Float ( status ) Float is a recurring status in the series . Floating characters are immune to Earth - based attacks and Damage floor s in the early games in the series . Float tends to be caused from the spell of the same name . Appearances . " Final Fantasy IV " . Characters with Float avoids damage from damaging floors . The status wears off when the player changes areas and must be recast once again on the party in that new area , or after battle on the world map . Avoids all damage from Quake spells . In the SNES version , Float disables Yang ' s Kick command . It is exceptionally useful when the party visits the Feymarch and the Sylph Cave . In the DS remake , having the the spell Float cast on characters a second time removes the status . " Final Fantasy IV - Interlude - " . The Float status returns as a status effect in the sequel of " Final Fantasy IV " , and it functions the same way as its predecessor . Float functions exactly the same as in the previous games . " Final Fantasy V " . Float protects the party from hazards on the map and Earth damage . It is acquired from the Time Mage ' s Float spell . The Mix item Levisalve ( Levitate in the PS version ) casts Float on the entire party , and can be mixed from a Phoenix Down and Holy Water . The Blue Magic spell Mighty Guard also casts the status . " Final Fantasy VI " . The Float status will cause the following attacks to always miss : Quake , Midgardsormr , Wombat , Boar Brigade , Chocobo Stampede , Magnitude 8 , Land Slide , Interceptor ' s Takedown and Wild Fang . The Hawkeye and Sniper weapons will increased damage on the target with the Float status . " Final Fantasy VIII " . Float grants higher Evasion and protection against Earth - elemental attacks and magic . Also , when Minotaur and Sacred are afflicted with Float their HP regaining abilities are lost . It lasts for around 11 . 73 seconds , and makes the target weak against wind - elemental attacks . " Final Fantasy IX " . Float makes the target levitate , and thus immune to Earth damage , but it also makes the character weak against Wind damage and vulnerable to being blown away by certain monsters . It is applied via White Magic spell Float . A constant Float effect can be caused by Auto - Float support ability . " Final Fantasy XII " . Float allows the characters to avoid traps , as characters will float right over them . Additionally , the Float status causes Quakeja and Roxxor , both used exclusively by Hashmal , to always miss . An equipment called Winged Boots grants Float to its user , and the item Float Mote also causes the Float status . Float requires the ' Time Magick 5 ' License for 40 LP and can be bought for 2 , 800 gil from the Rabanastre , Eruyt Village and Mt Bur - Omisace . " Final Fantasy Tactics " . Float is a Time Magic spell learned from Time Mages , it costs 8 MP . It has a speed of 50 and needs 200 JP to learn . The accessories Winged Boots and Cherche both cause float , and the Movement Ability Levitate is similar to Auto - Float . Floating units are suspended 1H above where they are standing and Earth - elemental attacks will not affect them . In addition , floating characters can move over rugged terrain such as lava and water without penalty to their movement , and are unaffected by other terrain - based penalties such as the inability to move in water of depth 2h or greater ( a character with ' Float ' will float 1h above the water level ) . Characters with the ' Float ' movement ability ( but ' NOT ' those who received the status from the boots , the Cherche , or from the Time Magic ) , will be able to stop over lava . " Final Fantasy Explorers " . Prevents damage from terrain ( poison water , lava , etc ) . Etymology . The Japanese name is levitate .