Battle Square

The Battle Square, also known as battle arena, or the Colosseum, is a section of the Gold Saucer in Final Fantasy VII. It is a battle arena where the player selects a single character and fights in a gauntlet-style match, facing eight enemies in a row to earn points to exchange for prizes.
The Battle Square is first visited in "Sanctuary of Amusement" after Cait Sith joins, when the party meets Dio, but its battles are not open to the player. They become available following "The Desert Prison", after the player acquires the buggy. The player must participate in one mandatory battle in "Secret Date", Dio tells the party he'll give them the Keystone if Cloud agrees to "entertain" him. After Meteor is summoned, when Cloud rejoins the party, the Battle Square is open once again with a variety of very valuable prizes. Cloud also may become eligible for a special round at the arena.
Starting a battle at the Battle Square earns the Battle Square achievement in the PC version re-release of Final Fantasy VII.
==Layout==
===Overview===
The Battle Square is one of the eight zones in the Gold Saucer, and the fifth from the left from the Gold Saucer's entrance. It is accessible from all zones. The player enters the Battle Square from its entrance.
The Battle Square is divided into various locations. The main attraction is the arena accessed during battles, and the player will otherwise spend their time in the arena lobby. The Battle Square houses Dio's museum, a showroom off to the side of the lobby. A secluded area beyond the lobby is a room where prisoners can be trapped and thrown into the Corel Prison.
===Entrance===
The Entrance ("Battle Square" in the menu) is the first location of Battle Square and the only way to access it. It has eight doorways leading to the other areas of the theme park, each titled above with the Battle Square's name in a unique color. A doorway to the Gold Saucer entrance appears on either side.
A purple-carpeted stairway leads to the Square's attraction. From the outside it appears like a castle, a drape on purple cloth depicting a sword and shield on either side. Beneath the drapes lights shine a ray of yellow and purple into the sky. The door leads into the arena lobby. In the center above the entrance is a shield symbol with two-crossed swords.
On the player's first visit to the Battle Square in "Sanctuary of Amusement", a male staff will prevent them from climbing the stairs, citing renovations. When the player returns after recruiting Cait Sith from the Wonder Square, they will find a falling guard and Cloud will run into the lobby. When the player returns from "The Desert Prison" onward, a man will tell of the curator's collection displayed at the arena, but he will no longer be here after the "That Which Waits in the Northernmost Reaches" events at Part 2.
A woman standing next to the long stairs can be found here on the player's return. Speaking to her (she appears only after the party was jailed), selecting "That's the idea", and then beating the eighth round at the arena and speaking to her again, earns Sprint Shoes. Beating either the Special Match or the regular match counts. If one chooses "Not interested", even after winning eight consecutive battles, she'll disappear, and the player won't get the accessory. She only gives the accessory once.
Whenever the player enters the entrance their BP will become 0, meaning every time the player exits the lobby they will lose their accumulated points.
===Arena Lobby===
The Arena Lobby is where the player can sign up for battles and earn rewards. To the left and right of the entrance are machines where the player can spend accumulated BP on prizes. A man standing by the machine on the right will explain the Battle Square, but only once. At the back of the room in the corners are two help desks whose staff allow players to sign-up for matches.
In the center at the back and up some stairs is a door into the arena. Above the door is a sign with a skull and the word "CHALLENGER". On the left and right are blue drapes with the symbol of the sword and shield like the ones at the entrance. A purple carpet runs down the middle of the room. On the right hand side is a doorway with the sign "DIOs SHOW ROOM" leading to Dio's Museum.
The first time the player is here a number of gunned-down Shinra infantrymen will lie on the floor, and Dio and security apprehend the player party. The party will then run on into the arena.
===Dio's Museum===
Dio's Museum , also known as Dio's Show Room, can be entered from the arena lobby. The area is bordered with Dio's prized possessions. At the back of the room is a portrait of Dio, while the center-piece remains empty for a portion of the game, otherwise containing the Keystone.
The player must enter this area after obtaining the Tiny Bronco to take the Keystone. Dio asks Cloud to enter the arena, but the player earns the Keystone regardless if they escape, are defeated, or if they succeed in all eight battles. The player earns no BP from the battles, but if they win all eight, Dio awards the player with a Protect Vest and a Choco Feather.
