The Thunderbird (サンダーバード, Sandābādo?, らいちょう, Raichō?, lit. Thunderbird, or 雷神鳥, Raijinchō?, lit. Thunder God Bird), also known as the Thunder, Thunderoc, or Raijincho, is a recurring creature in the Final Fantasy series, first appearing in The Final Fantasy Legend. It is a bird associated with the lightning element.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
The Thunderbird appears as an enemy encountered in the Subterrane. The Thunderbird does not have much HP, but counters all attacks with Electromagnetism, which inflicts the Stop status on a party member. It primarily attacks using Thunderbolt.
Final Fantasy VII[]
The Thunderbird appears as an enemy encountered in the Wutai Area. It is dangerous during the Wutai quest when the party's Materia is stolen, as it attacks in groups and uses Lightning to damage the whole party.
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-[]
Raijincho (left) and Thunderbird (right)
The Raijincho (雷神鳥, Raijinchō?) appears an enemy encountered in Sightings in Sector 5, Desert Island Delights, and its eponymous mission. It uses powerful beak attacks and can cast Thunder. The stronger Thunderbird (サンダーバード, Sandābādo?) is encountered Aerial Monsters, Monsters in the Caverns and EM Hell in the Caverns, and is capable of casting Thundaga.
Final Fantasy XV[]
The Thunderoc appears as an enemy encountered in Cleigne and during the Voltage Fluctuation and Red Lightning of Ravatogh hunts. It appears in flocks and uses lightning-elemental physical attacks that can inflict Shocked.
The Final Fantasy Legend[]
The Thunder appears as an enemy encountered on the 16th floor of the Tower, and a potential transformation for the party's monster units.
Final Fantasy Legend II[]
The Thunder appears as an an enemy encountered in the Guardian's Base and the Sewer, and a potential transformation for the party's monster units.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
This section about an enemy in Pictlogica Final Fantasy is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]
This section about an enemy in Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.
Etymology[]
The thunderbird is a legendary creature in certain North American indigenous peoples' history and culture. It is considered a "supernatural" bird of power and strength. While the Japanese term 雷神鳥 (Raijinchō) directly translates to "thunder god bird", it is typically used to refer to thunderbirds in place of the more accurate