Final Fantasy V/Formulas

For those interested in game mechanics, this page lists details of how Final Fantasy V makes various computations. Mastering this material is not needed to complete game and is provided for those who are interested in what is going on behind the scenes.

Overview
The four base character statistics are Vigor (aka Strength), Speed (aka Agility), Stamina (aka Vitality), and Mag.Pwr. The remaining statistics, HP, MP, Bat.Pwr, Defense, Evade, Mag.Def, and Weight are determined by the base statistics and current equipment, though there is some equipment that can affect the main four base statistics as well.

Determination
The values of four base statistics are the base values for the current job increased by values that depend on the character. In other words
 * Value = (value for job) + (value for character).

Certain abilities, when active, guarantee a value for certain statistics. For example, if a Monk has earned the White 1 ability selected then the Mag.Pwr is increased. This allows the Monk to be an effective healer even though the Mag.Pwr value for Monks would be in the single digits otherwise. In this case the value is determined by the base value for the ability increased by values that depend on the character. In other words
 * Value = (value for ability) + (value for character).

The larger of the two values is used, so the alternative formula will never result in base statistics being reduced. Note that the character must not only have earned the ability, but must have selected it as an active ability.

The job values are:

The ability values are:

The characters values are:

For example, the statistics for Bartz as a Knight are Vigor = 4+47 = 51, Speed = 1+25 = 26, Stamina = 3+44, Mag.Pwr = 1+10 = 11. But if Bartz selects !White as an ability, having earned White 1, the Mag.Pwr is increased to 1+39 = 40.

Meaning
Vigor: High vigor increases the effect physical weapons such as swords and spears, as well as unarmed attacks. It also contributes to the power of physical weapons which require skill such as Bows as well as throwing attacks.

Speed: Mainly Speed is used to determine how fast your action bar fills up, so the higher the speed the more often your character can act in battle. It's also contributes to the power of physical weapons which require skill such as Bows as well as throwing attacks. The power of Bells is also partially determined by Speed.

Stamina: This is mainly used to determine HP but has less obvious effects such as the rate at which regen restores HP.

Magic Power: This determines MP, the power of spells, and the power of weapons used by mages such as rods and staves. The power of Bells is also partially determined by Magic Power.

HP and MP
HP is determined by the character's Stamina and an HP multiplier which depends on the level. Similarly, the MP is determined by the character's Mag.Pwr and an MP multiplier which depends on the character's level. The HP and MP multipliers are given in the Level table below. Note that equipment which changes a character's Mag.Pwr are ignored in this calculation. The formulas are:
 * HP = (Stamina/32+1) * (HP Mult)
 * MP = (Mag.Pwr/32+1) * (MP Mult)

where any fraction is dropped. For example to compute Bartz' HP and MP as Level 4 with no Job selected, first get the stamina, 27, and Mag.Pwr, 25 (see the Base Stats section). Divide these by 32 and add 1 to get 1.84375 and 1.78125. Now multiply by HP Mult and MP Mult to get 1.84375*40 = 73.75 and 1.78125*11=19.59375 and drop fractions to get HP=73 and MP=19. (Note: Faris' initial MP is 10 which is not the predicted value (14). This seems to be a harmless bug since no spells can be cast until a job is selected and the MP changes to 14 if Faris at level 3 selects a Job and then goes back to Bare.)

Bat.Pwr
This is a measure of the power of the current weapon. This is usually determined by the weapon itself, with an unarmed character normally having a Bat.Pwr of 3.

Defense
This reduces the power of physical attacks and is determined by what armor the character is wearing.

Evade
This is the chance that a character will dodge an attack is determined by the shield equipped.

Mag.Def
This is similar to Defense only it applies to spells and magical attacks.

Weight
This is the total weight of the armor equipped and, along with Speed, determines how fast the action bar fills up. The higher the weight the more time is needed.

Level table
This table lists, for each level, the EXP reqired to reach that level, and multipliers used to determine HP and MP.