Absorb (Final Fantasy VIII)

Absorb is a command ability in Final Fantasy VIII used to take HP from an enemy, transferring it to the user. The effect is reversed against undead and zombified targets.
==Obtained==
Absorb is learned by the GFs Pandemona and Doomtrain for 80 AP. Pandemona is drawn from the boss in Balamb Town hotel or Red Giant in the final dungeon. Doomtrain is obtained by using the Solomon Ring found at Tears' Point with the collection of correct items in the player's inventory (six each of Remedy+, Malboro Tentacle, and Steel Pipe).
==Mechanics==
Absorb siphons HP from a target, giving it to the user. If the target is undead or has Zombie status, the target is healed whereas the user is harmed. Absorb is similar to effect (and has the same animation) as the Drain spell, but is weaker while ignoring Shell.
The amount of HP stolen from the target and granted to the user is determined as follows:
:Damage = Magic + 14
:Damage = Damage \times (265 - Target's~Spirit) / 4
:Damage = Damage \times 26 / 256
If the character who has Absorb equipped becomes confused, they will never use Absorb while in this state.
==Use==
Absorb is not a good use of command ability slot, as it is not a strong healing ability nor a good damaging ability. It is better to heal via dedicated abilities, items, and spells. If the player wants to damage an enemy while being healed without expending any resources, they are best doing it by junctioning Drains to ST-Atk-J. Simply casting Drain in battle should be stronger than using the Absorb command as long as the enemy does not have Shell status.
If the player does decide to use Absorb, it is best used by someone built toward high Magic Power, and would take more HP from enemies that have Vit 0.
==Citations==
Category:Command abilities in Final Fantasy VIII