Counter ( ability ) Counter , also known as Counterattack , Riposte and Debug Counter , is a recurring support ability in the " Final Fantasy " series , typically belonging to the Monk job or monk - type characters . A character with Counter will automatically attack the opponent who initiated the attack . In some incarnations , this negates the damage from the attacking opponent , while in other versions , the attacked player will take damage and then immediately perform a counter - attack . In games with an ATB gauge , a counter attack does not affect the speed of the gauge nor does it change how close it is to being full . Magic Counter is a similar ability that allows the character to counter magical attacks . Appearances . " Final Fantasy IV " . Counter is an Augment Ability given by Yang ' s wife after the battle in Fabul in the DS version . It can only be given to one character . When physically attacked , a character with the Counter ability will quickly hit back with another attack . Unlike other games , the " Final Fantasy IV " counter will always work , making it highly effective , especially when combined with Cecil ' s Cover or the Draw Attacks Augment . The Counter will react with whatever ability is in the top slot of the command list , with no charge time . This allows Rydia to counter with an instant Meteor or Bahamut , for instance , though it still consumes MP . In all versions , many enemies and bosses also have counter abilities . The original SNES versions of the game include a bug where enemies fail to counterattack , even if they are meant to . There are a number of commands that deal a physical or magical attack , but are not considered as such causing monsters to not react . For instance , the Larva monster does not respond to Tellah ' s Recall command ( casts a random spell ) and the Needler does not respond to Rosa ' s Aim command . These bugs are fixed in the " Advance " and " Complete Collection " remakes . Yang has the command Cover - Counter , which combines the technique Cover with Counter . Choosing the command will allow Yang to choose one ally to use Cover on . However , unlike Cover , upon absorbing the hit for the ally , Yang will use Counter . Yang will not automatically Cover an ally with low HP , like Cecil does . " Final Fantasy V " . Counter is a Level 4 ability for the Monk class , learned for 60 ABP . When equipped , it allows a player to counter - attack physical attacks at a 50 % chance , but the player will still take damage from those attacks . Counter can be combined with Cover , and Guard ( to nullify damage ) . Counter ignores weapons with Added Abilities , such as the Thief Knife , Chicken Knife , and Hayate Bow , and the Twin Lance will only attack once instead of twice as usual . Weapons ' Added Abilities don ' t usually trigger for counters , unless the equipped weapon is a harp . " Final Fantasy VI " . The Relic Black Belt allows the wearer to counter - attack against physical attacks , but the player still takes damage . Cyan ' s level two Bushido allows him to counter a single enemy attack with a powerful strike of his own , provided he survives . " Final Fantasy VII " . " Final Fantasy VII " has three types of counterattacks : Counter Attack the Independent Materia , and Counter and Magic Counter , the Support Materia that counter with the equipped Command or Magic / Summon Materia , respectively . The chance of triggering a counter attack increases with the Materia ' s level , up to the infallible 100 % when mastered . The counter effect can be stacked to up to eight times by equipping multiple counter - effect Materia , meaning a single character can counterattack up to eight times to a single attack , however , Final Attack and Sneak Attack also use this space . Counter Attack Materia allows a player to counterattack physical attacks , but the player will take damage from those attacks . It is obtained after defeating Materia Keeper , and additional ones can be won as prizes from chocobo racing ( although the name of the Materia is deceptively written as just " Counter " ) . The Counter Materia , with the exception of Master Command , will counter once with all the abilities within the linked Command Materia . While this seems straightforward it is especially important with the Throw and Steal Materia : The ability used in the Throw or Steal Materia is the one highlighted on the Materia menu , and the player is unable to counter with the other darkened ability " unless " they equip another source for that particular ability . If the player has a source for both abilities on the Materia , then the character will counter with both ; e . g . Counter linked with LV2 Steal would counter with the Mug ability . However , if the character also equips a LV1 Steal Materia so that they know Steal and Mug at the same time , the character will counter twice when attacked — first with Steal , then with Mug — while only needing a single Counter Materia . When linked to Master Command , one of the commands is picked at random , with the exception of Coin , which is never used as a counter from a Master Command linkup . The Counter Materia is found in Northern Cave . During Cloud ' s one - on - one battle against Sephiroth at the end of the game , if Cloud does not use Omnislash , Sephiroth will attack Cloud , to which Cloud will instantly counter and win the battle . Cloud is not equipped with a Counter Attack Materia in the battle , but counters because of Sephiroth ' s AI script commands him to . This is evident , as if Sephiroth is made to miss ( not possible in a normal game ) , Cloud will still counterattack . " Final Fantasy VIII " . Counter is a support ability taught by Carbuncle for 200 AP . When equipped , it allows a player to counter - attack against physical attacks , but the player does take damage from those attacks . It doesn ' t matter if the character receives any damage from the enemy attack , or if the enemy ' s attack misses , they will counter - attack regardless . Return Damage is a support ability learned by using the item Hundred Needles that allows the user to return a quarter of the damage they took at the enemy that dealt the damage . Hundred Needles can be refined from 100 Cactus Thorns . Some enemies and bosses counter every move besides GFs and Limit Breaks , such as Elnoyle and Sorceress . " Final Fantasy IX " . Counter is a support ability that allows a user to counter - attack physical attacks , but the player will take damage from those attacks if they hit . Its occurrence rate is enhanced with the support ability Eye 4 Eye . Counter takes eight Magic Stones to equip and can be learned by everyone save Dagger , Eiko and Vivi . The ability is taught by Ritual Hat , Power Vest , Power Belt , Venetia Shield , Anklet , and most of Amarant ' s claw weapon . Mastering Counter requires 70 AP for Zidane , 100 AP for Steiner , 85 AP for Freya , 55 AP for Quina , and 240 AP for Amarant . The Counter ability is also a command ability available to a number of enemies . However , each may do it in different instances . Grimlock counter attacks when in its Physical Attack Red status . The Nova Dragon and Scarlet Hair bosses counter all physical attacks , as does the Troll enemy . The Sand Golem counters every attack towards it while its Core is out of play . Whether or not Counter will be initiated is decided by this check , which is performed whether or not the attack hits . Counter attacks use the same process of checks and damage calculation that are used by the Attack command . " Final Fantasy X " . The Counter - Attack auto - ability is found on , or can be customized to , weapons . When equipped , it allows a player to retaliate against physical attacks with their own physical attack , but the player still takes damage from those attacks . Counter can be customized onto a weapon with one Friend Sphere . Evade & Counter is the improved version of Counter - Attack ability , and enables the player to avoid taking damage from an incoming physical attack , then retaliate with their own . Evade & Counter can be customized onto a weapon with one Teleport Sphere . Magic Counter , a similar ability , allows a character to retaliate against magic attacks with their own physical attack . While usually a weapon ability , there is one case where an armor with Magic Counter can be found , on a traveling store on the first visit to the Calm Lands . " Final Fantasy X - 2 " . Berserkers learn the job abilities Counter , Magic Counter and Evade and Counter . Counter takes 180 AP , Magic Counter 300 , and Evade and Counter 400 AP to learn . " Final Fantasy XI " . Counter . Monks have the ability to counter enemy ' s attack . In this version , the monk will take no damage from the attacks they counter . Counter is a passive ability and is gained once player has 10 levels in monk , or for anyone whose Support Job is monk and has a job level of 20 or greater . Counter is only activated occasionally , but the chance of countering an attack can be greatly increased if a player uses the ability counterstance . Additionally , and with much lower activation rate , a Samurai using Seigan may occasionally counter - attack when Third Eye is active . As of a recent version update , Blue Mages are also able to set Counter as a trait . At Lv . 79 , Monks gain the ability " Perfect Counter " , which is similar to the Seigan / Third Eye combination in that the next attack directed towards them has a high chance of being countered . The effect sometimes doesn ' t activate , but can also activate multiple times from one use . Some ( mostly high - level ) equipment can provide counter effect for players ( even without MNK as subjob ) , notably the Cobra Harness Attire from Windurst ' s Cobra Unit in Campaign . Retaliation . Warriors can counter with their Retaliation job trait . This is similar to counter ; however , rather than negating damage , as counter , the warrior actually has to take damage in order for counter to work . " Final Fantasy XII " . Characters can use Counter by equipping the Battle Harness . Genji Armor increases the chance to counter , but does not grant counter on its own . Battle Harness can be purchased for 1000 gil at Dalmasca Estersand , or made at the bazaar for one Throat Wolf Blood whereupon it costs only 800 . The Genji Armor can be stolen from Gilgamesh . In " International Zodiac