Horology

Horology is a technick in Final Fantasy XII that uses the game clock's minute to deal fixed damage to targets within a radius around the selected target. Horology's damage formula was tweaked for the Zodiac versions for a potential to do more damage, though it remains weak, especially when the party is on a low level.
==Obtain==
Horology requires 55 LP to use in the original PlayStation 2 version, and 50 LP in the Zodiac versions.
In the Zodiac versions, Horology can be bought from shops after the party returns from the Leviathan. In the original, it is available slightly earlier, from the technick shop in Bhujerba. It is also a treasure in the Trial Mode Stage 22 with Diamond Armlet in the Zodiac versions.
In the Zodiac versions, Horology can be used by three job classes: Machinist, Time Battlemage and Foebreaker, although Foebreaker must acquire the Esper Belias license first.
==Mechanics==
Original PlayStation 2 version damage formula:
:Damage = L/2 \times X^2
Zodiac versions damage formula:
:Damage = L \times X^2
In which L is the user's level and X is the second digit in the game clock's minute. Due to the nature of the formula, damage dealt from using Horology caps at 4,009 HP in the original version and at 8,019 HP in Zodiac versions (99/2 \times 9^2). The attack rarely misses and can be used multiple times within the minute. If used on multiple enemies, it tends to always hit one of them, even if blinded. The Technick's original base accuracy was 70%, increased to 90% in the Zodiac versions.
:Success~Chance \%= Base~Chance + (User's~Level - Target's~Level) 
If the user's level exceeds the target's, the chance becomes:
:Success~Chance \% = 3 \times (User's~Level - Target's~Level) + Base~Chance
Horology's damage is determined at the moment the damage is inflicted. Even if the caster starts readying it during XX:47:55, and the damage is inflicted during XX:48:02, its damage is calculated during the damage. So, the damage calculation is:
:L/2 \times 8^2 instead of L/2 \times 7^2
Horology can be used on flying targets and does not wake sleeping targets. If the user has Warmage license, they will gain MP for dealing damage with Horology.
==Use==
Exploiting Horology is made simple by pausing during its charge time via the party menu. Once the second digit of minutes reaches nine, Horology's potency will be at its peak. However, using it consecutively can be tedious. For fixed damage, the player can also use Gil Toss which is easier to get a good amount of damage regardless of the user's level from but also costs gil.
Because Horology's damage depends on the user's level, it is pointless in New Game Minus. Because it is only powerful in later stages of the game, it is also fairly pointless because by that time, the player will have many superior means of dealing damage, and likely has gil for Gil Toss if they want fixed damage specifically. For earlier in the game, 1000 Needles is a good way to deal fixed damage. Traveler is also superior to Horology if the player is micromanaging their steps, though this would be cumbersome.
==Etymology==
==Citations==
Category:Technicks in Final Fantasy XII