Materia ( term ) Materia is a recurring term and set of items in the " Final Fantasy " series that is typically associated with stat boosts and abilities , or in some cases , is used as a plot device . Materia is typically crafted into the equipment of the users , and used for boosting their performance . It originates from " Final Fantasy VII " . Appearances . " Final Fantasy VII " . Materia is both a major plot device and the basis for the game ' s skill system . Divided into several sets — Magic , Command , Summon , Support and Independent Materia — the Materia equipped to party members allows them to use new command or support abilities , and also affects stats . Either the Materia provides percentage - based stat boosts , or it can lower some stats while boosting others in the case of Magic and Summon Materia . Materia can be swapped between party members . Materia placed in linked slots in equipment with a Support Materia grants additional effects to the skills in the paired Materia . Materia grows by gaining AP from battle . Materia would go on to be a key recurring feature in the " Compilation of Final Fantasy VII " . " Before Crisis - Final Fantasy VII - " . Materia is obtained by taking photos with the cellphone and converting the images into Materia . The color of the photo in question determines the type of Materia obtained . " Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII - " . The sole playable character Zack has limited Materia slots and Summon Materia can only be utilized via the Digital Mind Wave system . As a SOLDIER , Zack can make use of the Materia Fusion system provided by his employer , the Shinra Electric Power Company , to create unique Materia and grant stat boosts to them . " " . People have stopped using Materia , but Cloud Strife keeps a chest of Materia at the Sector 5 Church until they are stolen by the Remnants of Sephiroth , who implant the Materia into their bodies to boost their battle capabilities . Kadaj also uses a Materia to summon Bahamut SIN . The color of Materia do not correspond to the colors seen in the " Final Fantasy VII " related games , indicating the coloring system in the games is mainly for gameplay purposes . " Dirge of Cerberus - Final Fantasy VII - " . Vincent can use spells by equipping his firearms with Magic Materia , and the spells can be powered up by using Materia Boosters . The Protomateria lets the holder tap into the power of Chaos and Omega and is an important item for Vincent , Lucrecia , and the Tsviets . " Final Fantasy XIV " . Materia was a crafting system introduced in the original " Final Fantasy XIV " early , but made a bigger return with an overhaul in " A Realm Reborn " . It functions very differently from Materia in the " Compilation of Final Fantasy VII " , as it does not provide any command abilities and is strictly stat boosts , in addition to being acquired differently . It allows the players to upgrade equipment by converting undesired equipment into Materia . The user must have achieved a full spiritbond with the equipment before . Any crafting class can then meld the Materia with another piece of equipment to boost its stats . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . The Materia Blade is a weapon usable by Cloud Strife . Some Materia are also found as artefacts . Both instances are allusions to " Final Fantasy VII " . " Dissidia Final Fantasy " . Cloud ' s Crystal is a Materia orb . Other media . " Dead Fantasy " . Tifa Lockhart carries several Materia within her arms and legs , including the White Materia . She casts offensive spells from them , such as Fire , Gravity , Quake , Ultima , Thunder and Blizzard , and supporting spells , such as Protect , Haste , Stop , Blind and Poison . She also has another Materia that can boost her stats and speed until in " Dead Fantasy III " , all of Tifa ' s Materia are stolen by Hitomi . The Materia appear as different colored glowing spheres attached on Tifa ' s arms and legs , and have different colors as seen in the movie . Tifa ' s Materia are Red / Orange ( Fire ) , Green / Yellow ( Quake ) , Green ( Poison ) , Yellow ( Blind ) , Pink ( boosts stats and speed ) , White / Blue ( Thunder ) , Light Blue ( Blizzard ) , Light Green ( Ultima ) , Black ( Gravity ) Pale Yellow ( Haste ) , Pale Blue ( Protect ) and White ( Stop ) . In " Dead Fantasy V " , after Hitomi steals most of Tifa ' s Materia in their battle , Hitomi carries six Materia , such as Stop , Blizzard , Quake , Poison , Boost Stats and Speed , and the White Materia . Later , she shows the glowing White Materia to Helena Douglas .