Eidolon (Final Fantasy XIII)

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Promotional artwork of the characters and their Eidolons from Final Fantasy XIII.

That thing's here to help us?"
"Yeah, 'help.' That's what Eidolons do, they help us. Eidolons are our salvation. If we can't decide what to do next, they come put us out of our misery!

Fang sarcastically explains Eidolons to Snow.

(Eidolons, 召喚獣?, lit. Shoukanjuu) are the summons in Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2, creatures created by the goddess Etro to serve as her emissaries in the Visible World. Their spirits are locked within special crystals known as "eidoliths".

Datalog

Eidolons

Template:See Also These mystical entities reveal themselves before only to a select few l'Cie. It is said that they are saviors, come to rescue hopeless l'Cie who find themselves bound to a Focus against their will. If this is true, they offer a brand of salvation few indeed would seek willingly: without exception, Eidolons attack the l'Cie whose presences they grace. There have been no l'Cie in Cocoon for centuries, and as a result, no way of determining the truth behind tales of these beings. To the citizens of Cocoon, they remain the stuff of bedtime stories.

Her Providence

Template:See Also Her Providence sought nothing.
Her Providence made nothing.
She but looked on, silent in Her sorrow.
The Goddess pitied mortals, destined as they were to die, and so She deigned to intervene in the hour of their greatest peril. She averted cataclysm that was to be, and put to rest the ones who would have robbed so many of what time fate had ordained.
Her compassion did not end at this.
The Goddess pitied also those subjected to that fate of Focus, crueler still than death. To them She sent Her messengers, to deliver hope when all was lost.

-- Sermons of the seeress Paddra Nsu-Yeul

Gerhilde's Blossom

Template:See Also Eidolons are beasts that dwell in Valhalla. L'Cie chosen by Etro are pitted against Eidolons in a trial by combat. Those who emerge triumphant receive a crystal called 'eidolith,' which they may use to summon the beast to fight at their side.

The weak must obey the strong. This is the inviolable law of Valhalla. Like any other denizen of the Unseen Realm, Eidolons are bound to answer every call of their master.

Nature

The Analects on the goddess Etro suggest that Eidolons are created by her and are her messengers, "to deliver hope when all was lost". The Eidolons' connection to Etro is shown by having her script written across their bodies and during their summon animations. The Eidolons' nature as mechanical beings would confer with the similar beings of fal'Cie, created by the other known gods of Final Fantasy XIII universe, Pulse and Lindzei.

Eidolons are summoned via an eidolith, a crystal whose shape is unique to each summoner. Though normally summoned by a l'Cie, the people of Paddra devised a means to summon Eidolons via incarnate summoning, where a l'Cie summons their Eidolon, but instead of manifesting it as a partner in battle, they manifest it within their own body, causing the two to permanently fuse together. The resulting being is drastically more powerful and has the ability to shift between human and Eidolon forms at will. The only known user of this form of summon is Caius Ballad who used it to fuse with Bahamut. Incarnate Summoning is rare, as using it is at the cost of the summoner's life; Caius is an exception, as he was saved by goddess Etro who gave him the "Heart of Chaos".

In Final Fantasy XIII-2 it is shown that Eidolons reside in Valhalla, as Lightning summons armies of them to fight against Caius Ballad.

Acquiring

Usually appearing when a l'Cie is in deep despair, an Eidolon arises to battle its l'Cie, immediately casting Doom on its respective summoner at the battle's start. The goal is not to reduce its HP to zero, but to fill its Gestalt Gauge to maximum within the allotted time.

Even if the Eidolon's Libra page lists different methods for raising the Eidolon's Gestalt Gauge depending on the Eidolon (namely, the actions available from the party leader's default Paradigm roles), all of the Eidolons' Gestalt Gauges do, in fact, raise by exactly the same measures. Therefore, using the party leader as a Synergist will boost any Eidolon's Gestalt Gauge, even if it is mentioned only for Brynhildr and Alexander (because Synergist is one of Sazh and Hope's primary roles). However, as the Eidolons are battled early enough in the game for the characters to unlikely have explored Crystarium trees other than their primary roles, this factor is insignificant.

Methods to Raise the Gauge

Summon Multipliers:

Summon	Multiplier
Shiva	1.00
Odin	1.45
Brynhildr	0.60
Bahamut	1.40
Alexander	0.84
Hecatoncheir	0.90

The party leader's role is the most important factor when it comes to calculating the Gestalt Gauge increase. The increase in Gestalt Gauge is calculated as percentages.

