Degenerator (Final Fantasy VIII)

Degenerator is one of the best Blue Magic spells obtainable for Quistis in Final Fantasy VIII. Its success depends on the enemy being susceptible to ejection, and unlike other Limit Breaks, works equally well on any Crisis Level. It is a potentially early Blue Magic Limit Break, learned from a Black Hole. Blue Magic is available randomly when Quistis is on low health or under Aura.
The enemy version of this ability is used by Gesper against Laguna's party in Centra Excavation Site.
==Obtained==
Degenerator is learned from the item Black Hole, obtained from Gespers in the second Laguna dream, or by refining either the Gesper card or the Diablos card. Gesper is a Level 1 Triple Triad card, and so easily available since the beginning of the game; it is also included in the starter deck the player can get from a student at the very beginning. It is worth learning Card Mod on Quezacotl and modding the card so Quistis can use Degenerator when she joins the player party permanently at the end of the Timber segment.
==Mechanics==
Degenerator never fails to remove a susceptible enemy from battle, but Grats, Vysages, Lefty, Righty, Cactuars, Tonberries, Esthar Soldier (Terminator) (although Quistis cannot fight these enemies), UFO?, PuPu, and bosses (except Oilboyle) are immune to it. 
==Use==
Degenerator is Quistis's best Limit Break against regular enemies most of the time, as it will instantly defeat them no matter how much HP they have remaining. It is one of three instant defeat Blue Magic spells, the others being LV?Death and Bad Breath on Crisis Level 4. LV?Death and Bad Breath target all enemies, but Degenerator has a better success rate, as it will work against enemies that are otherwise immune to Instant Death, as the status it inflicts is Eject rather than Death.
Using Degenerator on the Island Closest to Heaven and the Island Closest to Hell is a quick way to level up the characters and thus stat max with GF Bonus abilities equipped. It is also excellent against otherwise annoying enemies like Blobra, Adamantoises, Elnoyle, and Malboros, and can be used to dispatch tough unavoidable battles, such as inside the Deep Sea Research Center. It can be used to defeat the Ruby Dragons fought before Bahamut. Using Degenerator to defeat enemies prevents the enemies from using their final attack, such as with Imps and Behemoths.
The player can give Quistis Initiative and keep her in low health to hopefully start battles with Degenerator and defeat enemies before they get a chance to act. Auto-Haste can also be good to get turns faster. As Degenerator works regardless of Quistis's stats, she does not need powerful spell stocks or stat junction abilities, apart from perhaps HP-J, if she is going to be using Degenerator for every turn.
Category:Blue Magic in Final Fantasy VIII