Barrier (ability)

Barrier is a recurring supportive spell from the Final Fantasy series.

Final Fantasy II
Barrier is a White Magic spell that can be cast on one or all allies. When cast on an unit, that unit suffers less damage from enemy abilities, such as Bow III. The spell's success rate and effectiveness at reducing damage increases as it levels up. Any character can learn Barrier by having them use the Barrier Tome (called the Barrier Scroll in the Origins release). The following is a list of resistances granted by Barrier at each level in. The resistances differ for the Shld spell from the Dark Shadow Over Palakia (DSOP) version. In the original Famicom version, the resistance were listed backwards (for example, level one Barrier would claim to give the level eight resistance, Fire) but the effects were identical to other versions, except for a minor bug, where at level 8, the spell would not grant protection against Ice.

The Emperor in the first battle is able to cast Barrier VIII. In the NES version, the spell was bugged at level 8 and did not grant protection against Ice at all.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Barrier appears as an high-rank Red Magic spell that bestows the target both the Shell and Protect status effects. It costs 10 MP to cast.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Again, the spell Barrier, used by the Bishop (Final Fantasy Tactics A2), has the same effect and is learned through the Pomegranate Staff for 200 AP. It costs 8 MP to cast and can target allies from three spaces away.