Cup Trophy FF7.png|Star Cup 
Clock Trophy FF7.png|Weekend Clock 
Blimp Trophy FF7.png|
Plant Trophy FF7.png|Laugh Sapling 
Jar Trophy FF7.png|Slayer's Pot 
Funny Statue TrophyFF7.png|Chisa's Mask 
Dio2.PNG|Dio's Portrait 
Diving Suit TrophyFF7.png|D Type Equipment 
Balloon Trophy FF7.png|Hot Air Balloon 
Wine Glass Trophy FF7.png|Zauger's Cup 
Gourd Trophy FF7.png|Calling Gourd 
Urn Trophy FF7.png|Kleine's Pot 
Keystone.png|Keystone 
===Arena===
The Arena is an area visited only briefly. In the center of the location is where the fights occur. The arena is down a flight of stairs, and has a walkway around it and a moat of purple water. In the center a phrase is written on the circle surrounding the arena: "The brave do not fear the grave." At the back of the arena is an entrance to the Gateway to Heaven room.
The arena is entered when the player chooses to fight at the Battle Square, and starts with the player running into the arena and preparing for battle before the actual battle begins. The player is chased into the area during the story where they are surrounded by security robots that take the party into the Gateway to Heaven.
Although the player can never control the character in this room, exits are still programmed. This is evidence that the Gateway to Heaven room is behind the arena, which is otherwise only transitioned do by fading to black from the arena.
===Gateway to Heaven===
The Gateway to Heaven is a slime-covered stone room behind the arena. In the center is a circular trapdoor with the text "GATEWAY TO HEAVEN" around it. The door is operated by a machine in the corner. This gate is used to bring monsters for battle, the chains on the wall are used to restrain them.
The area is visited when Cloud and his active party are arrested by Dio. The security robots grab the prisoners and jump down the gate into Corel Prison.
==Arena minigame==
===Rules===
The player pays 10 GP to participate. The player must first select a party member to fight with, who is then sent into the arena. They fight a battle, after which they see how many Battle Points they have accumulated, and are allowed to choose to continue or quit. If they continue on, a slot reel appears and spins, giving the player a handicap based on the result. The player continues fighting until they either quit, win all eight matches, or are defeated.
If the player loses, they receive a worthless consolation prize. If they quit or win, they receive Battle Points (BP). BP can be exchanged for items (see below) at the Battle Square, including Cloud's ultimate Limit Break manual, Omnislash. BP is reset when the player leaves the Battle Square, so players should attempt to expend all points before exiting.
However the player enters the Battle Square, is how they leave the Battle Square. HP and MP return to the values as before entering, and if one were to go in with a full Limit Break bar, one would leave the Battle Square with a full Limit Break bar, regardless of whether they used a Limit in the battle. Status effects that one enters the Battle Square with remain intact, such as Fury or Sadness. Because no Battle Results are shown even after winning all battles, the player will not earn Experience Points or Ability Points, and the enemies killed in Battle Square do not count toward learning new Limit Breaks.
Because the player's status returns to the moment they were in before entering the Battle Square battles, the player cannot learn Enemy Skills from the monsters there; even if it appears the skill was learned, it will be gone from the Materia when the player is returned to the field. Any used items, however, will be lost from the player's inventory, and the player is still able to morph opponents into items and steal from them.
===Enemies===
The monsters in the Battle Square change depending on the point in the game the player is at. There are two "pools" of enemies from which the encounters are drawn at random, and the chance of ending with Group A or Group B is equal. Many types of enemies are found in either pool, and the enemies in the final rounds are always the same in both Group A and Group B. Some of the enemies encountered in the Battle Square are very rare and dangerous, including the Stilva, Malboro, Blue Dragon, Ghost Ship, and the Serpent.
Arena enemies have twice as many hit points as they normally do, and their Attack and Magic Attack receive a 25% boost, making them stronger than regular encounters.
Two enemies, the Ho-chu and Tonberry, are fought exclusively in the Battle Square. Both enemies were originally intended to be fought elsewhere, however, the formations cannot be fought by ordinary means in the final game. Ho-chu was planned to be an inescapable encounter in the Ancient Forest, and Tonberry an encounter in the Whirlwind Maze. Its counterpart, the Master Tonberry, can still be found within the final dungeon areas of the Northern Cave.
