Sphere Break

Game opening.

The probability you'll win is slim at best.

Shinra in the Sphere Break finals

Sphere Break is a newly established coin game in Final Fantasy X-2. Funded by the entrepreneurial Al Bhed, Rin, the game was designed as a source of entertainment during blitzball's off-season.

The mechanics are purely mathematical, with the aim to create the most multiples of the "Core Number" by combining the number values of the 16 coins in play. To win, the player must meet a predetermined quota of coins used while staying within a set number of turns to use them in.

Playing the game

Game board: Core Sphere (light blue) surrounded by Entry Coins (gold) which are in turn surrounded by Border Coins (dark blue).

Setting up and how to play

The game takes place on a 4x4 board with a Core Sphere in the center whose number is called the Core Number that ranges from 1 to 9. The four fields around the Core Sphere are reserved for the Entry Coins. The Border Coins are the twelve outer fields.

Each coin is numbered from 1 to 9. The objective is to combine these numbers to achieve multiples of the Core Number.

During the game the following details will appear at the top of the screen:

• Sum: Shows the current combined sum of the coins selected.
• Break Multiples: Lists three multiples of the Core Number that the player must strive for.

At the start of each round one of the four Entry Coins must be selected first. The player is then free to select another coin from either the Entry or Border Coin fields. If the combined sum matches one of the Break Multiples, this is called a Core Break, which ends the round. If not, then the player may continue selecting coins until their combined sum equals one of the Break Multiples displayed.

Winning

To win the player must have used up a set quota of Border Coins within a set number of rounds. If the player reaches the quota before reaching the maximum number of rounds, the player wins. If they do not reach the quota, or if they run out of time, the player loses. In the case of a defeat, the player will lose their Entry Coins to the opponent.

In the HD Remaster version, winning 10 Sphere Break matches will unlock the "Sphere Breaker" trophy/achievement.

Types of coin

There are 64 coins available, each with a unique illustration etched on its surface portraying a fiend or character from Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy X-2. Each coin possesses a value (1-9) that is used to determine its role in multiplication pairs while some also possess attributes to aid in meeting the game quota or to obtain items or additional coins from the opponent should the player win.

Entry Coins

The four placements surrounding the Core Sphere are for the Entry Coins. Chosen and placed by the player, one of each of these coins will be lost on starting a match. Colored gold, these coins are used in combination with the Border Coins to form multiples of the Core Sphere number.

Border Coins

The Border Coins are randomly chosen and placed along the outside border of twelve placement points. Colored blue, these coins are used in addition with the Entry Coins to form multiples of the Core Sphere. Unlike the Entry Coins, Border Coins disappear after being used while the remaining Border Coins' values are increased by one (any coins with values exceeding 9 will also be discarded or replaced after this increase).

Traits

Echoes

Echo traits allow the player to obtain bonus quota points. To initiate an Echo the player must not only select an Entry Coin with the trait, but also maintain a set play pattern.

• Coin Count Echo: The same number of coins must be used in successive rounds to achieve a Core Break (e.g. 3 coins were used in Round 1, 3 coins were used in Round 2, etc).
• Multiplier Echo: Core Breaks must be achieved using the same multiple value used in the previous round (e.g. if the Core Number was 7 in the previous round and the player achieved a Core Break of 14 (7x2), in the next round the player must achieve a Core Break of the Core Number x2).

Entry Coin traits

Trait	Description
Coin Count Echo	Coin Count Echo becomes possible.
Coin Haul x 2	If this Coin is selected first, the effect of + X Coins and - X Coins will be doubled.
Coin	Border Coins with the Coin trait may appear.
Gil x 2	If this Coin is selected first, the effect of + X Gil and - X Gil will be doubled.
Item	Border Coins with the Item trait may appear.
Multiplier Echo	Multiplier Echo becomes possible.
Quota x 2	If this Coin is selected first, the Quota will be doubled depending on the amount of Border Coins used to make a Core Break.
Quota x 3	If this Coin is selected first, the Quota will be tripled depending on the amount of Border Coins used to make a Core Break.
Quota x 4	If this Coin is selected first, the Quota will be multiplied by four depending on the amount of Border Coins used to make a Core Break.
Quota x 5	If this Coin is selected first, the Quota will be multiplied by five depending on the amount of Border Coins used to make a Core Break.
Rare Coin	Border Coins with the Rare Coin trait may appear.
Rare Item	Border Coins with the Rare Item trait may appear.

Border Coin traits

Trait	Description
Item, Rare Item	Player obtains one item or one rare item.
Coin, Rare Coin	Player obtains one Coin or one rare Coin.
+ X Coin	The number on the Entry Coin selected first is increased by 1-5.
- X Coin	The number on the Entry Coin selected first is decreased by 1-5.
+ X Gil	The value in gil of the Entry Coin selected first is increased by 1-5.
- X Gil	The value in gil of the Entry Coin selected first is decreased by 1-5.

Quests

Sphere Break Tournament

Main article: Sphere Break Tournament

The Sphere Break Tournament is a tournament where the contestants challenge each other in a series of matches while following a set of special rules designed specifically for the tournament.

Sphere Break Elites

In the International and HD Remaster versions of Final Fantasy X-2, the player can challenge the strongest Sphere Break players. By completing the storyline of Varan first, the player can then challenge the elites in Luca, in the Aurochs' room. They each have a difficulty of seven stars and are difficult to defeat.

