Deal wind damage to all foes in range.
Description
Aeroga is a Black Magick spell in both the original PlayStation 2 version of Final Fantasy XII and its Zodiac re-releases. It is a multi-target spell that deals wind-elemental damage to all foes in range. It is the third tier wind spell, above Aero and Aerora, though the latter is an enemy-exclusive spell. Aeroga is stronger than second tier spells, Fira, Blizzara, etc., and is stronger than Bio, but it is weaker than other -ga spells, such as Firaga, Blizzaga, etc.
As a Black Magicks spell, it is also a random outcome of the Shades of Black Technick.
The enemies that use Aeroga against the player are Sylphi Entite, Crystalbug (red), Ash Wyrm, Aeronite, Brainpan, Leamonde Entite, Oversoul, Babil, Zombie Warlock, Goliath, Ixion, Chaos, Hell Wyrm, Aspidochelon, Vishno, Dreadguard, Crypt Bunny, Dheed, Molen, Tower, Luxollid, Vagrant Soul, Pallicant, Helm-Rook, and Vayne Novus.
The Aeroga Mote was added as an item in the Zodiac versions and lets the player use the spell from a consumable.
Obtained[]
Aeroga's license costs 70 License Points in the Zodiac versions where the spell is bought for 5700 gil from shops after defeating Judge Bergan: Mosphoran Highwaste, Phon Coast, and Archades. It is also found in a treasure in Trial Mode Stage 80 with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
In the original version, Aeroga's license costs 40 LP and the spell is bought for 6800 gil from Archades.
In the Zodiac versions, Aeroga is used by the Black Mage and by the Uhlan who has the license for Chaos, and Chaos itself also has Aeroga though no default-gambit for its use. In the original version, the Esper Chaos uses Aeroga onto wind-weak foes.
Mechanics[]
Aeroga deals heavy wind-elemental damage to targets in range based on the caster's level and Magick Power, mitigated by the target's Magick Resist. Its range was expanded in the Zodiac versions.
The formula for damage calculation:
With the Serenity license or the Magick Gloves accessory, the damage is inflated to 120% (original) or 150% (Zodiac) when the caster is in full health. With the Spellbreaker license or the Leather Gorget accessory, the damage is doubled when the caster is in HP Critical. If the caster has Faith, Aeroga will damage for 30% more. As an elemental spell, it will do double damage to targets weak to wind, and 150% damage with wind-potency gear: Cherry Staff, Cloud Staff (Zodiac only), and Staff of the Magi (Zodiac only). The boosts stack multiplicatively.
Enemies who resist wind take half damage. Those who nullify wind take no damage and those who absorb wind are healed by it. Shell halves damage from Aeroga.
Certain weather conditions affect both the player characters' and the foes' wind damage. In any strong wind, shown with the characters' hair and clothes moving rapidly, the damage is inflated to 120% of normal damage; this includes heavy winds in sunny and cloudy weather, rainstorm, snowstorm, and sandstorm. No weather or terrain diminishes wind damage.
Aeroga bounces from Reflect unless the caster equips the Opal Ring. Casting Aeroga on the player's own reflected party bounces the spell multiple times onto the enemy or enemies. Damaging enemies with Aeroga gains MP to the caster if they have the Warmage License. A target can sometimes avoid Aeroga via their Magick Evade stat; for the player, this means wearing shields.
Aeroga costs 38 MP to cast without Channeling licenses.
Use[]
Aeroga is a good mid game damaging spell that the player can set up via the gambit system (such as with Foe:Wind-vulnerable→Aeroga or Foe:Foes present 2+→Aeroga). It can be good against flying enemies for characters who lack ranged weapons, though flying enemies in Final Fantasy XII do not have any special weakness to wind, unlike in some other games in the Final Fantasy series like Final Fantasy IX. Aeroga is the strongest Black Magicks spell when obtained the earliest, though the third tier Black Magicks will soon become available. Earth enemies are typically weak to wind.
Aeroga is best used with the Cherry Staff to boost its power, or with the Cloud Staff or the Staff of the Magi in the Zodiac versions. It is most powerful in windy weather, which is common in outside areas, and includes storms whether they be rain, snow, or sand. Aeroga is good against groups of enemies. The player can multi-cast it by reflecting it off their own party. It is useful against the Killer Mantises that flank the Antlion mark, as well as the Wild Malboro mark.
Aeroga outclasses Aero outright as MP is generally plentiful enough for the player to use the stronger versions of spells, especially with the licenses that refund MP costs.
Behind the scenes[]
One of the actors in the Final Fantasy XII Suntory Potion Drink commercial "casts" Aeroga.
Etymology[]
Aero is a Greek prefix relating to air and flight. Common usages in modern times include the words "aeroplane" and "aerospace". The "-ga" suffix denotes it is the level three form of the base Aero spell, though in Final Fantasy XII "Aerora" spell, the second tier wind spell, is enemy exclusive.