Magic (Final Fantasy VI command)

Magic
(まほう, Mahō?)
Availability
Required	Learned spells from magicite (or naturally with Terra and Celes)
Character(s)	All except Umaro
Classification
Type	Command ability
Effect	Cast spells
Specifications
Cast time	20

Magic is a command in Final Fantasy VI that allows the character to cast one of many forms of spells.

Magic spells are divided into three categories. Any party member bar Gogo and Umaro can learn any spell by equipping the appropriate esper's magicite, although Gogo can still use the Magic command by mimicking other party members. Some spells are also taught by certain equipment pieces. Terra and Celes learn some spells naturally.

The majority of spells are affected by both Runic and Reflect. Magic changes into Dualcast if a character is equipped with the Soul of Thamasa relic; the only drawback is that the character cannot summon the esper they have equipped. Magic command is disabled if the user is silenced.

In the Japanese version, the Magitek command is also named Magic with the same spelling as this command. The now discontinued mobile/Steam version, the Magitek abilities are classified like the magic spells the party can learn from magicite: Healing, Attack, and Effect.

See also: Magic (command)

Mechanics

Magic is divided in three categories: Healing (identified with the white sphere next to the spell's name), which consists of spells like Cure, Raise, and Esuna; Attack magic (identified with the black sphere next to the spell's name), which consists in spells that focus in damaging the target like Fire, Blizzard, and Flare; and Effect spells (identified with the gray sphere next to the spell's name), which consist of status spells like Slow, Protect, and Haste.

The formula for calculating how much damage a character's magic attacks can do is as follows:

$Damage=Spell~Power\times 4+(Level\times Spell~Power\times Magic~Power/32)$

If the caster is equipped with an Earring or a Hero Ring, the damage is multiplied by 5/4. If the caster is equipped with two Earrings, two Hero Rings, or one of each, the damage is multiplied by 3/2.

If the spell has multiple targets, then:

$Damage = Damage / 2$

(Certain spells ignore this step)

If the caster is in the Trance (Morph) status (this will almost always apply only to Terra, but in the SNES version anyone can have the Trance status due to the Rippler bug), then:

$Damage=Damage\times 2$

Next, the game factors in random variance.

$Damage=(Damage\times (224...255)/256)+1$

(Spells cast by using rods or shields as items ignore this step)

Next, the game factors in the target's Magic Defense.

$Damage=(Damage\times (255-target's~Magic~Defense)/256)+1$

(Many spells ignore this step)

Next, if the target has the shell status, then:

$Damage=(Damage\times 170/256)+1$

(Many spells ignore this step)

Next, if the target has the Trance (Morph) status, then:

$Damage = Damage / 2$

If the target is petrified, the damage is reduced to 0 at this point. Otherwise, the game now checks elemental properties, which finalizes the damage. Elemental properties are checked in this order:

• If Force Field is in effect for the element in question, the damage reduces to 0.
• If the target absorbs the element in question, the damage remains the same, but the attack heals the target.
• If the target is immune to the element in question, the damage reduces to 0.
• If the target resists the element in question, the damage is halved.
• If the target is weak to the element in question, the damage doubles.
• Otherwise, the damage remains the same.

If one of the elemental checks is true, the game does not check subsequent steps.

Celes's Runic command can nullify cast magic, either the enemies' or the player party's. If the character is afflicted with Imp, the only spell they can use is the Imp spell.

The damage done by spells used as added abilities from weapons is determined as normal, with a few exceptions. These spells do not ignore the caster's row, so from the back row they will do half damage, unless the weapon that cast the spell ignores row. The damage multiplier added by Jump affects the spell, so if the character jumps and casts a spell with the equipped weapon, the spell does extra damage. If the weapon does automatic critical hits, the spell does a critical as well even though spells normally can't do critical hits. However, if the weapon does a critical because of the standard 1 in 32 chance, the spell does not do a critical.

List of spells

Summon

Main article: Summons

The Summon command is integrated within the Magic command. The currently equipped esper can be accessed inside the Magic command by pressing while on the magic list window mid-battle. Espers can be summoned once per battle.

Healing

Healing is restorative magic with a white dot before its name. It focuses on recovery magic.

