Well, is this how they're used in battle too?
FFI: Buy spells. Three spells per spell level. Spells are final, cannot be deleted for more spells, so make them count! Some spells target all enemies/allies.
FFII: Buy spells. Characters can learn a total of 16 (?) spells. The maximum level for spells, like weapons and shields is 16. Spells increase in effectiveness as they level up. All spells can target all enemies/allies by pressing 'left' on the edge of the enemy alignment.
FFIII: Buy spells. Only some classes may actually use spells, but you can teach non-mage classes spells to 'store' them. Spells can be deleted and 'restored' into spell books again, much more convenient. Summons are introduced. Higher level summons must be fought first, and once defeated, are available for purchase in Eureka. Some spells target all enemies.
FFIV: Only mages can learns spells, as they level up. There is Black, White, Ninjutsu, and Summon magic.
FFV: Buy spells. Only mage classes can use spells. As spells are obtained, they are simply available and any magic-user class can call upon them without having them individually learned. Blue Magic and Time Magic introduced. Blue Magic must be learned by having a Blue Mage or character with !Learn struck by the spell. Some spells can target all enemies/allies.
FFVI: Spells learned from Espers. Almost every character can learn magic, making for slightly unbalanced gameplay. As Magic Points are gained in battle, they are multiplied by whatever Learning Rate the spell has for that Esper to increase the percent of the spell by the product. Other characters have class-specific spells, Gau has Rages, and Strago has Lores (Blue Magic), etc. Also, this was the first game to just use the shoulder buttons to multi-target spells. Some spells can target all allies/enemies.
FFVII: Spells learned from Materia. The Materia for that spell must be equipped to use it, of course. With a paired 'All' Materia, it is possible to target all enemies/allies, and how many times a battle this is possible is dependant on the level of the All Materia. You can hit the shoulder button and target one enemy to conserve the number of times you can use the All to multi-target.
FFVIII: Magic is actually used to increase stats and offer elemental and status defense/attack. In this way, armor is completely uneccesary. As GFs (the game's summons) are Junctioned to characters, different stats become available for Junctioning. Spells are drawn from Draw Points and enemies to 'stock up' on; you can hold up to 100 of a spell. (The MP system is not used in this game).
FFIX: Only mages can use magic. Dragon magic is introduced by Freya Crescent, although this seems to be the only game with it. It offers many positive status effects and different formula attacks. Spells are learned like the other abilities in the game, and once mastered, are available forever.
FFX: Spells are learned on the Sphere Grid. Anyone can learn them, although the mage characters will have access to them first for a long time.
FFX-2: Spells are learned just like other abilities, available for that Dressphere forever once mastered. Certain spells can be available for non-magic using Dresspheres from different Garment Grids and Accessories.
FFT: Spells are learned just like other abilities in the game. Yin-Yang magic (status effect spells) are introduced as a separate category. Spells can target friend and foe alike, so be careful. Also, the Calculator 's Math Skill can be combined with different spells for devastating results.
FFTA: I assume it works like in Tactics, does it not?
FFCC: Two spells can be cast in the same targer area and be combined to create even more powerful spells if timed properly. Experiment with your friends!
I also like FFT's system.
Originally Posted by The Grand List of Console Role Playing Game Cliches, Rule 80
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