Thundaga (VII Remake)

Thundaga
(サンダガ, Sandaga?)
Availability
Required	Lightning Materia
Classification
Type	Attack magic
Skillset	Magic
Element	Lightning
Specifications
MP cost	22
Cast time	2 seconds
Area of effect	2 meters
Power	500
Stagger rate	5 Pressured: 20
Interrupt strength	70
Interrupt defense	40
Special effect	Knockdown
Related pages
Versions	Final Fantasy VII Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Recurring appearance	Thundaga (ability)

Deal a large amount of lightning damage.

Description

Thundaga is a magic spell in Final Fantasy VII Remake and "Episode INTERmission". It is granted by the Lightning Materia, and is the highest-level Lightning-elemental spell above Thunder and Thundara. Thundaga deals major lightning-elemental damage, but has a high MP cost and a long casting time. Against enemies that are not immune to lightning, Thundaga also interrupts/knocks them back.

Mechanics

Magic Materia	Lightning Materia
Effects	Large Lightning damage 2 meter area-of-effect 2 second charge time
Interrupt stats	Interrupts targets with <70 interrupt defense Interrupted by attacks with ≥40 interrupt strength
Compatible Support Materia	Magnify Materia Synergy Materia HP Absorption Materia MP Absorption Materia
Unconditional weapon passive bonuses	Lightning Damage Up Elemental Damage Up MP Saver: Attack Spells
Special Interrupt(s)	Knockdown (knocks down interrupted target)

Damage formula:
$(2 \times User's\ Magic\ Attack\ - Target's\ Magic\ Defense) \times 5$
Stagger formula:
$\text {5 or 20} \times Target's\ Lightning\ Rate\ Modifier \times Target's\ Magic\ Rate\ Modifier$
Where 20 is used rather than 5 while the target is Pressured, and "Target Lightning Modifier & Target's Magic Modifier" are the respective target's stagger rate modifiers.

Use

Thundaga costs 22 MP to cast with a level 3 lightning materia equipped. It deals twice as much damage compared to the base lightning spell, Thunder, and 1.25 times as much damage compared to the second tier lightning spell, Thundara. It is the best lightning-elemental spell, great both at dealing major damage that is guaranteed to hit, as well as for pressuring and staggering more powerful enemies. Compared to its peers— Firaga, Blizzaga, and Aeroga—Thundaga's main strength is its guarantee to hit a target quickly. As a lightning spell, it is best used against enemies weak to the element, such as machine enemies.

Thundaga outclasses Thundara in raw damage, and after being cast, hits enemies quickly. Its biggest drawback is that its long cast time means that some enemies can interrupt a caster before it is executed. Though it is normally straightforward to reliably hit an enemy from range without fear of interruption, the player may opt to use Thundara when on a tighter MP budget or when avoiding interrupts is required.

The spell benefits greatly when paired with Support Materia. Magnify Materia is an excellent combination with Thundaga, as Thundaga is guaranteed to hit all enemies. HP Absorption Materia and MP Absorption Materia are also great pairs, where the former can heal a character greatly after hitting an enemy, while the latter provides MP sustainability. Thundaga can also be used effectively with Aerith's Arcane Ward to cause it to be cast twice.