Lightning element attack
Description
Bolt3 is an attack magic spell in Final Fantasy VII. It is granted by the Lightning Materia at level three and can also be used via the item Swift Bolt. Bolt3 is the strongest Lightning spell above Bolt and Bolt2.
Mechanics[]
| Magic Materia | Lightning, Master Magic |
|---|---|
| Effect | Large lightning-elemental damage |
| Compatible Support Materia | Added Cut All Final Attack HP Absorb Magic Counter MP Absorb MP Turbo Quadra Magic Sneak Attack Steal as well |
Damage formula:
![{\displaystyle (64/16)\times [(Level+Magical~Attack)\times 6]}](https://services.fandom.com/mathoid-facade/v1/media/math/render/svg/501624a96206fad46665911d1bb11ef401f9b304)
where "Level" is the caster's current level and "Magical Attack" is their Magic atk stat. This is effectively 4x the base magic damage.
Use[]
Bolt3 can be used by characters with the Lightning Materia at level 3. It deals significant damage, but also has a high MP cost. This means that it should be used sparingly, and is best saved for boss battles. It is best used against enemies weak to Lightning, such as Shinra robots.
Bolt3 can be amplified by pairing the Lightning Materia with Support Materia. Pairing it with MP Turbo or Quadra Magic can be useful to enhance its already strong damage to single targets, and Magic Counter uses it as a counterattack. Pairing it with MP Absorb also allows it to be used more by mitigating the MP cost, though HP Absorb can grant the player greater endurance. Pairing it with All allows the spell to clear groups of enemies, though using Mega All will have the same effect, and allows for more options for paired Support Materia. Bolt3 has a different animation when used with All. If the character has multiple Lightning Materia linked to different Support Materia, the spell can take on various effects simultaneously.
Bolt3 is useful against all enemies that are weak to Lightning, or that do not otherwise resist or absorb the element. For normal spellcasting, as the characters' max MP improves, it remains useful, particularly if paired with the right Support Materia. Against larger targets and bosses, it becomes outclassed by stronger spells, though it remains a great choice against the Carry Armor, a multi-part boss weak to Lightning.
Bolt3 is more powerful than the E.Skill Trine, but Trine costs less MP and natively targets all enemies, whereas Bolt3 loses 1/3 of its power when multi-targeted with All, somewhat closing the gap between them. Bolt3 is more powerful than Ramuh, the Lightning-elemental summon.
Bolt3 can be cast by Christopher and Bizarro∙Sephiroth. Sephiroth might use it during Cloud's retelling of the Nibelheim Incident when faced with a group of enemies. Sephiroth spends no MP for spellcasting.