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[[Image:Ff8pc edea icespell.png|250px|thumb|right|[[List of Final Fantasy VIII characters#Edea Kramer|Edea]] using an Ice-based [[limit break]], Ice Strike in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'']]
'''Magic''' is one of the two principal forms of attack in [[Square Enix|Square Enix's]] (formerly [[Square Co., Ltd.]]) ''[[Final Fantasy (series)|Final Fantasy]]'' series of [[computer role-playing game]]s. Although the specific features of the magic system vary significantly from game to game, many concepts have remained consistent throughout the course of the series. Magic in Final Fantasy has contributed in setting the standard for contemporary [[Role-Playing Games]]<ref>"...the Final Fantasy series set the standard for contemporary RPGs with their striking graphics, character development and increasingly difficult magic and fighting systems." Park, Jane. '''Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within A Case Study.[http://64.233.179.104/scholar?num=30&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=cache:I3ULaxmuEOoJ:cms.mit.edu/conf/mit2/Abstracts/JanePark.pdf]</ref> and is integral in establishing the fictional reality of the individual games.<ref>"...'reality' is evaluated through inferences based upon schemata drawn from physics, psychology, magic, and religion." Spoors, Glen. '''Meaning and Emotion in Squaresoft's Final Fantasy X: Re-Theorising "Realism" and "Identification" in Video Games'''. January, 2005.[http://64.233.179.104/scholar?num=30&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=cache:prOhCExCefwJ:www.upnaway.com.au/~waldemar/Research/PhD%2520(Submitted%2520to%2520Library).doc]</ref> Final Fantasy's system of magic contains numerous religious references that help establish the plot and theme of the games, many of which had been censored in the United States previous to [[Final Fantasy VII]].<ref>"It then produced Final Fantasy VII for Sony, the first ''uncut'' Final Fantasy title released in the United States. nintendo had been censoring language and religious references in the previous Final Fantasy games, limiting what the main design team could do in terms of the plot and theme." Ong, Alicia. '''The Religions Behind Final Fantasy'''. March, 2001. [http://shl.stanford.edu/Game_archive/StudentPapers/BySubject/A-I/F/FinalFanstasy/Ong_Alicia.pdf],</ref> Magic has also been interpreted in the series as a poetic representation of existing practices and effects, and has added to the level of strategy within Final Fantasy games.<ref>"Using a water-based spell like Watera against a fire monster is no different from using a hose, and is strategically equivalent to using a Piercing attack against a monster with armour. In this respect, specific magical practices and effects may be accepted as marvellous, but may also be read as poetic representations of existing scientific practices and effects." Spoors, Glen. '''Meaning and Emotion in Squaresoft's Final Fantasy X: Re-Theorising "Realism" and "Identification" in Video Games'''. January, 2005.[http://64.233.179.104/scholar?num=30&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=cache:prOhCExCefwJ:www.upnaway.com.au/~waldemar/Research/PhD%2520(Submitted%2520to%2520Library).doc]</ref>
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This article is meant to serve as a basic overview of ''Final Fantasy'' magic and the most commonly recurring ''Final Fantasy'' magic spells. For specific details about the magic system of a particular ''Final Fantasy'' title, please see the article on that particular game.
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==Magic classifications==
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Magic spells are divided into offensive, restorative and indirect categories. Offensive and restorative usually affect the [[Hit point|HP]] and/or [[Magic point|MP]] of the target based on their magic resistance, and possibly their resistance to a given element. Indirect spells (e.g. ''Confuse'', ''Slow'', ''Berserk'', etc.) constitute the vague "other" category and contains spells that cause and cure status effects, affect speed of an opponent, modify a target's statistics, raise or dispel magical barriers and various other results depending on the game. By default, offensive and negative indirect spells target enemies, while restorative and supportive indirect spells target party members, although in some games, it is possible to cast restorative spells against the enemy, or cast offensive spells against a party member.<ref>There are a number of reasons for casting spells at the non-default group. For example, casting cure (or life) on an undead enemy causes damage. Also, by casting an offensive spell against an ally with the reflect status, the spell bounces off the ally onto an enemy as a method of circumvent the enemy's own reflect status.</ref> Within the boundaries of the series, offensive spells are generally classified as '''Black Magic''', and restorative spells are generally classified as '''White Magic.''' The indirect spells are divided into different categories depending on the individual game. For example, the indirect spell ''Haste'' would be a part of a Time Mage's spell compendium in one game, and in a different game it would be a ''White Magic'' spell.
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Spells can also be divided into [[elemental]] spells and non-elemental spells. Elemental magic is associated with a particular element of nature, such as ''Fire'', ''Ice'', ''Lightning'', ''Water'', ''Wind'', and ''Earth''. The number and names of the elemental spells vary from game to game. Sometimes two other elements, ''Holy (aka Light)'' and ''Dark (aka Shadow)'' are added. Non-elemental spells are not associated with an element. Examples include spells that affect the status of the target (e.g., sleep, haste, etc.)
