Shell (Final Fantasy XII)

Shell is a White Magick spell in the Zodiac versions of Final Fantasy XII, and a Green Magick spell in the original PlayStation 2 version. It is a single-target status enhancement spell that reduces magic damage received and the chance of status ailments sticking. Its upgrade is the multi-target Shellga, and its physical damage counterpart is Protect.
Numerous enemies also use it or spawn with the Shell status already in place. In the Japanese original version and International Zodiac Job System, the icon for the Shell status is a green seashell. This is changed to a green circle elsewhere.
==Obtained==
Shell's license costs 25 License Points in the Zodiac versions, where the spell is bought for 250 gil in Rabanastre after meeting Ba'Gamnan in the Lhusu Mines, Bhujerba, Dreadnought Leviathan, Dalmasca Westersand after visiting Ondore's Estate, from the traveling merchant Dyce, and from Archades. The spell is also found in a Trial Mode Stage 27 treasure with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
In the original version, Shell is a Green Magick whose license costs 30 LP. It is bought for 200 gil from Rabanastre and other shops after the events in Barheim Passage.
In the Zodiac versions, Shell can be used by the job classes White Mage and Red Battlemage.
==Mechanics==
Shell temporarily bestows the status of the same name that reduces magic damage taken by a quarter and halves the chance of being struck by status ailments; Shell is the only means of resisting Instant Death, halving the chance of it working, as there is no accessory that protects against Instant Death. The effect is removed with Dispel. Shell does not reduce healing, even when used offensively against undead enemies who have Shell status.
The formula for the duration is:
:60 + (Vitality \times 0.6) s
The duration depends on the receiver's Vitality stat, not the caster's. Haste and Slow do not affect the length other status effects will last, but Stop will halt them.
Shell costs 8 MP to cast without Channeling licenses. The spell will bounce from Reflect unless the caster wears the Opal Ring.
==Use==
Shell is a status enhancement spell the player can easily set up via the gambit system (such as with Ally:Any→Shell). The gambit for it is best placed below attack and heal gambits so it does not activate mid battle, but rather when there are no enemies in the vicinity, unless the player wants to keep refreshing it in harder engagements, such as against Rare Game, hunt marks, and bosses.
After getting Shellga, the player can use that instead to bestow the status to the whole party at once. The player can get a permanent Shell status from wearing the Shell Shield. This can be especially useful in battles where enemies use instant death moves, like Yiazmat and Zodiark.
As Shell halves the chance of ailments working, the player should not have Shell on if they are using Reverse on their own party.
Shell can be cast by Gnoma Entite, Wooly Gator, Storm Elemental, Mardu Entite, Water Elemental, Water Chaosjet, Dullahan, Salamand Entite, Lost Soul, Wu, Sylphi Entite, Treant, Gizamaluk, Twintania, Dark Skeleton, Slaven Warder, Ice Elemental, Wild Onion, Leshach Entite, Ghoul, Facer, Slaven Wilder, Fire Elemental, Fire Chaosjet, Wyrdhare, Bagoly, Air Elemental, Earth Elemental, Onion Queen, Golem, Mom Bomb, Undin Entite, Archaeoaevis, Adamantitan, Atomos, Enkelados, Yiazmat, Gijuk, Aspidochelon, Greeden, Imperial Hoplite [c], Judge [b], Sphere-Rook, Rook, and Doctor Cid (2).
Category:White Magicks in Final Fantasy XII
Category:Green Magicks in Final Fantasy XII