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The Zodiac system in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is a hidden but important game mechanic that can influence battles significantly. With so many complex systems in the game, Zodiac doesn’t often get the attention it deserves.
In Tactics, every character has a star sign. This applies to all units—from generic soldiers to Ramza and unique characters. Your characters will perform better in combat when facing enemies they are most compatible with, whether that’s a best, worst, or neutral match-up. This affects various aspects like hit rate, damage, spell accuracy, and more.
When you start, you might overlook this parameter, especially in the early game where difficulty spikes can be tough. Still, it’s useful to pay attention to your party members’ star signs, though it’s not necessary to obsess over them. If you’re playing the Classic Version, the character’s gender plays a role in compatibility, meaning a male Aries might have a better match with a female Libra. Picking a female Libra for a healer could ensure the best buffs like Protect, Haste, Shell, Raise, and healing spells land reliably.
In the Enhanced Version, gender no longer affects human units’ compatibility, but it remains relevant when targeting non-human units like monsters. Compatibility impacts not only damage; it also affects attack accuracy and magic effectiveness. Characters with poor compatibility will deal less damage and have lower spell accuracy.
Having high compatibility percentages means your attacks and spells are more effective. For example, a Libra healer with good compatibility with Gemini and Aquarius can maximize healing and buffs if you include characters with those star signs. Conversely, poor compatibility with certain signs like Cancer or Capricorn can hinder your effectiveness.
Some general tips: In the classic version, best compatibility is with the opposite gender, and worst is with the same gender. In the enhanced version, only the best and worst categories apply when targeting monsters; human units are less affected by gender.
The HUD now shows Zodiac compatibility percentages during actions, making it easier to strategize. The higher the percentage, the more accurate and damaging your actions will be.
There are 13 Zodiacs in total. To optimize your party, you should avoid stacking characters with the same star sign unless deliberately trying to manipulate combat outcomes. Knowing which signs are good matches and which are poor can give you a strategic edge in key battles. The compatibility table helps plan party selection, especially when facing specific bosses.
For Ramza, the ideal Zodiac depends on the situation. Though his canonical stone is Capricorn, choosing his birthdate to align with certain signs can make a big difference. For tough encounters like Wiegraf, signs like Gemini or Sagittarius are recommended to reduce damage. For more damage-focused builds, Capricorn or Taurus might be better, especially if that matches your boss strategies.
Since most boss fights involve human enemies, it’s generally best to avoid opposite or same gender pairings unless using non-human units. Remember, selecting the right Zodiac can tilt the odds in your favor—whether to boost damage, enhance accuracy, or increase your defense.
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