Thundara (Final Fantasy IX)

Thundara is a Blk Mag spell for Vivi in Final Fantasy IX that deals moderate Lightning-elemental damage to one or multiple enemies. If Steiner and Vivi are in the same party (and neither is incapacitated in some manner), the former can also use Vivi's Thundara 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 Adamantoise, Agares, Amdusias, Armodullahan, Armstrong, Axe Beak, Bandersnatch, Black Waltz 2, Black Waltz 3, Catoblepas, Dracozombie, Goblin Mage, Ironite, Lani, Ralvuimago, Type B, Type C, and Zaghnol can all cast the Thundara spell. It can be reflected as normal and can be countered with the support ability Return Magic.
==Obtain==
Thundara is learned from Lightning Staff and Peridot for 50 AP. Lightning Staff is found in Burmecia and Cleyra's Trunk, stolen from Black Waltz 3 (as Marcus), and bought Treno (disc 2), Lindblum (disc 2), Conde Petie, Black Mage Village (discs 2 & 3), and Alexandria. Peridot is gained from Pinnacle Rocks as part of the story, and further gems drop from Griffin, Mistodon, Stroper, Grenade, and Tiamat (Crystal).
==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 = 29 - Target's Magic Defense
:Bonus = Magic + RndMOD ([(Level + Magic) / 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 Flash Hat, or if Steiner equips Thundara Gloves 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 Thundara are Reflect-Null (Thundara pierces target's Reflect), Reflectx2 (Thundara deals more damage when reflected), and Mag Elem Null (Thundara deals non-elemental damage). 
For Swd Mag, damage dealt is based on Steiner's Attack and Strength stats, as well as on the power of the spell.
The damage formula for Swd Mag spells is as follows:
:Base = Attack + 29 - Enemy Defense
:Bonus = Strength + RndMOD ([(Level + Strength) / 8] + 1)
:Damage = Base * Bonus
==Use==
Thundara is Vivi's second tier lightning spell and thus is useful in the middle portions of the game. He can boost its power with Focus. It is especially good against enemies weak to the Thunder element, such as Armodullahan. Aquatic enemies are commonly weak to Thunder.
As a Swd Mag, Steiner can use it effectively against enemies weak to Thunder-elemental damage. However, by the time Vii first gets Thundara, he will not be spending time with Steiner in the party, and by the time the parties reunite later, Vivi can soon get the upgraded Thundaga. 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.
Category:Black Magic in Final Fantasy IX