Lightning is briefly a playable character in the Final Fantasy XIII-2 prologue, but after that, her playable forms are in the DLC. Buying the "Requiem of the Goddess" downloadable episode allows the player to control Lightning in her battle against Caius Ballad in Valhalla, and earns Lightning's "Knight of Etro" form as a Paradigm Pack "monster" to use in the base game as a Commando. Lightning is also available as a downloadable boss for the Coliseum alongside Lieutenant Amodar; winning against her may earn her "Guardian Corps" form for the Paradigm Pack to use in the base game as a Ravager.
Prologue[]
Lightning battling Caius while riding Odin.
Lightning is briefly controlled during the prologue where she fights Chaos Bahamut. She wields a new gunblade called Overture, given to her by the goddess Etro, that has engraved writing in Etro script: "Gladius in turba aetern a induratus vincula inseparabilia rum", which translates to "The blade forged in everlasting chaos shall cleave the unbreakable chain".
While her previous weapon was kept in a holster slung from her belt, Lightning's new gunblade can be summoned and dispelled at will. She can use Snipe as a physical attack; Lightning Strike, an electric attack; Ullr's Shield to heal; Focused Bolts; and Graviton Mines. She has six ATB segments, and the battle works as a tutorial to familiarize the player with the battle system.
Requiem of the Goddess[]
Lightning in "Requiem of the Goddess".
Lightning returns in the downloadable episode "Lightning's Story: Requiem of the Goddess". She initially has four roles: Paladin, Mage, Shaman, and Knight, and unlocks the Conjurer role at level 3, and the Sorcerer role at level 6.
The roles are enhanced versions of existing paradigm roles: Paladin of Commando's, Mage and Shaman of Ravager's, Knight of Sentinel's, Conjurer of Synergist's, and Sorcerer of Saboteur's. Paladin inflicts status ailments to staggered enemies, and she also has access to the abilities learned by Serah and Noel as Commandos, except for Meteor Javelin, while also having two new devastating attacks: Smite and Scourge. Mage and Shaman grant Lightning increased physical or magical damage using the element of either Wind or Thunder. The Knight's unique ability allows her to mitigate damage and resist status ailments. Conjurer grants Lightning several status enhancements, although it makes the ATB charge much slower and removes any previously placed buffs on her. Finally, Sorcerer allows her to inflict numerous status ailments at an opponent with a single attack. Lightning can perform Legion of One as a Feral Link.
Lightning has a different method of development than Serah and Noel; after gaining enough Crystogen Points, she will level up and upgrade her stats and learn new abilities or roles, similarly to older Final Fantasy titles. She gains Crystogen Points whether she wins or loses.
Stat-wise, this DLC episode makes Lightning not only the strongest playable character in the Final Fantasy XIII series (as she can achieve 999,999 HP, while its limit in Final Fantasy XIII-2 is otherwise 99,999 HP), but also the strongest playable character in the entire Final Fantasy series.
Paradigm Pack[]
Guardian Corps[]
Lightning's Army of One Feral Link.
Lightning appears as a Paradigm Pack "monster" who joins Serah and Noel after they defeat the Lightning boss at the Coliseum (as part of a DLC), appearing in her Guardian Corps attire from Final Fantasy XIII. Lightning joins the party as a Ravager, and has the Feral Link ability "Army of One", her full ATB skill from Final Fantasy XIII.
The chance of acquiring Lightning's crystal is 7% and can be boosted via high-sync Feral Links, e.g. Red Chocobo's Kweh (up to 400%), Twilight Odin's Zantetsuken (up to 999%), or PuPu's Items Please! (up to 999%). It is only possible to get the crystal if Lightning is defeated after Lieutenant Amodar has been eliminated.
Lightning has a fast attack and spellcasting animation, has access to the full range of elemental strikes and Blitzes, and the ability to inherit all Ravager spells. Against out-of-reach opponents, her blade becomes a gun to fire off -strike abilities.
- Stats
- Abilities
| Ability | Level | Type | Infuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack: ATB Charge II | Initial | Passive | |
| Fire | Initial | Command | |
| Blizzard | Initial | Command | |
| Thunder | Initial | Command | |
| Aero | Initial | Command | |
| Flamestrike | Initial | Command | |
| Froststrike | Initial | Command | |
| Sparkstrike | Initial | Command | |
| Galestrike | Initial | Command | |
| Overwhelm | 3 | Auto | |
| Electric Blitz | 4 | Command | |
| Aero Blitz | 5 | Command | |
| Ice Blitz | 6 | Command | |
| Heat Blitz | 7 | Command | |
| Fearsiphon | 8 | Auto | |
| Thundaga | 10 | Command | |
| Siphon Boost | 13 | Passive |
Lightning's maximum level is 13, an allusion to number 13, a recurring theme in both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2. When tamed, she says lines from her playable counterpart at certain occasions in battle. For example, when an enemy is staggered and she is active in the Paradigm Pack, she may shout "The storm is here!" from when she uses Zantetsuken in Final Fantasy XIII, and when her HP turns critical, she utters "How can it... end like this?!" from being KO'd while the party leader in Final Fantasy XIII. Sometimes, when she is been tamed and is KO'd in battle, she can fall to her knees like her KO model from the previous game before she is dismissed. Monsters commonly only disappear without animation.
Knight of Etro[]
Lightning's Legion of One Feral Link.
Lightning has a second recruitable monster form in her Knight of Etro armor, obtained from the "Requiem of the Goddess" downloadable scenario. Unlike her Coliseum counterpart, she is a Commando with the "Legion of One" Feral Link.
If Lightning defeats Chaos Bahamut at the end of "Lightning's Story: Requiem of the Goddess" with a score of five stars, so long as her level is 9 or lower, she will be unlocked in the Paradigm Pack. As a "tamed" ally, Lightning wears Knight of Etro and uses the "Legion of One" Feral Link. Enemies Lightning defeats occasionally burst into white feathers when they transform into crystals.
Lightning is the only "monster" to possess the Uncapped Damage passive ability; this allows her to dexceed 99,999 damage. Lightning has access to Immovable MAX, which greatly increases her resistance to interruption. Lightning excels at attacking and boasts a fast spell-casting speed. The passive abilities Armor Breaker and Mind Piercer allow her to deal great damage to enemies in any situation.
Looking at her strong and unique abilities and the potential to have over 11,000 HP and over 1,400 ATK and close to 1,000 Magic with Strength Materials and Passives, she is easily the best Commando in the game.
- Stats
- Abilities
| Ability | Level | Type | Infuse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack | Initial | Command | |
| Ruin | Initial | Command | |
| Blitz | Initial | Command | |
| Launch | Initial | Auto | |
| Smite | Initial | Auto | |
| Armor Breaker | Initial | Auto | |
| Enhanced Commando | Initial | Passive | |
| Lifesiphon | 2 | Auto | |
| Faultsiphon | 3 | Auto | |
| Attack: ATB Charge II | 4 | Passive | |
| Mind Piercer | 5 | Auto | |
| Auto-Bravery | 6 | Passive | |
| Adrenaline | 7 | Auto | |
| Blindside | 8 | Auto | |
| Ravage | 9 | Auto | |
| Scourge | 10 | Auto | |
| Ruinga | 11 | Command | |
| Immovable MAX | 12 | Passive | |
| Uncapped Damage | 13 | Passive |
- Crystarium
- Green – HP
- Red – Strength
- Purple – Magic
