FFX-2 LLG Part I: Early Bosses

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MoogleBoss

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Published on October 28, 2008 3:34:00 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8QK-DNckd0

Game:

Final Fantasy X-2 (2003)

Duration: 9:11

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A challenge I started quite a long time ago but could never record because my capture card got spoilt. Now that it's fixed, I'll play through it again properly (without messing up the experience distribution and using cheap tactics) and get some videos of it on YouTube.

There isn't a single 'right' way of playing a Low Level Game in FFX-2. What exactly do we mean by a low level game? - the first issue to be addressed.

The solution to the problem leaves no second choice IF you play the challenge using a New Game Plus file. The only forced EXP gain will be from the battle against Logos & Ormi in Luca and the one against Leblanc. One character will have to level up once, but the rest will be able to remain at lv. 1. 1, 1 and 2 will be your levels for the remainder of the challenge. LLG from an NG+ file may well be called a two-edged sword: accessories, items and abilities carried over from previous files make the challenge far easier than a normal playthrough.

Another thing is playing the low level challenge from a new file. You start from scratch and throwing away some cheap tactics from your arsenal makes for some interesting battles. The game's fast-paced battle system makes things even more fun.

Now, how DO we distribute the experience? Either we go for the lowest possible average or we go for that distribution of experience which gives us a party of approximately similarly levelled characters at a low level.

Another thing that complicates the matters is that before Minerva's Plate is available we have no less than four bosses that are NOT immune to Eject, i.e. they can theoretically be kicked out of battle, automatically resulting in your victory and giving you no exp at the same time!

I must mention that though FFX-2 has been out for years, it hasn't become too popular and I don't think a single game mechanics FAQ exists. Though we can access the exact numbers that stand for enemies' resistance to status effects (incl. Eject), we do not know how those numbers transfer to our chances of ejecting them. I tried forcing YSLS-Zero to leave the battlefield for hours and didn't succeed. In this playthrough, we suppose that it's impossible to eject Boris, Flame Dragon, Guardian Beast and YSLS-Zero.

In addition, instead of making it a half-assed solo challenge, we distribute experience so that YRP are more or less at the same level of strength (4/5/6), avg. level being 5. The alternative here is to have either Rikku or Paine gain 7 levels and the rest none, party average resulting in 3.(33).


This video shows the earliest bosses faced in this challenge. Before this, the following happens: Rikku absorbs exp from the Leblanc & 2 Goons battle and the forced 2 Goon encounter afterwards. All random inescapable encounters are avoided with some effort. Yuna gets the experience from L & O, and Rikku gets the exp from Leblanc (simply because Songstress Yunie cannot attack). On Mt. Gagazet, we don't use the elevator until Rikku has mastered Steal Will as we'll need it to eject forced non-bosses shortly afterwards. Some items (chiefly, Potions) and gil are gained in the process.

Then we face LOL (Leblanc, Ormi and Logos) for the first time. I went for a party of a thief (they offer three decent accessories) and two warriors (good attack and defence). The latter two don't get to combo much as Rikku and Leblanc create a queue with their skills, in spite of the Active mode. When Logos's the only one remaining (he has high Evade but the weakest attack), R & P are KO'd and Yuna takes the exp, levelling to lv. 3.

Yuna's the one who will level up in the battle against Boris as well, so we want her well-equipped and the boss weakened with Power Break. The party gets the boss close to death and we kill off R & P again.

After this, we get access to a plethora of optional sidequests and we do quite a bit of them before going to Besaid.

Flame Dragon can be killed in a single casting of Blizzaga but where's the fun in that?

We use a party of Songstress (Heart of Flame for fire absorption, +20% HP accessory) and two Warriors (Ice Queen for Icestrike as the boss is weak to ice, strength and defence enhancing accessories). Rikku gets a Red Ring to halve the flame breath atack.

The boss uses Flame Breath twice: in the beginning of the battle and when his HP is below 100. We wait for him to execute the action, revive/heal and use Darkness Dance with Yuna to blind the boss.

Now warriors, once at full health, soften him with Power Break and lower his defence with Armour Break so that Yuna can finish him off easier later on. The boss's HP is reduced with combos while he remains relatively weak due to being blinded and once he's brought to below 100 HP he helps to kill off R & P. Yuna finishes this with Ice Brand, absorbing 60 exp and not gaining any levels. This is the last experience she will get in this challenge.

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