The Official Final Fantasy X-2 Rumble!! (MA)

Also this is my first one, but don’t worry guys, I know what I’m doing.

Also, I plan on updating every 2-3 days, and if I don’t it means my computer broke down or I’m on vacation, but I rarely ever take vacations. (Agent0042: I’ll be updating for the time being…)

But I’ll start by letting you guys choose the category, here are some suggestions (but please, not Missions this time)

-Monsters
-Bosses (It’s hard to differentiate between Monsters and Bosses because once you’re in Via Infinito, monsters like Boris are about as boss-like as a Divebeak. But monsters like Boris, either of the Eaters, Zalamander, etc may be included in Monster AND/OR Boss rumbles. After all, there are some monsters that aren’t bosses, and there are some bosses that aren’t monsters, like the Experiment or Angra Mainyuu)
-Monster SPECIES. That would solve all the Monster/Boss problems, and there are a whole lot of those, Lizards, Imps, Ruminants, Eaters, Scorpions… and so forth. Plus if it IS a monster rumble it would seem odd including, say, two different Lizards, because one would more likely win. But then again some people vote based on looks, so it would be fair.
-Garment Grids
-Music
-Dresspheres (preferrably not because there are too few and I remember it being done)
-Spheres. As in, the ones on Shinra’s viewer-thing. Yeah, there are only 16 or 18 but it’s an original idea. I’m sure not everyone remembers what’s on each Crimson Sphere, but I’d be saying in the description whenever they’re up.
-NPCs. Either that or just characters in general because only three people aren’t NPCs and it wouldn’t hurt to include them. Yuna probably wouldn’t last long anyway, but I can’t say for sure.
-Accessories
-Anything else you guys can think of that I haven’t suggested. Just throwing out ideas here!

Also, be sure to always bold your votes. It makes it hard to count them. You probably will still be counted if you don’t bold, but if an individual user starts developing a habit of not bolding I may start skipping them, or to make things easier be banned from participating. 4-0 is a blowout condition.

Current Edition – Stay tuned…

I will go for Bosses

Also, i like the idea of spheres. The ones you find on your way through the game could work well. Like, if which ones people found funniest or the most interesting.

I think Bosses would be a fun one.

I’m gonna go ahead and start compiling the list, but to be fair I’ll keep the voting open until the list is ready just in case more people who prefer a different option somehow come. But don’t worry for the next rumble I’ll give more time to pick the category.

So, it’ll start soon, maybe later tonight or tomorrow.

I counted 42 things that can qualify for bosses (even in the littlest way, like monsters encounterable in Via as well as some people. Though I didn’t have Elder Drake or Mega Tonberry since I wouldn’t call them bosses) in this game and made a list. Since that’ll already be odd after splitting it in half after the the first round, I’m only gonna cut the list down to 40, because that at least divides by 8 and we won’t have to worry about odd-ness until we’re down to five, and I have a plan for that.

However, instead of letting some randomizer decide which two I should eliminate, I have a way to let you guys decide.

So, WITHOUT showing you guys the list, I’m gonna give two days, and you guys are gonna name only two bosses in the whole game that you do not want included.

Remember, a boss can be anything from an oversoulable monster fought in an even to a specific character you fight to just a boss in general. So, whatever you name it’ll probably be on my list. Just any two you can think of that you don’t want included.

~Zak

But anyway, here’s the list, in order of game appearance. The order in which they’ll fight is another story.

And a note: Bosses like Leblanc, Baralai, etc. are going to be counted once for all the times you fight them.

1. Leblanc
2. Ormi
3. Logos
4. Boris
5. Flame Dragon
6. Guardian Beast
7. YSLS-ZERO
8. Chocobo Eater
9. Elma
10. Georapella
11. Precepts Guard
12. Baralai
13. Dark Bahamut
14. Dark Yojimbo
15. Garik
16. Dark Valefor
17. Dark Ifrit
18. Dark Ixion
19. Zalamander
20. Anything Eater
21. King VERMIN!
22. Aranea
23. Black Elemental
24. Concherer
25. Chac
26. Paragon
27. Trema
28. Lucil
29. Rikku
30. Paine
31. Nooj
32. Gippal
33. Experiment
34. Humbaba
35. Machina Panzer
36. Jumbo Cactuar
37. Angra Mainyu
38. Dark Shiva
39. Magus Sisters
40. Dark Anima
41. Vegnagun
42. Shuyin

Choose 2 to kill. I’ll place my vote later.

Alright, now the wheels should get turning.

YSLS-ZERO for the same reason as Agent

Baralai

Machina bosses are lame, and Elma went down in like two hits.

So, it appears as though YSLS-ZERO, despite holding the honor of ending a chapter, is having technical problems functioning and decides to sit this one out.

Just as they’re about to start, Aranea gets so excited that it accidentally tangles itself up in it’s own string. Clumsy bug, looks like it won’t be rumbling today.

So, time to start (my first rumble battle ever):

Round 1 – Battle 1

Guardian Beast

Our first FFX-reincarnated sprite boss, except this time fought near the beginning at a relatively low level. Guards half a sphere in Zanarkand, and has a pretty cool death sequence rather than simply pyreflies later in Via Infinito.
"Do we need a password? How about ‘kick it’s ass’."

VS.

Concherer

About 10 times the level of Guardian Beast, this fiend is actually good old Grand Maester Mika himself reincarnated. A real challenging fiend, and despite looking like FFX’s Neslug, is completely different and way stronger. Can the Guardian Beast take him?

Note: Like in Ceidwad’s FFXII rumble, 8-0 will end a round.

Also, are there no plans for a characters rumble, Zak? (you can wait til the end of the round to answer this, obviously.)

I listed it as one of the options "NPCs" stating that since only three characters are non NPCs might as well use them and do characters.

Incredibly powerful monsters that are a pain to kill don’t get my vote, I’m afraid.

Guardian Beast 8-0 Concherer

The majestic Guardian Beast makes escargot out of Lord Mika’s reincarnation, thus proving that toughness isn’t everything.

Next:

Round 1 – Battle 2

Anything Eater

Chocobo Eater on steroids. Still a pushover, but a pain in the ass to unlock his lair. Holds the Amazing Chocobo captive.

VS

Jumbo Cactuar

A giant Cactuar who’s also hidden away in a deep place, and is the second to last hurdle of a long-winded yet fun sidequest. A lot of certain giant species of fiends have it to thank for their existence.

This round will end on Tuesday or earlier.

Anything Eater 4-3 Jumbo Cactuar

Close match, though the Eater makes a sabra out of the old Cactuar and has it for dinner.

Next battle should be a little interesting:

Round 1 – Battle 3

Logos

Member of the Lablanc syndicate encountered numerous times in the game. The smarter half of the two head-goons. Despite his intelligence he’s got a dirty mind.

VS.

Dark Ixion

One of our old aeon friends gone crazy. Also has the honor of ending a chapter, but then again so does YSLS. Somewhat of a fusion of Odin and Ramuh. Can Logos take it?

I will post my vote shortly.

Did we really have to fight such watered-down versions of the old Dark Aeons? They didn’t really seem to make any sense in the story, either.

His voice actor is truly inspired, and he’s probably one of the funniest characters in any FF.

I know this is a boss rumble, but some of Logos’ best lines came in the battles with the Leblanc syndicate. And I truly love the No Love Lost attack they all do together the last time you fight them.

Logos 5-4 Dark Ixion

Logos just escapes defeat, turning Ixion to pyreflies.

Next battle should yield some pretty interesting results. Also I’m considering making the wait a little longer due to this forum being a little slower than the rest of them, perhaps two days might be too short to get a good number of votes. Might not make a difference though (This is just a guess, can’t think of any other reason, nothing wrong with this forum!). We’ll see how things go.

Anyway:

Round 1 – Battle 4

Vegnagun

The big baddie of X-2. Story-wise, a truly fomidable loose-cannon waiting to explode. Game-wise, REALLY heard to defeat/detain…

…Not. But that does depend on who his lucky opponent shall be, and it’s…

VS.

Humbaba

Not quite as big a deal or as big a threat to Spira, but to the Thunder Plains he sure is, and Veggy never even touched the plains.
Same sprite and function as Behemoth King in X with the use of Meteor upon dying, except it’s a boss this time who unlocks one of the most fun but long-winded cave puzzles (but of course can be fought normally in Via later)
The boss with the honor of fighting the final boss in the first round… can it hold the title of the ONLY one to get to face him?

Zak – you may be right — it could also have to do with FFX-2 simply not being as a popular as some of the other FFs. In any case, I agree that it’s wroth a shot.

My vote is for Vegnagun. It may be one heck of a pansy-ass final boss, but at least it as plot significance, and Humbaba I usually just KOed by using CONGRATS! on it, which isn’t possible with Vegnagun. Oh, and Vegangun is multi-part, which does add some coolness factor.

Anyway yeah I think I’ll wait longer unless of course this gets 8-0 as usual, not gonna break that rule.

Even though it was a lame final boss, at least it couldn’t be killed with ‘CONGRATS!’.

Also, it wasn’t the last boss, Shuyin was.

Agent, considering you can actually lose to Shuyin, I’d be inclined to count him. It’s not like Sephiroth in VII or Yu Yevon in X which are purely symbolic battles in which you have no chance of losing.

Also, we should probably try to stay on-topic considering this is a rumble thread.

Vegnagun 8-0 Humbaba

Our lead villain makes minced meat out of that Behemoth… but wait! …

…*sound of loud clanging metal*…

…Vegnagun endures the Meteor trap like a joke. Who’s it gonna face in the next round?

Round 1 – Battle 5

Shuyin

…The OTHER and TRUE final boss. The last couple posts clearly indicate his formidability. Shuyin doesn’t count, you say? The main reason for the whole story in X-2 to even start, at least Veggy comes in later. In reality a joke of a hurdle… but hey, he IS the only way to get Hero Drinks in the whole game.

VS.

Machina Panzar

This Chapter 5 boss has had little minions working for him since Chapter 3 all for that one battle. Those annoying little watcher things… better stay attacking only if you expect this guy to be a breeze! Dwells in a place guarded by now-defeated Humbaba, but can Shuyin take him? Cid sure couldn’t…

This is ganna be another blow out

Sorry, no blow-out this time.

He had a Gun Mage move? I don’t think so… what are you thinking of?

But anyway to avoid confusion since I already quoted and all I’ll go with Machina Panzer.

Shuyin was a pushover, and they basically recycled Tidus’ character model for him.

Machina Panzer 9-2 Shuyin

Machina Panzer is just too clever! Our lead villain may be able to control Vegnagun, but he must have tripped the Watcher trap! Shame on you, Shuyin.

Next up is the battle of the tomboys.

Round 1 – Battle 6

Lucil

Former Chocobo Knight and now co-leader of the Youth League. Something about her has a LOT of charisma, and she’s faced at the end of the Mushroom Rock Road tag chase thing in Ch5. She may be very strong and likeable, but her opponent might be a fair match…

VS.

Paine

Uh-oh… a member of the trio. Well, it’s clear that when she’s on OUR side she’d kill Lucil hands down, but when she’s possessed by Shuyin who just lost and limited to only her Warrior Dressphere then she could have another story. Outside of battle, she’s also extremely underrated.

I’m gonna go with Paine because she’s actually my favorite of the trio. I really couldn’t care less for Yuna or Rikku, if it was Rikku against Lucil then I’d have gone with Lucil. But Paine’s awesome and deserves to go on.

Like Agent said, the possession battles sucked.

Lucil 7-2 Paine

Not at all what I expected, but our Youth League commander is just too fast for Paine. Maybe one day they’ll nuke it out when she isn’t possessed for more of a challenge!

Next battle may seem like a joke, but people vote in mysterious patterns so it should be interesting.

Round 1 – Battle 7

Flame Dragon

One of the first bosses in the game, guardian of the Sphere in Besaid… which ended up not even being what Wakka was looking for, so all that trouble for nothing. The sphere did have a secret meaning, though! Might I add that this event sorta gave this game many appeal points in my book, loved how it was the same world with new places to explore.
"Grab the sphere, fiends appear!"
Cool dragon and all, but will it last is the question.

VS.

Trema

Quite possibly the toughest boss in the game. Founder of New Yevon, but destroyed every bit of history.
Still, the only boss in this game who actually had an epic battle and was remotely challenging. No Oversoul or CONGRATS trick can save anyone. Worst of all, you must always enter the fight with Paragon’s wounds and always go through Paragon every time you wish to challenge him. Generally the Flame Dragon is an ant next to this guy, but will it be able to roast him?

Trema was an old man. Granted one with disturbing speed and strength, but still an old man. The Flame Dragon at least felt like a boss. Plus, I hate ultra-tough superbosses.

Trema 4-3 Flame Dragon

Unbelievably close call, it appears people really DO have their patterns of voting. But reality returns and Flame Dragon is an ant next to FFX-2’s only ultimate superboss.

Round 1 – Battle 8

Garik

The main Ronso-rebel. Probably the angriest Ronso you’ll ever meet and angry Ronsos are dangerous. Not much of a fight itself (aside from being able to learn Mighty Guard), BUT a huge impact on the story to fight. One of those "This is where it all happens" kind of things. Also a great X-2 introduced character.

VS.

Dark Magus Sisters

Another aeon. Ixion’s already been defeated… and they prefer to fight together because they’re just practically nothing alone in X-2. Unfortunately without having a more interesting sidequest for this, they stuck these ladies on the way to the Farplane since there was no where else to put them. But they’re still a pretty popular aeon.

I’m gonna go with Garik since as much as I love the Magus Sisters, I found putting their fight it the "aeon-battle-holding-bin" to be a waste of good potential to what could have been an excellent sidequest or storyline.

Never really liked the aeon battles…

Dark Aeons. Why?

Garik 6-4 Dark Magus Sisters

Another aeon falls, simply because the Magus Sisters just happen to be no match for Garik. Maybe they just said the wrong things which happened to get him angry. I’m just gonna hazard a blame at Sandy for being the one to mess things up.

The next battle might come across like a certain other one, but again, people have their patterns.

Round 1 – Battle 9

Paragon

Lord Zaon (Yunalesca’s husband) in disguise. I guess he got tired of being a fayth and decided to give up and become a fiend, but this time a replica of FFX’s hardest superboss. This bastard is arguably the toughest boss of X-2. Battle consists of some of the catchiest chase music.

VS.

Boris

Probably seems like an ant as well. Despite hanging out in the snowy mountains, I still can’t figure out how it got it’s Russian origin. This is not the hardest boss, but the FIRST boss of the game. His cousin Aranea backed out of the competition, so I can’t really decide what to say about him. Does he deserve a win for him? Or is this just a fantasy?

I’ve said it before but…I hate superbosses.

And… no way.

Boris 7-4 Paragon

Unbelievable, hardly what I expected, it appears levels aren’t everything. Aranea’s Russian cousin triumphs and somehow manages to ward off Paragon. Three of six Via guardians/ex-maesters down! I guess Paragon must have been suffering from Oversoul Fever. That was unexpected for it to conk out so quickly.

Just so you know, I wasn’t purposely trying to sabotage Boris or Flame Dragon, it’s been completely randomized from the start for now.

Anyway, next up:

Round 1 – Battle 10

It’s the Battle of the G’s!

Gippal

Our second Crimson Squad member (if you count Paine). Possibly the most charismatic guy, personality wise. He does hang around Nooj and Baralai who have rather sketchy personalities, but with that trait, he’s the complete opposite and is always open for anything. Is only faced once in the Den of Woe being possessed, and although it seems a quick easy battle, it is actually a very important battle as he has a Blue Magic that’s exclusive to only him, Mortar. Yep, must go through all that trouble of getting him possessed to fight you so that you can learn it. Forget Nooj and Baralai, this is the battle to look out for (well, Baralai has one but you have a chance to get it earlier from him). Who would have ever guessed such a short quick battle held an exclusive Blue Magic… it’s also hidden in how to get him to use it. Geez.

VS.

Georapella

The sprite clone of one of the most memorable FFX bosses which is mandatory to encounter, and optional to beat. Fought while arranging the Bevelle platforms, and one of the only two Oversoul bosses not found in Via Infinito. Except this time he doesn’t petrify you or suck you inside him and you can fight him on land. Or whatever such a place is called.

This is a tough one, I’ll cast my vote later.

qft

The possessed battles sucked, and it took me forever to get that Blue Magic.

Georapella 4-2 Gippal

Close enough, but Gippal becomes Georapella’s dinner… he must have not made it to the meeting when trying to get the platforms right! Another Crimson guy down.

Halfway done with the first round – 10 more to go!

Next up is the battle of the perky blondes.

Round 1 – Battle 11

Rikku

Our other fellow Gullwing. Also probably can beat anyone by regular standards, but when possessed by Shuyin, she’s limited to the Thief Dressphere. Good thing she doesn’t Steal anything, but you’d get it back anyway. Paine suffered a defeat to Lucil… can Rikku carry on the name of the Gullwings?

VS.

LaBlanc

So Rikku also has to face a young lady… the leader of a syndicate who somehow managed to gain possession of an ex-Maester’s household. You’d think that even though the Guado stopped caring they’d think a bit before giving his manor to some pop-idol sphere hunter. It’s like Spira has no City Council or something. Logos made it further… will she get to join him?

Also, I hated LaBlanc

"Remember the name well, loves."

It’ll be a thousand years before one of those can take on the mighty Leblanc!

I hated Leblanc so much…. so annoying it hurt.

Hated them both, but anything’ll beat another one of those damn possessed battles.