Name	Effect	MP Cost	Power	Hit Rate	Learn Rate	Image
Cure	Heals minor amount of HP.	5	10	—	Kirin x5 Shiva x4 Seraph x20 Lakshmi x25 Terra: Level 1 Celes: Level 4
	Restores HP.
Cura (Cure 2)	Heals moderate amount of HP.	25	28	—	Kirin x1 Unicorn x4 Golem x5 Seraph x8 Lakshmi x16 Terra: Level 33
	Restores HP.
Curaga (Cure 3)	Heals major amount of HP.	40	66	—	Lakshmi x1 Phoenix x3
	Restores HP.
Raise (Life)	Revives knocked out party member with small amount of HP.	30	2	—	Bismarck x2 Seraph x5 Phoenix x10 Terra: Level 18
	Revives a KO'd target.
Arise (Life 2)	Revives knocked out party member with all of their HP.	60	16	—	Phoenix x2 Terra: Level 49
	Revives and fully restores the HP of a KO'd target.
Poisona (Antdot)	Removes Poison and Sap status ailment from one ally.	3	—	—	Kirin x4 Terra: Level 6 Celes: Level 8
	Removes poison status from the target.
Esuna (Remedy)	Removes darkness, poison, petrify, silence, confuse, sap, sleep, slow, and stop.	15	—	—	Unicorn x3 Seraph x4 Lakshmi x20 Alexander x15
	Removes most status ailments from the target.
Regen	Target gradually recovers HP.	10	—	—	Kirin x3 Seraph x10 Lakshmi x20
	Gradually restores the target's HP.
Reraise (Life 3)	If target is knocked out, revives them with small amount of HP.	50	—	—	Phoenix x1
	Automatically revives the target the next time he or she is KO'd.

Attack

Attack is offensive magic with a black dot before its name. These spells focus on offensive damaging elemental and non-elemental attacks.

