Counter (ability)

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FFIX Counter — Counter as seen in *Final Fantasy IX*.

Sometimes counterattacks when hit by a physical attack.
Final Fantasy Dimensions description

Counter (カウンター, Kauntā?), also known as Counterattack (はんげき, Hangeki?), Riposte and Debug Counter, is a recurring support ability in the Final Fantasy series, typically belonging to the Monk job or monk-type characters. A character with Counter will automatically attack the opponent who initiated the attack. In some incarnations, this negates the damage from the attacking opponent, while in other versions, the attacked player will take damage and then immediately perform a counter-attack.

In games with an ATB gauge, a counter attack does not affect the speed of the gauge nor does it change how close it is to being full. Magic Counter is a similar ability that allows the character to counter magical attacks.

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Appearances

Final Fantasy IV

Template:Sideicon Counter is an Augment Ability given by Yang's wife after the battle in Fabul in the 3D version. It can only be given to one character. When physically attacked, a character with the Counter ability will quickly hit back with another attack. Counter will always work, making it highly effective, especially when combined with Cecil's Cover or the Draw Attacks Augment.

The Counter will react with whatever ability is in the top slot of the command list, with no charge time. This allows Rydia to counter with an instant Meteor or Bahamut, for instance, though it still consumes MP.

Final Fantasy V

Template:Sideicon Counter is a Level 4 ability for the Monk class, learned for 60 ABP. When equipped, it allows a player to counter-attack physical attacks at a 50% chance, but the player will still take damage from those attacks. Counter can be combined with Cover, and Guard (to nullify damage). Counter ignores weapons with Added Abilities, such as the Thief Knife, Chicken Knife, and Hayate Bow, and the Twin Lance will only attack once instead of twice as usual.

Weapons' Added Abilities don't usually trigger for counters, unless the equipped weapon is a harp.

This section about an ability in Final Fantasy V is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.

Final Fantasy VII

Template:Sideicon Counter Attack Materia allows a player to counterattack physical attacks, but the player will take damage from those attacks. It is obtained after defeating Materia Keeper, and additional ones can be won as prizes from chocobo racing (although the name of the Materia is deceptively written as just "Counter").

The Counter Materia, with the exception of Master Command, will counter once with all the abilities within the linked Command Materia. While this seems straightforward it is especially important with the Throw and Steal Materia: The ability used in the Throw or Steal Materia is the one highlighted on the Materia menu, and the player is unable to counter with the other darkened ability unless they equip another source for that particular ability. If the player has a source for both abilities on the Materia, then the character will counter with both; e.g. Counter linked with LV2 Steal would counter with the Mug ability.

However, if the character also equips a LV1 Steal Materia so that they know Steal and Mug at the same time, the character will counter twice when attacked—first with Steal, then with Mug—while only needing a single Counter Materia. When linked to Master Command, one of the commands is picked at random, with the exception of Coin, which is never used as a counter from a Master Command linkup. The Counter Materia is found in Northern Cave.

Final Fantasy VIII

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Counterattacks when attacked
Description

Counter is a support ability taught by Carbuncle for 200 AP. When equipped, it allows a player to counter-attack against physical attacks, but the player does take damage from those attacks. It doesn't matter if the character receives any damage from the enemy attack, or if the enemy's attack misses, they will counter-attack regardless.

Final Fantasy IX

Template:Sideicon Counter is a support ability that allows a user to counter-attack physical attacks, but the player will take damage from those attacks if they hit. Its occurrence rate is enhanced with the support ability Eye 4 Eye. Counter takes eight Magic Stones to equip and can be learned by everyone save Dagger, Eiko and Vivi.

The ability is taught by Ritual Hat, Power Vest, Power Belt, Venetia Shield, Anklet, and most of Amarant's claw weapon. Mastering Counter requires 70 AP for Zidane, 100 AP for Steiner, 85 AP for Freya, 55 AP for Quina, and 240 AP for Amarant.

The Counter ability is also a command ability available to a number of enemies. However, each may do it in different instances. Grimlock counter attacks when in its Physical Attack Red status. The Nova Dragon and Scarlet Hair bosses counter all physical attacks, as does the Troll enemy. The Sand Golem counters every attack towards it while its Core is out of play.

Whether or not Counter will be initiated is decided by this check, which is performed whether or not the attack hits.

If Spr >= Rnd (0...99), Counter attack is initiated.

With Eye 4 Eye, if (Spr * 2) >= Rnd (0...99), Counter attack is initiated.

Counter attacks use the same process of checks and damage calculation that are used by the Attack command.

