Thunder Plains (Final Fantasy X)

The Thunder Plains, also known as the Gandof Thunder Plains, is an open, barren landscape connecting Guadosalam to Macalania Woods in Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. It is constantly bombarded by rain and lightning bolts.
Long ago, crossing the plains was dangerous due to the never-ending storm, until an Al Bhed named Bilghen set up several towering lightning rods. Ironically, he was in the process of setting up the final tower when he was struck by lightning and killed. In Final Fantasy X, the plains are still treacherous, but the towers draw most of the lightning away.
The plains are named after High Summoner Gandof who removed the threat of Qactuars from the Djose continent by driving them to the Thunder Plains and sealing them into Qactuar Stones.
== Story ==
=== Final Fantasy X ===
The party crosses the plains on Yuna's pilgrimage to Zanarkand. Rikku is reluctant to pass the plains due to a severe case of astraphobia, eventually becoming so terrified she collapses on the ground and seizes Tidus by the leg. They camp at the travel agency where Yuna books a room to herself. Hearing voices emanating from her room Tidus becomes curious, but when he tries to eavesdrop he falls into Yuna's room as the door was not closed. Yuna was watching the sphere given to her by Jyscal Guado's unsent form, and makes up her mind to marry Seymour. Yuna leaves the room and Wakka chastises Tidus for spying on Yuna.
=== Final Fantasy X-2 ===
Following the start of the Eternal Calm, the Al Bhed have repaired the lightning towers to make the area safe for travelers, although the repairs have not completely stabilized them. Cid comes to the Thunder Plains after being admonished by Yuna, Rikku, and Paine at the Zanarkand Ruins, and spends his time in a silent reverie. The girls may also run into Lian and Ayde on the Thunder Plains in the northern section.
After Spira falls into turmoil the leaders of the three leading factions of the world go missing causing further conflict. The Gullwings want to do something to pacify the citizens of Spira and organize the "1000 Words" concert where Yuna is to sing on the deck of the Celsius on the Thunder Plains. They get Tobli from the Moonflow to promote the event and gather a crowd. A fiend has appeared and to snack on the spectators, but the Gullwings slay it before it can cause trouble.
Yuna begins her concert, and while performing, her Songstress dressphere interacts with the sphere display Shinra had made for the concert, displaying Lenne's final memories with Shuyin for everyone to see. Lenne's spirit appears by Yuna's side and joins in a duet with her, before disappearing. The storm ceases, the only recorded moment of it happening; the clouds have parted and the sun shines down on the barren plains. Yuna is emotionally drained after the experience and retreats to the Celsius's cabin, and by the time she awakes, the storm has resumed. Now knowing of Lenne's true feelings, Yuna decides to descend to the Farplane and find Shuyin to tell him how much Lenne had loved him, in hopes of bringing a peaceful end to the Vegnagun conflict.
The Gullwings can return to the Thunder Plains only to find it infested with fiends due to the sphere waves from the concert. After they defeat fiends at nine towers, the lightning isn't stopping and they investigate the tenth and final tower, where the Humbaba appears. After slaying the beast, a hole appears and an Al Bhed lets them in the newly discovered cave where they rescue Cid and bring him on board their airship.
== Locations ==
=== Thunder Plains - South ===
The journey from Guadosalam in the South can begin with some difficulty. The area is a barren wasteland with many water-filled craters made from the relentless thunder that strikes the plains.
All enemies, aside from the Melusine and Buer in the South area, use Thunder-elemental attacks almost exclusively, which hit hard. Lightning Ward is useful, but comes at a high price; eight Lightning Marbles can be obtained near the Farplane and can be used to create a Lightningproof armor to make a character virtually invincible in this area. NulShock and Ixion can also be used to afford the party easy travel through this first area.
=== Thunder Plains travel agency ===
Travelers can find respite from the storm here. The agency has rooms to stay and recover, as well as a shop that sells both items and weapons. The shop clerk Mifurey can be contracted into the Besaid Aurochs.
The travel agency has a chocobo rental sign outside even if this service is not available from this location.
=== Thunder Plains - North ===
The north plains have a similar landscape to the south; barren, dark and no particular landmarks aside from the lightning rod towers. The enemies encountered here use fewer elemental abilities that can be easily negated. The party can expect to encounter a new enemy as well: the Iron Giant. It hits hard but is susceptible to Power Break and Sleep. It is here Yuna announces to the party her answer to Seymour's proposal.
=== Secret areas ===
These are only available in Final Fantasy X-2.
;Fiend Haunt
The Fiend Haunt is a dungeon that is located in a small alcove on the right side of the South section of the Thunder Plains. Yuna must traverse the cave to defeat the fiend that threatens her concert.
