Liberi Fatali But only by a slight margin

Liberi Fatali

Rose of May/Loss of Me

Liberi Fatali

Liberi Fatali.

Rose of May/Loss of Me

Rose of May/Loss of Me

Updating now, as promised...

Liberi Fatali - 11
Loss of Me / Rose of May - 7


Well, not as close as I might have expected. Liberi Fatali makes the final.


Everyone must be associating the song with the hype over how awesome the graphics in FFVIII were when it first came out. FAIL.
Maybe, but I think you'd be in for a time arguing that point with Splintered.


The final!

Cid's Theme - Final Fantasy VII (Cid: "Look at this rusted Rocket. I was supposed to be the first man in space with this. Everyday, it tilts a little bit more. At this rate, I don't know which will come first, this thing falling down or me gettin' outta here. My last hope is to talk to the President...")

vs.

Liberi Fatali - Final Fantasy VIII (Squall: "What's so funny?" Quistis: "Funny? No, no, it's not that! I'm just happy. I feel like I'm finally beginning to understand my student a little. That's all." Squall: "I'm more complex than you think." Quistis: "Then tell me. Tell me more about yourself." Squall: "It's none of your..." Quistis: "...Business!")


Interesting how in a rumble that FFIX tunes dominated so much, FFIX is nowhere to be seen in this final. Well, here we are then. I'll edit in the quotes a bit later, in a few hours or so. I don't have time right now. Cast your votes!

The two most deserving tunes have gotten through to the final. So really I don't mind which wins. I'm voting for Cid's Theme though, as it was possibly the defining track in FFVII. With Liberi, it's a great tune, but FFVIII has a lot of other great tunes, such as The Landing, and it doesn't stand out as much.

Loss of Me/Rose of May. Classic! (everyone go see Golden Compass btw). So not morbid/goth sounding like liberi fatali.

Everyone must be associating the song with the hype over how awesome the graphics in FFVIII were when it first came out. FAIL.

The hype about the graphics have nothing to do with the superiority of Liberi Fatali's composition. Seriously, complaining about a theme that is beating your choice is childish.

Now as far as the finale goes... Damn, that's a tough one.

2 Epic themes of almost equal quality to me in term of composition.
I'll go with Liberi Fatali for this one. As it's a more complete theme when it comes to arrangements and it completely overwhelms my ears when I listen to it.

As for Cid's Theme, you guys should try to get the Tokyo Philarmonic Version of it. A bit slower than the original, but with a lot more emotions.

Oh man, go Cid's Theme!

Cid's Theme

Liberi Fatali seems a shame to have it massacred so when its a damn good song.

Liberi Fatali. Kind of a battle/expositional mix, better than corny Cid's Theme of *oh my god we're taking off for the moon, my biggest dream in the world!* That's all it is. Because isn't Cid's Theme the same as the field music when flying the highwind? If not they both still suck imo. The only version that does it justice in this rumble is the


..Tokyo Philarmonic Version of it


Seriously, complaining about a theme that is beating your choice is childish.

Thank you.


Maybe, but I think you'd be in for a time arguing that point with Splintered.

I need a good verbal spanking.

Did anyone find out who Member 2282 "witwicky" was/is?

Liberi Fatali because I find it one of the best FF pieces of the series and not because of the graphics.

Cid's Theme....gonna be either very close or one of them is going to pull ahead... and I'm guessing it'll be Liberi Fatali..

Liberi Fatali

Finally it has come down to the finals. Liberi Fatali all the way for this one.

Everyone must be associating the song with the hype over how awesome the graphics in FFVIII were when it first came out. FAIL.

I thought the graphics were rather ugly when I played it when it first came out. :D

Cid's Theme~

Liberi Fatali

hmmm. tough one.

i'm gonna have to go with Cid's Theme though. had more of an impact on me.

Cid's Theme

Cid's Theme. Both are just as good though.

Cid's Theme, this is where we must part ways.

Liberi Fatali


Everyone must be associating the song with the hype over how awesome the graphics in FFVIII were when it first came out. FAIL.

If that were the case, there would've been a greater quantity of FFVII tracks ascending to the later rounds. Quite frankly, the graphical leap wasn't all that huge in the least. Stylistically speaking, they're drastically different from each other, with FFVII having an anime aesthetic to it, and FFVIII possessing a more realistic and polished tone; thus, FFVIII giving off the impression its graphics surpasses those of FFVII.

I kid you not when I say there was more hype over the graphics of: FFVII, FFX, and FFXII respectively. The acclaim FFVIII may've received for that particular aspect of the game doesn't even compare.

By your logic, Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack must have a pretty sizable fanbase here:

"Lol. I'm a fan of Nobuo's stuff, but nuh-uh! Final Fantasy XII has the best music because the graphics sure are purdy.

Go, title-of-track-I-can't-even-remember!"

...