Role	Action	%Increase in Gestalt Gauge
Commando	Raise the enemy's chain bonus with a command ability.	Chain Bonus increase * 0.6 * 7.5 * Summon Multi.
Ravager	Raise the enemy's chain bonus with a command ability.	Chain Bonus increase * 0.6 * 1.5 * Summon Multi.
Sentinel	Raise the enemy's chain bonus with a command ability.	Chain Bonus increase * 0.6 * Summon Multi.
Sentinel	Receive damage from an enemy attack. (see chart below)	ATB cost of ability * 10 * [(enemy level / 100) / 10] * Summon Multi.
Saboteur	Raise the enemy's chain bonus with a command ability.	Chain Bonus increase * 0.6 * 1.5 * Summon Multi
Synergist	Use a command ability	2 * Summon Multi
Medic	Use a command ability	ATB Cost * 0.75 * Summon Multi

As for all allies all they can do to contribute toward the Gestalt Gauge fill is to raise the enemy's chain bonus with command abilities. The allies' Gestalt Gauge Increase % is calculated as: Chain Bonus increase * 0.6 * Summon Multi.

The Sentinel role increases the Gestalt Gauge by being attacked by the Eidolon while the Sentinel using its counterattack and defensive commands. The following chart illustrates by how much the gauge fills when the Eidolon attacks a party leader who is using a Sentinel ability. Because the party leader in battles against Odin and Brynhildr can't be a Sentinel, they are not included in the below chart.

Eidolon	Action	Gestalt Gauge Increase
Shiva	Wheel Grind	18.31%
Shiva	Pirouette	18.31%
Shiva	Curaga	0.00%
Shiva	Other	0.49%
Bahamut	Ignis	4.15%
Bahamut	Other	1.38%
Alexander	Explosive Fist	2.49%
Alexander	Other	0.83%
Hecatoncheir	Quake	3.56%
Hecatoncheir	Other	0.89%

Summoned in Battle

Bahamut being summoned.

Eidolons are summoned by spending three Technical Points and fight alongside the summoning party member in battle while the other members temporarily leave. At this time no role bonuses are contributed by the allies who have left the battle. When summoned into battle, the summoner is temporarily invincible, making it a strategic asset in battle; if summoned right when the opponent is about to launch their attack, the party can summon an Eidolon and survive, as the summoner is temporarily invincible during the summoning animation.

Fang summons Bahamut.

The time at which the Eidolon can stay is determined by its SP gauge, which decreases as time passes and also decreases whenever the Eidolon receives damage. In addition, the summoner has a Gestalt Gauge, which increases in the same way as how it increased when the player battled against that Eidolon. However, the gauge is quickly drained when the Eidolon runs out of SP. When both the SP and the Gestalt Gauges are reduced to zero, or if the summoner is Knocked Out, the Eidolon is dismissed.

Lightning and Odin in Gestalt Mode.

Additionally, one can activate (Gestalt Mode, ドライビングモード?, lit. Doraibingu Mōdo), a special ability that allows the Eidolon to change into a form the player can ride, shifting the battle to a more action-oriented tone in which button inputs correspond to attacks. Gestalt Mode's duration is determined by how high its Gestalt Gauge was when Gestalt Mode was initiated, and each attack subtracts a certain number of points from the gauge. It also allows access to the Eidolon's finisher, which immediately consumes all the points left in the gauge. Eidolons grow in strength as their summoner grows. Each Eidolon has a concept that defines their actions in battle.

The finisher has three levels, LV1 finisher being the weakest, and LV3 finisher being the strongest. Spending more units when initiating the finisher doesn't affect its strength, only the level does. The finisher's level is determined by how much the player managed to increase the Gestalt Gauge during the time the Eidolon is summoned.

When an Eidolon is dismissed in battle all party members regain maximum health and K.O. characters regain consciousness making summoning extremely useful as a last resort.

Mechanics

Rank

The Eidolon's rank determines its stats when summoned to battle. The rank is the sum of the character's Crystarium level and the number of level 5 roles. Thus the maximum rank is 16 (Crystarium level 10 + all roles at level 5).

SP

The Eidolons are given a base 50 seconds from the moment of summoning. The time they can stay is displayed as the SP gauge. The full SP gauge is equal to 50 seconds no matter how much SP the Eidolon actually has. When summoned to battle the Eidolons don't have an HP gauge, instead, any sustained damage is depleted from the SP gauge reducing the time the summon can stay and battle. If an Eidolon with 10,000 SP takes 1000 damage, it has lost 1/10th of its max SP, or 5 seconds of time. If the Eidolon has 50,000 SP, it has only lost 1/50th of its max SP or just 1 second.

