The Basics of Blitz

Blitzball is a sport played underwater where teams aim to get the Blitzball into the opposing goal.

The game takes place in a spherical ball of water. You control your player on the two-dimensional great circle in the middle.

Your team is on the left (green), and opponents are on the right (red).

Control players using the Analog Stick with three methods: Auto, Manual A (map-based), and Manual B (goal-direction-based). Manual A is generally the easiest.

Each player has stats: HP (used for actions, lowers when holding the ball, regained when not), SP (Speed), AT (Attack, for encounters and breaking through), EN (Endurance, your true HP in encounters), SH (Shot strength), PA (Pass strength), BL (Block strength), and CA (Catcher strength, the final block).

To pass or shoot, stop and select the action.

Shooting success depends on your SH, opponents' BL, and their CA. If your SH remains positive after subtractions (+/- 50% for BL, +/- 50% for CA), a goal is scored.

Techs are special abilities that can augment stats.

To learn a Tech, have a player Mark an opponent with the desired technique during halftime. During the second half, when the opponent uses the Tech, press X when "Techcopy" appears to learn it (if your level is high enough).

Players have limited Tech slots: 1 at Level 3, gained at Levels 7, 12, 20, and 30, for a maximum of five.

Techs can inflict status ailments: Nap (character is inactive for about a minute), Poison (lose HP faster when holding the ball, stacks with Pile Venom, and can cause loss of shot, tackle, or pass techs), and Wither (stats halved for about half a minute, affecting BL/CA, EN/PA/SH, or PA/AT/BL depending on the Tech type).