Concept artwork for Final Fantasy V.
A beast with a crimson jewel shining from its forehead.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Summon Compendium
The Carbuncle (カーバンクル, Kābankuru?), also called the Carbunkl, Crbnkl, or Carbunkle, is a recurring creature in the Final Fantasy series. While it first appeared as an enemy in Final Fantasy III, its now iconic appearance as a summoned monster debuted in Final Fantasy V. Its name is an archaic word for a red gemstone, which commonly adorns its forehead. Its abilities are primarily supportive in nature and grant a variety of beneficial status effects, with its signature ability Ruby Light granting Reflect to its allies.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy III[]
The Carbuncle appears as an enemy encountered in the Altar Cave. Being one of the first enemies encountered, it is not difficult to defeat. It appearance differs drastically from later appearances, instead appearing to be a cluster of rocks.
Final Fantasy V[]
Carbuncle, also known as Carbuncl, appears as a level 4 summon obtained in Castle Exdeath by defeating it in an optional boss battle, where it is far more monstrous in appearance. On the 10th floor where skull-tiles cover the room, if the party steps onto the northernmost one, they will teleport to a normally inaccessible spot where Carbuncle is. It costs 45 MP to summon, and its Ruby Light grants Reflect on the party.
Final Fantasy VI[]
Carbuncle, also known as the Carbunkl, appears as an esper obtained automatically in the Magitek Research Facility. Its Ruby Light bestows Reflect on the entire party. It costs 36 MP to summon. As a Magicite, it teaches Reflect (x5), Haste (x3), Protect (x2), Shell (x2) and Teleport (x2).
Final Fantasy VII Remake[]
Carbuncle appears as a summoning materia obtained as DLC. It was a preorder bonus in the 1st Class Edition and Digital Deluxe Editions, and is also available in the Digital Deluxe Upgrade pack. Carbuncle is a support summon that can bestow the party with various buffs as well as heal and revive them.
Final Fantasy VIII[]
Carbuncle appears as a Guardian Force drawn from the Iguions. If missed, it can later be drawn from Krysta in Ultimecia Castle. Carbuncle casts Ruby Light, bestowing the Reflect status onto the party. Because Carbuncle is not a damage-dealing GF it cannot be boosted, and while it can learn SumMag+% abilities from items, they will have no effect.
Its ability pool reflects its supportive role in battle. Carbuncle learns HP, Vitality and Magic junctions, as well as status attack and defense junctions. It learns HP and Vitality boosting support abilities and Ability x3 that lets the junctioner equip three support abilities at once. Carbuncle is the first GF to learn Counter, which has the junctioner use the Attack command on the enemy that hits them physically, and the only GF to learn Auto-Reflect that bestows a permanent Reflect status. Its unique ability is Recov Med-RF that lets the player refine recovery items from other items.
Final Fantasy IX[]
Carbuncle appears as an eidolon summoned by Eiko. It is learned through the Ruby for 35 AP, added to the inventory upon entering the Iifa Tree. Its Ruby Light only bestows Reflect if its short animation is used, but its long animation grants Protect as well.
Eiko's add-on jewels can alter Carbuncle's summon ability by switching the ruby on its forehead, replacing the Reflect it grants with a different status. When equipped with the Diamond, its Diamond Light grants Vanish; when equipped with the Emerald, its Emerald Light grants Haste; and when equipped with the Moonstone, its Pearl Light grants Shell. All variations continue to provide Protect in addition to their base status if the long animation is used.
Final Fantasy XI[]
Carbuncle appears as one of the five terrestrial Avatars. Associated with rainbows and a strange gem called Carbuncle's Ruby, it is the patron of player Summoners. Carbuncle is obtained as part of the same quest to unlock the Summoner job.
Carbuncle has weak physical attacks, but has useful skills like Healing Ruby and Shining Ruby, a healing spell and a defensive spell respectively. It has a lower Perpetuation Cost than any other Avatar, making it a favorite for special tasks such as pulling or kiting mobs.
While Carbuncle is usually considered the weakest player-avatar, when encountered as Carbuncle Prime in a separate sidequest it is a powerful boss. A somewhat weaker version of Carbuncle Prime tends to appear in different areas of Limbus at random when opening treasure chests.
Final Fantasy XII[]
As with many other recurring summoned monsters, the Carbuncle appears not as a summon but as a airship in the Archadian Imperial Fleets. It appears briefly as the ship used by Vossler to transport the party from the Leviathan to the Shiva. It bears a prominent red shield on the fore of the ship, evoking the rubies of Carbuncle's common appearance.
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings[]
Carbuncle appears as the rank 2 Holy Esper. In order to reach its node on the Ring of Pacts, either Atomos or Balasa must be obtained first. Carbuncle can use Cure to heal one ally, while its special attack, Ruby Balm, heals all characters in range. Carbuncle is the only Esper that can cast a multiple unit healing spell.
Final Fantasy XIII[]
The fal'Cie Carbuncle (left) and the Eidolon Carbuncle (right).
