#thiefclasshero

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.

There's also so few entries here that I should probably actually start reblogging normal shit like a real tumblr user (even though that's what I spend the majority of my time doing over at bondofflame) so I'll go back eventually and tag my original content so y'all can find that easily and/or peruse at your leisure.

So with THAT out of the way, let's get some content! I'll save my what-I've-been-watching post for another day, today let's talk about music! I'm about to update my library, so before I clear it out and shuffle things around, have a look-see at what I've been listening to for the last few weeks:

BABYMETAL - Babymetal | So this was all the rage on facebook a few weeks back, and if you're a fan of Jpop in general, these girls are actually super great. The first track is skip-worthy, but the rest are adorable and cover everything from the number 4's bad rap as an unlucky number to guilttripping your dad for presents, all while flashing their version of the sign of the horns, with fingers pointed out to represent a fox nose. TOO FUCKING KAWAII Y'ALL. Oh -- if you missed the memo, they're a subunit of the super group Sakura Gakuin, representing the heavy music club: heavy metal idol pop. ENJOY.

Björk - Volta | Björk isn't my favorite artist, but I am pretty fond of a couple of her tracks, so I decided it was in my best interest to finally delve a little deeper into her body of work. I don't think most people need an explanation of who Björk is but even if you're just a casual fan like I am, Volta's worth checking out.

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head | According to last.fm, Coldplay is the single most widely-listened to artist in the world, and has been for years. Admit it, you've probably gone out of your way to listen to at least one of their tracks, in spite of (or because of) their generic U2-esque pop-ness. The Scientist has been a favorite of mine for a long time, so a few years back I picked up an actual Coldplay cd, and I really do fucking love this album. The title track is probably my favorite.

David Bowie - The Next Day | I picked this one up on what, album release day? David Bowie's first release in ages, and his shit really is timeless. If you're a fan of DB check it out.

David Byrne & St Vincent - Love This Giant | St Vincent's a local artist who used to be in the Polyphonic Spree, who I love, so I picked up a couple of her albums a while back. Her style isnt my favorite, but indie music nerds adore her, and her shit's rather pretty. This album is a collaboration with Talking Heads frontman David Byrne. It's funky, with a lot of brass, and what ladies in the 80s would call "sexy".

Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits | Divine Fits is a mishmash of another Texas band (Spoon), Handsome Furs, and New Bomb Turks. I fucking love Britt Daniel, and if you're a fan of Spoon the transition is easy to make. Great mellow album.

Elliott Smith - Figure 8 | I've been meaning since around 2001 to get into Elliott Smith, and can't tell you how many times I almost bought this cd and didn't. I finally picked it up about a year ago, and Elliott has definitely made it on my favorite artists of all time list. This might be my favorite of his albums. If you're unfamiliar with his work, I would rec him if you're a fan of the Beatles and/or depressing solo artists. His music has the beauty of Sufjan Stevens with a little bit of... fuck, Morrissey? With heavy influences from the Beatles. Basically, it's gorgeous as fuck so check it out.

f(x) - Pinnochio & Pink Tape | Lauren got me into f(x), so I've been listening to their full length albums. Pretty typical Kpop, although in the video that got me hooked they were definitely akin to the sirens of legend. Definitely enjoyable.

Five Iron Frenzy - Engine of a Million Plots | I've never been much of one for bandom except when it comes to Five Iron. I ran a fansite for these assholes back in the early 00s and now that they're back, I couldnt help but jump right back in. You can check my #five iron frenzy tag if you'd like to check them out, but they're essentially a rock ska band with Christian punk ska roots, an atheist lead songwriter, and song topics ranging from Star Trek to the genocide of the American Indians to hypocrisy within the church. You know, the usual. I've got more videos from the last few shows I've been to that I need to post here, so I'll get on that. Eventually. If you've never heard of them, at least be impressed by the following they've accrued: they broke up in 2003, and when their return was announced on Kickstarter in 2011, they managed to raise the $30,000 goal in 54 minutes. $30,000 in 54 minutes. Who fucking does that?