Additionally, if memory serves, you can't perceive the magnitude of a video game's graphics by ear. However, you evidently can, so I'm rather envious of your gift.

I'm not even going to touch upon this quote:


better than corny Cid's Theme of *oh my god we're taking off for the moon, my biggest dream in the world!*


Because isn't Cid's Theme the same as the field music when flying the highwind?

Not whatsoever, actually.

The track you may've been referring to is Steal the Tiny Bronco!, which is also associated with Cid.


If not they both still suck imo.

You obviously have little to no recollection of what The Highwind Takes to the Skies sounds like, yet you're of the opinion that it sucks.

Good job on that.

Just responding to one part of that:


Because isn't Cid's Theme the same as the field music when flying the highwind?

Not whatsoever, actually.
Or maybe he's thinking of the small part of the game towards the end of Disc 2 when "Cid's Theme" takes over as both the general World Map theme and the music that plays while flying the Highwind.

Sorry, carry on.

Liberi Fatali

Without Rose of May in the final, my vote goes to Liberi Fatali

Or maybe he's thinking of the small part of the game towards the end of Disc 2 when "Cid's Theme" takes over as both the general World Map theme and the music that plays while flying the Highwind.

That's a possibility, though when someone questions about the occurrence of a track during the game, the proper theme will normally come to mind first.

It's been, at least, over five years since I've last played FFVII; I don't recall Cid's Theme being cued during those times at all, but I'll take your word for it, of course!

Cid's Theme. Both are just as good though.

Cid's Theme.

It's been, at least, over five years since I've last played FFVII; I don't recall Cid's Theme being cued during those times at all, but I'll take your word for it, of course!

ya, it's right after you visit outside the crater when the sister ray destroys the barrier. you're supposed to head back to Midgar at that point also.

Yes, okay, okay. Yes, Cid's Theme does play at that point; I have many fond memories of chasing after Ultima Weapon to that tune. It takes over as both the music played while flying the airship and simply wandering about the World Map, as well as inside the airship while you're on the bridge.

Anyways, the excitement, the passion! And now, time for some results!

Cid's Theme - 10
Liberi Fatali - 9


Ah, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Our big winner:

<font color="red">Cid's Theme</font>






Did anyone find out who Member 2282 "witwicky" was/is?
Huh!?


As for Cid's Theme, you guys should try to get the Tokyo Philarmonic Version of it. A bit slower than the original, but with a lot more emotions.
Never heard it. From your description though, sounds like it might be kinda like "Shera's Theme," Sending a Dream Across the Universe.


Well, that's all for this edition! Stay tuned for the next one soon...

Yes, okay, okay. Yes, Cid's Theme does play at that point; I have many fond memories of chasing after Ultima Weapon to that tune.

haha. same. always wanted to get the ultimate weapon before the third disc.

wow close one. nice that Cid's Theme won. looking forward to future Rumbles.

Barring the fact I voted against Cid's Theme this time around, I'm quite satisfied with the verdict!

When it came down to those two tunes competing in the finals, I didn't care about which one would've come out on top - as I adore them both, and they're each more than meritorious.

FF music rumbles are easily my favorite (shame I missed the chance to nominate some choice tracks), and I'm highly anticipating the next rumble ahead.


ya, it's right after you visit outside the crater when the sister ray destroys the barrier. you're supposed to head back to Midgar at that point also.

That still doesn't ring a bell; another playthrough is in order, I think.

Appreciate the reminder.

I've never done two music rumbles in a row before. Still, if there's an appetite for it, let me know. You gotta want it so bad that you can taste it. Thoughts?

I'll go along with anything as long as it isn't something like:


"Who is the hottest Final Fantasy character?"

I'll drink to that.

Man law?

How about favorite abilities the characters can posses?

Let's do favorite airship...j/k

Abilities isn't a bad idea... anyone to second that?

Yeah, I second abilities.

I third abilities

By abilities were talking about things a specific job can do and stuff like that. right.

I'll fourth that

One more for abilities and...

Cid's Theme owned your bitch asses. Totally. Completely too.

Excellent rumble management Agent, as always ;). I'm for abilities too!

:) Excellent, thanks. All right, I want nominations then. Yeah, when we're talking abilities, I think we mean stuff like Wakka's Triple Foul from FFX or Zidane's Thievery from FFIX, or it can be a non character-specific ability from an earlier game. Just no limit breaks, I think.

That would be fine by me.

Abilities like Mime, W-Commands, Sword tech, Blitz, Jump, White Magic,etc... (Mostly what you could called battle abilities.)

No Limit Breaks,Trances, Quickenings or whatever Desperate Moves.

Well then:

Mime
W-Commands
Sword tech
Blitz
Jump
White Magic
Black Magic
Blue Magic
Summoning
Tools
Throw
Rage
Slot
Runic
Steal
Morph


I know, too much of FF VI.