Each magic caster possesses a level of magic power, which affects the damage of a given spell. Characters with higher magic power will deal more damage than the same spell cast by someone with a lower magic power. Certain characters can have affinities to an element: for example, a Fire magic spell from a fire-based character will cause more damage than a wind-based character casting it. Each target possesses magic resistance, which lessens the effect of magic spells.
In addition to the magic resistance of the target, certain targets have a different resistance (positive or negative) to certain elementals:
*''Weak'' — receive much more damage than usual from spells associated with that elemental (usually 200% damage)
*''Strong'' — receive less damage (usually 50%)
*''Immune'' — completely nullifies the damage (0%)
*''Absorb'' — will heal the target. (usually 100% of the damage is converted to health gain)
Non-elemental magic damage depends only on magic resistance. Certain items and spells can affect the magic power and/or resistance of a character.
In addition to the above categories of magic, where the character casts the spell directly, some titles include '''Summon Magic''', where the character calls another entity to perform the actual magic. '''Summon Magic''' can serve in either offensive or defensive capacity.
Starting with ''[[Final Fantasy V]]'', two new categories of magic ('''Blue Magic''' and '''Time/Space Magic''') were introduced. ''Blue Magic'' is a special class of magic, since its spells are normally learned when receiving certain attacks from enemy monsters, via methods that generally differ per game. The ''Time/Space Magic'' category incorporates a number of status-inducing spells that were previously classified as offensive or defensive, such as ''Slow'', ''Haste'', and ''Stop''. Prior to this, ''Stop'' was classified as ''Black Magic'' and ''Haste'' was classified as ''White Magic'' except in the original ''Final Fantasy'' where it appeared as a Black Magic spell, while ''Slow'' has appeared inconsistently under either category, depending on the game. Some subsequent titles retained the '''Time/Space Magic''' category, while others did not.
In many games, only certain job categories can cast certain spells. For example, a [[White Mage]] can cast white spells, while a [[Black Mage]] can cast black spells. In some games, there is also a [[Red Mage]] that can cast spells from the Black and White magic. Usually a Red Mage cannot learn the highest spells, and often is not as powerful at casting spells from either class as its typical user.
In ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'', spells are also divided by [[Final Fantasy XI#Magic System|"magic skills"]]. As a character uses spells from a certain magic skill, their skill in that category increases, making magic for that particular skill more accurate.
In ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]'', the new ''Green Magick'' and ''Arcane Magick'' appears. Green Magick focuses on some of the major status effects such as Protect, Shell, Blind, and Silence. Arcane Magick contains obscure yet effective ones such as Gravity, Drain, Berserk, and the Bubble spell, which temporarily doubles the target's HP. Final Fantasy XII is also the first to actually have a full arsenal of Dark-elemental magics (Dark, Darkra, Darkga), however Earth-elemental magics are missing.
In some games the non-elemental spells ''Flare'' and ''Meteor'' are among the strongest spells available. Another major non-elemental spell is ''Ultima'', a spell that first appeared in ''Final Fantasy II'' and in various capacities throughout the series. Typically, Ultima is the most powerful non-summon spell that can be learned ''if'' it appears in the game.
==Spell levels==
In most ''Final Fantasy'' games, certain types of magic are divided into various power levels. As the player progresses through the game, successively more powerful versions of basic spells become available. The series has developed a naming convention to identify second, third, and fourth level magic spells, which appends a specific suffix to the name of the first level spell, with possible minor variations in the root word.
The three suffixes are as follows: (Eng/Jpn)
* Second level: -''ra''/"ra"
* Third level: -''ga''/"ga"
* Fourth level: -''ja''/"ja"
For example, the name of the second level version of ''[[Final Fantasy magic#Thunder|Thunder]]'' is named ''Thundara'' and the third is ''Thundaga''. Likewise, the second and third levels of ''Fire'' become ''Fira'' and ''Firaga'', respectively, and ''Blizzard'' becomes ''Blizzara'' and ''Blizzaga''.
The fourth level suffix (-''ja'') is infrequently used; few games in the series feature magic spells with four power levels, the ''Cure'' spell being the only example in more recent titles. Other examples are the ''Dia'' and ''Heal'' spells. In the few times they are used, elemental spells such as ''Thundaja'' are extremely powerful.
The one exception to this rule is ''[[Final Fantasy II]]'', which used a vastly different magic system from other games in the series. Spell names in ''Final Fantasy II'' were given in [[katakana]], and rather than appending one of the above suffixes to signify a more powerful version of a spell, a simple numerical modifier was added to the end of the name. Each spell in ''Final Fantasy II'' could be raised to level 16. For example, if the spell ''Thunder'' were leveled up to level 16, it would be called ''Thunder 16''. Enemy spells, however, used Latin number suffixes, such as 'XVI' for level 16.