"It’ll take a thousand years before you can take on the MIGHTY Leblanc."

Another Gullwing down! Ah well, at least they were all just Shuyin, who’s gone anyway. We still have a couple more Crimsons, though.

Next, let’s see… ah, yes, we’ve got a non-elemental Aeon battle!

Round 1 – Battle 12

Dark Anima

One of novice FFX players’ worst enemies. The LAST Dark Aeon you fight (unless you skip the optional Yojimbo), at the bottom of the Farplane Abyss. You know, the place where they put Aeons that their respective places based on X are inaccessible in the game.

VS.

Dark Valefor

Our good old friend from Besaid Temple. Because of this guy, Beclem planned to burn down the temple… what a lunatic. Also FFX’s first aeon, and um… the only one with more than one Overdrive, both of which it uses in this game!

None of the Aeons have made it so far… this time one will have to, it seems. So, who’s gonna be the first Aeon to advance?

My vote is for Dark Valefor because I didn’t like how they dumped three of the Aeon battles in the Farplane right after each other when they could have had more interesting circumstances… especially Anima. Besides I was disappointed in how easy Anima was, the only remotely challenging Aeon in this game was Yojimbo, whose battle is coming up soon.

Dark Valefor cause Dark Anima has Semyour points.

Why put two aeon battles together? They both sucked, but Valefor for plot significance.

Up to the randomizer, not me. But I actually kind of like how two aeons ended up together.

Dark Valefor 6-3 Dark Anima

First aeon deserves some recognition… congrats Valefor on being the first aeon to advance!

Round 1 – Battle 13

Precepts Guard

A clone of FFX’s Spectral Keeper from Zanarkand Cloister, this time it’s Georapella’s guard-buddy. No Glyph tricks or Berserking, just some slashing here and there. Also one of the only two Oversoul bosses NOT found in Via Infinito. Will it join Georapella in the next round?

VS.

Elma

Lucil’s assistant, also high ranking officer in the Youth League. However, only if you choose New Yevon do you get to fight her twice. Otherwise you have to wait until chapter 5. She’s pretty fast… Lucil was able to beat Paine, can Elma join her? This should be a walk in the park for her… shouldn’t it?

BTW, how do you do the strikethru tag? I wanted to edit the first post…

Looks like we have ourselves a washout. And that was quite fast.

Elma 8-0 Precepts Guard

Elma strength and charm are enough to turn this big mantis to pyreflies. Ah well, wonder if she would have done the same to the X version of this bastard.

Round 1 – Battle 14

Zalamander

Another one of the same species as the Flame Dragon. This battle takes place in the shorter of the two Thunder Plains caves right before the concert (the one with the entrance where Kimahri’s Spirit Lance used to be). The battle itself is nothing exciting or special, but the awesome thing about this fight is that it’s in the ever-unique chapter 4, where you barely get any action-time to battle or explore and it’s all planning and cutscenes and watching Commspheres. This seemed kind of like a filler boss that they put as a hurdle before starting the concert, but still, the fact that it’s among one of the few action-sessions in he chapter… I guess also a filler boss since a boss-less chapter would seem odd even if there isn’t any battling.

VS.

Dark Shiva

Yeah… another aeon. Valefor’s the only one that made it so far. Not much to say about this one except for the fact that since Square was either lazy or wanted to have a non-sequitor, they shoved Macalania Temple under the lake and instead of tying Shiva in importantly like the rest of the storyline aeons from X, they put her in the aeon-holding-bin, AKA the Farplane. If there’s any of the three down there that should be somewhere else, it’s her. I don’t know about you guys but from my experience Shiva goes down in about three hits.
Not to say that Shiva isn’t a cool aeon, though.

Still really hate the aeon battles.

Still really hate the aeon battles.

Zalamander 8-0 Dark Shiva

These aeons just have no luck! Well, Zalamander does have a reputation to uphold and the game decimated Shiva especially, so no surprise.

Round 1 – Battle 15

Chocobo Eater

It’s brother won the second round, and this guy has even more of a legacy. Besides a boss, also a suspect in the Mi’hen case. It seems to have stayed the same thing as in X, story wise, and is the center for a lot of this game’s humor. But, despite having all that, it’s got a pretty notoriously formidable opponent…

VS.

Angra Mainyuu

Arguably the toughest boss in the game outside Via Infinito. It’s also, for once, and original in this game. This is Bikanel’s main antagonist, and all the sidequests leading up to are happen to be among the sidequests that make X-2 good. It’s also encounterable earlier in the game but made intentionally impossible to defeat because of it’s "Unnatural Selection".
Whether Eater’s stomach can handle this thing is questionable. Even CONGRATS won’t help this time!

I choose Angra Mainyuu because, aside from the sidequests, every reason I can think of NOT to vote for bosses like Paragon and Trema doesn’t apply to Angra. It might have been a hard battle, but it was more of a long epic one.
Also the fact that "Under Bevelle" plays for it is more of a reason.

Oh, and re, the Zalamander, I was thinking of the Hypello-style description on the Oversouled Zalamander — "The Zalamamander gathers itsh shtrength and then attacks, giving yoo a shtinky time?"

I know I’m probably fighting a losing battle here, but I really hate superbosses.

I had forgotten that there was an actual monster that wasnt in X. Therefore it gets my vote for being an original

Yeah… the Chocobo Eater is practically a runt next to this guy. No worries, though, we still have the Anything Eater moving on!
Anyway I expect to see Angra progress far…

5 more battles to go in the first round!

Round 1 – Battle 16

Nooj

Meyvn of the Youth League. So far, not a single Crimson member has won… Paine has fallen, Gippal’s down as well. But anyway, seeing as this guy is the REAL challenge of the Den of Woe, Noojie-Woojie may quite possible have what it takes to pull it off.

VS.

King VERMIN!!

This giant bug from the secret Mi’hen Cave has a name that’s actually a hidden reference to FFVII. Wow, Square really loves FFVII… but anyway, he has a bit of an interesting puzzle to get to, so hey.
Also a note, he’s the only "Boss" that you can get away with getting 100% in one shot without defeating, probably because of the lack of cutscene. But I’d say the S/M/L Bomb cave is worth it for the items, and you get a pretty sick GG for winning here!

I will have to say… Nooj.

Time for a Crimson/DoW boss to win.

I agree, Noojie-Woojie all the way.

Nooj 4-3 King VERMIN!

At last, the most badass and mysterious Crimson Squad member gets a win by squashing this giant bug. Score THREE for the Youth League! (Lucil and Elma I mean).

Four more!

Round 1 – Battle 17

Dark Yojimbo

Another aeon, this time in it’s rightful place, and concluding the rather fun tourist trap sidequest. This is the one and only Aeon battle which is optional, which is no surprise as it’s actually challenging. Unlike the other aeons Yojimbo has an attack that actually threatens you, that being Zanmato which in this game makes everyone’s HP at 1. All the other aeons, even Anima and the Magus Sisters, are runts compared to Yojimbo in this game.

VS.

Black Elemental

This is actually a reincarnation of good old Lord Jyscal Guado. I guess this tells us Seymour never sent him… but anyway, another Via Infinito boss. Surprisingly these have all been dropping like flies, Aranea, Concherer, and even Paragon.
Anyway this guy can be a real jerk if you don’t prepare well, and that is for Ultima. But then again it becomes a joke when you learn he has only 9999 HP (Cat Nip), and that CONGRATS works as well.

Well, it seems like nearly all the reincated Via Infinto fiends are dropping, with the exception of Trema, but he doesn’t quite count. But then again, Yojimbo’s Zanmato… Jyscal’s no match for it. Another aeon victory, more deserved this time. If there’s any aeon that should be among the last standing, Yojimbo’s a worthy candidate. Kozuka would have finished BE’s purpose anyway.

Now, we have another wandering soul versus yet another aeon.

Round 1 – Battle 18

Chac

This is it… the last of the Via five to be standing. This giant snake is actually Yunalesca’s reincarnation, which is actually a good choice of fiend considering her mutated forms in FFX. And, as Chac she’s the only thing that IGNORES Stoneproof completely for some reason. Not only is status protection obsolete, but in her case you almost always get shattered immediately after, no chance to use a Soft or a Remedy. Like with Paragon, Oversoul is practically the only average strategy unless you want a real challenge. Oh, and CONGRATS works too… if you get a chance to do it.

VS.

Dark Ifrit

Another aeon… also, along with Shiva and Bahamut has been an icon summon mandatory in every game since IV for some reason. Wonder if Chac’s bypassing Stoneproof includes aeons. Again, this aeon may be not much of a fight, but at least it’s appropriately placed in Kilika Temple and has some degree of plot significance. But aside from that, it’s just another aeon fight… but hey, it’s Ifrit!

I have to say Chac because it was more of a challenge and it’s the only Via fiend left. Plus, I’m happy with the aeons that have moved on so far… though there’s still another one after this.

Really close battle, but it appears as though for once, realistically, Dark Ifrit is no match for Yunalesca’s reincarnation. Yay for Chac, the only one of the Via-Five to move on to the next round.

Two more battles in this round!!

Looks like it’s time to give these aeons and superbosses a break…

Round 1 – Battle 19

Ormi

The third member of the main Lablanc Syndicate trio. While Logos was the genius, this guy is the complete antithesis, you might say he’s a few feathers short of a Chocobo… but he still adds a lot of comic relief in the game. He’s probably the one who you get to fight the most times. Let’s see… Gagazet, Gagazet Springs, Djose, under Guadosalam and probably somewhere else. Both of the other trio members already made it past this round… can Ormi join them or will he be the one from the tri to get the shaft?

VS.

Baralai

Another Crimson Squad guy, praetor of New Yevon. Supposedly he was the one meant to marry Yuna rather than Seymour… but that’s ancient history. He basically frees Nooj from Shuyin and then goes nuts himself, and he’s a pretty interesting fight at that. In fact, the only Den of Woe boss you get to fight elsewhere where it’s mandatory at the end of Chapter 2. The fun part about his fight is trying to learn Drill Shot which you get two chances for. But he’s not at all one to be toyed with, considering he can nullify your MP pretty fast as well. So far, Nooj is the only one that’s managed to make it further… will Baralai join him?

I say yes Baralai will move on, give Ormi the shaft since we have Logos and Lablanc already. He was a much more interesting character and battle anyway.

Ormi’s just…irritating.

Easy win for the crimson squad and New Yevon this time, looks like of the Syndicate Ormi will be getting the shaft, but we still have the other two! Sorry, Ormi!

Alright, last battle of round 1! And these were probably anticipated bosses… I may let this one go on a day longer, but we’ll see…

Round 1 – Battle 20

Dark Bahamut

Another core aeon for the series, Dark Bahamut is probably the most unique aeon battle, being the first one and all here… It couldn’t have been more conveniently placed, and a beautiful piano piece plays when you fight it under Bevelle at the end of Chapter 2 instead of the usual aeon theme, but this is probably the most important aeon battle as it marks a turning point in the game. Nothing like X’s Dark Bahamut, but still something.

VS.

Experiment

Ah yes, the Machine Faction’s Experiment. The boss with the most complex ever, and it’s connected to three other sidequests as well! And you only get six chances to fight it. Must be fought both before AND after it reaches max stats to get Episode Complete, and must max it’s "Special" at least if you want to learn a secret Blue Magic (that’s all "Special" is for). Also has repair manuals which are creatively hidden with a variety of ways to get.

I would hate to see either not get past the first round… but really I have to go with the Experiment. I liked the way the manuals were hidden (like the monkey one and the one where you need a password that you find out only by watching CommSpheres and knowing Al Bhed), and also liked the sneaky way they gave it an exclusive Blue Magic (Annihilator) and how you needed certain circumstances for it. And it was challenging. Bahamut’s just an aeon. An important aeon, but next to this just an aeon.

I still think the dark aeon battles sucked, and the Experiment was, overall, an entertaining sidequest, unlike some others I could mention…

And the MF’s Experiment is just way too much for even Bahamut. Looks like unfortunately it won’t be joining the lucky aeons to move on. Ah well… we’ve got two, so let’s wish them luck as this concludes the first round!

Round two will be starting shortly as soon as I have it all set up. I’m gonna go edit the first post with details and start the new round later today. Or maybe in the next hour! Watch this space… and that space. I’m also waiting for the first round to end in the X rumble so I can edit the first post.

Round 2 – Battle 1

Chac

Yunalesca and her ability to petrify even while ignoring Stoneproof, managed to petrify Dark Ifrit to pieces in the last round. Will she continue?

VS.

Logos

Ormi may have suffered an unfortunate defeat, but this guy, like Chac, also slayed an aeon in the past round, Dark Ixion. So, it’s the battle of the aeonslayers… can he take Chac without getting shattered himself?

Superbosses suck (I only voted for Chac because it was up against an aeon), and I actually found Logos interesting to battle.

Logos is on a roll! Beating both an aeon and the last to stand of the Via-Five… ah well, bye bye Yunalesca! Wait… there’s still Trema.

Next we have an aeon and superboss free battle.

Round 2 – Battle 2

Georapella

This weird thing swallowed Gippal for breakfast in the last round. He’s nowhere near as tough as his FFX-self, but considering his semi-important role he just had to be included.

VS.

Anything Eater

This is interesting… so our participants are gonna try to swallow each other, it seems. Anything Eater seems to be ahead in the swallowing department since in the last round in made a sabra out of Jumbo Cactuar. Chocobo Eater is gone so… will this guy hold up the legacy?

I only voted for the Geoparella last round because I hated the possessed fights – an easy victory for the Anything Eater.

The Eater once again gets lucky, finishing Georapella for dinner. That was one crunchy cage. Let’s see if it’ll have room for more!
Round 2 – Battle 3

Experiment

This highly interesting boss got the honor of annihilating Dark Bahamut in the last battle of the last round. Time for it to face yet another aeon…

VS.

Dark Yojimbo

Considered by most to be the toughest aeon in the game, and being one of the few aeons to advance in the last round, Yojimbo sliced up Black Elemental pretty bad…

Really hard choice here, Yojimbo’s the only aeon I remotely enjoyed fighting. I’m gonna go with the Experiment though, but almost any other boss and it would have been Yojimbo.

Experiment was an interesting and sometimes (depending on its level) challenging fight, whilst Yojimbo was just another aeon.

Yep, they sure are, they’re 8-0 and you’re the 8th. Aw, but now this means I won’t be able to update something every day (for a while I was doing a day X, a day X-2, alternating), oh well, guess I’ll have to wait for another washout before I get back into that pattern again.

Anyway.

Experiment 8-0 Dark Yojimbo

Dark Yojimbo may have been a tough bastard of an aeon, but it’s no match for the creations of the Machine Faction. This leaves one more aeon!

Round 2 – Battle 4

Nooj

The meyvn of the Youth League squashed "King VERMIN!"’s guts out in the last round, but considering how far his charisma and strength goes many would say this is just the beginning. But for now, looks like he’ll just be fighting another normal fiend. But…

VS.

Zalamander

This gigantic reptile may be just a fiend and should seem like no more than a bump in the path for Nooj, but it beat Dark Shiva in the last round in an 8-0 washout! This should be pretty interesting, but then again Shiva’s an aeon. This giant lizard (who signifies the only few moments of action in Chapter 4) might be that much of a joke next to Nooj…

I hated Nooj both in and out of battle.

Looks like this is it for Noojster, I actually had no idea he was so hated, wonder where the animosity comes from… oh well, this leaves one crimson guy standing! Somehow, Nooj is no match for the concert-holder-upper Zalamander.
But, for a sole boss in a chapter, Zalamander was indeed a strong entity.

Round 2 – Battle 5

Dark Valefor

The last aeon standing, now that Yojimbo’s gone. But then again, the only reason it’s standing apparently is because in the last round it got to blast another aeon, Dark Anima. Is it a match for non-aeons, as the other ones don’t seem to be?

VS.

Guardian Beast

Zanarkand’s half-sphere’s guardian was the first to carry out any victory in this rumble, and it was a washout against Mika the Concherer. Now it has a chance to take out the last aeon… will that happen?

Okay, well if Guardian Beast does win, I can assure that it certainly won’t be a washout this time, as I’m going with Dark Valefor because it’s the last aeon standing.

Aeon battles still suck, and anything, even something as insignificant as the Guardian Beast, will get my vote over one.

Another victory for the beast! And that wipes out the last aeon. Oh well… at least the battles should be a little more interesting now for all you aeon-haters out there.

AND we’re halfway through round 2.

Round 2 – Battle 6

Garik

The leader of the Ronso rebellion… and Kimahri’s biggest hurdle. Completely exclusive to X-2, but as a boss, despite how easy he may be, he has almost as many unique functions as the Experiment, as how you can control earlier how tough the battle will be, and whether you do it or not has a huge groundbreaking effect on part of the story. Defeated the Magus sisters one by one in the last round.

VS.

Elma

Nooj may have just been defeated, but Elma’s still here to uphold the good name of the youth league. As a matter of fact both she AND Lucil won the last round in washouts with flying colors. Elma happened to be against Precepts Guard who apparently was no match for her. Will the former Chocobo Knight win again?

Gotta go with Elma, love her unique voice.

Looks like angry Ronsos really are not to be messed with. Another victory for Garik as he just continues ripping them apart. Elma’s gone now… looks like the Youth League is getting decimated in this round. One more standing..

Next up appears to be the battle of the superbosses.

Round 2 – Battle 7

Trema

Supposedly the toughest and hardest-to-reach superboss of this game. Founder of New Yevon, defeated Flame Dragon in the last round which was probably like squashing a bug. Then again, he does control all fiends.