Card
Draw
GF
Summon in general
Magic in general
Throw
Flair

etc etc

White / Blue / Black Magic is way too general. I was rather hoping for more specific stuff. What about some of the special abilities in X or X-2? How about some of V's abilities?

Quick Hit
Delay Buster
Eat
Devour
Dark Side
Shock
Climhazzard
Item
Lancet
Use
Steal (or Mug in certain cases)
Zombie Attack
Armor/Power/Mental/Magic Breaks
Dragon Breath

I'll think of more


No Mercy
Revive
Aura
Reis' Wind
White Draw
Focus

I added more

Parry/Defend
Change/Switch

can this include the abilites from IX that you equip wih the stones???

FFIX abilities are plenty enough to be a rumble in itself..but it's up to whoever wants to manage the rumble methinks.

I think it should include the abilities that you can equip from the blue stones in IX, also with the ones you learn from job leveling up such as in V. As said before magic is a bit broad maybe would could do rumble on just magic as well then too....after this one of course!

I'm going to start this later today, I think. Final call for nominations!

Don't forget the auto abilities like Auto-Reflect, Auto-Haste etc.

These should be in the rumble too.

Support abilities? Well, I dunno. But if people want to nominate some more of those, go ahead. I don't have time to start this today. Toss me some more nominations and I'll start it tomorrow or Monday.

Cover, study, hide, show, jump, steal, throw, bluff, twin, cry, pray, aim, kick, morph, blitz, runic, swordtech, rage, slots, lore, sketch, dance, mimic, enemy skill, w-item, w-summon, manipulate, deathblow, sense, w-magic, slash-all, double cut, draw, card, boost, item, doom, mad rush, treatment, move-find, defend, dark, counter, recover, absorb, alert, revive, call shop, haggle, sell-high, devour/eat, and this is just IV-IX.

All-righty then. Abilities is the theme of this upcoming rumble, I see.

Excellent. I'll be nominating abilities exclusively from FFX-2, since I absolutely love the game, and as of now, many gems from it are being inexcusably neglected (!):

* Trigger Happy (Levels 1-3)
Sticky Fingers
Master Thief
Assault
Mix
Spare Change
Fireworks
Blue Bullet
- Cry in the Night
- Drill Shot
- Mortar
MP Mambo
Dirty Dancing
Black Sky
Charon
Cripple
Evade & Counter
* Reels (Attack, Magic, Item, Random)
* Dice (Two & Four)
Swarm, Swarm!
Moogle Beam

* Counts as a single ability.


I'll go along with anything as long as it isn't something like:

"Who is the hottest Final Fantasy character?"

I'm wondering whether or not a particular rumble as such has ever been done before.

Call me crazy, but an unbridledly superficial rumble like that would be pretty entertaining, I believe. Depending upon who receives the nod as an entrant, the responses have potential to be really funny, and the fact that, in a sense, it's unconventional is a big plus.

In the near future, maybe that'll come into fruition when the majority of you people decide to be "zany" as well!

I'm wondering whether or not a particular rumble as such has ever been done before.

Call me crazy, but an unbridledly superficial rumble like that would be pretty entertaining, I believe. Depending upon who receives the nod as an entrant, the responses have potential to be really funny, and the fact that, in a sense, it's unconventional is a big plus.

In the near future, maybe that'll come into fruition when the majority of you people decide to be "zany" as well!

We tried to get a general video game character rumble based on "hotness" going once. It never got off the ground. You know who I nominated.

Selphie, amirite?

I've decided to do it this way. I've drawn up a list of 32 action abilities and 16 support. For the first round, for the first eight battles anyway, there'll be two battles going at once, Action and Support.


Action Abilities

Parry/Defend - Most FFs
Mug/Steal - Most FFs
Jump - Many FFs
GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change - Many FFs
Revive - Many FFs
Mime - Several FFs
Focus - Several FFs
Manipulate/Control - Final Fantasy V and VII
Boost - Final Fantasy VIII and IX
Sketch - Final Fantasy VI
Runic - Final Fantasy VI
Deathblow - Final Fantasy VII
Draw - Final Fantasy VIII
Item - Final Fantasy VIII
Morph - Final Fantasy VII
Card - Final Fantasy VIII
Devour - Final Fantasy VIII
Shock - Final Fantasy IX
Climhazzard - Final Fantasy IX
Lancet - Final Fantasy X
Use - Final Fantasy X
Pray - Final Fantasy X
Triple Foul - Final Fantasy X
Quick Hit - Final Fantasy X
Zombie Attack - Final Fantasy X
Mix - Final Fantasy X-2
Dirty Dancing - Final Fantasy X-2
Fireworks - Final Fantasy X-2
Black Sky - Final Fantasy X-2
Moogle Beam - Final Fantasy X-2
Random Reels - Final Fantasy X-2
Blue Bullet - Cry in the Night - Final Fantasy X-2