In earlier [[English language|English]] [[Software localization|localizations]] of the ''Final Fantasy'' series, those prior to ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'', translators decided not to use the above suffixes, using a simple numerical modifier instead. In other words, ''Firaga'' would become ''Fire 3''. ''Thunder'' was shortened to ''Lit'' or ''Bolt'', and ''Thundara'' would be denoted as ''Lit2'' or ''Bolt2''.
Spells can target individuals or groups. In some cases, targeting a group requires a higher level of a spell; in other cases, the target can be for an individual or an entire group. However, when targeting a group, the strength and/or duration of the spell is often less than when targeting an individual.
In ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'', spells tiers are distinguished from each other by Roman numerals (e.g., ''Thunder'', ''Thunder II'', ''Cure'', ''Cure II'') and there are three suffixes:
* group/party effect enhancing spells: ''-ra'' (e.g., ''Barstonra'', ''Barsleepra'', ''Protectra'', ''Shellra'')
* ''White Magic'' status ailment cures: ''-na'' (e.g., ''Stona'', ''Poisona'', ''Blindna'')
* Group effect (AoE, Area of Effect) spells of various types: ''-ga'' or ''-aga'' or "-ega" (e.g., ''Curaga'', ''Thundaga'', ''Poisonga'')
Fourth level spells (such as ''Cure IV'' and ''Thunder IV'') are equivalent to the ''-ja'' suffix found in previous ''Final Fantasy'' games. (''Curaja'', and ''Thundaja'', respectively)
==Items, armor, and weapons==
In most ''Final Fantasy'' games, a collection of items have effects similar to various magic spells. In some cases, items can have different levels that correspond to the level of the spell. For example, the item ''Bolt Plume'' in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' casts ''Bolt 2'' against all enemies, while ''Swift Bolt'' casts ''Bolt 3'' against all enemies. These items can be useful for those characters who are incapable of casting a given spell, as well as when a character is temporarily unable to cast spells, such as when afflicted with the ''Silence'' status or a lack of ''Magic Points''. Most items may only be used once, and some may only be used in battle, while others can only be used from the field menu. Menu-restricted items often cast spells such as ''Warp'', which teleports the player's party out of a dungeon or region.
Armor can have elemental properties, generally protecting the wearer from certain elemental attacks. Armor also may have three levels, with varying effects: for the first level, the armor will lessen the effect of an elemental attack(''strong''); for the second, the armor will eliminate the effect of the attack(''immune''); for the third, the armor will absorb the attack, healing the wearer. Also, a character can wear a mixture of elemental armor, such as body armor that absorbs ''Fire'', and a helmet that absorbs ''Thunder''.
Some weapons can deal elemental attacks a certain percentage of the time, and/or inflict status effects. In early games in the series, weapons with elemental attack attributes could be accessed from the item list in battle and used to cast certain magic spells (such as the Judgment Staff casting Flare in ''Final Fantasy I''). Certain weapons (e.g. ''Healing Rod'') can have restorative powers, although these same weapons would inflict damage on undead targets.
==Types of magic==
Generally speaking, magic in the ''Final Fantasy'' series can be divided into distinct types: '''White Magic''', used by [[White Mage]]s, which heals or otherwise supports party members; '''Black Magic''', used by [[Black Mage]]s, which is used to attack enemies; '''Time/Space magic''', used by [[Final Fantasy character classes#Time/Space Mage|Time Mage]]s, which affects the flow of time (such as slowing down or speeding up a target's actions) or warps matter (''Gravity'' spells, for example); '''Blue Magic''', used by [[Blue Mage]]s, which incorporates a variety of special attacks used by monsters; and '''Summon Magic''', used by [[Final Fantasy character classes#Summoner|Summoner]]s, in which spells are cast that call forth magical creatures who attack enemies or offer support to party members. Not every game necessarily classifies spells in this manner, and the specific classification of a spell can vary from game to game.
The following sections serve as a rough guide of the more prominent spells in the ''Final Fantasy'' series. Not every spell from the series is included. For more detailed information on the various spells in the ''Final Fantasy'' series, see the [http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Magic_list magic] and [http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Summon_Magic_list summon magic] lists at the [http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Final Fantasy Wiki].
===White Magic===
Among the basic White Magic spells is the healing aid ''Cure'' and its enhancements, ''Cura'', ''Curaga'', and ''Curaja''.<ref>(Renamed in later games as ''Full-Cure'' but again named Curaja in [[Final Fantasy XII]])</ref> Together with the spells ''Life'',<ref>a spell that awakens a fallen party member much like a Phoenix Down</ref> ''Protect'',<ref>a defensive aid that reduces the damage received from physical attacks</ref> ''Shell''<ref>a spell similar to ''Protect'' that reduces damage received from magical attacks</ref> and ''Esuna'',<ref>a spell that nullifies negative status ailments</ref> it comprises the core group of ''White Magic'' spells for which the White Mage job class has gained its defensive-based connotation.
