In Final Fantasy X a new system is introduced, the "Sphere Grid", it's how a character levels up their stats or gains abilities in FFX in order to move on each sphere space or "node" you have to gain levels by fighting "Sphere Levels" (S.LvL). In FFX you gain AP instead of ExP. In order to move a space you have to spend or use a AP, and each node has a stat increase or ability. For each S.LvL, there is a AP point that any character gets. On the Sphere Grid, every single character has different location on the sphere grid. Each sector of the Sphere Gird contains a different grouping of abilities. For example, Lulu's portion of the Sphere Grid contains Black Magic abilities. Even though all sections contains different abilites, they all contain Attribute increases. Such as 'HP+200.' You'll find on the Sphere Grid that there are four different types of sphere nodes.

- Ability Nodes (Fira, Delay Buster, Flee)
- Attribute Nodes (HP+200, MP +300, Def+2)
- Locked Nodes (Requires LvL Lock Spheres)
- Empty Nodes (Use Different Spheres To Fill In)

Ability Nodes are located all over the Sphere Grid, and in each different sector they are usually idenitfied by the core ability, which can describe what kind of sector it is. If the core ability in the sector is Delay Buster, we can assume that the type of sector ampilifies strength, speed, accuracy and defense. Sectors that have magic core abilites such as Cure, they have nodes that ampilifies attributes such as Magic, Magic Defense, and other attributes that are on the Magic side. Different weapons change were each character starts on the Sphere Grid. For example, Tidus and Auron are somewhat close to each other on the Sphere Grid. Attack abilites and damage-based skills are on the north part of the Sphere Grid, while the magic section is southern portion of the Sphere Grid.

Characters can go down different paths, For Kimahri, since his Sphere Grid starting point is in the middle of the Sphere Grid. Each character has their own unqiue path that allows them to learn abilites that others can't learn at that point. After you gain enough experience and S.LvLs you can travel all over the Sphere Grid. Kimahri can travel down any path. The Recomened path is Rikku's or Aurons. Rikku's path is balanced and Auron's path can bulid up his strength.

In the Sphere Grid, you will eventually find different specific spheres, that have a specific designation. Some of these can fill in empty nodes in the Sphere Grid. THe others will be location-exempting spheres. The Location-exempting spheres allow the character to learn a abilit when they could be over on the other side of the Sphere Grid. For example, A 'Black Magic Sphere' can allow a character to learn a Black Magic spell when they could be on the other portion of the Sphere Grid. These spheres can be used by any character, when using Black Magic Spheres, it's recomended that you use Yuna for the Black Magic Spheres. These spheres will only work if they have been activated by an ally party member.