Thunder (Final Fantasy VI)

Thunder
(サンダー, Sandā?)
Availability
Obtained	Ramuh x10 Bismarck x20
Added ability equipment	Thunder Blade
Classification
Type	Attack spell
Skillset	Magic
Element	Lightning
Specifications
MP cost	6
Reflect	Yes
Power	20
Hit rate	150

Attacks with lightning.

Description

Thunder, also known as Bolt, is an Attack spell in Final Fantasy VI. It is the basic Lightning-elemental spell that can be used to hit one target or an entire party. It is learned by party members through magicite.

Thunder is also an enemy ability used by Gold Dragon, Humbaba, Kefka in the first battle, Level 10 Magic, Number 024, Specter, Tunnel Armor, and Crane (Left).

Thunder is an added ability to the Thunder Blade weapon.

Obtained

Party members can learn Thunder from magicite. It is taught by Ramuh at a x10 rate and Bismarck at a x20 rate.

Mechanics

As a spell with a power of 20, it deals damage with the following formula:

$20\times 4+(Level\times Magic\times 20/32)$

where "Level" refers to the user's level, and Magic refers to the user's Magic stat. As a standard spell, when Thunder is group-cast, its damage is halved, the target's Magic Defense and shell play a role in mitigating damage, and the spell can potentially be blocked by Magic Evasion.

Several relics augment Thunder and other spells. If the caster is equipped with an Earring or a Hero Ring, the damage is multiplied by 5/4 (or a 25% increase). If the caster is equipped with two Earrings, two Hero Rings, or one of each, the damage is multiplied by 3/2 (a 50% increase). If the caster equips Gold Hairpin or Celestriad, its MP cost is halved or reduced to 1, respectively.

Because the spell deals lightning-elemental damage, the enemy's elemental affinity affects its damage output. If lightning is nullified, or the target is immune to lightning, the spell will deal 0 damage. If the target absorbs the element, it will heal HP instead of dealing damage. If the target resists the element, it will deal half damage; conversely, if the target is weak to the element, its damage will be doubled.

Use

Thunder is an early basic offensive spell, but when elemental affinities are not considered, it is the least useful of the three basic spells. Its MP-efficiency is well below Fire, and its power is (slightly) below Blizzard. Thunder is at its strongest against enemies weak to the lightning element, as it will deal double damage to them and likely defeat most early enemies weak to lightning in one hit. The spell's relatively small MP cost means it can be used frequently, though against groups of enemies, it is more MP- and turn-efficient to split its damage. Mechanical enemies are commonly weak to lightning damage.

As an Attack spell, the player should prioritize teaching Thunder to party members with a high natural Magic stat and access to mage equipment. This includes Terra, Celes, Relm, and Strago; Mog and Shadow have high Magic stats, while Gogo has access to mage equipment. Though Sabin is best built toward magic damage, his access to Aura Cannon makes him less of a priority than others. As an easy spell to learn, all party members should eventually be taught the spell.

Thunder is outclassed by Thundara in terms of damage output and turn-efficiency. Thundara's higher MP cost means it should be saved for bosses and tougher enemies when first acquired, unless the caster is using the Gold Hairpin. Later in the game, Thundara can be used more frequently, and by the time Thundaga is learned, Thunder is effectively obsolete.

Gallery

GBA.

2014.