-- Final Fantasy X (US) Monster Arena FAQ --
-- by CB! (Christine Bomke, circe@san.rr.com) --
-- Version 0.9, 12/29/01 --

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This guide is for PERSONAL USE ONLY, copyrighted to me,
Christine Bomke. Do not put this FAQ on your site without first emailing
me for permission. If permission IS granted, you are not permitted to 
change a single word of this FAQ when you post it, and must leave it as a
.txt file unless I've explicitly told you otherwise that you may change 
it. Do not steal information from this FAQ for your magazine, or other 
form of media - printed, online, or otherwise. Do not pass GO, do not 
collect $200. If you violate this disclaimer anyway, blah blah blah 
copyright violation blah blah legal action blah.

NOTE TO WEBMASTERS: If permission is granted to post this guide on your 
site, it is _your_ responsibility to get the most recent version from my 
site or GameFAQs.com periodically. If you can't be bothered to keep it 
current, then you may not post it.

Avast ye matey, thar be spoilers ahead.


-- Table 'o Contents --

  I. Version History
 II. Foreword / Contact Information / General Strategies
III. Area Creations
     a. Besaid Island: Stratavis
     b. Kilika Forest: Marlboro Menace
     c. Mi'ihen Highroad: Kottos
     d. Mushroom Rock Road: Coeurl Regina
     e. Djose Highroad / Moonflow: Jormungand
     f. Thunder Plains: Cactuar King
     g. Macalania Forest and Snowfield: Espada
     h. Sanubia Desert: Abyss Worm
     i. Calm Lands: Chimerageist
     j. Cavern of the Stolen Fayth: Don Tonberry
     k. Mt. Gagazet / Gagazet Cavern / Zanarkand Ruins: Catoblepas
     l. Inside Sin: Abadon
     m. Omega Ruins: Vorban
 IV. Species Creations
     a. Wolves: Fenrir
     b. Lizards: Ornitholestes
     c. Birds: Pteryx
     d. Insects: Hornet
     e. Floating Wizards: Vidatu
     f. Eyeballs: One-Eye
     g. Flans: Jumbo Flan
     h. Elements: Nega Elemental
     i. Armored Demons: Tanket
     j. Dragons: Faufnir
     k. Fungus: Sleep Sprout
     l. Bombs: Bomb King
     m. Horned: Juggernaut
     n. Iron Giants: Ironclad
  V. Original Creations   
     a. Earth Eater
     b. Greater Sphere
     c. Catastrophe
     d. Th'uban
     e. Neslug
     f. Ultima Buster
     g. Shinryu
     h. Nemesis (or "Omega Gold")
 VI. Thanks, Acknowledgements, Shameless Plugs


-- I. Version History --

v0.9 12/29/01: Finished most of the FAQ, and submitted to GameFAQs.com. The
only things missing are strategies for a few bosses, and/or more reader-
submitted strategies.

v0.1 12/25/01: Began guide. Not released to the public.


-- II. Foreword / Contact Information / General Strategies --

First, this is not a gameplay FAQ. This is an explanation of how the Monster
Arena works, since the Bradygames strategy guide is severely lacking in 
explanation. If you need help figuring out the Sphere Grid system, or want a
walkthough, look elsewhere. The purpose of this FAQ is to explain how to
unlock battles by capturing certain monsters, the prizes the monster trainer
gives you by doing so, how to win the battles you unlock, and the neat-o
equipment and items the Monster Arena bosses give you for doing so.

If you have a different strategy for fighting any of these monsters than I've
listed, not just a simple variation on the same, you may submit it to me at
circe@san.rr.com. So that I know your email is about the Monster Arena, it 
would be extremely helpful if you could put something like "FFX: Strategy for
fighting [Name of Boss]" in the subject header. If I use your strategy in a 
future version of this FAQ, you will receive full credit and billing for it.
The latest version of this document, and all the other ones I've written, can
always be found at GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com/) and my site
(http://home.san.rr.com/circe/). Please reference them before finding fault 
with what may be an out-of-date version. Most of this information came from 
my own experience in the game, but some came from the Final Fantasy X 
Ultimania "Battle" guide as well. It also bears mentioning I never would have
appreciated the Monster Arena fully while playing the import if not for Muni
Shinobu's "Training Facility" FAQ on GameFAQs, so much respect to him, too.

This next part may look familiar to anyone who's read my Monster Encyclopedia
before - it's the last chapter. Assume that all of the following bosses are
immune to all status ailments, and defend against all elemental attacks, if
not absorb them entirely. Also, I'm not 100% sure on the AP gained per battle,
but if you're fighting these monsters for AP, you're in the wrong  place - the
monsters in the Omega Ruins give you much, much more. Lastly, the "Summon the 
Magus Sisters and use Mindy's Passado" strategy is a given - the following 
strategies I'm providing are for people who don't want to cheat with Passado.