VS.

Angra Mainyu

Another tough superboss. Seeing as he’s being placed against Trema, I would have wanted to see this as one of the end battles. Oh well. Anyway, looks like this guy is out of Trema’s control… and thought I’d mention, one of the few monsters or bosses with a sprite design original and exclusive to X-2. Wiped out the Chocobo Eater in the last round, probably also a crushed bug.

I would rather see Angra Mainyuu advance. More interesting sidequest, more fun fight.

Angra Mainyu 7-0 Trema

Potential washout there… Trema may be in charge of controlling fiends, but that doesn’t stop Angry Mainyu who’s got the potential to go out of control (pun obviously intended). If there’s anyone that can fight Trema’s control, it’s Angra. Surprisingly enough, Trema’s demise in this game ended up actually following game logic, considering who else it could of been. And… this marks the wiping out of Via Infinito, and all the aeons. So I guess superboss haters can rejoice… for now. I forsee Angra making it far, and it being a while before anyone defeats it. I can easily be wrong, though.

Round 2 – Battle 8

Baralai

The last Crimson standing… yeah, leader of New Yevon, blah blah blah, get’s possessed by Shuyin. The guy stomped on Ormi in the last round. Also might I mention again, the only Crimson you get to fight somewhere other than the Den of Woe, which is good because he’s got a hard Blue Magic to get, exclusive to himself.

VS.

Boris

That spider thingy who’s the first fiend-boss in the game, on Mt. Gagazet. It did it’s cousin Aranea a favor by shockingly managing to pull off beating Paragon a few floors down in the last round.

Interesting how this will turn out. Gotta choose Baralai. Love getting Blue Magics, and those ones that were exclusive to one monster, one boss (in the other games as well) have always intrigued me.

Because Boris showed up as a regular monster if you climb Gagazet again, and he doesn’t have any Blue Magic.

Baralai’s on a roll here… ah well, bye bye to both the spiders. Baralai has yet to face some real competition, though… it seems. Boris may have beat Paragon, but that isn’t everything.

Next battle should be fun.

Round 2 – Battle 9

Lablanc

Defeated Rikku in the last round… her buddy Logos appears to be on a roll as he’s progressing to round three, will she join him?

VS.

Vegnagun

The ultimately dangerous final boss that Lablanc is now getting a shot at. It’s last unfortunate victim was the Humbaba.

Honestly though, Vegnagun may suck in itself, but hearing Auron/Jecht/Braska = win.

I agree. Leblanc for me.

"Lablanc, you go for the legs!"

So, Vegnagun is gone and done with, I suppose it’ll be 1000 years indeed. They could have called on Lablanc all this time!

Last battle of the round!

Round 2 – Battle 10

Machina Panzer

Vegnagun gone, this machine defeated the madman behind Vegnagun, Shuyin. And let’s not forget that it still has all those bitches helping him… Even Cid can’t handle it, didn’t he build it in FFX on Macalania Lake?

VS.

Lucil

Nooj and Elma both just went down, so she’s all that’s left of the Youth League. She managed to defeat Paine in the last round, but Paine was possessed… so does she stand a chance against the Panzer tank?

Machina Panzer was disturbingly easy, even though I always fought the battles with Watchers…

Well considering those battles are easy enough to just hold down "Attack" rather than go out of you way to use something, it’s unlikely to make a difference… unless you have a Black or White Mage.

Anyway Machina Panzer, cause of interesting factor and cause of Cid.

BTW — Zak — it’s Leblanc, not "Lablanc." I can understand you don’t like her, but please don’t mess up her name. 🙂

Perhaps either there are two different versions or the game is inconsistant, but I swear I remember at least two instances where it says on the dialogue "Lablanc" (didn’t notice it changed if it did), but I specifically remember having thought it to be "Leblanc" until I saw that, and I’m certain the situation was not the other way around. And I’m actually quite fond of her. 😛

I believe it was during one of the scenes in the passage behind her house around the end of Chapter 2 during recovering the half-sphere I remember seeing "Lablanc:" during her dialogue and since then I didn’t pay attention. So blame it on the inconsistency. But if it pleases everyone I’ll call her Leblanc in the next round.

Well, Lucil must have some secret weapon, because the Machina Panzer that defeated the guy that controls Vegnagun has just been dismantled by her.

That concludes the second round, third round starts later tonight!

Round 3 – Battle 1

Lucil

The charismatic Youth League chick that took down Paine and the Machina Panzer just now. Is her luck about to run out?

VS.

Angra Mainyu

This crazy thing destroyed both Chocobo Eater and Trema who lost control over it. Surely Lucil doesn’t stand a chance… or does she?

I choose Angry Angra Mainyu easily.

It looks as though Lucil’s time is indeed up. Angra rips her apart, and rolls in to the top five!

Now it looks like we have some self-opposed forces… but it had to happen.

Round 3 – Battle 2

Logos

This guy somehow manage to make his way this far beating both Dark Ixion and Chac. He’s still here and kickin’… must be the Russian Roulette.

VS.

Leblanc

There we go, Agent, happy? 😛
So he has to fight his own boss. Ah well, I guess rather than worry about that, he can more worry about the fact that she not only beat Rikku, but Vegnagun as well with her own bare hands.

Which syndicate will be lucky to reach the top five?

OK, both were fun to fight, but I hated Leblanc outside of battle, so Logos it is.

OK, both were fun to fight, but I hated Leblanc outside of battle, so Logos it is.

Leblanc 5-4 Logos

Very close battle, but it appears Logos’ time is up. Ah well, somebody from the syndicate had to go this time. Lablanc joins up with Angra in the top five.

First battle back!

Round 3 – Battle 3

Experiment

This guy seems to be a popular entity, beat two aeons in the last couple rounds. Yes, they were aeons, but then again they were Bahamut and Yojimbo, so gotta give it some credit. The Experiment seems to be a popular and strong being overall anyway.

VS.

Baralai

Somehow this guy managed to be the only Crimson dude to make it this far, beating Ormi and Boris, who were pretty popular. Part of my guess as to why he’s the last Crimson standing, probably because he’s the only one of the three that’s more than just a "possessed battle" giving him a little less negative energy.

Both these guys have blue magic… damn, tough choice. I’ll think a bit.

For once the Experiment has an actual competition… but unfortunately even the last standing Crimson League member, the leader of New Yevon, is no match for it. Experiment will be joining the top five. Who didn’t see that happening?

Round 3 – Battle 4

Garik

Nobody messes with the angriest Ronso alive. Especially if he already ripped up the Magus Sisters and Elma in the last rounds. Surely his opponent would be competition?

VS.

Guardian Beast

Levels aren’t everything, I guess. One of the first bosses in the game made it this far as well, taking out Mika the Concherer, and Valefor to boot. This seems like a trend now, having been the one to take out an aeon…

It’s a wonder the Guardian Beast got so far…

Baralai losing -_- wtf is wrong with you people.

So, Guardian Beast had the honor of the first victory in the whole rumble… but now it’s time is up, and the ruthless Ronso Garik joins the top five. This should be interesting.

Alright, last battle of this round, to determine the last one to enter the top five! Either of these last two will make an interesting choice:

Round 3 – Battle 5

Zalamander

Sure it’s just a dragon, but it seems to be winning with flying colors as it’s got a hell of a reputation to uphold. Chapter 4 battle time, scan entry, concert starter… and so on. Plus it’s got a cool name! Yes, it also beat an aeon, namely Shiva, but it’s real thing to brag about is beating Nooj!

VS.

Anything Eater

Who would have thought this eater would have been so lucky as to come a step away from the top five, when it’s cousin was washed out pretty fast in the first round? Gotta love the eaters. Anything Eater does have a more interesting attack pattern and sidequest anyway than Chocobo Eater, but what about Zalamander? Also might I add that it’s one of the few that got this far without a cheap win against an aeon, in fact both of its battles against Jumbo Cactuar and Georapella were quite close.

Oh, and I believe it’s Round 3, not Round 1.

And Agent – I had been awake for 21 hours straight when I posted that, and was actually worried at the time that I’d make a mistake and I even proofread it a few times, go figure. Good thing it wasn’t about one of the contenders or their details.

Well, for someone who made it this far, Anything Eater sure ran out of luck today. Zalamander is just too much for it.

Alright, now we have the top five! At first I wasn’t sure how to do it, I thought about two and three, but then that gives the "two" an unfair advantage and a free ticket ahead of fifth place. But we must fairly determine the fifth place winner, right?

So, here’s how it’s gonna happen. You will all simply choose, out of the top five champions, who you’d like to kill. Just like in the beginning. No other way is fair. So… for commentary’s sake, imagine them all in a melee 😛

Picking out of five should be a whole lot easier, and I present to you the champions.

Leblanc – Are 1000 years up, or will sh continue her legacy?
Garik – Nobody messes with an angry Ronso… Ronso grief and rage is supposedly stronger than that of the reckless Experiment and ANGRY Mainyu put together (sorry, that pun is almost always impossible to resist)
Zalamander – Besides the power of reputation, can it pull through?
Experiment – This thing has gone reckless… the Machine faction must have opened a Pandora’s Box, can anyone dismantle it?
Angra Mainyu – One of the only original enemies in this game that isn’t a machine or a person, and it’s mad! Well, it’s happy to have made it this far.

Vote who you want to kill.

Garik – 2
Leblanc – 3
Zalamander – 4

and the fifth place award goes to…

ZALAMANDER!

When you have two characters with personalities, and two bosses that are just two unique, I guess it’s time throw the towel no matter how good a reputation you have. Props to Zally for making it this far!

This makes for a good semifinal setup… let’s start with the people! I might wait a little longer for these.

Semifinals – Battle 1

Leblanc

Well, she sure is kicking. She really does mean it when she says it’ll be 1000 years. Can she advance to the finale?

VS.

Garik

Who would have thought that the angry Garik would make it this far. No one messes with Ronso grief I guess. Might I add to the fact that he’s a cool character, he’s got some Blue Magic and an impact on the story’s future if you fight him!

I say Leblanc’s time is up. Go Garik.

I let this go on for an extra day… and it looks like Leblanc’s time is up. Ah well, that sucks for the Leblanc cult, but look on the bright side, she didn’t go down without a fight. Garik is just that reckless… I must admit though, I didn’t see that coming, even though the difference of one vote included my own.

So, congratulations to Garik, for making the final! I sense a lot of ill-will towards him from Leblanc fans coming up.

But fear not, Leblanc isn’t completely out yet, shortly we’ll have the 3rd/4th place decision battle.

But first we must get done with…

Semifinals – Battle 2

Experiment

The Experiment was a no-brainer for the finalists from the start. It’s a kickass boss with a lot of interesting factors, having just about every appealing quality and hard to vote against. But I honestly think it’s finally met its true match…

VS.

Angra Mainyu

Also a no-brainer like the experiment for the finalists, being a less "hateable" superboss. But, like the Experiment, I believe it finally met it’s match… in fact, from the start I was looking forward to see these two pitted against each other, but not too early. Would have made a great final battle, but now’s as good a time as any.

Either way, one of them is gonna still be contending for third place. It’s all a matter of who should go up…. and hell if I can decide right now.

…Jockled your jollies, Agent? XD

I also LOVED digging up it’s parts, I have this sidequest to thank for a buncha rare Sphere Break coins I got along the way.

The big-baddie semifinal is decided… and surprisingly, the Experiment is kicked hard here. Angra Mainyu makes the final against Garik, but will it still go on its winning streak?

We’ll just have to wait and see… but first we must determine third and fourth place!

Battle for Third Place

Leblanc

She’s got quite a cult following… unfortunately lost to Garik in the semifinals, but is she worthy of the bronze?

VS.

Experiment

Just lost to Angra Mainyu… but until then this thing was a straight up asskicker. Surely it’s deserving of the bronze… is it not?

Sorry Leblanc, but I pick the Experiment for third place.

And the third place award goes to…

EXPERIMENT!

I should be awarding the fourth first, I know… my bad. Leblanc did indeed earn it, but her cult following got her to fourth place. Unfortunately, she appeared to be no match for Garik nor the Experiment. Fourth place though… not bad.

Everyone knew the Experiment had a future… shame Angra Mainyu outdid it.

And now…

FINAL BATTLE

Angra Mainyu

That ever-so-charismatic superboss. After a long awaited match of wits with the Experiment, it emerged victorious to proceed onto the final! Will it have competition once again?

VS.

Garik

Now there’s someone I personally didn’t expect to see make the final two… looks like he’s got an even bigger cult following! Anyway, yay for Garik, I’m actually amused he made it this far. Does "Angry" Garik have what it takes to top Angra Mainyu?

Also feel free to start making suggestions. You know… for the next subject.

And just a note that this looks like it’ll be my first completed rumble, for someone that’s doing three at a time.

Oh and I almost forgot… I pick Garik, rather see an unexpected winner. Also a fair headstart on Angra’s advantage. And finally, he does have one appeal advantage that Angra doesn’t– BLUE MAGIC!

If it was the Experiment I’d have probably picked that.

I only really voted against Garik’s opponents – he isn’t really that great a boss. Angra Mainyu wasn’t really one of my favourites either, but he’s superior to Garik.

Also, I know we’ve seemingly got a winner but I promised myself I’d wait until tomorrow to officially end it, just posting now to convey the above message. But while I’m here, I thought I should say that my vote for Garik was just to prevent a washout, and I see it served it’s purpose. 😛

Angra Mainyu 9-1 Garik

Our champion medal goes to…

ANGRA MAINYU!

Long deserving win indeed. No one wants to mess with Angra Mainyu, not even… *ahem* Garik.

(Must… resist… using "Angry" pun again).

So, Angra’s victory aside, any ideas for the next rumble? Seeing as you guys had this whole round to decide I might pick one myself…

Naturally my vote goes to Music despite everyone else doing it which doesn’t bother me (the character one just ended anyway) but in this game in would actually be interesting cause it’s very different. Also the quote in Ionic Warrior’s sig is all the more reason, lol

But I should leave it up to you all.

Sorry there’s only four votes and all including my own, but it’s been two days and you had all last round to decide.

But I’ll be nice enough to let yall make nominations. I’ll add mine later.

There are 61 songs on the soundtrack, and you can find a list here: http://bluelaguna.net/music/ffx2/mp3s.php

I think we’ll have… 48 sounds good.

(P.S.: Any chance we could use the titles from the Sphere Theatre in this case and not the ones from that list? I’m sorry, but they’re bad translations — I’d much prefer to use the Sphere Theatre titles if at all possible. Sorry, but "Help Store (Seagull Group") is just… no.)

(P.P.S.: I might make a few more nominations later, but for right now brain’s too tired to sort out exactly what’s what from that that list.)

Oh — and I am willing to provide a list of the titles from the Sphere Theatre and even make the appropriate matches to the items from that list if it would help out.

(P.P.S.: I might make a few more nominations later, but for right now brain’s too tired to sort out exactly what’s what from that that list.)

Oh — and I am willing to provide a list of the titles from the Sphere Theatre and even make the appropriate matches to the items from that list if it would help out.

I just posted that list by default, but the problem is not the whole soundtrack is in the Sphere Theatre. But I’d imagine that anyone looking would equate "Help Store Seagull Group" with "Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings" and have enough sense to post that here. Same with "SIR Rupuran Has Everything". Yeah… sir. I’m pretty sure anyone would know what the ones that sound funny are actually supposed to be. Either way, whatever the nominators say doesn’t matter because I will use names that make sense, rather than the ones word for word from Blue Laguna, so don’t have to worry about that.

Thing is, some of the Sphere Theater titles are very different, like "Demise" has a completely different title (which I can’t recall at the moment), yet most people know it globally as "Demise", and same with a lot of others.

I think I’ll stick mostly to that list, but change the ones that sound funny, like "Help Store", obviously… and I’m aware of most of the theater titles.

As for the nominators, it doesn’t matter because they can find it by listening anyway and whatever they choose to call it doesn’t matter since I’ll use the sensible titles. I don’t know ALL the sphere theatre titles, but what I do know is titles that make more sense for the ones on that list that sound funny, and that’s all that matters.

Abyss of the Farplane
Macalania woods/forest
Mt Gagazet
Zanakand Ruins
Machine Faction

Under Bevelle (NOT Bevelle’s Secret)
Real Emotion
YuRiPa Battle 2
YuRiPa Battle 3 (despite the name, THIS is actually the normal battle music)
Anything Goes for Leblanc!
Shuyin’s Theme
Luca
Mi’hen Highway
A Young Alliance
New Yevon Headquarters
Calm Lands
Party
Guadosalam
Kilika
Chocobo
Great Existance
Summoned Beast
Sphere Hunter
Infiltration! (This and "Labyrinth" are nearly identical except for an added part to the "Infiltration" loop referencing Leblanc’s theme, so that’s what I’m going with)
Anxiety
Tension
Confusion
Bevelle’s Secret
Nightmare of a Cave
Vegnagun Starting (although those two have the same intro, they’re quite different)
Clash
Bikanel Desert

That should give us exactly 48.

Apologies if anyone has any objections to what’s not being used…

Alright, will start later tonight or tomorrow

I think I pretty much posted everything that I wanted, or it was posted by you or Chamira, so I’m good.

I think I pretty much posted everything that I wanted, or it was posted by you or Chamira, so I’m good.

"Party" is the Crimson Squad theme, which I included… and yeah I actually think I’ll call it Crimson Squad when it comes up. I assume that’s the one you’re thinking of… "A Young Alliance" is the Youth League theme.

Should be another good round.

"A Young Alliance" is the Youth League theme.
LOL, okay, that makes sense.