Support Abilities

Auto-Life / Reraise - Several FFs
No Encounters - Several FFs
HP Bonuses - Several FFs
Initiative - Final Fantasy VIII and IX (Freya only)
Final Attack - Final Fantasy VII
Sneak Attack - Final Fantasy VII
Call Shop - Final Fantasy VIII
Haggle - Final Fantasy VIII
Alert - Final Fantasy VIII
Lv Down/Up - Final Fantasy VIII
Return Magic - Final Fantasy IX
Auto-Haste - Final Fantasy IX, X and X-2
Auto-Reflect - Final Fantasy IX, X and X-2
Gillionaire- Final Fantasy X
Evade and Counter - Final Fantasy X-2
Master Thief - Final Fantasy X-2


First up:


Mime - Several FFs (Ah, the useful ability of mimicry. This allows you to copy a previous characters' action without using up valuable MP. It generally works on anything except limit-type maneuvers.)

vs.

Card - Final Fantasy VIII (This little ability in FFVIII allowed you to made a card out of a weakened enemy, adding to your Triple Triad collection. Occasionally, you could even get rare cards.)


and:


Sneak Attack - Final Fantasy VII (Gained through support Materia. When attached to another Materia, you could sometimes get an opening attack before the enemy could even act. Increasing the support Sneak Attack Materia's level increased the odds of you getting in first. One highly useful combination is Sneak Attack <-> Morph.)

vs.

Lv Down/Up - Final Fantasy VIII (This useful pairing of abilities allows you to alter the level of the monster you're facing. Very useful if you need to get a particular item and the monster isn't at the proper level for you to drop/steal it.)


Make sure to cast one vote from each battle and bold each!

Selphie, amirite?

And Penelo :smrt:

Mime
Sneak Attack

Card & Lv. Down/Up

Ah, the good ol' Card ability was at the core of my attainment of each and every Triple Triad card in FFVIII, and without it, that arduous yet entertaining task wouldn't have gone as briskly, I feel.

What's there not to like about it? The skill to fatten your collection and gain fairly strong cards relatively quick is pure win! Also, rather than slay many of the fiends, you could transform them into a quaint playing card, and that'll be sure to get those pesky proponents for PETA off your back, so to speak.

As for Lv. Down/Up, they were godsends for when I had needed certain rare items for remodeling my players' weapons.

K-neg: Personally, Penelo's not my cup of tea (as far as looks are concerned), but gotcha.

Mime and Lv Down/Up

Card
and
Lv Down/Up

Mime

Sneak Attack

Mime<br>
Sneak Attack

Mime and Lv Down/Up

Mime

Sneak Attack

Card's useful when you start Triple Triad, but i'd rather not waste EXP for in most cases a card I already have. Then again I spent a lot of time winning my cards from playing Triple Triad.

Level Down/Up is meh to me. Never did much for me.

Mime and Lv Down/Up

Mime and Lv Down/Up

Mime / Sneak Attack

Mime and Sneak Attack

Card was a pretty good idea, just not as good as Mime, but Lv. Down/Up just emphasises how ridiculously broken FFVIII's battle system was.

Card and Sneak Attack

Mime and Sneak Attack

Card was a pretty good idea, just not as good as Mime, but Lv. Down/Up just emphasises how ridiculously broken FFVIII's battle system was.

Mime

Sneak Attack

All right, so that's:

Mime - 11
Card - 3

and

Sneak Attack - 9
Lv Down/Up - 6


Lot closer on that second battle. But it's Mime and Sneak Attack on to the second round. Next up:

Sketch - Final Fantasy VI (Relm only. She uses her paintbrush to sketch a copy of the enemy, possibly turning their own attack back on them. Needed against Ultros. Using this move against some enemies in early versions could cause a glitch.)

vs.

Black Sky - Final Fantasy X-2 - Dark Knight - Arcana (Special attack that caused dark meteors to rain down on the enemies. Could be very powerful.)


and


No Encounters - Several FFs (Completely eliminates random encounters. Useful if you just want to explore / go about your business.)

vs.

Evade and Counter - Final Fantasy X-2 - Berserker (Support ability that allowed you to evade a monster's attack and then counter it. Particularly useful against the Elder Drakes.)

Black Sky and Evade & Counter.

Black Sky and No Encounters

sketch<br>
evade and counter

Sketch and No encounters

Black Sky and No Encounters

Black Sky and Evade & Counter

Black Sky and Evade & Counter

Black Sky and Evade & Counter

Since I have not played VI or X-2 yet, I'm not voting for the first one



No Encounters

Black Sky & No Encounters, please.

Black Sky & No Encounters, please.

Sometimes, we get along just fine. ^_-

Sketch
+
No Encounters (loved this ability)

Sketch (<3) and Evade and Counter

WTF, the forum is acting strange again...

Sketch and No Encounters.

Besaid Island
Edit: WTF, the forum is acting strange again...
...

