Differences?

[Carl the Llama]

Did you ever play the international version? Those nodes go a long way to helping you defeat those Dark Aeons, you are basically giving up 15k HP which is nothing to shrug off, and as for filling those extra 51 nodes, it isn't really that hard, you will be able to abuse the Overdrive > AP mode combined with one of the end game sub bosses from the monster arena to give a huge boost to your SG completion.

I played the PAL version. Although I only ever once beat the Dark Aeons and Penance and that was pretty recently, and I didn't use Break HP Limit.

I always broke my HP limit as the idea of one of my characters dieing during the Penance fight and throwing the balance off in such a long fight is kind of irritating... but I suppose it comes down to personal preference, as I said it isn't necessary for beating them but it helps.

Just out of curiosity, what abilities did you have on your fight against Penance?