Final Fantasy X Tips & Tricks - 5 Mistakes You Make in Lightning Dodging 

Okay rewatching this I realized I wasn't clear with saying that certain things you do "Reset" the dodge counter. That isn't technically accurate. The minigame operates on a "High Score" mechanic. As an example, if you dodge 180 lightning bolts in a row successfully, but then get hit for what would've been the 181st bolt, the dodge counter will stop, and your "high score" would be 180. When I said "Reset" I meant that if you were to start dodging after getting hit, the counter would start at zero once again. BUT your high score of 180 will still be saved. The objective of the minigame is to get 200 dodges as a high score, so that means if you manged to dodge 200 lightning bolts in a row without getting hit, it doesn't matter how many times you get hit after that, you'll already have completed the challenge, and you can claim the sigil at the Inn.

This helped. I turned off the music and it helped me. I was able to dodge 108 lightning bolts, which was about 9 minutes on my timer. I'm feeling positive about it this time, and I know I can get it. This has haunted me for almost 20 years now. This is my 3rd play-through.

Take a break every 10 to 20 lightning dodges for about 10 seconds. I completed this for the first time in my life a few weeks ago.

I got to 188. And I never tried again. But I'm gonna give it one more shot with these tips. It's like late game free throws. They look easy. You know you got it. You've done so many. And you just choke.

i remember completing this on the ps2. don't leave the area, mute audio, focus when the screen turns white, dodge 50 bolts, pause to refocus/rest, repeat dodging another 50.

Awesome, didn't know about the crater trick. Just got 172 at the first try after previously not getting past 10.

I did this by using a code breaker to register 1 dodge as 200 back in the day lol

Wow wow wow! For somthing I thought I’d never do, this is amazing! Got 200 first try, and did 25 more just for extra measure. No sound helped a lot!

Best guide in this minigame out there. I put some music on and went to town. 324 consecutive bolts!

There's also a crater in the north field, near the exit, where lightning strikes at a much higher rate.

I'm upset that my biggest problem was that I lost count of how many I did and ended up with 428 consecutive dodges after listening to an entire album of blitzkid. Whenever I kept count I would have a fidget or miss my dodge.

Thanks for putting this out there now I can finally dodge lightning bolts in real life with a great strategy and idea of how to do it thanks to this amazing video.

20 years of playing this and you finally helped me get this one. Great suggestion regarding turning the sound off!

Just came back to the video to say thank you so much I’ve been playing this game for years and trying to do this challenge on and off and I was finally able to get it done first it was 96 in one go then got to 121 then I was on my phone with my bro talking for 35 minutes. Next thing I knew I had 211. You gave me the ultimate tip, which was mute the TV, because all I was doing after that, was focusing on the flash, and it helped severely.

Thank you for putting this together. I really appreciate your editing and patience in explaining the perfect technique to dodge all 200 lightning bolts. I'm definitely going to try this trick the next time I play.

I can already see this making all the difference. Will definitely try this on my next playthrough. Thanks for the pointers!!

I never knew this. That mini game was sooooo frustrating for me so I just made my own sudo-onion knight which ended up being a cactuar lol

Oh my God Finally! Thanks man, this is the first time I've ever completed the 200 Streak. Thanks for the Guide

Your tips are really good. I already did some of these tips, including the sound one. I have another alternative area, it is more risky, but it finishes in less time. In the lake close to the exit there is a kind of shelter. You must position Tidus near the tip of the lake (Towards the shelter). Then lightning will strike, Tidus jumps back, the moment the action ends and he turns to face the camera, another flash of lightning appears. It's really very close to each other. However, the time between one ray and another will always be the same as long as it is positioned in the same place. 1- Positioned Tidus near the tip of the lake; 2- First flash of lightning; 3- Escape from the first; 4- After the character jumps back and turns towards our screen, another flash appears and you press the button again to dodge. 5- I suggest taking notes so as not to lose count. 6- If you want take a rest, put PAUSE.

