Artwork
Bombs are a family of floating fiery monsters in Final Fantasy Tactics. They are among the most common enemies found in the early game, but are stronger than goblins. They absorb the fire element, halve the damage from ice, are weak to the water; they have innate Levitate, which also makes them immune to earth while allowing them to cross through difficult terrain. Like all monsters, bombs have innate Counter. They can be first encountered in chapter 1, found more commonly at Siedge Weald.
Much like other monsters, bombs can be recruited to Ramza's company if it has an orator with the Entice ability, or any job with the Speechcraft command and the Beast Tongue support ability, or any job with the Tame support ability. Such as other recruitable creatures, bombs lay eggs (as long there are enough free slots available on the party roster), which can spawn three variations: bomb, grenade, and exploder. Each allied bomb variant gains access to a new ability when next to a human unit with the Beastmaster support ability.
Like most monsters, bombs can be poached and turned into items that can be bought at the Poachers' Dens found in trade cities during chapters 3 and 4.
Ranks[]
Each variant of the bomb family has similar stat growths, with average physical attack power and speed, high magickal attack power, but low movement and jump attributes. Bombs are sturdy due to their elemental resistances and immunities.
Stats are increased slightly between each rank. All variants of the family have access to Bite, their physical attack command.
All bomb variants also have access to their signature Self-Destruct, which deals massive non-elemental damage in an area around the bomb (including itself), and inflicts the very rare Oil status effect; Self-Destruct will often KO the user. This attack is often used when the bomb is below 50% HP, and can be devastating; because of that, it is recommend to focus on taking the bomb down before it can use Self-Destruct.
Rank I: Bomb[]
A creature enveloped by the raging flames that feed on the highly flammable fluid exuded by its body.
The Ivalice Chronicles' description
The most common type of bomb, with an orange body.
If next to an ally with the Beastmaster support ability, bombs gains access to Bomblet, which deals non-elemental damage to a single adjacent unit.
Rank II: Grenade[]
A variety of bomb enveloped in extremely hot flames. The gas within its body is of lesser density than air.
The Ivalice Chronicles' description
Despite its blue body, the grenade is also of the fire element. It has access to Bomblet by default.
If next to an ally with the Beastmaster support ability, grenades gains access to Flame Attack, which deals fire-elemental damage to a single distant unit.
Grenade is a recurring enemy in the Final Fantasy series, often as an upgrade to the bomb.
Rank III: Exploder[]
A variety of bomb that absorbs heat from its surrounding, resulting in the unusual hue of its flames.
The Ivalice Chronicles' description
Also known as Explosive in the original Final Fantasy Tactics for the PlayStation. Despite its black body, the exploder is also of the fire element.
They have access to Spark, which heals the exploder while dealing damage in an area to units around the the user. This combined with exploders having the highest HP of all the monsters of its family, makes them very durable.
If next to an ally with the Beastmaster support ability, exploders gains access to Bomblet.
Statistics[]
| Monster | Move | Jump | Phy. Evasion Rate | Innate Abilities | Common Poach | Rare Poach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bomb | 3 | 3 | 10% | Cannot enter water, Levitate, Counter | Flameburst Bomb | Flame Rod |
| Grenade | 3 | 3 | 11% | Cannot enter water, Levitate, Counter | Hi-Potion | Snowmelt Bomb |
| Exploder | 3 | 3 | 12% | Cannot enter water, Levitate, Counter | Spark Bomb | Flame Shield |
Abilities[]
The damage formula for Bite is as follows:
The damage formula for Magick attacks are as follows:
| Ability | Bomb | Grenade | Exploder | Range | Effect | Vertical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bite | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Attack by biting with an enormous mouth. | ||||||
| Self-Destruct | Yes | Yes | Yes | Auto | 3 | 3 |
| Self-destruct, inflicting damage in the surrounding area. Effect: Oil In The Ivalice Chronicles enhanced mode, Self-Destruct leaves the user in critical health | ||||||
| Bomblet | No[note 1] | Yes | No[note 1] | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Attack by tossing a bomblet as a grenade. | ||||||
| Spark | No | No | Yes | 3 | 1 | Self |
| Attack the area with spreading flames. Element: Fire | ||||||
| Flame Attack | No | No[note 1] | No | 3 | 1 | Infinite |
| Attack by shooting out flames. Element: Fire | ||||||
As party members[]
Monsters from the bomb family can be decent assets to the player's party, with their fire and earth immunities, as well resistance to ice, meaning they can limit enemy black mages and summoners. However, their low speed and mobility makes them unreliable as frontline units. They can be used in conjunction with other units that can deal fire damage, thanks to the bomb's Self-Destruct, which can be used as a last resort to deal massive damage to its enemies while inflicting the Oil status, which can then be followed by a fire-elemental spell.
Exploders are the most useful of the bomb family to be used as allies since they have the highest HP of all the variants, on top of having access to Spark, to heal themselves as well allied units equipped with the flame shield, which absorbs fire damage.
Other appearances[]
Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]
Bomb appears with a Fire-elemental card.
Gallery[]
Etymology[]
A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy.
A grenade is a small bomb typically thrown by hand.