Desperation Attack

On YouTube A Desperation Attack, or Hidden Blitz as it is called in the achievements of the mobile and Steam versions, is a special attack unique to each character except Gau and Umaro in Final Fantasy VI. Desperation Attacks are the precursor to the Limit Break mechanism used in Final Fantasy VII, and most future Final Fantasy games since. Performing a Desperation Attack on all party members who have one in the mobile/Steam version earns the A Chance in a Pinch achievement.

Mechanics
When a character is in Critical status, there is a 1 in 16 chance they will perform a Desperation Attack upon the Attack command. Characters will never use their Desperation Attacks during the first 25.6 seconds of battle.

A character would enter critical status when their HP drops to less than 1/8 of their max HP, but Strago and Gogo can achieve critical status without losing their HP, because if the enemy has 1/20 of its max HP remaining, Strago and Gogo can use Rippler to gain it (see Rippler bug for more information). Gogo cannot mimic Desperation Attacks.

Desperation Attacks are unblockable and ignore Defense. If the character has any of the following statuses, they cannot do a Desperation Attack: Confuse, Image, Vanish, and Zombie.

Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008)
Terra's EX Burst is Riot Blade. Terra attacks the opponent with Blizzara, then charges magical energy into her arms. The player must tap in tandem with the  button to charge two power meters. If the player fills both meters within a time limit, Terra spins and whips out her arms to fire several crescent-shaped bands of energy at the opponent. Failing to fill the meters will have her fire fewer blades.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Terra's EX Burst is still Riot Blade.

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade
Characters from Final Fantasy VI use their Desperation Attack when they are summoned as Legends. In addition, players can obtain certain Desperation Attacks to use as abilities.


 * Ability Cards

Pictlogica Final Fantasy
Some of the Desperation Attacks from Final Fantasy VI appear.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper
Some of the Desperation Attacks from Final Fantasy VI appear used by their original users.

Final Fantasy All the Bravest
Terra, Locke, and Celes makes an appearance. They use their signature Desperation Attacks Riot Blade, Mirage Dive, and Spinning Edge as their primary attack.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
One of Terra's cards can use Riot Blade. For the discard of another Terra card, Dulling Terra and paying two Ice CP, Riot Blade does 6000 damage to a Forward of the player's choice, then they may search their deck for an Eidolon card and place it in their hand.

One of Locke's cards has Mirage Dive. For the discard of a Locke card, Mirage Dive prevents Locke from being blocked that turn.

A card featuring Celes allows her to use Spinning Edge. For two ICE CP, a Shine CP and the discard of another Celes card, Spinning Edge allows the player to choose any Dulled forward and Break it.

Etymology
Sabin's Desperation Attack being named "Tiger Break" refers to the symbolism of a tiger in eastern martial arts where the dragon and tiger symbolize the balance of power. The tiger represents matter and the dragon represents spirit.

Cyan's Desperation Attack, Tsubame Gaeshi, was a famous technique mastered by Sasaki Kojirō, a famed Japanese swordsman in the Sengoku period of feudal Japan. Kojirō was best known to have been slain by Miyamoto Musashi during a duel at the island of Funajima.

Setzer's Red Card may be named after soccer where the referee sends players off by giving them a red card.

Gogo's Desperation Attack refers to the Famed Mimic Gogo boss from Final Fantasy V who used Meteor as a counter attack.

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