====Until Tiny Bronco becomes available====
Available immediately after getting the buggy.
Battle 	Group A 	Group B
1st Battle	305: 2x Mono Drive310: 2x Grunt313: 3x Grunt325: 1x Guard Hound 	326: 2x Guard Hound327: 1x Grashtrike331: 2x Chuse Tank333: 3x Grashtrike
2nd Battle	360: 3x Blugu369: 2x Hedgehog Pie376: 2x Whole Eater389: 2x Sahagin, 1x Ceasar 	368: 3x Hedgehog Pie377: 1x Whole Eater, 2x Hedgehog Pie388: 3x Ceasar395: 1x Sweeper
3rd Battle	396: 2x Cripshay, 1x Deenglow398: 3x Ghost399: 2x Ghost, 1x Deenglow400: 1x Eligor 	397: 2x Deenglow401: 3x Deenglow404: 2x Aero Combatant411: 1x Eligor
4th Battle	427: 2x Sword Dance436: 1x Moth Slasher444: 2x Brain Pod449: 1x Vargid Police, 1x Zenene	425: 1x Sword Dance428: 3x Sword Dance438: 2x Moth Slasher445: 1x Brain Pod
5th Battle	032: 1x Devil Ride044: 3x Kalm Fang049: 3x Levrikon053: 2x Elfadunk 	033: 2x Custom Sweeper048: 1x Levrikon, 2x Mu054: 1x Levrikon, 2x Elfadunk059: 2x Levrikon
6th Battle	472: 2x Madouge436: 3x Castanets444: 3x Crawler, 1x Ark Dragon449: 5x Crawler 	473: 2x Madouge, 3x Crawler477: 4x Castanets478: 2x Castanets, 1x Ark Dragon, 1x Crawler484: 4x Scrutin Eye
7th Battle	064: 2x Nerosuferoth066: 1x Zemzelett075: 5x Capparwire093: 4x Beachplug 	065: 2x Nerosuferoth, 1x Formula071: 2x Formula072: 1x Zemzelett083: 1x Nerosuferoth, 2x Capparwire
8th Battle	070: 1x Hell Rider VR2085: 1x Grangalan479: 2x Bagnadrana102: 1x Harpy 	070: 1x Hell Rider VR2085: 1x Grangalan479: 2x Bagnadrana102: 1x Harpy
====When Tiny Bronco is available====
Available before passing beyond the third atmospheric wall in the Whirlwind Maze. 
Battle 	Group A 	Group B
1st Battle	525: 1x Bullmotor526: 2x Bullmotor095: 2x Spencer107: 4x Flapbeat 	100: 2x Joker117: 1x Flapbeat118: 2x Flapbeat119: 3x Spencer, 1x Flapbeat
2nd Battle	108: 1x Grand Horn109: 2x Gagighandi110: 2x Grand Horn136: 1x Crown Lance 	113: 3x Gagighandi114: 2x Gagighandi492: 3x Needle Kiss494: 1x Needle Kiss, 1x Search Crown, 1x Bagnadrana
3rd Battle	528: 1x Kimara Bug534: 1x Flower Prong538: 1x Heavy Tank115: 1x Gagighandi, 2x Touch Me 	529: 1x Touch Me530: 2x Kimara Bug532: 1x Flower Prong536: 1x Heavy Tank
4th Battle	120: 3x Bagrisk125: 1x Griffin126: 1x Golem129: 2x Desert Sahagin 	121: 1x Griffin122: 2x Desert Sahagin127: 2x Skeeskee, 1x Griffin134: 2x Crown Lance
5th Battle	124: 3x Skeeskee540: 4x Heg543: 3x Sneaky Step553: 2x Gi Spector 	542: 2x Heg, 1x Sneaky Step545: 5x Heg548: 1x Sneaky Step, 3x Heg554: 3x Gi Spector
6th Battle	144: 2x Bahba Velamyu146: 6x Battery Cap148: 3x Nibel Wolf150: 2x Nibel Wolf, 1x Velcher Task 	145: 4x Battery Cap, 1x Valron149: 2x Velcher Task155: 3x Valron144: 2x Bahba Velamyu
7th Battle	569: 4x Black Bat582: 1x Sonic Speed, 2x Kyuvilduns589: 3x Twin Brain592: 2x Screamer, 1x Twin Brain	568: 3x Black Bat581: 3x Kyuvilduns584: 3x Sonic Speed596: 5x Kyuvilduns
8th Battle	558: 1x Ghirofelgo573: 1x Ying, 1x Yang591: 1x Zuu599: 1x Dragon 	558: 1x Ghirofelgo573: 1x Ying, 1x Yang591: 1x Zuu599: 1x Dragon
====After acquiring Highwind====
Available after "Searching for the You of That Day", when the Gold Saucer reopens.
