Malboro



The Malboro (モルボル), also known as a Molbol, Morbol or Oscar (as well as Xylomid in the French localization of the series), is a recurring enemy from the Final Fantasy series. In early games they attack in large groups, and in later games they tend to attack solo. Malboros appear as large, green, tentacled plants with an anemone-like head and very large mouths. In most games, Malboros are much larger than humans.

Similar to the Tonberry, Malboros have ranked among the more difficult and annoying enemies in the series, as their signature move Bad Breath can inflict many status ailments on its targets, crippling unprotected parties. In addition, Malboros often have other status attacks as well, and other "breath"-based attacks. Common variants include the Great Malboro (モルボルグレート), and the Malboro Menace (モルボルワースト), among others.

Final Fantasy II
There are several types of Malboros. None of them know the Bad Breath attack, but their regular attacks cause several status aliments.
 * Malboro
 * Malboro Menace
 * Malboro Terra
 * Great Malboro

Final Fantasy IV


Malboros appear in both the Sylph Cave and Lunar Ruins. The Worst Malboro is fought in the Lunar Ruins and Great Malboro in the Cave of Trials, both exclusive to the Advance version.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years


The Malboro appears as an enemy in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. It has other versions of the Malboro, including the Count Malboro and its counterparts, the Marquis Malboro and Duke Malboro. Their titles are possible references to the ones shared by the demons mentioned in the book,. Some are bosses or recurring enemy encounters. The Worst Malboro and Great Malboro are also present in the game.

Final Fantasy VI
Malboros, translated as Oscars in early versions, usually attack with a group of stronger enemies. Once all other enemies have been defeated, the Malboros will start using the Bad Breath (Sour Mouth in earlier versions) attack on the whole party, where it can be learned by Strago.
 * Malboro
 * Great Malboro
 * Malboro Menace

Final Fantasy VII


Malboro enemies appear on the cold mountain paths of Gaea's Cliff and also rarely appear in the Northern Cave. Malboro enemies can also appear in the Gold Saucer as a monster in the Battle Square's seventh round, after obtaining the Highwind. They use their signature move, Bad Breath, which can be learned as an enemy skill.

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-


Malboros can be found underneath Banora. They appear and behave similarly to the Final Fantasy VII version.
 * Malboro
 * Land Malboro
 * Gaea Malboro
 * Great Malboro

Final Fantasy VIII


Malboros appear on the Island Closest to Heaven and the Island Closest to Hell, the Grandidi Forest, as well as the Great Plains of Esthar before the Lunar Cry. The Malboro almost always uses Bad Breath on its first turn. They give Malboro Tentacles used in weapon upgrades, as well as to teach Quistis the Blue Magic, Bad Breath, and also needed to acquire Doomtrain by collecting six of the Tentacles.

Final Fantasy IX


The Malboro first appears at Pandemonium, and afterward on the world map during Disc 4. They have a tendency to float, but are not as tough as in other games.

Final Fantasy X
The Malboro appear in the Calm Lands. They tend to use normal attacks over their Bad Breath. An upgrade, the Great Malboro, has a high chance of ambushing the party and opening with Bad Breath.
 * Malboro
 * Great Malboro
 * Malboro Menace

Final Fantasy X-2

 * Malboro
 * Great Malboro

Final Fantasy XI


Malboro is a monster in the Morbol family in Final Fantasy XI. The specific morbols known as Malboros can be encountered in the Pashhow Marshlands, an area that serves as part of the route between Bastok and Jeuno. Because monster names are universally the same in all languages in Final Fantasy XI, Morbol is the name of the monster family. The enemy named Malboro in the morbol family is a reference to the English translation of the name. Morlbol type monsters are particularly difficult, as they possess an array of breath attacks not limited to the trademark Bad Breath. For example, Extremely Bad Breath causes Instant Death to all players in a wide frontal area of effect.

Final Fantasy XII
Malboros are the weakest member of the Malboro genus. They can be found wandering the Golmore Jungle. Malboro-type enemies in Final Fantasy XII are generally much smaller than in earlier games, usually only human height. However, giant Malboros closer to typical Malboro size, can be found during hunts. Malboros are shown to walk with their mouths facing upwards when not in battle - they tilt their mouths down to attack when they engage the party. They have a range of breath attacks, like Cloying Breath and Putrid Breath, each with a variation of status afflictions.
 * Malboro
 * Malboro Overking
 * Cassie
 * Great Malboro
 * Malboro King
 * Vivian
 * Kris (Rare)
 * Wild Malboro (Mark)
 * Carrot (Elite Mark)

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings


The Malboro keeps its renowned Bad Breath attack and is an enemy in four missions. The Great Malboro is a tougher version of the original.

