Scourge (poison ability)

Scourge, also known as Bane and Poison, is a recurring ability in the Final Fantasy series. Its effects vary depending on the game, but it is usually a Black Magic spell and associated with the Poison element.

Final Fantasy
Scourge, also known as BANE in the NES release and Poison in the Final Fantasy Origins release, is a level 5 Black Magic spell which attempts to inflict Instant Death on all enemies, but it has a rather low success rate. Scourge can be cast by Dark Wizard and Tiamat.

The spell can be bought at Melmond and can be learned by the Black Mage, Black Wizard, and Red Wizard job classes. In the Dawn of Souls and 20th Anniversary Edition releases it costs 28 MP to cast.

Final Fantasy II
Scourge, also known as Poison in the Origins release, is a Black Magic spell that inflicts Poison-elemental damage to one or all enemies. The amount of damage inflicted increases depending on the spell's level. It is a particularly useful spell against enemies which are Lightning-based, as they are weak against the Poison element. As with all spells, any character can learn Scourge by having them use the Scourge Tome (called the Poison Scroll in the Origins release).

Scourge V is exclusive to Magician, Scourge VIII is exclusive to Red Soul, and Scourge XVI can be cast by Astaroth and Ghost.

Final Fantasy XI
Scourge is a Weapon Skill unique to Greatswords and only available when the Valhalla or Ragnarok is equipped. The ability increases critical hit chance.

Final Fantasy XII
Scourge is Black Magick 6 License that costs 50 LP, and consumes 48 MP. It causes HP damage to all enemies in range and inflicts the status Sap. The spell has the maximum effect capacity, which means no other spell or Technick can be performed simultaneously. It is bought at Balfonheim for 11,200 gil. Scourge is essentially an upgrade of the Bio spell.

In the International Zodiac Job System version, Scourge has been listed as a Black Magick 12 License and costs 120 LP. While its effects and MP cost are unchanged, it now costs 8,500 gil and can be bought at Barheim Passage.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Scourge is an enemy skill known by Gijuk and Raz and inflicts damage and Poison on a circle of enemies.

Final Fantasy XIV
Scourge is a spell for Thaumaturges (rank 1), that deals umbral damage in area of effect, and lowers resistance to said damage type. It costs 3 action points to set.

Trivia

 * "Kurauda" takes its name and design from the Dungeons & Dragons spell Cloudkill, which has been in the game since the first edition; Cloudkill occupies the same spell level which Scourge/Kurauda does in the magic system of the original Final Fantasy. Its design was substantially changed from Final Fantasy II onward as the series moved away from directly Dungeons & Dragons inspired design.