;New Cave
The New Cave is located in the North section of the Thunder Plains area and can be accessed only in Chapter 5.
== Shops ==
=== Final Fantasy X ===
From Rin's Travel Agency. Items before the airship can also be bought from Rin. Available only if the player speaks to Rikku, then Rin three times inside the travel agency before meeting Yuna in her room. They will no longer be available after meeting Yuna in her room.
;Before airship
Item 	Price
Potion 	50 gil
Phoenix Down	100 gil
Antidote 	50 gil
Eye Drops 	50 gil
Echo Screen 	50 gil
Soft 	50 gil
Grenade 	300 gil
Map 	50 gil
Equipment 	User 	Price
Baroque Sword 	Tidus 	825 gil
Ductile Rod 	Yuna 	825 gil
Switch Hitter 	Wakka 	825 gil
Variable Mog 	Lulu 	825 gil
Halberd 	Kimahri	1,650 gil
Shimmering Blade	Auron 	1,650 gil
Devastator 	Rikku 	825 gil
Yellow Shield 	Tidus 	2,475 gil
Yellow Ring 	Yuna 	2,475 gil
Yellow Armguard 	Wakka 	2,475 gil
Yellow Bangle 	Lulu 	2,475 gil
Yellow Armlet 	Kimahri	2,475 gil
Yellow Bracer 	Auron 	2,475 gil
Yellow Targe 	Rikku 	2,475 gil
;After airship
Item 	Price
Potion 	50 gil
Hi-Potion 	500 gil
Phoenix Down 	100 gil
Antidote 	50 gil
Eye Drops 	50 gil
Echo Screen 	50 gil
Soft 	50 gil
Power Distiller 	100 gil
Mana Distiller 	100 gil
Speed Distiller 	100 gil
Ability Distiller	100 gil
Grenade 	300 gil
Map 	50 gil
Item 	User 	Price
Variable Steel 	Tidus 	41,625 gil
Malleable Staff 	Yuna 	41,625 gil
All-Rounder 	Wakka 	41,625 gil
Morphing Mog 	Lulu 	41,625 gil
Shapeshifter 	Kimahri	41,625 gil
Shiranui 	Auron 	41,625 gil
Flexible Arm 	Rikku 	41,625 gil
Protect Shield 	Tidus 	21,150 gil
Protect Ring 	Yuna 	21,150 gil
Protect Armguard	Wakka 	21,150 gil
Protect Bangle 	Lulu 	21,150 gil
Protect Armlet 	Kimahri	21,150 gil
Protect Bracer 	Auron 	21,150 gil
Protect Targe 	Rikku 	21,150 gil
=== Final Fantasy X-2 ===
Item 	Cost 	Chapters Available
Potion 	50 gil 	All
Hi-Potion 	500 gil 	3+
Phoenix Down 	100 gil 	All
Antidote 	50 gil 	All
Eye Drops 	50 gil 	All
Echo Screen 	50 gil 	All
Soft 	50 gil 	All
Holy Water 	300 gil 	All
Lightning Gleam	3,000 gil	All
Yellow Ring 	3,000 gil	All
NulShock Ring 	8,000 gil	All
== Quests ==
=== Final Fantasy X ===
==== Affection mechanics ====
* Outside the agency, if Tidus enters before Auron concedes to Rikku, Rikku's affection value increases by eight.
* Speaking to Rikku inside the travel agency before meeting Yuna in her room increases Rikku's affection value by eight.
* After speaking to Rikku inside the agency, Rin enters the foyer. If Tidus speaks with him, Rin will ask "Would that be Sir Auron by any chance?" Replying "Nope, wrong guy" will increase Auron's affection value by eight.
* As in every other location, when the party is spread out, the one Tidus talks to first gains affection points.
==== Lightning dodge ====
While on the Thunder Plains lightning can strike Tidus at any time, although the threat is increased when no towers are nearby. When the screen flashes white, if the player quickly presses , Tidus will jump out of the way of the impending lightning strike. If the player presses when there is no flash, Tidus will get struck by the next lightning strike. Getting struck by lightning incurs no loss of HP.
If Tidus dodges a certain number of lightning strikes in a row, a treasure chest will appear outside the travel agency. The player may only receive each prize once, but if they dodge a high number of lightning strikes, they will receive all the prizes up to and including the prize for the number of strikes they dodge. The counter will reset if the player gets struck by lightning, visits the screen in front of the travel agency, exits the Thunder Plains from either end, loads a save game, or selects the options "Play blitzball" or "Board airship" when examining a save sphere.
