FF8 Guardian Forces

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces

Summons return once again, this time the form of Guardian Forces. They actually play a bigger role in Final Fantasy VIII than they ever have in the past: now, when you summon a Guardian Force, they're not just there for a single turn, they'll fight for you turn after turn as you issue commands.

In many ways, they almost play as a replacement to materia from Final Fantasy VII: not only can they fight for you in battles, but they'll also help to determine which abilities you can use in and off the battle field.

Junctioning

There may seem to be a bit of a learning curve when you first start junctioning, but it's actually quite simple once you get used to it. First, you'll need to junction a Guardian Force to a given character. After the GF is junctioned, you'll be able to junction magic to different stats for the given character. You can either do this manually and take into account the surroundings and possible impacts of your decisions, or just set it for automatic and let your fate rest in the hands of the dice.

When assigning abilities, make sure to give almost every character the Draw command; it'll be quite useful not only for the actual battle, but also to stock up on magic to junction later on. At least one person in your group should be able to use Items and Magic.

Growth

Guardian Forces, just like the characters they're attached to, grow. As your characters level up, so will your Guardian Forces. This allows them to learn new abilities, and increases their HP and Attack power.

When a battle's over, you'll receive a screen that shows how much experience and AP you've gained. Experience plays into leveling both the Guardian Forces and your characters. AP is used to teach new abilities to a Guardian Force. You'll only earn AP if a Guardian Force was junctioned to a character in the battle.

Affinity

Guardian Forces in Final Fantasy VII are almost like pets: they'll grow attached to characters that like them. There are a number of ways to increase the Compatibility of any GF with any character, and they range from using a certain elemental spell to finding and using certain items. However, the easiest and best way is even more simple: if you continue to summon the GF, the compatibility will increase.

The higher the compatibility, the faster the Guardian Force will show up in battle. If you intend on using the Guardian Force at all (especially during boss battles), you should definitely have your compatibility pretty high- 750 or so would be a bare minimum, but the closer to 1,000 you can get, the better.

Customization

An item called Amnesia Greens can be found that will allow a Guardian Force to "forget" and ability. At first this may seem pretty odd; why would you want to forget an ability? Actually, this may prove to be very useful: you can forget abilities and replace them with one of your choosing by finding the right items.

Missed a Guardian Force?

If you miss out on drawing a Guardian Force during battle, don't worry: during disc four, you can draw them from the appropriate enemy in Ultimecia's Castle. Siren can be drawn from Tri-Point, Leviathan from Trauma, Pandemona from Red Giant, Carbuncle from Krysta, Cerberus from Gargantua, Alexander from Catoblepas, and Eden from Tiamat.

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Quezacotl
Element: Thunder
GF's Attack: Thunder Storm
Starting Level: 1
Starting HP : 300

Ability Highlights: Early on in the game, Card may be quite useful to give you an extra edge in Triple Triad games. Card Mod becomes very useful in mid and late game; it can help Quistis learn Blue Magic, assist in getting items for upgrading weapons, and help you get rare items you wouldn't otherwise be able to find.

Found At: Access Squall's study desk in the classroom in Balamb Garden. Select "tutorial" and you'll recieve Quezacotl.
 

 

Quezacotl's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
1 300 275
10 754 572
20 1,266 902
30 1,786 1,232
40 2,314 1,562
50 2,850 1,892
60 3,394 2,222
70 3,949 2,552
80 4,506 2,882
90 5,074 3,212
100 5,650 3,542


 

Quezacotl's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Mag-J Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Boost 10 N/A
T Mag-RF 30 Mid Mag-RF
SumMag+10% 40 SumMag+20%
Card 40 Card Mod
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
HP-J 50 Vit-J
Vit-J 50 Elem-Def-J
Mag+20% 60 Mag+40%, Elem-Atk-J
Mid Mag-RF 60 N/A
SumMag+20% 70 SumMag+30%
GFHP+10% 70 N/A
Card Mod 80 N/A
Elem-Def-J 100 Elem-Defx2
Mag+40% 120 N/A
Elem-Defx2 130 N/A
SumMag+30% 140 N/A
Elem-Atk-J 160 N/A

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Shiva
Element: Ice
GF's Attack: Diamond Dust
Starting Level: 1
Starting HP : 300

Ability Highlights: Vitality+ and Spirit+ may be somewhat useful in early-game. Doom could be useful before you have a chance to draw (or refine) Death spells.

Found At: Access Squall's study desk in the classroom in Balamb Garden. Select "tutorial" and you'll recieve Shiva.
 