Kesha - basically everything | Animal, Cannibal, Deconstructed, I Am The Dance Commander I Command You To Dance, and about 67 unreleased tracks that I finally managed to track down. Kesha's my girl, I fucking adore her work, and decided I needed to track down her fucking impressive as fuck unreleased tracks as well, so that's what I've been working my way through. These unreleased tracks are from circa 2010, and can I just say, WOW? They've got a little bit of everything, from Heart Fall Out's typical Kesha stylings to Sunday Morning's mellow gorgeousness. Also, it's Kesha now, not Ke$ha, so drop that dollar sign. I hope the girl finally gets the respect she's so desperate for and so definitely deserves.

MxPx - Plans Within Plans, Panic, Secret Weapon | MxPx is a classic favorite of mine, and I've been getting back into them since chatting with Mike Herrera at Five Iron's Dallas show. The band was essentially the face of the Christian punk scene for years and is now unapologetically atheist, although knowing Mike, he would still say it in the nicest way possible. I've been keeping up with Mike's podcast, and MxPx's albums are dirt cheap on their site, so why the fuck not get caught back up on their stuff? So that's what I'm slowly doing. Quality pop punk, if that's what you're into.

OK Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky | Such a phenomenal album by such a phenomenal band. Blue's got a lot more edge than their earlier albums, with all kinds of fuzziness to it, but it's great. I love giving this a spin from time to time.

Overclocked Remix - Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin | If you know anything about me, you know I love Final Fantasy, and if you know anything else about me, you know my favorite video game of all time is Final Fantasy VI. I don't know how it took me so long to get my hands on this, but this is the single greatest soundtrack in the history of music remixed by some pretty talented kids, and you can download it for free. Get on that.

Pedro the Lion - Control | My history with Christian-turned-atheist bands is showing. David Bazan is a fucking genius storyteller, with gorgeous and depressing as fuck songs and I love him.

the pillows - Penalty Life, Thank You My Twilight, Good Dreams, My Foot | the pillows are quite possibly my favorite band of all time, so I try to keep a good mix of their songs on my playlist. Again, if you're a fan of the Beatles, or Jrock in general, give them a listen if you haven't.

The Polyphonic Spree - Yes, It's True | Another album I helped Kickstart, these guys are Dallas locals and even if you don't realize it, you've probably heard their shit (or at least did back in 2001). These guys are incredible, and not just because their music is fucking fantastic. If you live in Dallas and you've never been to a Polyphonic Spree holiday party, you're not living life. Every so often -- at least once a year -- these guys throw a party that is not to be missed. The holiday party every year is a fucking masterpiece of an event, complete with milk & cookies, tapdancing grandmas, and 2 complete sets of their live music. Last year they also threw a Halloween party with 2 complete sets, the first one being Rocky Horror. Last summer, they had their album release party for this album, and holy fucking shit it was quite possibly the best live show I've ever been to. I've got videos from that, too. I'll post them also eventually. Love these guys.

Tommy heavenly6 - TOMMY ♥ ICE CREAM HEAVEN ♥ FOREVER | I fucking love Tomoko Kawase, she's like the Avril Lavigne of Jrock. Her music is featured in every single anime ever produced ever. Her heavenly6 songs tend towards fairy tale themes and are just phenomenal and I love her. Doki doki desu etc.

Soundtracks: Jennifer's Body, Kick-Ass, Sucker Punch, Thumbsucker | If you've been paying attention, you know I love movies at least as much as I love music. You put the chocolate in the peanut butter and get magic. Jennifer's Body is one of my favorite films of all time and the soundtrack includes Fall Out Boy, Panic, Black Kids, Lissy Trullie, and all kinds of magic, Kick-Ass has Mika and some other great shit on it, Sucker Punch is filled with gorgeous covers and Emily Browning, and Thumbsucker is all Polyphonic Spree and Elliott Smith.

Fan Soundtracks I I've also got mix-tapes I've made myself, you can check them out if you're interested:

Axel/Roxas FST 3 - Sex & Candy | Regina Spektor, Scissor Sisters, Avril Lavigne, The Eels

Axel/Roxas FST 5 - Monsieur Valentine | Spoon, Gorillaz, Aqualung, Phoenix

England America - Hungover | Franz Ferdinand, Neon Trees, Fall Out Boy, Morrissey

Mello/Matt - Addict | OK Go, Spoon, Snow Patrol, Matchbox 20

Noir - Kids With Guns | Jem, t.A.T.u., Laura Veirs, Emilie Autumn

Vaan/Penelo - Red Kite | Sufjan Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Nena