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Take this; my final gift to you!

Golbez

Golbez, real name Theodor (セオドール, Seodōru?), and called Man in Black (黒衣の男, Kokui no Otoko?) before his identity is revealed in The After Years, is a non-player character in Final Fantasy IV and a playable character in Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. In Final Fantasy IV, he is an antagonist, a powerful sorcerer who pursues the Crystals. In The After Years, Golbez returns as a playable character.

Golbez has also appeared as a playable character in the fighting games, Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, as the villain opposing Cecil.

Profile

Appearance

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow. (Skip section)
Golbez's CG render.

In Final Fantasy IV, Golbez is a tall imposing man in dark blue and black armor with gold trimmings, and a helmet with tall horns. The lining of his cape has been both red and blue sometimes even in the same game—the 3D remake release shows Golbez's official render with a blue lining, but his in-game appearance has a red lining. The exact color of his armor has also varied between appearances, from light blue to dark blue to black.

In The After Years, Golbez wears a black cloak and kilt with rings of prayer beads on his arm. He has a large, muscular figure and long silver-white hair like Cecil. His concept art depicts him carrying a large black sword on his back, possibly the Ebony Blade, an exclusive weapon for Golbez that can be acquired at the start of his tale.

His armored sprites and SD art depict Golbez with green eyes, while his PSP portrait in The Complete Collection gives him blue eyes. In both his Complete Collection sprite for The After Years and his appearance as a child in the 3D release of Final Fantasy IV, Golbez has violet eyes like Cecil.

Personality

Allow me to give you something—a gift, to remember our meeting by.

Golbez to Cecil

Through the majority of Final Fantasy IV, Golbez is a cruel and heartless man who will stop at nothing to obtain the Crystals, destroying anyone and anything that stands in his way. He is a cunning manipulator, tricking Cecil and his allies into retrieving two Crystals for him, and otherwise luring them into traps. As Fusoya later reveals, Golbez is being manipulated by a powerful Lunarian named Zemus by bonding Golbez's thoughts with his. Awakened, Golbez's personality returns to his true self; Golbez is horrified by his actions and feelings of hatred. Golbez's true personality is that of a caring, self-sacrificing, and empathetic individual.

During The After Years, Golbez is stoic and silent. His focus is investigating the Mysterious Girl's actions and gaining entry to Baron to ensure Cecil is safe, and he only speaks on matters relevant to these goals. He occasionally demonstrates a dry, sardonic wit. While the other party members openly express their reactions to the bosses on the True Moon, Golbez keeps his thoughts to himself, and shows compassion and sympathy towards the Archfiends, wishing them peaceful rest when they are slain. When confronting the Dark Knight, he accuses Golbez of wanting to die at Cecil's hands to atone for both his actions under Zemus and abandoning Cecil as a child—Golbez neither confirms or denies this. If he survives, he later tells Cecil he can no longer hide from the world, and must live up to his crimes.

FFIVDS golbez render

The Dissidia series merges these two aspects of Golbez's personality. Golbez wishes for Cecil and the other Warriors of Cosmos to prevail, and appears to Cecil and the other heroes to offer assistance at his own risk, as the other villains view his behavior as treachery. Golbez manipulates the heroes towards the ultimate goal of their victory, in particular, placing the Wild Rose for Firion to find to inspire his dream. Golbez has no qualms about attacking the heroes when called upon, including Cecil, but has good reason for this. His Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy museum profile states he was content to remain in the cycles of war as punishment for his sins, but Cecil's appearance, and the sacrifice of six of Cosmos's warriors at the end of the twelfth cycle, motivated him to help Cosmos end the cycles and free Cecil and the remaining Warrior.

Abilities

Golbez is a powerful mage capable of teleportation and telepathy, and can take control of minds, although his ability to do this seems limited to Zemus's influence. He can critically injure party members out of battle with electric shocks and resists physical or even fatal harm, as he shrugs off Tellah's spells until he unleashes Meteor. This is further demonstrated by his defeat at the Dwarven Castle by Cecil's party, where he says that death will not claim him and he seizes the crystal with his disembodied hand. This is subverted in the 3D release, where he simply teleports away with the Crystal.

Golbez can summon a Shadow Dragon, which is also featured in Dissidia. While in Final Fantasy IV Golbez's abilities are mostly magical, Dissidia expands further upon his powers, where he can summon dark energy and also the CPU's nodes to fire beams.

Story

Final Fantasy IV

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Concept artwork of Theodor from the developer's blog (DS).