 

Shiva's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
1 298 263
10 734 564
20 1,226 897
30 1,726 1,230
40 2,234 1,564
50 2,750 1,897
60 3,274 2,230
70 3,806 2,563
80 4,346 2,897
90 4,894 3,230
100 5,450 3,563


 

Shiva's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Spr-J Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Boost 10 N/A
I Mag-RF 30 N/A
SumMag+10% 40 SumMag+20%
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
Str-J 50 Elem-Atk-J
Vit-J 50 Vit+20%
Doom 60 N/A
Vit+20% 60 Vit+40%
Spr+20% 60 Spr+40%, Elem-Def-J
SumMag+20% 70 SumMag+30%
GFHP+20% 70 N/A
Elem-Def-J 100 Elem-Defx2
Spr+40% 120 N/A
Vit+40% 120 N/A
SumMag+30% 140 N/A
Elem-Atk-J 160 N/A

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Shiva
Element: Ice
GF's Attack: Diamond Dust
Starting Level: 1
Starting HP : 300

Ability Highlights: Vitality+ and Spirit+ may be somewhat useful in early-game. Doom could be useful before you have a chance to draw (or refine) Death spells.

Found At: Access Squall's study desk in the classroom in Balamb Garden. Select "tutorial" and you'll recieve Shiva.
 

 

Shiva's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
1 298 263
10 734 564
20 1,226 897
30 1,726 1,230
40 2,234 1,564
50 2,750 1,897
60 3,274 2,230
70 3,806 2,563
80 4,346 2,897
90 4,894 3,230
100 5,450 3,563


 

Shiva's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Spr-J Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Boost 10 N/A
I Mag-RF 30 N/A
SumMag+10% 40 SumMag+20%
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
Str-J 50 Elem-Atk-J
Vit-J 50 Vit+20%
Doom 60 N/A
Vit+20% 60 Vit+40%
Spr+20% 60 Spr+40%, Elem-Def-J
SumMag+20% 70 SumMag+30%
GFHP+20% 70 N/A
Elem-Def-J 100 Elem-Defx2
Spr+40% 120 N/A
Vit+40% 120 N/A
SumMag+30% 140 N/A
Elem-Atk-J 160 N/A

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Ifrit
Element: Fire
GF's Attack: Hell Fire
Starting Level: 1
Starting HP : 305

Ability Highlights: Ifrit will give you an early chance to have HP-J, which really is a must-have. Str Bonus could be great if you decide to learn it early on; you'll have a character with an increasingly large strength base as they level up.

Found At: Ifrit is located in the Fire Cavern. He'll join your party after you defeat him.
 

 

Ifrit's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
1 305 298
10 804 607
20 1,366 950
30 1,936 1,293
40 2,514 1,636
50 3,100 1,980
60 3,694 2,323
70 4,296 2,666
80 4,906 3,009
90 5,524 3,352
100 6,150 3,695


 

Ifrit's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Str-J Learned N/A
Elem-Atk-J Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Boost 10 N/A
F Mag-RF 30 SumMag+20%
Ammo-RF 30 N/A
SumMag+10% 40 SumMag+20%
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
HP-J 50 N/A
Mad Rush 60 Vit+40%
Str+20% 60 Str+40%
SumMag+20% 70 SumMag+30%
GFHP+20% 70 GFHP+30%
Elem-Def-J 100 Elem-Defx2
Str Bonus 100 N/A
Str+40% 120 Str Bonus
Elem-Defx2 130 N/A
SumMag+30% 140 N/A
GFHP+30% 140 N/A

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Siren
Element: None (cast Silence)
GF's Attack: Silent Voice
Starting Level: 3
Starting HP : 391

Ability Highlights: Siren has one of the abilities you're sure to find about the most useful in the game: Move-Find. With it, you'll be able to find hidden Draw and Save points. Treatment could be useful to cure abnormal status effects.

Found At: Draw during the boss fight Elvoret on the top of the Communications Tower in Dollet.
 

 

Siren's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
3 391 223
10 724 393
20 1,206 634
30 1,696 875
40 2,194 1,115
50 2,700 1,356
60 3,214 1,596
70 3,736 1,837
80 4,266 2,078
90 4,804 2,318
100 5,350 2,559


 

Siren's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Mag-J Learned N/A
ST-Atk-J Learned N/A
ST-Def-J Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Boost 10 N/A
L Mag-RF 30 N/A
ST Med-RF 30 N/A
Tool-RF 30 N/A
Move-Find 40 N/A
SumMag+10% 40 SumMag+20%
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
Mag+20% 60 Mag+40%
GFHP+20% 70 N/A
SumMag+20% 70 SumMag+30%
Treatment 100 N/A
Mag Bonus 100 N/A
ST-Def-Jx2 100 N/A
Mag+40% 120 Mag Bonus
SumMag+30% 140 asf

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Brothers
Element: Earth
GF's Attack: Brotherly Love
Starting Level: 7
Starting HP : 670

Ability Highlights: Learn HP Bonus as soon as possible, if you get it early enough, you may be able to recieve huge benefits; you'll get an additioanl 30 HP every time a character levels up. HP+ also helps.

