Maelstrom ( ability ) Maelstrom , also known as Storm , is a recurring spell and ability in the " Final Fantasy " series . It usually reduces the HP of several targets to single digits , and could be considered an upgraded form of Tornado . Appearances . " Final Fantasy IV " . Maelstrom , translated as Storm in the SNES release , reduces the HP of the entire party to single digits . It is usually used by Barbariccia and several other enemies as a counter spell in this game , such as Behemoths . On the " Easy Type " version , the enemy ability was renamed to Hurricane . " Final Fantasy V " . Maelstrom reduces the HP of all targets to single digits , and is used by several high - rank enemies : Bahamut , Famed Mimic Gogo , Grand Aevis , Jura Aevis and Archeoaevis , Landcrawler and Sandcrawler , Shinryu and Neo Shinryu , Omega and Omega Mk . II , and Neo Exdeath and Enuo . The player may utilize this ability by catching and releasing a Sandcrawler or Landcrawler . " Final Fantasy VIII " . Maelstrom is a spell cast by Edea during the second fight against her and by Ultimecia in her first form . It reduces the HP of all party members by 62 . 5 % and inflicts Curse status . " Final Fantasy IX " . Maelstrom is an ability used by the Garuda enemy . It reduces one party member to single digit health and ignores Reflect . " Final Fantasy X " . Maelstrom ( El Niño in the Japanese version ) is an ability used by the Remora and Maelspike enemies . It inflicts a large amount of magic damage to all characters . " Final Fantasy XI " . Maelstrom is an enemy ability used by Sea Monks which deals area of effect Water damage and inflicts Strength Down . It can be learned as Blue Magic by Blue Mages . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Called Charybdis ( likely to avoid confusion with the Grand Company named Maelstrom ) , it is an ability used by Behemoth , King Behemoth , and Foeneus . The effect reduces the health of the anyone in range to single digits . " Bravely Default " . Maelstrom is the level 2 Special Move of axes . It makes the character attack one enemy five times with 80 % the power of a normal attack . In addition , all allies ' Hit Count is raised by 35 % for the duration of the special move music ( approximately one and a half minutes ) . The condition to make this special move available for use is that 10 enemies must be defeated with physical attacks . Maelstrom is the level 2 offensive - type Special Move for . It allows a character to attack one enemy five times . For the duration of the music , the hit count of all allies is raised by 35 % . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Maelstrom is the ability used by Barbariccia when summoned as a counter for an opponent ' s summon , and it swaps the combatants ' Brave values . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Maelstrom is a new HP attack for Exdeath , with both ground and aerial versions . It has a large charging time but strikes enemies with a storm no matter their location . It costs 30 CP to equip and 130 AP to master . Maelstrom also returns as Barbariccia ' s summon ability . It switches the user ' s Bravery to the opponent ' s Bravery when the opponent uses a summon . " Final Fantasy All the Bravest " . Maelstrom is the enemy ability that is used by Barbariccia and Sandcrawler during battle . " Final Fantasy Trading Card Game " . Maelstrom is the special ability of Barbariccia ' s card . For the activation cost of discarding another Barbariccia card , a cost of four Wind CP , and Dulling Barbariccia , Barbariccia deals damage to each of the opponent ' s Forwards equal to their power minus 1000 .