Gestalt Gauge

The Gestalt Gauge starts half full. The method to raise the gauge is the same as the method to raise it during the battle against the same Eidolon, except the summon multipliers are ignored. The Gestalt Gauge determines the number of moves the summoner can perform in Gestalt Mode, as well as the level of the Eidolon's finishing attack. If the Eidolon's SP gauge completely depletes, the Gestalt Gauge will begin to deplete at a rate of 20% each second.

	50%	60%	70%	80%	90%	100%
Gestalt Count	16	19	22	25	28	30
Finishing Move Level	1	1	1	2	2	3

List of Eidolons

Shiva

The Shiva sisters, Stiria and Nix, are Snow's Eidolons, obtained in Lake Bresha. They both have their own separate ATB gauge, but both will be dismissed if their shared SP falls to zero.

In normal mode, Stiria focuses on the Medic and Ravager roles, healing Snow and dealing Ice-elemental damage on the enemies. Nix focuses on a Commando role, as her abilities are physical based, although she has Blizzara at her disposal. While Stiria cannot be targeted by enemies, she can still be damaged by area-of-effect attacks.

Snow's Gestalt Gauge increases by driving up enemy chain gauges and by defending against enemy attacks. In Gestalt mode, the Shiva sisters transform into a motorcycle. Their concept is Rapid Blaster. While in Gestalt Mode only Stiria's stats are used in the damage calculations.

A different variation of the Shiva Sisters return in Final Fantasy XIII-2, supporting Lightning in her fight against Caius to protect Valhalla.

Stats

Stiria has 3 ATB bars and Nix has 4.

Rank	SP	Stiria		Nix
		PA	MA	PA	MA
5	2480	177	193	188	150
6	3488	205	224	219	175
7	4768	323	355	347	277
8	12180	442	483	472	377
9	20544	1557	1702	1660	1328
10	24928	1824	1994	1995	1556
11	27420	2006	2193	2140	1712
12	30163	2207	2412	2354	1883
13	33179	2427	2653	2589	2071
14	36496	2670	2919	2848	2278
15	41971	3071	3357	3276	2620
16	50365	3685	4028	3931	3144

Stiria's Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Blizzard	1	Inflicts ice magic damage on one opponent.
Blizzara	2	Inflicts ice magic damage on opponents within a small radius.
Blizzaga	3	Inflicts ice magic damage on opponents within a large radius.
Curaga	1	Restores major HP on one ally.
Esuna	1	Removes the most recently inflicted status ailment on one ally.
Arise	Auto	Revives ally from KO with full HP. Instantly dismisses Eidolons.
Penetration	Auto	Ignores target's Fire, Ice, Lightning and Water resistances when attacking.

Stiria attacks the enemy Snow is targeting with Blizzard and does nothing while its ATB gauge charges. If Snow is afflicted with a negative status it casts Esuna. If Snow's HP is below 70% it casts Curaga.

Nix's Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Wheel Rap	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent.
Flip Kick	1	Inflicts physical damage and launches a staggered opponent in the air.
Wheel Grind	1	Inflicts multiple physical damage on one opponent.
Wheel Toss	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent from long range.
Pirouette	2	Inflicts physical damage on multiple opponents within a small radius.
Blizzara	2	Inflicts ice magic damage on opponents within a small radius.
ATB Charge	Auto	ATB gauge fills with x1.5 times the normal speed. If Nix is within range of her target and her ATB gauge is less than 60% full, ATB charge activates.
Penetration	Auto	Ignores target's Fire, Ice, Lightning and Water resistances when attacking.

Nix attacks the enemy Snow is targeting with Wheel Rap three times followed by Flip Kick. While the ATB gauge charges it closes in on the enemy it is targeting and ATB Charge accelerates the charge rate.

Gestalt Mode

Ability	ATB Cost	Move PS3/360	Description
Wheelie	3	Template:PS up Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox up Template:Xbox A button	Charge forward and deal non-elemental damage to target.
Spinfreeze	3	Template:PS down Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox down Template:Xbox A button	Deal Ice damage to surrounding targets and launch Staggered ones into the air.
Icicle Drift	3	Template:PS left or right Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox left or right Template:Xbox A button	Deal non-element damage by sliding into target.
Ice Ramp	3	Template:PS O button/Template:Xbox B button	Jump off conjured ramp and deal Ice damage.
Diamond Dust	All	Template:PS Triangle button/Template:Xbox Y button	Repeatedly deal Ice damage to all targets.

The Latin writing on the sphere of ice during the summoning animation reads:

By the grace of Etro, twin rulers arise from your icy thrones. Come forth, sisters of Winter wastes.

