Attack is a physical ability for Lightning in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. It is the basic "Attack" command available for Lightning in-game, dealing physical damage to a single target.
Obtained[]
Attack Lv. 1 is initially available to Lightning through her Equilibrium and Dark Muse garbs as their locked abilities. Later garbs also have access to stronger version of Attack as their locked ability - Nocturne has Attack Lv.2, Innocence and Dark Orchid have Attack Lv.3, Helter Skelter and Equilibrium+ have Attack Lv. 4, and Lilitu has Attack Lv. 5.
The Shogun, Sohei Savior, Dark Samurai, Art of War, and Flower of Battle DLC garbs have Attack Lv. 2 as their locked abilities.
Attack can also be obtained as a drop from Gorgonopsids with a 15% chance, Rafflesias 7.5% chance, and Rafflesia Ω with a 100% chance. The enemies drop the Attack commands on the following days and difficulties:
Enemy | Lv. 1 | Lv. 2 | Lv. 3 | Lv. 4 | Lv. 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gorgonopsid | Day 1-6 (Easy/Normal) | Day 7 - 9 (Easy/Normal) | Day 10-13 (Easy/Normal) | Day 1-6 (Hard) | Day 7-13 (Hard) |
Rafflesia | Day 1-6 (Easy/Normal) | Day 7 - 9 (Easy/Normal) | Day 10-13 (Easy/Normal) | Day 1-6 (Hard) | Day 7-13 (Hard) |
Rafflesia Ω | N/A | Day 1-6 (Easy/Normal) | Day 7 - 9 (Easy/Normal) | Day 10-13 (Easy/Normal) | Day 1-13 (Hard) |
Mechanics[]

Lightning performing the finisher of her Attack combo.
Attack deals physical non-elemental damage to a single target. After attacking several times with the ability, Attack will perform a combo finisher to deal extra damage to the target. It is also used by Angel of Valhalla and Fang when they accompany Lightning.
The damage is calculated as follows:
- A = Strength/Magic. A physical ability uses Strength and a magical ability uses Magic.
- B = Damage modifier of ability.
- C = Effect modifiers (Bravery, Debrave, Daze on enemy.)
- D = Perfect Timing Bonus, Positional bonus
- E = Attribute Modifier (Elemental Damage+)
- F = Situational Modifier (Eg: Enlister/Sniper gloves, Strength in Numbers, Multiple Targets... All Garb Effects: Sweet Spot, Climactic)
- G = Susceptibility (Physical susceptibility, Magical Susceptibility, Elemental Susceptibility)
- I = Damage Resistance (Applies to Lightning only)
- J = Guard Defense (Applies to Lightning only)
When attacking launched staggered enemies, Attack will change its combo finisher to Smite. Attack can be enhanced with En-spell effects. It will also transform into the status effect "Chaser" abilities when equipped with either the Brittle Bone and Bonecracker weapons.
Stats[]
Ability version[]
By default, Attack has an ATB cost of 10, an attack power of 0.50, a Stagger Power of E, and a Stagger Time of C. When fully upgraded, Attack Lv.5 can have an ATB cost of 7, an attack power of 3.00, a Stagger Power of E, and a Stagger Time of C.
- Growth chart
Level | Base Power | Power Increment | Synthesis Needed to Max | Max Power | Level Up Malistone |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lv. 1 | 0.50 | 0.05 | 5 | 0.75 | Bronze |
Lv. 2 | 0.80 | 0.05 | 6 | 1.10 | Silver |
Lv. 3 | 1.15 | 0.05 | 8 | 1.55 | Mythril |
Lv. 4 | 1.60 | 0.05 | 12 | 2.20 | Adamant |
Lv. 5 | 2.25 | 0.05 | 15 | 3.00 | N/A |
- Passives
Attack abilities can have the following passives:
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Locked versions[]
The locked versions available to garbs have unique stats and passives, these versions of Attack cannot be upgraded.
Command | ATB Cost | Attack Power | Stagger Power | Stagger Time | Passive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Attack Lv. 1 (Equilibrium and Dark Muse) |
10 | x0.60 | E | C | None |
Attack Lv. 2 (Nocturne) |
10 | x1.15 | E | C | Strength +40 |
Attack Lv. 2 (Samurai DLCs) |
10 | x1.15 | E | C | None |
Attack Lv. 3 (Innocence) |
10 | x1.45 | E | C | None |
Attack Lv. 4 (Equilibrium+) |
10 | x2.00 | E | C | None |
Attack Lv. 4 (Helter Skelter) |
10 | x2.40 | E | C | Strength +180 |
Attack Lv. 5 (Lilitu) |
10 | x2.50 | E | C | None |
Use[]
Attack is a good basic command to have available on at least one garb at all times. It is not the most powerful, but executes quickly and does not take too much ATB.