Quick Hit is a nescessity. Let me reiterate, QUICK HIT IS A NESCESSITY. Quick
Hit will allow you to get many, many extra attacks on a boss before it's had
a chance to move, often allowing you to dispose of it without a scratch on 
you to show for it. Likewise, Hastega, or an armor with [Auto Haste], used in 
conjunction with Quick Hit, is a nescessity. The more frequently you can 
attack, obviously the sooner the boss will perish. [Auto Protect], [Auto 
Shell], [Auto Potion] and/or [Auto Regen] are also good to have, but nowhere 
near as important as the preceeding examples.

Hitting for 99,999 damage with your characters is not essential for the first
group of bosses, the Area Creations, but it certainly helps. For the Species 
and Original Creations, consider it vital. Having over 9,999 HP to defeat any 
of these bosses isn't nescessary, but you'd best have at least two characters
with [Auto Phoenix] and/or keep everyone in Reraise status if you don't have
more than 9,999 HP. Reraise is preferable to [Auto Phoenix], because it 
doesn't require a living party member to activate, but it wastes a turn. The
tradeoff is yours to decide.


-- III. Area Creations --

 - a. Besaid Island: Stratavis - 

 Name: Stratavis
   HP: 320000 (Overkill: 10000)       
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Smoke Bomb (common), Stamina Spring (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Amulet (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: HP +10%, HP +20%, HP +30%

Strategy: Easy, easy, easy. Don't be fooled by his Zuu-like appearance, this
bird is a pushover. When he flops to the ground, which should happen after 
only a few hits, you'll know he's low on HP.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Besaid Island. These 
are: Dingo, Condor, and Water Flan.

Prize for unlocking: Stamina Tonic x99


 - b. Kilika Forest: Marlboro Menace - 

 Name: Marlboro Menace
   HP: 640000 (Overkill: 12000)    
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Remedy (common), Mana Spring (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Mana Tonic (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, Stoneproof,
Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof

Strategy: This guy is like a souped-up Great Marlboro, so equip armor with the
[Berserkproof], [Confuseproof], and [Auto Med] abilities. If you have a weapon
with the [First Strike] auto ability, make sure you have it equipped to get an
extra hit on him at the beginning of the battle before he can unleash Bad 
Breath, because he can and will.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Kilika. These are: Killer
Bee, Ragora, Dinonix, and Yellow Element.

Prize for unlocking: Poison Fang x99


 - c. Mi'ihen Highroad: Kottos -

 Name: Kottos
   HP: 440000 (Overkill: 15000)    
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Stamina Spring (common), Soul Spring (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Healing Spring (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Counter, Evade & Counter, Magic Counter
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: HP +10%, HP +20%, HP +30%

Strategy: Kottos counterattacks everything except for Overdrives, at least in
the Japanese FFX, so use them early and often. Having everyone in Protect 
status wouldn't hurt, either, but Kottos isn't nearly as punishing as some of
the later bosses.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Mi'ihen Highroad. These 
are: Raldo, Floating Eye, Mi'ihen Fang, White Element, Bomb, Dual Horn, 
Vouivre*, Ipiria*, and Thunder Flan*. *These last three only appear in the 
"Old" part of Mi'ihen Highroad. The "Old" Highroad is the sunken canyon part
that you can get to by doing a U-turn at the screen right before Mushroom Rock
Road.

Prize for unlocking: Soul Spring x99


 - d. Mushroom Rock Road: Coeurl Regina -

 Name: Coerl Regina
   HP: 380000 (Overkill: 10000)      
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Farplane Wind (common), Blessed Gem (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Shining Gem (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Deathstrike, Double AP
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, 
Stoneproof, Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof, Deathproof

Strategy: Another pushover - kind of a spiritual successor to the panther
enemies you fought in the Tower of Bab-il in Final Fantasy IV, except without
the difficulty. I'd wax ecstatic about how easy this fight is, but I have no 
idea how to pronounce "Coerl Regina". (Is it a Coerl? Is it a Regina? NOBODY 
KNOWS!)

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Mushroom Rock Road. These
are: Gandarewa, Raptor, Lamashtu, Red Element, Funguar, and Garuda.

Prize for unlocking: Candle of Life x99


 - e. Djose Highroad / Moonflow: Jormungand -

 Name: Jormungand
   HP: 520000 (Overkill: 10000)   
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Petrify Grenade (common), Three Stars (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Supreme Gem (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, 
Stoneproof, Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof

Strategy: Yet another easy fight. Jormungand likes to petrify you, but you
expected that from his palette-swapped Basilisk appearance, right? Right. 
He's slow as molasses, so as long as you have [Stoneproof], and abuse 
Overdrives and Quick Hit, he'll probably only get one hit on you.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Djose Highroad. These 
are: Bite Bug, Garm, Bunyip, Simurgh*, Snow Flan, Basilisk, and Ochu. *The 
Simurgh only appears at the north part of Djose Highroad near Djose Temple and
the lone chocobo rider, and very rarely at that.

