Flare (ability)



Flare, also known as Nuke, is a recurring spell throughout the Final Fantasy series. Though its name implies fire-elemental properties, rarely is this the case as it is usually non-elemental Black Magic. Flare is considered an "Ultimate" spell, along with Ultima, Meteor, Holy, Burst, Freeze, and Tornado. Flare is often the Black Magic equivalent and opposite of the spell Holy when the spell Meteor is not.

There are many versions of Flare. Bahamut's signature attack is Megaflare, with variations being Gigaflare and Teraflare. Flare Star is enemy-exclusive and Shadow Flare is a dark-elemental version of the spell.

Final Fantasy


Flare (NUKE on the NES) is a level 8 Black Magic spell which inflicts large non-elemental damage to all enemies. Offensively, it is the most powerful spell. Flare can be cast by Chronodia, Shinryu, Death Knight, Lich, and Chaos.

The spell can be bought at Lufenia and can only be learned by the Black Wizard job class. In the Dawn of Souls and 20th Anniversary Edition releases it costs 50 MP to cast.

Final Fantasy II
Flare is a Black Magic spell which inflicts a heavy amount of non-elemental damage to one or all enemies. Offensively, it is one of the most powerful spells, second to Ultima. As the spell's level grows, so too does its potency. Any character can learn Flare by having them use the Flare Tome (Flare Scroll in Origins).

Flare X is used exclusively by Wizard, while Flare XVI is used by Beelzebub, Emperor in the final battle, Zombie Borghen, Light Emperor, and Ultima Weapon. According to the cutscene immediately prior to the Light Emperor battle, the Emperor utilized Flare XVI on Maria during their fight, in retaliation for her casting Holy Lv. 16 on him.

Final Fantasy III
Flare is a level 8 Black Magic, which can only be cast by the Magus and Sage. It can be bought in Eureka, and it costs 60,000 gil to buy. Doga can cast Flare when he joins the party as a guest in the 3D version, and the player can also use Flare through the Chocobo's Wrath item. It has a base power of 200.

The enemies Titan, Scylla, and Echidna can use Flare against the party.

Final Fantasy IV
Flare is the second strongest Black Magic spell after Meteor, but is cast faster and for half the MP. In the 2D versions it takes 50 MP cast, and in 3D versions it takes 55 MP. In the 3D versions it has a spell power of 160 and 400 in all other versions.

In the Advance and Complete Collection versions Flare Sledgehammer randomly casts Flare when attacking with it, even if the weapon is actually Ice-elemental due to a bug.

Flare can be cast by Zeromus EG, Dark Bahamut, Zeromus, and Deathmask.

It was known as Nuke in the SNES version, with Flare as the Twincast spell. In the Game Boy Advance version onwards, the Black Magic spell is called Flare and the Twin spell was called Pyro.

Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-
Flare is a Black Magic spell. it can be learned by imposter Rydia (level 55) and Palom (level 52). It deals massive non-elemental damage to one enemy at the cost of 50 MP.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Flare is a powerful Black Magic that can be cast by Rydia, Fusoya, Golbez, Palom, and Leonora. It costs 50 MP to cast and inflicts major non-elemental damage.

Final Fantasy V
Flare is a Level 6 Black Magic spell, and it is obtained in the magical part of the Fork Tower, where you must defeat Omniscient. The physical part contains Holy and the Minotaur must be defeated. If the party takes too long getting one after the other, the tower will explode and result in a Game Over.

Damage calculation parameters are:
 * $$Attack = Spell Attack + (0..(Spell Attack/32))$$
 * $$M = (Level*Magic Power)/256 + 4$$
 * $$Defense = (Magic Defense/32)$$

The formula for Flare is:
 * $$Damage = (Spell Attack + (0..(Spell Attack/32)) - (Magic Defense/32)) * M$$

Flare can be used by Barrier, Enuo, Exdeath in the final battle, Famed Mimic Gogo, Necrophobe, Neo Exdeath, Omniscient, and Archeodemon.

