GFs

This articles aims to give an overview of the GFs (Guardian Forces) that are typically used in Any% speedruns.

List

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Quezacotl

Along with Shiva, Quezacotl is one of the "starting" GFs obtained at the start of the game. They are given by either Quistis at the front gate of Balamb Garden, or by the computer in the second floor classroom (the latter is the only way to obtain them in Japanese versions of the game, including playing the Remastered in the Japanese language).

Quezacotl is one of only 2 GFs that sees any utility in battle (the other being Shiva), as it is an important part of one of the possible methods of Fish Fin Manipulation.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
Card	Carte	カード	40	None	Unlocks "Card Mod"
Card Mod	Mode Carte	カード変化	80	Learned "Card"	Turn various cards into useful items
HP-J	HP-A	HPJ	50	None	Junctioning magic to HP is an easy way to get characters into critical HP

Shiva

Along with Quezacotl, Shiva is one of the "starting" GFs obtained at the start of the game. They are given by either Quistis at the front gate of Balamb Garden, or by the computer in the second floor classroom (the latter is the only way to obtain them in Japanese versions of the game, including playing the Remastered in the Japanese language).

In some routes, Shiva is used in battle against Granaldo in the Training Center.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
I Mag-RF	Créa-Mgi-Gla	冷気魔法精製	30	None	Refine Waters from Fish Fins Refine Blizzagas from Wizard Stones
Boost	Turbo	おうえん	10	None	Used against Granaldo in some routes
Str-J	Vgr-A	力J	50	None	Primary method for increasing damage output
Elem-Atk-J	Atq-Elé-A	属性攻撃J	160	Learned "Str-J"	Necessary for Tri-Point battle (JP only)

Ifrit

Ifrit is the found at the end of the Fire Cavern and is the first boss of the speedrun. Once defeated, he is obtained as a GF.

One of Ifrit's abilities, Ammo-RF, which converts items into ammunition used by Irvine towards the end of the run, can only start to be learned once Ifrit has reached level 10. By only killing as many enemies as is needed throughout the run, there is a small chance that Ifrit may not have received enough experience to reach this level by the Esthar Menu, which is when it is typically started to be learned. As a result, some routes kill some extra monsters for safety to make up the experience, e.g. Grats in the Training Center.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
Str-J	Vgr-A	力J	Learned by default	None	Primary method for increasing damage output
Str+20%	Vgr+20%	力+20%	60	None	Increases damage output
Str+40%	Vgr+40%	力+40%	120	Learned "Str+20%"	Increases damage output
HP-J	HP-A	HPJ	50	None	Junctioning magic to HP is an easy way to get characters into critical HP
F Mag-RF	Créa-Mgi-Inc	炎魔法精製	30	None	Refine Fire/Firagas needed for Tri-Point battle
Elem-Atk-J	Atq-Elé-A	属性攻撃J	160 (JP only) Learned by default (All other versions)	None	Necessary for BGH251F2 and Tri-Point battles
Ammo-RF	Créa-Balles	弾薬精製	30	Ifrit has reached Lvl 10	Necessary for Tri-Point battle

Siren

Siren is drawn from Elvoret in the battle on top of the Communications Tower in Dollet.

Siren only needs to manually learn one ability in the run, L Mag-RF. This ability is on the second page of Siren's ability list, but due to differences in the starting lists between versions, the position is different for JP runs compared to the other languages.

• For JP runs, L Mag-RF is the second option on page 2.
• For all other languages, L Mag-RF is the third option on page 2.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
L Mag-RF	Créa-Mgi-Méd	生命魔法精製	30	None	Refine Curagas from Tents/Cottages Refine Zombies from Zombie Powders

Diablos

Diablos is obtained as a GF by using the Magical Lamp given to the party by Headmaster Cid, and subsequently defeating him in battle. Depending on the route used, Diablos is usually defeated using either Zell's Duel limit break or by using Kiros'/Ward's limit breaks during Laguna Dream 1.

Defeating Diablos is one of the few "detours" from the main story path that is made during an Any% speedrun, but his abilities make him one of the most important GFs in the run, which more than makes up for the time taken to battle him.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
Time Mag-RF	Créa-Mgi-Temp	時空魔法精製	30	None	Refine Curagas from Tents/Cottages Refine Zombies from Zombie Powders
Enc-Half	Mi-Combat	エンカウント半減	30	None	Reduces encounters Unlocks "Enc-None"
Enc-None	No-Combat	エンカウントなし	100	Learned "Enc-Half"	Removes encounters
ST Mag-RF	Créa-Mgi-Mtl	ST魔法精製	30	None	Refine Berserks from Magic Stone (in some routes)
Darkside	Combustion	あんこく	100	None	Needed to deal extra damage in some situations

Carbuncle

Carbuncle is drawn from the Iguions fight near the end of Disc 1. They can be drawn from either enemy.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
HP-J	HP-A	HPJ	50	None	Junctioning magic to HP is an easy way to get characters into critical HP

Pandemona

Pandemona is drawn from Fujin in the battle in Balamb Hotel.

In most routes, 150 out of the 160AP needed to learn Pandemona's Initiative ability will have been obtained by the time of the Esthar Menu. If the runner has maintained a step count up until this point, then they should be able to acquire 7AP from random encounters during the 5 minute window, and a further 3AP from the encounter when boarding the Lunatic Pandora, meaning that Initiative can be equipped immediately after boarding. If no encounters are killed during the Esthar menu, then Initiative will not be learned until after the second Propagator fight.

Abilities with speedrun utility

English Name	French Name	Japanese Name	AP Required	Prerequisite	Speedrun Use
Initiative	Genki	さきがけ	160	None	Starting battles with full ATB makes many endgame bosses much safer
Spd-J	Vts-A	早さJ	120	None	For junctioning Stops to Irvine's Spd, making endgame bosses faster and less risky