Cursed Core Sphere (Varan)

Turns: 30

Quota: 500

Time: 30 seconds

For defeating Varan, the player is rewarded with the Enterprise accessory. If they leave the room and reenter, or beat him twice in a row without leaving, a new challenger will appear next to Varan.

Underground Core Sphere (Tonberry)

Turns: 25

Quota: 500

Time: 20 seconds

If the player defeats Tonberry, they are given the Invincible accessory. After leaving the room and reentering, or beating him twice in a row without leaving, the final challenger will be there.

Farplane Core Sphere (Haunt)

Turns: 30

Quota: 600

Time: 20 seconds

Beating Haunt awards the player with the Ragnarok accessory.

These accessories can be obtained in Chapter 3, as well as via the Farplane Cup. The locker room can also be accessed in Chapter 5 by standing between the nearby woman and her dog nearby and pressing X while facing the door.

Coins

Coins #52 to #64 are rare and can only be obtained from other players either as a gift or from using the Rare Coin trait during a game round.

List of Coins
#	Coin Name	No.	Trait	Image	Acquire
1	Helm Coin	1	-		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Practice Core Sphere or Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when first learning Sphere Break.
2	Zurvan Coin	5	-		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when first learning Sphere Break.
3	Coyote Coin	3	Coin		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when first learning Sphere Break.
4	Flan Coin	2	Item		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when first learning Sphere Break.
5	Reptile Coin	3	-		Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when entering the Sphere Break Tournament.
6	Bird Coin	5	-		Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when entering the Sphere Break Tournament.
7	Wasp Coin	2	Item		Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when entering the Sphere Break Tournament.
8	Ahriman Coin	6	Coin Count Echo		Win from the Practice Core Sphere or the Easy Core Sphere players in Luca Stadium. Given x 5 when entering the Sphere Break Tournament.
9	Purpurea Coin	5	-		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
10	Zu Coin	3	Item		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
11	Worm Coin	2	Coin		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
12	Defender Coin	8	Multiplier Echo		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
13	Phantom Coin	7	Coin		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
14	Ruminant Coin	1	Item		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
15	Drake Coin	4	Coin Count Echo		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
16	Malboro Coin	3	Multiplier Echo		Chapters 1 and 2: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert. Win from the Dream Shop Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
17	Ogre Coin	4	Coin		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
18	Elemental Coin	9	-		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
19	Blade Coin	3	Coin Count Echo		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
20	Behemoth Coin	7	Quota x 2		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
21	Chimera Coin	2	Item		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
22	Coeurl Coin	5	Coin Haul x 2		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
23	Tomb Coin	1	-		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
24	Iron Giant Coin	6	Multiplier Echo		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
25	Kukulcan Coin	8	-		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
26	Adamantoise Coin	3	Item		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
27	Deva Coin	9	Quota x 2		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
28	Ochu Coin	7	Gil x 2		Chapters 3 and 5: Found in the Western or Southern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
29	Bomb Coin	1	Coin Count Echo		Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
30	Magic Urn Coin	5	Gil x 2		Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
31	Cactuar Coin	2	Coin		Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
32	Stalwart Coin	4	Multiplier Echo		Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
33	Fungus Coin	3	Coin		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
34	Pairika Coin	7	Coin Count Echo		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
35	Tonberry Coin	4	Quota x 2		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
36	Dragon Coin	9	Gil x 2		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
37	Creeper Coin	3	Coin Haul x 2		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
38	Arachnid Coin	1	-		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
39	Piranha Coin	6	Multiplier Echo		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
40	Sahagin Coin	2	Coin Count Echo		Win from the Shinra Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Eastern or Northern Expanses of the Bikanel Desert.
41	Haizhe Coin	5	Coin		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
42	Dinictus Coin	1	Coin Haul x 2		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
43	Tentacles Coin	3	Coin Count Echo		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
44	Ultima Weapon Coin	9	Quota x 2		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
45	Omega Weapon Coin	7	Quota x 3		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
46	Eater Coin	3	Rare Coin		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
47	Hermit Coin	3	Coin Haul x 2		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
48	Evrae Coin	2	Quota x 3		Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
49	Gel Coin	3	-		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
50	Azi Dahaka Coin	7	Rare Item		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
51	Chocobo Coin	6	Coin		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium. Found in the Central Expanse of the Bikanel Desert.
52	Jumbo Cactuar Coin	5	Rare Item		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
53	Precepts Guard Coin	4	Quota x 3		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
54	Georapella Coin	2	Quota x 4		Given by the boy on the island accessed via a boat to from Kilika Island.
55	Angra Mainyu Coin	3	Quota x 4		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
56	Seymour Coin	9	Rare Item		Win from the Marrrvelous Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
57	Yuna Coin	9	Coin Count Echo		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
58	Rikku Coin	9	Quota x 4		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
59	Paine Coin	9	Multiplier Echo		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
60	Auron Coin	9	Quota x 4		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
61	Lulu Coin	9	Rare Coin		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
62	Wakka Coin	9	Rare Item		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
63	Kimahri Coin	9	Coin Count Echo		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.
64	???? Coin	9	Quota x 5		Win from the Bevelle Core Sphere player in Luca Stadium.

Musical themes

The game rounds are accompanied by the track "Sphere Hunter" from the game's soundtrack.

Behind the scenes

Sphere Break was the most challenging minigame to make for the game. A single game designer developed it alone, including the programming.

Gallery

Coin rear design (silver).

Coin rear design (gold).

Rear design concepts.