Prize for unlocking: Petrify Grenade x99


 - f. Thunder Plains: Cactuar King -

 Name: Cactuar King
   HP: 100000 (Overkill: 10000) 
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Chocobo Wing (common), Designer Wallet (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Blessed Gem (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Cactuar King is fast with a high evade rate, so definately include
Wakka in this battle - he may be the only one who can reliably hit him. Having
Wakka'a Attack Reel Overdrive is a must. Between this fight, and the Cactuar 
minigame in Sanubia Desert, you may wind up hating Cactuars for life.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Thunder Plains. These are:
Aerouge, Buer, Melusine, Kusariqqu, Qactuar, Gold Element, Larva, and Iron
Giant*. *The Iron Giant only appears north of Rin's travel agency.

Prize for unlocking: Chocobo Feather x99


 - g. Macalania Forest and Snowfield: Espada -

 Name: Espada
   HP: 280000 (Overkill: 15000)
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Farplane Shadow (common), Farplane Wind (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Rename Card (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Espada has a rather annoying instant-death attack, but very low HP.
You can circumvent this by zombifying your party members, which makes them 
immune to instant death, or having the [Deathproof] and/or [Auto Phoenix] 
abilities in your armor.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Macalania. These are:
Wasp, Murussu, Blue Element, Xiphos, Chimera, Evil Eye*, Snow Wolf*, Mafdet*,
and Ice Flan*. The monsters without asterisks appear in Macalania Forest, and
the ones with asterisks appear around Lake Macalania and Macalania Snowfield.

Prize for unlocking: Shining Gem x60


 - h. Sanubia Desert: Abyss Worm -

 Name: Abyss Worm
   HP: 480000 (Overkill: 12000)    
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Shadow Gem (common), Stamina Tablet (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Stamina Tonic (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: The Abyss Worm only LOOKS intimidating - but then you hit him, and
you realize he's just an overgrown earthworm with serious post-nasal drip 
problems. (Somebody get this guy a Sudafed!) The Abyss Worm is extremely 
slow, and he doesn't have much of physical defense power, so if at least one 
of your party members can deal 99,999 damage every time, this battle is over 
before it's even begun.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Sanubia Desert. These
are: Alcyone, Sand Wolf, Sand Worm*, Mushussu, Zuu, and Cactuar*. *All of the
monsters appear in all areas, EXCEPT for the Sand Worm and Cactuar. The Sand
Worm only appears in the Ruins and Sandstorm areas, and the Cactuar only 
appears on the screen closest to home - most frequently in the Sandstorm area.
You can find all of these monsters except for the Zuu (I _think_) at the 
Sanubia Sand Dune location, accessable by searching certain coordinates while
on the airship.

Prize for unlocking: Shadow Gem x99


 - i. Calm Lands: Chimerageist -

 Name: Chimerageist
   HP: 120000 (Overkill: 10000)   
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Mana Spring (common), Stamina Spring (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Return Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Firestrike, Waterstrike, Icestrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Fire Eater, Water Eater, Ice Eater

Strategy: Chimerageist will most likely be the easiest of any of these bosses, 
because he'll also be the first one you fight - the Monster Trainer won't let
you fight any of the other bosses until you've captured all the monsters from
the Calm Lands, remember? He doesn't have any attacks a normal Chimera doesn't
have, so equip armor with the appropriate [Element Eater] auto-abilities.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from the Calm Lands. These
are: Nebiros, Skoll, Flame Flan, Anacondaur, Shred, Coeurl*, Ogre, Marlboro*, 
and Chimera Brain. *The Coeurl and Marlboro also appear in the Cavern of the 
Stolen Fayth, but if you capture them there, they count towards your Calm
Lands total.

Prize for unlocking: Farplane Wind x60


 - j. Cavern of the Stolen Fayth: Don Tonberry -

 Name: Don Tonberry
   HP: 480000 (Overkill: 10000)  
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Candle of Life (common), Designer Wallet (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Farplane Wind (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike, Deathstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, Stoneproof,
Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof, Deathproof

Strategy: If you attack Don Tonberry when he's at the far side of the screen,
he'll automatically counterattack, and it'll usually kill you. Whereas if you
defend until you can see the whites of his eyes (that is, if Tonberries have
whites in their eyes), and only attack him when he's right in front of you, he 
won't counterattack. As always, [Auto Phoenix] or Reraise are good to have.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from the Cavern of the Stolen 
Fayth. These are: Epaaj, Imp*, Yowie, Thorn, Dark Element, Nidhogg*, Valaha,
Ghost, and Tonberry. *The Imp and Nidhogg also appear in Mt. Gagazet, but if 
you capture them there, they count towards your Cavern of the Stolen Fayth
total.

Prize for unlocking: Silver Hourglass x40.


