Knockback ( term ) Knockback is a phenomenon which appears in several games in the " Final Fantasy " series . As the name suggests , the effect involves knocking an enemy back with an attack . This may be part of an offensive ability , or as part of a counter ability . Appearances . " Final Fantasy XI " . Certain monster abilities , Blue Magic spells , and Blood Pact s may push a target back . This will interrupt any spell casting , and can be hazardous depending on the environment . " Final Fantasy XII " . All normal attacks with a weapon has a chance of knocking back a weak enemy a short distance and also temporarily stunning them . Big enemies are immune to this effect , as are all bosses . All player characters can be knocked back , and when this happens , the counterattack never activates . Because knockback only affects the weak enemies , it is basically a useless factor when choosing a weapon . When an enemy is killed during a knockback a different animation is used where the enemy is knocked further back than normal . Unlike in " Final Fantasy XII " , all type of units are susceptible to Knockbacks . Knockback effects will push the unit away from the ability ' s direction . The Yarhi Odin ' s normal attack , Zantetsuken can knock multiple enemies back at once . Balthier ' s second ability , Percussive Slug , lets him shoot a bullet that will knockback any single foe that it hits . When combined with the Armor - piercing Shot ability , the Percussive Slug ' s bullet will knockback any enemies that the bullet penetrates . Some enemies can be knocked back , and Lightning can be knocked back as well if she is not guarding against some enemy attacks . Some enemies can be knockbacked only when , under the effects of Deprotect , or in their Last One incarnation . One of the more powerful knockback abilities available to Lightning is the skill . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Certain attacks and enemy skills such as the Conjurer ' s Fluid Aura and Titan ' s landslide can knockback the affected target . Knockback cancels any ability currently being charged . If the knockback results in a player falling from high heights , they will suffer extra damage ( or even instant death ) . If a player falls from a high ledge during an instanced fight such as the battles against Titan and the Demon Wall , they cannot be revived by any means , nor use the Return ability until the enemy is defeated , and is effectively out of the battle . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . Certain attacks , such as the Squire ability Rush or throw a stone , will occasionally cause the enemy to be driven back a square . Critical attacks may also result in the same effect . If an enemy falls a significant distance due to a knockback , they will incur extra damage ( depending on the height ) and are unable to counterattack with short range weapons . " Final Fantasy Tactics Advance " . Certain attacks such as the Fighter ability Rush will occasionally cause the enemy to be driven back a square . Critical attacks may also cause the same effect . If an enemy ( or ally ) falls a significant distance , they will incur extra damage . Enemies cannot be knocked back uphill , or into anything they normally could not stop moving on ( such as another character or the Judge ) . Certain attacks such as the Fighter ability Rush will occasionally cause the enemy to be driven back a square . Critical attacks may also cause the same effect . If an enemy falls a significant distance due to a knockback , they will incur extra damage . Flying units such as gria , are immune to falling damage as they can use their wings to slow their descent . " Final Fantasy Adventure " . When Sumo collides into an enemy , he can either be push back or forward depending on the situation .