Blizzard (Final Fantasy IX)

Blizzard is a Blk Mag spell in Final Fantasy IX for Vivi that deals low Ice-elemental damage to one or multiple enemies. It cures Heat. If Steiner and Vivi are in the same party (and neither is incapacitated in some manner), the former can also use Vivi's Blizzard spell in his sword magic, where the ability uses his stats rather than Vivi's. In Trance, Vivi can use the spell twice in one turn.
The Black Mages, Black Waltz 1, Black Waltz 2, and Black Waltz 3, as well as Type A can all cast the Blizzard spell. Fiends from the Ice Cavern, such as the Cave Imp, Flan, the Sealion, and Wyerd can also cast it. Serpions bear the same spell and appear around the Mist Continent. It can be reflected as normal and can be countered with the support ability Return Magic.
==Obtain==
Blizzard is learned from the Leather Wrist for 25 AP, first stolen from Prison Cage in the Evil Forest, and found in the Ice Cavern and Dali, and then available to purchase from shops after this point: Dali, Lindblum (disc 1/2), Treno (disc 2), and Black Mage Village (disc 2/3).
==Mechanics== 
Black Magic spells are based on Vivi's Level, Magic stats, and the Spell Power of the spell. Vivi can use the Focus ability to increase his Magic during that battle by 25% per use. The effect stacks up to 99 and lasts for the entire battle, even if KO'd.
:Base = 14 - Target's Magic Defense
:Bonus = Magic + Rnd MOD ([(Lvl + Mag) / 8] + 1)
:Damage = Base * Bonus
Where Rnd means a random number, while MOD means modulus operation. "Rnd MOD x" can be read as a random number between 0 and x-1.
Bonus is halved by target's Shell, Vivi being under Mini, and if the player multi-targets the spell. Bonus is boosted by 50% if Vivi equips Magus Hat or Magician Cloak. Steiner has no means of boosting Ice damage for his Swd Mag.
In Vivi's Trance, Blk Mag turns into Dbl Blk where Vivi can cast two spells on his turn. The spells cost MP and expend the Trance gauge independently.
The support abilities that affect Blizzard are Reflect-Null (Blizzard pierces target's Reflect), Reflectx2 (Blizzard deals more damage when reflected), and Mag Elem Null (Blizzard deals non-elemental damage). 
For Swd Mag, damage dealt is based on Steiner's Attack and Strength stat, as well as on the power of the spell. Using Blizzard Sword boosts Steiner's Attack by 5.
The damage formula for Swd Mag spells is as follows:
:Base = Attack + 14 - Enemy Defense
:Bonus = Strength + RndMOD ([(Level + Strength) / 8] + 1)
:Damage = Base * Bonus
==Use==
Blizzard is Vivi's basic Ice spell and thus is useful in the opening portions of the game. He can boost its power with Focus. It is especially good against enemies weak to the Ice element, such as Ironite or Antlion, though by that time, Vivi may already have the superior Blizzara, though Blizzard can still be used to save on MP. Reptiles and bugs are commonly weak to Ice.
As a Swd Mag, Steiner can use it effectively against enemies weak to Ice-elemental damage. Though it can also be used generally as a straight boost to his damage output, given Steiner's much lower MP pool, he should use it less regularly than Vivi.
==Etymology==
Category:Black Magic in Final Fantasy IX