Darkness (Final Fantasy IV 2D)

Darkness, also called Dark or Dark Wave, is a command from the 2D versions of Final Fantasy IV, being the unique ability used by Dark Knight Cecil. The attack unleashes a wave of dark aura that deals non-elemental damage to all targets, but at the cost of Cecil's HP.

The command was removed from the North American SNES version, being formally introduced in the PlayStation version originally included in Final Fantasy Chronicles. Unlike every other command, Darkness is still present and usable in the Easy Type version.

Mechanics[]

Cecil will unleash a group attack that deals minor non-elemental damage to all targets by consuming his HP.

The damage algorithm is:

${\displaystyle {\begin{aligned}{\mbox{Damage}}&\leftarrow AttackMultiplier\times AttackPower\div 2\\&=Damage+{\frac {Damage\times {\mbox{random}}(100..150)}{100}}\,\%\,256\\{\color {Gray}{\mbox{(effectively,}}}&{\color {Gray}=Damage+{\mbox{random}}(0..255)\;)}\end{aligned}}}$

${\displaystyle {\mbox{HP Loss}}=MaximumHP\div 8}$

The ability will deal a quarter of the damage against undead enemies, while Flan-type monsters are immune to it.

The ability has a Charge Time of 2.

Use[]

Due to being a group targeting ability, Darkness is useful when in encounters with more than two enemies on the World Map and Mist Cave dungeon during the game's opening. With the attack also depleting a portion of Cecil's HP, players should occasionally use potions to avoid Cecil being KO'd as a result of enemy attacks or accidentally using the ability on low HP.

Starting from the Underground Waterway, Darkness begins to wear out its use, due to game dungeons starting to prominently feature groups of undead and flan-type enemies which can easily be defeated by group casting White and Black Magic spells. At that point, players should have Cecil focus on using normal physical attacks and only use Darkness when occasionally needed in large group encounters.

In addition, Cecil's Dark Knight copy uses the attack in all versions during his Paladin trial.

Other appearances[]

Cecil's version of Darkness has appeared in spin-off titles as a unique ability for his Dark Knight version.

In Final Fantasy Record Keeper, it appears as the original unique Soul Break for the Dark Knight Cecil, and also appearing as a Hero ability for the character. In addition, it also appears as an enemy ability used by Cecil's Dark Knight copy during event boss encounters.

Darkness also appears as a recurring Bravery ability for Cecil in his Dark Knight form in the Dissidia Final Fantasy sub-series of games.

Darkness Legend cards also appeared in the now defunct mobile title, Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade, which summoned Cecil to deal damage to bosses.

Gallery[]