Silence (status)

Silence, also known as Fog, is a recurring, and common, negative status effect. It is one of the few status effects that have appeared in every game in the main series to date. It has also appeared as a spell that causes said status effect.

Silence removes the victim's energy source and speech, which prevents them from casting Magic and other commands that require speech, such as the Sing ability. Silence is usually indicated by a speech bubble hovering above the afflicted unit's head, either with three dots ("...") inside it, or a red cross striking through it. Common ways of curing Silence are using the Echo Herbs item and casting the magic Vox or Esuna. In some games, Silence lasts even after battle, however it does not inhibit characters from saying their lines during cutscenes.

Final Fantasy
Silence can be inflicted upon the party through the use of the Silence spell. Silence can only be removed through the use of the White Magic spell Vox or the use of Echo Grass.

Final Fantasy II
Silence can be inflicted through the use of the spell Silence, or through the physical attacks of the Great Malboro and Malboro Menace.

Final Fantasy III
Silence can only be inflicted either through the use of the spell Silence, or through the physical attacks of the boss Echidna. It can be cured by using an Echo Herbs or the spell Esuna.

Final Fantasy IV
When inflicted with the Silence status, it disables White Magic, Black Magic, Summon, Recall, Sing, Twincast, and Ninjutsu. It has no effect on abilities classified as monster magic.

Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-
The Silence status returns as a status effect in the sequel of Final Fantasy IV, and it functions the same way as its predecessor.

Final Fantasy V
Commands that are unusable due to being inflicted by Silence are White Magic, Black Magic, Time Magic, Summon, Sing, Dark Arts, and Spellblade. Blue Magic and spells cast through weapons can still be used as normal.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-
Silence is a status effect that prevents affected enemies or Zack himself from using magic.

Final Fantasy VIII
Silence disables the Magic, Draw and GF commands and lasts even after the battle ends until cured. Rinoa is immune to the status during her Angel Wing Limit Break.

Final Fantasy XI
Silence can be inflicted by a wide variety of items, monsters, spells, and Weapon Skills. Players may even subject themselves to a ten-minute silence in Beadeaux to avoid a more dangerous curse. In addition to blocking the use of magic and song, silence prevents the practice of Ninjutsu. It does not inhibit abilities like Warcry, however, in spite of the implied use of voice. The dark dragon monster family's "song" abilities (Lodesong, Voidsong, Thornsong, and Nullsong) are also suppressed.

The duration of silence can be reduced by the Barsilence and Barsilencera spells. Bards and Scholars gain Resist Silence traits that offer additional defense. Silence can be dispelled by various means including Silena, Healing Waltz, Leviathan's Spring Water Blood Pact, and the item Echo Drops.

Mute, a more powerful version of silence, imposes the same limitations with a greater duration but cannot be removed by any conventional means. A researcher in Port Windurst will pay players to show her this rare affliction and subsequently dispel it.

Omerta status, presumably named for the notorious Mafia code of silence, is yet another variation on Silence status; this one is inflicted as part of the Pathos of Alzadaal on those who dare venture deep into the Ruins of Alzadaal to take part in Salvage. It is removed by leaving the ruins, or by obtaining and using a Praecipitatio Cell (in this case, not even dying will help).

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Silence is a status effect that prevents a unit from casting magicks.

Fran learns the ability Silencing Arrow at level 35 and it inflicts Silence on the target. Ramuh's signature move Judgement Bolt inflicts Silence and deals lightning damage to foes in range. Raiden's attack Silent Storm also inflicts Silence and deals lighting damage to one foe.

Final Fantasy XIII
Fog is a status ailment that prevents the victim from casting magic. It can be removed by the Esuna spell or the Mallet item. It can be inflicted by the single-target Fog spell, or the area-of-effect Fogga spell, both used by the Saboteur.

Final Fantasy Tactics
A character inflicted with Silence has a balloon with "..." above their head.

The character cannot use the following abilities and skills:
 * White Magick
 * Black Magick
 * Time Magick
 * Mystic Arts
 * Summon
 * Speechcraft
 * Sky Mantra
 * Nether Mantra
 * Bio
 * Ultima

Curiously enough, Sing is not disabled by Silence, nor are any of the Templar's Spellblade attacks.

This status effect can be added with Bad Breath, Bewitching Gaze, Biora, Aphony, Grand Cross, Sylph, Forbidden Dance, Quiescence, and Silence. Magic Ring, Gold Hairpin, Cachusha, Ribbon can all be equipped to prevent Silence. Silence lasts for 36 ticks.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Aside from magic, Silence is able to prevent the use of a Paladin's Parley and a Hunter's Advice. Dragoons are also unable to use Wyrmtamer and Bangaa Cry, although they can still use their elemental Breaths. Ninjas are unable to use Ninja Skill, with the exception of Throw, while silenced. Assassins, however, are unaffected.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Silence prevents the use of Parley and Advice, as in the previous game.

Vagrant Story
Silent is a status effect that disables a target from casting any spells. Ashley can cast this from using Grimoire Muet and later on through the Sorcery spell Silence for 7 MP. Attacking the "Head" of a target and reducing its status to "Dying" automatically causes Silent on the target. Other abilities include Ashley's Chain Ability Dulling Impact.

It may be removed by moving to another room, or have another spell cast on the target. Even under Silent status, Ashley can cast a spell if he uses a Grimoire. Equipping Silent Queen gem to a Shield increases chances to evade this status by 30%.

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Muffle and Silence Song doesn't set Silence status or Silence itself simply doesn't work in the game.

Final Fantasy Legend III
The target inflicted with Mute cannot cast any spells. Can be removed by Heal, Cycle, and Throat.

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales
Silence is a status effect that causes the player effected by it unable to use Crystal Abilities.

Cards that cause Silence

 * Carbuncle's Shining Star
 * Unicorn's Rush
 * Mist Dragon's Mist Breath
 * Lamia's Song

Gallery
Stumm (Zustand)