Theodor was born to Kluya and Cecilia, making him a half-Lunarian. While growing up, he always wondered why his father was fascinated by the moon and was unaware of his father's origins as a Lunarian. His father would not tell him until he had mastered the arts of magic. Theodor boasted he can cast magic, but when his father asked if he has even mastered the Cure spell, he admitted he cannot. When Theodor returned home he saw his mother collapsed on the floor. She told him she was alright, and that she is just tired from carrying her next child. Excited about having a sibling, Theodor went to bed.

Later, Kluya was attacked by the very magic he had taught to humans. When Kluya wondered if it was right to teach the people of Earth magic, Theodor assured his father it was, comforting his him in his final moments. As Kluya passed on, Theodor tried to cast Cure on him, but was unable to. The villagers took care of Theodor and Cecilia and when Cecilia gave birth she died in labor. Shortly after the children were left alone in their house.

Zemus talks to theodor ffiv ios

Zemus enthralls Theodor.

Theodor heard a voice telling him the baby was responsible for taking his mother and father away from him, and that he was worthless for letting it happen. The voice told him he was "an insect birthed from womb of dragon's corpse", and declared his new name was Golbez. Controlled by the voice and filled with hatred towards his brother, Golbez left him outside of town of Baron. The infant grew to become Golbez's brother, Cecil Harvey.

The voice was Zemus who taunted and shamed Golbez who fled civilization. Combined with Golbez's Lunarian blood and his hatred of his younger brother, Zemus influences his mind and take control of him. Golbez lost many of his memories and began to gather the Crystals to summon the Giant of Babil that would depopulate the planet so that the Lunarians, presumably under Zemus's control or command, could live there rather than stay in stasis inside the moon.

I did not come to treat with worms ffiv ios

Golbez's entrance (iOS).

Oh, you care for this one, do you? Then let me take her along as well. To hold in trust until we are graced with the chance to meet again.

Golbez, taking Rosa captive

Taking control of the four Archfiends Zemus has sent to him, Golbez sends Cagnazzo to assassinate the King of Baron and impersonate him, using the Red Wings to steal the Crystal of Water from Mysidia. Cecil, Lord Captain of the Red Wings, hesitates over his orders, and is removed from duty when he returns and questions the King's actions.

Golbez succeeds him as commander and raids Damcyan, stealing the Crystal of Fire in an attack that kills a young woman named Anna, daughter of a powerful sage, Tellah. Tellah swears revenge against Golbez and sets out to kill him. Meanwhile, Cecil assembles a group of allies, including Yang Fang Leiden and Prince Edward Chris von Muir of Damcyan, and heads to Fabul where the third Crystal is kept.

FFIV Novel Art 05 - Cecil Must Die

Golbez orders Cecil's death, from the Final Fantasy IV official novelization.

With the warning from Cecil and Yang of the impending attack, the King of Fabul tightens the castle defenses and Golbez enters the castle himself with Cecil's friend, Kain Highwind, of whom he has taken control of telepathically. After Kain wounds Cecil, Golbez strikes down Yang and Edward, taking the Crystal of Air and abducts Rosa Joanna Farrell, the woman with whom Cecil and Kain are both in love.

Golbez takes the three Crystals to the Tower of Zot. Once he receives word that Cecil attempts to climb Mount Ordeals and become a Paladin, he dispatches Scarmiglione to kill him. When this fails, Cecil returns to Baron and kills Cagnazzo, restoring Baron to the peaceful nation it once was. Golbez has stolen the air fleet and placed Kain in command, who rendezvouses with Cecil and offers to return Rosa if Cecil brings them the final Crystal from Troia. Cecil retrieves the Crystal of Earth from the Dark Elf and brings it to the Tower of Zot.

Golbez-ffiv-chron

Golbez in the Final Fantasy Chronicles opening.

Climbing the tower, Cecil hands over the Crystal, but Golbez refuses to return Rosa. Enraged, Tellah pushes Cecil aside and confronts Golbez. After fruitlessly casting his best spells, Tellah sacrifices his life to cast the ultimate magic, Meteor. Although Tellah dies shortly after, Golbez is severely weakened and his control over Kain is broken. Golbez retreats, and strikes down Cecil when he attempts to follow. Golbez recognizes his brother, and hesitates to deliver the finishing blow. Although Cecil is confused, Golbez announces he will destroy him at another time and leaves the tower.

