Mindflayer

The Mindflayer (マインドフレイア Maindofureia), also known as the Mind Flayer, the Mindflare, the Mind Flare, the Mind Mage, the Mage, or the Sorcerer, is a recurring enemy and genus in the Final Fantasy series. Their signature attack is Mind Blast, which tends to cause various status effects and occasionally damage.

One common variation is the Piscodemon (ピスコディーモン Pisukodīmon), often appearing as a paler variant of the Mindflayer.

Another common variant, the Squidraken (スクイドラーケン Sukuidorāken), also translated as the Squidlarkin, or the Drakan, is a variation associated with the color blue.

Final Fantasy


The Mindflayers, also known as the Sorcerer in the NES, and the Mind Flare in the PlayStation release, appear as more powerful Piscodemon inside Ice Cave, the Citadel of Trials, the Flying Fortress, and the Chaos Shrine of the past. Their physical attack, while weak, can inflict Instant Death, and they can use Mind Blast to inflict Paralysis to the entire party. They also have another pallet swap, the Squidraken enemy which appears in the bonus dungeons added in the ''Dawn of Souls re-release and all versions thereafter.

Final Fantasy IV


The Mindflayer, originally translated as Mage for the SNES and PlayStation versions, and Mind in the J2e translation, is an enemy and a summon in Final Fantasy IV. It uses its signature move Mind Blast to inflict Paralysis and Sap to one target along with non-elemental damage. It can be found in the Lodestone Cavern, and has a pallet-swap named Mist Kraken who appears exclusively in the Advance version, more specifically in the Lunar Ruins during Rydia's Trial. Additionally, the Mindflayer rarely drops an eponymous item that allows Rydia to be able to summon the Mindflayer, who will cast Mind Blast, which is identical to the enemy's version. In the DS version, it has a spell power of 50.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Mindflayers return in this installment and fight in the same manner as in the original Final Fantasy IV. They are fought in Mist Cave in Ceodore's tale, the Agart Mine in Rydia's Tale, the Lodestone Cavern and the Challenge Dungeon in Palom's Tale, the Tower of Babil in Edge's Tale, and the Challenge Dungeons of Yang Fang Leiden and Edward.

Final Fantasy V


Known as the Mind Mage in the RPGe fan translations and Mind Flare in the PS version, the Mindflayer only appears in the final section of the Interdimensional Rift. It has both high stats and can use two Blue Magic abilities: Flamethrower, a Fire attack, and the signature Mind Blast, which inflicts Paralysis, Sap, and non-elemental damage.

Final Fantasy IX


The Drakan, known in Japan as the Squidraken, a derivative of the Mindflayer, appears as a enemy in the Desert Palace. It uses multiple different status spells, such as Mustard Bomb, which inflicts Heat, Freeze, which inflicts the eponymous status, Bio, which inflicts Poison, and Mind Blast, which inflicts Confusion.

Final Fantasy XI


Soulflayers are part of the demon ecosystem, said to be the ultimate transformation of a Blue Mage that have succumbed to the "beast within." They were introduced in the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion, and they use many different types of powerful magic. They retain their signature attack, Mind Blast, here inflicting Lightning damage and Paralysis.

Final Fantasy XII


The Mindflayer is a Mark which appears in the Henne Mines. A Garif from the village of Jahara orders this Hunt, since the Garif are not able to fight proficiently against monsters that rely on magic. It uses many mid-level spells, such as Fira, Blizzara, Thundara, and Bio. It also uses Invert to flip one character's HP and MP.

The Piscodaemon, a paler, green-tinted, stronger version of the Mindflayer, is a Rank V Mark petitioned by one of the Kiltias on Mt. Bur-Omisace. It is described as being a "Nu Mou Male, fallen into dark, sorcerous ways." It has access to many similar abilities as the Mindflayer, but it does not contain elemental spells other than the Dark element through the Darkra spell.

Final Fantasy Tactics


The Mindflayer genus consists of three species, the Piscodaemon, Squidraken, and the Mindflayer, who are known as the Pisco Demon, the Squidlarkin, and the Mind Flare in the PlayStation version, respectively. The weaker Piscodaemon may only have weak physical attacks, but the Squidraken can remove positive status effects with Dischord, and the Piscodaemons can Confuse characters with Mind Blast.

It is possible to recruit a Piscodemon to Ramza's side

Gallery
The Mindflayer summon from ''Final Fantasy IV gc-IYGJ7yng

Etymology
Mindflayers, or "Illithids", are a race found in Dungeons & Dragons. They are humanoids, with heads resembling those of octopi. They are known for having fearsome psychic powers, and often enslave other races. They are based largely on the ancient god Cthulhu in the stories of H. P. Lovecraft.