The player can also utilize the Flare spell without having to obtain the spell by catching and then releasing either a Goblin, Flaremancer, Fury, or Claret Dragon. Flare is one of the spells that can be cast from the Wonder Wand for free.

Final Fantasy VI
Flare is an Attack spell that does non-elemental damage and ignores magic defense. It is taught by Bahamut at a rate of x2, though Celes can learn it naturally at level 81. Its Spell Power is 60, its Hit Rate is 150, and is vulnerable to Runic. It costs 45 MP to cast. Flare is an Added Ability to the Ragnarok weapon.

Flare can be cast by Flame Eater, Guardian, Shambling Corpse, Level 90 Magic, Cherry, Magic, Necromancer, Red Dragon, Ultima Weapon, Kaiser Dragon, and Behemoth King (Living).

Final Fantasy VII
Flare is found in the Contain Materia, as the level 4 spell that costs 100 MP to cast and requires 15,000 AP to learn. It does extreme fire damage, its spell power being equal to 7.1875x the base magic damage. Only the enemy Behemoth casts the spell against the party. The King Behemoth has access to the spell, but only when under Manipulate.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-
Flare is usable by the Flare Materia. It lights up the screen with a bright red flash, all enemies taking damage when it dies down. Flare costs 77 MP to cast, and is one of the few spells that cannot be used with Dualcast. Flare can be obtained through missions 2-4-2, 3-4-4, 3-5-3, 5-4-3, 8-6-4, 9-3-6, 9-4-4, 9-4-5, 9-4-6, 9-5-1, 9-5-2, 9-6-1, 9-6-4 or Materia Fusion by fusing a mastered Electrocute Materia with any of the following: Libra, Dash, Tri-Fire, Tri-Thundaga, Goblin Punch, Iron Fist, or Magical Punch. It can also be made by fusing a mastered Tri-Fire with a mastered Libra.

Final Fantasy VIII
Flare is a powerful spell that inflicts major non-elemental damage on one opponent. It can only be drawn from some of the most powerful random encounter enemies and a few bosses, and can only be created using rare items. Flare is also a powerful junctioning magic, having one of the largest effects when junctioned to Str-J and Elem-Def-J.

Casting Flare in battle increases compatibility with Eden by 0.4 and with Brothers, Diablos, Leviathan and Bahamut by 0.2. Casting Flare doesn't lower compatibility with any GF.

Flare is cast in battle by Adel, Behemoth, Griever, Ruby Dragon, Seifer (fourth battle), Sorceress B, and Ultimecia's final form.

Final Fantasy IX
Flare is a Black Magic spell for Vivi that deals non-elemental damage, but cannot be toggled to target more than one foe. Vivi can learn the spell for 95 AP by equipping the Black Robe, and costs 40 MP to cast. It can be reflected and works with Return Magic.

Additionally, Kuja, Garland, Trance Kuja and Ozma can all cast Flare. Thorn can cast a lesser version called Light Flare after being charged by Zorn. The spell has a power of 119 and is the strongest single-target spell Vivi can cast. It can also be used in Steiner's Sword Magic.

Final Fantasy X
Flare deals non-elemental damage on one target. It can be reflected. It is the final ability on Lulu's standard Sphere Grid path, and is near the end of Rikku's expert Sphere Grid path. The spell can be cast by Abaddon, Behemoth King, Black Element, Catoblepas, Coeurlregina, Dark Flan, Earth Eater, Greater Sphere, Jumbo Flan, Sleep Sprout, Mindy, Seymour Flux, Seymour Natus. It costs 54 MP to cast and has a spell power is 60.

Final Fantasy X-2
Flare is a Black Magic spell used by equipping either the Conflagration or Megiddo Garment Grids and spherechanging through the colored gates. The spell will then appear in the Black Magic skillset. It inflicts major non-elemental damage and costs 54 MP to cast. A similar attack called Flare Whirl is used by Yuna's Floral Fallal dressphere, and hits three times against random enemies. Flare can also be used via Yuna's Festivalist dressphere ability Flare Sandals, which hits two enemies. Flare can be used by many enemies.

