If you are even somewhat familiar with JRPGs, you already know the deal with theFinal Fantasy Series. Each numbered entry is a separate story featuring new characters and a new world. However, common themes and aesthetics tie all the stories together.
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These range from music, the use of crystals, weapon names, Gil as the currency, and many similar magic spells.While magic is a facet of virtually every RPG, Final Fantasy has a handful of iconic spells that, even if they did not originate in the series, feel associated with it. It just wouldn’t feel like a Final Fantasy game without these spells.
7Flare
Depending on the game, Flare works in one of two ways. Either it is an incredibly powerful fire spell, or it is a magic attack without elemental attributes, being powerful against all magic types and not weakening from the enemy’s elemental type.
Earning flare is typically a milestone in any magic user, signifying that they have become a particularly powerful mage. In Final Fantasy 10, Lulu does not earn it until later on in the sphere grid progression, and inFinal Fantasy Tactics, it is an incredibly expensive spell for the Black Mage class.
6Holy
Where white magic is typically used for defensive and healing purposes, Holy finally gives white mages a chance to do some real damage. Similar to Flare, it is an indication that the white mage has reached a great place in their magic skills.
In Final Fantasy 7, it even has a big part in the story, with the White Materia used to cast it being a vital part of the game’s last act. It is somewhat ironic to have a spell called Holy do so much damage. However, there’s nothing that says that holy power can’t bring about a lot of destruction.
5Protect And Shell
While we all want to attack and go on the offensive, thinking about a good defense is just as vital. Some enemies are just too strong to take on without some protection against both physical attacks and magic. Protect and Shell are always there to make sure yourparty membersdon’t take too much damage.
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The former shields against physical attacks while the latter helps against magic. The spell animation is generally nothing fancy, but that is not as important as how effective it is in combat. If you are under-leveled in a certain area or dungeon, generous use of Protect and Shell can even the odds until your characters grow stronger.
4Ultima
What is a more appropriate name for one of the most powerful spells in the series? Once you obtain Ultima, almost nothing can stop you. Flare is all well and good, but it typically only targets one enemy at a time.
Ultima hits the whole party and similarly ignores defenses and elemental strengths and weaknesses. The animation itself also always looks cool, feeling like a true blast of natural energy.It has no relation to Ultima weapon, which is usually one of the final weapons you get in a Final Fantasy.
3Haste
Even thoughalmost every Final Fantasy game is turn-basedor some variation of it, being fast is important. It generally determines what order you take the turns. This is where Haste comes in. Use it on a character to make them faster and put their turn to act ahead of others.
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Its partner spell, Slow, is also important and used to make sure enemies don’t attack too many times. The fun thing about this spell is seeing allies move faster in battle, whether that be during attacks or when they are standing idle.
2Meteor
In Final Fantasy 4, this spell was called Meteo in early localizations. If that was your introduction to the series, then you’ll fondly remember how Tellah mustered up all his strength and sacrificed himself to use this spell. It would not be the last time Meteor played an important part in the plot.
Final Fantasy 7’s plot hinges on the spell and it iscast with the Black Materia. In that game, Meteor has the power to destroy the world. In others, it is simply a small shower of comets you can call to rain down on enemies.
1Esuna
Just like you inflict status ailments on enemies, so will enemies put them on you. Removing them is a vital role of any white mage. This makes the spell Esuna a particularly effective and trusty friend. Use this and almost every status ailment you have is evaporated from the character.
You will probably end up using it more than items since these are generally specific to an ailment and cost money. Esuna uses MP, but most gamesrestore this at save points, making it more economical. Until you unlock Esuna in any particular game, certain enemy encounters will be tough and take a lot out of you. Esuna takes a huge load of pressure off when detrimental ailments can be eliminated with just one spell.
