Double max HP of one ally.
Description
Bubble is a Green Magicks spell in the Zodiac versions of Final Fantasy XII, and an Arcane Magicks spell in the original PlayStation 2 version. It is a single-target status enhancement spell that temporarily doubles the target's current and maximum HP; though the screen shows 9999 as the maximum value, the character's HP can exceed this.
The Zodiac versions add a Bubble Mote item that is an alternate way to use the spell.
Obtained[]
Bubble's license costs 90 License Points in the Zodiac versions, where the spell is bought for 5000 gil from the Clan Provisioner in Rabanastre's Muthru Bazaar after the player has the rank of Riskbreaker in the Clan Centurio, reached after felling 16 marks and amassing 200,000 clan points by defeating enemies.
In the original version, Bubble's license costs 60 LP and the spell is bought for 3300 gil from the Clan Provisioner with the rank of Ward of Justice, reached by felling 12 marks and amassing 40,000 clan points. The spell is also sold on the Rabanastre–Nalbina Skyferry route after obtaining the Treaty-Blade.
In the Zodiac versions, the Bubble spell can be used by the job classes White Mage, Red Battlemage, Time Battlemage, and Black Mage, as well as by Larsa when he joins in Jahara as a guest.
Mechanics[]
Bubble bestows the status of the same name to one target that temporarily doubles the current and max HP of the affected. Characters in Bubble status will be immune to Disease, and vice versa. Enemies and NPC allies are generally immune to Bubble, as it is blocked by Safety. Although the display does not surpass 9,999 HP, the effect still occurs and can even allow Balance to break the damage limit.
Bubble status is removed with Dispel.
The formula for the duration is:
The duration depends on the receiver's Vitality stat, not the caster's. Haste and Slow do not affect the length other status effects will last, but Stop will halt them.
Bubble costs 32 MP to cast without Channeling licenses in the Zodiac versions, and 30 MP in the original. The spell will bounce from Reflect unless the caster wears the Opal Ring.
Use[]
Bubble is a status enhancement spell the player can easily set up via the gambit system (such as with Ally:Name→Bubble). It is excellent for all of the party, but if the player is using Decoy, it would be especially good for the Lured party member. Because Bubble also doubles the character's current health, a gambit for it can be useful when placed above healing gambits. A character who summons Espers benefits from having Bubble available so they can buff the companion.
Useful applications for the spell would be in tough battles, such as in optional dungeons, for hunts, bosses, and the strong Rare Game like Disma. However, the status is not good for the battle against Cúchulainn due to the terrain's permanent HP leak; with Bubble, the party will lose HP twice as fast, which can become the end of them when in low health.
Having Bubble makes the HP boosts from light armor less crucial, and so the player can more easily prioritize heavy and mystic gear. Instead of using the spell, the player can also use the Bubble Belt accessory for a constant Bubble effect. The benefit of this is that the wearer can be revived at double HP.
Bubble allows the player to do more damage with the Balance spell as well as with Zeromus's Esper abilities and Shemhazai's Devour Soul.
Bubble can be especially useful in a New Game Minus playthrough to survive against various enemies.