Other notable spells from this category include ''Reflect'',<ref>a spell that — when used on a target — will redirect most subsequent spells to their caster</ref> ''Scan'',<ref>a spell that offers various statistic- and schematic-related information about a target, including weaknesses</ref> and ''Holy''.<ref>one of the few offensive spells in this category, and one of the more powerful offensive spells in the ''Final Fantasy'' series; in English localizations of ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' and ''Final Fantasy VI'', it was called "''Fade''," "''White''" and "''Pearl''," respectively.</ref>
===Black Magic===
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Vivifire.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Vivi Ornitier|Vivi]] casting a ''Fire'' spell in ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'']] -->
As with ''White Magic'', ''Black Magic'' has a group of commonly associated spells, among which a set of element-based offensive spells — and their respective enhancements — figure prominently. These include ''Fire'', ''Ice/Blizzard'', ''Thunder'', ''Water'', ''Aero'',<ref>Aero was considered white magic in ''Final Fantasy III'' and was considered Blue Magic in ''Final Fantasy V'' and ''Final Fantasy VI''</ref> and ''Quake''. The ''Black Magic'' category is also frequently associated with various spells that inflict status-altering abnormalities, such as ''Poison'',<ref>Poison is a spell that causes HP to drop at a set rate; it is sometimes grouped with or replaced by ''Bio'', which usually does much more damage</ref> ''Toad'',<ref>Toad is a spell that changes its target into a frog</ref> ''Zombie'',<ref>Zombie is a spell usually utilized to render a target susceptible to damage from curative spells</ref> and ''Stone''.<ref>Stone is often renamed "''Petrify''," this spell turns a target to stone. In ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' Stone was renamed '''Break'''</ref>
This magic class also often — but not consistently — includes three of the most powerful offensive spells featured in the series: ''Flare'',<ref>an elemental or non-elemental spell, depending the game). Flare appeared as ''Fire''-based in ''Final Fantasy VII'' and ''Final Fantasy XI''. ''Flare'' was translated as ''Nuke'' in the initial US releases of ''Final Fantasy'' and ''Final Fantasy IV'', along with a corresponding change to Bahamut's summon ability in the latter game.</ref> ''Meteor'',<ref>a spell in which a single large meteor or a cluster of smaller meteors are hurled at a target. In ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'', the spell was renamed Comet because Meteor is the name of a doomsday spell in the game's plot.</ref> and ''Ultima''.<ref>a non-elemental spell that — in most of its appearances — appears as the most powerful offensive spell accessible to the player.</ref>
===Time/Space Magic===
The ''Time/Space Magic'' category of magic broadly encompasses those spells which relate to spatial status (including [[outer space]] and the concept of [[teleportation]]) and the flow of [[time]]. In ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'', it is grouped under the alignment of "gray" along with what would become green magic, but in ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'' it is implied to be of infernal origin (the unholy Guardian Force Diablos uses it exclusively when fought, and when summoned uses a variant of the "Demi" spell.) Spells implemented to affect the rate of activity for the playable characters and their opponents include ''Haste'',<ref>a spell that increases how frequently a target takes turns), ''Slow'' (the opposite of ''Haste''</ref> ''Stop'',<ref>a spell that immobilizes its targets</ref> and ''Quick''<ref>a rare spell that gives its target one or two turns instantly</ref> while those that affect their targets' spatial status include such spells as ''Teleport'',<ref>also known as "''Warp'', which usually appears as a spell that allows the playable characters to escape from battle or a dungeon</ref> and ''Degeon''.<ref>a spell that removes an enemy by banishing it to an alternate plane of space/time; equivalent to Black Magic's ''Death'' or ''Doom''. Sometimes translated as ''X-Zone'' or ''XZone''. In the translation for ''[[Final Fantasy I]]'' it was dubbed ''ZAP!''.</ref> Other spells that occasionally fall under the ''Time/Space Magic'' classification are ''Gravity''-based spells such as ''Demi''<ref>A spell which reduces its target's ''HP'' by 1/4 of its current HP</ref>, as well as ''Meteor''.<ref>a powerful attack spell commonly classified under ''Black Magic'' that will usually hit multiple times for medium damage.</ref>
''Time/Space Magic'' was not identified as a separate classification until ''Final Fantasy V'', and has appeared only semi-regularly since then. Because of this, many spells associated with the classification are also associated with either ''White'' or ''Black Magic''. As with ''White Magic'' and ''Black Magic'', various ''Time/Space Magic'' spells have enhanced levels, to which may be applied the "''-ra''," "''-ga''" and "''-ja''" suffixes.
===Blue Magic===
Blue magic was introduced in ''Final Fantasy V'', and operates slightly differently from other forms of magic. Blue magic spells are special attacks used by monsters, which are typically learned by Blue Mage characters through some form of observation, though the mechanics vary somewhat from game to game. They are not divided into levels like many other schools of magic, and several games in the series have referred to Blue Magic by some other name, most notably ''Final Fantasy VI'' ("''Lores''") and ''Final Fantasy VII'' ("''Enemy Skills''").