A name in blood, a pact of ice. Shiva shall rise, her bond eternal and unyielding.

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Odin

Odin is Lightning's Eidolon, obtained in the Vile Peaks. Odin is lightning-elemental and has many powerful and diverse physical and magical attacks. He also acts as a Sentinel, drawing all enemy attacks. As Odin has difficulty in driving up enemy chain gauges, it may be better to place Lightning in the role of Ravager to increase Odin's Gestalt Gauge.

Lightning's Gestalt Gauge increases by driving up enemy chain gauges and by healing herself and removing status ailments. In Gestalt mode, Odin transforms into the horse Sleipnir, named after Odin's horse in Norse mythology. His concept is Multi-Attacker.

In Final Fantasy XIII-2, Odin still serves as Lightning's Eidolon and aids her in fighting Chaos Bahamut. Four other Odins have been seen charging with Lightning in Valhalla, when she fights against Caius. A corrupted variation of Odin also appears in the game. Named "Twilight Odin", he appears in the Vile Peaks in the years 10 and 200 AF as a physical manifestation of Chaos, using the memories of Lightning's summoning in the area years ago as a source of energy. He is fought as a boss in both areas and can be recruited as a monster for the party. Twilight Odin is also a rare drop of the Level 99 Valfodr, this being the only other way of obtaining his monster crystal, aside from defeating him in the Vile Peaks in 200 AF.

Stats

Odin is summoned.

Odin has 5 ATB bars.

Rank	SP	PA	MA
3	3645	141	93
4	4899	183	121
5	6156	225	149
6	7848	301	199
7	10728	407	316
8	27405	649	430
9	46224	2283	1515
10	56088	2675	1775
11	61696	2942	1952
12	67867	3237	2148
13	74653	3560	2362
14	82117	3917	2599
15	94435	4504	2989
16	99999	5405	3586

Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Flourish of Steel	1	Inflicts multiple physical damage on opponents within a small radius.
Skyward Swing	1	Inflicts physical damage on opponents within a small radius and launch them in the air.
Seismic Strike	1	Inflicts physical damage on opponents within a large radius.
Crushing Blow	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent. Only used on an enemy that is far away.
Thundara	1	Inflicts lightning magic damage on opponents within a small radius.
Thundaga	1	Inflicts lightning magic damage on opponents within a large radius.
Curaga	1	Restores major HP to one ally.
Arise	Auto	Revive ally from KO with full HP. Instantly dismisses Eidolon.
Ullr's Shield	Auto	Reduce damage inflicted on self by 10% while ATB gauge is charging.
Valhalla's Call	Auto	Provokes enemies when attacking. The Provoke effect works 100% of the time.
Penetration	Auto	Ignores target's Fire, Ice, Lightning and Water resistances when attacking.

Odin attacks the enemy Lightning is targeting with Flourish of Steel, Skyward Swing, and Seismic Strike. It will stock four attacks from the aforementioned abilities on its ATB bar and then have Thundaga as the final attack. If the enemy is far away it will use Crushing Blow. When Odin uses Thundaga it takes only one ATB slot, compared to when player characters use it when it takes three ATB slots. Odin works as a Sentinel in battle drawing in all enemy attacks with its Valhalla's Call.

Gestalt Mode

Ability	ATB Cost	Move PS3/360	Description
Stormblade	2	Template:PS up Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox up Template:Xbox A button	Attack single target with Lightning's sword.
Lightning Strike	3	Template:PS down Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox down Template:Xbox A button	Attack target with the blade, then with thunder.
Razor Gale	3	Template:PS left or right Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox left or right Template:Xbox A button	Attack repeatedly with the blades then with non-elemental magic.
Thunderfall	4	Template:PS O button/Template:Xbox B button	Deal lightning damage to all enemies and launch them into the air.
Zantetsuken	All	Template:PS Triangle button/Template:Xbox Y button	Attack all enemies elevating Chain Bonuses, instantly slaying targets with low HP.

The Latin writing on the symbol that emerges from the ground when Lightning summons Odin reads:

By grace of Etro, let thunder herald your arrival. Come forth, sunderer of falsehood.

A name in blood, a pact of truth. Odin shall rise his bond eternal and unyielding.

The plate on Odin's back (as a horse) reads:

My weapon is light, my steed is thunder. I am the herald of truth. I am Odin.

Odin's shield that becomes the horse's shoulder plate, says:

Keeper of truth. Destroyer of corruption. Odin.

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Brynhildr

Do your worst, you freak!

