Scan (ability)

Scan, also known as Sense, Sensor, Gauge, Piercing Sight, Observe, Analyze , Study or Sense Weakness, is a recurring ability in the Final Fantasy series. It is a command ability that exposes the stats of enemies, such as HP, MP, and elemental affinities. It is sometimes associated with the Scholar and Blue Mage jobs.

Scan should not be confused with Libra, which has been translated as Scan in early games. The key difference is that Libra is usually a spell while Scan is a command ability, and Scan occasionally has a more potent effect, such as working on all enemies at once or removing an enemy's status buffs similar to Dispel.

Final Fantasy III
The Scholar class can use Study that reveals the enemy's stats and Dispels the enemy's positive statuses. The enemies Xande's Clone and Xande can use the spell against the party.

Final Fantasy IV
Cid's ability is Analyze, called Peep in the SNES version and Study in the Anthologies release. Analyze has a Charge Time of 0. In all but the 3D releases, it functions the same as Libra, revealing enemy stats and weaknesses. In the mentioned releases, Analyze affects all enemies at once instead of just one, and continues to display their stats for the duration of the battle.

Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-
Analyze returns as Cid's ability in the sequel of Final Fantasy IV, functioning the same way as it did in the previous game.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
Cid and Luca have Analyze, which functions in the same manner as Libra, revealing a single enemy's stats. Analyze has a Charge Time of 0.

Harley is able to use Piercing Sight as a command ability, and it too has a Charge Time of 0. It gives an enemy a random elemental weakness and removes all status enhancements from them.

Final Fantasy V


Blue Mages have Check/Observe as their level 1 job ability, which reveals an enemy's HP. Their level 4 ability is Scan/Analyze, which functions identically to Libra.

Final Fantasy VII
Sense displays an enemy's current and max HP and MP, which remain in the information window for the rest of the battle. It also shows the enemy's level and weaknesses, but these do not show up after the initial use. Enemies that have 30,000 or over max HP cannot be sensed.

The Sense ability is the first and only ability of the Sense Materia. Red XIII has the Sense Materia initially equipped, and one can also be found on Sector 6 park in the Midgar slums after Sector 7's destruction. In addition, Sense Materia can be bought at Junon in Part 1.

The Master Command Materia also includes the Sense ability.

Final Fantasy IX

 * For Dagger's Scan ability see here.

Detect is a Skill learned by Zidane from the Mage Masher or Orichalcon for 40 AP. Detect reveals what items the enemy has to Steal.

Final Fantasy X
Sensor is an auto-ability that allows the player to view an opponent's current HP, maximum HP, and elemental resistances whenever targeting an enemy. As long as a character with the auto-ability customized is present in the active party, any character can view the information when using single-target attacks. Sensor can be customized onto a weapon by using two Ability Spheres.

Aeons, Dark Aeons, Special Monsters in the Monster Arena, and multiple enemies located in the Omega Ruins are immune to Sensor.

The Scan ability found in Kimahri's section of the Sphere Grid is more akin to the Libra ability of other games.

Final Fantasy X-2
Unlike other games, Scan and Libra function near-identically, both being Main Commands, with the exception that Libra allows manipulation of a target's model, as well as being able to switch targets while casting.

Scan can be used by the Gun Mage dressphere and Rikku's Machina Maw, while Yuna's Floral Fallal can use Libra. Additionally, Scan on the Gun Mage can be upgraded, though it serves merely cosmetic effects; Lv. 2 Scan allows the player to manipulate the target's model, and Lv. 3 Scan allows Scan to target allied units.

Paine's Full Throttle can use Ma'at's Feather, which has the same effects as Scan and Libra. The ability's Japanese name serves as a pun, as it has the same meaning as Scan's Japanese name Miyaberu.

Final Fantasy XI
Gauge is usable by the Beastmaster, starting at level 10. The ability has a short recast timer, only 30 seconds, and it allows a player to see if they would be able to Charm a particular creature. and tells them how likely Charm is to be effective.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Sensor is an A-Ability for human Soldiers. It is learned from the Burglar Sword for 300 AP. When used, it shows concealed equipment, but only to enemy units that have "Item" as a secondary A-Ability.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Soldiers have Gauge, which allows the user to detect level 1 treasure/Loot on an enemy, learned from the Burglar Sword for 150 AP and having a range of 4.

The Scholar's Study, learned for 150 AP from the Battle Folio and having a range of 4, shows a target's treasures, items, and gil.

The Ranger's Awareness, and Al-Cid's Interrogate from his special job, Agent, have the effect of revealing hidden traps and invisile units.

Vagrant Story
Analyze is a Sorcerer spell learned from the Grimoire Analyze, dropped by Dragon at the Sanctum's Cleansing Chantry. Analyze reveals the parameters and stats of the target, which can be viewed from the Status menu, and scrolling between the enemies with the L1 and R1 buttons.

The spell costs 5 MP, however, casting it does not mean the spell would be 100% successful; the hit rate percentage depends on the value of Ashley's Risk, and is calculated below:
 * $$\text{Hit Rate}=(\text{Risk} + 150) * \frac{100}{256}$$

Bravely Default
Examine is a Miscellany ability learned by Freelancers at job level 1. It displays the enemy information including HP, elemental weakness, and family.

Final Fantasy Dimensions
Sense Weakness is Matoya's ability found under her Third Eye skillset.

Dissidia Final Fantasy
Scan is a Story Mode skill. When used on a locked area, it identifies what Battle Piece(s) need to be defeated to unlock that area.

Etymology
Miyaberu means to see through and expose something. Shiruberu bears a meaning closer to studying and examining something.