Cecil and his companions enter the Underworld where Golbez has already gone to find the next four Crystals, the Dark Crystals, of which he already has two. After defeating his minion, Calcabrina, in the Dwarven Castle, Golbez appears and tells Cecil his plan. Cecil and his friends attack Golbez who summons a Dragon to kill them. Rydia intervenes with her Mist Dragon, defeating Golbez's dragon, and with her assistance Golbez is defeated, but again only weakened, and takes the Crystal before escaping.

IV-golbez sd

Golbez again takes control of Kain in the Sealed Cave and has him take the final Crystal, and activates the Tower of Babil to call the Giant of Babil. Cecil and his companions retrieve the airship Lunar Whale and venture to the Red Moon where they meet Fusoya who tells them Zemus is controlling Golbez and returns to Earth with them.

On Earth, the Giant begins its attack, and with the help of the combined forces of the Overworld and Underground, Cid Pollendina flies Cecil and his friends into the Giant. After destroying the Giant's core, Golbez emerges and Fusoya shatters Zemus's control of him. Golbez remembers who he is, surprising Cecil with the knowledge he has been fighting his own brother. Golbez and Fusoya climb the tower to go to the Red Moon and defeat Zemus.

Golbez Cecil Crystal iOs

Golbez gives Cecil the Crystal (iOS).

Following them to the moon, Cecil and his companions find Golbez and Fusoya battling Zemus. Although they defeat him, Zemus is reborn as Zeromus, and their attacks fail. Golbez uses a Crystal to try and turn the tide, but as he has lived a life of darkness he fails and Zeromus strikes them both down. Golbez hands the Crystal to Cecil, and he and his companions use it to make Zeromus corporeal and defeat him.

FF4Theofullbody

The child version of Golbez shown at the end.

After the battle, Golbez calls Cecil "brother" but Cecil does not respond. Realizing Cecil and the people of Earth can't forgive him for his crimes, Golbez decides to enter the Lunar Sleep with Fusoya. He leaves, but Cecil calls out to him and says goodbye indicating he may forgive him after all. In the 3D release, Golbez's armor vanishes as he walks away, showing how he looked before Zemus took control of him. Cecil ascends to Baron's throne and the Lunarians' moon leaves the Earth's orbit with Cecil receiving a final telepathic message from Golbez, saying good-bye.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

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The mysterious Man in Black. He refuses to reveal either his identity or his motives. In reality, he is the brother of Cecil who has returned to help and to atone for his actions in the original Final Fantasy IV.

Game Description
File:Golbez and FuSoYa meet the Mysterous Maiden.jpg

Golbez and Fusoya meet the Mysterious Girl.

Shortly after Ceodore departs on his journey to obtain his Proof of Knighthood, Golbez has a nightmare in which Cecil attacks and dispatches him. Awakening among the sleeping Lunarians, he feels uneasy, and senses a strange force emanating from the Crystal Palace. Journeying to the surface, he finds the Crystals glowing red. Joined by Fusoya, the two set out to investigate a mysterious meteor impact near Bahamut's lair. At the bottom of the crater, they meet the Mysterious Girl, who demands the Crystals and summons Asura to attack them.

When the Girl is defeated, Golbez and Fusoya enter Bahamut's lair and find him petrified. Returning to the Crystal Palace, the Crystals are without light in their altars. Mysterious Girl reappears and summons Leviathan. Dispatched again, the two begin to pray for the Lunar Whale to come to them, when one of the Crystals shatters.

Another Girl appears, and declares she no longer needs the Crystals. As Fusoya and Golbez rush to protect the Lunarians in the core, Kluya's spirit on Earth sends the Lunar Whale to the moon. Meanwhile, the Crystals continue to shatter, releasing Zeromus's Malice. Zeromus uses Big Bang, and Fusoya teleports Golbez aboard the Lunar Whale, who flies the craft to Earth.

Man in Black

Golbez disguises himself as the Man in Black and rescues Rydia and Luca by defeating Titan, which had been summoned by the Mysterious Girl. Though Rydia doesn't recognize him, Golbez urges them to travel to Babil where they unite with Edge and the Eblan Four in Edge's Chapter, and fly the Falcon out of the underground.

Golbez accompanies Rydia, Luca and Edge as they recruit the other party members from around the world and return to Baron to free Cecil from the Mysterious Girl's control. As the party ventures through the Subterrane they encounter the Elemental Archfiends. If Golbez is in the party, the Archfiends will recognize him. Scarmiglione thanks Golbez for accepting him, despite being hideous and unworthy. Cagnazzo is joyful in seeing Golbez again, claiming it to be an honor. Golbez wishes for Cagnazzo to rest in peace, proclaiming they may one day share the same fate. Barbariccia begs her former master's forgiveness for attacking him.

