Introduction
In Final Fantasy VIII, the system that controls the character's
attributes and magic system is the Junction System. Junction
is a complete new gaming concept. It allows the player to
"junction" magic to the character's attributes via
Junction Abilities. The effect of junction is based on the
power and number of spells.
In the traditional RPG, your characters can do more damage
(i.e. having better attacking or Str stats) by replacing current
weapons with better weapons. In Final Fantasy VIII, equiping
a better weapon only adds around 20+ at most. You do not need
to stock up weapons as the existing weapons will replaced
with the upgraded weapons.
Ability
Types
The Junction System does not work all by
itself. It also involves the use of Magic spells and GFs.
GFs are summon monsters that can be junction onto a character
thus enhancing the characters with its abilities. Every GFs
own an unique set of abiltiies which can use to junction on
the equipped character. Each GFs can carry up to 22 abilities
ranging from:- Junction, Character, Command, Menu, GF and
Party Abilities. A character cannot access the junction system
without a GF. Guardian forces learn abilities by acquiring
Ability Points (AP) from enemies defeated in battle
encounters. The six categories of abilities are listed as
below:
Ability
Type
Function
Junction
Allows you to junction magic to an attribute
junction, such as strength or speed. These abilities
always ended with "-J"
Command
Allows you to set the command list for
equipped character. These commands are used to execute
actions such as using an item or casting magic. These
ability must be equipped under the Command List to took
effect. A character can have up to additional 3 commands
other than the Attack command.
Character
Allows you to support the character with
character ability or in-battle effect bonus. These abilities
needed to be equipped on the character's Ability List.
Guardian
Force
Allows you to provide additional support
for GFs such as bonuses for GF's HP and more attacking
power.
Menu
Allows you to access menus that are selectable
under the Ability menu.
Party
Allows you to provide support for the
party as a whole. Works like the character's abilities
except it applies to all members. These abilities needed
to be equipped on the character's Ability List.
Learning
Abilities
Upon recruiting a GF, the GF starts learning with a GF ability
by default. You can change the learning order by accessing
the GF menu. For the complete listing of abilities available
for each GF, you can check out the GF
section.
To determine an ability to learn for the upcoming battles,
go to the GF menu. Select the GF and you will be able to view
the GF profile screen. From GF's profile, you will find its
current Level and HP. There are also indicators stating the
total amount of experience GF gains along with amount of experience
points needed to reach the next level.
On the right side of the screen, you will find two pages of
abilities available on the GF. The list of abilities learnt
ranging from 5 to 9 abilities. As you view the pages for the
first time, you will find the list is not complete. This is
because some of the abilities are locked" and they can
be "unlocked" upon mastering the perquisite ability.
You can customize the set of abilities by using GF ability
items and Amnesia Greens. A GF can have a maximum of 22 abilities.
Ability
Menu
Under the Main Menu, you will find the Ability
Menu. The Ability Menu will allows the player to access the
menu abilities that are acquired by GFs. Menu abilities generally
allows you to gain access to Item Shops, a Junk Shop and refinement
menus. In Final Fantasy VIII, they have allow the flexibility
of refining items into useful items or magic. The Ability
Menu will be accessible once you have gotten the first menu
ability.
Bonus Abilities
There are 2 abilities that can only be obtained
via the Pocketstation - Choco World. These two ability are
Ribbon [an ability that protects the character from all status
ailments except for Instant Death] along with Mog's Amulet
[allows you to summon GF MiniMog]. There is no alternatives
to get this other than playing the Choco World.
NOTE: If you use a gameshark or other corresponding
devices, you can get these items. MiniMog will still not work
unless you have entered a code that says unlock MiniMog.
PATH 
Ability
Types