Junctions Magic to ST-Def
Description
ST-Def-J (status defense junction), ST-Def-Jx2, and ST-Def-Jx4 are junction abilities in Final Fantasy VIII. When a party member junctions a Guardian Force that has ST-Def-J (or x2/4) mastered, they can resist/immunize against status abnormalities by equipping spells from their current Magic inventory to their Status Defense (
twice in the Junction menu). ST-Def-J is a counterpart to ST-Atk-J, and a great protection when fighting enemies who use status ailment attacks, most notably Malboro.
Obtained[]
The GFs Siren, Carbuncle, and Cerberus learn ST-Def-J for 100 AP. Cerberus needs to learn Spr-J first for ST-Def-J to become available. They then get the ability to upgrade to ST-Def-Jx2 by spending further 160 AP. Cerberus can then upgrade to x4 with further 180 AP, whereas Doomtrain learns x4 from the get-go. ST-Def-Jx4 can also be taught to any GF AP-free with the Status Guard item, easiest obtained by modding Doomtrain's card and as a drop from Tiamat.
Mechanics[]
ST-Def-J allows the character equipping a GF who knows the ability to junction a spell to their status defense, which—depending on the number of spells junctioned—allow the character resist or become immune to the junctioned spell's status abnormality. ST-Def-Jx2 lets the player junction two spells, and x4 lets the player junction four spells.
- If (StatusDefense >= 200) Target does not get the status[1]
- else: Infliction% = Attacker's Strength / 4 - Target's Vitality / 4
- Infliction% = Infliction% - StatusDefense + StatusAttack
- StatusDefense and StatusAttack start at 100 (0%).
Only spells with status properties are compatible to being junctioned to ST-Def-J. The spell(s) junctioned to ST-Def-J cannot be junctioned to any other stat at the same time; if the player wants to equip a spell to another stat, it will be unequipped from the current -J ability. When using a draw point, if the offered spell is currently being junctioned to an active party member's stat, it will show a symbol next to it when choosing the recipient upon using the draw point.
| Spell | Status | Value (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Full-life | Death | 0.40 |
| Esuna | Berserk, Confuse, Curse, Darkness, Petrify, Poison, Silence, Sleep, Slow, Stop | 0.20 |
| Aura | Curse | 2.00 |
| Confuse | Confuse | 1.00 |
| Silence | Silence | 1.00 |
| Stop | Stop | 1.00 |
| Sleep | Sleep | 1.00 |
| Slow | Slow | 1.00 |
| Zombie | Zombie | 1.00 |
| Death | Death | 1.00 |
| Dispel | Drain | 0.50 |
| Drain | Drain | 1.00 |
| Berserk | Berserk | 1.00 |
| Bio | Poison | 1.00 |
| Blind | Darkness | 1.00 |
| Break | Petrify | 1.00 |
| Pain | Poison, Darkness, Silence, Curse | 1.00 |
| Holy | Death, Drain, Confusion, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Berserk, Poison | 0.40 |
| Reflect | Poison, Petrify, Darkness, Confusion, Silence, Berserk, Slow, Stop, Sleep | 0.25 |
| Life | Death | 0.20 |
It is not possible to use ST-Def-J to defend against Vit 0 or Eject.
Use[]
ST-Def-J is broadly useful and it is worth upgrading to the x2 and x4 versions on the GFs that have the option; once the better ability has been mastered, the player can remove the base version with Amnesia Greens without ill effect. Though Ribbon offers a superior status protection, the ability is difficult to impossible to get depending on version, being a Chocobo World exclusive item for the original versions and an exceedingly rare outcome of Angelo Search in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered. This makes ST-Def-J the most accessible status protection for almost all players.
Good uses include against Edea to resist Curse, Omega Weapon to resist LV5 Death (if on a vulnerable level), and against Gaylas to resist Sleep.
Notable use of ST-Def-J x4 is against Malboros' Bad Breath by junctioning Pain, Confuse, Berserk, and Sleep, negating nearly all the Malboro's status abnormalities, leaving only Slow and Petrifying. With Auto-Haste equipped, Slow will also be prevented. If the player lacks the aforementioned spells (or ST-Def-J x4), they should at least junction Sleep, Berserk, and Confuse, which still leaves a character available to cure the party.
Citations[]
- ↑ ForteGSOmega (2010, February 2). Final Fantasy VIII – Battle Mechanics FAQ. GameFAQs. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024.