Dia III

From FFXIclopedia, the free Final Fantasy XI encyclopedia

Lowers an enemy's defense and gradually deals Light elemental damage.

Description Spell cost: 45 MP Spell element: Light Magic skill: Enfeebling Jobs: Level 75 Red Mage Merit Info: Lasts 30 seconds upon first unlocking. Each additional Merit increases the duration by 30 seconds.

Timers Casting Time: 2 second Recast Time: 7 seconds

How to Obtain

Obtained: Red Mage Merit points Group 2

Other Information

Dia III initially lasts 30 seconds. Each upgrade increases the duration of the spell by 30 seconds.

Effects

Casting Dia III will lower the target's defense by approximately 15% (39/256). This effect cannot be resisted except with Magic Shield.

Note

Some monsters are able to use Dia III as well:

Alexander

Byakko

Razfahd

In addition, the Wamoura ability Erosion Dust inflicts Dia III.

Dia / Bio Priority 

Dia and Bio do not stack.

Bio III > Dia III > Bio II > Dia II > Bio > Dia

Example: If Dia is cast, and Bio is cast afterwards, Dia will be overwritten. If Dia II is then cast, Bio will be overwritten. If Bio II is cast, Dia II will be overwritten.

Note: This is not necessarily the case for player characters who have been hit with both spells.

Useful Macros

/ma "Dia III" <t> Casts onto current target

/ma "Dia III" <bt> Casts onto last target claimed by party

/ma "Dia III" <stnpc> Allows you to select a target from available NPCs

The Meaning of Dia

The spell "Dia" comes from the original Japanese release of Final Fantasy, where it is the name of a direct-damage holy spell. (The name of this spell in the North American release was "Harm".) Dia (ダイヤ) is Japanese shorthand for "diamond", and the spell is intended to be symbolic of the purity and clarity of a diamond. ダイヤ is also the Japanese name for the Diamond suit found in playing cards. Because of the romaji provided with the Japanese naming, and the English word referenced by it, we know the pronunciation to be (d-ī-ah), or "Dye-ah".

Some players prefer to use the pronunciation as "Dïa" (d-ee-ah). "Dïa" itself has historical reference, and can be defined as the prefix that was derived from Greek roots, which means "to pass through or join", or defined as "the day" after the word "el día" in Spanish. Dia (d-ee-ah) also refers to God in Gaelic, and is part of the greeting used "dia duit" meaning Gods blessing.

Notes

At the early times of the game, this was a level 61 RDM spell. Until Merits came in effect.