Cactuar

The Cactuar (サボテンダー, Sabotendā) is a recurring enemy from the series as well as appearing as a summon. Cactuars are little cacti, typically depicted having stiff arms and legs, three black holes for their faces, representing two eyes and an oblong mouth, and three yellowish quills at the top of their heads. They have their own language, mostly consisting of variations of the word "Ge-ka", which resemble squeaks and warbles to the ear.

The cactuar's debut appearance was in Final Fantasy VI as an enemy in the desert near Maranda on the World of Ruin.

Origin
According to an article in the 15 February 1997 issue of V-Jump, the cactuar was designed by Tetsuya Nomura based on a doodle he drew on a notebook when he was a high school student. They bear a resemblance to Japanese clay figures called "Haniwa", a type of clay figures made for ritual and funerary uses.

As an Enemy
Cactuars are usually very fast, and are tough to hit. Their HP is also usually low, but their defenses are high and they often yield large amounts of Gil and EXP. Often, they counter most attacks with the ability 1000 Needles (Blow Fish in some versions of Final Fantasy V and Final Fantasy VI), which always deals 1000 HP of unblockable damage that ignores Defense. Usually, this ability can be learned as Blue Magic. In some games, such as Final Fantasy IX, cactuars may be underground and will only counter-attack if they are hiding. Some games have stronger versions of this attack, such as the 10,000 Needles. A cactuar also cannot stand when wet, as it weakens them.

They were originally known as Cactrots, and later renamed to cactuar. Other variations of cactuar include Qactuar, Kactuar, Cactuer and Cactoid. Other languages refer to them as "Pampa", "Kyactus" and "Cactilio". Its Japanese name is derived from mixing the Japanese word for cactus, "サボテン, saboten" and the English word "pretender".

The Gigantuar (ジャボテンダー, Jyabotendā), sometimes known as the Jumbo Cactuar, is a recurring boss type of cactuar. They are bigger versions of the cactuar and sometimes sport a mustache. In some occurrences, Gigantuar has the attack "10000 Needles", with an additional "99999 Needles" in games where the max HP limit is more than 9999.

As a Summon

 * See Cactuar's summon sequences here.

The cactuar has also appeared as a summon from time to time. Usually becoming available after defeating the Jumbo Cactuar, the cactuar uses 1000 Needles as its main attack, though this does not necessarily inflict 1,000 points of damage.

Final Fantasy VI


Cactuars, titled Cactrots in the original SNES English translation, have their first appearance in Final Fantasy VI. They can only be found in a small desert in the World of Ruin. Cactuars leave behind 10,000 Gil and 10 Magic Points, the largest of any common enemy.

A Gigantuar can be fought only in the Game Boy Advance version after the player defeats ten cactuars in the desert near Maranda. If it is defeated, the cactuar magicite is available. When summoned for 50 MP, cactuar randomly uses "1000 Needles" on all enemies or "10,000 Needles?" that does 9,999 damage.

Cactuar's magicite grants +2 Speed at Level up. It teaches the following spells:
 * Teleport x20
 * Vanish x10
 * Hastega x5

Final Fantasy VII


There are two type of cactuars in Final Fantasy VII; one is the regular cactuar found in the Corel Desert, the other is called a Cactuer found at Cactus Island (south of Cosmo Canyon). Cactus Island is only accessible through the use of the Highwind or gold chocobo.

Cactuers can be morphed into Tetra Elementals, an accessory that absorbs fire, ice, lightning, and earth magic.

A cactuar can also be made to appear in the Snowboarding game at Gold Saucer, as an extra figure to race the player during Time Attack mode.

Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-
Cactuars appear during Chapters 6 and 10 in Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-. They will not attack the player during these chapters, but will when encountered in extra missions.

Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-
The Sabotender and Sapotender are the two variants of cactuar in Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-
Large numbers of Kactuars can be fought in three special missions. A Kactuer also appears in the final mission, dropping Cactus Thorn. Cactuar appears as a summon on the DMW after obtaining the Cactus Thorn. 1000 Needles hits enemies a total of 18 times dealing damage based on the level of the DMW. A cactuar also appears from the safe later occupied by Lost Number if the player inputs the correct code.

Final Fantasy VIII


While a recurring enemy common in Kashkabald Desert, they are far more prevalent on an island southeast of the location. After defeating the Jumbo Cactuar, the cactuar can be obtained as a Guardian Force. Normal cactuars yield very little (around 2 to 3) EXP, but do yield 20 AP, the most of any regular enemy and even some bosses.

The Cactuar Guardian Force uses its signature 1,000 Needles move like the other cactuars, however, the damage is calculated by the first digit in cactuar's level times 100. At level 100 it will always do 10,000 damage to all enemies, one of the few attacks that breaks the damage limit.

Abilities learned from Cactuar are listed below:

Chocobo World
In Chocobo World, cactuar is one of Boco's friends and assists him on his quest to find MiniMog, and later on in his quest to save Koko. He helps by finding items for them to use throughout the game.

