Absorb (Final Fantasy VIII)

(すいとる, Suitoru?, lit. Absorb)
Availability
Obtained	Pandemona, Doomtrain
AP	80
Classification
Type	Command ability
Effect	Absorb HP from a _target

Absorb HPDescription

Absorb is a command ability in Final Fantasy VIII used to take HP from an enemy, transferring it to the user. The effect is reversed against undead and zombified _targets.

Obtained

Absorb is learned by the GFs Pandemona and Doomtrain for 80 AP. Pandemona is drawn from the boss in Balamb Town hotel or Red Giant in the final dungeon. Doomtrain is obtained by using the Solomon Ring found at Tears' Point with the collection of correct items in the player's inventory (six each of Remedy+, Malboro Tentacle, and Steel Pipe).

Mechanics

Absorb siphons HP from a _target, giving it to the user. If the _target is undead or has Zombie status, the _target is healed whereas the user is harmed. Absorb is similar to effect (and has the same animation) as the Drain spell, but is weaker while ignoring Shell.

The amount of HP stolen from the _target and granted to the user is determined as follows:

$Damage=Magic+14$

$Damage = Damage \times (265 - _target's~Spirit) / 4$

$Damage = Damage \times 26 / 256$

If the character who has Absorb equipped becomes confused, they will never use Absorb while in this state.

Use

Absorb is not a good use of command ability slot, as it is not a strong healing ability nor a good damaging ability. It is better to heal via dedicated abilities, items, and spells. If the player wants to damage an enemy while being healed without expending any resources, they are best doing it by junctioning Drains to ST-Atk-J. Simply casting Drain in battle should be stronger than using the Absorb command as long as the enemy does not have Shell status.

If the player does decide to use Absorb, it is best used by someone built toward high Magic Power, and would take more HP from enemies that have Vit 0.