 - k. Mt. Gagazet / Gagazet Cavern / Zanarkand Ruins: Catoblepas -

 Name: Catoblepas
   HP: 550000 (Overkill: 10000)     
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Healing Spring (common), Stamina Tonic (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Three Stars (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike, Deathstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, Stoneproof,
Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof, Deathproof

Strategy: Treat Catoblepas as you would a mega King Behemoth, because that's
what he is, and bear in mind that when you defeat him, he'll cast Ultima as a 
last gasp. Hope you have high magic defense!

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Mt. Gagazet. These are:
Bandersnatch, Grat, Grenade, Bashura, Ahriman, Grendel, Dark Flan, Mandragora,
Behemoth, Splasher, Achelous, and Maelspike. Bear in mind that this area 
encompasses the snowy exterior of Mt. Gagazet, the Cavern interior, the 
flooded part of the cavern, and the ruins of the Zanarkand Freeway. Also,
capturing at least two of the Splasher, Achelous, and Maelspike will unlock
Shinryu in addition to Catoblepas - see Shinryu's entry in the Original
Creations section for more detail.

Prize for unlocking: Blossom Crown for unlocking Catoblepas, and 30 Mega 
Elixirs for unlocking Shinryu.


 - l. Inside Sin: Abadon -

 Name: Abadon
   HP: 380000 (Overkill: 10000)    
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Purifying Salt (common), Shining Gem (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Mana Tablet (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Magic +5%, Magic +10%, Magic +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Magic Defense +5%, Magic Defense +10%, Magic 
Defense +20%

Strategy: Cast Haste. Attack with Quick Hit. Rinse, lather, repeat. Don't
bother with spells, because he has constant Nul-All, and other protective
statuses.

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from Inside Sin. These are:
Exoray, Gemini (both kinds, each count as a seperate monster)*, Adamantoise*,
Behemoth King, Wraith*, Great Marlboro*, Barbatos**, and Demonolith*. *The 
asterisked monsters also appear in the Omega Ruins, but if you capture them 
there, they count towards your Inside Sin total. **Barbatos only appears in 
the second "deserted city"-type area - dunno what this is called in the 
English version, but it was something like "Dreams of the Dead" in the 
Japanese release.

Prize for unlocking: Lunar Curtain x99


 - m. Omega Ruins: Vorban -

 Name: Vorban
   HP: 630000 (Overkill: 10000)   
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Healing Spring (common), Stamina Tablet (rare)
 Cost: 6000 gil
 Drop: Friend Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Don't bother with Armor Break, since it only works about 10% of
the time, and use Auron's third Overdrive instead - this will put Vorban into
Power Break, Magic Break, Armor Break, and Mental Break status, and make your
fight a lot easier. It'll be a long fight unless your characters can all hit
for 99,999 damage every time, though...

Conditions: Capture at least one of each monster from the Omega Ruins. These
are: Varuna, Floating Death, Black Element, Zaurus, Spirit, Halma, Machea,
Master Coeurl, Master Tonberry, and Puroburos.

Prize for unlocking: Designer Wallet x60


-- IV. Species Creations --

 - a. Wolves: Fenrir -

 Name: Fenrir
   HP: 850000 (Overkill: 99999)   
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Chocobo Feather (common), Chocobo Wing (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Agility Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike, Deathstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, 
Stoneproof, Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof, Deathproof, Confuseproof

Strategy: Fenrir is fast, agile, and has two very powerful attacks, one of
which is instant death even to Aeons, and the other does 15,000+ damage on
top of confusion to a single character. And did I mention, he's FAST? Even if
you cast Hastega, you may not be able to keep up with Fenrir. If there was 
ever a battle to abuse Mindy's Passado, this is it.

Conditions: Capture at least 3 of each monster from the wolf species. These
are: Dingo (Besaid Island), Mi'ihen Fang (Mi'ihen Highroad), Garm (Moonflow),
Snow Wolf (Macalania Snowfield), Sand Wolf (Sanubia Desert), Skoll (Calm 
Lands), and Bandersnatch (Mt. Gagazet).

Prize for unlocking: Chocobo Wing x99


 - b. Lizards: Ornitholestes -

 Name: Ornitholestes
   HP: 800000 (Overkill: 99999) 
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Rename Card (common), Chocobo Wing (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Gambler's Spirit (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Double Overdrive
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Ornitholestes has a high evade rate, but low speed, and I can't
recall him ever once attacking me before I'd dispatched him. So consider this
an easy fight. However, if you fight him on lower levels, you may run into
one of two attacks: a) a damage plus poison attack that never misses unless 
you have [Poisonproof] armor, or b) an HP-draining attack. Don't worry too much
about the latter attack, instead worry about curing the poison before it has a 
chance to really damage you.

Conditions: Capture at least 3 of each monster from the lizard species. These
are: Dinonix (Kilika Forest), Ipiria (Mi'ihen Highroad), Raptor (Mushroom Rock
Road), Melusine (Thunder Plains), Yowie (Cavern of the Stolen Fayth), and
Zaurus (Omega Ruins).