Quick Flare allows a character to cast Flare with reduced recovery time. Captured creatures can learn the ability by equipping the Garment Grid Tricks of the Trade.

Final Fantasy XI
Flare is the Fire-elemental Ancient Magic spell. It takes a tremendously long 19 seconds to cast, as well as depleting a phenomenal 383 MP from its user, but is the highest-damaging Fire-based Black Magic spell until a Black Mage reaches Level 75. At such a time, said mage can learn Flare II through the use of Merit Points, which all but halves the casting time and reduces the casting cost by 96 MP; as well, the spell deals significantly more damage than Flare.

Additionally, both spells lower a foe's resistance to the Water element for a brief duration. Unfortunately, neither spell is particularly useful to a Black Mage's arsenal, because both the Lightning and Ice elements (in that order) are stronger than that of Fire, and will generally out-damage any Fire-based spell cast upon a target barring particular, unique weakness to Fire attacks (such as Bomb and Undead enemies).

Final Fantasy XII
Flare is the Black Magick 7 License for 70 LP, and it inflicts heavy non-elemental damage on a single target for 48 MP. Flare has the maximum Effect Capacity, which means no other spell or Technick can be performed simultaneously. A similar spell is Ardor, which casts extreme Fire damage to all targets in range. Flare costs 11,200 gil at Balfonheim Port after the events in Pharos.

In the Zodiac versions, Flare is found in Pharos - Third Ascent. It requires the Black Magick 12 License for 120 LP and can be used by the Black Mage job.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Flare is Kytes's ultimate ability at Level 42 and inflicts massive non-elemental damage to one enemy. The Esper Chaos can use Flare as its ultimate ability.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Flare is a magic ability. Flare deals fire damage to all foes in range. It deals more damage the less HP Lightning has. At level 1, it has an ATB cost of 100, Attack x10.00, and Stagger Power of A.

Flare Lv. 1 can be found in a treasure sphere at the Altar of Salvation, one of the four Trials in God's Sanctum (there is a rare chance to obtain the ability with an increased Attack value of x11.00. The game's internal random number generator affecting this probability can be reset by reloading a game that was saved prior to opening the treasure sphere). Flare is a rare drop included in Caius's loot table (Hard-Mode). Flare Lv. 3 is a Locked-Ability on the Astral Lord Garb.

Final Fantasy XIV
Flare appeared as an ability in the original version and it dealt massive fire-elemental damage to the target and nearby enemies. At the initial release, Flare was a Conjurer spell available for use at Rank 44 and it cost 4 action points to set. After the release of patch 1.20, Flare became a high level fire-elemental spell for Black Mages, learned by completing the International Relations quest.

Flare appears in the relaunch, as a Black Mage spell obtained after completing their level 50 job quest. It has a cast time of 4 seconds and consumes all of the user's remaining MP with a minimum MP cost of 266. When the spell is cast, it grants the Astral Fire III effect for 10 seconds and removes Umbral Ice.

Red Mages can also learn a variation of Flare called Verflare at Lv. 68, first requiring the Combo chain of Enchanted Riposte, Enchanted Zwerchhau and Enchanted Redoublement to be executed. From there, the spell can be cast for 600 MP without a cast time required and fills the Black Magic gauge by 21 and a 20% chance of Verfire being available to cast.

Final Fantasy XV
Flare is the ultimate fire elemancy spell and is capable of breaking the damage limit. It inflicts massive fire damage on all enemies. Flare is created by adding a catalyst that grants Limit Break while making a Fire-type spell.

