Aura (Final Fantasy XI)

Auras are a malevolent effect that certain Notorious Monsters in Final Fantasy XI possess that inflict Status ailments on players by their mere presence; once a player comes within a certain radius distance from the monster, they are afflicted. This effect cannot be resisted in any way, the ailment does not wear off with time as usual, and if cured it returns near-instantly. Existing competing status effects (such as Haste in a Slow aura) are overwritten. The ailment does wear off quickly once removed from the aura's radius, however. Unlike ailments from other sources, aura-inflicted ailments do not display messages in the log window when being inflicted or wearing off.

Most monster auras last for a limited time after the monster uses a particular ability, but some auras are permanent for the life of the monster. Usually there is no visual indication of the presence of an aura; players must learn about them from informational web sites, other players, or experiencing the aura themselves. Monsters of any family can have auras, but Elemental Gyves always have them (and have no other attacks). Moderately incapacitating ailments such as Bio, Defense Down, Paralysis, Silence, and Weight are common as aura effects, but Doom auras are known to exist.

Although the Afflictors in Beadeaux have always been able to inflict Curse status on players who go near them, and the Gasponia plants in Attohwa Chasm inflict Poison, these are not true aura effects; the ailment does not wear off when the player leaves their vicinity, and the radius is centered on a large stationary object instead of a monster. True auras first appeared in the game with the Wings of the Goddess expansion and their use was greatly expanded in Abyssea.

As of the release of the Seekers of Adoulin expansion, however, players can finally inflict some aura effects of their own. Spells to create auras are a staple of Geomancers and their conjured Luopans. The status effects inflicted by Geomancy are technically considered a separate status effect from their non-geomantic counterparts, so they may co-exist on the same monsters.

Conceptually related to but distinct from auras are Spheres, which add a helpful status effect to players and friendly monsters instead of a harmful one.