Prize for unlocking: Stamina Spring x99


 - c. Birds: Pteryx - 

 Name: Pteryx
   HP: 100000 (Overkill: 99999)    
   AP: 8000 (Overkill: 8000)
Steal: Smoke Bomb (common), Candle of Life (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Evasion Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: High evade rate, medium speed, low HP, constantly in Regen status. 
The one attack that's even worth mentioning is Pteryx's beak attack, which 
curses you. Yawn. Next?

Conditions: Capture at least 4 of each monster from the bird species. These 
are: Condor (Besaid Island), Simurgh (Djose Highroad), and Alcyone (Sanubia
Desert).

Prize for unlocking: Mega Phoenix x99


 - d. Insects: Hornet -


 Name: Hornet
   HP: 620000 (Overkill: 50000)    
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Poison Fang (common), Cleaning Salts (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Accuracy Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Wouldn't you know it, another monster with a high evade rate!
Heavens to Betsy! He hits pretty hard for an overgrown insect, including a
poison stinger attack, and never misses (there's a reason the Hornet drops 
Accuracy Spheres) but all of his attacks target a single character.

Conditions: Capture at least 4 of each monster from the insect species. These
are: Killer Bee (Kilika Forest), Bite Bug (Moonflow), Wasp (Macalania Forest),
and Nebiros (Calm Lands).

Prize for unlocking: Mana Tonic x60


 - e. Floating Wizards: Vidatu -

 Name: Vidatu
   HP: 95000 (Overkill: 10000)
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Lightning Gem (common), Mana Tonic (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: MP Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Double AP
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: MP 10%, MP +20%, MP +30%

Strategy: Don't bother using elemental spells on Vidatu, because his constant 
Nul-All and Regen status will nullify all of them. I believe he's also in
Shell status, so non-elemental spells aren't very powerful either. His evade
rate doesn't seem to be as high as any of the preceeding monsters, so use
whomever you like, and take him down in a single hit.

Conditions: Capture at least 4 of each monster from the floating wizard 
species. These are: Gandarewa (Mushroom Rock Road), Aerouge (Thunder Plains), 
and Imp (Mt. Gagazet or Cavern of the Stolen Fayth).

Prize for unlocking: Mana Spring x99


 - f. Eyeballs: One-Eye -

 Name: One-Eye 
   HP: 150000 (Overkill: 15000) 
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 1000)
Steal: Lunar Curtain (common), Blessed Gem (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Magic Defense Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Triple AP
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: MP +10%, MP +20%, MP +30%

Stategy: If One-Eye has the first move, he'll use an attack called "Shock
Wing", which is every status abnormality in the book, on top of about 
10,000+ damage to every character. If your party has the first move, however,
you can take him down in two hits. Like Vidatu, despite floating, One-Eye's
evade rate is nothing to write home about.

Conditions: Capture at least 4 of each monster from the eyeball species. These
are: Floating Eye (Mi'ihen Highroad), Buer (Thunder Plains), Evil Eye 
(Macalania Snowfield), Ahriman (Mt. Gagazet or Inside Sin), and Floating Death
(Omega Ruins).

Prize for unlocking: Stamina Tablet x60


 - g. Flans: Jumbo Flan -

 Name: Jumbo Flan
   HP: 1300000 (Overkill: 99999)
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Lunar Curtain (common), Mana Tablet (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Magic Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Magic Booster
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Fire Eater, Water Eater, Ice Eater

Strategy: Jumbo Flan is HARD... well technically he's jellylike, and probably
soft and squishy to the touch, but he's hard to defeat. Would you want to 
touch him, anyway? I wouldn't. Jumbo Flan absorbs all kinds of elemental 
spells, and has high Magic Defense to boot, so non-elemental spells don't do 
much damage. Don't even think about using physical attacks - no matter how 
high your strength is, all weapon-based techniques do 0 damage. Jae kindly
informed me via email to try to use Ultima in conjunction with Doublecast,
and having road tested this, can confirm he's correct. Mad jiggy quantities of
love to Jae for submitting this, because I would have given up otherwise. This
is what I did...

Before the battle, have the Magus Sisters and Yuna's Overdrive bars charged 
so that she can summon them, and they can Delta Attack Jumbo Ugly twice. 
Mindy's Passado doesn't do any damage, and he absorbs the other Sisters' 
special attacks, so dismiss them after they've used Delta Attack. Cast 
Hastega and Shell if you can spare a turn after you've dismissed the Magus
Sisters. Tidus' Energy Rain Overdrive is not weapon-based, so it also does 
good damage. I speculate Rikku's "Supernova" Mix Overdrive is the same way. 
Now we get to the nitty-gritty: hopefully you have Lulu's Ultimate Weapon, or
a weapon for someone with [Break Damage Limit] and [Magic Booster] on it. (As
Jumbo Flan is the only monster that drops Magic Spheres, your Magic statistic 
won't be more than about 150 even if you've traversed the entire Sphere Grid, 
and ergo it won't be high enough to do much damage without [Magic Booster].) 
Cast Ultima twice with Doublecast, and keep Miming until it dies.

