Raise one ally's defense.
Description
Protect is a White Magicks spell in the Zodiac versions of Final Fantasy XII, and a Green Magicks spell in the original PlayStation 2 version. It is a single-target status enhancement spell that reduces physical damage received. Its upgrade is the multi-target Protectga, and its magic damage counterpart is Shell.
Numerous enemies also use it or spawn with the Protect status already in place. Protect can be cast by Gnoma Entite, Giza Rabbit, Ozmone Hare, Urstrix, Storm Elemental, Mardu Entite, Water Elemental, Water Chaosjet, Zombie (Female), Skeleton, Bomb, Headless, Salamand Entite, Lost Soul, Ragoh, Wu, Sylphi Entite, Treant [a, b], Gargoyle, Gizamaluk, Emperor Aevis, Dark Skeleton [b], Slaven Warder, Ice Elemental, Wild Onion, Leshach Entite, Blood Gigas [a], Ghoul, Facer, Balloon, Humbaba, Slaven Wilder, Fire Elemental, Fire Chaosjet, Wyrdhare, Bagoly, Air Elemental, Earth Elemental, Striker, Onion Queen, Golem, Mom Bomb, Bune, Undin Entite, Grenade, Adamantitan, Urutan Eater, Banshee, Atomos, Darksteel, Enkelados, Catoblepas, Yiazmat, Hashmal, Gijuk, Humbaba Mistant, Aspidochelon, Megabomb, Ripe Rampager, Ancbolder, Wendice, Bluesang, Seeq Explorer, Imperial Hoplite, Judge Ghis, Judge [b], Sphere-Rook, Gabranth (1), Rook, and Doctor Cid (2).
Obtained[]
Protect's license costs 25 License Points. In the Zodiac versions, the spell is bought for 250 gil in Rabanastre (after meeting Ba'Gamnan in the Lhusu Mines), Bhujerba, Dreadnought Leviathan, Dalmasca Westersand (after Ondore's Estate), from the traveling merchant Dyce in the sandseas, and in Archades. Protect is also found in a Trial Mode Stage 26 treasure with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
In the original version, Protect is bought for 200 gil and is available from the beginning of the game, easily grabbed when only following the story from the Rabanastre magick shop after the Sunstone quest in Giza Plains.
In the Zodiac versions, Protect can be used by the job classes White Mage and Red Battlemage.
Mechanics[]
Protect temporarily bestows the status of the same name that reduces physical damage taken by a quarter, unless the damage is using the guns' and measures' formula. The effect is removed with Dispel.
The formula for the duration is:
The duration depends on the receiver's Vitality stat, not the caster's. Haste and Slow do not affect the length other status effects will last, but Stop will halt them.
Protect costs 8 MP to cast without Channeling licenses. The spell will bounce from Reflect unless the caster wears the Opal Ring.
Use[]
Protect is a status enhancement spell the player can easily set up via the gambit system (such as with Ally:Any→Protect). The gambit for it is best placed below attack and heal gambits so it does not activate mid battle, but rather when there are no enemies in vicinity, unless the player wants to keep refreshing it in harder engagements, such as against Rare Game, hunt marks, and bosses.
After getting Protectga, the player can use that instead to bestow the status to the whole party at once. The player can get a permanent Protect status from wearing the Shielded Armor.