Found At: The Brothers can be found in the Tomb of the Unknown King. You'll face a two stage boss fight (one of the Brothers by himself, and then both together) and they'll join your party.
 

 

Brothers' Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
7 670 529
10 824 632
20 1,406 977
30 1,996 1,322
40 2,594 1,667
50 3,200 2,012
60 3,814 2,357
70 4,436 2,702
80 5,066 3,047
90 5,704 3,392
100 6,350 3,737


 

Brothers' Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
HP-J Learned N/A
HP+20% Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Boost 10 N/A
SumMag+10% 40 SumMag+20%
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
Str-J 50 Elem-Atk-J
Spr-J 50 Elem-Def-J
SumMag+20% 70 SumMag+30%
GFHP+20% 70 GFHP+30%
Elem-Atk-J 100 N/A
Elem-Def-J 100 N/A
Defend 100 N/A
Cover 100 N/A
HP Bonus 100 N/A
HP+40% 120 HP+80%
GFHP+30% 140 N/A
SumMag+30% 140 N/A
HP+80% 240 HP Bonus

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Carbuncle
Element: None (casts Reflect)
GF's Attack: Ruby Light
Starting Level: 16
Starting HP : 1,220

Ability Highlights: Vit Bonus is quite useful, it works in a way similar to HP Bonus with the Brothers; but instead of adding HP when you level, you'll get an extra point into Vitality. St-Atk-J and St-Def-J are somewhat rare and also useful.

Found At: Draw during the boss fight with the Iguions.
 

 

Carbuncle's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
16 1,220 N/A
20 1,326 N/A
30 2,086 N/A
40 2,714 N/A
50 3,350 N/A
60 3,994 N/A
70 4,646 N/A
80 5,306 N/A
90 5,974 N/A
100 6,650 N/A


 

Carbuncle's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Vit-J Learned N/A
Abilityx3 Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Recov Med-RF 30 N/A
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
HP-J 50 HP+20%
Mag-J 50 ST-Atk-J
HP+20% 60 HP+40%
Vit+20% 60 Vit+40%
GFHP+20% 70 GFHP+30%
ST-Def-J 100 ST-Def-Jx2
Vit Bonus 100 N/A
HP+40% 120 N/A
Vit+40% 120 Vit Bonus
ST-Def-Jx2 130 N/A
GFHP+30% 140 N/A
ST-Atk-J 160 N/A
Counter 200 Auto-Reflect
Auto-Reflect 250 N/A

Final Fantasy 8 Guardian Forces - Carbuncle
Element: None (casts Reflect)
GF's Attack: Ruby Light
Starting Level: 16
Starting HP : 1,220

Ability Highlights: Vit Bonus is quite useful, it works in a way similar to HP Bonus with the Brothers; but instead of adding HP when you level, you'll get an extra point into Vitality. St-Atk-J and St-Def-J are somewhat rare and also useful.

Found At: Draw during the boss fight with the Iguions.
 

 

Carbuncle's Vital Statistics
Level HP Attack Power
16 1,220 N/A
20 1,326 N/A
30 2,086 N/A
40 2,714 N/A
50 3,350 N/A
60 3,994 N/A
70 4,646 N/A
80 5,306 N/A
90 5,974 N/A
100 6,650 N/A


 

Carbuncle's Ability List
Ability AP Required To Learn Leads To
Vit-J Learned N/A
Abilityx3 Learned N/A
Magic Learned N/A
GF Learned N/A
Draw Learned N/A
Item Learned N/A
Recov Med-RF 30 N/A
GFHP+10% 40 GFHP+20%
HP-J 50 HP+20%
Mag-J 50 ST-Atk-J
HP+20% 60 HP+40%
Vit+20% 60 Vit+40%
GFHP+20% 70 GFHP+30%
ST-Def-J 100 ST-Def-Jx2
Vit Bonus 100 N/A
HP+40% 120 N/A
Vit+40% 120 Vit Bonus
ST-Def-Jx2 130 N/A
GFHP+30% 140 N/A
ST-Atk-J 160 N/A
Counter 200 Auto-Reflect
Auto-Reflect 250 N/A