Sketch
No Encounters - loved it in FFVIII

Black Sky/No Encounters

Black Sky/No Encounters

Okay, we're back to a more normal update schedule.

Sketch - 6
Black Sky - 10

and

No Encounters - 11
Evade and Counter - 6


Some reasonably close battles. Black Sky and No Encounters are the winners. And next we have:

Jump - Many FFs (Allows the character to leap off-screen, avoiding enemy attacks. They then dive down for a powerful attack.)

vs.

Shock - Final Fantasy IX (A powerful non-elemental attack used by Beatrix and Steiner. Generally kills when Beatrix uses on your characters, generally 9999 by the time you can use it with Steiner.)


and


Haggle - Final Fantasy VIII (Ability that lowers the prices of items in shops. Can be used to cheat the game by and make unlimited gil.)

vs.

Auto-Haste - Final Fantasy IX, X and X-2 (Automatically adds haste status to your character or characters without having to cast the spell. Greatly speeds up time between turns, allowing for a flurry of actions.)

Shock and Auto-Haste

Jump & Auto-Haste, most definitely.

Jump is a pragmatist's best friend, and that's sincerely the best way I could describe it.

Invulnerability + Surprise Attack = Win.

No, it may not be as flashy or powerful as Shock, though it's more handy; thus, I find it to be superior in the long run.

Voting for Auto-Haste is a no-brainer, for I am a person who detests drawn-out battles (exceptions to the rule would be a theme I'm head over heels for and "epic" scenery). Another thing that gives Auto-Haste its flair, from my perspective, is the pleasure of viewing seemingly stimulant-affected characters kicking ass, which is rather appealing - especially in FFX-2; add to the fact it's perpetual, and you have a winner!

Only a miser would vote for Haggle. http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3817/kruemelmonsteryn0.gif

Shock and Auto-Haste

Jump and Auto-Haste, cos Shock is a lame, over-powered attack.

Shock and Auto-Haste

Thinking about if I had these abilities in real life...

I'd say I couldn't pass up Jump and Auto-Haste.

Jump and Auto-Haste, cos Shock is a lame, over-powered attack.

Jump and Auto-Haste, cos Shock is a lame, over-powered attack.

Thinking about if I had these abilities in real life...

I'd say I couldn't pass up Jump and Auto-Haste.

Shock and Auto-Haste

Shock, because 1-hit KO (which Shock basically is in Beatrix's hands) rules.

Auto-Haste, because it was useful, but more importantly, because it's up against another of the broken abilities from FFVIII.

Shock and Auto-Haste

Shock is pretty great, but Jump is that much cooler.

No contest between Haggle and Auto-Haste, though.

Haggle - 0
Auto-Haste - 12


Support abilities battle has been ended by blowout. Keep those votes coming on the other battle!

Jump

I find it amazing how they can jump off the screen and most times land from behind the opponent. Do they make a circle in the air or something? It's just awesome!

Shock, then.

Jump

Shock. Jump isn't nearly as powerful or "handy" as this Beatrix signature ensemble of concentration and devastation.

Jump

Jump.

The battle for the support abilities has already ended, now ending the action abilities battle...

Jump - 11
Shock - 7


Jump wins by a few votes. All right, next battles up:

Morph - Final Fantasy VII (A low-powered attack that if dealt as the killing blow, morphs the enemy into an item. All of the Source stat-boosting abilities could be morphed using this. Additionally, it was possible to get Ribbons, Elixirs/Megalixirs and other useful items from this. It was also required for the Guidebook item, which could be exchanged for the Underwater Materia. This attack could be powered up by using Yuffie's Ultimate Weapon, Conformer, which tended to do powerful damage when using Morph, making the process a lot easier.)

vs.

Zombie Attack - Final Fantasy X (An attack that could place monsters in Zombie status. They would then be vulnerable to healing items. This was useful against Yu Yevon, some may have found other uses for it as well.)


and


Initiative - Final Fantasy VIII and IX (Freya only) (Allowed characters to act before the enemy got a turn. Useful particularly against Malboros in FFVIII, and generally a nice ability to have.)

vs.

Alert - Final Fantasy VIII (Prevented annoying Back Attacks during Random Encounters.)

Morph and Initiative

Morph
Initiative

Morph and Initiative, cos original.

Zombie Attack and Initiative.

Morph and Initiative

We have a...

SPAM ALERT!

Take your commercials for merchandise and shove them up your ass. This isn't an advertisement thread.

Morph and Initiative

Zombie attack sounds cool but I have not played X so I'm going with morph.

Morph and Initiative. Also lolspam.

Morph/Initiative

Initiative was also present in FFX, just for the record, not that that's really important.

Morph & Initiative

Morph and Initiative

The support ability battle has again been ended by blowout:

Alert - 0
Initiative - 10


Initiative passes on to the second round easily! Continue your votes on the action ability battle, though so far, it's hardly a better battle, but it's not actually a blowout.