Final Fantasy IX


Cactuars appear in the desert areas on the Outer Continent and Forgotten Continent. They hide in the ground and cast Confuse. They can also use a turn to come above ground. When they are above ground, they hide underground when attacked. When underground, they counter all attacks with 1000 Needles. Quina is able to eat them and learn their signature 1000 Needles move.

Final Fantasy X


In Final Fantasy X, the cactuars are native to the deserts of Bikanel Island. A sidequest in Final Fantasy X involves Ten Cactuar Gatekeepers guarding the entrance to the Cactuar Nation in the Sanubia Sands. The player can obtain special Spheres for locating each cactuar, which leads the player to the Mercury Sigil.

Another variation are the Qactuar, who migrated from Bikanel to the Thunder Plains where Gandof sealed them in statues. Another is the Cactuar King which is an Area Conquest.

A number of Dolls for Lulu are a Cactuar.

Final Fantasy X-2
In Final Fantasy X-2, the cactuars return under the guidance of their leader, Marnela. Their life-cycle involves them starting off as cacti before becoming mobile and later returning to a cacti state, though there are Rogue Cactuar who refused to abide by it are thus sealed off. These cactuar in turn have the power to enlarge monsters with their needles.

The Ten Cactuar Gatekeepers are again gathered up from across Spira to save the nation from the danger from their mortal enemy, Angra Mainyu while Marnela sacrificed her life to protect the Nation in until they are all gathered. During the quest, the player also has the opportunity to fight the Jumbo Cactuar the rouge cactuar create. Rikku's initial reaction to the Mascot Dressphere is that she wanted to be a cactuar, which is actually Paine's weapon for this Dressphere.

If a cactuar is the last enemy and it runs away while one of the girls is trying to attack, the girl will run off screen in pursuit. She will be visible again when everyone does their victory pose.

Final Fantasy XI


Cactuar is a monster in the Sabotender family in Final Fantasy XI. In Final Fantasy XI, all enemy names are the same in every language. That is why this enemy family is known as Sabotender rather than cactuar. The enemy named cactuar within the Sabotender family is a nod to the English translation of this recurring enemy's name.

Members of the Sabotender family appear in the region of Kuzotz, spreading all over Altepa Desert. Some can also be found in the Quicksand Caves and Kuftal Tunnel. While aggressive only by sound, their ability 1000 Needles deals a total of one thousand points of damage to all targets within the area of effect. 10,000 Needles follows similar suit, and is used by Notorious Monsters in the Sabotender family.

The Sabotender family has two quite peculiar notorious monsters, one in each region of Altepa Desert, the more famous of the two being Cactrot Rapido. These NMs, unlike their weaker cousins, are not aggressive whatsoever, and they run at top speed through the desert, ignoring all forms of provocation other than defending their fellow Sabotenders. As such, parties that hunt these NMs do not sit in one spot waiting for it to appear; rather, a normal Sabotender is provoked and held at ready until the NM begins to attack as well.

Cactuar also appears as the cross-shaped constellation in the middle of the stellar map. One time, a group of meteors was observed falling from the location of the central star and was dubbed the "Thousand Needles Shooting Star."

Final Fantasy XII
Cactoids and Cactites are docile creatures found in the Dalmasca Estersand and Dalmasca Westersand. They will usually not attack unless provoked and are often found sleeping peacefully. Cactoids are not cactuars in the traditional sense, but share many traits, mainly being mobile cactus-esque beings. As they are only encountered early, they are not seen using a '1000 Needles' attack or any variation as most cactuars do, but can drop Bundles of Needles, which contains 1000 needles.

One of the hunts in the clan primer is a Flowering Cactoid, which looks similar to an ordinary Cactoid, but with a flower on its head. It will attack unprovoked, and can be found with the ordinary Cactoids, in the Dalmasca Estersand. It is the only enemy in the game that can use the 1,000 Needles attack.

Later in the game the party can also obtain the 1000 Needles attack as a technick from the merchant at the Mosphoran Highwaste.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
The Cactoid is the Rank I Earth Ranged Yarhi in Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. It attacks with 1000 Needles to deal minor damage.

Final Fantasy XIII
Cactuars are rare enemies in Gran Pulse's Archylte Steppe. They have 777,777 HP and use Kick as their attack. If not attacked in the beginning of a battle, the Cactuar will transform into a stronger version. There is a rare variant called the Flowering Cactuar that usually attempts to flee the battle, but may use powerful magic attacks as well.

The game also includes the Gigantuar, which can be fought in Cie'th Mission 54 on the Archylte Steppe. Its main attack is 10,000 Needles, which deals exactly 10,000 damage and sometimes deals Pain and Fog.

Additionally, there exists a gray-colored version with a mustache in game's data.

Final Fantasy XIV
Cactuars appear in Final Fantasy XIV. They possess their infamous technique "1000 Needles" dealing that amount of instant damage.