The player can keep track of their record by examining a book in the travel agency titled "All About Lightning". The book tracks how many lightning bolts struck towards Tidus, how many he dodged, and the most bolts he has dodged in a row.
Dodging 200 lightning strikes in the Final Fantasy X HD Remaster version earns the trophy/achievement Lightning Dancer.
If the player fled or defeated Dark Ixion in the first fight, there will be no lightning flashes in the Northern Plains until they have defeated Dark Ixion in the second fight. This also means that the Qactuar stones will not glow, and thus cannot be prayed at. This can only happen in the International, PAL, and HD Remaster versions.
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The player can use the "crater trick" to facilitate the process. In the Thunder Plains - South, there is a crater that forces a lightning strike. This crater is just south of the agency next to a lightning tower between the two crevices on either side of the map. Every time Tidus steps into this crater after the first time, a bolt is guaranteed to come down. Knowing when the bolts will strike and how the game allows it to slightly preempt the flash by half a second or so, makes this minigame a lot easier. The player needs to move a short distance away for it to trigger again, but it's still only a few seconds between each dodge. One may not need to move away at all, but simply stand in the crater and be ready. It appears to take no more than a couple of seconds for a strike to hit. Additionally, if one stands on the "north" edge of the crater, dodges the first bolt, and lands still in the crater a second bolt will strike instantly, meaning one can do two at once. This makes for a very quick 200 dodges. It is advisable to have the No Encounters ability.
Dodges	Prize
5 	X-Potion x2
10 	Mega-Potion x2
20 	MP Sphere x2
50 	Strength Sphere x3
100 	HP Sphere x3
150 	Megalixir x4
200 	Venus Sigil
Additional rewards:
* 30 combined bolts dodged or struck by: Ether
* 80 combined bolts dodged or struck by: Elixir
In Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, when Tidus summons Ramuh, he says "Show them how hard it is to dodge lightning!" as an allusion to this minigame.
==== Qactuar stones ====
There are numerous stones dotted around the south and north areas of the Thunder Plains, that when prayed at, summon Qactuars to roam about the plains. In total there are two Qactuar stones in the south area, and six Qactuar stones in the north area. A stone is prayed at by pressing in front of it while it is glowing. If one prays at three different stones, a Qactuar Ghost will appear near the center of the southern Thunder Plains area. The player must then follow it to a broken tower in the southern section of the plains and pray at it. This will reveal a treasure chest containing Kimahri's Celestial Weapon, the Spirit Lance. The chest can only be unlocked if the party has the Celestial Mirror.
==== Dark Ixion ====
In the International, PAL, and HD Remaster versions, Dark Ixion can be fought on the plains. He is available after viewing the arrival cutscene in the Calm Lands. He is encountered twice, the first by talking to a Yevon soldier and after that, by finding him after a lightning strike, both occur in the northern section.
=== Final Fantasy X-2 ===
==== Tower re-calibration ====
The lightning tower calibration minigame can be played in Chapter 2 and 3. To start, the player must talk to the Al Bhed Technician by the first tower twice. The player receives prizes in Chapter 5 depending on how many times they calibrated a tower (maximum is 30). Finishing this minigame gives no story completion %, nor is playing it required for an Episode Complete.
==== Chocobo treasures ====
Sending a chocobo to Thunder Plains to look for treasures finds the following items (depending on the chocobo's level):
Level	Treasure
1 	Electro Marble, Electro Marble x2, Electro Marble x3, Electro Marble x4
2 	Lightning Marble, Lightning Gem, Yellow Ring, Ochre Ring
3 	Lightning Marble x2, Lightning Gem x2, Lightning Gleam, Short Circuit
4 	Lightning Marble x3, Lightning Gem x3, NulShock Ring, Electrocutioner
5 	Lightning Marble x4, Lightning Gem x4, Black Choker, Chaos Shock
==== Missions ====
===== Concert Clean-Up =====
:Note: This is a compulsory mission which is required to complete the game.
A fiend has crawled out from beneath the earth. Exterminate it so concertgoers can listen to your song without any distractions!
* Objective: Defeat the boss fiend.
* Unlock: Becomes available after "Where's Tobli" mission.
* Reward: Black Ring accessory.
The mission is part of Chapter 4.
===== A Fallen Genius? =====
:Note: This is not a compulsory mission, thus is not required to complete the game.
Frenzied fiends are feeding off the energy stored in the lightning rod towers. Destroy every last one of the fiends clinging to the towers.
* Objective: Defeat the fiends at each tower.
* Unlock: Becomes available at the beginning of Chapter Five.