Final Fantasy Tactics
Flare is learned by the Black Mage for 900/1000 (WotL) JP, and is their ultimate spell. It costs 60 MP to cast and has a speed of 15. The Lucavi Zalera can cast an upgraded form called Flareja, and some high-level enemies can cast Giga Flare.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Flare is learned by Alchemists from the Lotus Mace, which costs 300 AP to learn and inflicts extreme non-elemental damage to one enemy. It costs 36 MP to cast, has a Magic Power of 65, is stealable through the ability Steal: Ability, and is also susceptible to Return Magic and Absorb MP. The spell cannot be reflected.

Sages possess an area version, Giga Flare, also learned from the Lotus Mace for 300 AP. There is also a Blue Magic called LV? S-Flare which is learned from Vampire, and deals Dark-elemental damage to all enemies of the same level.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Flare is learned by Alchemists by equipping the Lotus Mace. It costs 400 AP to master and costs 16 MP to use.

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Flare is a Wizard spell, and the strongest spell. It does heavy Fire-elemental damage to one or more enemies. It can be repelled. Only Benjamin can cast the spell. It is found inside Pazuzu's Tower.

Final Fantasy Adventure
The Nuke spell is the most destructive force. It can only travel in a straight line. It is obtained by defeating Lich in the Sealed Cave, and cost 3 MP to cast. This spell is needed to gain access to the Cave of Ruins due to a crystal in the desert blocking the entrance.

Nuke is also an enemy ability used by the Julius and Julius 3rd Form, a projectile that is shot in all eight directions.

The Final Fantasy Legend
Flare is an ability that has 3 uses and has an attack power of 8 which damages all enemies, the damage formula is base on Mana. This ability is used by Lich, Athtalot, Ashura and the Creator.

Flare appears as a Magic book with a book icon before its name. It cast Flare, and can be bought in Hidden Town for 50,000 GP. It only has 20 uses and an attack power of 10, the damage formula for Flare is base on Mana. Deals non-elemental damage to all enemies.

Final Fantasy Legend II
Flare is a magical attack that has 5 uses, it also increases a Robot's HP by 9 (though it cannot be equipped to them). The damage formula for Flare is the user's Mana x10 while Apollo's Flare is Mana x8. The ability target's all enemies. This attack can be used by Athtalot, Haniwa, Lich, Titania, and Apollo.

A Magic Book called Flare appears with a book icon before its name. It cast Flare, and can be bought in Final Town for 50000 GP or found in chests. It only has 10 uses, and also increases a Robot's HP by 144 when equipped on them. The damage formula for Flare is the user's Mana x13, deals non-elemental damage to all enemies.

Final Fantasy Legend III
Flare, a Lost Magic spell, is the strongest magic spell. It costs 56 MP to use, and it can be made by combining two Fire elemental stones from Shar aboard the Talon. Because there are only four Fire elemental stones, it is only possible to have two copies of Flare, at the expense of several weaker Lost spells.

Nuke is a separate spell entirely. While much weaker than Flare, it is the strongest Black Magic spell. It costs 36 MP to use, and it can be bought for 25000 GP in Dwelg Town (Underworld).

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
The legendary Flare Tome is mentioned by a scientist at Guera Palace, but it does not appear as a usable spell or enemy ability.

Bravely Default
Flare is an enemy ability that deals high magical fire damage to the entire party. It is used by Airy (second form).

Zeta Flare is an enemy ability that deals very high magical fire damage to the party. It is used by Airy (third form).

Bravely Second: End Layer
Flare is a level 7 Black Magic for the Black Mage. It deals major fire damage to all targets and can be group-cast. It costs 80 MP to use. It can be bought at Vampire Castle for 12800 pg.

Final Fantasy Dimensions
Flare is a level 8 Black Magic learned by Level 1 Magus (Warriors of Darkness).

Dissidia Final Fantasy
Onion Knight has Flare as an HP attack chained from Thunder. As a Mime, Bartz is able to use Onion Knight's version of Flare, but his version is chained from Holy. Their versions of Flare summon streams of fire to bombard enemies from three directions. Onion Knight's Flare costs 40 CP to equip and 300 AP to master, while Bartz's Flare costs 45 CP to equip and 180 AP to master. Terra can cast Flare as a part of Holy Combo. After landing a hit with Holy Combo, Terra shoots several fireballs at the opponent. This can chain further into Ultima.