Sazh, seeing Brynhildr

Brynhildr is Sazh's Eidolon, obtained in Nautilus Park. By default, Brynhildr is Fire-elemental, but Sazh can bestow En-spells on Brynhildr allowing her to change her elemental characteristics. Brynhildr is strong physically, but also has a wide array of spells based on which enhancements Sazh has cast on her.

Sazh's Gestalt Gauge increases by driving up enemy chain gauges and by augmenting himself and Brynhildr with status enhancements. In Gestalt mode, Brynhildr transforms into a race car with side mounted machine guns. Her concept is Gadget Master.

Brynhildr does not make an appearance in Final Fantasy XIII-2, but concept artwork for a blue variation has been shown in the Final Fantasy XIII-2 Ultimania Omega, suggesting it was once considered as one of the Eidolons seen in Valhalla.

Stats

Brynhildr has 4 ATB slots.

Rank	SP	PA	MA
6	4360	274	274
7	5960	434	434
8	15225	590	590
9	25650	2076	2076
10	31160	2432	2432
11	34276	2675	2675
12	37704	2943	2943
13	41474	3237	3237
14	45621	3561	3561
15	52464	4095	4095
16	62957	4914	4914

Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Slash	1	Inflicts physical damage on opponents within a small radius.
Valkyrian Scythe	1	Inflicts multiple damage on opponents within a small radius.
Gunshot	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent.
Pyroshot	1	Inflicts fire magical damage on opponents within a small radius.
Cryoshot	1	Inflicts ice magical damage on opponents within a small radius. Only used when under Enfrost status.
Electroshot	1	Inflicts lightning magical damage on opponents within a small radius. Only used when under Enthunder status.
Hydroshot	1	Inflicts water magical damage on opponents within a small radius. Only used when under Enwater status.
Pyroburst	1	Inflicts fire magical damage on opponents within a wide radius.
Cryoburst	1	Inflicts ice magical damage on opponents within a wide radius. Only used when under Enfrost status.
Electroburst	1	Inflicts lightning magical damage on opponents within a wide radius. Only used when under Enthunder status.
Hydroburst	1	Inflicts water magical damage on opponents within a wide radius. Only used when under Enwater status.
Curaga	1	Restores major HP to one ally.
Arise	Auto	Revive ally from KO with full HP. Instantly dismisses Eidolon.
ATB Boost	Auto	Temporarily extend ATB gauge from 4 to 6 to deliver a powerful attack. If Brynhildr's ATB gauge is less than 90% full and her target is either staggered or has less than 0.2 secs or more than 6 secs left of chain gauge, ATB Boost will activate.
Penetration	Auto	Ignores target's Fire, Ice, Lightning and Water resistances when attacking.

Brynhildr uses Slash twice followed up with Valkyrian Scythe and finishes with Pyroburst. She targets the same enemy Sazh is targeting. If ATB Boost activated the previous turn, Brynhildr will follow up Pyroburst with another Valkyrian Scythe followed by another Pyroburst. While Brynhildr's ATB gauge is filling, she moves toward the enemy.

Gestalt Mode

Ability	ATB Cost	Move PS3/360	Description
Chopper Spin	2	Template:PS up Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox up Template:Xbox A button	Strike targets while spinning wildly. Jets deal additional damage.
Caltrop Bomb	3	Template:PS down Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox down Template:Xbox A button	Scatter bombs that deal fire damage upon detonation; jets deal additional damage.
Centrifugal Sweep	3(1)	Template:PS left or right Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox left or right Template:Xbox A button	Damage surrounding targets; jets deal additional damage. Can be chained by repeating input, in which it'll cost less units.
Spark Shower	3(1)	Template:PS O button/Template:Xbox B button	Deal fire damage to targets; jets deal additional damage. Can be chained by repeating input, in which it'll cost less units.
Múspell Flame	All	Template:PS Triangle button/Template:Xbox Y button	Engulf all enemies in roaring flames while boosting the chain gauge. Power depends on the attack level.

The text on on the symbol that appears in the ball of fire reads:

By the grace of Etro, warrior maiden be drawn by the fires of battle. Come forth, wreathed in blazing glory.

A name in blood, a pact of flame. Brynhildr shall rise, her bond eternal and unyielding.

Rousing Inferno.

Ethereal Blaze.

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Bahamut

Bahamut is Fang's Eidolon, obtained in the Fifth Ark. Bahamut utilizes powerful non-elemental attacks, making him the Eidolon with the highest damage-dealing potential. However, as Bahamut's SP is rather low compared to other Eidolons, it may be a good idea for Fang to assume the role of Sentinel to increase the summoning time as well as to boost Bahamut's Gestalt Gauge whenever Fang is attacked while blocking.