At the end of the Subterrane the party is attacked by Cecil's Dark Knight doppelganger. Golbez takes a mortal hit meant for his younger brother, giving Cecil the will to fight on. If Ceodore and Rosa are in the party with Golbez and Cecil, Golbez will survive, but if they are not present, he dies.

Final Fantasy IV The After Years Ending Golbez leaves

Golbez says good-bye to his family and Kain.

Upon the Creator's defeat, Cecil and his party return home. Should Golbez survive, he appears in a flashback in Mount Ordeals along with Cecil, Rosa, Kain and Ceodore where it is revealed he took the Lunar Whale and departed to the stars to find the Red Moon and discover the fate of Fusoya and the Lunarians. As he leaves, Ceodore hopes they may meet again and Golbez thanks him, the same line he said to Cecil years ago in a similar situation. If Golbez died, a scene is witnessed at his grave site.

Spoilers end here.

Gameplay

Final Fantasy IV

Playable Character

FF4PSPBattle Golbez

Golbez appears as a playable character during two AI-controlled fights at the end of the game, fighting Zemus and Zeromus alongside Fusoya. He knows the Black Magic spells Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Meteor and Twincasts Double Meteor with Fusoya. As a child, Golbez was attempting to learn Cure, but has no proficiency with White Magic as an adult.

Golbez's HP in his and Fusoya's battle against Zemus at the end of Final Fantasy IV (2,943) can alternatively be read in Japanese as (憎しみ, nikushimi?), which means "hatred", while his starting HP in The After Years (2,971) can be read as (償い, tsugunai?), meaning "atonement".

In the 3D version of Final Fantasy IV, Golbez can be hacked into the player's party and is entirely functional. He also has his own set of stats and he also has his own victory pose. He starts at level 1 and knows every single Black Magic spells. He starts with four abilities learned, but none are equipped. His known abilities are: Attack, Defend, Items, and Black Magic. Golbez's is right-handed. Upon level up, his HP does not increase while all his other stats increases. On the status screen, Theodor appears instead of the armored Golbez. But during battle, the armored Golbez appears. His job is Lunarian. Golbez also starts out with no equipment. For weaponry, Golbez can equip every dark swords, swords (except Thundershard), rods, and staves. He can equip a wide range of armor that doesn't entirely focuses on single types of armor.

Golbez will go back to level 1 every time the player turns the power off, he'll lose his stats, equipped weapon and armor, and as well as his equipped abilities.

Weapons
Dark Swords Swords Rods Staves Daggers
  • Dark Sword
  • Shadowblade
  • Deathbringer
  • Ancient Sword
  • Blood Sword
  • Mythril Sword
  • Sleep Blade
  • Flame Sword
  • Icebrand
  • Stoneblade
  • Avenger
  • Defender
  • Fireshard
  • Frostshard
  • Rod
  • Flame Rod
  • Ice Rod
  • Thunder Rod
  • Lilith Rod
  • Polymorph Rod
  • Faerie Rod
  • Stardust Rod
  • Staff
  • Healing Staff
  • Mythril Staff
  • Power Staff
  • Aura Staff
  • Sage's Staff
  • Rune Staff
  • Knife
Armor
Shields Head Body Arms
  • Iron Shield
  • Dark Shield
  • Demon Shield
  • Mythril Shield
  • Diamond Shield
  • Aegis Shield
  • Dragon Shield
  • Crystal Shield
  • Leather Cap
  • Feathered Cap
  • Iron Helm
  • Demon Helm
  • Lustrous Helm
  • Gold Hairpin
  • Genji Helm
  • Dragon Helm
  • Crystal Helm
  • Prison Garb
  • Leather Clothing
  • Iron Armor
  • Flame Mail
  • Ice Armor
  • Diamond Armor
  • Adamant Armor
  • Ruby Ring
  • Cursed Ring
  • Hades Gloves
  • Demon Gloves
  • Silver Armlet
  • Gauntlets
  • Protect Ring
  • Crystal Ring
Stats
Level HP MP Strength Speed Stamina Intelligence Spirit
1 2943 13 6 5 7 3 3

Boss

Golbez's boss battle sprite.

