Last Resort (ability)

Last Resort is a recurring ability in the Final Fantasy series. It has also been associated with Hope Estheim, acting as his Limit Break-type ability.

Final Fantasy XI
Last Resort is an ability for Dark Knights in Final Fantasy XI. It becomes available at level 15 and is usable once every 5 minutes. Last Resort is similar in its effect to Berserk, the Warrior ability. The ability will increase a Dark Knight’s Attack characteristic by 15% while it will drop his Defense characteristic by 15% as well.

Also, unlike Berserk, it creates a considerable amount of Enmity. Like Berserk, this status lasts for 3 minutes. In the past, it would only last for 30 seconds, and generally this means that Last Resort is only used by Dark Knights just before using a Weapon skill. It is now a staple ability among Dark Knights.

Final Fantasy XIII
Last Resort is Hope's Full ATB Skill available to him at ninth stage of Crystarium. Its animation greatly resembles animation of Holy from Final Fantasy X. Last Resort shuffles through the list of enemies dealing a single hit to each until all eight hits have been distributed.

Last Resort is a magical attack that uses the Magic stat to calculate damage. Last Resort ignores magical resistance, but also ignores weaknesses; it will deal 100% damage whether the target is resistant, normal, or weak to the element in question. Last Resort can be affected by Commando bonus, Faith/Faithra, and Defaith, but is not affected by Deshell, Shell on enemy, or enhanced element spells like Enfire.

Last Resort gains a special effect when used against a staggered foe, when its ability to amass chain bonuses increases significantly, meaning it can be used to quickly bring an opponent's chain gauge to 999.9%. However, because Last Resort shuffles between targets, it is impossible to land all eight attacks on the staggered foe unless there is only one opponent.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Lightning performs Last Resort on Bhunivelze after their final battle.

Final Fantasy Tactics S
Last Resort is Hope's Special Ability.

Final Fantasy Dimensions
Last Resort is the level 14 ability of the Dark Knight class, learned for 380 AP. For the cost of 10 MP, the user will inflict the Doom status on themselves, but at the same time will increase all of their stats.