Magic Counter

Magic Counter, also known as Return Magic (魔法返し, Mahō-gaeshi), is a recurring ability in Final Fantasy series. It allows the user to strike back when hit with spells, either physically or with the same spell depending on the game.

Final Fantasy VII
Magic Counter is a Support Materia with a chance of countering with the linked Magic or Summon Materia. The probability increases with the Materia's level starting at 30% and reaches 100% on level four. Magic Counter can be found in the Northern Crater. In ''Final Fantasy VII' the counter-effect can be stacked up to eight times on a single character, meaning that if the same character equips multiple counter-effect Materia they will counter attack multiple times (however, Final Attack and Sneak Attack Materia also occupy this space). It is possible to counter back four times in a single counter if the linked Materia is also linked with Quadra Magic, and if the linked Materia is also linked with All, it is possible to hit all enemies in a counter attack.

When linked to regular Magic Materia, the ability used as a counter attack with will be the highest level ability in the current level of the linked Materia. Linking to Summon Materia will simply counter with the normal summon attack. When linked to Master Magic or Master Summon, any of the possible spells/summons will be picked at random.

If the Magic Materia is linked with a support ability that naturally targets party members, the spell will be used on the character who has the Magic Counter equipped, or the player's group, if the ability is area-of-effect.

Final Fantasy IX
Return Magic is a support ability for Vivi and Amarant. When hit by magic, the unit counters by casting the same spell. Return Magic uses no MP and the caster does not need to know the spell.

Final Fantasy X
Magic Counter is a weapon ability. It can be customized onto any weapon using 16 Shining Gems. The user strikes their attacker physically after taking damage from a spell. There is one piece of armor with Magic Counter, a Buckler, that can be bought from Rin's Traveling Hovercraft on the party's first visit to the Calm Lands.

Final Fantasy X-2
Magic Counter is a Berserker ability. It costs 300 AP to learn, and like its predecessor, it involves a physical counter to a magic attack.

Final Fantasy Tactics
Magick Counter, also known as Counter Magic in the original version, is a reaction ability learned by the Black Mage class for 800 JP. When a Magick attack is cast upon a unit with this ability, the unit will counter with the same magic attack, given that the unit's condition allows them to do so, i.e. has enough MP, and not K.O.ed, petrified, confused, disabled, enraged, fallen asleep, turned Chicken, or silenced. The user needs not to know the particular spell to be countered, which means the Bio spells, normally unattainable by player, can be countered (used) with this skill too.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Return Magic is a reaction ability learned by Black Mages and Bishops. It can be learned from the Black Robe for 300 AP. Spells are countered with the same spell. The caster does not need to know the spell. Some spells cannot be returned (such as Blue Magic).

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Magick Counter is learned by Black Mages and Bishops as well as the new Gria job, Geomancer. It is learned from the Samite Coat for 400 AP. Once again it counters magic with the same spell.