All good, then. Should be a good edition.

AND IT STARTS!

Round 1 – Battle 1

Abyss of the Farplane – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/17%20-%20Abyss%20of%20the%20Farplane.mp3)

Drum-ish beat played, as the title puts it, in the Farplane. Including the "Farplane" that Yuna gets pushed into at the end of Ch. 3 during the first encounter with Shuyin.

VS.

Macalania Forest – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/24%20-%20Macalania%20Forest.mp3)

Seemingly starts off with just noises, but I’d suggest waiting for a loop before prejudging. Played in the place with the same name as it’s title (unlike in FFX), as well as after you beat Garik.

I’m gonna choose Abyss of the Farplane. Not really crazy about either, but to be honest, why Macalania Forest was nominated remains a mystery to me, and I did hear the entire loop.

lol I resent that haha

Abyss of the Farplane for me too I guess, although I do like the macalania one, I do suppose it can get kinda dull.

(*Note: Unless I update every day, I might not have time by the end of the first round. As a lot of people here, I’m starting college in August (first year, yeah) and I’m sure the lot of you know what that’s like. I might still be able to update but not as frequently, but I’d definitely want to finish it. And If at that point I hand it to someone else, I insist that for the rest of this specific rumble they do it MY way. But, I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it, still have a little over a month and it might not even be an issue.)

Right, so… the Farplane drumbeat is a tough match for Macalania Forest… oh well. Sorry about that comment before though, hah.

Round 1 – Battle 2

1000 Words (Piano) – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/27%20-%201000%20Words%20(Piano%20Version).mp3)

The piano version of this game’s commercialized lyric song, "1000 Words". In the game, it’s played at the end of chapter five during the scenes after the Shuyin battle, with Lenne. Guess she got to say her "1000 words" after 1000 years.

VS.

I’ll Give You Something Hot! – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/13%20-%20I‘ll%20Give%20You%20Something%20Hot!.mp3)

As the title implies, the Leblanc Syndicate battle music. Used in a syndicate battle as long as it includes Ormi, Logos, or Leblanc. Goons alone aren’t enough.

I’m gonna go with I’ll Give You Something Hot! (and sorry Agent, I love that title, fits the situation well enough)

I didn’t really like a lot of the music in this game but I enjoyed this track…

Tie break will be up to Mr. Hex Omega this time.

Round 1 – Battle 3

Vegnagun Starting – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/22%20-%20Vegnagun%20Starting.mp3)

Shares the same piano solo intro as another track here, but is quite standalone with the organ that follows. Played during the Vegnagun FMV when you first enter the lair and wake it up.

VS.

The Gullwings March – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/01%20-%20Seagull%20Group%20March.mp3)

One of the Airship themes, first introduced in Chapter 2, and later in Chapter 5 when it randomly plays one of the three each time you board. Also in the Hover-Chocobo chase scene, and when the Youth League thanks you.

So if anybody else voted, their opinion would just be discounted too if hex omega hadn’t voted? Even though you hadn’t even finished that round? What if they were new to the rumble and they post once just to get their head bitten off. Not a good way to get more people to come.
If you’re worried about a tie why don’t you withhold your vote until last so you can decide how to finish it.

The Gullwings March. I hate it but I think I like vegnagun starting even less.

If they’re new, they would still have enough common sense to notice that I specifically said for the tiebreak "Hex Omega is the tie breaker", they’d either wait for him or for me to say that his time is up and the round to end. I don’t see why it would drive people away when it would be their fault for not reading the rules. That’s my way of doing tie breaks, and it usually works. I call on someone who I noticed frequents the rumble, is currently active, and hasn’t voted in the round. I PM them to get their attention, and within a day they vote. But your vote was accounted for anyway because I took advantage of the fact that you posted anyway instead of calling on another person, so why are you complaining?

That’s how tie breaks work. I close the voting to everyone but one person who I pick. Cause what if we get two more votes that tie it up again and again? It’s a good way.

After a four-day round… we finally have six votes leading Vegnagun Starting down the victory lane.

Round 1 – Battle 4

Real Emotion – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/02%20-%20Real%20Emotion%20-FFX-2%20Mix-.mp3) (Japanese)

That "what can I do for you!" song played at the beginning. Not as commercialized as "1000 Words", but I guess you can sort of see why. Kind of iinteresting for a Final Fantasy song…

VS.

Zanarkand Ruins – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/28%20-%20Zanarkand%20Ruins.mp3)

The Zanarkand Ruins theme, that supposedly sounds like a "porn score". Also played in the Thunder Plains Cave with the gates and the math and the Machina Panzer.

I choose Zanarkand Ruins. I would like to know if anyone here enjoyed getting the Force of Nature as much as me.

Real Emotion 4-3 Zanarkand Ruins

Looks like the "porn score" didn’t cut it. Real Emotion I guess deserves another shot.
BTW, I personally don’t know what a porn score sounds like.

Round 1 – Battle 5

Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/01%20-%20Eternity%20-%20Memory%20of%20Lightwaves.mp3)

Awesome piano piece played on the main menu loop. Aside from there, in the game itself it’s not played until near the end, but it is in the scene in chapter 4 when they talk about Lenne. Other than that, it’s just played in Chapter 5 in a bunch of the "Episode Complete" conclusion scenes, like Vidina, Garik giving up, Lucil’s speech, the scene after beating Angra Mainyu, and the comical dialogue between O’aka and Wantz.

VS.

Nightmare of a Cave – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/20%20-%20Nightmare%20of%20a%20Cave.mp3)

I know what you’re thinking "we just heard this". But WAIT, it only has the same intro as Vegnagun Starting. Listen 10-15 seconds in and you’ll see how it’s not the same piece, just the same intro, with the piano going longer and then a bunch of the orch-hits. This one is played during the Den of Woe FMV scene that Shuyin displays.

I still pick Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves!

So, while Vegnagun Starting made it, NoaC seems not so lucky. Anyway, Eternity looks like it’ll be here a while!

Round 1 – Battle 6

Paine’s Theme – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/08%20-%20Paine‘s%20Theme.mp3)

At last, one of the character themes. Paine’s interesting theme is played first during the scene in Chapter 2 in the Den of Woe between her and Nooj, and then for a short time on the Celsius in Chapter 4, and finally, in the scene after the Experiment where she opens up and Yuna and Rikku make fun of her. All character themes are played in some mini-games as well, and this one is played in the Sky Slots, the Lighting Towers, and Blitzball.

VS.

Great Existence – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/02%20-%20Great%20Existence.mp3)

This theme is used a lot in IMPORTANT scenes. While the piano intro is only used during the Awesome Sphere, the other ones are heard during a couple other spheres like the Reassembled Sphere and Ormi’s Sphere, and also during the Nooj/Baralai/Gippal meeting in Chapter three, and also played as the main theme in the Farplane, and in the scene in the Den of Woe when Shuyin threatens Yuna.

Tough tough choice. Will vote later.

Paine’s Theme 5-2 Great Existance

Character themes always have an advantage…

Round 1 – Battle 7

Anxiety – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/04%20-%20Anxiety.mp3)

Weird track, but used often enough in the game that listening to it reminds me of it, and it has that sort of suspenseful feel. Let’s see… played in Via Infinito, Bevelle Underground, Besaid Temple Gauntlet, and during two of the Via bosses. As for scenes, played in one of the Crimson Spheres, Gaol Sphere, Shuyin taking control of Rikku and Paine in the Den of Woe, Yuna’s nightmare about getting shot, the scheme at Chateau Leblanc, before the concert, and on the Celsius after beating Ifrit. Quite a lot of places… they must have liked this track.

VS.

Shuyin’s Theme – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/14%20-%20Shuin‘s%20Theme.mp3)

Another dark-ish track, for a character theme. Also played many times… in the "New Beginnings" sphere, during two of Maechen’s stories involving Shuyin and Lenne, a couple Crimson Spheres, Lenne and Shuyin’s scene at the end, the fayth scene after beating Anima, the Den of Woe, Nooj’s Sphere, and during the battles with Nooj, Baralai, and Gippal in the Den of Woe.

I pick Shuyin’s Theme

Kinda predicted, but Shuyin’s Theme gets a solid victory. Not a true 8-0 wipeout, but left it’s opponent with 0 before time ran out. Didn’t think Anxiety would make it far anyway.

Locations battle next…

Round 1 – Battle 8

Calm Lands – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/27%20-%20Calm%20Lands.mp3)

Upbeat and happy theme of the Calm Lands. This piece has been appreciated enough to make it to the piano collection.

VS.

Kilika – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/16%20-%20Kilika.mp3)

ANOTHER piano-themes location, which is also slightly upbeat. This will be an interesting battle, too bad it had to happen this early.

I’ll throw in one for Calm Lands.

I’m not sure about easily but yeas Calm Lands.

Amazingly close battle, but Kilika winds up on top! Interesting, to say the least. I guess it was possible. After listening to it again, now it makes sense.

Round 1 – Battle 9

Crimson Squad – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/21%20-%20Party.mp3)

Or "Party" according to BL. This is the theme of the Crimson Squad, plays in a few Crimson Spheres, Paine’s Sphere (her story on the deck), the scene after you leave the Den of Woe, the secret meeting in Bevelle, and in the Vegnagun lair when Nooj goes over his shitty plan.

VS.

Eternity Memory of Lightwaves (Troupe) – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/18%20-%20Eternity%20-Memory%20of%20Lightwave-.mp3)

Sped up rock-ish version of EMoL, not quite the same, but you might say it’s more interesting. In the game, it becomes the permanent theme of Guadosalam after you get the "Episode Complete" there in Chapter 5.

And I actually think I’ll be using that title from now on (if it wins, that is).

Crimson Squad is out early, and the Troupe EMoL stands on top again.

BTW, since fewer people seem to be voting in this one, I’m gonna change the wipeout to 6-0.

Round 1 – Battle 10

Young Alliance – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/20%20-%20Young%20Alliance.mp3)

The theme of the Youth League! Besides being played in the HQ, it’s played when you first see Nooj in Kilika, and in the rest of Mushroom Rock Road for Chapters 3+, and in Kilika during Chapter 3.

VS.

Sphere Hunter – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/29%20-%20Sphere%20Hunter.mp3)

A theme of a lot of caves and places to hurry through, most specifically the ones with a sphere in them, like the Besaid and Zanarkand caves. Other than that it’s played in the Mushroom Rock Road in Chapter 1, in the Chocobo Ranch when you clear the fiends, in the Oasis and Mt. Gagazet when you’re after the Syndicate, in the Chateau Secret passage once the alarm goes off, in the Zalamander Cave, in both Chocobo caves, during Sphere Break, and Feed the Monkey. They love this theme.

Ah well, Sphere Hunter didn’t last long. Young Alliance progresses further…

Round 1 – Battle 11

YuRiPa Battle 2 – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/05%20-%20YuRiPa%20Battle%202.mp3)

The numbers get confusing, but aren’t I nice to give you a link and a description? Number 2 is the boss theme, used in most boss battles, mostly the mandatory ones and the little ones. Only bosses though. The only other time it’s played, outside a boss battle, is the eater chase.

VS.

Infiltration! – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/05%20-%20Infiltration!.mp3)

Suspense at it’s greatest. This is played in Chateau Leblanc’s secret passageway, and in the rest of the house only BEFORE you become in ally (in Ch2). Kinda makes sense because after that you aren’t Infiltrating anymore, but the secret passage keeps the theme.
If you think you’ve heard this other places, it’s because it’s EXACTLY the same as "Labyrinth" (which you won’t see in this rumble), except with the Leblanc theme refrain cut out, and nothing itself, just parts of this with parts cut out, might as well be the same track. Waste of space on the disc if you as me. That one is played in the Cavern of the Stolen Fayth, the Besaid Cloister, the Zalamander Cave, and the scene where Rin busts the culprit. That’s all.

Infiltration! 6-0 YuRiPa Battle 2

So, the boss theme isn’t so lucky, maybe the other battle themes will do. Infiltration, a forgotten but awesome track on this underrated OST, moves further.

Round 1 – Battle 12

Machine Faction – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/21%20-%20Machine%20Faction.mp3)

Very fitting theme for the Machine Faction, really gives the feel of an active garage or workshop. Not to mention how it stands out compared to the others. This is played in the Machine Faction headquarters, which is none other than Djose Temple. The only other time you will hear it is when Shinra installs a CommSphere in Besaid and Brother goes crazy.

VS.

Mt. Gagazet – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/09%20-%20Gagazet%20Mountain.mp3)

I bet you’ll never guess where this is played. Hint: Not in Macalania Forest.
A little more upbeat, compared to the theme in X.

The Machine Faction does stand out and all, but I have to go with Mt. Gagazet. One of the best location themes in the game, and I find it far better than X’s "People of the North Pole".

Mt. Gagazet 6-0 Machine Faction

I must say, even though Mt. Gagazet was my vote and all, I’m surprised MF didn’t get one.

Round 1 – Battle 13

Chocobo – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/07%20-%20Chocobo.mp3)

Not your average Chocobo theme… instead of recycling the old Chocobo theme like FFXII did despite having a new composer, here we have a fresh new Chocobo theme. Played when riding Chocobos, in the Chocobo ranch, and in oother Chocobo-related events. Really awesome catchy theme, though underappreciated due to the attachment to the old one.

VS.

Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/12%20-%20Help%20Store%20-Seagull%20Group-.mp3)

One of the three Gullwings themes. Becomes the Celsius theme in Chapter 3 and later in Chapter 5 for part of the time where it randomly picks a theme when you board.

I’m going with Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings.

ANOTHER Gullwings theme goes down, and the X-2 exclusive Chocobo theme triumphs.

Psst… we need more voters people.

Round 1 – Battle 14

New Yevon Party

The theme of New Yevon! Played in Bevelle and during the battle with Trema. "Show me the strength… that you HAVE GAINED!"
The Youth League theme triumphed… is the Yevon theme also worthy?

VS.

Anything Goes For Leblanc! – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/12%20-%20Sir%20Rupuran%20Has%20Everything!.mp3)

The syndicate’s outside-of-battle theme! Played during various encounters with the Syndicate, and in the Mansion (only from chapter 3 on, before then you’re not an ally yet, so you’re performing an "Infiltration!").

I used to like the Leblanc theme, but it got annoying fast. I have to choose New Yevon Party. Okay, Yevonites are dipshits and the battle with Trema is hateable, but I love the scene with Trema before the battle, and this music fits well and makes me think of that quote I mentioned above. I’d sit through it every time I challenged him because I was doing the 100% in one shot thing.

Unlike the Youth League, New Yevon isn’t so lucky. Another one for Leblanc… let’s see if her factor will do as well here as it did in the last rumble.

Round 1 – Battle 15

YuRiPa Battle 1 – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/03%20-%20YuRiPa%20Battle%201.mp3)

Battle 2 wasn’t so lucky. This is actually the chase battle music, played in situations where you’re supposed to hurry. Like at the beginning in Luca, and the Cactuar Cave, etc.

VS.

Guadosalam – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/22%20-%20Guadosalam.mp3)

Guadosalam’s theme… very Arabic-style piece. At least it’s something, compared to FFX’s Guadosalam.

I pick Guadosalam.

ANOTHER Battle theme down! Now all that’s left is the normal battle theme… that’s coming soon. But, a well deserved win for Guadosalam.

Also, I posted this important message at the X rumble:

I’m leaving for uni in about a week and I’m just starting there and it may take a while, like up to a week to settle in before I have internet and am able to update again, if at all. Since this one and the IX one are almost over I definitely want to finish them, but as for the X-2 one I might want to hand it to someone else. HOWEVER, I insist on finishing the first round myself, and then someone else may continue it. By the time I’m settled in I’ll decide.

Right… so I think I’m gonna finish this round, then let someone take over. I don’t want the whole layout of it changed like the FFVII rumble was when the person in charge was replaced, I’d want it to me as close to my way as possible. Like, no letting anyone vote twist for a tiebreak, etc.

I MIGHT have to let someone take over the rest of this round, though I’d have to PM that person a list of my remaining planned matchups, and then in the next round they can do what they want with the 24 that won.

Anyway…

Round 1 – Battle 16

1000 Words – Orchestra – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/29%20-%201000%20Words%20(Orchestra%20Version).mp3)

This version of 1000 words is played during the credits. The piano version didn’t make it so this is all that’s left.

VS.

Tension – Listen Here (http://delta.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/31%20-%20Tension.mp3)

Tension… this theme is played a lot, usually when you’re infiltrating something in a place where there’s a lot of commotion. Also first heard in the Isaaru quiz.

I actually really like Tension.

You lose some, you win some! Unlike the other one, this version of 1000 words got lucky.

Speaking of getting lucky, or the lack thereof, along with the fact that I’m leaving in less than a week (well, I still have the laptop), right now the computer with the pairings list for this rumble is broken, I’ll try and get it fixed tomorrow to access it. If I don’t by tomorrow, I’ll go with what I have left and rearrange and update.

So I’m officially putting my name into the hat for the X-2 rumble. As I’m a virgin at this, I’d only want to do one. So someone else will have to take care of the IX one.

As there are references to both the IX and X-2 rumbles in this post. I’m going to replicate it in both threads.

If no one else replies, I’ll give it to you. Make sure you wait for a PM from me going over a few things first, and Agent might want to say something as well.

