Effect Capacity

Ashe has fully charged Cure, but the spell is not executed because Fran is casting Flare, the spell with the highest effect index.

Effect Capacity is a hidden measure in Final Fantasy XII to determine how many actions—other than basic attacks—can be executed simultaneously. If the total effect index exceeds the maximum capacity of 8, the action charged last can only be executed when the earliest action ends. This is likely due to the hardware limitation of the PlayStation 2 being unable to handle too much graphical processing.

The effect index for most tier 1 magick spells is 1, tier 2 (-ra) 2, tier 3 (-ga) 4 and the strongest spells 8, meaning the most advanced magick can only be executed when no other special actions are taking place. Some animations, such as Darkga and Graviga, may look simple, but have higher effect indices than other -ga magick spells.

Because this system hinders players from performing special actions or magick spells, the player is encouraged to opt for weaker spells, especially when fighting enemies who rely greatly on basic melee attacks. For example, casting Cura and Curaga under Faith status instead of Curaja is more efficient because they cost 3 effect capacity units and consume less MP (32+28=60) altogether, compared to 4 effect index and 68 MP of the latter. Knowing the enemy's pattern allows skillful players to stall the enemy by saturating the effect capacity, regardless of the enemy-exclusive skills with zero charge time.

Due to the greater technical capacity of the PlayStation 4, the Effect Capacity measure has been removed from The Zodiac Age version, allowing all spells to be used the moment the ATB gauge has finished charging.

Effect indices

Effect index 1

Ability Class	Abilities
White Magick	Cure, Curaga, Raise, Esuna, Blindna, Vox, Poisona, Stona, Cleanse, Dispel, Regen
Black Magick	Fire, Blizzard, Thunder, Water
Time Magick	Haste, Slow, Stop, Break, Countdown
Green Magick	Protect, Shell, Bravery, Faith, Blind, Silence, Sleep, Poison, Oil
Arcane Magick	Dark, Reverse, Berserk, Confuse, Decoy, Vanish
Technicks	All, excluding Shades of Black and Telekinesis
Items	Potion, Ether, Remedy, Phoenix Down, Gold Needle, Echo Herbs, Antidote, Alarm Clock, Handkerchief, Chronos Tear, Smelling Salts, Vaccine, Bacchus's Wine

Effect index 2

Magick Class	Spells
White Magick	Cura, Arise, Dispelga
Black Magick	Aero, Fira, Blizzara, Thundara, Bio
Time Magick	Slowga, Immobilize, Disable, Reflect, Bleed
Green Magick	Protectga, Shellga
Arcane Magick	Death, Bubble, Drain, Syphon
Items	Hi-Potion, Hi Ether, Knot of Rust, Red Fang, Blue Fang, White Fang

Effect index 4

Magick Class	Spells
White Magick	Curaja, Renew, Esunaga
Black Magick	Aeroga, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Shock
Time Magick	Hastega, Reflectga, Float, Balance
Green Magick	Blindga, Silencega, Sleepga, Toxify
Arcane Magick	Darkra, Gravity, Vanishga
Items	X-Potion, Elixir, Megalixir

Effect index 8

Magick Class	Spells
White Magick	Holy
Black Magick	Scourge, Flare, Ardor, Scathe
Time Magick	Warp
Arcane Magick	Darkga, Graviga
Items	Eksir Berries, Dark Matter
Misc.	Summon, Quickening, Boss and Esper's ultimate attack

Notes

• Actions which ignore these mechanics include any basic regular attack regardless of element, Telekinesis, enemy exclusive Technicks such as Rush, Lunge, Ram, Rake, Kick, Gnaw and Poke.
• In the Zodiac versions, some spells have been re-categorized into different magick classes, but the effect index remains the same.
• Magickal Motes and the magicks drawn by Shades of Black have the same effect index as the corresponding spell.

External links

• バトル/【順番待ち】, ファイナルファンタジー用語辞典 Wiki* (Japanese)
• FF12　順番待ち・敵対心(ヘイト)検証 NicoNico Douga (Japanese)