Battle 	Group A 	Group B
1st Battle	604: 3x Razor Weed606: 2x Jayjujayme, 1x Bizarre Bug609: 2x Foulander610: 3x Foulander 	613: 2x Garuda614: 2x Jayjujayme, 1x Garuda617: 3x Garuda182: 2x Dual Horn
2nd Battle	179: 1x Adamantaimai185: 2x Under Lizard186: 1x Tonadu190: 2x Kelzmelzer 	177: 2x Bizarre Bug, 1x Tail Vault180: 1x Under Lizard187: 1x Tonadu189: 5x Slaps
3rd Battle	641: 1x Doorbull642: 3x Ancient Dragon647: 3x Toxic Frog, 1x Jemnezmy650: 2x 8 eye 	636: 1x Doorbull640: 2x Ancient Dragon645: 2x Toxic Frog, 1x Jemnezmy651: 2x 8 eye
4h Battle 	192: 1x Vlakorados194: 2x Trickplay656: 1x Boundfat, 3x Malldancer668: 1x Acrophies 	661: 1x Trickplay, 2x Boundfat201: 2x Jumping209: 2x Ice Golem212: 1x Hippogriff
5th Battle	672: 3x Shred692: 2x Lessaloploth696: 1x Magnade210: 3x Jumping 	673: 2x Frozen Nail674: 2x Shred, 1x Frozen Nail680: 1x Lessaloploth694: 1x Snow, 1x Lessaloploth
6th Battle	705: 1x Stilva713: 1x Cuahl, 2x Headbomber727: 2x Gremlin, 1x Sculpture732: 1x Ironite, 2x Wind Wing	700: 3x Headbomber706: 2x Headbomber, 1x Zolokalter711: 3x Evilhead712: 2x Cuahl
7th Battle	701: 1x Malboro714: 1x Blue Dragon721: 1x Gigas731: 1x Dragon Rider 	724: 3x Gremlin730: 2x Wind Wing733: 2x Ironite956: 1x Tonberry
8th Battle	804: 1x Serpent227: 1x Sea Worm795: 1x Ho-chu765: 1x Ghost Ship 	804: 1x Serpent227: 1x Sea Worm795: 1x Ho-chu765: 1x Ghost Ship
===Battle Points and prizes===
The player always starts with 10 points and goes on to win more Battle Points for the second and successive matches, i.e. every time they take a handicap. The handicap determines the amount of points awarded, worse handicaps giving better BP, but this is only noticeable for the final rounds. If the player wins all matches, or if they choose to quit between battles, they get to take away the BP they had accumulated; no points are awarded if the player is killed or petrified in battle. BP are awarded even if the player uses Escape magic or Smoke Bombs, but not if the player uses the Escape battle menu command. The maximum BP one can obtain in one run is 12,586. After various runs the player can accumulate a maximum of 65,000 BP, in which if it get more BP these will be lost.
The Battle Points can be redeemed for items at the terminals, but if at any time the player leaves the Battle Square, their Battle Points reset to zero. Prizes may be purchased multiple times, with the exception of the Omnislash manual and the W-Summon Materia, which can be purchased only once.