It helped me when i counted in batches of 25, pause for 20 secs to reset myself and restart my count. Less nervous that way. Got it after 5 attempts so delighted to get it

For me I prefer dodging my lightning in the North Section. Entering from the Travel Agency side, just like the crater, there's a spot where you can also force lightning to strike. what I like about this spot though is that its closer to the agency, but you can dodge two bolts. One for when you reach the sweat spot, and another immediately after you've dodged the first one, allowing to you to clear the challenge much faster and not have to walk so far to claim your prize

The 20 minute timer is the only tip I had never done. I usually break every 10, marking somewhere each time until 200 total. That is a ridiculous way to do it. Thank you for the idea. Counting adds another element you have to think about, similar to the game sounds. I'm not sure when I will try to get the weapons again, so I hope I remember to use a timer once I DO try.

Thank you again for this tips video! I am about to try again. I commented over a year ago and still haven't tried for some reason.

100% saving this for my next playthrough…just need that damn dodger chocobo one too lol.

"Unnecessary?" I disagree! Glad to have someone making these kind of videos. I've always had trouble with the minigames. I think the only time I EVER managed to get ALL of the Ultimate Weapons was my first, 750 hour, play through on PS2. Unfortunately, for some reason, it is also the only time I EVER had a corruption happen. The file literally corrupted right after I FINALLY beat the Chocobo Race...

This is the one crest/sigil I’ve never gotten. Can’t get past 5 much less 200

I'm at 50 dodges now and just paused it as the video was ending lol, I got this, so easy

I made it yesterday 🎉, it took me about 15 min, thank you very much for the help ❤

This video is very enlightening. It's moved FFX up from "Never gonna play this game" to "Maaaaybe, after I exhaust all other options." I enjoyed this game on the PS2 and should deserve some respect, and this video shows what is possible. ;)

Here's another tip: If you do decide to count your dodges, I would recommend counting to 25, taking a small (or large) break at the pillar, then starting back from 0. This may seem like it would be ineffective, but it works great for people who feel pressure after 100 or so lightning strikes. I managed to get 129 without doing chunks of 25, then the second I started doing chunks of 25 I got 250. Side note: There's a faster version of the crater technique I discovered in about 3 hours of practice. It's a bit difficult to explain, but you can do a small loop between the crater and the path. The trick is to go slightly under the lightning rod then immediately go back to the crater so there's less wasted time walking back and forth. This will help truncate the amount of time needed to complete this challenge quite significantly, and it's consistent enough to where I was able to do a new game and do the challenge again in one attempt.

You can also Tap Square or Circle if you accidentally tapped X early. You gotta be quick but if you're fast and hit O then X again you'll dodge it

This video helped me so much, in a psychological way. I already knew the crater trick but wanted to search more tips and stumbled upon this video. I then tried this exact method (crater trick, no audio, set a timer and dont count), and got it first try! I've set a 20 min timer and did 30 more dodges just to be safe, and in the end i got 297 dodges! :D

Thanks again. Not the first time I’ve used this video.

Thanks for the help! Was able to dodge 247 consecutive bolts in 15:51. Managed to shrink the return trip to the lightning rod. There’s 3 dark holes in between the crater and the rod. About half way through the medium hole, the one slightly smaller than the one closest to the crater is the reset point. Since I got hit a couple times by barley not stepping halfway into the middle hole, I started running around the 3 holes then back to the crater. Nice time save. We can also stop right before the crater and have the scripted lightning only 2-3 steps away from those 3 holes. I found waiting for the lightning messes with my timing due to anticipation. So I ran around those 3 holes barely getting the lightning rod on screen then back to the craters lip, ever so slightly inside the crater I mashed dodge. Got it down to solid timing since I knew where I was gonna stand when the bolt struck so I preemptively pressed X as I got to the spot. Almost didn’t need the flash by the end of it. Lots of steps saved by getting to the edge of the reset point for bolts to strike again

Pain in the butt, but I did most of these tips and it worked. Note pay more attention to the big flash than where you are standing on the ground. A lot of people say you just have to stand in the same spot. Did this and the most I could get was 180. Only thing I did different here is that you don't have to run all the way to the pole. Halfway seems to be fine. I would do 20 at a time as well and take as long of a break as I needed. Ended up doing 250 in a row. So relived to have this challenge done. Now I just have to do butterflies, chocobo, and blitzball ._.'.