Fang's Gestalt Gauge increases by driving up enemy chain gauges, defending against attacks and inflicting status ailments upon enemies. In Gestalt mode, Bahamut allows Fang to ride him. His concept is Aerial Raver.

In Final Fantasy XIII-2, while Lightning is able to summon Bahamut, Caius can transform into a variation of Bahamut called "Chaos Bahamut" - who is fought at numerous points throughout the game.

Stats

Bahamut has 5 ATB slots.

Rank	SP	PA	MA
8	13702	708	601
9	23112	2491	2117
10	28044	2918	2480
11	30848	3210	2728
12	33933	3531	3001
13	37326	3884	3301
14	41058	4273	3632
15	47217	4917	4176
16	56661	5896	5011

Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Dragon Claws	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent.
Whirlwind	1	Inflicts physical damage to opponents within a small radius and launches them in the air when staggered.
Umbral Vise	1	Inflicts major physical damage on one opponent.
Inferno	1	Inflicts major magic damage on one opponent.
Ignis	3	Inflicts magic damage on opponents within a wide radius.
Curaga	1	Restores major HP to one ally.
Arise	Auto	Revive ally from KO with full HP. Instantly dismisses Eidolon.

Bahamut targets the same enemy as Fang and uses Dragon Claws three times followed by Whirlwind and finishes with Inferno. Bahamut retreats from the enemy while waiting for its ATB gauge to fill. If the enemy is already far Bahamut will do nothing while charging its ATB gauge.

Gestalt Mode

Ability	ATB Cost	Move PS3/360	Description
Hunting Dive	2	Template:PS up Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox up Template:Xbox A button	Swoop down and strike targets, launching them into the air if staggered.
Aerial Loop	2	Template:PS down Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox down Template:Xbox A button	Strike target with a somersault spin, catapulting it upward.
Obliterating Breath	3	Template:PS left or right Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox left or right Template:Xbox A button	Charge forward and blast target repeatedly.
Pulsar Burst	3	Template:PS O button/Template:Xbox B button	Soar upward, blasting targets within a wide radius of intense light.
Megaflare	All	Template:PS Triangle button/Template:Xbox Y button	Deal massive damage to all enemies while charging their chain gauge. Power depends on the attack's level.

The text in Bahamut's summon animation reads:

By the grace of Etro emerge from the midnight void. Come forth, master of the rift.

A name in blood, a pact of ruin. Bahamut shall rise, his bond eternal and unyielding.

Shoulder the sky. Enfold the earth.

Template:Gallery

Alexander

Alexander is Hope's Eidolon, obtained in Vallis Media. Like Bahamut, Alexander also utilizes strong non-elemental attacks, however, they are all physical types. Alexander draws in all enemy attacks and has the highest starting SP of all Eidolons, but he is slow moving around the battlefield.

Hope's Gestalt Gauge increases by driving up enemy chain gauges, bestowing status enhancements, removing status ailments, and restoring HP. In Gestalt mode, Alexander transforms into an immobile fortress hugging one edge of the battlefield. Whenever Alexander is summoned, executing gestalt or unleashing his final gestalt attack, a somewhat faint, angelic organ pipe can be heard. His concept is Tactical Commander.

Alexander does not make an appearance in Final Fantasy XIII-2, but concept art for it exists, and is included in the Final Fantasy XIII-2 Ultimania Omega guide book.

Stats

Alexander has 4 ATB slots.

Rank	SP	PA	MA
8	38062	1056	1056
9	64200	3114	3114
10	77900	3648	3648
11	85690	4012	4014
12	94260	4414	4414
13	99999	4855	4855
14	99999	5341	5341
15	99999	6142	6142
16	99999	7371	7371

Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Steelcrusher	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent.
Obliterator	1	Inflicts major physical damage on one opponent.
Soaring Uppercut	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent and launch them in the air while staggered.
Blast Punch	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent from long range.
Explosive Fist	3	Inflicts physical damage on opponents within a wide radius.
Lofty Challenge	1	Provokes nearby enemies.
Curaga	1	Restores major HP to one ally.
Arise	Auto	Revive ally from KO with full HP. Instantly dismisses Eidolon.

If there is at least one enemy who is not provoked and can be provoked, Alexander uses Lofty Challenge. Otherwise Alexander targets the same enemy as Hope and uses Steelcrusher twice followed up with Soaring Uppercut finishing with Blast Punch. If the enemy can be launched it uses Soaring Uppercut. If the enemy is far away it uses Blast Punch and if the enemy is surrounded by other enemies it uses Explosive Fist.

Gestalt Mode

Alexander is the only Eidolon who has attacks in Gestalt Mode that ignore type-based defense.

