The Junction system is Final Fantasy VIII's way of developing characters and arranging abilities and magic for battle. Below is an
explanation of it all.
Flow of the Junction System:
1. Obtain a Guardian Force
First off you must get a GF. Without the GF you will not be able to use the junction system.
2. Select ability for GF to learn
When you use the GF command on the menu screen you can select from a list of
abilities for a GF to use. The first one a GF should learn is "Boost"
3. Junction the GF
Select Junction on the menu screen
4. Junction Ability
You then can junction GF abilities to a character
5. Draw Magic
One a GF has been junctioned, you can set the "Draw" command to draw magic spells from monsters.
6. Junction Magic
Junction the magic to the characters Stats
Glossary
Junction
In this game, Junction refers to the equipping of characters wit things other than physical objects such as weapons and armors. Basically, this involves Guardian forces. It also allows you to equip characters with magic.
GF
GF is short for Guardian Force. GF can be summoned during battle. Junctioning a GF with a character allows the GF to level UP in the same way the characters do. As a GF grows stronger, it will grant special abilities to the character it is junctioned to.
Draw
Characters are able to draw certain elements from enemies and posses those drawn elements as magic.
Guardian Forces
On order to utilize the Junction System, it is necessary to obtain a GF. This is possible by defeating the GF itself or by drawing it out of a boss monster. There may be other times when the player will be able to obtain a GF in unexpected locations.
GF Obtained in the beginning of the game
The First GF can be obtained in the beginning of the game in Balamb Garden by reviewing the study panel. by accessing the Tutorial Command on the study panel, the player will be able to obtain two guardian forces: Quezacotl and Shiva.
Selecting the Guardian Force's Learned Abilities
To select an ability to be learned by a GF, press the Square button to display the Menu screen and select the "GF" menu heading on the screen. GF that are
available to learn abilities will be displayed. Select the desired GF with the X Button and the abilities screen will be shown. Using the Learn menu
heading on the screen, you will be able to check the status of the GF and select the ability for the GF to lean. This ability will be gained once enough ability Points (AP) have been gained through battle.
Flow of Learning new Abilities
1. Select Ability
Select the ability to be learned by the GF.
2. Battle>
Battle while GF is junctioned and Gain AP
3.Aquire Ability
Once enough AP has been collected, the GF will learn the ability. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to learn more abilities.
Six types of abilities with various characteristics
Junction Abilities
The allow the player to junction magic to character stats. Letting players customize character's characteristics.
Example:
HP-1 -------Junctioning magic to HP
Str-1 -------Junctioning magic to strength
Command Abilities
These abilities allow the player to add or customize commands on the character's battle window
Example:
Magic ----Make Magic command available, allowing characters to cast magic on or off the battlefield
GF ---- Make the GF command available, allowing characters to summon GF during battle
Character Abilities
These add special skills and improve values of an individual character's stats by setting them in the ability window located below the command window while junctioning. Normally, a character has only two slots
valuable for this type of abilities, however, the player will be able to junction more after
certain abilities are learned by the GF.
Example
Str+20% ----Character's strength increases 20%
Mug ----Change attack command to mug
Cover---- Receive attacks in place of another party member
Party Abilities
These abilities provide special effects the benefit the entire party. Only one character needs to equip it.
Example
Alert ----Prevent back attack
Move-Find----Find hidden save points and draw points
GF Abilities
These abilities increase the power of the GF. Unlike other abilities, these abilities do not need to be junctioned to take effect.
Example
SumMagc+20% ----increase the effect of attacks from summon magic 20%
GFHP+20% ----increase the HP of GF by 20%
Menu Ability
These abilities will be added to the ability menu heading on the menu screen. They do not need to be junctioned.
Example:
Haggle ----Purchase items in shops at discounted prices
F-Mag-RF ----by refining certain items, a character will be able to create "Fire" magic.
