Group-cast

Group-cast refers to the ability to cast magic on multiple targets in Final Fantasy games. Though many games feature the ability to select multiple targets for spells, the exact mechanics of this have varied.

Overview
Generally, group-casting a spell lowers its power than if it were cast on a single target. Some games like Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy VI allow certain spells to be group-cast by pressing the proper button while targeting enemies, while other games have alternative mechanics for group-casting. Exactly what spells can and cannot be group-cast varies from game to game.

Group-casting magic on enemies is not always an option. Some spells cannot be cast on multiple targets in most games, usually due to their strength. Spells that typically cannot be group-cast are Flare, Holy, Slow, Shell, Raise, and many others. Some spells are also group-cast automatically, like Meteor and Flood, which cannot be forced to target single enemies, unless there is only one to begin with. Some spells that cannot be group-cast have upgraded forms that can. For example, Haste usually cannot be group-cast, but it's upgraded form Hastega can.

Final Fantasy
Spells like Cure and Blizzard that can normally be group-cast in other games cannot be group-cast here. All of the Cure-type spells are single-target, and the Heal line of spells act as group-cast versions of the Cure spells. Blizzard, Fire and Thunder also cannot be group-cast, but their upgraded forms can.

Final Fantasy II
In this game, all spells may be group-cast at the player's choosing. Even spells that cannot be group-cast in any other game, like Raise, can be group-cast in this game. However, group-casting a spell lowers its rate of success (which is turn is determined by the spell's level).

Final Fantasy IV
In the DS release, spells like Slow, Protect and Shell, which cannot be group-cast in all other releases of the game, may be group-cast. Group-casting these spells has no effect on their potency.

Final Fantasy VII
All spells, with the exception of Comet2 and Ultima, normally can only be cast on single targets. The All Materia allows the connected Magic Materia to be group-cast a number of times equal to the level of the All Materia, up to five times. The Mega-All Materia causes all the character's equipped spells and abilities to be able to group-cast, with the number of times group-cast can be used for each command again relying on the level of the Mega-All Materia.

Final Fantasy X
The only spells that may be group cast in this game are the "Nul" spells like NulBlaze, as well as Ultima, Hastega and Slowga, and specific Ronso Rages. All other spells only effect single targets.

Final Fantasy XII
All spells that can be group-cast in Final Fantasy XII have a radius of effect, indicated by a ring around the target when the player selects the spell. Spells that can be group-cast will effect all enemies within this radius when cast, while enemies outside the radius are not effected.

As in Final Fantasy, the base Cure, Blizzard, Fire and Thunder spells cannot be group-cast, nor can Curaga. However, the upgraded forms of Blizzard, Fire and Thunder all are group-cast spells, and Cura and Curaja are group-cast as well. As with every game, certain other spells may and may not be group-cast according to the game's specific restrictions on its magic system.