Blue Magic can provide a variety of abilities not accessible to other characters, but acquiring them can be difficult; the player often must be strong enough to be hit and survive the attack to use it, must control an enemy (or cast reflect) to get an ability never cast on an opponent, and is usually not told in the game which abilities can be learnt. Depending on the rarity of the enemy and the frequency the desired spell is cast, it can take a considerable amount of time to learn a given spell. Typical Blue Magics include "White Wind" (Heals HP of the Party), Wall (Casts Shell and Protect on the Party) and Blaster (Petrify target).
Blue Mage appears as a playable job class in ''[[Final Fantasy V]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'', ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]'' (as ''Gun Mage'') and ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]''. [[Strago Magus]] from ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' and [[Quina Quen]] from ''[[Final Fantasy IX]]'' use Blue Magic as their unique character abilities, though Strago's Blue Magic is renamed ''Lores''. [[Quistis Trepe]] from ''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]''' and [[Kimahri Ronso]] from ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' use Blue Magic for their Limit Breaks. Blue Magic, renamed ''Enemy Skills'', can be used in ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' by equipping the ''Enemy Skill Materia''. Several high-level magic spells in ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'', including ''Ultima'', ''Zodiac'', ''Cure-4'' and the level 4 elemental spells, can be learned in a way similar to Blue Magic.
===Summoning Magic===
''Summoning Magic'' calls forth magical creatures to attack enemies and/or heal or protect party members. The mechanics of ''Summon Magic'' vary from game to game, including which characters are capable of using it, how it is utilized, and how new summon spells are acquired. Despite the significant differences in ''Summon Magic'' across the series, it has appeared in one form or another in most ''Final Fantasy'' titles in the main numbered series, as well as spin-off titles.<ref>Summons magic has appeared in the main titles since ''[[Final Fantasy III]]'', as well as ''Final Fantasy Tactics'', ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'' and ''[[Final Fantasy: Unlimited]]''. Although ''Summon Magic'' is not used in ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]'' (due to the ending of ''[[Final Fantasy X]]''), it is referenced throughout the game, referring back to the previous game.</ref>
[[Image:BahamutFFIX.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Bahamut (Final Fantasy)|Bahamut]], as featured in ''Final Fantasy IX'']]
In several of the ''Final Fantasy'' titles,<ref>Namely ''Final Fantasy III'', ''Final Fantasy V'', ''Final Fantasy VII'',''Final Fantasy Tactics'' and ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance''</ref> ''Summon Magic'' has little to no role in the storylines, appearing only in the command list for the Summoner job class or as attacks provided by various Summon materia. However, summons have served as a key plot element in the rest of the series.<ref>Notably VIII and IX, where they play a large plot to the story, and X, where they are part of the main story.</ref>
''Summon Magic'' took on a more central role in the plot of ''Final Fantasy IV'', where one of the main characters, [[Rydia]], was the last surviving child of Mist, an isolated mountain village of Summoners. Later, she would discover an underground kingdom of summon monsters presided over by King Leviathan and Queen Asura, and make allies of them. The missing God of summoned monsters named Bahamut resides on the Moon in a secret cavern watching over his people.
In ''Final Fantasy V'', although no character necessarily gains the ability to use summon magic, a significant number of sidequests culminate in the acquisition of a summoned monster, usually by way of a boss battle versus the summoned monster. These are prominent in their relative difficulty, especially compared to other class-ability-sidequests, such as those for the Bard. Several summoned monsters are either obvious to the central plot, such as Leviathan, or related to central characters, such as Phoenix.
In ''Final Fantasy VI'', summoned monsters (called "'''Espers'''" in the North American localization) play an even larger role in the storyline. They are described as humans that were transformed in the magical crossfire between three goddesses, and who then created their own world, sealing the gate between it and the human world. One of the game's main characters, [[Terra Branford]], is the daughter of an Esper and a human woman. As a result, Terra has various magical powers and can transform into an Esper-like form. With some notable exceptions, the remains of fallen Espers, Magicite, provided the means for characters to learn spells.
In ''Final Fantasy VIII'', ''Summon Magic'' is not featured as prominently in the main story, but has a significant impact on one of the story's major subplots. During the game, it is revealed that the powers of summoned monsters (called '''Guardian Forces''' or GFs) are dangerous to the human psyche, and that regular usage of such magic results in amnesia. Due to this, the game's main characters have forgotten a significant portion of their early lives. Characters must 'junction' a GF to themselves before they can summon it, at which point the GF will give the character all of their power. Without the ability to summon the GFs, the characters would only be able to use their standard attack and limit breaks.