Name	Effect	MP Cost	Power	Hit Rate	Ign. mDef?	Unblock?	Learn Rate	Image
Fire	Weak fire-elemental attack.	4	21	150	N	N	Siren x6 Ifrit x10 Bismarck x20 Terra: Level 3
	Attacks with fire.
Blizzard (Ice)	Weak ice-elemental attack.	5	22	150	N	N	Shiva x10 Bismarck x20 Celes: Level 1
	Attacks with ice.
Thunder (Bolt)	Weak lightning-elemental attack.	6	20	150	N	N	Ramuh x10 Bismarck x20
	Attacks with lightning.
Poison	Weak poison-elemental attack.	3	25	100	N	N	Ramuh x5
	Inflicts poison on the target.
Drain	Absorbs target's HP to heal self. Ignores Reflect.	15	38	100	N	N	Ifrit x1 Terra: Level 12
	Absorbs HP from the target.
Fira (Fire 2)	Moderate fire-elemental attack.	20	60	150	N	N	Ifrit x5 Maduin x3 Flame Shield x5 Terra: Level 22
	Attacks with fire.
Blizzara (Ice 2)	Moderate ice-elemental attack.	21	62	150	N	N	Shiva x5 Maduin x3 Ice Shield x5 Celes: Level 26
	Attacks with ice.
Thundara (Bolt 2)	Moderate lightning-elemental attack.	22	61	150	N	N	Ramuh x2 Maduin x3 Thunder Shield x5
	Attacks with lightning.
Bio	Powerful poison-elemental attack.	26	53	120	N	N	Catoblepas x8
	Releases a bacterial cloud.
Firaga (Fire 3)	Powerful fire-elemental attack.	51	121	150	N	N	Valigarmanda x1 Phoenix x3 Terra: Level 43
	Attacks with fire.
Blizzaga (Ice 3)	Powerful ice-elemental attack.	52	122	150	N	N	Valigarmanda x1 Celes: Level 42
	Attacks with ice.
Thundaga (Bolt 3)	Powerful lightning-elemental attack.	53	120	150	N	N	Valigarmanda x1
	Attacks with lightning.
Break	Inflicts Petrify on target.	25	—	120	N	N	Catoblepas x5 Terra: Level 68
	Inflicts petrification on the target.
Death (Doom)	Inflicts Death on target.	35	—	95	N	N	Catoblepas x2
	KO's the target.
Holy (Pearl)	Powerful holy-elemental attack.	40	108	150	N	N	Alexander x2 Terra: Level 57 Celes: Level 72
	Attacks with holy energy.
Flare	Powerful non-elemental attack that pierces defenses.	45	60	150	Y	N	Bahamut x2 Celes: Level 81
	Blasts the target with concentrated thermal explosions.
Gravity (Demi)	Reduces target's HP by 1/2. Ignores Reflect.	33	8	120	N	N	Phantom x5
	Reduces the target's HP by 1/2.
Graviga (Quartr)	Reduces HP of all enemies by 3/4. Ignores Reflect.	48	12	100	N	N	Diabolos x5 Midgardsormr x1 Terra: Level 75
	Reduces the target's HP by 3/4.
Banish (X-Zone)	Removes target from battle. Delays final attack one turn. Ignores Runic (GBA/mobile/steam only) and Reflect.	53	—	85	N	N	Fenrir x5 Cursed Ring x5
	Banishes enemies to another dimension.
Meteor	Powerful non-elemental attack on all enemies that ignores defense and split damage. Also ignores Runic and Reflect.	63	36	—	Y	Y	Crusader x10 Odin x1 Celes: Level 98
	Rains meteors down upon enemies for massive damage.
Ultima	Powerful non-elemental attack on all enemies that ignores defense. Also ignores Reflect.	80	150	—	Y	Y	Ragnarok x1 Paladin's Shield x1 Terra: Level 99
	Attacks all enemies with powerful, lost magic.
Quake	Powerful earth-elemental attack on all allies and enemies. Fails on Floating targets. Ignores Runic and Reflect.	50	111	150	Y	Y	Midgardsormr x3
	Opens a rift in the earth that swallows up and damages all enemies and allies.
Tornado (W Wind)	Reduces HP of all allies and enemies by 15/16ths. Ignores Runic and Reflect.	75	15	100	N	N	Midgardsormr x1
	Evokes scouring winds that reduce all enemies and allies to critical HP levels.
Meltdown (Merton)	Powerful, defense-ignoring fire/wind-elemental attack on all allies and enemies. Ignores Runic and Reflect.	85	138	—	Y	Y	Crusader x1 Terra: Level 86
	Envelops all enemies and allies in ultra-hot flame.
Flood	Powerful water-elemental attack on all enemies. Ignores Runic and Reflect.	60	100	150	N	Y	Leviathan x2
	Traps enemies in a violent, damaging stream of water.
Gravija	Reduces HP of all enemies by 7/8. Ignores Reflect.	70	14	—	Y	Y	Diabolos x3
	Reduces the HP of all enemies by 7/8.

Effect

Effect is status magic with a gray dot before its name. These spells focus on supportive magic.