====Prizes====
 Prizes obtainable from terminals, and their costs (in BP)
Prize 	Before Tiny Bronco	After Tiny Bronco	After Highwind
Potion 	80 	N/A 	N/A
Phoenix Down 	160 	100 	N/A
Shrapnel 	320 	N/A 	N/A
Ether 	640 	N/A 	N/A
Remedy 	N/A 	200 	100
Memmet Greens 	1280 	400 	N/A
Fury Ring 	2560 	N/A 	N/A
Enemy lure 	5120 	800 	250
Bird Wing 	N/A 	1600 	N/A
S-Mine 	N/A 	3200 	N/A
Right Arm 	N/A 	N/A 	500
Pre-Emptive 	10240 	6400 	1000
Regan Greens 	N/A 	N/A 	2000
Speed Plus 	20480 	12800 	4000
Stardust 	N/A 	N/A 	8000
Championship Belt	40960 	25600 	16000
Omnislash 	N/A 	51200 	32000
W-Summon 	N/A 	N/A 	64000
===Handicaps===
After each battle, the player must spin a slot reel; depending on what they stop the reel on, they receive a certain handicap. Some handicaps can be avoided, or their effects minimized, with equipment. The player receives more BP the worse handicaps they get, and the later the round they have fought to—if they receive the "All Materia is broken" handicap on the eighth fight, they will win over 10,000 BP. So while taking larger handicaps on purpose is risky, it can be rewarding.
The player can slow the reels slightly by tapping or switch. Another trick is to hold or switch, which would stop spinning the reel; however, it also hides the graphics of the reel. The player will want to stop the reel at the handicap before the one they want shows up. Once the reel is stopped, one must quickly let go of or switch and tap or ok. With some practice on the timing, the player should be able to stop the reel at the desired handicap.
The first reel determines the results on all subsequent reels, as getting a reel with only one handicap will cause all subsequent reels to roll only one handicap as well, with a different handicap each time up until around match 6. If the player gets this unfortunate pattern, the reels will never spin a handicap the player would be immune to. The player may also get a pattern where they find a positive "handicap" in every reel. Another common pattern is for the reels to contain a specific handicap once on each reel, usually a status. This may still occur when the player has an immunity to that status, so the player can potentially get the same result for every reel and have no effect; however, the status handicaps do not offer significant BP.
The seventh and eighth matches earn much more BP than the earlier rounds; the amount awarded for taking handicaps is multiplied by successively higher numbers as the matches progress, with the last two being markedly higher.
Numbers marked in italics denote that the handicap cannot be earned in that round in normal gameplay.
Handicap	Symbol	Effect 	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round	Battle Points, at round
Handicap	Symbol	Effect 	2 	3 	4 	5 	6 	7 	8 	
 	 	The player is no longer able to use Magic Materia. Any stat changes caused by equipped Magic Materia are negated. 	15 	28 	58 	145 	445 	1755 	9425 	
 	 	The player is no longer able to use Summon Materia. Any stat changes caused by equipped Summon Materia are negated. 	10 	18 	37 	90 	276 	1127 	6527 	
 	 	The player's Support Materia breaks. Any stat changes caused by equipped Support Materia are negated. 	10 	18 	37 	91 	281 	1159 	6808 	
 	 	The player's Independent Materia breaks. Any stat changes caused by equipped Independent Materia are negated. 	11 	20 	40 	99 	301 	1196 	6645 	
 	 	The player is no longer able to use Command Materia. Any stat changes caused by equipped Command Materia are negated. 	5 	8 	17 	41 	132 	633 	4983 	
 	 	All of the player's Materia breaks. Any stat changes caused by equipped Materia are negated. 	15 	28 	59 	149 	463 	1866 	10000 	
 	 	The player's accessory breaks, negating whatever effects it had. 	10 	18 	35 	84 	248 	953 	5083 	
 	 	The player can no longer use items. 	13 	23 	48 	118 	355 	1368 	7201 	
 	 	The player's defenses decrease. Any elemental resistance acquired by the armor is negated. The player is still able to use any Materia equipped on their armor. The effect is cumulative. 	10 	17 	33 	73 	194 	654 	2903 	
 	 	The player's attack power sharply decreases. The player is still able to use any Materia equipped on their weapon. The effect is cumulative. 	15 	27 	57 	140 	419 	1602 	8246 	
 	 	Character's speed is halved; differs from Slow. The effect is cumulative. 	5 	7 	11 	19 	35 	77 	202 	
 	 	Inflicts Small on the player. 	5 	8 	16 	36 	108 	453 	2940 	
 	 	Inflicts Poison on the player. 	4 	6 	9 	16 	33 	82 	257 	
 	 	Inflicts Frog on the player. 	6 	10 	19 	44 	130 	520 	3069 	
 	 	The player receives damage equivalent to how long they have been fighting - the longer they have been fighting, the more damage they take. The total game time (hours) * 30 is the damage done. If the calculated damage is greater than the character's current HP then their current HP will be reduced to 1.	9 	15 	26 	54 	130 	379 	1401 	
