Deal ice damage to all foes in range.
Description
Blizzara is a Black Magick spell in both the original PlayStation 2 version of Final Fantasy XII and the Zodiac re-releases. It is a multi-target spell that deals ice-elemental damage to all foes in range. It is the middle tier ice spell, above Blizzard and below Blizzaga. In the Zodiac versions, it is slightly more powerful than its contemporaries, Fira and Thundara.
As a Black Magicks spell, it is also a random outcome of the Shades of Black Technick.
The enemies that use Blizzara against the player are Silicon Tortoise, Specter [b], Dead Bones, Headless, Dullahan, Gazer, Yeti, Ice Elemental, Crystalbug (red)*, Crystalbug (blue), Earth Elemental, Earth Chaosjet, Striker, Wendigo, Mu, Holy Elemental, Skulwyrm [a], Reaper, Mythril Golem, Bogey, Mallicant, Shambling Corpse, Buer, Adamantitan, Emeralditan, Elvoret, Dark Elemental, Zombie Warlock, Roblon, Lindwyrm, Ring Wyrm, Mindflayer, Gil Snapper, Ahriman, Thalassinon, Negalmuur, Molen, Tower, Wendice, and Helm-Rook.
Obtained[]
Blizzara's license costs 50 License Points in the Zodiac versions, where the spell is bought for 3300 gil from Mt Bur-Omisace onward. It is also found in Trial Mode Stage 69 in a treasure with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
In the original version, Blizzara's license costs 35 LP and is bought for 3000 gil from Eruyt Village onward after the events in Henne Mines.
In the Zodiac versions, Blizzara is used by the Black Mage and the Red Battlemage, as well as by Uhlan after unlocking the 100 LP Quickening license to reach it on their board. Mateus also has it.
Mechanics[]
Blizzara deals moderate ice-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, Blizzara will damage for 30% more. As an elemental spell, it will do double damage to targets weak to ice, and 150% damage with ice-potency gear: Glacial Staff and Staff of the Magi (Zodiac only). The boosts stack multiplicatively.
Enemies who resist ice take half damage. Those who nullify ice take no damage and those who absorb ice are healed by it. Shell halves damage from Blizzara.
Certain weather and terrain conditions affect both the player characters' and the foes' ice damage. When it snows, and on snowfield terrain, the damage is inflated to 120%. No weather or terrain diminishes ice damage.
Blizzara bounces from Reflect unless the caster equips the Opal Ring. Casting Blizzara on the player's own reflected party bounces the spell multiple times. Damaging enemies with Blizzara gains MP to the caster if they have the Warmage license. A target can sometimes avoid Blizzara via their Magick Evade stat; for the player, this means wearing shields.
Blizzara costs 20 MP to cast without Channeling licenses in the Zodiac versions, and 18 MP in the original.
Use[]
Blizzara is a good mid game damaging spell that the player can set up via the gambit system (such as with Foe:Ice-vulnerable→Blizzara or Foe:Foes present 2+→Blizzara). It can be good against flying enemies for characters who lack ranged weapons. Lightning enemies are typically weak to ice, such as Adrammelech. Another good enemy to use it against is Baknamy.
Blizzara is best used with the Glacial Staff to boost its power, or with the Staff of the Magi in the Zodiac versions. It is most powerful in Paramina Rift and Feywood due to the snow terrain boosting its power, however, the enemies in Paramina are also typically ice-elemental themselves. Blizzara is outclassed as soon as Blizzaga becomes available from Balfonheim Port onward, as MP is generally plentiful enough for the player to use the stronger versions of spells, especially with the licenses that refund MP costs.