Golbez is fought once as a boss in Final Fantasy IV and knows several strong spells. In the original 2D releases, Golbez has a simple attack pattern, but in the 3D release, he acquires elemental weaknesses and resistances, casts stronger magic than before and is overall a much more difficult enemy.

Final Fantasy IV: The After Years

FFIV TAY iOS Pressure

Golbez using Pressure.

Golbez in battle in The After Years (PSP).

Golbez can equip swords, axes, spears, hammers, rods, staves and daggers, as well as a combination of heavy armor and lightweight hats and robes. He has access to the Pressure ability, which paralyzes an enemy, Taunt, which draws enemy attacks toward him, and Black Magic. Golbez doesn't learn the status-type spells that Palom and Rydia can, but has the advantage of knowing Firaga, Blizzaga and Thundaga at a much earlier level.

Golbez's HP is initially 2,971, giving him a great deal of HP at first, but he will not gain more until Level 55, where he will be on par with other characters. Golbez's HP and Stamina are fairly high, and his MP, Strength and Intelligence are decent. These balanced stats, combined with his wide variety of equipment, allow Golbez to function as both a powerful attacker and an effective mage at once, though ultimately he is outclassed in both aspects by dedicated characters.

The Golbez who fights in the flashbacks of The After Years is an entirely different character in terms of game data, with slightly different stats from the normal Golbez. If hacked into the party he can grow to Level 45, the level cap of The Lunarian's Tale, and will keep the same HP while his other stats increase normally as the normal Golbez. However, the flashback Golbez will not learn any new spells, and does not have the real Golbez's Pressure and Taunt abilities.

Stats

Stats
Level HP MP Strength Speed Stamina Intelligence Spirit
30 2971 230 30 20 33 30 25
40 2971 313 41 25 44 37 30
50 2971 391 51 30 55 47 37
60 3592 475 59 34 65 55 38
70 4821 553 67 38 75 63 39
80 5771 600 69 40 76 65 41
90 6744 647 72 43 79 66 41
99 7601 686 74 45 81 68 42

Abilities

Magic Level Learned
Fire Known
Fira Known
Firaga Known
Blizzard Known
Blizzara Known
Magic Level Learned
Blizzaga Known
Thunder Known
Thundara Known
Thundaga Known
Bio Known
Magic Level Learned
Osmose 32
Drain 35
Quake 42
Flare 55
Meteor 60
Band Abilities
Ability Members MP Effect
Double Black Magic
  • Golbez
  • Fusoya (Event)
30 Cast a powerful Black Magic spell on enemies.
Double Pressure
  • Golbez (Pressure)
  • Cecil (Cover)
20 Slows down all enemies.
Ultima Spark
  • Golbez (Black Magic)
  • Cecil (White Magic)
50 Inflicts non-elemental magic damage on all enemies. Can break damage limit.
Advanced Blade
  • Golbez (Black Magic)
  • Cecil (Attack)
  • Ceodore (Attack)
40 Imbue your sword with magic and attack one enemy. Can break damage limit.
Spiral Blow
  • Golbez
  • Kain (Event)
22 Two fighters attack one enemy.