Fortress
The Malboro appears in a green/orange variant, with smaller mouths on the inside of its mouth (in place of teeth) and on its long tentacles. It is gigantic in size, as large as a castle.

Final Fantasy XIII
Malboros make no physical appearance, but one of Vanille's weapons is known as the Malboro Wand. It improves her ability to afflict enemies with status effects, referencing the Malboro's traditional method of attack.

Final Fantasy Type-0
Malboros will appear as enemies in this upcoming game. They have an appearance similar to Malboros from Crisis Core.

Final Fantasy XIV
Malboros make an appearance in the game's bestiary. Following the tradition started in early translations of Final Fantasy IV, Malboros in Eorzea are called Morbols.

Final Fantasy Tactics


Malboros are a family that include Malboros and Ochus and Great Malboro. In addition to their breath attacks, they can also turn a character into a Malboro permanently.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Malboros appear in several maps, along with their upgrade.
 * Malboro
 * Big Malboro

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
The Malboro species now includes four members: The Malboro, Great Malboro, Malboro King, and Cassie. The Cassie is a unique "domesticated" Malboro that is pink in color and has "bunny ears". Unlike regular Malboros, Cassies have very sweet, good-smelling breath that charms the opponent or puts them to sleep with 100% success, and a type of Malboro also appears in Brightmoon Tor with the Turning job command.

Crystal Defenders

 * Great Malboro

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
A Malboro appears as a boss in the Mushroom Forest, casting Blizzard and Slowga as well as using its Bad Breath attack. Like most enemies, its appearance was similar to its Final Fantasy IX counterpart.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King
Malboro appears as enemies in Langooth Peak, Rinfor Nightwood, Beltevra Forest, and Musqu Mazewood. A Great Malboro also appears as a boss in the optional dungeon Infinity Spire.

Dissidia Final Fantasy
Malboro appears in Dissidia Final Fantasy as a summon. When used, it rapidly decreases the foe's Bravery points for a certain period of time. It causes more damage if the summoner is closer to the opponent, and an animation resembling its signature move Bad Breath also occurs. The artwork used for the summon is from Final Fantasy II. This summon can be obtained as a Stage Bonus on the Destiny Odyssey II storyline.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy
Like all summons from Dissidia, Malboro returns in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy with the same function. It can be purchased from certain Moogle Shops for 60 KP.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
Malboro appears as an enemy in this rhythm game.

Final Fantasy Unlimited
In one episode, Earl Tyrant is served a Malboro, but is mispronounced Marbolo.

Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon 2
The Malboro is sometimes encountered in dungeons. Also, a "Drunken Malboro" appears in a restaurant in the town.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
Malboro appears as a field boss, which can be rather difficult if accompanied by Goblin Healers. a purple malboro called Hydra can also be found as a field boss in the game.

Mario Hoops 3-on-3
Two Malboros appeared in the secret court Malboro Gardens, one behind each basket. The Malboros would sometimes attack with their purple Bad Breath, which knocked down players if hit by it and inflict them with the Poison, which slows down characters. The Malboros stray from their normal appearances, with only five eyes, each very large and pink, but still retaining their green skin.

Wreck-It Ralph
A Malboro appears alongside various video game antagonists at the "Bad-Anon" meeting. Unlike most Marbolos, the one in the Disney film is depicted with one large human-like eye on the body above the mouth. There round eyeballs at the end of four tentacles protruding from the top of its head. All the eyes have a white sclera, a red iris, and black pupil. The crown floating above its head implies it is probably a King Malboro.

Etymology
A likely possibility is that it comes from the Japanese onomatopoeia "boro", which is the sound of an upset stomach. Their name may also be derived from the Latin and Greek words "mal" (meaning bad) and "boros" (meaning breath), a reference to their infamous attack. The name could also be a reference to, since the creatures often spew horrid-smelling fumes.

Morbol Molboro