Final Fantasy: Unlimited
The cactuar used to live in a peaceful desert until they were attacked by the Wandering Ocean, which destroyed their home and forced them to hide underground. Thanks to the Comodeen & Kaze, the cactuar gained the courage to use their own lifeforce to create a whirlwind that destroyed the Wandering Ocean. Everyone mourned the deaths of their fallen comrades, until it was revealed the cactuar could be revived with sunlight. Fungo was the only one of the heroes to translate the cactuar language.

The cactuar were all voiced by Etsuko Kozakura in the Japanese version. Herba uses a similar group of cactus creatures as servants, referred by her as her "Cactibabies", last seen in "Fungus: Eternal Life" obtaining an Omega crystal and almost all of them were destroyed by Omega's aura in the process.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles


Cactuars appear in Lynari Desert in all three cycles. They are fairly scarce regardless of Cycle.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
Cactuars appear in My Life as a King as normal enemies in various dungeons. The Jumbo Cactuar is a boss which can be fought in the Infinity Spire.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord
Cactuar appears as a summon in My Life as a Darklord. However, this time, cactuar cannot attack; instead, it cures its allies. Its speed is Sprightly, and it takes one slot to summon. It is obtained in Chapter 3, in Quartint Hills 3.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time
Cactuar makes a cameo appearance in Echoes of Time. In the desert on the overworld, casting magic on the cactuar shaped cactus will make two to four scratch cards pop out.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Cactuars appear in The Crystal Bearers. When a water attack is used on one, it grows to immense proportions. The player can pick up cactuars and use their special attack 1000 Needles against other enemies. It is also possible to acquire a cactuar emblem.

Dissidia Final Fantasy


Cactuar appears as a summon in Dissidia Final Fantasy. It uses 1,000 Needles on the opponent's Bravery points, reducing them by 1,000. If the opponent's bravery is less than 1,000, their bravery is reduced to zero, without inflicting break. Cactuar can be obtained as a Stage Bonus on the Destiny Odyssey IX storyline.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Cactuar returns as a summonstone, with the same function as in Dissidia. He can be purchased from certain Moogle Shops for 60 KP.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Cactuars will appear as enemies in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy.

Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon 2
The Cactuar also appears in Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon and Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon 2 as an enemy class and a specific enemy. Oddly, they attack primarily with Gil Toss, though some types can use Poison Needle. They can also drop a large amount of gil upon defeat.



Chocobo Racing
In Chocobo Racing, the Cactuar is a secret character. In order to unlock it, the Story Mode must be beaten six times. Afterwards, the cactuar can be selected by holding R2 while the cursor is over Squall. It is unique in that the cactuar does not use a vehicle to race, and rather runs around the track.

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon
Cactuars are fairly enigmatic enemies in this game, as their movement speed doesn't work like that of most enemies. They technically have the same movement speed as chocobo, but they are allowed to move two grids or attack once each turn, making them hard to fight. They have long-range skills such as Gil Toss and 1000 Needles. They also appear as a Dry Cactuar variant in the Guardian of the Light dungeon.

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales
Cactuar is an earth element, and has six cards under his name.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3
The Cactuar appears as a secret character in the Mario sports game, Mario Hoops 3-on-3 along with a Ninja, a White Mage and a Black Mage. This is mainly because Square Enix developed the game. Cactuar's special shot is 1000 Needles. Unique to its design in this game and the Nintendo Wii spiritual sequel, Mario Sports Mix, in which it was also an unlockable character, the cactuar's design incorporates segmented limbs, giving the arms and legs a jointed appearance, which may have been intended to make it look flexible enough to play basketball. He is the fastest player in the game.

Cactuar reappeared in Mario Sports Mix for the Nintendo Wii alongside the same four unlockable Final Fantasy characters with which it debuted.

Kingdom Hearts
There is a Cactuar Gummi ship that is winnable in Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II. The player can unlock the ship by obtaining the necessary amount of Gummi Blocks (KH) or by obtaining a high rank in Gummi Ship mode (KH2).

Hanjuku Hero 4
Cactuars make an appearance in the ending cutscene of Hanjuku Hero 4.

On a game called The Bouncer made by Squaresoft, one of the main protagonists, Volt Krueger, has three pictures of a Cactuar on his jacket.

Roblox
In the online game , the player can purchase a hat called "Catcrot." The hat's description, "Desert, South of Miranda. World of Ruin. Watch out for Blow Fish," is a direct reference to Final Fantasy VI (the original term for 1000 Needles was "Blowfish"). The player can purchase it for 1000 Tix, or ROBUX, another reference to the 1000 Needles ability. It is even in the form of a cactus wearing a small hat.

Trivia

 * In the description of the Cactuar in one of the Final Fantasy games on PlayStation, the Cactuar was going to be described with the sentence "It ejaculates needles!". This was because the game was being translated by a Japanese speaker. His reviser, Alexander O. Smith, managed to correct the description before the game's release.



Kaktor Kyactus