Weapons
Swords Daggers Axes Hammers
  • Broadsword
  • Longsword
  • Ebony Blade
  • Iron Sword
  • Ancient Sword
  • Coral Sword
  • Blood Sword
  • Mythril Sword
  • Sleep Blade
  • Flame Sword
  • Icebrand
  • Stoneblade
  • Demon Slayer
  • Enhancement Sword
  • Defender
  • Ultima Weapon
  • Knife
  • Dagger
  • Mythril Knife
  • Dancing Dagger
  • Mage Masher
  • Triton's Dagger
  • Assassin's Dagger
  • Crescent Axe
  • Battle Axe
  • Tomahawk
  • Dwarven Axe
  • Ogrekiller
  • Poison Axe
  • Rune Axe
  • Gigant Axe
  • Hammer
  • Wooden Hammer
  • Mythril Hammer
  • Gaia Hammer
  • Sledgehammer
  • Thor's Hammer
Spears Staves Rods
  • Spear
  • Javelin
  • Trident
  • Partisan
  • Wind Spear
  • Flame Lance
  • Obelisk
  • Blood Lance
  • Gungnir
  • Wyvern Lance
  • Holy Lance
  • Staff
  • Healing Staff
  • Mythril Staff
  • Psycho Spiral
  • Protect Staff
  • Power Staff
  • Aura Staff
  • Master's Staff
  • Sage's Staff
  • Seraphim's Mace
  • Rune Staff
  • Rod
  • Ice Rod
  • Flame Rod
  • Healing Rod
  • Thunder Rod
  • Lilith Rod
  • Polymorph Rod
  • Wizard Rod
  • Recovery Rod
  • Faerie Rod
  • Stardust Rod
Armor
Shields Head Body Arms
  • Bronze Shield
  • Iron Shield
  • Mythril Shield
  • Flame Shield
  • Ice Shield
  • Large Shield
  • Diamond Shield
  • Aegis Shield
  • Genji Shield
  • Dragon Shield
  • Crystal Shield
  • Lunar Shield
  • Hero's Shield
  • Adamant Shield
  • Leather Cap
  • Headband
  • Feathered Cap
  • Bronze Helm
  • Green Beret
  • Wizard's Hat
  • Steel Headplate
  • Circlet
  • Iron Helm
  • Black Cowl
  • Beret
  • Chakra Band
  • Sage's Miter
  • Steel Helm
  • Goblin Mask
  • Officer's Hat
  • Hypnocrown
  • Cat-Ear Hood
  • Horned Helmet
  • Mythril Helm
  • Cross Helm
  • Diamond Helm
  • Ribbon
  • Genji Helm
  • Dragon Helm
  • Crystal Helm
  • Lunar Helm
  • Adamant Helm
  • Glass Mask
  • Clothing
  • Bard's Tunic
  • Leather Clothing
  • Foot Ninja Gear
  • Gaia Gear
  • Bronze Armor
  • Bronze Breastplate
  • Shinobi Gear
  • Kenpo Gi
  • Sage's Surplice
  • Mage's Robe
  • Iron Armor
  • Silver Breastplate
  • Black Robe
  • Mist Wrap
  • Chainmail
  • Black Belt Gi
  • Professor's Robe
  • Exorcist's Gown
  • Red Robe
  • Ebony Robe
  • Horned Armor
  • Luminous Robe
  • Mythril Armor
  • Power Sash
  • Plate Mail
  • Flame Mail
  • Ice Armor
  • Bone Mail
  • Diamond Armor
  • Sage's Robe
  • Genji Armor
  • Dragon Mail
  • Crystal Mail
  • Lunar Mail
  • Blue Armor
  • Adamant Armor
  • Cursed Ring
  • Ruby Ring
  • Iron Gloves
  • Iron Armlet
  • Power Armlet
  • Talisman
  • Hyper Wrist
  • Silver Armlet
  • Rune Armlet
  • Mythril Gloves
  • Diamond Armlet
  • Bone Wrist
  • Diamond Gloves
  • Genji Gloves
  • Dragon Gloves
  • Giant's Gloves
  • Crystal Gloves
  • Protect Ring
  • Lunar Gloves
  • Adamant Gloves
  • Crystal Ring
  • Flan Ring
  • Sprint Ring
  • Economical Ring
  • Reach Ring
  • Provoke Ring
  • Limit Ring
  • Single Star
  • Twin Stars
  • Rapid Ring
  • Rapid Ring v2
  • Gil Band
  • Gil Band v2
  • Level Band
  • Level Band v2
  • Rare Band
  • Rare Band v2
  • Treasure Hunter
  • Treasure Hunter v2

Creation and development

Golbez's character plays homage to Darth Vader from Star Wars, as stated by Takashi Tokita.[1] Both wear imposing dark armor that conceals their faces, and a long cape. Both have a connection the main character and work as pawns for the true antagonist.

Voice

In Final Fantasy IV, Golbez is voiced by Peter Beckman under the pseudonym Anthony Landor. Beckman returned to voice Golbez using his actual name in Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. In the Japanese versions of all three games, he is voiced by Takeshi Kaga, famous for his role as the Chairman on the television program Iron Chef.

Musical themes

Template:Listen Golbez is known for his dramatic and foreboding theme music, and is the first villain of the series to get his own theme. Golbez's music is titled "Golbez, Clad in Darkness" and plays often. It uses a pipe organ for its sound and is immediately recognizable in comparison to the other songs in the game. It incorporates a musical quotation from J.S. Bach's "Toccata and Fugue" in D Minor (BWV 565). A remix of the tune is used as the theme for the Tower of Zot. The theme's title has also been translated as "Golbez, Clad in the Dark" on official soundtracks.

A piano arrangement of the theme is included on the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy IV album.

Other appearances

Final Fantasy Legends: Toki no Suishō

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Golbez rank 7 Phantom Stone.

