Area of Effect

Description
Area of Effect (often abbreviated AoE) is a term used to describe spells or abilities which instead of affecting a single target instead affect multiple targets. The area which the spell is capable of affecting targets is referred to as the spell's (or the ability's) "area of effect", hence the label.

AoE spells/abilities in FFXI that are selectable by the user require a center for the effect to sweep out its radius from. The most basic example of this is casting an area of effect spell (such as Firaga). Even though it affects more than one target, a single target has to be selected. The target selected acts as the spell's center. Once the spell is finished casting, the other targets which the spell affects are determined based on the position of the selected center target and the radius of the spell.

The effects provided by AoE spells are not exclusively damaging (see Curaga, Moonlight), though the vast majority are.

Players must be very cautious when using AoE spells, as their mutli-targeting nature can often lead to unwanted or unanticipated links.

It should also be noted that the White Mage job trait Divine Veil, when used in conjunction with the Divine Seal ability, is capable of taking a normally single-target restoration spell (such as Erase) and altering it to act as an area of effect spell instead. This can often be useful for clearing unwanted statuses of an entire party instead of the generally time-consuming process of counter-acting negative statuses one person at a time.

Area of Effect Ability Types
There are multiple types of AoE spells and abilities in FFXI beyond the basic radius of effect type. These types each carry their own peculiarites and necessary precautions.


 * Cone - Cone area of effect spells and abilities affect targets within a "cone" of space, originating from a certain point on the user and expanding outward to a specific distance away from the origin. Prime examples of this are breath weapons, such as those used by wyrms. Generally this type of AoE can be avoided by standing to the side of the point of origin, though since the area of effect is conic in shape, the amount to the side can be more substantial than expected.
 * Linear - Linear area of effect spells and abilities could be considered a special case of the cone variety, wherein the cone is very narrow. In the case of linear AoE, the ability affects only those in a line directly in front of some originating point, out to a certain distance. Again, this can be avoided by standing to the side of the origin of the attack.
 * Radius - Radius AoE is the most commonly occurring of the AoE types. With radius AoE, a center point is specified and all targets within a certain radius of that point are affected by the spell. A common example of this would be the Black Mage -ga spells, such as Stonega, Waterga, Aeroga, etc. Radius AoE is more difficult to avoid. Generally the only way to avoid radius AoE is to be outside the stretch of the radius, which can often inhibit you from being able to use certain abilities (such as magic) on the target.

Monster Area of Effect Abilities

 * {|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="90%"

! width="25%" | Ability Name ! width="8%" | Distance ! width="33%" | Used By (Family or NM name) ! width="34%" | Area(if applicable)
 * - style="background:#ffdead;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Bomb Toss
 * align="center" | 8'
 * align="center" | Goblins
 * align="center" |
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Earthbreaker
 * align="center" | 40'
 * align="center" rowspan="2"| Serket
 * align="center" rowspan="2"| Garlaige Citadel
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Venom Storm
 * align="center" | 40'
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Tebbad Wing
 * align="center" | Unsure
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Tiamat
 * align="center" rowspan="2" | Attohwa Chasm
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Horrid Roar
 * align="center" | Unsure
 * }

Monster Area of Effect Spells

 * {|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="90%"

! width="33%" | Spell Name ! width="33%" | Used By ! width="34%" | Area
 * - style="background:#ffdead;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Bindga
 * align="center" | Serket
 * align="center" | Garlaige Citadel
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Meteor
 * align="center" | King Behemoth
 * align="center" | Behemoth's Dominion
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Horde Lullaby
 * align="center" | Simurgh
 * align="center" | Rolanberry Fields
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Waterga IV
 * align="center" | King Arthro
 * align="center" | Jugner Forest
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Poisonga II
 * align="center" | King Arthro
 * align="center" | Jugner Forest
 * }

Player Area of Effect Weapon Skills

 * {|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="90%"

! width="34%" | Weapon Skill Name ! width="33%" | Jobs That Can Use It ! width="33%" | Weapon Type
 * - style="background:#ffdead;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Cyclone
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| THF, RDM, RNG, BRD, NIN
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Dagger
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Earth Crusher
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| PLD, WAR, MNK, WHM
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Staff
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Spinning Scythe
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| DRK, BST, WAR, BLM
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Scythe
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Spinning Attack
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| MNK, PUP, WAR, THF, NIN
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Hand-to-Hand
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shockwave
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| PLD, DRK, WAR
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Great Sword
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Circle Blade
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| PLD, BLU, WAR, THF, RDM, COR, DRK, SAM RNG, BRD, NIN, DRG, BST
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Sword
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Moonlight
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| PLD, BLU, WAR, DRK, WHM
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| Club


 * }

Player Area of Effect Spells

 * {|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="40%" align="right"

! width="50%" | Player Spell Name (defensive/Party) ! width="50%" | Jobs That Can Use It
 * - style="background:#ffdead;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Aerial Armor
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Garuda)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Baraera
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barblindra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barblizzara
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barfira
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barparalyzra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barpetra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barpoisonra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barsilencera
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barsleepra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barstonra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barthundra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barvira
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Barwatera
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Crimson Howl
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Fenrir)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Curaga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Curaga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Curaga III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Curaga IV
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Dream Shroud
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Diabolos)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Earthen Ward
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Titan)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Ecliptic Howl
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Fenrir)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Frost Armor
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Shiva)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Glittering Ruby
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Carbuncle)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Hastega
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Garuda)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Lightning Armor
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Ramuh)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Noctoshield
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Diabolos)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Protectra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Protectra II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Protectra III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Protectra IV
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Protectra V
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Rolling Thunder
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Ramuh)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shellra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shellra II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shellra III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shellra IV
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shellra V
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Shining Ruby
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Carbuncle)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Spring Water
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Leviathan)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Whispering Wind
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Garuda)


 * }


 * {|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="40%"

! width="50%" | Player Spell Name (offensive) ! width="50%" | Jobs That Can Use It
 * - style="background:#ffdead;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Aerial Blast
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Garuda)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Aeroga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Aeroga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Aeroga III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Banishga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Banishga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Blizzaga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Blizzaga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Blizzaga III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Diaga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Diamond Dust
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Shiva)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Earthen Fury
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Titan)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Firaga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Firaga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Firaga III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Howling Moon
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Fenrir)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Inferno
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Ifrit)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Judgment Bolt
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Ramuh)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Lunar Roar
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Fenrir)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Nightmare
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Diabolos)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Poisonga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM, DRK
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Ruinous Omen
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Diabolos)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Searing Light
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Carbuncle)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Sleepga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM, SMN(Shiva)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Sleepga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Stonega
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Stonega II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Stonega III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Slowga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Leviathan)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Thundaga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Thundaga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Thundaga III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Thunderspark
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Ramuh)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Tidal Wave
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Leviathan)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Ultimate Terror
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SMN(Diabolos)
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Waterga
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Waterga II
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Waterga III
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BLM
 * }

Player Area of Effect Skills

 * {|border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2" width="40%"

! width="50%" | Player Skill Name ! width="50%" | Jobs That Can Use It
 * - style="background:#ffdead;"
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Ancient Circle
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| DRG
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Arcane Circle
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| DRK
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Benediction
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Divine Seal + Divine Veil makes any status cure spell AoE
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WHM
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Double-Up
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| COR
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Holy Circle
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| PLD
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Killer Instinct
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| BST
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Mantra
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| MNK
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Phantom Roll
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| COR
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Rampart
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| PLD
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Random Deal
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| COR
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Warcry
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| WAR
 * - style="background:#e3e6ff;"
 * Warding Circle
 * align="center" rowspan="1"| SAM
 * }