Conditions: Capture at least 3 of each monster from the flan species. These 
are: Water Flan (Besaid Island), Thunder Flan (Mi'ihen Highroad), Snow Flan
(Moonflow), Ice Flan (Macalania Lake or Snowfield), and Dark Flan (Gagazet
Cavern or Zanarkand Ruins).

Prize for unlocking: Twin Stars x60


 - h. Elements: Nega Elemental -

 Name: Nega Elemental
   HP: 1300000 (Overkill: 15000)    
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Star Curtain (common), Twin Stars (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Twin Stars (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Firestrike, Thunderstrike, Waterstrike,
Icestrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Fire Eater, Lightning Eater, Water Eater, 
Ice Eater

Strategy: Nega Elemental counterattacks all physical attacks with Ultima,
even Overdrives, so don't use those unless your Magic Defense is 255. You
cannot get around this by casting Reflect on your party, either, because 
Ultima ignores Reflect. Instead, use the same strategy you used to kill the 
Jumbo Flan above - Doublecast Ultima, and Mime like it's going out of style.

Conditions: Capture at least 3 of each monster from the elemental species. 
These are: Yellow Element (Kilika Forest), White Element (Mi'ihen Highroad), 
Red Element (Mushroom Rock Road), Gold Element (Thunder Plains), Blue Element
(Macalania Forest), Dark Element (Cavern of the Stolen Fayth), and Black 
Element (Omega Ruins).

Prise for unlocking: Star Curtain x99


 - i. Armored Demons: Tanket -

 Name: Tanket
   HP: 900000 (Overkill: 10000)   
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Light Curtain (common), Lunar Curtain (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Defense Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Despite being the ultimate armored mini-demon, Tanket's defense
doesn't seem to be higher than any of the rest of these bosses. He has very
high magic resistance, but only the standard bodyblow attack. This is such a
cheap and easy way to get Defense Spheres, I almost feel sorry for the little
guy.

Conditions: Capture at least 3 of each monster from the armored demon species.
These are: Raldo (Mi'ihen Highroad), Bunyip (Djose Highroad or Moonflow), 
Mafdet (Macalania Snowfield), Shred (Calm Lands), and Halma (Omega Ruins).

Prize for unlocking: Gold Hourglass x99.


 - j. Dragons: Faufnir -

 Name: Faufnir
   HP: 1100000 (Overkill: 13000)   
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Gold Hourglass (common), Stamina Spring (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Light Curtain (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Firestrike, Thunderstrike, Waterstrike, 
Icestrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Fire Eater, Water Eater, Ice Eater

Strategy: coming soon.

Conditions: Capture at least 4 of each monster from the dragon species. These
are: Vouivre (Mi'ihen Highroad), Lamashtu (Mushroom Rock Road), Kusariqqu 
(Thunder Plains), Mushussu (Sanubia Desert), and Nidhogg (Cavern of the Stolen
Fayth or Mt. Gagazet).

Prize for unlocking: Purifying Salt x99


 - k. Fungus: Sleep Sprout -

 Name: Sleep Sprout
   HP: 98000 (Overkill: 10000)           
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Poison Fang (common), Farplane Wind (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Teleport Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, Stoneproof,
Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof

Strategy: The first rule of Sprout Club is, YOU DO NOT ATTACK SLEEP SPROUT. 
The second rule of Sprout Club is, YOU DO NOT ATTACK SLEEP SPROUT. When in 
doubt, refer to rule 1. These rules don't apply if you can hit for 99,999 
damage every time, in which case, attack away! If you attack Sleep Sprout, it 
will automatically counter with a spore attack that hits your entire party 
with every status abnormality in the book, along with huge damage.

Conditions: Capture at least 5 of each monster from the fungus species. These
are: Funguar (Mushroom Rock Road or southern Djose Highroad), Thorn (Cavern of
the Stolen Fayth), and Exoray (Inside Sin).

Prize for unlocking: Healing Spring x99


 - l. Bombs: Bomb King -

 Name: Bomb King
   HP: 480000 (Overkill: 10000)           
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Fire Gem (common), Shining Gem (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Door to Tomorrow (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: Bomb King is a strange one. Unlike his bomb brethren, normal attacks
don't automatically make him swell... sometimes. I haven't yet figured out
what makes Bomb King inflate, versus which attacks slip by, so for now I'm
going to assume it's random. Like with any bomb, if he inflates 3 times, Bomb
King will self-destruct.

Conditions: Capture at least 5 of each monster from the bomb species. These
are: Bomb (Mi'ihen Highroad), Grenade (Mt. Gagazet), and Puroburos (Omega 
Ruins).