Name	Effect	MP Cost	Power	Hit Rate	Unblock?	Learn Rate	Image
Libra (Scan)	Detects target's HP, MP, Level and weaknesses.	4	—	222	N	Kirin x5 Celes: Level 18
	Reveals the target's level, HP, MP, and elemental weaknesses.
Slow	Reduces target's speed.	5	—	120	N	Siren x7 Quetzalli x20
	Reduces the target's speed.
Rasp	Damages MP of target.	12	10	150	N	Shiva x4 Zona Seeker x20
	Damages the target's MP.
Silence (Mute)	Inflicts Silence on target.	8	—	100	N	Siren x8
	Inflicts silence on the target.
Protect (Safe)	Raises physical defense of target.	12	—	—	Y	Carbuncle x2 Golem x5 Alexander x10 Unicorn x1 Celes: Level 22
	Places a magical shield around the target that boosts physical defense.
Sleep	Inflicts Sleep on target.	5	—	111	N	Siren x10
	Inflicts sleep on the target.
Confuse (Muddle)	Inflicts Confuse on target.	8	—	94	N	Cait Sith x7 Celes: Level 32
	Inflicts confusion on the target.
Haste	Increases speed of target.	10	—	—	Y	Carbuncle x3 Quetzalli x20 Celes: Level 32
	Increases the target's speed.
Stop	Stops movement of target.	15	—	100	N	Golem x5 Fenrir x3
	Stops the flow of time around the target, preventing it from acting.
Berserk (Bserk)	Inflicts Berserk on target.	16	—	150	N	Phantom x3 Celes: Level 40
	Inflicts berserk status on the target.
Float	Inflicts Float on target.	17	—	—	Y	Cait Sith x2 Quetzalli x5
	Causes the target to float in midair.
Imp	Inflicts Imp on target. Ignores Runic except for the Super Nintendo release.	10	—	100	N	Cait Sith x5 Saucer x1 Tortoise Shield x1 Reed Cloak x1 Celes: Level 13
	Inflicts imp status on the target, or removes it if already inflicted.
Reflect (Rflect)	Reflects some magical attacks.	22	—	—	Y	Carbuncle x5
	Places a barrier around the target that reflects magic back at its caster.
Shell	Raises magical defense of target.	15	—	—	Y	Carbuncle x2 Zona Seeker x5 Alexander x10 Unicorn x1 Force Shield x5
	Places a magical shield around the target that boosts magic defense.
Vanish	Inflicts Invisible on target. Ignores Reflect.	18	—	—	Y	Phantom x3 Cactuar x10 Celes: Level 48
	Turns the target invisible.
Hastega (Haste2)	Increases speed of all allies.	38	—	—	Y	Quetzalli x2 Cactuar x5 Celes: Level 52
	Increases all allies' speed.
Slowga (Slow 2)	Reduces speed of all enemies.	26	—	150	N	Quetzalli x2
	Reduces all enemies' speed.
Osmose	Absorbs target's MP. Ignores Reflect.	1	26	150	N	Shiva x4 Zona Seeker x15
	Absorbs MP from the enemy.
Teleport (Warp)	Escapes from battle/dungeons.	20	—	—	Y	Carbuncle x2 Fenrir x10 Cactuar x20 Terra: Level 26
	Teleports the party out of a dungeon or battle.
Quick	Allows target to input two commands.	99	—	—	Y	Gilgamesh x1 Raiden x1
	Allows the target two actions each turn by stopping time for everyone else.
Dispel	Removes invisible, image, berserk, regen, slow, haste, stop, shell, protect, reflect, reraise, and float.	25	—	—	Y	Unicorn x2 Alexander x10 Terra: Level 37
	Removes all magical effects on the target.
Valor	Triples power of next attack.	20	—	—	Y	Gilgamesh x5
	Increases the damage dealt by each ally's next physical attack.

Other appearances

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade

The characters use their magic spells from Final Fantasy VI.

Ability Cards

Bravery (R).

Flood (R).

Bravery (R+).

Flood (R+).

Bio (SR).

Drain (SR).

Fira (SR).

Graviga (SR).

Gravija (SR).

Poison (SR).

Thundara (SR).

Bio (SR+).

Drain (SR+).

Fira (SR+).

Graviga (SR+).

Gravija (SR+).

Poison (SR+).

Thundara (SR+).

Bio (SSR).

Blizzaga (SSR).

Break (SSR).

Drain (SSR).

Fira (SSR).

Firaga (SSR).

Firaga (SSR).

Fire (SSR).

Flare (SSR).

Flood (SSR).

Graviga (SSR).

Gravija (SSR).

Gravity (SSR).

Meltdown (SSR).

Meltdown (SSR).

Quake (SSR).

Thundaga (SSR).

Thundara (SSR).

Tornado (SSR).

Bio (SSR+).

Blizzaga (SSR+).

Break (SSR+).

Drain (SSR+).

Fira (SSR+).

Firaga (SSR+).

Firaga (SSR+).

Fire (SSR+).

Flare (SSR+).

Flood (SSR+).

Graviga (SSR+).

Gravija (SSR+).

Gravity (SSR+).

Meltdown (SSR+).

Meltdown (SSR+).

Meteor (SSR+).

Quake (SSR+).

Thundaga (SSR+).

Thundara (SSR+).

Tornado (SSR+).

Blizzaga (UR).

Gravija (UR).

Ultima (UR).

Blizzaga (UR+).

Gravija (UR+).