 	 	The player's level decreases by 5, reducing principally player’s physical and magical damage dealt to enemies. 	5 	8 	13 	25 	58 	166 	627 	
 	 	The player's level decreases by 10, reducing principally player’s physical and magical damage dealt to enemies. 	10 	16 	28 	53 	118 	308 	968 	
 	 	The player's max HP is halved (calculations based on current actual max value). Does not affect their current HP, unless their current HP is higher than half of their max HP. The minimum HP is capped at 10 . 	13 	22 	40 	84 	204 	591 	2119 	
 	 	The player's max MP is halved (calculations based on current actual max value). Does not affect their current MP, unless their current MP is higher than half of their max MP. The minimum MP is capped at 10 . 	12 	20 	36 	73 	173 	485 	1669 	
 	 	The player receives the above two handicaps. 	13 	22 	43 	94 	244 	775 	3134 	
 	 	The player's MP is reduced to zero. MP may still be recovered with items. 	11 	19 	33 	70 	171 	502 	1855 	
 	 	The player receives no handicap. 	7 	7 	7 	7 	7 	7 	7 	
 	 	The player's HP is restored equal to a half of the player's maximum HP. 	1 	1 	1 	1 	1 	1 	1 	
===Strategy===
It is recommended the player comes equipped with their character's strongest weapon and a powerful armor, and a Ribbon, if available. The Ribbon prevents status ailments, giving the player a handful of "safe" handicaps, as Small, Frog, and Poison will not affect them if they come up on the reel. The player can also pair an Added Effect Materia with a Hades Materia to protect against many status effects. The status effect Resist doesn't protect against statuses gained from the handicap reels, which can lead to a serious handicap, as once applied, the Resist status will prevent the player from removing the status with normal Esuna spells and healing items.
The player can make use of an Enemy Skill Materia with Big Guard (for Haste, Barrier and MBarrier), Magic Hammer (for replenishing MP) and Dragon Force (for boosted defense) learned. HP Plus, MP Plus and Luck Plus (for higher critical hit chance) Materia are also useful, as is a high-leveled Restore Materia. If the player's Materia breaks, or they lose all their MP due to a handicap, they should have several useful items to compensate. In endgame Elixirs and X-Potions can be easily obtained through the W-Item duplication bug, or stolen/dropped from enemies in the Northern Cave.
For a more physical-aggressive strategy, the use of Double Cut or Slash-All is recommended. If Slash-All is upgraded to Flash, the player can instantly dispatch most enemies in a single turn.
It is also useful to place the fighter in the back row to take less damage and use the Long Range Materia (or a character with a long range weapon). Equipping counterattack Materia and Sneak Attack lets the player perform more turns, and equipping multiple counterattack Materia at once also stacks.
The battles won't reward the player with EXP, AP or item drops, so it is good to prioritize defense against the number of Materia slots when choosing armor; e.g. the Gigas Armlet (stolen from Gigas), Adaman Bangle (stolen from Adamantaimai), or even Ziedrich (stolen from Turks:Rude) are good for Battle Square because of high defense, despite having few Materia slots. One of the best possible armor to use is the Mystile (found in Midgar during the Part 2 visit, and in the Northern Cave), as its defense and magic defense evade rates are high.
Most status effects, both positive and negative, carry on to consecutive battles, so if the player casts Haste or Big Guard in the first battle, Haste will carry through the entire match. Regen is a useful way to keep HP up without having to repeatedly heal. Death-sentence does not carry through to subsequent battles (even though fellow countdown status Slow-numb does).
If the player comes up against a Tonberry, one can easily become invulnerable by casting Death Force from the Enemy Skill Materia, which makes Tonberry's instant death move miss.
If the player ends up breaking their weapon, they can use Goblin Punch from the Enemy Skill Materia to bypass the effect, although it will do only 75% of the normal attack (however, it can deal critical hits), and the player must be wary of not getting the All Break handicap, at least not in the early stages.
Since the handicap timing that earns the most BP is at the seventh and eighth matches, and the handicap types that earn the most BP are "Magic Materia Breaks" and "All Materia Breaks", the highest BP combination cannot be won with Escape magic, only Smoke Bomb items.