Zombie Attack.

Morph

Never really used either...

but Morph it is.

Morph

Zombie Attack.

Zombie Attack

Zombie Attack

'K, first battle was already ended by blowout for Initiative. Now for the results on the other...

Morph - 13
Zombie Attack - 5


A slight late rally couldn't save Zombie Attack. Morph goes on to the second round, and we finally move on to the next battle...


Revive - Many FFs (Allows you instantly revive a KOed character, generally to full health, without having to cast magic.)

vs.

Draw - Final Fantasy VIII (Generally a necessary spell for obtaining magic, though magic could also be refined.)


and

Return Magic - Final Fantasy IX (A support ability used to return enemy spells.)

vs.

Gillionaire - Final Fantasy X (Increased the amount of gil won in a battle.)

Revive and Gillionaire

Revive and Return Magic

Revive and Gillionaire

Revive and Gillionaire.

Revive and Gillionaire

Revive and Gillionaire

Revive and Return Magic

Draw and Gillionaire

Revive and Gillionaire

Revive and Return Magic. Go hunt some Grand Dragons you poor people.

Revive and Gillionaire

Revive/Gillionaire

Revive
Gillionaire

I do believe we're due for an update, so here goes:

Revive - 12
Draw - 1

and


Return Magic - 3
Gillionaire - 10


No surprises here, really. Both Revive and Gillionaire pass on to the second round by considerable margins, though no blowouts this time.

Next up...


Deathblow - Final Fantasy VII (Attempts to force an attack that deals critical damage. Can be useful, but can often missed. Picked up from Command materia found in Gongaga.)

vs.

Triple Foul - Final Fantasy X (Action ability that attacks and inflicts up to three negative status -- Darkness, Silence and Sleep for three turns. Appears in Wakka's area of the Sphere Grid, though can be learned by any in your party, like an FFX ability.)


and


HP Bonuses - Several FFs (Support abilities that boost your characters' max HP. These bonuses generally range from around a 10% Boost, to as high as 80% in Final Fantasy VIII.)

vs.

Master Thief - Final Fantasy X-2 (Support ability that allows a character using "Steal" to steal rare items instead of items of the more common variety. However, can make stealing more difficult.)

I've always had great luck with Deathblow. I feel like I'm betraying myself by not voting for a thief-related ability, but there is nothing like having 9999HP. HP Bonuses

Deathblow and HP Bonuses

hmmm

Deathblow
HP Bonuses

Deathblow and HP Bonuses

Triple Foul and HP Bonuses

Triple Foul and HP Bonuses

Triple Foul and HP bonuses

Triple Foul and HP Bonuses

Triple Foul and HP Bonuses

Death Blow and HP Bonuses


but I did like the Master Thief from FFIX

Well, it looks like the support abilities battle has once again ended by blowout:

HP Bonuses - 10
Master Thief - 0


Keep voting on the action abilities battle!

Damn, I wanted to vote for HP Bonuses, even if I'm glad it went through by blowout. :(

Anyway, Deathblow for the other battle, because Triple Foul was essentially Sleep Attack, Silence Attack and Dark Attack, instead of the superior Buster abilities which seemed to be the only status skills that worked later on in the game.

Deathblow.

Don't particularily care for either, but Deathblow.

Deathblow

Deathblow - 9
Triple Foul - 5


Somewhat closer on that one. Deathblow rallies to win the battle by several votes.

Next up:

Mug/Steal (Most FFs) (Allows you take an item from the enemy. In FFIX, enemies often had multiple items to steal, but in most FFs, they only had one. The Mug extension allowed you to attack at the same time as stealing, but could be risky if you killed the enemy before you could steal.)

vs.

Moogle Beam - Final Fantasy X-2 (A powerful attack available only to Yuna on the Mascot dressphere. Could break the damage limit, hitting generally for damage around 20-30,000.)


and


Call Shop - Final Fantasy VIII (Support ability gained from GF Tonberry. Allowed you call a previously visited shop at anytime and purchase items. Particularly useful in Disc 4.)

vs.

Auto-Reflect - Final Fantasy IX, X and X-2 (Automatically placed your characters in Reflect status, bouncing magic spells, and allowing you penetrate an enemies' Reflect by casting magic on your own characters.)

Oh my. I'm such a violent brute. Mug.

Disc 4 shopping, ftw. Call Shop.

Mug (one of my favourites) and Call Shop ('cause in comparison, I always found it way more handy to use than auto-reflect).

Mug/Steal (steal preferably) and Auto-Reflect.

Steal, cause it's an ability I use repeatedly in every FF game, even VII where steal was less useful, and Auto-Reflect.

Steal/Mug because its good to hurt a boss like Tiamat and steal his goods at the same time...idk


and let's see tough choice....

