Garuda appears in Final Fantasy XI as one of the eight celestial Avatars, also known as sleeping gods, representing Wind, acting as its first appearance as a summoned monster in the Final Fantasy series. Garuda takes the form of a green woman with bird-like features. As a summon, she can be acquired from the Cloister of Gales at Cape Terrigan. She can cast a number of wind-based spells and abilities in addition to using her claws to physically damage enemies. As an enemy, Garuda Prime must be defeated in the quest "Trial by Wind" for a Summoner to learn to call her forth as a summon, though that is not the only possible reward for defeating her.
History[]
Garuda was a small bird raised by a young prince. When the prince was attacked by a viper, Garuda looked for means to cure him. Another bird informed her that she should seek the aid of the King of Birds, who could awaken the healing wind, Vuychap. Garuda flew ever further upwards, looking for the King of Birds, but could not find him. Having reached the limits of her strength, she fell from the sky, but her resolve was so powerful that she transformed during her fall, gaining a humanoid shape and regaining her vitality.
She realized that she now had the power to heal the prince, and did so, leaving him afterwards, as she no longer looked like the little bird he had raised. It is said that once the prince grew up, he found her and married her. Upon Garuda's death, Altana transformed her into the Celestial Avatar of Wind because of her loyalty and devotion. Vuychap is the name of the brightest, green-colored star of the Garuda constellation.
Gameplay[]
Perhaps one of her more commonly used abilities is Aerial Armor, which gives every member of the party the effect of Blink, or Hastega, which grants haste to every member of the party and is exclusively available to Garuda. She also has limited abilities that allow her to heal party members. Garuda is highly respected for her Predator Claws attack, a devastatingly powerful strike that is often the Summoner's staple attack for notorious monster fights.
Blood Pact: Rage[]
| Level | Name | MP | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aerial Blast | All | Massive wind damage to enemies within area of effect. Only available during Astral Flow. |
| 1 | Claw | 7 | Physical slashing damage. |
| 10 | Aero II | 24 | Deals minor wind magic damage. |
| 60 | Aero IV | 118 | Deals moderate wind magic damage. |
| 70 | Predator Claws | 164 | Three-hit physical attack dealing massive slashing damage |
| 75 | Wind Blade | 182 | Deals massive wind magic damage to one target. |
Blood Pact: Ward[]
| Level | Name | MP | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Aerial Armor | 92 | Gives all party members within range the effect of Blink. |
| 36 | Whispering Wind | 92 | Restores some HP to all party members in range. |
| 48 | Hastega | 112 | Gives all party members in range the Haste status. |
| 55 | Garuda's Favor | 0 | Enhances Evasion of all party members near Garuda. |
| 86 | Fleet Wind | 114 | Grants party members within area of effect the Quickening status. |
| 99 | Hastega II | 248 | Grants a Magic Haste bonus of ~30% |
Gallery[]
.png "Garuda (FFXI).png (239 KB)")
Behind the scenes[]
Though the name Garuda had previously been used for flying enemies in Final Fantasy III, VII, IX, and X, and would later be used for such in Final Fantasy XII and XIII, Final Fantasy XI is the first instance of Garuda appearing as a summon. Summons based on this version would later appear in Final Fantasy XIV, XV, and XVI.
Etymology[]
Garuda is a large, birdlike creature that appears in both Hinduism and Buddhism. It serves as Lord Vishnu's mount and is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila. Contemporary representations of Garuda are the brahminy kite and phoenix.