''Final Fantasy IX'' was similar to ''Final Fantasy IV'' in that not all party members were capable of using ''Summon Magic''. Here called "'''Eidolons'''," summons are featured quite prominently, being utilized by the game's villains to render destruction around the world.
In ''Final Fantasy X'', '''Aeons''' and their use play a key role in the workings of the planet [[Spira (Final Fantasy X)|Spira]], specifically in regard to the [[Spira (Final Fantasy X)#Yevon|Yevon religion]], which psychologically controls the world. (For more information, please see [[Spira (Final Fantasy X)|Spira]].)
[[Image:ShivaFFX-X2.jpg|195px|thumb|left|The Aeon Shiva as she appears in Final Fantasy X]]
In ''Final Fantasy XI'', '''avatars''' (part of the game's summoning magic) are controlled by people with the main or support job of summoner. They learn new magic and physical attacks as the summoner progresses in level. The majority of them are obtained by fighting them either solo or in a group in their ___domain (''Protocrystals'' in the case of the sleeping gods). Their special abilities are unlocked when the summoner activates the ability ''Astral Flow''. At the cost of the Summoner's remaining [[Magic point|MP]], the avatars can use the special ability unlocked by ''Astral Flow''. The avatars themselves are a major part of the Vana'diel storyline. The protocrystal avatars are of the original gods and each have a myth surrounding them. Then there are five terrestrial avatars born of Vana'diel to protect the five mothercrystals. The Federation of Windurst's storyline deals with the banned magic of summoning and the death of its greatest hero, Karaha-Baruha, a summoner who sacrificed himself to call forth Fenrir and destroy the Yagudo forces invading Windurst. The two most recent expansions have dealt heavily with avatars, Chains of Promathia with the terrestrial avatars (Phoenix, Diabolos, Fenrir, Carbuncle, and Bahamut), and Aht Urghan with the celestial Alexander and Odin. Not all avatars are available to the player - Pheonix and Bahamut only make story appearances. Summoners can also form pacts with elementals that rely more on magic and behave more on their own. It is explained that summoned avatars are only a portion of the avatar, with the exception of elemental summonings.
In ''Final Fantasy XII'', ''Summon Magic'' appears once more with creatures known as '''Espers''', as in ''Final Fantasy VI''.<ref>Many of these espers are Lucavi monsters from ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics]]'', '''Totemas''' from ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'', and final bosses from earlier ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' games.</ref> In this game, they are scions created by the gods. The female esper, Ultima, convinced the other espers to rebel against the gods (except Zodiark). The espers lost this war and their fate can be known as players acquire them. Characteristics of these espers are based on the Western astrology star sign, evident from the gems players can steal from them during their respective battles (e.g. Belias is characteristic of [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]], players can steal an [[Aries (astrology)|Aries]] gem from him). Espers must be defeated in order to acquire them, and once defeated, one character will be selected to perform a pact with the said esper, thus becoming the only character to use it. Espers are controlled by A.I.
In ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'', "Summon Magic" was used by one class, the Summoner, but the game never explained exactly what the things being summoned were. Also, after the player defeats and obtains the first Totema, the Totema command becomes available to the characters whose race is eligible for the Totema (ex. A Viera-class character cannot use the Totema for the Humans, and vice versa).
''Summon Magic'' also appears in the [[anime]] series, ''[[Final Fantasy: Unlimited]]''. It is the central means of combat for two of the main characters, Kaze and Makenshi. Kaze's ''Summon Magic'' functions through his ''MaGun'' ("Magic Gun") by mixing three types of bullet that each contain a sandy material created from the lives of those who fought Chaos in vain (called "''Soil''") that represent qualities of the summon. When he then fires the ''MaGun'', the summon associated with that ''Soil'' is called into action. Makenshi's own summon power comes from the Mist bottles he carries and unleashes their power by linear cuts from his MaSword. Another character, Lisa, can use her Kigen Arts for a summon, but the strain of the life energy needed could weaken her severely or kill her.
Among the more prominent summon spells featured in the series are [[Bahamut (Final Fantasy)|Bahamut]];<ref>a dragon that is typically the ultimate summon in his controllable appearances</ref> [[Shiva]];<ref>a blue-skinned woman who casts ''Blizzard/Ice'' spells</ref> [[Ifrit]];<ref>a demonic ''Fire'' elemental</ref> [[Ramuh]];<ref>an elderly man who casts ''Thunder'' spells</ref> [[Odin]];<ref>an armored, horse-mounted warrior modeled after the [[Odin]] of [[Norse mythology]])</ref> [[Leviathan]];<ref>a serpentine ''Water'' elemental</ref> [[Carbuncle (mythology)|Carbuncle]];<ref>a reptilian or squirrel-like creature bearing a ruby on its forehead, and who casts ''Reflect'' and other good status effects like "invisible" depending on what gemstone is equipped on the entire party</ref> and Phoenix.<ref>a ''Fire'' elemental that typically does some combination of casting ''Life'' on the whole party and dealing large fire damage to the enemy. It is represented by a bird with crimson feathers, modeled after the legendary [[phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]].</ref>
====Table of appearances====
This table displays all the summoned creatures which appear in three or more titles and in more than one [[fictional world]] of the ''Final Fantasy'' franchise.