Kuja has a variation called Remote Flare, which summons several small explosive fireballs to surround opponents. It costs 30 CP to equip and 180 AP to master. Kuja also uses Flare in many of his Bravery attacks, and his Flare Star HP attack.

The Emperor has two versions of Flare as HP attacks, one which fires a blue fireball that moves slowly and tracks enemies, and another which fires an orange fireball that stays in place. Both versions cost 40 CP to equip and 180 AP to master. Shantotto's Spirit Magic: Fire casts Flare when she has over 6000 Bravery, launching a barrage of smaller fireballs towards her opponent, culminating in a massive explosion.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Garland has Flare as an HP attack. He enchants his sword with fire and attacks the opponent with two overhead slam attacks.

Shantotto's Spirit Magic: Fire now casts Flare when she has over 4000 Bravery. Onion Knight's Flare now costs 30 CP to equip and 160 AP to master. Terra's Flare now has Ranged Mid Damage Priority, causing it to stagger blocking opponents. Kuja's Remote Flare costs 100 AP to master now. Both versions of the Emperor's Flare now cost 30 CP to equip and 130 AP to master, and his aerial Flare inflicts downwards Wall Rush. Bartz's Flare is unchanged.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT
Several characters retain the use of Flare in their movesets, though they have been changed significantly. Garland's Flare launches a fireball from his sword. Emperor's Flares, renamed Blue Soul and Red Soul are Bravery attacks and both follow the target. Terra's Flare comes in two variations depending on whether or not she is in a charged state. Shantotto also gains the spell as a Bravery attack, though it turns into a rapid fire Fire spell in her enranged state

Final Fantasy All the Bravest
Flare Thundaga is the ability that is used by Magus during battle. It is also an enemy ability that is used by Exdeath and Lich during battle.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper
Flare is a Black Magic ability with a Rarity of 5☆. It deals massive non-elemental magic damage to one target, it can initially be used two times and it can be honed to Rank 5. It can be created by using Major Black Orb x10, Major Non-Elemental Orb x6, Major Fire Orb x6, and 50000 gil.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
Flare is a level 7 black magic spell that cost 35 MP to cast. It causes fire damage on a single foe and reduces the target's water resistance.

This ability can be obtained by Kuja as his Trust Master Reward. Four other characters, including Emperor from Final Fantasy II and Terra from Final Fantasy VI, learn the ability on their own.

World of Final Fantasy
Flare is an active magic ability that inflicts neutral magical damage on a single target for 9 AP. It can be used by Bahamut★ and Lich.

It is also an enemy ability used by Brandelis, Exnine Bahamut (1st), and Enna Kros.

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon
Flare is a Lv. 7 spell that cost 5 SP to cast and attacks all enemies in a 7x7 grid around Chocobo.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
One of Lulu's cards has the Flare ability. Flare costs one Thunder CP, the discard of a Lulu card, and the player must Dull Lulu. Flare deals 8000 damage to a Forward of the player's choice.

Flare is the final tech that Lucca learns and is her most powerful attack. It deals severe Fire-elemental damage to all targets at a cost of 20 MP.

Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring


Flare is a magic spell within the Forsaken Dungeon. The Basic Magic version surrounds the user with a ring of fire and consume one Magic Stone when used. The Ultra Magic version encases the user's body in fire and damages enemies upon contact with the user's body, it consumes three Magic Stones when used.

Heavenstrike Rivals
Flare is Julius and Demon Form Julius's ability. At the start of the player turn, deal 2-6 damage split between random enemy units.

Etymology
In the case of Final Fantasy, while this may seem weaker than an explosion, a flare is a contained release of energy, which fully exposes the enemy to the source rather than blow them away from it after a while.