Ability	ATB Cost	Move PS3/360	Description
Purification	4	Template:PS up Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox up Template:Xbox A button	Deal physical damage to target in front of Eidolon and inflict Deshell.
Earthquake	4(2)	Template:PS down Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox down Template:Xbox A button	Deal proximity-based damage, launching staggered enemies; can be chained by repeating input, in which it costs less units. Ignores type-based defense.
Brutal Sanction	4(2)	Template:PS left or right Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox left or right Template:Xbox A button	Deal magic damage to nearby and falling enemies; can be chained by repeating input, in which it costs less units.
Retributive Blast	5	Template:PS O button/Template:Xbox B button	Damage enemies in a wide area, launching staggered foes and inflicting Deprotect. Ignores type-based defense.
Divine Judgment	All	Template:PS Triangle button/Template:Xbox Y button	Deal weakness-specific damage to all enemies while boosting their chain gauge.

The writing on Alexander and his summon symbol read:

By the grace of Etro, stand fast your walls of stern judgment. Come forth, fortress of sanctity.

Fortified virtue. Shattered iniquity.

A name in blood, a pact of light. Alexander shall rise, his bond eternal and unyielding.

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Hecatoncheir

Hecatoncheir is Vanille's Eidolon, obtained in Mah'habara Subterra. Hecatoncheir is Earth-elemental and is the only Eidolon that possesses the Quake ability. However, he is also the only Eidolon that doesn't have Curaga, meaning Vanille must heal for herself.

Vanille's Gestalt Gauge increases by driving up enemy chain gauges, inflicting and removing status ailments and restoring HP. In Gestalt Mode, Hecatoncheir transforms into a bipedal mech with four machine gun turrets. His concept is Shooting Blaster.

Stats

Hecatoncheir has 6 ATB slots.

Rank	SP	PA	MA
8	21315	1170	603
9	35952	2698	1390
10	43624	3161	1629
11	47986	3477	1791
12	52785	3825	1971
13	58063	4208	2168
14	63869	4629	2385
15	73449	5323	2743
16	88139	6388	3292

Abilities

Ability	ATB Cost	Description
Pummel	1	Inflicts multiple physical damage on opponents within a small radius.
Aerial Tackle	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent.
Hurricane Kick	1	Inflicts physical damage on opponents within a small radius.
Force Projection	1	Inflicts physical damage on one opponent from long range.
Quake	4	Inflicts earth magic damage on opponents within a small radius.
Arise	Auto	Revive ally from KO with full HP. Instantly dismisses Eidolon.
Counter	Auto	Sometimes counterattack opponents after evading their attacks.
Looming Wrath	Auto	Attack any opponent that draws near.

Gestalt Mode

Ability	ATB Cost	Move PS3/360	Description
Chain Cannons	1(1)	Template:PS up Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox up Template:Xbox A button	Repeatedly fire on target with cannons; can be chained by repeating input.
Missile Tetrad	2(1)	Template:PS down Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox down Template:Xbox A button	Fire four missiles in turn at targets and surrounding enemies; can be chained by repeating input, in which it costs less units.
Piercing Ray	3(1)	Template:PS left or right Template:PS X button/Template:Xbox left or right Template:Xbox A button	Blast target and interposing enemies with laser; can be chained by repeating input, in which it costs less units.
Force Blasters	4	Template:PS O button/Template:Xbox B button	Deal heavy damage to targets in range and launch them into the air.
Gaian Salvo	All	Template:PS Triangle button/Template:Xbox Y button	Deal massive damage to all enemies.

The writing on Hecatoncheir and his summon symbol reads:

By the grace of Etro, arise great and mighty giant. Come forth, thee who shoulders the sky.

A name in blood, a pact of strength. Hecatoncheir shall rise, his bond eternal and unyielding.

Impure hands purge arms that fortify weakness.

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Other Eidolons

During the Pompa Sancta parade at Nautilus a number of Eidolons appear to enact a version of the War of Transgression, of the Sanctum l'Cie defeating Ragnarok. Before the parade Sazh comments, "They're putting Eidolons on a parade".

However, these Eidolons are vastly different from the ones the party can summon, in that they appear organic in appearance rather than mechanical, and appear to be only special effect visuals generated for the purpose of the parade that bear allusion to the series' past summons. The Eidolons seen at the parade are Carbuncle, Siren, Ramuh, Ifrit, and Valefor. Although Leviathan doesn't make an appearance in the game, concept artwork for it exists, indicating Leviathan was considered as one of the Eidolons to appear in Final Fantasy XIII.