Final Fantasy X

Template:Sideicon The Counterattack auto-ability is found on, or can be customized to, weapons. When equipped, it allows a player to retaliate against physical attacks with their own physical attack, but the player still takes damage from those attacks. Counter can be customized onto a weapon with one Friend Sphere.

Final Fantasy X-2

Template:Sideicon Berserkers learn the ability Counterattack is costs 180 AP. It allows the user to strike back after being physically attacked.

Final Fantasy XI

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Counter

Monks have the ability to counter enemy's attack. In this version, the monk will take no damage from the attacks they counter. Counter is a passive ability and is gained once player has 10 levels in monk, or for anyone whose Support Job is monk and has a job level of 20 or greater. Counter is only activated occasionally, but the chance of countering an attack can be greatly increased if a player uses the ability Counterstance.

Additionally, and with much lower activation rate, a Samurai using Seigan may occasionally counter-attack when Third Eye is active. As of a recent version update, Blue Mages are also able to set Counter as a trait. At Lv. 79, Monks gain the ability "Perfect Counter", which is similar to the Seigan/Third Eye combination in that the next attack directed towards them has a high chance of being countered. The effect sometimes doesn't activate, but can also activate multiple times from one use.

Some (mostly high-level) equipment can provide counter effect for players (even without MNK as subjob), notably the Cobra Harness Attire from Windurst's Cobra Unit in Campaign.

Final Fantasy XII

Template:Sideicon Characters can use Counter by equipping the Battle Harness. Genji Armor increases the chance to counter, but does not grant counter on its own. Battle Harness can be purchased for 1000 gil at Dalmasca Estersand, or made at the bazaar for one Throat Wolf Blood whereupon it costs only 800. The Genji Armor can be stolen from Gilgamesh. In Zodiac versions, the Genji Helm also provides the ability to Counter so equipping the Battle Harness with it is pointless.

The chance to counter an attack is determined by the character's speed.

Counter Chance (\%) = SPD / 2

^[1]

Counter chance with Genji Armor:

CounterChance(\%)=SPDx2

^[1]

Counter only triggers when the character:

is in the Charge Stage.
is not running or walking.
is not being knocked back.
receives a "regular melee" attack (not ranged, tech or spells).

Counter is 1-hit only. It does not combo.
Any weapon can be used to counter.
Counter may happen each time while being hit. A hit combo may be countered multiple times.
Counter may happen even if the attack missed / is blocked.
Counter acts like regular melee attacks. Added effect on the weapon may trigger.

Final Fantasy XIII

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Occasionally counterattack enemies after evading their attacks.
Description

Counter is one of Sentinel's auto-abilities. It can be learned by Lightning, Hope, Fang at Sentinel Crystarium level 7 and Snow at level 5. Sentinels also can use a pair of counterattack skills, Entrench and Vendetta—they reduce the damage by 10 percent and allows a counter at the end of the ATB gauge, the damage will be 30 and 10 percent stronger, respectively, for each damage taken during the time the ability is on. Fang's weapons, Gae Bolg and Gungnir, boost her counter damage.

If a Sentinel character has successfully evaded an enemy's attack with the Evade auto-ability, the character will have a 90% chance to retaliate with Counter. Counter will never activate after an evasion successfully performed by Elude. Some abilities cannot be countered even though they can be evaded.

Hecatoncheir also possesses the ability to counter attacks after evading them or while Looming Wrath is active.

Final Fantasy XIII-2

Template:Sideicon Entrench and Vendetta are still usable by Sentinels, but the Counter auto-ability is no longer available. Improved Counter and Improved Counter II are available as passive abilities.

Gilgamesh uses Vendetta as an enemy.

Final Fantasy XIV

Template:Sideicon The Pugilist ability Haymaker is called Counter in Japanese and functions stylistically similar to Counter, as it can only be used immediately after evading an enemy attack. Haymaker is 170 potency and can inflict slow on its target. This ability was removed in Stormblood.

Final Fantasy Tactics

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Counterattack with a physical strike.
Description

The Monk job class has the Counter support ability, but it also has First Strike, which lets them counter an enemy before they even attack, dealing damage and interrupting the enemy's attack.

Nature's Wrath (also called Counter Flood) is a reaction ability the Geomancer class learns for 300 JP. It functions like Counter, however, the character will not counter with an equipped weapon, but uses a Geomancy attack according to the enemy's terrain.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

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Follows up enemy attack with a counterattack.
Description

Counter is available to bangaa White Monks, and hume and moogle Thieves. Counter is activated whenever a character is attacked, and most likely will follow up with a counter-attack (If the unit is attacked from farther away than they can attack, it does not activate).

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift

Template:Sideicon Counter allows the units to counter-attack with a short ranged unarmed attack.

Additionally, the Clan Privilege Always Counter gives all units without a reaction ability the Counter ability.