Prize for unlocking: Turbo Ether x60


 - m. Horned: Juggernaut -

 Name: Juggernaut
   HP: 1200000 (Overkill: 15000)   
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Lunar Curtain (common), Shining Gem (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: Strength Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Defense +5%, Defense +10%, Defense +20%

Strategy: The Juggernaut isn't hard, it's just hard to wear down. Immediately
cast Hastega upon entering the battle, and use Quick Hit until the 
Juggernaut's second turn comes up. You actually get a free turn - the first
move the Juggernaut will make is to charge up for a multiple-character fire
breath attack, which is the second move. If you're swift about it, you can
probably kill the Juggernaut before it has a change to unleash this move, but
if you're not, swap one of your characters for Yuna, and have her sumon an
Aeon to take the brunt of the Juggernaut's fire breath attack. Alternately, if
you have armor with [Fire Eater], you'll absorb its breath. During subsequent 
turns, the Juggernaut may charge up for another fire attack, thus forfeiting 
its turn, or (more likely) it will rush up to one or more characters and maul 
them.

Conditions: Capture at least 5 of each monster from the horned species. These
are: Dual Horn (Mi'ihen Highroad), Valaha (Cavern of the Stolen Fayth), and
Grendel (Gagazet Cavern or Zanarkand Ruins).

Prize for unlocking: Light Curtain x99

 
 - n. Iron Giants: Ironclad -

 Name: Ironclad 
   HP: 2000000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: 10000 (Overkill: 10000)
Steal: Light Curtain (common), Stamina Tablet (rare)
 Cost: 8000 gil
 Drop: HP Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Str +5%, Str +10%, Str +20%
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: HP +10%, HP +20%, HP +30%

Strategy: Like Vorban, Ironclad is armored, and Armor Break only works a
small fraction of the time, so use Auron's Banishing Blade Overdrive. Whenever
you attack Ironclad, he'll automatically counterattack with his sword for 
fairly sizeable damage, but it's nothing [Auto Phoenix] or Reraise won't cure.

Conditions: Capture 10 of each from the iron giant species. These are: Iron
Giant (north part of Thunder Plains), Gemini A (Inside Sin or Omega Ruins, armed
with a sword), and Gemini B (Inside Sin or Omega Ruins, armed with a club).

Prize for unlocking: Mana Tablet x60


-- V. Original Creations --

 - a. Earth Eater -

 Name: Earth Eater
   HP: 1300000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Level 1 Key Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Fortune Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Triple Overdrive
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Auto Potion

Strategy: When standing upright, the Earth Eater will attack you physically, 
but won't counterattack when attacked. If you do enough damage to it 
cumulatively or all at once, you'll knock it on its back. When it is on its
back, it cannot attack you, or do anything but roll back and forth looking 
pitiful... unless you attack it. If you hit the Earth Eater while it's on its
back, it will counterattack with a pretty powerful Flare spell, reflected off 
itself.

Conditions: Capture the nescessary number of monsters to conquer 2 areas.

Prize for unlocking: Three Stars x60


 - b. Greater Sphere -

 Name: Greater Sphere
   HP: 1500000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Return Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Luck Sphere (common)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: One MP Cost
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Auto Phoenix

Strategy: coming soon.

Conditions: Capture the nescessary number of monsters to conquer 2 species.

Prize for unlocking: Supreme Gem x60


 - c. Catastrophe -

 Name: Catastrophe
   HP: 2200000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Level 2 Key Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Designer Wallet (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Sleepstrike, Silencestrike, Darkstrike, 
Poisonstrike, Stonestrike, Zombiestrike, Slowstrike
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Sleepproof, Silenceproof, Darkproof, Stoneproof,
Poisonproof, Zombieproof, Slowproof

Strategy: coming soon, but this boss is so easy, do you need it?

Conditions: Capture the nescessary number of monsters to conquer 6 areas.

Prize for unlocking: Door to Tomorrow x99


 - d. Th'uban -

 Name: Th'uban
   HP: 3000000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Teleport Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Underdog's Secret (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Triple AP, Triple Overdrive
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: HP +10%, HP +20%, HP +30%

Strategy: Fighting Th'uban is lots of fun, if your idea of fun is DYING
QUICKLY AND REPEATEDLY. A proper strategy is coming soon, provided I ever beat
this punk boss... Jae of Jumbo Flan fame emailed me a wonderful but long-winded
strategy for beating Th'uban, which I will summarize and post in the next
version of this FAQ.

Conditions: Capture the nescessary number of monsters to conquer 6 species.

Prize for unlocking: Gambler's Spirit x99


 - e. Neslug -

 Name: Neslug
   HP: 4000000 (Overkill: 12000)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: 50000)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Friend Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Pendulum (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Piercing (Kimahri, Auron), Triple AP
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: HP +10%, HP +20%, HP +30%

Strategy: Besides having fallen out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on
the way down, the Neslug likes to retreat into its shell and regenerate large
amounts of HP per turn with Curaga and Regen when you've depleted some of its
life. While in its shell, it becomes impervious to all weapon-based attacks. 
(In other words, Mindy's Passado doesn't work. Boo hoo!) So what do you do?