Round 1:
Abyss of the Farplane (winner)
VS.
Macalania Forest

Round 2:
1000 Words Piano
VS.
I’ll Give You Something Hot (winner)

Round 3:
Vegnagun Starting (winner)
VS.
The Gullwings March

Round 4:
Real Emotion (winner)
VS.
Zanarkand Ruins

Round 5:
Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves (winner)
VS.
Nightmare of a Cave

Round 6:
Paine’s Theme (winner)
VS.
Great Existance

Round 7:
Anxiety
VS.
Shuyin’s Theme (winner)

Round 8:
Calm Lands
VS.
Kilika (winner)

Round 9:
Crimson Squad
VS.
KUON The Troupe Performs (winner)

Round 10:
Young Alliance (winner)
VS.
Sphere Hunter

Round 11:
YuRiPa Battle 2
VS.
Infiltration! (winner)

Round 12:
Machine Faction
VS.
Mt. Gagazet (winner)

Round 13:
Chocobo (winner)
VS.
Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings

Round 14:
New Yevon Party
VS.
Anything Goes For Leblanc! (winner)

Round 15:
YuRiPa Battle 1
VS.
Guadosalam (winner)

Round 16:
1000 Words Orechestra (winner)
Tension

Alright… I remember I was using 48 songs, so that gives us 8 more rounds of 16 songs. Just gotta find those 16 now and rearrange them… yeah.

Round 1 – Battle 17

YuRiPa Battle 3 – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/10%20-%20YuRiPa%20Battle%203.mp3)

Even though it’s number 3, it’s the normal battle music. Well, so far both YuRiPa battles 1 and 2 (chase and boss) have been wiped out… so will this one get lucky? Hmm… FFX’s Normal Battle theme made the final so you never know.

VS.

Summoned Beast – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/16%20-%20Summoned%20Beast.mp3)

The battle theme for the Aeons. Played during every dark aeon fight except Bahamut, but also used in the battles with Anything Eater, Humbaba, and Angra Mainyu the champion of the previous rumble. A truly excellent theme.

I know both other YuRiPa’s got the shaft but I want Summoned Beast to win. It’s one of my favorite tracks on the OST, and I think my second favorite battle theme. I even like it FAR better than X’s Summoned Beast.

Will update in 2 days, but I might wait 3 if we don’t get enough votes, people need to notice this is back.

Well, that’s it for the YuRiPa battles… shame they all had to be eliminated the first round. But don’t worry, there is plenty more battle music coming up. Summoned Beast was kind of expected to move on.

Round 1 – Battle 18

Epilogue – Reunion – Listen Here (http://cobalt.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/30%20-%20Epilogue%20-Reunion-.mp3)

The ending theme played during the "Good" ending (not the PERFECT ending), just the part when Tidus comes swimming out of the water. Yeah… another ending theme.

VS.

Rikku’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/06%20-%20Rikku%27s%20Theme.mp3)

Yeah… interesting matchup. Not to be confused with Rikku’s Theme from X, this is in fact almost the antithesis and more upbeat. But it’s good, in fact I like it better. This, like the other two "THEMES" is played during minigames. Rikku’s include the Leblanc Massage, the Dancing, the Cactuar Catching, and Lupine Dash. It’s also used in the Shelinda report scene, as well as the famous somewhat secret Hot Spring scene. Well, Paine’s Theme just won a few battles ago, will Rikku join?

Rikku’s Theme gets my vote. I’m not all about slow ending themes.

And, ~Neko~, yes, we do listen, but we all have different tastes. And personally, I prefer one of the YuRiPa battle themes in particular, but, in any case, none of them have made it through.

Only Paine’s Theme plays during Blitzball.

Rikku’s Theme 7-6 Epilogue Reunion

Another character "theme" victory… Ending Themes getting the shaft this time compared to in the X rumble.

Round 1 – Battle 19

Confusion – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/15%20-%20Confusion.mp3)

This is mostly the "intense situation" theme. Played in Kilika and Djose temple cloisters during the fiend infestations, and in the Crimson Sphere where Nooj backstabs everyone, as well as when the culprit is found for the Mi’hen mystery, and probably one other time.

VS.

Under Bevelle – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/10%20-%20Under%20Bevelle.mp3)

By "listen here" I MEAN it. This is NOT the theme played UNDER BEVELLE in the cloister as the title suggests, that’s "Bevelle’s Secret". This is more of a fast intense chase theme that just so happens to first be played under Bevelle, when the alarm goes off in the hexagon room. It’s also played at other moments under Bevelle like when Bahamut arrives, when "we are in super doo-doo!", and during that forced battle with that Malboro when you spy on the meeting. It’s also played during the battle with Paragon, and finally not even in Bevelle it’s in the scene when Angra Mainyuu awakens and also in the Cactuar Nation throughout Chapter 5 while you’re doing the second part of that sidequest.

I vote for Under Bevelle. One of my favorite themes on the OST it could pass for an Uematsu track.

Paine’s Theme plays when your team’s match is in session, but you also have to watch the other games, there’s no way of getting around it (as far as I know) and Rikku’s Theme most definitely plays during those.

I guess I’ll go for Under Bevelle. Incidentally, I think Confusion is also played in the Farplane Abyss in the area where you can fight Azi Dahaka. Someone else might be able to confirm that, then again, it’s not that important I suppose.

Lol,
I’m gonna have to go for Under Bevelle

Under Bevelle looks like it’s gonna be shinin’ for a bit here… good, for a track that deserves more attention than it gets. Too bad for Confusion… oh well.

BTW:
Neko – bold your votes, please.
Ceidwad – That’s actually Great Existance that’s played there, but Confusion IS indeed played in the dark Farplane Abyss where the aeons are, but only the first time you go there. From then on it’s "Abyss of the Farplane".

Round 1 – Battle 20

Clash – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/23%20-%20Clash.mp3)

This is the theme played as you’re climbing Vegnagun and killing it’s appendages, both in and out of battle… that is, until you get to the head.

VS.

Ending – Until the Day We Meet Again – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/28%20-%20Ending%20-Until%20the%20Day%20we%20Meet%20Again-.mp3)

The other ending theme that’s played during the scene in all the endings. Reunion got the shaft… how will this do?

I know Clash is kinda short looped and we’ve had a lot of intense-situation tracks lately, but I like it and hate all Ending Themes, so that gets my vote.

Ending Until the Day We Meet Again 7-2 Clash

Expected, but unlike Reuinion, this Ending theme looks like it’s gonna shine a bit. Shame for Clash, though there are plenty of battle themes in the sea.

Including one coming up right now!

Round 1 – Battle 21

Bevelle’s Secret – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/09%20-%20Bevelle%27s%20Secret.mp3)

This is the theme many think is "Under Bevelle" because it’s actually played under Bevelle… well, in the revisited cloister. It’s also played in the Via Infinito "Great Cloisters", in the back of the Den of Woe, and in Baralai’s Sphere. Very creepy and mysterious…

VS.

Demise – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/26%20-%20Demise.mp3)

This is the Shuyin battle theme. Now, Shuyin may be a joke of a boss, but let’s not rip on his battle theme now. Like I said about X’s Decisive Battle, shame such a great theme was used in such a mediocre short battle. Clash lost, let’s see how this will do!

I like Bevelle’s Secret but I gotta say Demise, hands down, for me. I don’t think there actually is anything I’d vote over that. Definitely my favorite battle theme in this game.

This was inclination from the start, though I gave them both a fair hearing. Bevelle’s Secret is definitely good, but Demise is better.

And I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one having problems getting pages to load here.

Demise 6-0 Bevelle’s Secret

So it’s a wipeout. Bevelle’s Secret gets the shaft unfortunately, but there are still a few themes like it. Demise moves up with flying colors…

Next up… location battle!

Round 1 – Battle 22

Luca – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/17%20-%20Luca.mp3)

The theme of Luca for this game. It’s nice, quite different from FFX’s Luca theme, but anyone else see a resemblence to "Blitzball Gamblers"?

VS.

Mi’hen Highway – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/18%20-%20Mi%27ihen%20Highway.mp3)

Okay this theme is DRASTICALLY different from FFX’s Mi’hen. This catchy theme in addition to Mi’hen is also played in the Moonflow area. It’s also used during the 16 scenes in the Gagazet Hot Springs CommSphere for some reason, well, can’t deny that it fits it well. Oh, and also in the scene where Lian and Ayde return.

It may have gotten annoying after a while but I still vote for Mi’hen Highway. I like it and I like the little thing at the beginning.

Mi’hen Highway 5-3 Luca

Close match… but Mi’hen winds up on top. X-2’s Luca most likely feels like a disappointment after X.

2 more rounds…

Round 1 – Battle 23

Mission Complete – Listen Here (http://bluelaguna.net/downloads/mp3s/ffx2music/1%2F06+-+Mission+Complete.mp3)

This game wanted to be as different as possible with the soundtrack, without a single recycling, no Chocobo or Prelude or anything like that… but you can’t get any more different than by changing the victory fanfare. This is the new fanfare. Also played when completing missions, hence the title. It’s also used as the victory music for mini-games like Sphere Break and played when you get the Mascot DressSphere. Like it?

VS.

Yuna’s Ballad – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/11%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Ballad.mp3)

This piano music is one of the game’s main themes. It’s serves as the "Wandering Flame" of this game, played in some of Yuna’s narration breaks. Not gonna list everywhere, it’s played in most of the "Episode Complete" scenes, as well as random funny scenes. It’s also the battle music against Dark Bahamut, as well as Rikku and Paine in the Den of Woe.

I vote for Yuna’s Ballad. It’s not exactly my favorite piano theme, but I like it better than Mission Complete, that one’s cool for about 5 seconds and then it kinda dwindles.

Not gonna list everywhere, it’s played in most of the "Episode Complete" scenes, as well as random funny scenes. It’s also the battle music against Dark Bahamut, as well as Rikku and Paine in the Den of Woe.
I’ll add one– during the Perfect Ending sequence.

Yuna’d Ballad 6-0 Mission Complete

Looks like the "new victory fanfare" doesn’t seem to be much… Yuna’s Ballad easily moves on. And by the way, since I didn’t post it before and I always do, here’s the obligatory list of where it’s played: The end of the Luca flashback at the beginning, the Luca Moogle chase EC, the EC where Cid joins on board, after Chateau LeBlanc infiltration, Bahamut Battle, Rikku/Paine Den of Woe battle, Maechen EC in Zanarkand, After beating Dark Valefor, the War Buddy Sphere, Yuna is "all alone", after the concert, flashback at Macalania Forest Lake, the scene with "Darling" (the pet shop opening), and finally the Perfect Ending.

Last battle of this round!

Round 1 – Battle 24

Bikanel Desert – Listen Here (http://bluelaguna.net/downloads/mp3s/ffx2music/1%2F25+-+Bikanel+Desert.mp3)

The theme played in… you know where. Kinda sounds like a remix of the Machine Faction theme, which didn’t do so well… same beat, at least. How will this do?

VS.

Yuna’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/04%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Theme.mp3)

What a song to end the long first round of this rumble with! I wonder how many of you were waiting for this to show up… well, here it is. This theme’s heard a lot in the game, as well as some scenes where Yuna or one of the girls is actually humming it! It’s first heard when Yuna comes onto the scene with guns to fight Ormi and Logos in Luca. It’s also played throughout the Luca flashback when you first choose to go there, as well as when she dances, when she talks about her last plan, when she’s in the sphere break tourney, and right before the concert. Also during some Episode Completes, like the calm lands PR, the Moogle chasing. Finally, it’s used in minigames like Blitzball setup (sorry Ceidwad you were right), Reptile Run, and the good old Gunner’s Gauntlet!

I pick Yuna’s Theme

Yuna’s Theme triumphs in a slaughter, though it was kinda expected. But, lets see how it will do compared to FFX’s Yuna’s Theme… I personally like this one better!
And, another shaft for the Machine Faction… oh well.

That concludes Round 1, Round 2 will begin shortly. Gotta set it up…

Time for round 2! 24 songs, 12 battles…

Round 2 – Battle 1

Infiltration! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/05%20-%20Infiltration!.mp3)

Slow track that arises a lot of suspense with random jumps, it’s understandable that it beat the YuRiPa boss theme. It sounds just like Labyrinth (which I chose not to use), except it’s got the Leblanc refrain that Labyrinth doesn’t have, which makes it all the more badass.

VS.

Real Emotion – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/02%20-%20Real%20Emotion%20-FFX-2%20Mix-.mp3)

"What can I do for you?" The game’s intro song played in the concert. The YuRiPa Battle Theme 1 (the chase theme) is kind of based off of it, which makes sense. Unexpected, but this song beat Zanarkand Ruins in the last round! Let’s see how it will do against this interesting matchup.

I have to choose Infiltration! It’s one of my favorites on here, deserves more attention than it gets. And another point is that it’s not Real Emotion which I absolutely hate.

Gotta agree with Erebus here :’D Infiltration!

I agree with this to the end of time.

Infiltration! 6-0 Real Emotion

It seems Real Emotion is only good enough to make it up to this round… Infiltration proves to get the attention it deserves, let’s see how much longer it will climb.

Round 2 – Battle 2

1000 Words – Orchestra – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/29%20-%201000%20Words%20(Orchestra%20Version).mp3) (Lyrics in Japanese)

The piano version didn’t make it, but this was lucky enough to make it to the second round against Tension. Will it uphold it?

VS.

Paine’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/08%20-%20Paine%27s%20Theme.mp3)

All three character themes for the girls seem to have been successful in advancing to Round 2… and Paine’s will be the first up! How does it compare to this after a slaughter to Vegnagun’s Theme, Great Existance?

I’m going with Paine’s Theme, as I don’t like the over-commercialized ones. Though I did vote for this 1000 Words in the last round. Plus I like Paine.

Paine’s Theme 4-3 1000 Words Orchestra

Paine’s Theme manages to barely make it it past, winning by hair’s breadth, at the last minute nonetheless, before I counted I thought I had to call a tiebreak. I must say I am surprised, even though I voted for it. No more 1000 Words. Well, that’s one theme on to round 3.

Round 2 – Battle 3

Yuna’s Ballad – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/11%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Ballad.mp3)

Yeah, piano themes are popular… this won in a wipeout in the last round. Then again it was against the "fanfare". Well, time for it to match wits maybe?

VS.

Mi’hen Highway – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/18%20-%20Mi%27ihen%20Highway.mp3)

Okay, so this one’s one of the ones that had more competition last round, winning a close battle against Luca. How threatening is this Ballad to it?

I’m going with Mi’hen Highway. SOMEHOW I have just a gut feeling no blowout here… well, I like it better. I like a lot of piano themes, but Ballad kinda bores me. Yuna’s Theme gone minor doesn’t work for me. Plus, the Mi’hen theme makes me smile.

Yuna’s Ballad 5-1 Mi’hen Highway

Yuna’s Ballad remains triumphant, as I accurately predicted.

Round 2 – Battle 4

Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/01%20-%20Eternity%20-%20Memory%20of%20Lightwaves.mp3)

Another piano theme that made it. It beat Shuyin’s "cave" theme in the last round, but perhaps now it’ll have a tougher opponent? It’s also got an interesting build of sixes.

VS.

Yuna’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/04%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Theme.mp3)

So Paine’s Theme made it, now it’s Yuna’s turn! Here’s a more upbeat theme. But it seems to have a pretty threatening opponent… not that Paine’s Theme didn’t. In the last round it has Bikanel which was like a bug, but look what we’re up against now.

I don’t know who to vote for, I hate for either of them to be gone this early. Will think and vote later.

I am surprised… I was worried I would have to have a tie break.
Yuna’s Theme appears to ironically be the first character theme to go… who saw that coming? It’s easier to see it coming when up against a powerhouse like Eternity, which will be moving forth.

Round 2 – Battle 5

Summoned Beast – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/16%20-%20Summoned%20Beast.mp3)

The aeon battle theme again, great opening and loop end. Comes off strong, as it beat the main YuRiPa battle theme in a wipeout. How far will it go…

VS.

Eternity – The Troupe Performs – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/18%20-%20Eternity%20-Memory%20of%20Lightwave-.mp3)

So we just had a win from the regular "Eternity". This one gonna join it? It had a pretty easy win against the Crimson Squad theme in the last round.

Summoned Beast is gonna get my vote on this win, mainly because of what I said in the last round and that I wanted Yuna’s Theme to win, well, I’m satisfied with one Eternity and I like SB.

Note: I’m flying to Israel on Tuesday, so I’ll probably be there next time I update. Might be a day later, but oh well!

Eternity – The Troupe Performs 4-3 Summoned Beast

Eternity’s really shining by having it’s two representors win twice in a row. Too bad for Summoned Beast…

Round 2 – Battle 6

Shuyin’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/14%20-%20Shuin%27s%20Theme.mp3)

Shuyin’s mysterious creepy theme… well, we just lost a character theme, and this one seems to have it’s appeal as it beat Anxiety in the last round…

VS.

Chocobo – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/07%20-%20Chocobo.mp3)

Here we once again see this game’s completely original Chocobo theme. Beat the Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings, whatever that says…

I’m going with Shuyin’s Theme.

Yeah I didn’t see Chocobo making it far either. Wipeout victory for Shuyin…

Seriously though, need more activity there, over two days we’ve only gotten six votes. That’s why I had to change the wipeout from 8-0 to 6-0, though the two-day deadline passed anyway.

In the next round, I expect to see a lot of voters, mainly because I have a gut feeling it’ll be competitive.

Round 2 – Battle 7

Under Bevelle – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/10%20-%20Under%20Bevelle.mp3)

Once again, this is the Bevelle chase theme, not the music played under Bevelle. It’s also used in some places outside Bevelle for intense situations, but mostly in Bevelle like for the alarms. All around a great theme. It’s also the battle music for Paragon. It slaughtered Confusion in the last round, let’s see if it’ll last more…

VS.

