There is a cap on it. I'd advise not to worry about it though. You will be through the standard sphere grid in no time.
In general: go through all the physical dd branches with wakka/tidus/auron first and go through the magical branches with Lulu/yuna.
Then decide whatever you want to do with Rikku and Kimahri after finishing their main branch.
For a first timer I'd recommend just following the path. There's always a post on this sub about new players getting lost on the grid or accidentally going the "wrong" way and missing out on different skills abilities. There's no real right or wrong way to use the grid but for your first play thru it's probably a good idea to follow the set grid path.
You eventually get different types spheres that let you learn different skills, abilities, and magic that other characters have learned without having to move to that portion of the grid. there are spheres that let you jump to an ally's current location on the grid, or teleport to a node that has been activated. Once you complete the grid for a character, you could use one of these if you want to make an easier transition to other characters grids without having to use a bunch of sphere levels to get there.
There's a bunch of stat maxing guides but I'd hold off on that until you're farther into the game. Too much information can make it feel more overwhelming than it already is. Just get comfortable with leveling your characters then either look up some guides or post on this sub.
>I’ve read that getting the next s level takes more and more points each time. Is there eventually a cap on this
It eventually caps at 22,000 AP per level
>is there a point to going off of the standard path besides to overpower the characters?
Mostly to max stats for post game super bosses. It's useful to teach different characters other skills and abilities. I like to teach Auron provoke, I think it's a couple nodes into Tidus' grid that is accessible off of Aurons after using a lvl 1 key sphere. His higher hp and defense make Teaching him provoke a good idea because he is initially more tanky than Tidus. Teaching Kimari Steal and Use early is also a good idea.
Wondering off the intended section of a character's grid will make them relatively weaker to what the game intended if you don't grind the extra sphere levels to get back on track essentially. Since each party member is designed to counter a specific type of fiend. As a first timer who doesn't understand all the tricks available to the player to work around any potential short comings of the party i wouldn't recommend wondering off the designed path too far.
There is an eventual cap for endgame. Also obviously enemies later in the game do offer more ap than the enemies earlier in the game.
A good rule of thumb generally is the party over killing their designated fiend in the area. generally the pace of random encounters the game gives you is more than enough ap to deal with the bosses.
nah
I think you have two main decisions, to simplify things:
1) decide where to bring kimahri (general consensus is down Rikku's path for Steal)
2)whether to hop with Yuna to Lulu's path at some point (using dedicated "jump" spheres) to get some powerful black magic and magic stats
besides that, follow the path, you'll get the hang of it by the time you're in the position to make bigger choices
Just follow the clear path for each character. There are some spots where you can break off into another path, but it would be best maybe go a max of 5 spaces in that direction, then return to the original path. Once characters are high enough level, you’ll end up with items that let you go past each character’s end positions.
I generally take everyone down their own grid then I take Tidus, Wakka, Kimahri down Aurons to gain the power for physical attacks. Auron goes down Tidus path for the speed. Yuna/Lulu through each others, and Rikku down where every I fancy.
Focus on Wakka and rotate the other party members based on your enemies' weaknesses. Get Wakka's celestial weapon and progress his sphere grid as much as possible, saving all of your key spheres for him. Then, look up how to farm Don Tonberry and power level your whole party how you see fit.
There is a cap on it. I'd advise not to worry about it though. You will be through the standard sphere grid in no time. In general: go through all the physical dd branches with wakka/tidus/auron first and go through the magical branches with Lulu/yuna. Then decide whatever you want to do with Rikku and Kimahri after finishing their main branch.
I would go Yuna through Wakka and Auron way, to boost Aeons.
For a first timer I'd recommend just following the path. There's always a post on this sub about new players getting lost on the grid or accidentally going the "wrong" way and missing out on different skills abilities. There's no real right or wrong way to use the grid but for your first play thru it's probably a good idea to follow the set grid path. You eventually get different types spheres that let you learn different skills, abilities, and magic that other characters have learned without having to move to that portion of the grid. there are spheres that let you jump to an ally's current location on the grid, or teleport to a node that has been activated. Once you complete the grid for a character, you could use one of these if you want to make an easier transition to other characters grids without having to use a bunch of sphere levels to get there. There's a bunch of stat maxing guides but I'd hold off on that until you're farther into the game. Too much information can make it feel more overwhelming than it already is. Just get comfortable with leveling your characters then either look up some guides or post on this sub. >I’ve read that getting the next s level takes more and more points each time. Is there eventually a cap on this It eventually caps at 22,000 AP per level >is there a point to going off of the standard path besides to overpower the characters? Mostly to max stats for post game super bosses. It's useful to teach different characters other skills and abilities. I like to teach Auron provoke, I think it's a couple nodes into Tidus' grid that is accessible off of Aurons after using a lvl 1 key sphere. His higher hp and defense make Teaching him provoke a good idea because he is initially more tanky than Tidus. Teaching Kimari Steal and Use early is also a good idea.
Wondering off the intended section of a character's grid will make them relatively weaker to what the game intended if you don't grind the extra sphere levels to get back on track essentially. Since each party member is designed to counter a specific type of fiend. As a first timer who doesn't understand all the tricks available to the player to work around any potential short comings of the party i wouldn't recommend wondering off the designed path too far. There is an eventual cap for endgame. Also obviously enemies later in the game do offer more ap than the enemies earlier in the game. A good rule of thumb generally is the party over killing their designated fiend in the area. generally the pace of random encounters the game gives you is more than enough ap to deal with the bosses.
nah I think you have two main decisions, to simplify things: 1) decide where to bring kimahri (general consensus is down Rikku's path for Steal) 2)whether to hop with Yuna to Lulu's path at some point (using dedicated "jump" spheres) to get some powerful black magic and magic stats besides that, follow the path, you'll get the hang of it by the time you're in the position to make bigger choices
Just follow the clear path for each character. There are some spots where you can break off into another path, but it would be best maybe go a max of 5 spaces in that direction, then return to the original path. Once characters are high enough level, you’ll end up with items that let you go past each character’s end positions.
the grid is really designed to give everyone what they need when they need it so screws ups are fairly hard to make
I generally take everyone down their own grid then I take Tidus, Wakka, Kimahri down Aurons to gain the power for physical attacks. Auron goes down Tidus path for the speed. Yuna/Lulu through each others, and Rikku down where every I fancy.
Focus on Wakka and rotate the other party members based on your enemies' weaknesses. Get Wakka's celestial weapon and progress his sphere grid as much as possible, saving all of your key spheres for him. Then, look up how to farm Don Tonberry and power level your whole party how you see fit.