Note: The first two ''Final Fantasy'' games do not feature summoning magic. Final Fantasy X-2 features Aeons, but they cannot be used by the party.
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****REQUIREMENTS FOR A SUMMON TO APPEAR WITHIN THE TABLE****
(as agreed upon by consensus of WikiProject:Final Fantasy)
MUST meet all of the following:
1. Must appear explicitly as a Summon Monster in 3 or more games.
2. Must appear in more than one fictional world (such as Ivalice or Spira).
Appearances that are worth mentioning, and don't count toward the "3 appearances" requirement:
1. Ship names in FFXII.
Appearances that are worth mentioning, and count toward the "3 appearances" requirement:
1. Creatures that are explicitly identified as Summon Monsters, but are not useable by the party.
2. Summon Monsters that are secondary summons (such as Mog in Choco/Mog, and Titan in FFIX's Fenrir)
Appearances that DO NOT count towards the "3 appearances" rule and are not worth mentioning:
1. Creatures that are summoned, but are not explicitly identified as Summon Monsters (such as FFIX's Sealion)
2. Barely related Homonyms.
3. Monsters and Boss Monsters.
If there is any confusion about these requirements, bring it up on the talk page and we will help clarify it. If you have any concerns or suggestions about these requirements, bring them up on the talk page as well so that we may consider and discuss them.
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{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Summon
! ''[[Final Fantasy III|III]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy IV|IV]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy V|V]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy VI|VI]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy VII|VII]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy Advent Children|AC]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy VIII|VIII]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy IX|IX]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy X|X]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy X-2|X-2]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy XI|XI]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy XII|XII]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings|RW]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics|T]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance|TA]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals|LotC]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy: Unlimited|U]]''
! ''[[Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon|CD]]''
! ''[[Chocobo's Dungeon 2|CD2]]''
! ''[[Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales|CT]]''
|-
| [[Alexander]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Yes || {{no}} || {{no}} || Yes || Ship || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Anima|Anima]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Yes || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Atom|Atomos]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || Ship || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Bahamut (Final Fantasy)|Bahamut]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Yes || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Yes || Yes || Ship || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Bismarck (disambiguation)]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Monsters of Final Fantasy#Cactuar|Cactuar]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}<small> ([[Final Fantasy VI#Game Boy Advance|GBA]])</small> || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Carbuncle (mythology)|Carbuncle]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Ship || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Chocobo]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Devil|Diabolos]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}<small> ([[Final Fantasy VI#Game Boy Advance|GBA]])</small> || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Fenrisulfr|Fenrir]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Recurring character names of Final Fantasy#Gilgamesh|Gilgamesh]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}<small> ([[Final Fantasy VI#Game Boy Advance|GBA]])</small> || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Golem in popular culture#Golems in modern games|Golem]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Ifrit]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Yes || {{yes}} || Ship || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Ixion]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Yes || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Leviathan]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}<small> ([[Final Fantasy VI#Game Boy Advance|GBA]])</small> || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || Ship || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| Madeen{{fact}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Races of Final Fantasy#Moogles|Moogle]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Odin]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || Ship || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Raijin|Raiden]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Ramuh]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Shiva]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Yes || {{yes}} || Ship || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Siren]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Sylph]] || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}
|-
| [[Titan (mythology)|Titan]] || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Monsters of Final Fantasy#Tonberry|Tonberry]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Typhon|Typhon]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}
|-
| [[Unicorn]] || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}
|-
|}
*AC = ''Final Fantasy Advent Children''
*RW = ''Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings''
*T = ''Final Fantasy Tactics''
*TA = ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance''
*LotC = ''Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals
*U = ''Final Fantasy: Unlimited'' anime, radio drama and novels
*CD = ''Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon'', a side game
*CD2 = ''Chocobo's Dungeon 2'', a side game
*CT = ''Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales'', a side game
*White boxes mean the creature made an appearance as a summoned creature, but could not be used by the party; in the case of XII, most major Imperial ships are named after recurring summoned creatures.
===Magic-like Abilities===
Through the course of the series, there has been a variety of abilities and skills similar to magic but are not necessarily magic. They usually do not require MP to use. These include "special/skill"(Final Fantasy X) and "technicks" (Final Fantasy XII). Some examples are: Steal, Libra, the command abilities "Devour", "Treatment" and "Recover" (Final Fantasy VIII) and certain abilities gained by equipping materia (Final Fantasy VII).
