Final Fantasy has 8 different enemy types. Some types have unique properties, while there also exist weapons that deal increased damage against certain types as though they were striking an elemental weakness, with the Excalibur being effective against all enemy types. In the NES release, the properties of these weapons were bugged and they did not deal increased damage. Note that not all enemies have an enemy type, just as some enemies may have multiple types.
Enemy types were changed significantly in the Pixel Remaster release. While some enemies lost their type, many more gained new types, improving the effectiveness of their respective counter-weapons.
Enemy types[]
Enemies in italics are exclusive to the Dawn of Souls and 20th Anniversary releases.
Aquatic[]
Includes aquatic enemies. Aquatic-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur and Coral Sword.
| Aquatic-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Beast[]
Includes mammalian enemies. Prior to the Pixel Remaster release this was known as werebeast, and applied to a mere two enemies. Beast-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur and Werebuster.
| Beast-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Dragon[]
Includes dragons and other reptilian enemies. Dragon-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur and Wyrmkiller.
| Dragon-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Giant[]
Includes giant enemies. Giant-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur, Great Sword, and Ogrekiller.
| Giant-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Mage[]
Includes enemies prone to casting powerful magic. Mage-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur and Rune Blade.
| Mage-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Magic[]
Includes magical creatures. Magic-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur and Rune Blade.
| Magic-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Regenerative[]
Includes enemies that passively regain HP every turn. Regenerative-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur, as well as the Flame Sword in releases prior to the Pixel Remaster.
| Regenerative-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|
Undead[]
Includes undead creatures. Undead-type enemies take increased damage from the Excalibur, Sun Blade, and Light Axe, as well as the Flame Sword in releases prior to the Pixel Remaster. The Dia line of spells are only effective against undead enemies; while this is listed as an elemental weakness, mechanically they don't take increased damage from the spell. It instead checks if the target has the undead type to determine whether it hits, missing non-undead enemies entirely.
| Undead-type enemies | ||
|---|---|---|