so AAAAAAAAAAAAA I'm going to be happy forever. Especially since X-2 is such a fucking fantastic and underrated game, I'm really looking forward to replaying that one.