If the All Lucky 7s effect activates on the Battle Square, the player enters the next battle with 7,777 HP after dispatching the enemies, but without the All Lucky 7s effect. A single command will reactivate it.
A sensible strategy to being successful in the Gold Saucer is to go in with a full LIMIT gauge and the Mime command. The player can mimic their Limit Break through every round so long as the Command Materia does not break and a counter is not set-up.
Another effective method of completing the Battle Square is to equip the following Materia and combinations: Magic Counter linked with Odin. Since enemies can attack first so often, the Magic Counter-Odin combination allows the player to eliminate entire rounds of enemies without taking an action. Odin could also be linked to Sneak Attack. The Independent Counter Attack Materia as well as the Support Counter Materia can also be used for great effect.
After obtaining the Highwind in Part 2, there is a quarter chance of facing the Ghost Ship enemy in the final round, who can use the Goannai ability to eject the player from battle. Using L4 Suicide, or throwing healing items at it, can easily dispatch the Ghost Ship. Morphing the Ghost Ship nets a unique item the player can give to the Kalm traveler.
===Special match===
If the player has bought Omnislash and W-Summon, had Cloud learn Omnislash, and they have acquired Cloud's Ultima Weapon, they can enter a special match only Cloud can participate in. The receptionist comments Cloud is probably strong enough to take on the top fighters, and asks if he would like to participate in a private battle. The special match is harder than the normal battles, and the prize is the Final Attack Materia that can be won once. The player must not use Smoke Bomb in the last battle of the round against Proud Clod; this will net all the BPs as expected, but will not earn the Final Attack Materia. The player must eliminate all eight enemies.
If the player participates and wins multiple special battles, they will win worthless trophy items, such as Dio's autograph. Winning the special battles ten times earns a Ribbon, but there are easier ways to obtain one at this point. The player will still have the option to participate in the regular Battle Square battles.
The prizes change depending on the number of times won:
Win count	Reward
1 	Final Attack Materia
2 	Autograph
3 	Combat Diary
4 	Gambler
10 	Ribbon
If the player's Materia inventory is full on the first win, the player will receive no prize, and will never be able to obtain the Final Attack Materia.
In all other times won, the player will a receive a random prize at the following rates:
Rate 	Reward
86/256	Autograph
86/256	Combat Diary
84/256	Gambler
The enemy line-up is as follows:
Battle	Enemy
1 	960: Sea Worm
2 	961: Ho-chu
3 	962: Unknown 3
4 	964: Serpent
5 	965: Wolfmeister
6 	968: Behemoth
7 	972: Maximum Kimaira
8 	973: Proud Clod, Jamar Armor
==Other appearances==
===Final Fantasy VII demo===
The Battle Square has appeared in a demo version of the PC port of Final Fantasy VII. The player must battle monsters as Cloud to win. The enemies fought on the rounds is an assortment of the same enemies that are fought in the full game after obtaining Highwind.
===Final Fantasy Record Keeper===
The Battle Square was the focal point for the Challenge Event The Battle Arena.
==Musical themes==
Like in the rest of the Gold Saucer, the eponymous theme "Gold Saucer" plays in the Battle Square. However, during the battles, "Hurry Up!" is played.
==Behind the scenes==
A commonly referred to mistranslation is used in the Battle Square: when the player is prompted whether or not they want to continue, they are given the options "Off course!" and "No, way!". This was corrected for the PC version to "Of course!" and "No way!".
The consolation prize "Tissue" has no value. The only conceivable purpose is to keep track of how many times one has participated in the battle arena. Tissues awarded as a "prize" may be a reference to advertising strategies in Japan (as well as China and Taiwan), as locals consider it crass to hand out ads, so they advertise by handing out items of marginal value instead. The artwork for the Tissue for Final Fantasy VII has an advertisement of the Honey Bee Inn on it.
"D Type Equipment", a piece in Dio's museum, refers to an episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion where Asuka Langley Sohryu fights an angel in magma and her armor is type D.
==Gallery==
VIIBC Gold Saucer - Battle Square.jpg|Battle Square in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-.
VIIBC Gold Saucer - Battle Square 2.jpg|Battle Square in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-.
==Notes==
===Annotations===
===Citations===
Category:Field gameplay in Final Fantasy VII
Category:Minigames in Final Fantasy VII