* Reward: Valiant Lustre Garment Grid, an Al Bhed Primer.
The mission becomes available in Chapter 5.
==== Episode Complete ====
The lightning rod towers are back to normal, and Cid is finished with his work in the area.
To get Episode Complete the player must fulfill the following requirements: 
* Chapter 1 - Yuna must tell Cid she doesn't agree with him having made Zanarkand into a tourist attraction at the Chamber of the Fayth in Zanarkand.
* Chapter 2, 3 – The player must find and speak with Cid on the Thunder Plains.
* Chapter 4 – The player must complete the concert events.
* Chapter 5 - The player must rescue Cid from the New Cave.
The tower re-calibration minigame isn't required for either Episode Complete, nor 100% game completion.
== Items ==
=== Final Fantasy X ===
* Phoenix Down x2
* Hi-Potion x2
* 5000 gil
* Water Ball
* Al Bhed Primer vol. XIV (speak to Rikku then tell Rin "Okay" when prompted before meeting Yuna in her room)
* Yellow Shield (on ground in front of Travel Agency, after Wantz runs away)
* X-Potion
* Ether
* 2000 gil
* Remedy
* Venus Sigil (successfully dodge 200 lightning bolts in a row)
* Jecht's Sphere (near right tower in center of South area, after defeating Spherimorph)
* Spirit Lance (pray at three Qactuar stones, then pray at the broken tower; Celestial Mirror required)
=== Final Fantasy X-2 ===
;Chapter 1
* South
** Echo Screen x3
** Potion x2
** Black Choker
* North
** Phoenix Down
** Grenade
** Ether
;Chapter 2
* South
** Echo Screen x4
** Potion x3
** Pearl Necklace
* North
** Silence Grenade x2
** Ether x2
** Phoenix Down x2
;Chapter 3
* South
** Echo Screen x5
** Hi-Potion x2
** Safety Bit
* North
** Phoenix Down x3
** Dark Grenade x2
** Ether x3
;Chapter 4
* South
** Echo Screen x6
** X-Potion
** Glass Buckle
* North
** Phoenix Down x4
** Petrify Grenade x2
** Turbo Ether
;Chapter 5
* South
** Remedy
** X-Potion x2
** Ochre Ring
* North
** Budget Grenade x2
** Turbo Ether x2
** Sleep Grenade x2
== Enemies ==
=== Final Fantasy X ===
;South
* Gold Element, Buer, Melusine
* Melusine, Kusariqqu, Aerouge
* Gold Element, Buer, Aerouge
* Larva, Gold Element
* Larva, Aerouge x2
* Qactuar (available after praying at one Qactuar stone. Not available after praying at two Quactar stones)
* Qactuar x2 (available after praying at two Qactuar stones. Not available after praying at three Quactar stones)
* Qactuar x3 (available after praying at three Qactuar stones)
;North
* Larva x2
* Iron Giant, Buer x2
* Gold Element, Buer, Kusariqqu
* Iron Giant
* Melusine, Kusariqqu, Aerouge
* Qactuar (available after praying at one Qactuar stone. Not available after praying at two Quactar stones)
* Qactuar x2 (available after praying at two Qactuar stones. Not available after praying at three Quactar stones)
* Qactuar x3 (available after praying at three Qactuar stones)
* Dark Ixion (Boss) (International, PAL, and HD Remaster versions only)
During the first fight against Dark Ixion, if the player flees or defeats it, then all random encounters are suspended until they leave the area and return. During the second fight against Dark Ixion, all random encounters are suspended until it is defeated.