First, make sure at least one person knows Ultima and Doublecast, everyone 
knows Mime, and you've got a good supply of Turbo Ethers. Cast Hastega at the
beginning of the battle, and Quick Hit, Attack Reel, or Blitz Ace the Neslug 
until it retreats into its shell. If you're quick enough, the Neslug won't 
even get a change to attack you before it goes into its shell. Then proceed to
Doublecast Ultima, and Mime until its shell shatters, stopping only to 
replenish the MP of a party member who's low. When the shell shatters (and
this is a pretty cool animation, IMHO), you'll know the Neslug only has about
one million HP left. Obviously it cannot retreat into its shell anymore, so
eleven hits at 99,999 damage later, you've won! Congrats.

Conditions: Conquer all areas. This means you need to pretty much capture one
of each monster.

Prize for unlocking: Winning Formula x99


 - f. Ultima Buster -


 Name: Ultima Buster
   HP: 5000000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Level 3 Key Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Winning Formula (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Triple AP, Overdrive -> AP, Triple Overdrive
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Break MP Limit

Strategy: This isn't nescessarily a hard battle, just a long-ish one. First, 
cast Hastega, and if you can spare the turn, Reraise at least one party 
member. Then destroy its arms and head with Quick Hit, and continue to use 
Quick Hit until Ultima Buster's turn comes up - immediately have Yuna summon
an Aeon to take the brunt of Ultima Buster's attack, which 4 out of 5 times, 
will be an extremely powerful Ultima spell. The other time, it will bodyslam 
a single character for 10,000+ damage, but because this is so unpredictable, 
use Aeons as damage absorbers just in case.

Conditions: Capture at least 5 of each monster.

Prize for unlocking: Dark Matter x99 (!!)


 - g. Shinryu -

 Name: Shinryu
   HP: 2000000 (Overkill: 99999)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Gambler's Spirit (common), Three Stars (rare)
 Cost: 15000 gil
 Drop: Wings to Discovery (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Double AP
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Auto Med

Strategy: Because this battle takes place underwater, you can only use Tidus, 
Wakka, and Rikku. Shinryu will counterattack with his claw whenever he is
attacked, which does about 8000+ damage to one character with 120 defense, but 
so long as one of your other party members has [Auto Phoenix] in their armor, 
this doesn't matter. Some people recommend killing off Tidus and Rikku, and 
letting Wakka take care of Shinryu with his Attack Reel Overdrive, because 
Shinryu won't use his instant petrification and shattering attack if only one 
of your party members is alive. Barring that strategy, if your speed is high 
enough, just cast Hastega, and Quick Hit, Attack Reel, or Blitz Ace him to 
death. Usually you can kill him before he's had more than one turn if you do 
this, totally circumventing being hit by his nasty petrify attack. This is 
much easier than bribing Marlboros for Wings to Discovery, for sure.

Conditions: Capture at least 2 Splashers, 2 Achelous, and 2 Maelspikes from 
the flooded portion of Gagazet Cavern.

Prize for unlocking: Mega Elixir x30


 - h. Nemesis (or "Omega Gold") -

 Name: Nemesis (aka Omega Gold, aka Subete wo Koeshimono)
   HP: 10000000 (Overkill: ?)           
   AP: ? (Overkill: ?)
Steal: Level 4 Key Sphere (common), Warp Sphere (rare)
 Cost: 25000 gil
 Drop: Warp Sphere (common), Dark Matter (rare)

Auto-abilites of dropped weapons: Break Damage Limit
Auto-abilites of dropped armor: Break HP Limit

Strategy: coming soon.

Conditions: Capture 10 of each monster, and beat all of the bosses at the 
Monster Arena.

Prize for unlocking: Master Sphere x10


-- VI. Thanks, Acknowledgements, Shameless Plugs --

Big thanks go out to Tronix (http://www.tronixweb.com/) and National Console 
Support, Inc (http://www.ncsx.com/) for selling me Final Fantasy X and a 
Japanese Playstation 2, respectively. Best import shops on the web, they are!

Thanks as well to Amazon Japan (http://www.amazon.co.jp/) for stocking the two 
FFX Ultimania guides, and being kind enough to ship overseas.

Thans to Jae for submitting good, detailed battle strategies for Jumbo Flan
and Th'uban.

Thanks to Muni Shinobu (muni_shinobu@yahoo.com) for his excellent FFX 
walkthrough and numerous other guides on the game. Without him, we would not
know wairo from Shinola.

Thanks to my friends and family for putting up with me throughout the writing 
of this, and my other Final Fantasy X guides, especially my sister Annie 
(ajbomke@yahoo.com). Show your appreciation by flooding her email box with 
marriage proposals. Really. She likes it.

Extra special thanks to Square (http://www.playonline.com/) for creating FFX 
and many other quality titles, and GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com/) for 
hosting FAQs on every game imaginable, and respecting FAQ author's rights.
