Thundaga (Final Fantasy XII)

Thundaga is a Black Magick spell in both the original PlayStation 2 version of Final Fantasy XII and the Zodiac re-releases. It is a multi-target spell that deals heavy lightning-elemental damage to all foes in range. It is the third tier lightning spell, above Thunder and Thundara.
As a Black Magicks spell, it is also a random outcome of the Shades of Black Technick.
The enemies that use Thundaga against the player are Gnoma Entite, Mardu Entite, Hecteyes [a], Gizamaluk, Etém, Necrofiend, Nightwalker, Reaper Mage, Crystalbug (red), Ash Wyrm, Ose, Diakon Entite, Cataract Aevis, Deidar, Bandercoeurl, Shield Wyrm, Leamonde Entite, Deathgaze, Orthros, Behemoth King, Ixion, Adrammelech, Gijuk [b], Tyrant, Hell Wyrm, Aspidochelon, Vishno, Melt, Crypt Bunny, Grimalkin, Ishteen, Evil Spirit, Vorres, Tower, Luxollid, Vagrant Soul, Disma, Skullash, Myath, Pallicant, Helm-Rook, Vayne Novus, and Krjn (Trial Mode).
==Obtained==
Thundaga's license costs 90 License Points in the Zodiac versions, where the spell is bought for 7000 gil from Archades and Balfonheim Port.
In the original version, Thundaga's license costs 45 LP and the spell is bought for 8200 gil from Balfonheim Port after the events in Draklor Laboratory.
In the Zodiac versions, Thundaga is used by the Black Mage, as well as by the Red Battlemage if they unlock the license for Cúchulainn to reach it. In the original version, the Esper Chaos uses it on lightning-weak foes.
==Mechanics==
Thundaga deals strong lightning-elemental damage to all foes in range based on the caster's level and Magick Power, mitigated by the target's Magick Resist. Its range was expanded for the Zodiac releases.
The spell power in the original version is 124, lowered to 122 in the Zodiac versions. The formula for damage calculation:
:[POWER \times RANDOM(1 \sim 1.125) - Magick~Resist] \times [2 + {Magick~Power \times (Level+Magick~Power) \over 256}]
With the Serenity license or the Magick Gloves accessory, the damage is inflated to 120% (original) or 150% (Zodiac) when the caster is in full health. With the Spellbreaker license or the Leather Gorget accessory, the damage is doubled when the caster is in HP Critical. If the caster has Faith, Thundaga will damage for 30% more. As an elemental spell, it will do double damage to targets weak to lightning, and 150% damage with lightning-potency gear: Storm Staff and Cloud Staff (Zodiac only). The boosts stack multiplicatively.
Enemies who resist lightning take half damage. Those who nullify lightning take no damage and those who absorb lightning are healed by it. Shell halves damage from Thundaga.
Certain weather conditions and terrains affect both the player characters' and the foes' lightning damage. In rainy weather, and on water terrain, the damage is inflated to 120%. No weather or terrain diminishes lightning damage.
Thundaga bounces from Reflect unless the caster equips the Opal Ring. Reflecting the spell off the player's own party bounces it multiple times onto the enemy or enemies. Damaging enemies with Thundaga gains MP to the caster if they have the Warmage license. A target can sometimes avoid Thundaga via their Magick Evade stat; for the player, this means wearing shields.
Thundaga costs 40 MP to cast without Channeling licenses in the Zodiac versions, and 42 MP in the original version.
==Use==
Thundaga is a good mid- to endgame damaging spell that the player can set up via the gambit system (such as with Foe:lightning-vulnerable→Thundaga or Foe:foes present 2+→Thundaga). It can be good against flying enemies for characters who lack ranged weapons. Ice enemies are typically weak to lightning, such as Fafnir.
Thundaga is best used with the Storm Staff to boost its power, or with the Cloud Staff in the Zodiac versions. It is most useful in the Garamsythe Waterway due to the water terrain there boosting its power, as well as in rainy Giza and in Ozmone Plain, Mosphoran Highwaste, Phon Coast, Tchita Uplands, and Cerobi Steppe when it is raining. Heavy rain and regular rain both give the same boost to power.
The player can multi-cast the spell by giving all of their party Reflect and then casting Thundaga on themselves. In the Zodiac versions, it may be worth giving Cúchulainn to the Red Battlemage so they can be a more competent magick-caster until the endgame, though the Red Battlemage lacks means of boosting lightning damage with equipment, unlike the Black Mage with their staves.
Thundaga outclasses both Thunder and Thundara as soon as it becomes available as MP is generally plentiful enough for the player to use the stronger versions of spells, especially with the licenses that refund MP costs.
Category:Black Magicks in Final Fantasy XII