Blizzaga (Final Fantasy IX)

Blizzaga
(ブリザガ, Burizaga?)
Availability
Obtained	Octagon Rod
Character(s)	Vivi, Steiner (via Swd Mag)
AP	85
Classification
Type	Black Magic
Skillset	Blk Mag, Dbl Blk, Swd Mag
Element	Ice
Specifications
MP cost	24
Reflect	Yes
Power	72
Related pages
Recurring appearance	Blizzaga (ability)

Causes big-time Ice damage to single/multiple targets.

Description

Blizzaga is a Blk Mag spell in Final Fantasy IX for Vivi that deals major Ice-elemental damage to one or multiple enemies. It also cures Heat. If Steiner and Vivi are in the same party (and neither is incapacitated in some manner), the former can also use Vivi's Blizzaga spell in his sword magic, where the ability uses his stats rather than Vivi's. In Trance, Vivi can use the spell twice in one turn.

In addition to Vivi, Blizzaga is available to the Earth Guardian, Gigan Octopus, Necron, Taharka, the green Vepal, and the Wraith. It can be reflected as normal and can be countered with the support ability Return Magic.

Obtain

Blizzaga is learned from the Octagon Rod, which is available to purchase in Daguerreo and Esto Gaza for a limited time: after finishing Desert Palace to until the party enters the Shimmering Island portal. If the player misses buying the rod, they also miss out on ever learning the third tier spells on Vivi.

Mechanics

Black Magic spells are based on Vivi's Level, Magic stats, and the Spell Power of the spell. Vivi can use the Focus ability to increase his Magic during that battle by 25% per use. The effect stacks up to 99 and lasts for the entire battle, even if KO'd.

$Base=72-Target's~Magic~Defense$

$Bonus = Magic + RndMOD ([(Level + Magic) / 8] + 1)$

$Damage = Base \times Bonus$

Where Rnd means a random number, while MOD means modulus operation. "Rnd MOD x" can be read as a random number between 0 and x-1.

Bonus is halved by target's Shell, Vivi being under Mini, and if the player multi-targets the spell. Bonus is boosted by 50% if Vivi equips Magus Hat or Magician Cloak (equipping both does not stack the effect). Steiner has no means of boosting Ice damage for his Swd Mag.

In Vivi's Trance, Blk Mag turns into Dbl Blk where Vivi can cast two spells on his turn. The spells cost MP and expend the Trance gauge independently.

The support abilities that affect Blizzaga are Reflect-Null (Blizzaga pierces target's Reflect), Reflectx2 (Blizzaga deals more damage when reflected), and Mag Elem Null (Blizzaga deals non-elemental damage).

Blizzaga Sword.

For Swd Mag, damage dealt is based on Steiner's Attack and Strength stat, as well as on the power of the spell. Using Blizzaga Sword boosts Steiner's Attack value by 30, and deals Ice damage to one enemy.

The damage formula for Swd Mag spells is as follows:

$Base = Attack + 72 - Enemy~Defense$

$Bonus = Strength + RndMOD ([(Level + Strength) / 8] + 1)$

$Damage = Base \times Bonus$

Use

Blizzaga is Vivi's best Ice spell and thus is useful until the endgame. He can boost its power with Focus. It is especially good against enemies weak to the Ice element, such as Behemoth, Chimera, and Nova Dragon; reptiles and bugs are commonly weak to Ice.

As a Swd Mag, Steiner can use it effectively against enemies weak to Ice-elemental damage. Though it can also be used generally as a straight boost to his damage output, given Steiner's much lower MP pool, he should use it less regularly than Vivi.