====Songs====
Songs are classified as magic in ''[[Final Fantasy V]]''. Bards use magic generally as support, but ''Alluring Air'' and ''Romeo's Ballad'' inflict the status ailment confuse and stop on enemies, respectively, and ''Requiem'' deals damage to undead foes. The Songstress dresssphere of ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]'' allows attribute-enhancing songs to be sung with the Sing command (such as the magic-boosting ''Esoteric Melody'' or the aid to evasion ''Matador's Song''). Some of the status-inflicting dances can benefit the party as well.
====Ninjutsu====
Shown in both ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' and ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]'', Ninjutsu deals with ninja related abilities. It is used by the character "[[Edward "Edge" Geraldine|Edge]]" in ''[[Final Fantasy IV]]'' and by adventurers sporting the [[Final Fantasy character classes#Ninja|Ninja]] class in ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]''. It deals with both supportive and offensive magic, to assist the character in battle. Some of these abilities happen to be special abilities that are in the form of a spell. Ninjutsu has been seen in other games in the series, however in these cases it has usually referred to physical abilities rather than magic. This classification is also found in ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]]'' under the job class Ninja, although in the game itself, the naming is Ninja Skill.
====Geomancy====
The Character Class geomancer uses very different spells compared to the other classes. They can control the environment around them. Geomancers were first introduced in ''[[Final Fantasy III]]''. In most of the games they appear in, the magic manifests itself as a single command (in ''Final Fantasy III'' the command was called ''Terrain'') that uses the spell for the terrain the character is currently fighting in. In ''Final Fantasy III'', there was also a chance that a very powerful shadow-based spell would be cast.
''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' had a slightly different form of Geomancy with Mog's ''Dance'' command. Mog learned a dance for every terrain he fought in, and by performing that dance he could use the spells of that terrain.
Geomancy also appeared in [[Final Fantasy Tactics Advance]] as a support ability that boosts a [[Black Mage]]'s magical spells.
====Miscellaneous====
Other minor para-magics have appeared several times throughout the series.
*''[[Final Fantasy III]]'': Many classes have a spell-like ability unique to that class. For example, Dark Knights can use Souleater to attack all enemies at once at the cost of their own HP, and Warriors can Advance to increase their attack power while sacrificing defense.
*''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'': Some characters have magic-like limit breaks.
*''[[Final Fantasy VIII]]'': Rinoa's dog can perform tricks that most dogs can't, such as bringing people back from the dead and making them invincible; normal spells are considered para-magic that are only available by junctioning with Guardian Forces. Also, Seifer can seemingly shoot fireballs in his limit breaks, and Selphie's Limit Break consists of using random amounts of spells, including some otherwise unavailable abilities.
===Other Magic===
====Green Magic====
This classification was introduced in ''Final Fantasy XII'', and was formerly known as Yin-Yang magic in ''Final Fantasy Tactics''. Green magic consists of spells that affect a character's status, with positive or negative effects. Green magic includes spells such as Protect, Shell, Blind, Silence, and Poison.
====Arcane Magic====
The ''Arcane'' magic class was first introduced in ''[[Final Fantasy X-2]]'' as the magic used by the ''Dark Knight'' dress sphere. It is also one of the five magic classes in ''[[Final Fantasy XII]]''. This class of magic features spells such as Death, Dark, Gravity, Bubble and Berserk.
====Spellblade====
Mystic Knights in ''Final Fantasy V'' use the ability Spellblade to endow an equipped sword with an offensive magic spell (as such both Flare and Holy can be used, even though they are from different magic classes), or with status-harmful spells (such as Poison or Sleep). When they strike the enemy with the enchanted blade it engulfs the enemy with the selected spell as well as slicing them. Spellblade is classified as a type of magic in ''Final Fantasy V'', however, in another game featuring it, ''Final Fantasy IX'', the spell is actually cast by a magician onto another character's sword (Vivi casts spells onto Steiner's blades). In ''Final Fantasy XI'' Red Mages can cast En-spells (examples: Enfire, Enwater, etc.) onto their own weapons. In ''Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'', the Gladiator class has the Spellblade ability. Spellblade has classically been translated as Magic Sword for the original North American PSX releases of ''Final Fantasy V'' and ''Final Fantasy IX''.
====Dark Arts====
Appearing only in ''[[Final Fantasy V]] Advance'', this is magic utilized by the Necromancer job class. To learn this magic, a Necromancer must defeat an enemy that knows the spell. The Dark Arts are often expensive to use, but they are among the strongest spells within the game.
==Notes and references==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>
==See also==
* [[Final Fantasy items]]
* [[Status effect]]
==External links==
*[http://www.ffcompendium.com/h/summon.shtml Final Fantasy Compendium's full list of summons]
*[http://rinoa.nu/shiva Shoukan Kedamono] - Covers all of Shiva's Final Fantasy incarnations
{{Final Fantasy series}}
[[Category:Final Fantasy gameplay|Magic]]
[[es:Magia en Final Fantasy]]
[[ja:ファイナルファンタジーシリーズの魔法形態]]
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