Demise – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/26%20-%20Demise.mp3)

If there’s any competition for Under Bevelle, here it is. I give you, the Shuyin battle theme, which is one of the best battle themes in the game. Shame the battle where it’s used was so short, much like Decisive Battle. I guess they had to have something good for the very last battle in the game, no matter how weak it is. In the last round it wiped out the other Bevelle track, Bevelle’s Secret. How would it stand this time?

These are actually my two favorite tracks on this and I hate to see either go early, but thankfully it’s not a hard choice for me between them. Demise hands down. As much as I’d hate to see Under Bevelle go I’d hate to see Demise go even more.

It’s a hard decision IMO between these two, but I’m gonna leave it this time in the hands of Zak Vaan TaKko.

EDIT: Actually I just checked and Zak seems to have PM’s disabled so he’s unreachable and he hasn’t been active since the 24th. So I’m giving it to Olde instead.

One vote, I beg you… hell, maybe I’ll call for attention in GD. I wanna continue and don’t believe in coinflips or stuff like that.

I understand both of these songs are great and it’s hard to pick, but it must be done.

But… dammit, I wanted Demise to win. Oh well.

After a really close struggle in the way overtime, Under Bevelle manages to pull this one off. Surprisingly, Demise is out this early, who would have thought! Well, Under Bevelle is certainly a deserving winner if anyone should beat Demise! Probably would have said the same about Under Bevelle if it were to go this early.

Anyway, feels great to move on.

Round 2 – Battle 8

Mt. Gagazet – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/09%20-%20Gagazet%20Mountain.mp3)

The lovely X-2 Gagazet theme. Very different from the X one that’s it’s almost hard to say which is better. This one won in a wipeout last round I believe, against the machine faction theme.

VS.

I’ll Give You Something Hot! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/13%20-%20I%27ll%20Give%20You%20Something%20Hot!.mp3)

The Syndicate battle theme, which somehow managed to beat the 1000 words Piano theme last round. If that’s not impressive I don’t know what is.

Hard choice, but a bit more of a relaxing battle for me. Mt. Gagazet seems to grab me better though it’ll probably lose.

Oh wow, looks like I was wrong, Gagazet is more appreciated than I thought! That’s the end of the Syndicate Battles…

Round 2 – Battle 9

Abyss of the Farplane – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/17%20-%20Abyss%20of%20the%20Farplane.mp3)

The weird theme for the Farplane Abyss (dark area), but only once you revisit it. Also the first scene where Yuna meets Shuyin face to face down there. Also the first victor in the last round against Macalania Forest.

VS.

Anything Goes for Leblanc! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/12%20-%20Sir%20Rupuran%20Has%20Everything!.mp3)

So the Syndicate battle theme just lost, how will it’s main theme do? Make it further? It beat the New Yevon Party theme in the last round.

This time I’ll be in favor of the Syndicate and choose Anything Goes For Leblanc!

But anyway…

Anything Goes For Leblanc! 3-2 Abyss of the Farplane

This time it’s a victory for the syndicate, unlike in the last round… and that’s it for the abyss!

Round 2 – Battle 10

Ending – Until the Day We Meet Again – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/28%20-%20Ending%20-Until%20the%20Day%20we%20Meet%20Again-.mp3)

The main ending theme for all the endings except the bad one. Beat Clash in the last round.

VS.

Guadosalam – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/22%20-%20Guadosalam.mp3)

X-2’s Guadosalam theme. Unique and Arab-sounding, and beat the YuRiPa chase theme (1) in the last round.

If you know me you know my vote is for Guadosalam. But it’s not because I hate ending themes, this one is not that bad, I just love Guadosalam’s theme in this.

Sounds a lot more cultural and well, just plain awesome.

This Ending theme once again triumphs, bye-bye Guadosalam.

Round 2 – Battle 11

Young Alliance – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/20%20-%20Young%20Alliance.mp3)

The Youth League’s theme. A whole lot more interesting than New Yevon’s theme, hence why it managed to advance. It was also good enough to beat the Sphere Hunter theme. How about now…

VS.

Rikku’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/06%20-%20Rikku%27s%20Theme.mp3)

Another character theme is putting itself on the line… so far it only beat the other ending theme (Epilogue Reunion). Yuna’s is out, but Paine is still in… who will Rikku join now?

I pick Rikku’s Theme, as much as I like Young Alliance, Rikku’s Theme is better.

Rikku’s Theme 6-0 Young Alliance

There goes the Youth League theme… well, what do you expect, a character theme was in it’s way. Anyway, yay for Rikku.

Time to conclude Round 2:

Round 2 – Battle 12

Vegnagun Starting – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/22%20-%20Vegnagun%20Starting.mp3)

The theme for the FMV when you enter Vegnagun’s lair, and it’s awakening. Starts the same as "Nightmare of a Cave" with the piano roll, so don’t be confused. Anyway, yay for pipe organ music, that must be what helped it beat the Gullwings March in the last round.

VS.

Kilika – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/16%20-%20Kilika.mp3)

Kilika’s fun theme of pianos and pipes. It barely managed to beat Calm Lands in the last round, probably because it was a very similar and close match since they have a similar theme. Vegnagun on the other hand… a whole different type of appeal. Let’s see what the shrine prefers!

I can’t decide right now.

Another town down… and Vegnagun makes the top 12!

…aaaand that concludes Round 2.

Round 3 will commence shortly.

Round 3 – Battle 1

Infiltration! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/05%20-%20Infiltration!.mp3)

I figured this Leblanc/Labyrinth theme would make it this far. A variation of the Syndicate’s theme that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Make it top 6?

VS.

Mt. Gagazet – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/09%20-%20Gagazet%20Mountain.mp3)

Gagazet’s mountain theme just beat a Syndicate theme… will it do so again? It’s possible, it’s an outstanding upbeat theme.

But my vote stays for Infiltration!
It’s just too good. Myself, there’s only one other track left in this rumble I’d vote over it. Gagazet is good, but Infiltration! is better.

BTW, Zak, maybe you can answer me something– something I’ve wondered about for a while, but kept forgetting to ask– what does the "MA" in the parenthesis in the thread title stand for? Never been able to figure out what that’s about.

What happened to everyone… this isn’t good. I waited half because I was busy and had no internet. but I’m surprised there is still only five votes.

Well, I can’t force votes, but whatever.

Infiltration! 3-2 Mt. Gagazet

Gagazet’s theme nearly holds out, but this looks like the end for it. The top six welcomes it’s first member, Infiltration! It’s cool that it made it this far, either it’s getting the appreciation it deserves, or is just getting unworthy opponents. But Gagazet seems like it was a worthy opponent, but let’s see how it will progress.

Next up, the eternal battle!

Round 3 – Battle 2

Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/01%20-%20Eternity%20-%20Memory%20of%20Lightwaves.mp3)

Yeah… this track infamously beat Yuna’s Theme in the last round. But it’s worthy, so it’s all good. Even though it’s from X-2, it’s one of the best piano tracks in FF history IMO. The main menu theme, as well as a Yuna’s Ballad/Wandering Flame alternative for some scenes in the game.

VS.

Eternity – The Troupe Performs – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/18%20-%20Eternity%20-Memory%20of%20Lightwave-.mp3)

This is a sample from the very band you are tracking throughout the game, playing their version of the above song. Can be heard if you get the Guadosalam EC. How does it fair to the original?

Who will be the "eternal victor" and make it to the top 6?

I give it some thought and my vote goes to Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves. The Troupe’s rendition is cool and more unique I know but to me this song still sounds far better on piano.

Also better get more than five votes, wouldn’t wanna see a battle like this one go to waste!

Anyway, I’m going to go against the crowd and vote for Eternity – The Troupe Performs. I guess it’s really already pretty much a lost cause, but I really just love this version of the tune and would even stop by Guadosalam sometimes just to listen to it. Tough choice, though, both are very good. (BTW, I don’t think it’s actually the same band as the one with Tobli, if that’s what you meant. There’s actually more than one set of the musicians, and this particular band leaves the Macalania Woods to come to Guadosalam [but only if you get Episode Complete.])

I love both versions, and I really hate to see one go 🙁

Eternity Memory of Lightwaves 5-3 Eternity The Troupe Performs

In the battle of the Eternities, the original stands victorious and joins the top 6.

Round 3 – Battle 3

Under Bevelle – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/10%20-%20Under%20Bevelle.mp3)

The Bevelle chase theme which seems to be getting quite popular. It almost lost, had a pretty close tie break. It’s also used in some places outside Bevelle, but mostly there during the intense situations and the Paragon battle.

VS.

Anything Goes For Leblanc! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/12%20-%20Sir%20Rupuran%20Has%20Everything!.mp3)

The main theme of the Syndicate which also seems to be pretty popular along with it’s cousin "Infiltration!", which already made the top six! Will it join it?

Sorry Leblanc fans, my vote is for Under Bevelle. It’s too awesome.

Once again, Under Bevelle sweeps through, making it to the top six… I, for one, am glad to see this track more appreciated, it appears I underestimated Leblanc fans.

So next we’ve got…

Round 3 – Battle 4

Ending – Until the Day We Meet Again – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/28%20-%20Ending%20-Until%20the%20Day%20we%20Meet%20Again-.mp3)

The more popular ending theme, unlike Reunion which didn’t make it past the first round…

VS.

Vegnagun Starting – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/22%20-%20Vegnagun%20Starting.mp3)

Another track I am surprised and glad made it this far. But seriously, pipe organ music… so it’s not really surprising. Vegnagun’s FMV theme.

You probably all already know this, but I vote for Vegnagun Starting by default.

Ending – Until the Day We Meet Again 4-3 Vegnagun Starting

Unbelievable! The Ending theme made it to the top six, I wouldn’t be surprised now if it goes further! But that’s it for Vegnagun.

Round 3 – Battle 5

Rikku’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/06%20-%20Rikku%27s%20Theme.mp3)

First (well, together with it’s opponent) character theme to show up in this round. Yuna suffered a tough break, but Rikku’s been pretty lucky. Will she make the top 6?

VS.

Shuyin’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/14%20-%20Shuin%27s%20Theme.mp3)

…Or will Shuyin. His theme is a little different, dark and mysterious. Still a character theme though. And, whether a hero(ine) or villain, a character theme is as a character theme does.

Gotta go with Rikku’s Theme, though. Any of the three girls have better themes than Shuyin, IMO.

This looks merely one-sided… Gullwing themes would naturally take the lead. But anyway, yay for Rikku having the first character theme to make it to the top 6!

Last battle of this round… I look forward to it being very interesting.

Round 3 – Battle 6

Yuna’s Ballad – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/11%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Ballad.mp3)

The piano version of Yuna’s Theme gone minor, yadda yadda yadda, Wandering Flame of X-2. Top 6? It seems to have won in a lot of wipeouts already.

VS.

Paine’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/08%20-%20Paine%27s%20Theme.mp3)

Here’s the other character theme left… Paine’s. Although starting with just a bunch of random noises for a while, it gets really good towards the end of the loop. Join Rikku’s in top 6?

I choose Paine’s Theme. I’m a fan of piano themes, but Yuna’s Ballad isn’t one of my favorites. Probably because I think Yuna’s Theme sounds horrible in minor.

Yuna’s Ballad 5-1 Paine’s Theme

Yuna’s Ballad clearly appears to be the more powerful entity in this deciding battle, as it will join the top 6. Paine’s Theme couldn’t quite make it, it appears Rikku is the only character to make it to the top six. Let’s see how far she will go.

Tri-finals (whatever the word is between semi and quarter finals) will be started shortly.

The first deciding battle for the top three will consist of:

Rikku’s Theme – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/06%20-%20Rikku%27s%20Theme.mp3)

Rikku’s Theme… the only character theme left! That’s about all I can say that you haven’t heard regarding the description.

VS.

Ending – Until the Day We Meet Again – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/28%20-%20Ending%20-Until%20the%20Day%20we%20Meet%20Again-.mp3)

The ending theme… sorry, can’t offer you anything you haven’t heard already regarding the description. Except, cool that it made it this far.

This should be a quite interesting battle… Except I personally vote for Rikku’s Theme. Anything to get the Ending Theme out… haha

JUST BCOZ RIKKU IS SO TOTALLY KIKAZZZZZZ~~

Well, will ya look at that. Great battle, and the Ending Theme makes the top 3! Look forward to seeing it in the final. And… all the character themes have been wiped out! Well, maybe there is something to this Ending theme? We’ll see…

Next up are:

Tri-Finals – Battle 2

Infiltration! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/05%20-%20Infiltration!.mp3)

A track I’m thrilled to see in the top 6. I love it, but I never expected it to make it this far due to being "unknown". Kudos to all who voted for it. Will it make the final?

VS.

Yuna’s Ballad – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/11%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Ballad.mp3)

One of this game’s more known themes. Seeing as it’s a piano theme and it’s popular among X-2 fans, I think most of us knew it would make the top 6. Final 3 maybe?

I fear it’ll lose (I sure hope not), but I pick Infiltration!
Not even a contest. I’ve said before I’m not a huge fan of YB, plus Infiltration is one that I think it would be cool if it won.

Yuna’s Ballad 4-1 Infiltration!

So Yuna’s Ballad is now in the final three… Infiltration! has had it’s day. The final battle’s gonna be exciting!

Now, the last member of the final three shall be determined…

Tri-Finals – Battle 3

Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/01%20-%20Eternity%20-%20Memory%20of%20Lightwaves.mp3)

This one is outstanding and no surprise it made it this far. It outdid it’s "Troupe" remix, but one of the greater piano pieces to come about. Let’s see how it will do!

VS.

Under Bevelle – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/10%20-%20Under%20Bevelle.mp3)

The other phenomonal chase music, which I believe is, though very different, a fair match to it’s above opponent. Really happy to see it made it this far. Top 3 for it?

Unlike the last two battles I’m not particularly leaning against either one. I love them both but I happen to actually prefer Under Bevelle cause it’s less known and not one I hear all the damn time and probably will be the underdog and I love the chase music.

Slavka gets the honor of breaking it since she surprisingly hasn’t voted.

Now the final… usually we have seperate battles to decide who’s gonna be in third place, but now that we have THREE finalists instead of four, I’m just gonna have them go all out, the least votes gets the bronze medal… and so on. It’s that simple, just choose between three who you want to win!

So let’s check out the variety we have here…

FINAL BATTLE – THREE WAY

Ending – Until the Day We Meet Again! – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/28%20-%20Ending%20-Until%20the%20Day%20we%20Meet%20Again-.mp3)

So here we have an Ending theme…

VS.

Yuna’s Ballad – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/2/11%20-%20Yuna%27s%20Ballad.mp3)

…A significant piano theme…

VS.

Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves – Listen Here (http://lamda.bluelaguna.net/ffx2music/1/01%20-%20Eternity%20-%20Memory%20of%20Lightwaves.mp3)

…Another significant piano theme and the main menu theme.

Yeah, I’m through with descriptions. But it’s not like we need them by now.

As for my vote… well, as much as I wasn’t too thrilled with the results of either of the tri-finals, at least it makes it an easy vote for me. Eternity – Memory of Lightwaves, hands down.

Although it seems pretty clear who the winner’s gonna be, I’ma give this a couple more days for people to vote.

Machina Mayhem – Just fight fight fight mission. Nothing special about it except the culprit subplot in the next two chapters.
Follow that O’aka – I think that’s the name of it…you just runa fter the git, bring him on the ship and you’re done. Boring.
Can you dig it? – Dig up one item in Bikanel and…you’re done. How exciting.
Concert Cleanup – Fight fight fight mission and beat a pretty easy boss. No real astounding reward or plot value for this either.
YRP, THe Scalpers Three! – Sell some tickets for easy Gil but if you did the Guadosalam trick, it’s really unnecessary and dull.

Those are my five missions…again.

Will start this one soon… though I disagree with some of the missions you said.
But I gotta keep to my word.

EDIT: I see you changed your mind a little, I recall "Shave the Hypello" being there. I thought about maybe replacing that as the one not to be included with one of the ones you mentioned that I disagreed about. But nah, I’ll just include "Shave the Hypello".

Round 1 – Battle 1

Track Down the Troupe!

This mission takes place in Macalania Forest, chapter 3. Tracking down the look-alike musicians that have similar names and personalities to the ones Barkeep brought. Except they’re more talented, they need something to do now that their temple is destroyed.
Reward for this mission is a Haste Bangle.

VS.

Youth League Tournament!

This event in the Mushroom Rock Road in Chapter 5 can only be accessed if you gave the sphere to the Youth League. Going down the ‘shroom road and fighting random league members including some familiar faces like Yaibal, Elma, and finally Lucil. The reward besides an episode complete is getting to explore inside the headquarters and get Nooj’s Sphere. You do, however, get to fight Elma if you chose New Yevon, except that’s in Chapter 2 and that time it’s personal.

I gotta go with Youth League Tournament!

What happened was, two days into the round, I had made a long post ending this and posting the next round, and I lost it because the browser froze. Haven’t been bothered since. Sorry… won’t happen again, will be two days from now.

Youth League Tournament! 7-2 Track Down the Troupe!

Fighting familiar faces seems to be much more interesting than finding three clowns in a forest. Not that the troupe isn’t awesome, though.

Round 1 – Battle 2

Outrun the Leblanc Syndicate

The FIRST ever "Mission". Involves running up Mt. Gagazet in a race against the Syndicate, if you beat them in time you get an early Muscle Belt. Being first always has an advantage, so will this mission win?