Never thought of turning the sound off. That'll surely help for when I eventually replay the game and torture myself with getting the weapons all over again haha.

Crater trick is great. I set a timer for 25 mins, to be extra sure I dodged enough. I had to turn off volume, stop counting, and just focus on watching the flashes. At one point, I overshot the crater, it didn't flash and I got hit. Lucikly, I did 18 minutes of dodging before I got hit and that was enough! Phew

After aaaaall these years I finally did it with your help! Thank you! 😁

Oh, I remember this trauma, I dodged it over 500x times (just to see if there were more items). I did the exact opposite for it 😅. I did turn the sound extra loud and just got into the sound rhythm of the thunder strikes. Sure, there are fake ones, but those sound different (more muffled) and you will be able to distinquish them easy enough. Should also make a note for the No Encounters auto-ability that weapons can have, since getting into battle will screw things up for the rhythm.

I never knew about the crater trick when I did it on the ps2. I ran around with the audio on low, with no encounters, and in a dark room so the flash would be more obvious. Was thinking about getting back into the remaster but was dreading this but with this trick it makes it seem so much easier.

I use the first lightning tower after the inn. Just before it, there is a spot that gives you two lightnings back to back. Dodge the first one, and immediately hold your direction back to the same spot for it to come back again.

In the ps2 era, we could save the dodges at the sphere point. In the remaster they fixed it to force us dodge 200 in a row with higher fps

Thanks man. Your video really helped me out. Especially the crater trick and the advice to kill volume. Probably played this game through 20 times and never knew to do either of those things. Did it on the second shot this time.

I actually done this twice believe it or not. I have platinumed this game and x-2.

I did this plenty of times on my PSVita and just did it for the first time on the Steam Version of the game and I can confirm this video was actually helpful even for ppl who already did it in the past. Dont panic and mash is super helpful to know as it can be tempting in order to correct. I can also confirm turning off audio helped a lot. I just did 232 dodges in a row first try just with these two infos alone.

Yo I tried your crater trick and I got it in my first try! Thanks bro 👍!!

Whoa... thanks, It took me many tries, but when you said, that turn game audio off would help, I did it on 1 try, THANKS A LOT !

Yooooooooooo!!! After 14 years I finally freaking got the sigil! Let's gooooo! Thank you so much for your tips! 254 bolts dodged

Don't count dodges, just set a timer 20-22 min out of sight. Turn off game sound and turn on some music and when timer goes off you did it.

19:51 217 bolts dodged. This video was such a big help!

Got it on my first try thanks to this video! Thank you so much!!!!

Grrrr!!!! Even with these tips, I never manage to get past, maximum, 30 dodges before I get hit. Even when I seem to hit the button at the right time, I’ll still get hit randomly.

Holy shit, this is the one thing I have never been able to accomplish in FFX in about 15 years now other than beating Penance & Dark Magus Sisters. I’ve heard of the “crater trick” before but I think I used a different crater and when it didn’t work I just didn’t bother looking into it more lol Gonna give this a definite try pretty soon!

Don't do it when you're half asleep or while your cat is pestering you for food.

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you

I loved your video truly great game tips with this mini game. I once played and beat the PlayStation 2 version of this game and beat this lightning dodger mini game with no game tips. That was one of the hardest game points i have ever played. Plus this mini game is possible to beat with lots of practice. Thanks for the game tips on this mini game I found it interesting.

Only ever dont this once years ago and about to attempt it again now i completed it in about 15 mins as i remember but am guna run the full 20min timer this time thanks for the video :)

One additional tip that I found helpful; playing in a dark room makes it a tad easier to react to the lightning flash

I counted to 50 4 times.. you only have to go around the 2nd black circle. was able to get it done in 11 minutes.