Golbez appears as a non-elemental summon in Final Fantasy Legends: Toki no Suishō.

Three versions of Golbez's Phantom Stone are available to players, Golbez, Golbez RE, and Golbez OR. All Golbez Phantom Stones share the special attack, Black Fang, which deals non-elemental damage to all enemies and inflict instant death.

Some of the Phantom Stone of Golbez is based of a specific design of Golbez from throughout the Final Fantasy IV series of games. The Golbez RE Phantom Stones uses his 3D models from the DS version of the game and the Golbez OR stone uses his battle sprite from the original Super Nintendo version of Final Fantasy IV.

Abilities

Golbez allows the user to use the following abilities:

Golbez RE allows the user to use the following abilities:

Depending on which type of Golbez OR Phantom Stone the player possess, Golbez OR allows the user to use the following abilities:

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Dissidia Golbez

Dissidia Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon

Golbez appears as a Warrior of Chaos and stands as the villain representing Final Fantasy IV, opposing Cecil Harvey.

Possessing motivations and desires more complex than most of the other villains, Golbez helps the heroes in their struggles in his secretive fashion while pretending to follow the plan set down by the Emperor. In his heart, Golbez is on the side of light, and works to assist the heroes in the hopes they break the cycle of war.

His alternate outfit is a palette swap based on his Final Fantasy IV battle sprites and DS render, giving him black armor and a red lining on his cape.

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon Golbez reappears as a Warrior of Chaos in the prequel to Dissidia Final Fantasy alongside all the other characters from the original. He plays a brief but important role in the main story, enlightening Kain to the nature of the cycle of war, information which motivates Kain to strike down his allies so they will survive to the next cycle instead of being killed permanently by the manikins. He speaks to Cosmos at the beginning of the thirteenth cycle before the war begins, rekindling her memories of the previous cycle when she laid the foundation for her plan to manifest Crystals for her warriors.

Golbez's second alternate outfit is his appearance in The After Years as the Man in Black, removing his armor and leaving him clad in a black kilt and cloak.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon Golbez briefly appears in the Event Music Sequence "Theme of Love" which shows his boss battles from the original Final Fantasy IV.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call

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Golbez.

Drunk on power, Golbez has forgotten about the light. Reflected in his dark eyes are the figures of Cecil and the others, who fight for peace. What unfathomable grief will arise when two who share the same blood fight?

Golbez's CollectaCard

Golbez appears as a boss in Final Fantasy IV Battle Music Sequences.

Pictlogica Final Fantasy

Template:Sideicon Golbez appears in Pictlogica Final Fantasy as a playable character and as a boss.

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Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade

Template:Sideicon Golbez is a summonable Legend.

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Final Fantasy Artniks

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Final Fantasy All the Bravest

Template:Sideicon Golbez appears as a boss.

Final Fantasy Record Keeper

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A mysterious man clad in black armor who took command of the Red Wings after Cecil renounced the Kingdom of Baron. Golbez commands the four Archfiends, and is a powerful magus unto himself.

Official description.
Playable character sprite.

Golbez appear as an enemy and could be recruited to the party during the Challenge Event Man in Black as the First Time Reward for completing the event's Dwarven Castle in Part 1.

Stats
Level HP Attack Defense Magic Resistance Mind Accuracy Evasion Speed
1 210 9 10 11 11 6 20 20 76
10 817 23 21 34 27 15 20 20 79
20 1,492 39 35 55 46 25 20 21 83
30 2,167 54 51 74 65 35 21 21 87
40 2,842 70 67 92 83 45 21 22 92
Abilities

Golbez can use Black Magic spells up to rarity rank 5, Physical/Combat abilities up to rarity rank 3, Physical/Support abilities up to rarity rank 3, and Other/Knight abilities up to rarity rank 5.

His initial Soul Break is Binding Cold which at the expense of one Soul Gauge segment attempts to inflict Paralysis on all enemies with 20% accuracy. The axe Rune Axe (IV) allows Golbez to use Black Fang which at the expense of one Soul Gauge segment deals four non-elemental magic attacks to a single target.

Equipment

Golbez can equip the following weapon types: daggers, swords, katanas, axes, hammers, and rods. The axe Rune Axe (IV) allows Golbez to use Black Fang.

He can equip the following armor types: shields, hats, helmets, light armor, armor, and bangles.

He can equip accessories.