Job System " , the Genji Helm also provides the ability to Counter so equipping the Battle Harness with it is pointless . The chance to counter an attack is determined by the character ' s speed . Counter chance with Genji Armor : Counter only triggers when the character : " Final Fantasy XIII " . Counter is one of Sentinel ' s auto - abilities . It can be learned by Lightning , Hope , Fang at Sentinel Crystarium level 7 and Snow at level 5 . Sentinels also can use a pair of counterattack skills , Entrench and Vendetta - they reduce the damage by 10 percent and allows a counter at the end of the ATB gauge , the damage will be 30 and 10 percent stronger , respectively , for each damage taken during the time the ability is on . Fang ' s weapons , Gae Bolg and Gungnir , boost her counter damage . If a Sentinel character has successfully evaded an enemy ' s attack with the Evade auto - ability , the character will have a 90 % chance to retaliate with Counter . Counter will never activate after an evasion successfully performed by Elude . Some abilities cannot be countered even though they can be evaded . Hecatoncheir also possesses the ability to counter attacks after evading them or while Looming Wrath is active . " Final Fantasy XIII - 2 " . Entrench and Vendetta are still usable by Sentinels , but the Counter auto - ability is no longer available . Improved Counter and Improved Counter II are available as passive abilities . Gilgamesh uses Vendetta as an enemy . " Counterblow " has Lightning assume a defensive stance ; if an attack occurs she will attempt to evade and counter . " Counterspell " works similarly but Lightning will counter with a magical attack instead . While equipping a weapon with " Revenge Guard " Lightning will automatically counter with Blitz after guarding for a short time . While wearing the Paladin garb , Lightning will automatically counter with " Ruinga Guard " after guarding for a short time . " Final Fantasy XIV " . The Pugilist ability Haymaker is called Counter in Japanese and functions stylistically similar to Counter , as it can only be used immediately after evading an enemy attack . Haymaker is 170 potency and can inflict slow on its target . The Gladiator ability Phalanx allows the Gladiator to attack immediately after they block an enemy attack . War Drum has a similar effect , but is a shield attack and also raises the target ' s enmity . As of A Realm Reborn , the Shield Swipe ability has replaced them . It is a 210 Potency attack with a chance of inflicting pacification . The Warrior ability Vengeance formerly caused any enemy who hits the user with a physical attack to take a portion of the damage they inflict ; as of " A Realm Reborn " , it is now a Marauder ability . While active , the Marauder will automatically counter physical damage with a 50 potency attack . Heavensward added " Raw Intuition : " while active all frontal attacks are parried , however if the Warrior is hit from behind or while flanked it will be a critical hit . in PVP " Push Back " counters physical damage with a 150 potency attack and also will counter any knockback with a knockback and knockdown . The " Enhanced Push Back " line of traits lower its recast time . " Final Fantasy XV " . When engaging an enemy , if it flashes the following attack is going to be an extra strong one . This is a chance to counter or defend . After parrying , " co - op attacks " can kick in automatically . The counter feature lets the player turn some enemy attacks back on their originators if timed correctly . Each counter is unique depending on the foe and the type of reversal . For some enemies the nature of the counterattack is decided by which ally is nearby . Noctis can set a specific weapon to use for countering . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . The Monk job class has the Counter support ability , but it also has First Strike , which lets them counter an enemy before they even attack , dealing damage and interrupting the enemy ' s attack . Nature ' s Wrath , also known as Counter Flood , is a reaction ability the Geomancer class learns for 300 JP . It functions like Counter , however , the character will not counter with an equipped weapon , but uses a Geomancy attack according to the enemy ' s terrain . " Final Fantasy Tactics Advance " . Counter and all related abilities return , but some of them have been changed : Additionally , the Clan Privilege Always Counter gives all units without a reaction ability the Counter ability . " Final Fantasy Tactics S " . The " Guard Counter " ability allows a character to counterattack if hit while guarding . The " Guard Counter " ability allows a character to counterattack if hit while guarding . " Final Fantasy Type - 0 " . Several characters have counter abilities with different conditions for activating : " Final Fantasy Mystic Quest " . Both the Desert Hag and the Water Hag can counterattack when physically attacked . The later is much more dangerous than the former . If the Water Hag is not kill on the same turn , there ' s a good chance he ' ll restore his HP by casting the Cure spell on himself . There are special counterattacks where a monster will counter