I didn't even understand WHEN I was supposed to dodge. Thanks! (btw the X button only works on the original 2001 NA PS2 version. All other versions use the Circle button (or whatever your talk/confirm/action button is)) EDIT: Got 189 dodges last night before I got too sleepy. Got 279 this morning woo!

Awesome video, got it on my 2nd try 😁 although I couldn't help counting lol

the first one definitely helps i didnt know about it and turning the music off i imagine would and not counting

These tips definitely help. I'm still struggling for dear life, getting hit at the 98 mark and having to start all over again, definitely the most infuriating "mini game" ever. The timer trick makes it feel more bearable, as i tend to lose count and start counting in 2s by accident when I want to finish counting faster.still feels impossible, will update when I finally succeed.

The hardest part is the concentration that it takes to do it. Another great tip is to take a break every five mins or so. Ive done this only once but man did that help.

Thank you so much! You’re tips helped me immensely & now I have my Onion Knight fully powered!!🙏🏼

The 6th mistake I make doing Lightning Dodging is doing Lightning Dodging in the first place

Turn off wireless connectivity with your controller in your ps menu and hard plug your controller in. Takes out input lag for the wireless controllers. 200 seems like a lot. Instead think of the challenge at 100, take a break, 100 more. Makes it mentally more manageable. As discussed, turn off sound, but also play at night in a darkened room. Really makes sensing the flashes easier.

Here is the point this minigame is time based with 1 strike hitting after 3 seconds the follow up after 7 seconds and from there every 7 seconds 1 bolt. What you basically do with the crater trick is you reset the timer to make it into a 3 seconds timer every time but because you have the way to cover you basically run 3 secs to the crater and 3 secs back + the dodgetime when you can't move for a short time. However not only the lightning rods have this effect also some of the cactuar stones as well like the one in the northwest near macalania which is also a safe spot from lightning but resets the timer to 3 secs afterwards. So instead of the crater trick you could also just stay in a corner where you are not pushed arround from dodging and stay there. I'm currently not 100% sure if other regions have other timings as as far as I remember from PS2 days there was another counter with 3 and 4 seconds in changing rotations when using the method in another map part namely south near the exit to Rins Inn. The 7 seconds I tested currently on PC remastered Version. (also I havwe the game on PS3 as well and allways got the 200 lightning strikes ;) (yeah nothing better to do XD)

This already helped a bunch. Running to that crater is awesome. I’ve definitely lost my touch. Did it a few times years ago. Just had a spot where I would stand and dodge 5-6 then run back to that spot. Got it. Then loaded up my buddy’s save and got it for him too. Then the last time I did it. I didn’t count at all. Figuring when I got to a high number I’d choke but couldn’t remember if the game told you when you dodged that many. Ended up dodging a little over 300. This time I’m running to the crater because I suck at it now. Lol. Lulu’s weapon is soooo good. Maybe this time I’ll try to get wakkas too. But blitzball sucks ass

This is definitely 200 times easier than the chocobo race for the sun sigil

i just got this done today for the first time EVER

That crater is not the only spot where the lightning is consistent. There's a spot in the north section where lightning strikes at a much faster rate, AND you can run in circles. There's also a slight delay (introduced in the remaster) when it comes to the button press, but aside from that it's a pretty straightforward minigame. Not sure why people have so much trouble with it. I got Lulu's sigil after like an hour of practice. Tidus' sigil is definitely the worst based off of sheer difficulty, and Wakka's is probably the most tedious. Some might also say Khimari's is pretty bad, but I got his in like 2 hours. Everyone else's is cake.

Great video. This helped out a lot. Way easier than the the chocobo minigame trophies.