Thundaga (UR+).

Holy (UUR).

Meltdown (UUR).

Meteor (UUR).

Quake (UUR).

Meltdown (CR).

Legend Cards

Firaga (Summon).

Graviga (Summon).

Bio (SR).

Blizzara (SR).

Blizzara (SR).

Drain (SR).

Fira (SR).

Fira (SR).

Fira (SR).

Fire (SR).

Flood (SR).

Gravity (SR).

Poison (SR).

Thundara (SR).

Thundara (SR).

Thundara (SR).

Bio (SR+).

Blizzara (SR+).

Blizzara (SR+).

Drain (SR+).

Fira (SR+).

Fira (SR+).

Fira (SR+).

Fire (SR+).

Flood (SR+).

Gravity (SR+).

Poison (SR+).

Thundara (SR+).

Thundara (SR+).

Thundara (SR+).

Bio (SSR).

Blizzaga (SSR).

Blizzaga (SSR).

Blizzara (SSR).

Break (SSR).

Drain (SSR).

Firaga (SSR).

Firaga (SSR).

Fire (SSR).

Graviga (SSR).

Graviga (SSR).

Gravija (SSR).

Holy (SSR).

Meltdown (SSR).

Meteor (SSR).

Thundaga (SSR).

Thundaga (SSR).

Tornado (SSR).

Ultima (SSR).

Bio (SSR+).

Blizzaga (SSR+).

Blizzaga (SSR+).

Blizzara (SSR+).

Break (SSR+).

Drain (SSR+).

Firaga (SSR+).

Firaga (SSR+).

Fire (SSR+).

Graviga (SSR+).

Graviga (SSR+).

Gravija (SSR+).

Holy (SSR+).

Meltdown (SSR+).

Meteor (SSR+).

Thundaga (SSR+).

Thundaga (SSR+).

Tornado (SSR+).

Ultima (SSR+).

Meltdown (UR).

Meteor (UR).

Thundara (UR).

Ultima (UR).

Blizzaga (UR+).

Gravija (UR+).

Holy (UR+).

Meltdown (UR+).

Meltdown (UR+).

Meltdown (UR+).

Thundara (UR+).

Holy (UUR).

Meltdown (UUR).

Meltdown (GR).

Meteor (CR).

Gallery

Healing

Game Boy Advance

Cure

Cura

Curaga

Raise

Arise

Poisona

Esuna

Regen

Reraise

Discontinued mobile/Steam

Cure

Cura

Curaga

Arise

Poisona

Esuna

Regen

Reraise

This gallery is incomplete and requires Raise added. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by uploading images.

Attack

Super Nintendo

Fire

Game Boy Advance

Fire

Blizzard

Thunder

Poison

Drain

Fira

Blizzara

Thundara

Bio

Firaga

Blizzaga

Thundaga

Break

Death

Holy

Flare

Gravity

Graviga

Banish

Meteor

Ultima

Quake

Tornado

Meltdown

Flood

Gravija

Discontinued mobile/Steam

Fire

Fira

Firaga

Blizzard

Blizzara

Blizzaga

Thunder

Thundara

Thundaga

Poison

Bio

Drain

Death

Gravity

Banish

Holy

Flare

Quake

Tornado

Meltdown

Meteor

Ultima

This gallery is incomplete and requires Break, Graviga, Gravija, Tornado and Flood added. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by uploading images.

Effect

Game Boy Advance

Libra

Slow

Rasp

Silence

Protect

Sleep

Confuse

Haste

Stop

Berserk

Float

Imp

Reflect

Shell

Vanish

Hastega

Slowga

Osmose

Teleport

Quick

Dispel

Valor

Discontinued mobile/Steam

Libra

Slow

Rasp

Protect

Haste

Stop

Float

Imp

Reflect

Shell

Vanish

Hastega

Slowga

Osmose

Teleport

Quick

Dispel

This gallery is incomplete and requires Silence, Sleep, Confuse, Berserk and Valor added. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by uploading images.

Etymology

[view · edit · purge]Magic or sorcery is an attempt to understand, experience and influence the world using rituals, symbols, actions, gestures and language that are believed to exploit supernatural forces.