Auto-Reflect because it has saved me life on multiple occasions

Steal, Auto-Reflect

Moogle-beam. Didn't find mugging to particularly useful after the first disc of IX anyway, even though have never seen moogle-beam but then can just you-tube and say I did. Just like the idea of overkill/9999+ damage.

Auto-reflect. Tricky and annoying when it happens, when you need to heal somebody and either don't have Reflect-Null support ability equipped or those who can learn the ability are KO'd/not in party. But more useful with ReflectX2.

Hated the fact that you couldn't go to all areas in FFVIII after Disc 3 or Lunatic Pandora event, even if Callshop eliminated the hassle of travel when you don't want to fly all over the place just for Hipotions/G-Returners/Junkshop.

Mug/Steal
I never tried out moogle beam so I woulnd't know how much I like it.

Call Shop
Auto Reflect made healing magic worthless unless the opponent too had reflect on. And even then you might not know who gets healed.

]Didn't find mugging to particularly useful after the first disc of IX anyway
Erm, I should point out, in case anyone else is confused, that I am referring to Mug/Steal in all FF games that have it, not just IX.

Mug and Call-Shop, cos Auto-Reflect usually causes more harm then good.

Steal/Mug and Auto-Reflect

Mug and Call-Shop, cos Auto-Reflect usually causes more harm then good.

Mug and Call-Shop.

Happy New Year, everyone. Looks like we had some good battles this time around, so let's get straight to the results...

Mug/Steal - 11
Moogle Beam - 1

Well, maybe not so good on that first one. Let's see the results of the other...

Call Shop - 6
Auto-Reflect - 6


Oh my. Much better. In fact, looks like we have a tie on that one. Well, when we tie in the first round in this rumble, we go to a coin toss. Heads for Call Shop, tails for Auto-Reflect. And it's... tails, so it looks like it's Auto-Reflect heading to the second round. Next battle...


Runic - Final Fantasy VI (Celes uses her Runic blade to absorb a magical attack, causing it to do no damage. Available only if Celes has certain types of swords equipped.)

vs.

Lancet - Final Fantasy X (Absorbs a small amount of HP and MP from the enemy. When used on certain enemies by Kimahri only, he can learn special Blue Magic skills to use with his Overdrive.)


and


Auto-Life / Reraise - Several FFs (When cast, character will automatically be returned to life [oftentimes full-life] when KOed. Also known as Life3.)

vs.

Final Attack - Final Fantasy VII (Support materia that can be attached to either Magic, Command, or Summon materia. When equipped, character has a chance of using a final attack when KOed. Chance increases as level of Final Attack materia increases. A popular combination is Final Attack / Phoenix, which is similar to the above ability, except it revives all KOed characters, and can also sometimes damage the enemy.)


This is the final battle in the Support Abilities section for the first round.

Mug/Steal
Call Shop

i suppose i was a tad bit late. damn! ha.

hmm..

Lancet
Final Attack

Lancet. I love Celes but collecting blue magic is always fun, for me.
Life 3

Lancet and Auto-Life

Lancet and Auto-Life.

Lancet and Auto-Life

Runic and Auto-Life. Lancet was completely useless, basically because you could use it only in 1 boss battle (the one with the Ronso brothers) and get all the abilities.

Runic/Final Attack

It was difficult to choose here because the abilities are fairly similar in their main benefits. For example, Runic and Lancet are both useful for their abilty to restore MP, while Final Attack and Auto-Life are also generally used for the same thing. However, Runic allowed you to avoid taking HP damage, while the Final Attack-Phoenix combo allowed you to deal damage as well as simply reviving.

Even though the benefit isn't as big as with the other two abilities, I actually find Runic and Auto-Life to be more effective.

Lancet and Auto-Life because I use it more than Final Attack materia

Lancet
Auto-Life/Reraise

Lancet and Auto-Life

Lancet & Auto-Life

For this round, Lancet receives my support, because I, too, revel in learning enemies' skills. The "hunt" is always more fulfilling than the acquisition, personally speaking.

And what's that? I can absorb HP and MP, albeit a relatively measly amount, from my opponents during the process?

Fantastic.

I'll be in control of a semi-shaved Wookiee-like creature to accomplish this at first?

Well, gee. The default Blue Mages just become uglier and uglier with time, now don't they?

For its reliability, which is the key reason as to why I'm siding with it, Auto-Life gains the nod from me, and regardless of how cool a concept, or how useful I may find Final Attack to be, the factor of probability simply doesn't edge out the assurance of having your character(s) in tiptop shape after the depletion of their HP, especially when your party is in dire straits.

Auto-Life & Final Attack

silver rose, it's either auto-life or final attack, not both. And then choose from either Lancet or Runic.

And Withope, if you're reading, it appears you're one battle behind. You still have time to edit your post before this battle closes.

Runic and Final Attack.

Runic and Autolife

Lancet was totally worthless after the fight with the Ronso cos you could get all the abilities from them - the HP/MP stealing was pointless as well, since you couldn't steal decent values.