Gallery

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Final Fantasy World Wide Words

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Final Fantasy Trading Card Game

Template:Sideicon Golbez is featured on many cards. Two depict his appearance as the Man in Black from Final Fantasy IV: The After Years and go by this name, and are of the Shine and Ice element. The others feature his 3D remake render, Dissidia Final Fantasy art, and SD artwork appearances, are of the Dark element. The Lightning element cards feature another Amano art and Golbez's render in Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy. His alternate outfit from Dissidia as the Man in Black is also depicted in a water-elemental card.

Referring to his control over the Archfiends, Golbez's Dissidia card has the effect that when moved to the Break Zone, the player can search their four cards of different elements and a cost of 2, and play them to the field for no cost, while his 3D render card lowers the cost to play it by 2 for each of the Archfiends the player controls, and allows the player to move an Archfiend they control to the Break Zone to Break a Forward of their choosing. His Amano art card references his control of Kain, allowing the player to select a Forward on the field and take control of it after Golbez attacks, if they control a Dark character. His Man in Black cards allude to his hidden identity, preventing them from being played while a Golbez card is in play, and the two each have an ability that mirror Golbez's Pressure and Taunt abilities, the former preventing a Forward from attacking and the latter redirecting damage to the player's Forwards to Golbez instead.

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Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

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Triple Triad

Golbez appears on Triple Triad cards in the version available via Final Fantasy Portal App.

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Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances

Lord of Vermilion

In Lord of Vermilion II, Golbez appears as a card and summonable creature in the sequel to Lord of Vermilion, along with other characters from Final Fantasy IV as part of a special cross promotion. His Shadow Dragon is also a card.

In Lord of Vermilion III and Lord of Vermilion Arena, Golbez also appears as a card. Template:Gallery

Guardian Cross

GC Golbez

This evil mage wears armor black as pitch, and commands the Elemental Archfiends in his bid to claim the Crystals.

Description

Golbez, along with Cagnazzo, Rubicante, Barbariccia and Scarmiglione are all promotional cards in the game Guardian Cross (the latter four being promotional for the release of Final Fantasy IV for the Apple iPad). Golbez himself was part of the "Grab-A-Golbez" campaign. All of them are Rank 5 (the rarest), with Golbez being a Giant-type Guardian that would have been found in the Deadmoon Desert.

Rise of Mana

RoM Golbez

Golbez in Rise of Mana.

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Other media

Games

Users in Square Enix Members Virtual World community can make their character appear as Golbez.

In Gunslinger Stratos 2, a costume based on Golbez was released in November 2014.

In the tactical Square Enix mobile game Heavenstrike Rivals, Cecil and Golbez were added as units in a special event from Christmas 2015 until the end of the year.[2]

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Gallery

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Etymology

"Theodore" is a common name of Greek origin, meaning "Gift from God".

"Golbeza" is a mistransliteration of Golubaeser (also known as Golubac Fly), as Golubaeser and Golbez(a) are written the same way in katakana (ゴルベーザ). Golubaeser is a type of black fly named for the town of Golubac in Serbia. According to folk legends, the venomous flies were born from the body of a decomposing dragon. Golubaeser is also the name of a demon in the book Devils by J. Charles Wall.

This is a metaphor for what became of Theodor and further emphasized during Golbez's flashback scene in the 2D version, where Zemus taunts Theodor by calling him an insect that was "birthed from womb of dragon's corpse", both a reference to the Golubac Fly and a corruption of the Mysidian Legend. Several other names in Final Fantasy IV are also drawn from the book Devils by J. Charles Wall.

In the English localization of the 3D versions, Golbez is pronounced ˈɡoʊɫˌbɛz.

Trivia

  • Golbez is one of the few Final Fantasy characters who are half-breeds along with Cecil Harvey, Terra Branford, Aerith Gainsborough, Yuna, Seymour Guado, and Lilisette.
  • At the initial release of the mobile version of the 3D remake of The After Years, Golbez's name was mistranslated as his Japanese name "Golbeza" when he joined the party. This mistranslation was eventually fixed in a patch released a couple of months after the game's launch.
  • During flashbacks of Cecil's battles with Golbez in the The After Years, Golbez comes equipped with a sword called the "Ebony Blade" in his left hand, despite him not been shown to use swords before. The sword can be unequipped during the battle and added to the player's inventory.
  • Golbez has a menu portrait in the DS version, but it cannot be seen unless the player uses a cheat device to add him to their party. When the cheat is used, he shares some animations with Cid, and the game uses his child model in the field.
  • Golbez appears in the debug room in the North American and Australian Final Fantasy IV Advance version.

References

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