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Development

Abandoned DLC idea for Final Fantasy XIII-2 involving Snow using the Shiva Sisters in gestalt mode.

The idea of transformation was a theme the designers had for Final Fantasy XIII; that's why the Eidolons have two forms, and many of the characters' weapons transform between two forms as well, such as Lightning's gunblade and Sazh's pistols. Final Fantasy XIII Ultimania Omega reveals some ideas the designers had behind the Eidolons; Odin is meant to represent her image of a father figure, and Snow's Shiva Sisters represent the Farron sisters, Lightning and Serah.

The Final Fantasy XIII-2 Ultimania Omega reveals scrapped plans for an extension to Snow's DLC Scenario episode titled "Perpetual Battlefield". Alongside the existing part of the episode in the Coliseum, there would have a separate minigame in which players would play as Snow as he rode through the Archylte Steppe on the Shiva Sisters in gestalt mode. The player's objective would have been to try and kill 30 monsters using Snow's skillset—which included being able to spin, drift, jump and use a water-based spell. However, once this part of the DLC was scrapped, this minigame was used as a base for the Chocobo Racing minigame in Serendipity.

Music

When fighting Eidolons, there are three possible battle themes that will accompany the fight. (Eidolons, 召喚獣?, lit. Shoukanjuu) plays during Snow's battle with the Shiva Sisters, Fang's battle with Bahamut, and Vanille's battle with Hecatoncheir. (Test of the L'Cie, 世界の敵?, lit. Sekai no Teki) plays during Sazh's battle with Brynhildr and Hope's battle with Alexander. Lightning's battle with Odin is the only one in which neither theme is featured, instead being accompanied by (Desperate Struggle, 死闘?, lit. Shitō).

All summoned creatures in FF13 are cool which made me really excited creating a tune for them! I originally thought to mix orchestra, guitar and drums in one piece and then cut out any unnecessary parts, however it turned out to be quite interesting and well-balanced, so I decided to use it as is. I especially like the "pounded out string" sound which looks like it's ignoring the basic tune when it comes back to the introduction. Mr. Saito finally added some acoustic guitar, then it was completed. We have many ace guitarists in the SQUARE ENIX Sound Division!

Masashi Hamauzu on the track "Eidolons."

Merchandise

T-shirts with Eidolon designs have been on sale in the Japanese Square Enix store. The shirts cost ¥3,900, with two versions, Odin or Shiva. The Eidolons have also been made into action figures in the Final Fantasy Creatures Kai Vol. 3 series. These figures cost ¥6,240 a piece. Final Fantasy XIII -Play Arts Kai- figure of Odin was released in July 2010; it has two forms, Sleipnir or Odin. Final Fantasy XIII -Play Arts Kai- Shiva Bike Action Figure Set with Nix and Stiria was released in November 2010 with the Shiva Sisters, which could either be assembled separately or into a bike as they appear in Gestalt Mode.

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Etymology

"Gestalt" is a German word for "form" or "shape". It is used in English to refer to a concept of "wholeness" in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Trivia

• Interestingly, the l'Cie hailing from Pulse and Cocoon have different means of summoning their Eidolons, despite all being Pulse l'Cie. Lightning, Sazh, Snow, and Hope all destroy their crystals in some way either with their weapons, or, in Hope's case, a magical explosion, while Vanille and Fang's crystals simply disappear into the ground and sky, respectively.
• Lightning and Snow share a quote when entering Gestalt mode with their respective Eidolons: "We do this together... Let's ride!"
• Hope and Vanille share a quote when exiting Gestalt mode with their respective Eidolon's finishers: "Ah... see you next time!"
• When all party members are counted, along with their Eidolons (counting both Shiva Sisters), there are thirteen members of the party. Final Fantasy XIII contains many allusions to the number thirteen.
• Water is the only element not portrayed by an Eidolon.
• Eidolons can naturally break the damage limit even if a character does not have a Genji Glove accessory equipped, allowing the player to earn the Limit Breaker Trophy/Achievement without one.
• A researcher in Yaschas Massif 01X AF in Final Fantasy XIII-2' mentions that records of magic and sorcery were found in the Paddra Ruins, including a spell to summon Eidolons. It was a forbidden art, as it shortened the conjurer's lifespan.
• Bahamut has a similar entrance as the one in Final Fantasy X, dashing from the sky through his summoning emblem, and making a soft landing as they are being summoned.
• Eidolons can generally deal tons of damage regularly dealing tons of damage of over 9000.

See also

• List of Summons
• Eidolons (IV, IX)
• Espers (VI, XII)
• Summon Materia (VII)
• Guardian Forces (VIII)
• Aeons (X)
• Avatars (XI)

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