Prevents all foes in range from casting magicks.
Description
Silencega is a Black Magick spell in the Zodiac versions of Final Fantasy XII, and a Green Magick spell in the original PlayStation 2 version. It is a multi-target status ailment spell that makes the affected unable to use magicks. It is an upgrade to the single-targeting Silence spell.
It is also an enemy ability used by Gnoma Entite, Mardu Entite, Salamand Entite, Sylphi Entite, Leshach Entite, Undin Entite, Fafnir, Ixion, Shemhazai, Vorres, and Imperial Pilot [c].
Obtained[]
In the Zodiac versions, Silencega's license costs 70 License Points. The spell is found in Necrohol of Nabudis's Hall of Effulgent Light, which is the area that leads to Salikawood. The treasure for Silencega is in the northernmost room, through a passage that is not marked on the map. The player can reach it earliest after the events in the Tomb of Raithwall, but Necrohol of Nabudis is an optional dungeon whose foes are very tough for the player to take on at this time; the player could swoop in and only take the treasures before heading back out.
In the original version, Silencega is a Green Magick whose license costs 45 LP. It is bought for 6800 gil from Archades.
In the Zodiac versions, Silencega can be used by the Black Mage and the Uhlan who has unlocked the Esper Chaos on their License Board.
Mechanics[]
Silencega inflicts the Silence status to all foes in range that makes the afflicted unable to use magicks. It is a permanent ailment until cured. Its range was expanded in the Zodiac versions. It has slightly worse accuracy than the single-target Silence spell.
The base success rate of the spell against an enemy that is not immune is 55% in the original version, updated to 65% in the Zodiac versions.
The success rate is unaffected by the target's Magick Evade stat, as the spell instead checks against the target's Vitality.
The hit rate is improved by further 50% with the caster having Faith status, or doubled with Serenity license/Magick Gloves when on full health, or Spellbreaker license/Leather Gorget when in critical health. Target's Shell halves the accuracy of the spell. If the caster is wearing the Indigo Pendant, Silencega will succeed unless the enemy is immune to the status.
The accuracy underflow bug is a glitch in some versions of Final Fantasy XII where a low level character with extremely low Magick Power stat attempts to use a status move on a target with very high Vitality, and the accuracy of the spell becomes less than zero. In this case the accuracy will underflow to 100%, allowing certain status spells to always succeed.
Silence status is removed with Echo Herbs, Vox, Esuna, and Remedy.
Silencega costs 22 MP to cast without Channeling licenses. The spell will bounce from Reflect unless the caster wears the Opal Ring.
Use[]
Silencega is a status affliction spell the player can easily set up via the gambit system (such as with Foe:Foes present 2+→Silencega). However, it is best used situationally and with the Indigo Pendant equipped whenever possible. As alternatives, the player can use Echo Herbs with the Nihopalaoa equipped, the weapon Mage Masher, or a gun loaded with the Silent Shot, though they are all single-targeting.
Silencega can be good against enemies that use spells, but most magick-focused enemies, like elementals and entites, are immune to it, and against hunts and optional bosses vulnerable to it, the player can use the single-target Silence spell instead that has better base accuracy and costs less MP to use.