VS.

The Last Cactuar

Note: The entire Cactuar sidequest consists of multiple missions, all of which are used here, seperately. So, if you will, vote based on the segment of the sidequest of which the mission consists.
And, this mission consists of the one time you get to go in the Cactuar cave, full of overgrown mutated fiends (later found in Via Infinito) find Fraiela to summon the Great Haboob, who has a pretty clever idea for Level 10 of the Cactuar minigame. Oh… and of course, the Jumbo Cactuar boss fight. Of course, not the last bossfight of the whole thing, but the last boss for this mission. Reward is the Covenant of Growth GG.

The first touch is always good, but I gotta go with The Last Cactuar. The whole Cactuar minigame was I think my favorite in the game, wouldn’t be surprised of one of it’s missions won.

-Bold your votes from now on. At least if you’re gonna make a long paragraph and mention the other one (no problem with that at all, I do it all the time).
-Yeah you do get the black mage but I don’t consider it a "mission reward" as it’s long after the mission is over (before you even beat Boris) and its part of the story. The mission itself isn’t about the sphere, it’s about chasing/racing them.
-Never done the Cactuar Sidequest? Wow, you are missing out.

Close, but expected win as being the first mission does have an advantage. There are more Cactuar missions coming soon anyway…

Round 1 – Battle 3

Run the Gunner’s Gun Gauntlet!

Aha, here we have a mini-game. The mission itself is in chapter 2 in Besaid, and you must get 500 points. Also, the quirk with this is that if you go for 100% in one shot, you MUST get it on your first run. As a reward, you get the Enigma Plate GG. You can also keep doing this mini-game for higher rewards, but your score is carried on in New Game Plus, so you can only even get one Adamantite, which is the ultimate reward. There is also in Chapter 5 a more challenging version of this mini-game in Besaid Temple’s cloister.

VS.

Masterpiece Theater

The great Djose experiment challenge. One of my favorites. Involves beating the Experiment, and beating it again on maximum levels, after digging for parts. The Al Bhed are pretty tough in their creations, but now they can’t control their own. There is also a Blue Magic hidden by maximizing the "Special" stat. If I recall, this boss made it to the finals in the previous rumble. Reward is a volume of "Magical Dances" which helps complete the Songstress Dressphere.

Really tough choice and close call on this one. I loved the Gunner’s Gauntlet mini-game, though frustrating at times, but the ingenuity and originality of the Experiment mission and the little secrets it holds, like the Blue Magic and the way to get some of the manuals, and all the desert secrets you discover along the way, I have to say Masterpiece Theater. Takes a while, but one of my favorite parts in the game.

Masterpiece Theater 5-0 Run the Gunner’s Gun Gauntlet!

The Experiment wins again… it’s just so popular, that thing…

Round 1 – Battle 4

The Cactuar Connection!

The cact-war is on! This is the main Cactuar mission, with the Gatekeepers, which can be started in Chapter 3 but can only be completed in Chapter 5. A rather creative mini-game, in terms of how each of the levels vary. Probably one of my favorite mini-games.
The whole mission’s reward is… well, after "The Last Cactuar" is completed, this one is completed once you get back to the Desert out of the cave. Except, no rewards yet until you complete the following mission, which will show up soon…

VS.

A Fallen Genius?

Chapter 5, Thunder Plains. This is the mission that takes place once the towers get attacked, and are taken over by Chimeras (or Rhyos or whatever they’re called). Each tower’s reward depends on how well you calibrated it. One tower actually holds this mission’s boss, Humbaba, a Behemoth who uses Meteor upon dying. The reward for this mission is the "Valiant Lustre" GG.
Also, afterwards you can do the stuff in the cave with Cid and the Machina Panzar, and the "math cave" as I call it. That is, the long haul of getting the Force of Nature accessory. But none of that is part of the mission.

I vote for The Cactuar Connection. Much more interesting. I did like that Thunder Plains cave though, that was one of my favorite parts in the game, but too bad it’s not part of the mission. If it was, it just might have had my vote.

The Cactuar Connection was better.

What I said about the 6-0 wipeouts… well, this time the Cactuars emerge victorious.

Round 1 – Battle 5

Pest Control

This is the mission in Kilika Chapter 3, involving stopping the fiends at the temple there by getting to Dark Ifrit. Fortunately, all Ifrit can summon up is some Daevas. Kilika is so controlled in this game that this is the first time you actually get to go as far as inside the temple. As well as Ifrit, the fiends, and the feeling of deja vu, there is also a Samurai Dressphere hidden. Reward is… well, advancing further in the story, as this is a mandatory mission.

VS.

Tourist Trap

This mission is also in Chapter 3, and also involves visiting a familiar place for the first time in X-2 that didn’t let you in before: The Cavern of the Stolen Fayth. The tourists must be rescued in an order based on their personality, including some quirks which may trick you. They give you energy cores which let you go further in (as well as the Besaid Key), and rescue the last two tourists. Finally the big boss at the end is no picnic, Dark Yojimbo. The hardest of the aeons in my opinion, better watch out for that Zanmato!
For all that, the reward is the Tetra Master GG.

Tourist Trap gets my vote. Yojimbo was hard in a good way, and the last two tourists’ descriptions made me laugh. Also the puzzle itself with the tourists reminded me of one of those puzzles from Wayside school or something.

Pest Control

Nice close battle, but it appears people enjoyed fighting Yojimbo more than Ifrit. Of course, the quest itself adds up for it…

Round 1 – Battle 6

Foggy Fiend Frenzy

Just a little filler mission for something to do in Mushroom Rock Road in Chapter 1. Involves getting to the end through the fiends, and sneaking around the Drowsy Ochus… reward is a Glass Buckle and the Heart of Flame GG.

VS.

Claim the Treasure Sphere!

Also in Chapter 1, this mandatory mission takes place in the Zanarkand Ruins. Involves meeting a lot of sphere hunters including the Kinderguardians, another run in with Syndicate goons, and finally Isaaru’s "quiz". Following that you get to visit a new previously non-existant area, and fight the Guardian Beast boss. Reward is… half a sphere, and advancing the story.

I go with Claim the Treasure Sphere!
Just because.

BTW my internet access may be limited next wee as I’m going away for the holiday.

"To marry a Hypello!"

Claim the Treasure Sphere! 8-0 Foggy Fiend Frenzy

Foggy Fiend Frenzy, though it involved Maroda and finding the Den of Woe’s first Crimson Sphere (which I forgot to mention, I wonder if the results would have been different if I brought it up, if it would have affected your vote it would be nice to know), is nothing compared to Isaaru’s quiz and revisiting Zanarkand.

Round 1 – Battle 7

Where’s Wakka?

A nice little mission at the beginning that let’s us catch up with the old FFX characters and know what they’re up to. Wakka’s gone to a new previously-nonexistant cave in Besaid. You must speak to the Aurochs and get clues to the ciphers needed to enter the cave which are different every game. After that, you fight the Flame Dragon and claim the Sphere, which is unfortunately not of Wakka’s parents, but of just a clue to finding some GG later. Reward is the Protection Halo GG and the White Mage Dressphere!

VS.

Shave the Hypello?

Shave me! Please shave me! A Hypello was off delivering goods to Tobli on the Moonflow and got caught up with bandits. You must recover them all to get all the percentage. Reward is the Helios Guard GG and the Gun Mage Dressphere!

Gotta go with Where’s Wakka?

That was an easy one… I appreciate the commentary Mr. Existance

Claim the Treasure Sphere! 8-0 Foggy Fiend Frenzy

Foggy Fiend Frenzy, though it involved Maroda and finding the Den of Woe’s first Crimson Sphere (which I forgot to mention, I wonder if the results would have been different if I brought it up, if it would have affected your vote it would be nice to know), is nothing compared to Isaaru’s quiz and revisiting Zanarkand.

Round 1 – Battle 7

Where’s Wakka?

A nice little mission at the beginning that let’s us catch up with the old FFX characters and know what they’re up to. Wakka’s gone to a new previously-nonexistant cave in Besaid. You must speak to the Aurochs and get clues to the ciphers needed to enter the cave which are different every game. After that, you fight the Flame Dragon and claim the Sphere, which is unfortunately not of Wakka’s parents, but of just a clue to finding some GG later. Reward is the Protection Halo GG and the White Mage Dressphere!

VS.

Shave the Hypello?

Shave me! Please shave me! A Hypello was off delivering goods to Tobli on the Moonflow and got caught up with bandits. You must recover them all to get all the percentage. Reward is the Helios Guard GG and the Gun Mage Dressphere!

Gotta go with Where’s Wakka?

All the posts that you see above, my last THREE posts before this one, were after your vote, Agent. They just appeared off.

And edit yay it’s working now.

All the posts that you see above, my last THREE posts before this one, were after your vote, Agent. They just appeared off.
What the heck… whoa, okay. All right, my vote for the current battle is Shave the Hypello.

Where’s Wakka 4-1 Shave the Hypello?

Wakka wins, as catching up with old characters and discovering new places is always interesting.

Round 1 – Battle 8

Clean Sweep

Clasko was traveling with you, but now this is how his story ends. After letting him off at the former Calm Lands arena, he wants to make it a Chocobo ranch, except it’s filled with fiends. Clearing them all is a trick as you must find out which one is real, cause it is facing a different direction.
Reward is the Alchemist Dressphere and the Highroad Winds GG.

VS.

Showdown in the Sands

The final mission of the Cactuar story, and that would be, defeating a boss (which happened to be the champion of the boss rumble), Angra Mainyuu! One of the hardest bosses in the game, worthy of a whole mission consisting of it’s battle alone. Reward is the Mercurial Strike GG.

Showdown in the Sands gets my vote.

…but only just.

Close battle, but did you really expect a mission relating to a previous rumble champion to not make it past the first round?

Round 1 – Battle 9

Infiltrate Bevelle!

Wow… long mission here. This mission, mandatory for the storyline, and closing Chapter 2, involves passing a lot of things and solving a lot of puzzles and getting a lot of rewards. Finally you get to explore Bevelle a little more and it’s secrets, after only being able to go there once in FFX.
So after allying with the Syndicate, you get to take care of the alarms, solve the Hexagon puzzle with Georapella and Precepts Guard (getting a Ribbon if you know how to manipulate it more), then manipulating the Gaol puzzles for two more unique accessories, and finally solving the puzzle leading to the Dark Knight Dressphere, a very useful one. After that, you get to face Baralai for the first time after an emotional scene (and he has Blue Magic to offer), followed by Dark Bahamut, ending the mission and the chapter!

VS.

No Way, Djose!

Another mandatory mission which is also a chapter closer! Except this time it doesn’t really last until the end of Chapter three. This mission involves the "Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings" getting the fiends out of Djose Temple by fighting Dark Ixion. Figures Ixion would be upset with his temple being taken over by scientists. Reward is the Unwavering Guard GG.
Unfortunately the whole Farplane ordeal with first seeing Shuyin and being "all alone" isn’t part of the mission, so I can’t really talk about that. 😛

I vote for Infiltrate Bevelle. Loved every moment of it, and I think it was my favorite mandatory storyline part, no question at all!

P.S. Like I said in the description, would be preferred if you don’t use the "I’m all alone" thing as a reason to vote against Djose (I know a lot of people hated it), as the mission is just up to Ixion.

Infiltrate Bevelle!

Infiltrate Bevelle! 9-0 No Way, Djose!

Again, with all this mission’s interesting stuff, and once again it being associated with a rumble finalist (Under Bevelle), we have a predictable win, and a somewhat predictable blowout, even though Djose is a chapter ender.

Round 1 – Battle 10

Follow That Moogle!

Ah, a little FFX homage. This is the closing mission for Luca’s "Episode Complete", which isn’t much of a challenge, just involves following an imaginary Moogle only Yuna can see around Luca for some flashbacks of Tidus and some interesting dialogue scenes with YRP. No reward for this Mission, just an Episode Complete to check off.

VS.

Secure the Agency!

Back in Chapter 3. After paying O’aka (or not paying him), seeing as this is the Chapter where fiends take over the temples, despite Macalania temple sinking, the fiends made it out of there. Just fight six consecutive battles, that’s all. Afterwards an Al Bhed guy confirms it by saying the fiends came from the lake, which the temple is at the bottom of. Rewards involve the Pride of the Sword GG, AND the Berserker Dressphere!

This will probably lose, but I hope I’m not the only one voting for Secure the Agency!
A mission should be at least something more than walking around town, no matter how lame six battles may seem. Plus, Berserker Dressphere… need I say more? Next to no rewards at all…

Anyway, I’ll go for Secure the Agency. Fun mission, Berserker dressphere and cool plot stuff involving O’aka.

Solaris, I choose you! Break it.

Secure the Agency! 4-3 Follow the Moogle!

Not at all what I expected… very close battle! Guess I was wrong in my assumption that anything involving Moogles has a hard chance of losing, must have overestimated them. But yeah, O’aka and the Berserker Dressphere… didn’t think about that.

Round 1 – Battle 11

Awesome Sphere Heist

Our first chapter-closing mission. For the first time we get to explore Kilika area more and go in the forest, but this forest is MUCH more controlled in terms of where you can go, so you get a linear path. Sneaking inside is half the challenge, but you can nail another bird with this stone and collect all the monkeys! After that, you must eavesdrop to learn about the password pattern, then sneak up past the guards (getting the Menace of the Deep GG), and fight one last boss, YSLS-ZERO. You won’t get to explore the temple, but you do get the Sphere.
Of course, later you must make the big choice…

VS.

Battle Blockade

This mission takes place in Mt. Gagazet, Chapter 3. Garik has gone mad, about to bring on the war any minute. You must climb the mountain and defeat him, and the fact that he disabled the teleporters makes this more of a challenge. You can get Mighty Guard from him, and the Wishbringer GG as a reward!
This is an interesting mission because the toughness of the battle depends on how you answered the Ronso’s questions. Also, whether you do this mission or not makes some huge differences throughout Macalania and Guadosalam, and is almost another "big choice" like it’s opponent.

But, Awesome Sphere Heist gets my vote.

Well I sure was not expecting this, great close battle tied three times. So will the Ronso dominate again? Garik was the silver medalist in the boss rumble somehow!

Round 1 – Battle 12

Where’s Tobli?

So, a chapter 4 mission, not one we see very often…
After spending the last three chapters trying to avoid Tobli, YRP realize they need his help with the concert, but now he’s gone mad and on the run because of debts. So, you must chase him through the Moonflow all the way to the entrance to Guadosalam. Tobli’s really determined, why with the hover… after that shoopuf shenanigan, it’s safe to say, anything goes for Tobli!
Reward at the end is the Black Tabard GG.

VS.

Who Needs an Invitation?

This mission takes place in Chapter 2, and is only accessible if you chose New Yevon to give the sphere to. When you go to Mushroom Rock, the Youth League have declared the Gullwings an enemy so you must fight through them. On the way you may run into Nooj in the Den of Woe, get a Crimson Sphere, and the scene varies depending on who you chose. At the end, however, you meet Elma and fight her. We already had a mission where you fight her, except in this case it’s personal. After you beat her, you get the Shining Mirror GG (again only obtainable if you choose New Yevon) and a Kinesis Badge!

Where’s Tobli gets my vote on this one.

Humor is always a factor, and chasing Tobli sure was entertaining. Plus, any mission that involves missing stuff to have to do would go unnoticed…

Round 1 – Battle 13

Protect Besaid Temple!

The Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings’ first mission. Beclem wants to burn down the temple in Besaid because he thinks it’s the only way to stop the fiends, but Wakka doesn’t want that to happen. So, in you go and fight Dark Valefor. And yes, it can use Energy Blast as well as Energy Ray. No big rewards yet except moving the story forward. Now you opened up the Cloister Gunner’s Gauntlet… which doesn’t really give much

VS.

Two Birds, One Stone

Chapter 2’s "Strip Search"… so you go to Djose, pick up Yuna’s Special Dressphere, Floral Fallal! That’s your reward, Mission Compl… oh wait, here comes the Syndicate, so now you get your Special Dressphere as well as a uniform!

BTW, I realized I included "Strip Search" in the rumble as a Mission, but I’m gonna take it out since we have the three parts of it and it’ll seem stupid and replace it with one of the ones I omitted at the beginning. I will choose myself.

As for this round… meh, Protect Besaid Temple I guess.

Protect Besaid Temple for me though. i mean…did anyone actually use the Special Dresspheres?

Well, what a wipeout… I guess I’m a little surprised, seeing how much people hated aeons in the Boss rumble. Well, down goes our first strip-mission.

Round 1 – Battle 14

Behind the Scenes

One of the first "Missions" in the game, depending how you do things. This takes place in Luca in the first chapter, and it shows what happened from Yuna’s point of view during the scenes at the start of the game with Luca and Leblanc stealing the show, which is pretty cool. The only mission-ish part of this is the handing out of the balloons, since there are exactly 10 people who want them and some are tricky to find.
After that you just get to view the alternative scenes during the "Real Emotion", and an optional percent-worthy scene which results from having used the crouching Moogle at the beginning of the game on the docks to replenish health, who is now revealed to be the real Yuna. Kinda cool how that ties in. Reward is the Healing Wind GG.

VS.

Water We Doing Here?

The second uniform-stealing in Bikanel Desert. This mission opens up the Oasis, where Logos is hiding with some Goons. Before being ambushed, you pick up Rikku’s Special Dressphere, Machina Maw. After beating Logos, you get a uniform as well as the Hour of Need GG.

Behind the Scenes for me. I love when there’s deja-vu from other characters’ perspective, especially in TV shows and movies.