First mistake: Getting hit by lightning instead of dodging it

Thank you for these tips! Im setting a timer to 22 min rn

these seem like really good tricks. if I ever try again, i will have to follow this guide.

got this on PS2 back in the days)) didn't know about crater trick, but i figured out that the audio was distracting, so played without sound. and yes, it seemed impossible at first, but after a few attempts, it worked. _stil think this whole minigame is ridiculous tho_

Thank you I got it I’m crying 😢

2/3 play troughs when it came out. On the first play Remastered, I got it. All I can say is THANK YOY

This wasn't easy, but I actually got through it somewhat smoother than I anticipated. I think I played it very similar, but it wasn't this particular spot/crater. I recall having a hellish time with the Chocobo catching. I wanted it bad too. It's how you get Tidus's ultimate weapon. I think it was the only one I gave up on. Frustrating! Bliztball was a pain in the ass too. I hated that game with a passion 😅 I think I got very lucky there.

When I did this whilst running through the thunderplanes 🤣 had no Idea you could use the crater

I wonder why so many people think this is the most frustrating mini game in ffx? It is extremely challenging but at least if you do it perfectly you can get it some day. And think about it, it’s hard because you are dodging a bolt which is kind of impossible in the real life. On the other hand, the sun sigil thing is so much more luck dependent and irritating. And why would birds suddenly fly so low to hit pedestrians in the face? How stoned are they ?

when i played ffx on PS2 more than 15y ago, i have finished this quest at a random place... i remeber exactly, 3 bolts fast, short break and again 3 bolts, and so on. i think i needed 200 tries till i finished ... now i was motivated to create a new score and when i came to this game i wasnt able to dodge even 1 bolt... 😆 at least with the crater i was able to dodge 100 till now... i believe it will be one of the last trophy i ll get, just to get the platine trophy😄

I hate all minigames in FFX, I'm appreciate your help though, very clearly explained I just can't react fast enough to do it.

Back on ps2 did it in the north part in an hour, cant wait to do it again

#6 dont miscount after a break, i stopped at 189 lol

I finally did it. 232 in a row. Now lulu is fantastic to use cause mp useage has decreased drastically 😎👍🍻

Thanks for your 'changing the area tip' - I was very close to getting the 200 after 30 mins... But did not get it.

I've just got Lulu's celestial weapon, by dodging around the save sphere where I fought against dark Ixion aeon, I dodge the lightning for 50 times and save the game and it's work!!!. the dodges are continue to count after I reload the save.

Fantastic content, First time subscriber and I can't wait to give this a try.

After 20 years and played it this year i still manage to nailed it, my trick is just pause, if your eyes got teary pause, i pause every 50 dodge, its easy for me and its working 😁😁😁

I honestly took a break every 10 dodges. It really helps to break it up and I work better with mini goals. Hopefully this comment helps someone!

Thank you for the vid. I did the 200 on ps3. Now i have ps5 and the save didn’t transfer, I’ve been dreading redoing it, using this video for motivation 😭

Thx Thx Thx your tipps Safe my Life many from them i Know but the Sound to 0 was a Changer again Thx and Like the Video

I completed this on two playthroughs, then just used a cheat code. I am never, ever, ever, doing this again. EVER!

I just dont think about it and do it untill i get sick of it. Having someone to talk to is helpful

This helped immensely! Thank you!

From the minor testing ive done while dodging 200 lightning strikes the two small craters by Tidus feet at 1:59 are roughly the point at which you can turn around and get another lighting strike consistently. Every once in a blue moon youll get nothing. Just run back to the pillar and then go back to business as usual. In the 200 strikes it might happen roughly 5 times. If youre worried go all the way like the video says. If youre confident try to cut back a little earlier. THAT SAID IF YOURE COUNT IS HIGH PLAY IT SAFE

To cut the time to about 13 min, stand still in crater, dodge, and you will have jumped out of the crater. Run back in and another bolt comes right after. Stand in it again and repeat. You can knock two out in the same time it takes you to run and reset.

I screwed up at 176 and now I gotta figure out where I can buy a length of rope. 783. I wanted to make sure I had over 200 and was listening to a podcast for like an hour.