Bio (Final Fantasy V)

Bio is a Black Magic spell in Final Fantasy V. It is a poison-elemental spell that deals considerable damage and attempts to inflict the poison status effect, cast on one target or an entire party. Bio can be used by the Black Magic skillset (and can be used twice with Dualcast), and can also be used as a Spellblade. Bio is also one of the spells that can be cast for free from the Wonder Wand.
Bio is also an enemy ability that can be used by Bio Soldier, Calofisteri, Enuo, Exdeath (first battle), Flaremancer, Fury, Omniscient, and Phobos.
==Obtained==
Bio can be purchased for 3,000 gil at Regole, Castle of Bal, Quelb, or Surgate Castle. Regole is the earliest place Bio can be obtained. Once it is purchased, it can be used by any of the skillsets with the spell.
The player may utilize this ability by catching and releasing a Bio Soldier, and by breaking a Poison Rod during battle.
==Mechanics==
As a spell, Bio's initial damage is calculated as follows:
:Attack = 105 + (0..(105/8))
:M = (Level*Magic Power)/256 + 4
:Defense = Magic Defense
:Damage = (Attack - Defense) * M
It then attempts to inflict the poison status effect, which deals damage based on 1/16th of the target's max HP over time. The poison is always inflicted as long as the enemy does not resist the status.
If the target absorbs the poison element, it is healed instead of damaged; if it is immune to the poison element or status, the attack misses. If the target resists poison, the Attack modifier in the initial damage formula is halved, and the effect of poison is halved; if it is weak to poison, the modifier is doubled and the attack ignores the target's Magic Defense. Bio is affected by reflect.
Several pieces of equipment increase the power of elemental attacks by 50%. The bonus is applied before subtracting the opponent's Magic Defense. The weapons that boost Bio's power are Poison Rod, Magus Rod, and Rune Chime. The Mix Elemental Power also empowers all elements.
==Use==
In comparison to the basic Poison spell, Bio has a higher MP cost, but is much more turn-efficient due to its initial damage. The damage dealt by the spell is higher than the Fira, Blizzara, and Thundara spells, on top of being of an element that few enemies resist. This means, when acquired, it is a better offensive spell except against enemies weak to one of the other three elements. Its only drawback is it cannot be used with Red Magic.
As a Spellblade, Bio is incredibly strong, as it can instantly kill a non-Heavy enemy that is weak to poison element. Against other enemies, it will greatly increase the weapon's damage moreso than Poison would, but unlike Poison, does not inflict the status effect on strike.
Later in the game, when Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, and later spells are acquired, Bio is outclassed in terms of damage output, while later abilities, such as Bahamut, can also inflict damage on multiple targets without worrying about elemental resistance. This means that Bio becomes less useful as a spell, but remains a strong Spellblade.
==Gallery==
FFV Fire.png|Black Magic (GBA).
FFV iOS Bio.png|Black Magic (2013).
Bio Blade from FFV Advance.png|Spellblade (GBA).
Category:Black Magic in Final Fantasy V