I am forced to agree with everyone above me.

I am forced to agree with everyone above me.

Behind the Scenes 6-0 Water We Doing Here?

This looks like it was a wipeout, though surprisingly not due to you all being fans of "Behind the Scenes", but instead the other one being rather weak. I actually really liked "Behind the Scenes" and feel it deserved more credit, but hey, why am I even complaining, it won a wipeout. That’s TWO uniform missions down.

Round 1 – Battle 15

Note: This is the battle that "Strip Search" was gonna be in, but then I realized I’m including all three in this as individual Missions, and there isn’t really a "Mission Complete" screen for that one anyway. So, I replaced it with one of the five that we (or rather, Anti-Existence) eliminated at the beginning. After looking over the five, and their crucialness to the plot and their rewards as well as other factors besides the action of doing the mission, I’m pretty sure I made the right choice. And it is…

Concert Clean-Up

The other one of two Missions in the awkward Chapter 4. But this is actually more important, because the reward besides moving the story forward, is the icon scene that this game was most commercialized for: Yuna’s concert! And as for the mission itself, this time you get to go in one of the two new caves in the Thunder Plains that didn’t exist in X (the easier one, since it’s mandatory and all), go up and down a series of steps and find your way to the Zalamander. That boss, I believe, made the top 5 in the boss rumble, so I thought it would be awkward not to include it. Plus, the concert…

VS.

Spring Into Action

Two of the Uniform Missions went down pretty hard, now it’s all up to this one. This mission takes place in Gagazet, and even though it’s akin to the other two StripSearch missions, for some reason it doesn’t involve Paine’s Special Dressphere. But anyway, this one actually takes longer than the other two, part of the fact because it’s Mt. Gagazet which is a pretty long haul. But the Mission itself doesn’t start yet until you actually get to the area before the cave and the wall that you couldn’t previously climb, which also didn’t exist in X. Not to say that the obstacles of jumping between rocks and going through passages isn’t long. But anyway, there are two way to end this: One is pretty weak, if you just walk to the springs, you get the "peeping-Tom-wings" scene, fight Ormi, and get the uniform, but if you go to the boulder and FALL in the spring, Ormi and the goons run away and you get a pretty long-winded memorable entertaining scene (competition for the concert eh) with the three ladies. On the way down, however, you still have to fight Ormi and the goons.
The latter is the one you’re supposed to do for better percent anyway, not sure if they both give a "Mission Complete", but either way you get a Uniform and the Stonehewn GG.

I expect this to be interesting. I’m going with Spring Into Action, which will be officially the first vote in favor of one of the uniform Missions.

Ah… I really needed that. – Yuna

I guess the Zalamander is only good when it comes to thinking of it as a boss… but anyway, the last "uniform mission" standing, unlike the others, has a victory! One of them had to do it…

Anyway, last battle of round one! Bring it on…

Round 1 – Battle 16

Faking and Entering

One of the conclusive missions of Chapter 2, that involves sneaking inside Chateau Leblanc after acquiring the three uniforms, disguised as a Fem-Goon. You start off being ordered to massage Leblanc after "Noojie-Woojie" leaves, which is one of the most… interesting mini-games (better watch your volume if you’re playing it while your parents are on the same floor). Later, you get to go in the secret passage, then get caught and play some tag with Ormi/Logos/Leblanc as you explore their rooms and have about three run-ins with them, until they finally surrender the other half of the sphere to you and become allies. Reward is the Healing Light GG, but there are also some goodies in the room, like Crimson Spheres. If I recall, the music for this mission "Infiltration!" made the final 6 in the last rumble… so there’s that factor as well.

VS.

Cuckoo For Chocobos!

Ah, Chocobos. This mission takes place on the Mi’hen Highroad in Chapter 2, and is divided into three mini-games. After meeting Calli, she says she wants to see Chocobos again, and as one happens to turn up, you must chase and catch it. First part involves following Rikku and collected feathers which earn you treasures, as I’m sure you all remember. Part 2 involves blocking the Chocobo depending on which direction it tries to dodge Yuna. Finally, the last part you just trigger scenes by following the dots on the map. After finally catching, Calli needs help! Time for a boss, fight, the Chocobo Eater.
Reward is the Selene Guard GG. And having Calli and Clasko aboard.

As much as I like Chocobos, I liked Faking and Entering better. At that point along with "Infiltrate Bevelle", I was actually starting to like this game.

Anywho, Purrr, I choose you this time! Break it.

Faking and Entering 4-3 Cuckoo For Chocobos!

As cool as Chocobos are (they sure were competition), sneaking into Chateau Leblanc which was a place you could only visit once in FFX, and the awkward minigame, how can you resist that. Let’s not forget, the Syndicate becoming allies… this mission’s the last one to make it to Round 2.

The round will commence shortly…

Ready?

Round 2 – Battle 1

Where’s Wakka?

A mandatory mission, even though it leads to a Sphere that’s not core-plot related. But the fun of it is reuniting with all your old friends and seeing what they’re up to… and of course finding the ciphers. Gives Besaid a new feel… oh, and the White Mage Dressphere reward.

VS.

Outrun the Leblanc Syndicate

First Mission in the game. Need I say more? I mean… "Wait, this is Gagazet?" Yeah… disasteriffic!

I vote for Where’s Wakka. I actually never get tired of that one.

Close battle, but the first mission always has some sort of advantage. As does anything involving the Syndicate.

Round 2 – Battle 2

Protect Besaid Temple!

First Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings mission in Besaid, Beclem wants the temple burnt because he thinks it might stop the fiends, so you go in and stop them yourself by fighting Dark Valefor.

VS.

Masterpiece Theater

The mission involving the Experiment. Fight it, then find the hidden repair manuals and dig up assembly parts for it in the desert. Challenge it at max and claim the reward! Possible Blue Magic that can only be learned if its Special is 5, and a nice scene for Paine fans afterwards.

Masterpiece Theater for this one.

Masterpiece Theater 6-1 Protect Besaid Temple!

Besaid and Valefor are cool and all, but naturally, the Experiment mission has a lot more to do and uniqueness, which is probably why it was in the final of the boss rumble. A victory for it for now, we’ll see how it makes it…

Round 2 – Battle 3

Secure the Agency!

This is the near-concluding mission for the O’aka sidequest. Six consecutive fiend battles, followed by an Al Bhed gasping out his last words and giving you the Berserker Dressphere.

VS.

Infiltrate Bevelle!

Concluding mission of Chapter 2. Very long winded… Hexagon puzzle, tunnels, Gaol, more tunnels, Dark Knight Dressphere, Baralai, Dark Bahamut… I’m probably forgetting something but this one one packed mission!

Infiltrate Bevelle for this one.

Once again, Bevelle slaughters. Way too much going on in this mission for it to lose… in fact, I’m surprised Secure the Agency got a vote. Heh… must have something.

Anyway… bring on the next one.

Round 2 – Battle 4

Showdown in the Sands

The boss fight with Angra Mainyuu, who was the boss rumble champion. That "Unnatural Selection" fiend you keep encountering is now defeatable in a pretty intense battle…

VS.

Behind the Scenes

Cool task of getting to see a bigger picture of what happened at the beginning of the game in Luca. How did it all happen, how did they come to be there…

This is actually a tough call for me (probably not most of you), but I’ll go with Showdown in the Sands.

Showdown in the Sands 6-0 Behind the Scenes

Angra Mainyu is proving once again to be a strong entity…

Round 2 – Battle 5

Tourist Trap

A small puzzle involving a little logic, some surprises, and a boss who is actually somewhat challenging. The Cavern of the Stolen Fayth has a lot to offer in terms of treasure as well, and you need to think about the order… and Yojimbo is no picnic, especially with the effect they made Zanmato do…

VS.

Battle Blockade

Another climb up the mountain to defeat Garik. He’s got some Blue Magic to offer, and the battle is interesting because it’s toughness varies, and whether you decide to overtake this mission or not has a big effect on one storyline.

I enjoyed Tourist Trap more, I liked figuring that puzzle out on getting everyone though I’m afraid it will lose… but this battle should be interesting.

Well, I guess we underestimated a bit, as Tourist Trap slaughtered in this battle. I guess more people see the fun in that than I thought.

Round 2 – Battle 6

Faking and Entering

The fun task of infiltrating Chateau Leblanc once you get the uniforms. Explore the secret passages, massage Leblanc, fight her a few times until she gives up and they become allies.

VS.

Where’s Tobli?

One of the only two missions in Chapter 4, chasing Tobli through the Moonflow. A lot of hilarious stunts he pulls off, until you finally catch him. Who would have imagined what he’s capable of…

Now, Tobli may be capable of pulling off a lot of things, but Faking and Entering gets my vote. I’ll be amazed if Tobli pulls off winning this battle as well.

Anyway
Faking and Entering. Want it to go all the way. Or close to.

Anything involving the Leblanc Syndicate is hard to resist…

BTW, what happened to everyone? Time’s passed but only 6 votes… come on!

Round 2 – Battle 7

Youth League Tournament!

Chapter 5’s tourney in the MRR. You only get to do it if you chose the Youth League, and it involves battling against familiar adversaries, including Elma and Lucil! Also for the first time you get to go in the headquarters freely without running into a cutscene.

VS.

Spring Into Action

Part of Chapter 2’s "Strip Search"… the other two parts got off pretty quickly, it’ll be interesting if this one wins twice. Then again, it does have the springs scene… 😛

Spring Into Action, that’s my choice. BTW, THE FFX RUMBLE STARTED, GO VOTE IN IT!! 😀

Again I am surprised, I guess that for a mission with a popular scene, it sure had some victorious competition! Lucil and her tournament get this one, good battle though.

Last battle of Round 2!

Round 2 – Battle 8

Claim the Treasure Sphere!

Chapter 1, one of the mandatory missions. Go to Zanarkand, find the password, take Isaaru’s quiz, fight the Guardian Beast, and claim the treasure sphere… er, half of it.

VS.

The Cactuar Connection

Starts in Chapter 3, ends in 5. Find the ten Cactuars, and play mini-games catching them. Watch out, some of them have tricks, and some are hard to find!

Zanarkand’s mission is fun, but it’s no Cactuar Connection.

QFT. That minigame is among the most annoying I’ve encountered.

Claim the Treasure Sphere! 4-3 The Cactuar Connection

I wasn’t expecting this… but I guess the Zanarkand mission had a bit of entertainment and humor to it. Poor Cactuars are underappreciated, it seems.

Aaaaand that concludes Round 2, time to start round 3, consisting of 4 battles! I’ll start shortly.

Round 3 – Battle 1

Youth League Tournament

The Youth League Tournament that involves going down the road and battling various Youth League members including friends we’ve met… Lucil’s speech seems to have been helping this one win a lot lately. Let’s see if it’s good enough for what comes next…

VS.

Infiltrate Bevelle

The long chain of events at the end of Chapter 2 after you leave Leblanc’s and become allies. Under Bevelle, Bahamut, Dark Knight Dressphere, Gaol, Baralai… and more.

I like Lucil’s speech, but I think it’s not worthy enough for Infiltrate Bevelle! to lose to it.

Infiltrate Bevelle! 4-2 Youth League Tournament!

Lucil’s speech is cool, but I guess it got old… anyway, yay for Bevelle making the final 4!

Round 3 – Battle 2

Masterpiece Theater

This mission sure seems to have been doing a lot of wipeouts… well, it is the Experiment, after all, and we all know how popular that was.

VS.

Outrun the Leblanc Syndicate

This mission seems to be popular because it’s the first official mission, which is understandable… but, is it competition at all for the Experiment?

I’m sticking with Masterpiece Theater.

Zak, seeing as there are only six of us, maybe it’s time to consider changing the blowout condition…

But still, I’d probably do it if we were earlier in the rumble and not in the Q-finals.

Outrun the LeBlanc Sydndicate

Masterpiece Theater 6-1 Outrun the Leblanc Syndicate

The Experiment mission wins again, making the top 4 once again! Better luck next time, Syndicate!

Round 3 – Battle 3

Showdown in the Sands

The raging battle with Angra Mainyuu… Angra was the winner of the boss rumble, will the mission involving it be a finalist here?

VS.

Tourist Trap

Cavern of the Stolen Fayth puzzle involving the tourists and their personality traits and getting them out in order… and the battle with Yojimbo! Competiton for the AM battle? Let’s see…

Normally I’d wait a little in this situation, but it looks like it’s decided anyway.

Showdown in the Sands 4-2 Tourist Trap

Tourist Trap may be exciting, but Angra Mainyuu seems like a much more interesting boss battle, I guess. Once again, it makes the final four!

Last deciding battle of the quarter finals, and this one is a little interesting:

Round 3 – Battle 4

Claim the Treasure Sphere

The competition in Zanarkand for a sphere, with a lot of things a long the way… well, half a sphere…

VS.

Faking and Entering

…And the race for the other half, through Leblanc’s quarters! Ormi, Logos, massage, secret passages, etc.

Which half of the sphere will it be? Faking and Entering is the clear choice for me.

Faking and Entering 5-0 Claim the Treasure Sphere!

Zanarkand’s mission has had it’s day… going on a sneaky little adventure into a part we got to only briefly see once in the prequel, seems a lot more appealing final-4 material.

That concludes the third round and quarterfinals… now we’re at the end, it’s pretty funny how these are almost the same as the boss-rumble finalists.

I’ll start with them shortly..

Semifinals – Part 1

Infiltrate Bevelle!

This mission’s come a long way… probably because of it being a long mission and very action-packed. Go through the familiar cloister, solve the hexagon puzzle, go underground a bit, solve Gaol’s puzzle, make a path to the Dark Knight Dressphere, encounter Baralai and Bahamut. Make of that what you will…

VS.

Masterpiece Theater

Another mission with a lot of elements. Beat the Experiment at the lowest levels, find the manuals which are hidden in creative ways, and at the same time get a feel for digging! That "Annihilator" attack it uses is a hidden Blue Magic only used when special stat is maxed. As you dig you may also uncover some secrets in the desert, like coins and Al Bhed Primers, so you can kill many birds in one stone doing this mission!

Each one has a good case making this a hard choice for me now. I shall place my vote later if at all.

Lenne (skip to :44)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgTra6xNxaM

Infiltrate Bevelle! 6-2 Masterpiece Theater

Masterpiece Theater finally met it’s match… the long-winded Bevelle mission. That one does have a lot to offer, so it was bound to happen! Though, that doesn’t take away from the Experiment’s mission making the top 4! We’ll see it again soon enough in the battle for the bronze.

But first, we must finish off the semifinals.

Semifinals – Part 2

Showdown in the Sands

The raging battle with Angra Mainyu, who was the champion of the boss rumble! Will it take the medal again?

VS.

Faking and Entering

Sneaking into Leblanc’s house, who was also a finalist among the bosses! Massages, spheres, secret passages… and this also precedes the "Infiltrate Bevelle" mission, imagine if this won!

Angra Mainyu is great, but Faking and Entering gets my vote. It may be an exciting battle, but as far as the mission goes, it’s just a battle.

Faking and Entering 6-0 Showdown in the Sands

It’s over for Angra Mainyu. As a boss it may be great, but as a mission… well, it met it’s match. Yay for Faking and Entering making the finale!

But it’s not completely over, now it gets to battle for third place!

3rd Place Battle

Showdown in the Sands

Angra Mainyu may have been the previous rumble champion, but as a mission, running through Leblanc’s house owned it. Is this battle at least worthy of third place?

VS.

Masterpiece Theater

The battles with the Experiment, as well as the quest of putting it together and finding parts for it! It’s funny, it’s the Experiment VS. Angra Mainyuu AGAIN sort of, and last time that battle was also near the final! Except this time it’s mission-wise!

And… I say Masterpiece Theater hands down, missionwise. Angra Mainyu may be a superior boss, but… fighting it doesn’t compare to the entire Experiment mission.

Oh Angra… can’t win ’em all, I guess. Consider it payback for their fight in the boss rumble.

But we’ve still got the final. Something’s gotta win this whole thing and it’ll be one of these! Kinda a coincidental matchup…

FINAL BATTLE

Faking and Entering

That’s right… sneaking into Leblanc’s quarters at the end of Chapter 2 must have been pretty fun enough to make the final in this. I mean, going undercover is always an adventure, but you get to massage Leblanc, explore parts of the house you couldn’t in X, become allies with them, answer a lot of questions, plus a few secrets… no surprise this made the final. Anyway, after doing all that, it’s time to…

VS.

Infiltrate Bevelle!

Yep, it’s opponent happens to be the following mission, part 2 of the Chapter 2 conclusion! This mission has a lot to offer, as well as exploring parts unavailable in X (Yes, Bevelle was very limited in that you could only truly explore it once). Now you get to go underground to areas once again completely original to this game, and the big picture starts to unfold involving the Crimson Squad, mainly from Baralai. We’ve got some sick treasures here as well like the Dark Knight Dressphere, and some puzzles like Gaol and the Hexagon puzzle. And finally, our first Dark Aeon! Yikes… so much stuff going on it’s no surprise this made it to the top. Who will come out on top?

This is a very hard finale-worthy choice for, but easy enough to me, but easy enough to make now as opposed to waiting ’till later like I sometimes do. There is one mission that I hadn’t gotten to yet when I quit playing this game the first time and got bored, and then I decided to give the game another shot and it totally redeemed itself once I had gotten to Infiltrate Bevelle!
Faking and Entering may have slightly redeemed it, but Infiltrate Bevelle gave it a complete 180 for me. Definitely a worthy winner.