=== Final Fantasy X-2 ===
;Chapter 1
* Bicocette, Lesser Drake
* Bicocette, Gold Elemental
* Ochu
* Gold Elemental
* Lesser Drake
* Lesser Drake, Chocobo
* Bicocette, Chocobo
* Gold Elemental, Chocobo
* Stalwart
* Red Elemental, Lesser Drake
* Bicocette x3
* Bicocette x2
* Red Elemental, Bicocette, Chocobo
;Chapter 2
* Ochu, Lesser Drake
* Armet, Bicocette x2
* Bicocette, Gold Elemental, Lesser Drake
* Bolt Drake, Lesser Drake
* Gold Elemental x3
* Bicocette x2, Chocobo
* Gold Elemental x2, Chocobo
* Bolt Drake, Chocobo
* Chocobo
* Red Elemental, Bicocette, Chocobo
* Red Elemental x2, Bicocette
* Bicocette, Lesser Drake x2
* Bicocette, Lesser Drake, Chocobo
* Red Elemental x3, Bicocette
* Stalwart
* Red Elemental x3, Bicocette
* Red Elemental, Lesser Drake, Chocobo
* Armet, Chocobo
;Chapter 3
* Chocobo
* Bolt Drake, Barbuta
* Gemini, Watcher-S
* Barbuta, Chocobo
* Assassin Bee x2, Barbuta
* Malboro
* Bolt Drake, Watcher-A
* Assassin Bee x2, Barbuta, Watcher-R
* Bolt Drake
* Gucumatz
* Bolt Drake, Watcher-R
* Gemini, Watcher-R
* Bolt Drake, Anole, Chocobo
* Gemini
* Armet x2, Watcher-S
* Armet x2
* Anole x3, Watcher-A
* Anole x3
* Gucumatz, Watcher-S
;Chapter 4
* Malboro, Watcher-R
* Bolt Drake, Barbuta, Assassin Bee
* Gemini, Watcher-A
* Assassin Bee, Barbuta x2
* Balivarha
* Aka Manah
* Gemini
* Bolt Drake, Assassin Bee, Chocobo
* Aka Manah, Watcher-S
* Malboro
* Balivarha, Blue Elemental
* Taromaiti, Varan
* Balivarha, Watcher-A
* Bolt Drake
* Bolt Drake, Watcher-R
* Assassin Bee, Barbuta x2, Watcher-S
* Taromaiti, Varan, Watcher-R
* Balivarha, Chocobo
* Bolt Drake, Barbuta, Assassin Bee, Watcher-A
* Balivarha, Blue Elemental, Watcher-A
* Balivarha, Watcher-S
* Armet x3
* Blue Elemental, Chocobo
* Gemini, Watcher-R
* Armet, Bolt Drake
* Aka Manah, Watcher-A
* Armet x2, Chocobo
* Balivarha, Blue Elemental, Watcher-R
* Taromaiti, Varan, Watcher-A
* Chocobo
* Anole x3
* Malboro, Watcher-S
* Armet, Bolt Drake, Watcher-S
* Armet x3, Watcher-A
* Anole x3, Watcher-R
;Chapter 5
* Rhyos (fixed encounters at each tower)
* Aka Manah, Watcher-A
* Anole x3
* Bolt Drake x2, Armet, Watcher-S
* Bolt Drake x2, Armet
* Armet x3
* Balivarha x2
* Humbaba (Boss)
== Other appearances ==
===Final Fantasy XIV===
The Gandof Thunder Plains on the First are the setting of Eden's Verse: Fulmination.
=== Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call ===
The Thunder Plains appear as the background for the DLC Field Music Sequence for "Thunder Plains."
=== Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade ===
FFAB Thunder Plains FFX.png|
FFAB Thunder Plains FFX Special.png|
=== Final Fantasy Record Keeper ===
== Non-Final Fantasy appearances ==
=== Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special ===
== Musical themes ==
In Final Fantasy X, the eponymous "Thunder Plains" plays on the Plains. "Thunder Plains" was one of sixteen tracks chosen from the original soundtrack to be rearranged by Masashi Hamauzu on the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy X album.
In Final Fantasy X-2, the theme is again called "Thunder Plains", but is a different theme.
== Gallery ==
Dthunderplains.png|The Thunder Plains artwork for Final Fantasy X.
Thunder-Plains-Lightning-Tower.png|Lightning Tower artwork for Final Fantasy X.
TP AgencyArtwork.jpg|Thunder Plains (Final Fantasy X)|Thunder Plains Travel Agency.
Inside Travel Agency 1.jpg|Thunder Plains (Final Fantasy X)|Thunder Plains Travel Agency.
Inside Travel Agency 2.jpg|Thunder Plains (Final Fantasy X)|Thunder Plains Travel Agency.
Thunder plains.jpg|Thunder plains in Final Fantasy X.
Lightning tower thunder plains.jpg|Lightning tower in Final Fantasy X.
Wantz Thunder Plains.png|The party outside the Travel Agency in Final Fantasy X.
FFX Thunder Plains Inn.png|The inn in Final Fantasy X.
FFX Thunder Plains Yuna's Room.png|Yuna's room in the inn in Final Fantasy X.
FFX-2 Thunder Plains Concert.jpg|Concept art of the Thunder Plains concert in Final Fantasy X-2.
Thunder Plains in FFX-2.jpg|View of the Thunder Plains in Final Fantasy X-2.
== Etymology ==
de:Donnersteppe
es:Llanura de los Rayos
fi:Thunder Plains
fr:Plaine foudroyée
Category:Plains
Category:Locations in Final Fantasy X
Category:Locations in Final Fantasy X-2