I know how to get it, but I was just curious how the way to go about getting it was originally discovered. It seems like people knew how since before the Brady Games guide was released... but HOW? You'd have to have way too much time on your hands to be able to figure something like that by data hacking alone, and it's probably not even possible...

And also, many FAQs I read as well as the guide book claim that you'll never be able to get the Z-spear if you open one of those treasures, but can't you get it somewhere with the Diamond Armlet? Or does it cancel those too?

when the game guide was released they probably asked the company..well more like paid the company to tell them a few special secrets like this so more people would buy the game and the guide.

edit: check this link out as well
Thread 35637

I read that the game developers wanted to create an online community of strategy-sharing gamers around this game -- hence, the japanese game mechanics guide and the english language FAQ based on that guide (hosted on gamefaqs).

You can get the Zodiac Spear with a diamond armlet in the hidden part of the Henne Mines (near Zodiark, or someplace similar) but the urn has a 10%chance of appearing and even if it does you only have a 10% chance of getting the spear... Theoretically you could get lots of Z-Spears, but the chances are really slim.

I imagine myself trying over and over to get 6 z-spears... LOL
really... does this chest reappear over and over??

It really does from everything that's been stated here, though I can't imagine myself ever trying that. I mean, the odds of even getting one out of it are way low to begin with.