Lancet + Auto-Life

Lancet and Auto-Life.

Lancet and Auto-Life

Runic - 5
Lancet - 13

A few supporters for Runic, which personally I would have voted for. But Lancet wins by a large margin.

Auto-Life / Reraise - 13
Final Attack - 5

Looks like the exact same sentiments here. There are those who like Final Attack, but Auto-Life overall is far more popular.



That's the end for the first round of the support abilities battles. There are eight of them left, whereas they'll be sixteen left for the action ones once its first round is over. So the support abilities battles won't be starting up again until the quarter-finals. So for now, it's just one battle at a time. And the next one is:

Manipulate/Control - Final Fantasy V and VII (Allows you to take control of the enemy and select from a menu of some of their abilities. This was a useful skill in both games for gaining blue magic type abilities. It could also change the flow of the battle by allowing you to render a powerful enemy [such as the Dragons on Mt. Nibel] helpless and then peck away at them with magic, or steal something from them.)

vs.

Blue Bullet - Cry in the Night - Final Fantasy X-2 (A "blue bullet" [blue magic] skill learned from the Mega Tonberry enemy in the Via Infinito dungeon, but only if the Mega Tonberry is in Oversoul status. Graphically pleasing attack that hit for powerful damage.)

Manipulate/Control

It was really hard to get Cry In The Night, because you had to use Gun Mages, the Mega Tonberry had to be in Oversoul, and you could only get it in the last chapter - at which point there isn't much left in the game.

Manipulate/Control

Manipulate/Control When I first ever played FFVII aided me so much in places.

Blue Bullet/Cry in the Night. Manipulate was only useful for gaining Enemy skills. The game is easy enough to cope without it so it became obsolete for me.

Cry in the Night.

Manipulate/Control, though both are kind of meh.

Manipulate/Control

Manipulate/Control

Manipulate/Control

Manipulate/Control

Manipulate/Control were my favourite abilities in FFV.

Manipulate/Control

Cry in the Night.

Manipulate/Control

Manipulate/Control - 11
Blue Bullet - Cry in the Night - 3


Well, that was easy enough. Manipulate/Control by far the more popular choice. It goes on to the second round. We still have a little ways to go before that starts, though. So let's get on with the next battle:

Next battle is:

Item - Final Fantasy VIII (Items were useful to have in all FF games, but FFVIII was unique in that having the Item command in your battle menu was optional. You had to equip it specifically, or you didn't have access to items. Generally, it was a good idea to have at least one character that could use items, though you were perfectly free to equip other commands you preferred instead. Having Item equipped gave you access to the usual important FF items such as Phoenix Downs and Elixirs, as well as various other items unique to this game, such as Holy War.)

vs.

Use - Final Fantasy X (A special Item-type command usable at first only by Rikku. It was on the Sphere Grid, of course, so any character could gain access to it. This command allowed you to use Grenades and other special attack items, as well as healing Al Bhed Potions.)

These are interesting in that you should never have to learn how to use items o_O

Use, seeing as it allowed you access to special items, not just items in general.

Use but I didn't use either of them a lot

Item

Item

Use

Item

don't really use attacking items much.

Item

Use

Item.

Item

Item - 7
Use - 4


Funny, I expected Use to win. Not a huge turnout on this one, but Item goes through to the second round. Next one:

GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change - Many FFs (Allows you to throw your money at the enemies to cause damage. Can be useful if you're carrying around a lot of excess gil and need something when all else fails.)

vs.

Mix - Final Fantasy X-2 (in FFX, Mix was an overdrive command only Rikku could use. In X-2, all three of your characters can gain access to Mix via the alchemist dressphere. You could "mix" elemental gems to whip up powerful storms, and even make your characters invincible. There were a large number of useful mixes.)

Mix. Had to mix all 64, just because they were catalogued in her status screen o_O

Mix.

Had to mix all 64, just because they were catalogued in her status screen o_O
Erm, if by "her" you mean Rikku, just to be clear again, this battle refers to specifically to X-2's version of the Mix command.

GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change/Zeningage (sp) was godly after fighting Movers in FFV. Quite powerful early on although the downsides were a lot more apparent then also.

Mix

Haha. I didn't read :o

Coin Toss, cause I haven't played X-2.

Coin, 'cause it can be powerful, really surprisingly powerful. :D

Never use Coin, Mix it is.

GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change

GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change

GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change

I thought this was most helpful in V. especially at the beginning because it does so much damage and helped me get through some annoying boss fights. I think they called it Zeninage.

Spare Change

For some reason, everytime I used Mix I got a pretty crap item that wasn't really worth the extra charge time.

GP Toss/Coin/Spare Change

Mix

GP (Gil) Toss/Coin/Spare Change

Mix.

Mix

Mix, as I have always been too tight-fisted to use Coin/Gil Toss/Spare Change etc. Except in FFX, where Gil is abundant.