Types
Materia is separated into five categories of functions in the game: “Command”, “Magic”, “Summon”, “Independent”, and “Support”. Graphically they are yellow, green, red, blue, and purple respectively. The materia type is determined by a single byte value that is separated into two parts. The upper nybble will be considered the sub-type and the lower nybble is the base type. For base types the values will yield the following results:
| Base | Materia Type |
|---|---|
| X0 | Independent |
| X1 | Independent |
| X2 | Command |
| X3 | Command |
| X4 | Independent |
| X5 | Support |
| X6 | Command |
| X7 | Command |
| X8 | Command |
| X9 | Magic |
| XA | Magic |
| XB | Summon |
| XC | Summon |
| XD | Independent1 |
| XE | Independent1 |
| XF | Independent1 |
Each of these Base Types have a set of sub-types that provide different functions. They are used to determine what function to provide, usually based on the Materia’s attribute list. These sub-types have the following functions when equipped:
(If sub-type is listed as ‘X’ then any sub-type will produce that effect. Other sub-types have no function. Battle effects not mentioned.)
| Independent Types: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | Function based on Attribute 1 | ||
| 0Ch | Character’s flags ORd with 1 and MateriaHandler set to 11 (Underwater) | ||
| 62h | Character’s flags ORd with 8 and MateriaHandler set to 11 (HP<->MP) | ||
| 202 | Increases Stat Bonus value based on attribute list2A and AP level and sets MateriaHandler to 4 | ||
| 303 | Character’s flags ORd with 4 and MateriaHandler set to 12 | ||
| 40 | Same as 20, but sets MateriaHandler to 0Dh (EXP Plus) | ||
| 214 | Enables effect Attribute 1 with a magnitude based on attribute list and AP Level | ||
| 41 | Enables effect Attribute 1 with a magnitude based on attribute list and AP Level | ||
| X4 | If 0xC06914 is non-0 after getting AP level then set MateriaHandler to 0Bh (Mega-All) | ||
| Command Types: | |||
| 12 | Replace first command (Attack) based on attribute list and AP Level | ||
| X3 | Subtype not important. Only Primary Attributes allowed are 15h, 16h, 17h | ||
| 15h | Replaces Magic with WMagic | ||
| 16h | Replaces Summon with WSummon | ||
| 17h | Replaces Item with WItem | ||
| X6 | Add Command based on attribute list and AP Level | ||
| X7 | Add Command 0Dh (E.Skill) | ||
| X8 | Add Command 5 (Steal), 6 (Sense), 7 (Coin), 9 (Morph), Ah (D.Blow), Bh (Manip), Ch (Mime) | ||
| Support Types: | |||
| 25 | Attribute 1 must be between 54h - 64h inclusive. Just sets the MateriaHandler to a specific value | ||
| Attribute 1 Value | MateriaHandler | Materia | |
| 54h | 0Fh | Command Counter | |
| 55h | 0Fh | Magic Counter | |
| 56h | 10h | Sneak Attack | |
| 57h | Ignored | ||
| 58h | 10h | MP Turbo | |
| 59h | 10h | MP Absorb | |
| 5Ah | 10h | HP Absorb | |
| 5Bh | Ignored | ||
| 5Ch | 10h | Added Cut | |
| 5Dh | 10h | Steal As Well | |
| 5Eh | 10h | Elemental | |
| 5Fh | 10h | Added Effect | |
| 60h | Ignored | ||
| 61h | Ignored | ||
| 62h | Ignored | ||
| 63h | Ignored | ||
| 64h | 10h | (Unused) | |
| 35 | Like 25, but only Attribute 1 values 51h, 57h, and 63h are used. | ||
| 51h | 0Fh | All | |
| 57h | 10h | Final Attack | |
| 63h | 0Fh | Quadra Magic | |
| Magic Types: | |||
| X9 | Add Command 2 (Magic) and Enable magics based on attribute list and AP Level | ||
| XA | Add Command 2 (Magic) and Enable magics with index 0-37h inclusive5 | ||
| Summon Types: | |||
| XB | Add Command 3 (Summon) and enables attack at Attribute 1 for use ‘AP Level’ times (Ignores other Attributes) | ||
| XC | Add Command 3 (Summon) and enables attacks with index 38h - 47h inclusive |
1 - There are no XD, XE or XF type materias in the game. They are graphically represented as Independent but have no effect.
2 - Various in-battle conditions (Cover/Counter) and stat increases
:2A - 0=Strength; 1=Vitality; 2=Magic; 3=Spirit; 4=Speed; 5=Luck; 6=Attack; 7=Defense; 8=MHP; 9=MMP; 10=EXP; higher than 10 results in memory leaks
3 - ONLY works with Materia Index 0Ch (Long Range). Attribute List is ignored
4 - Although Enemy Away’s first attribute shares a value with Enemy Lure (1), it is handled differently based on index to alter a different memory address from Enemy Lure.
5 - Shield is the last magic attack with an index of 35h. The Magic menu prevents access to attacks 36h & 37h
Materia Handler
These are the values assigned to each materia type:
| Handler Value | Type |
|---|---|
| 00 | None |
| 01 | Magic Materia (excluding Master Magic) |
| 02 | Summon Materia (excluding Master Summon) |
| 03 | Base 6 |
| 04 | 20 |
| 05 | Master Command |
| 06 | Master Magic |
| 07 | Master Summon |
| 08 | E.Skill |
| 09 | 41 |
| 0A | 21 |
| 0B | Mega-All |
| 0C | None |
| 0D | EXP Plus |
| 0E | W-Materia |
| 0F | some 25 & 35 |
| 10 | some 25 & 35 |
| 11 | 00 |
| 12 | Specifically CounterAttack and Long Range |
| 13 | Base 2 |
It primarily (exclusively?) tells the menu loader which texts to bring up when a menu is loaded.