Cover (ability)

Cover is a recurring ability in the Final Fantasy series. It allows a character to take physical damage in the place of an ally. It is usually associated with the Paladin or Warrior classes.

Final Fantasy III
The Cover ability is available for the Knight job class.

Final Fantasy IV
Cover is used by Cecil Harvey as a command ability once he becomes a Paladin. He can use it to take damage in the place of an ally of his choice. He automatically Covers any characters who are low on HP.

Final Fantasy V
Cover is the Level 1 ability for the Knight class. It only Covers characters who are low on HP.

Final Fantasy VI
Cover is enabled by equipping the True Knight relic, which allows characters to Cover allies who are low on HP.

Final Fantasy VII
The Cover Materia grants this ability.

Final Fantasy VIII
Cover is taught by the GF Brothers. Damage is reduced by half when Covering.

Final Fantasy IX
Cover can be learned by Adelbert Steiner, Amarant Coral, and Freya Crescent. Zidane Tribal can learn the ability Protect Girls, which allows him to Cover a female character.

Final Fantasy XI
Cover is a job ability available to Paladins upon reaching level 35. Cover in this game actually relies upon the character wishing to be Covered to physically position themselves behind the Paladin for it to be effective. Cover does not negate damage, but allows the Paladin to take damage in place of the intended target for 15 seconds. This is usually used when a particular party member has gained a great deal of unwanted enmity, though the use of this ability does not actually shift enmity. The effect of Cover can be increased if the Paladin is wearing certain pieces of equipment (IE: Gallant Coronet or Valor Surcoat) and Cover also enhances the effect of some equipment, such as the sword Save The Queen. Cover may be used once every 5 minutes.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Cover is used by Basch. If he has the "Hero's Knowledge" support, damage will be greatly reduced when covering.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Cover is a job ability available to Paladins. The Paladin chooses a unit within range to Cover. If that unit is attacked, the Paladin temporarily switches places with him or her. Any reaction abilities the Paladin has will trigger.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Cover is a job ability available to Paladins. The Paladin chooses a unit within range to Cover. If that unit is attacked, the Paladin temporarily appears in front of him or her to take the attack (An improvement over the previous game that means even if the Paladin and the unit being covered are both targeted by the same attack, only the Paladin will be harmed). Cover now works on any counter attacks that the covered unit may trigger, and negates any knockback that would be done by critical hits/skills. Neither character can active their Reaction Abilities when the Paladin covers an attack.