physical attacks by inflicting one status ailment on the attacker , these abilities are Confu - touch , Para - touch , Petri - touch , and Poison - touch . " Final Fantasy Legend II " . There are three countering abilities , all of which must be selected and being attack to activate its effect . " Final Fantasy Legend III " . There are numerous types of counterattacks in the game , there is not only countering by physical attacks , but there is also status affliction counter and one elemental counterattack . Counter is the Ninja ' s third job ability that lets the Ninja counter any attack they evade . The effect lasts four turns . " Bravely Default " . Several jobs have counter abilities : " Final Fantasy Dimensions " . Riposte can be learned from the Monk Job at Job Level 11 after accumulating 210 Ability Points ; when used , the the character will counter if hit . Counter is an ability from the Warrior Job learned at Job Level 5 after accumulating 70 Ability Points ; the character may counter if hit dealing less damage than a normal attack . Sol begins with this ability already learned . Debug Counter is a dummied out ability that allows the user to always counterattack when hit . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Counterattack is a special ability that is learned at Level 85 . It raises the Critical Hit rate of the character by 50 % if they successfully land an attack when the opponent is attacking . Its base CP cost is 50 and it requires 360 AP to master . Several of the Level 100 exclusive weapons carry the Counterattack ability innately . " Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy " . Counterattack is learned at Level 82 but otherwise is identical to how it functioned in " Dissidia " . Exclusive weapons again carry the ability , but many returning weapons have had their effects changed . " Final Fantasy Record Keeper " . Many enemies , especially bosses , have some form of counter . Retaliate is granted by Retaliate , Demonsblood , Cyan ' s " Samurai Soul " Record Materia and Bushido Tempest Burst Soul Break , Snow ' s Entrench Soul Break , Auron ' s " Decisive Instant " burst command , Ingus " ' Secrets of Sasune " burst command , Gilgamesh ' s " Tsubamegaeshi " burst command , and Basch ' s " Beacon of Light " burst command . The Ogre Gloves from the Scarlet Grace collaboration has " Jolt Counter " which grants Retaliate and Attack Up . Cloud ' s " SOLDIER Counter " Record Materia allows counterattacks vs . melee . Galuf ' s " Martial Master " Record Materia has a chance of a 2 - hit counter vs . melee . Strago ' s " Blue Mage Defiance " has a small chance of countering magic with Stone . " Counter Mend " is granted by Vanille ' s " Innocence " Record Materia and Paladin Cecil ' s " Paladin ' s Devotion " Record Materia . Samurai has a record materia that counters with Blade Bash . ( not yet available in global ) Monk has a record materia that counters with Chakra . ( not yet available in global ) Emperor has " Emperor ' s Plot " record materia that counters with wind damage . ( not yet available in global ) Gaffgarion ' s " Fell Blademaster " and it ' s improved materia counter with a HP - absorbing attack . Rubicante has a chance of countering with fire and non - elemental damage while his " Cloak of Flame " is active . Angeal ' s " Heroic Stride " and Steiner ' s " Knight ' s Pride " use Guard to grant Protect in response to physical damage . " Theatrhythm Final Fantasy " . Counter is a reactive ability that comes in three levels of power and activates in BMS when the player receives a " Miss " on three triggers to deal physical damage dependent on the level of the ability , up to five times a stage . Firion , Locke , Sephiroth , Squall , Seifer , Prishe , Lightning and Snow all learn all three levels of Counter . " Final Fantasy Explorers " . Counter is a Knuckle skill . A successful counter may inflict Stop and makes the user ' s next hit an automatic critical hit . Katanas have the " Quarte " skill . A successful Quarte boosts the chance of weapon ailment traits being inflicted . Elude is a dagger skill . A successful Elude may inflict Stop . " Final Fantasy Brave Exvius " . " Counter " is learned by several characters and is also granted by the Black Belt accessory and Sabin ' s trust mastery reward . It has a 30 % chance of triggering vs . physical attacks . " Counter - Strike " is learned by Lightning and Fang and similarly works against physical attacks . " Counter Tackle " is learned by Delita . " Requital " is learned by Jack . Duane ' s " Magic Counter " and Snow ' s " Fighting Spirit " counter magical attacks . White Knight Noel ' s " Winter Palisade " counters magic with one of several ice - elemental attacks . Dark Fina ' s " Retaliate " uses a magical attack to counter physical attacks . Ring of the Lucii ' s Holy has a chance to negate physical damage and counter with a light - based attack that also restores MP . Non - damaging counters include Blessed Heart ( casts Resilience ) , Damage Warp ( heals ) , and Divine Grace ( casts Heal Back ) " Eye for an Eye " and " Undefeated " double the activation rate of Counter . " Demon ' s Revenge " boosts counter chances by 250 % .