Final Fantasy Tactics S

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Final Fantasy Legend II

Template:Sideicon There are three countering abilities, all of which must be selected and being attack to activate its effect.

Burning: 30 uses, counter with Mana; deals Fire-elemental damage.
Counter: 30 uses, counter with 2x damage + Str or Str x5. Half Str value if Pois.
StonSkin: 30 uses, counter by inflicting Ston on the attacker.

Final Fantasy Legend III

Template:Sideicon Counter inflicts double the damage taken.

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light

Template:Sideicon Counter is the Ninja's third job ability that lets the Ninja counter any attack they evade. The effect lasts four turns.

Bravely Default

Template:Sideicon Counter is a support ability learned by Swordmasters.

Bravely Second: End Layer

Template:Sideicon Counter is the job level 5 support ability for the Swordmaster. It allows the user to have a 60% chance to counterattack when taking a single-target physical attack. Does damage to a single target equal to a conventional attack. This effect does not trigger for reflected attacks. It costs 2 slots.

Final Fantasy Dimensions

Template:Sideicon Riposte can be learned from the Monk job at Job Level 11 after accumulating 210 Ability Points; when used, the the character will counter if hit. Counter is an ability from the Warrior job learned at Job Level 5 after accumulating 70 Ability Points; the character may counter if hit dealing less damage than a normal attack. Sol begins with this ability already learned.

Debug Counter is a dummied out ability that allows the user to always counterattack when hit.

Dissidia Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon Counterattack is a special ability that is learned at Level 85. It raises the Critical Hit rate of the character by 50% if they successfully land an attack when the opponent is attacking. Its base CP cost is 50 and it requires 360 AP to master. Several of the Level 100 exclusive weapons carry the Counterattack ability innately.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon Counterattack is learned at Level 82 but otherwise is identical to how it functioned in Dissidia. Exclusive weapons again carry the ability, but many returning weapons have had their effects changed.

Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia

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Theatrhythm Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon Counter is a reactive ability that comes in three levels of power and activates in Battle Music Sequence when the player receives a "Miss" on three triggers to deal physical damage dependent on the level of the ability, up to five times a stage. Firion, Locke, Sephiroth, Squall, Seifer, Prishe, Lightning and Snow all learn all three levels of Counter.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call

Template:Sideicon Counter (Lv1) is a reactive ability that costs 5 CP to equip. It is activated in Battle Music Sequences (BMS) when the player receives MISS on 3 triggers. It deals physical damage up to 5 times per stage and has low strength. It is learned by Firion (level 10), Kain (level 30), Edge (level 25), Tifa (initially), Sephiroth (level 10), Squall (initially), Seifer (initially), Rinoa (initially), Laguna (level 25), Auron (level 10), Prishe (level 10), Lightning (initially), Snow (level 15), Paine (level 10), Ciaran (level 15), Cloud #2 (initially), and Serah (level 20).

Counter (Lv2) is a reactive ability that costs 10 CP to equip. It is activated in BMS when the player receives MISS on 3 triggers. It deals physical damage up to 5 times per stage and has medium strength. It is learned by Firion (level 50), Edge (level 70), Tifa (level 45), Sephiroth (level 40), Squall (level 45), Seifer (level 30), Rinoa (level 30), Laguna (level 65), Auron (level 50), Auron #2 (level 25), Prishe (level 55), Lilisette (level 75), Fran (level 40), Lightning (level 50), Snow (level 55), Paine (level 50), Ciaran (level 50), Cloud #2 (level 35), Machina (level 75), and Serah (level 60).

Counter (Lv3) is a reactive ability that costs 16 CP to equip. It is activated in BMS when the player receives MISS on 3 triggers. It deals physical damage up to 5 times per stage and has full strength. It is learned by Firion (level 80), Tifa (level 80), Sephiroth (level 90), Squall (level 75), Seifer (level 65), Rinoa (level 70), Auron (level 80), Auron #2 (level 55), Lightning (level 90), Orlandeau (level 25), Paine (level 90), Ciaran (level 90), Cloud #2 (level 70), and Chaos (level 35).

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival

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Pictlogica Final Fantasy

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Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade

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Final Fantasy Explorers

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Enter a stance that lets you nullify a blow and counter. Can inflict stop, and ensure your next hit is critical.
Description

Counter is a Knuckle skill. A successful counter may inflict Stop and makes the user's next hit an automatic critical hit.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

Template:Sideicon Counter abilities usually have a glowing fist icon to denote them.

Counter is learned by several characters, granted by the Black Belt accessory, Gladiator's Shield, and as Sabin's trust mastery reward. It has a 30% chance of triggering vs. physical attacks.