Moon Phase

Moon Phase is a gameplay mechanic in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. It involves the cycles of the moon, which have a direct effect on the power of certain battle commands during combat. Depending on the moon phase present at any given time, it has the potential to raise or lower the power of White Magic, Black Magic, special abilities, and physical attacks.
==Overview==
The Moon Phase system is first explained by Biggs and Wedge at the beginning of Ceodore's tale as a mysterious side effect of the phases of the moon. During each phase, one particular type of battle command will have its effectiveness lowered, indicated by red lettering, while another will have its effectiveness improved, indicated by green lettering. This condition not only applies to playable characters, but to enemies as well, and can be used to directly affect the difficulty of some battles with proper planning.
There are four different phases that follow a cycle—New, Waxing, Full, and Waning. Phases are cycled every time the player uses a tent or cottage, stays at an inn, or happen automatically after thirty minutes of playtime. In addition to affecting battle parameters, certain enemies will only appear during a specific Moon Phase in certain areas. The effects of Moon Phases still occur even when the player is on the Red Moon or True Moon.
The Moon Phase also affects the power of Band abilities—if a Band ability uses commands to calculate damage that are weaker under the current phase, the Band will be weaker as well. The Divine Heal Band specifically has a different effect depending on the Moon Phase.
==Types of phases==
===New Moon===
The New Moon phase will raise the power of Skill abilities and lower White Magic.
During this phase, the following monsters will appear:
:*Red Dragon in the Impact Crater in Yang's Tale.
:*Behemoth in the Path to the Tower of Babil in Edge's Tale.
:*Gil Bird in Edward's Challenge Dungeon (West Passage 2F).
:*Ebony Dragon in the Lunar Tunnel.
:*Ebony Dragon in the Subterrane (B4 Caves).
:*Behemoth in the Subterrane (B7 Center Cave).
:*Red Dragon in the Subterrane (B10).
===Waxing Moon===
The Waxing Moon phase will improve White Magic and lower Black Magic.
During this phase, the following monsters will appear:
:*Quarto Puppet in the Agart Mine (Empty Room on B4).
:*Gil Bird in Edward's Challenge Dungeon (Boss Room 4F).
:*White Dragon north-east of Mt. Ordeals in Porom's Tale.
:*Shadow Dragon in Subterrane (B5).
:*White Dragon in Subterrane (B8 Caves).
===Full Moon===
The Full Moon phase will raise Black Magic, but Attack abilities will be weaker. Also, the Sand Pearl can only be obtained during this phase.
During this phase, the following monsters will appear:
:*Thunder Dragon in the Mist Cave in Ceodore's Tale.
:*Gil Bird (9,999 gil) in Palom's Challenge Dungeon (Mountain Floor).
:*Gil Bird in Edward's Challenge Dungeon (Tower 2F).
:*Flan Princess in Subterrane (B5).
:*Thunder Dragon in the Subterrane (B11 Caves).
:*Gold Dragon in the Subterrane (B12 North Passage).
===Waning Moon===
The Waning Moon phase will improve Attack abilities, but Skill abilities will be weaker.
During this phase, the following monsters will appear:
:*Grey Coeurl in the Devil's Road in Kain's Tale.
:*Green Dragon in the Agart Mine.
:*Gil Bird in Edward's Challenge Dungeon (Tower 4F).
:*Grey Coeurl on the surface of the True Moon.
:*Green Dragon in Subterrane (B9 Caves).
==Notes==
*The following are classified as Skill attacks and will be affected by the Moon Phase—Jump, Risk Strike, Aim, Big Throw, Tenketsu, Chakra, Ninjutsu, Bardsong, Piercing Sight, Gil Toss, Jive, Dance, Illusions, Human Kite
*The following are not affected by any Moon Phase—Awaken, Analyze, Blessing, Summon, Focus, Cover Counter, Bluff, Throw, Mug, Pray, Salve, Escape, Pressure, Taunt, Cover, Shuriken, Steal.
*Kick is classified as an Attack command instead of a Skill ability, and as such will be weaker during a Full Moon and stronger during a Waning Moon.
==Etymology==
The lunar phase or phase of the moon is the shape of the illuminated (sunlit) portion of the Moon as seen by an observer on Earth. The lunar phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth.
de:Moon Phase
Category:Gameplay in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years