Carbuncle primarily appears as the fal'Cie responsible for providing Cocoon with food, encountered by Hope Estheim and Lightning underneath Palumpolum. While more alien in appearance, it nonetheless bears a large red crystal at its core.
Carbuncle is also among the Eidolons depicted in the Pompa Sancta parade at Nautilus, where it resembles its classic design more-so than the the alien fal'Cie. It can considered a mascot of the park, with Carbuncle dolls being sold as merchandise. It is not established if there is any connection between the fal'Cie and the Nautilus Eidolon.
Final Fantasy XIII-2[]
The Carbuncle Figurine can be obtained as an adornment in the Yaschas Massif 10 AF, based on the dolls seen in Nautilus in Final Fantasy XIII. One such figurine can be seen in Serah's room in the beginning, as well as in Chocolina's chest.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]
The Carbuncle Figuine returns as an [Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII adornments|adornment]] obtained after the completing "The Things She's Lost" quest in Luxerion. The quest involves finding a green Carbuncle doll for a young girl named Dolce who had lost her toy. A red Carbuncle doll can also be found while undergoing this sidequest, but if found and given to Dolce the player will fail the quest.
Final Fantasy XIV[]
The Carbuncle appears as a family of arcanima summoned into existence by Arcanists through complex aether manipulation and arcane geometry. The common Carbuncle can be obtained as a summon by Arcanists, and by extension Summoners, and can protect its master using shields of aether and aid in bringing forth more powerful summons. Later, Arcanists unlock the ability to briefly summon enhanced Carbuncles infused with the elements: the fire-elemental Ruby Carbuncle, earth-elemental Topaz Carbuncle, or wind-elemental Emerald Carbuncle. Other unique carbuncle variations, such as the Amber, Onyx, and Moonstone Carbuncles, have appeared as unique minions summoned by Urianger Augurelt and Alphinaud Leveilleur.
The game also features three large Carbuncles that can be ridden as mounts: the Aquamarine, Citrine, and Rubellite Carbuncles, which appear similar to enlarged versions of the standard, Topaz, and Ruby Carbuncles respectively. Additionally, the Proto-Carbuncle appears as a boss encountered in 
Abyssos: The Fifth Circle, its bestial appearance hearkening back to the boss encounter in Final Fantasy V.
Final Fantasy XV[]
Carbuncle appears as a companion in Platinum Demo – Final Fantasy XV, leading young Noctis through his dreamscape. Upon completing the demo, the player can name the Carbuncle. It also appeared at the Moogle Chocobo Carnival holiday event.
In Easy Mode, Carbuncle will appear whenever the currently controlled character is KO'd in battle, bestowing a buff that significantly increases their attack and defense for the duration of the battle while completely restoring their HP. Carbuncle can appear indefinitely, though many harder hunts and locations will disable his appearance, indicated by a "no help" icon. He can also randomly appear in the background of photos taken by Prompto.
Final Fantasy Tactics[]
Carbuncle, also known as Carbunkle, appears as a summoned monster learned by Summoners for 350 JP. Its Ruby grants Reflect to all allies for 30 MP with a speed of 25.
Final Fantasy Tactics Advance[]
Carbuncle appears as a summoned monster learned by Summoners from the Garnet Staff. It can be summoned to grant Reflect to any allied units within range.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift[]
Carbuncle returns as a summon monster learned by Summoners from the Pomegranate Staff. It grants Reflect to all units in a large area for 16 MP.
Crystal Defenders[]
Carbuncle appears as a summonable Esper in Crystal Defenders W2, and nullifies resistances of all enemies in an area. It also appears as a boss in W1 and W3.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series[]
The Carbuncle appears as a race of creatures that can live for thousands of years and have extension knowledge of the world.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light[]
The Carbuncle appears as an enemy encountered in the Great Tree.
Final Fantasy Dimensions[]
The Carbuncle appears as an enemy encountered in the Northern Cave. Its appearance is based on the original Final Fantasy III Carbuncle.
Final Fantasy Dimensions II[]
Carbuncle appears a light-elemental Eidolon. It is one of the basic low-ranked summons and is equipped to Aemo once she joins the party at the beginning of Chapter 1. When summoned into battle, Carbuncle will use Ruby Light as its special attack, which reflects a single magic attack for all party members. Summoning Carbuncle costs 2 points from the Consumption Gauge. The summon's initial design is based on its incarnation in Final Fantasy XI, but its final form is based off Amber Carbuncle from Final Fantasy XIV.
Dissidia Final Fantasy[]
Carbuncle's manual summon (top) and automatic summon (bottom).
Carbuncle appears as a summonstone with both a manual and automatic version. It casts Ruby Light, which changes the opponent's Bravery to match the summoner's; if the automatic version is used, it activates when the summoner lands an HP attack. Carbuncle's manual version uses artwork from Final Fantasy VIII and is obtained in Destiny Odyssey IV's second stage, while the automatic version uses artwork from Final Fantasy XI and is obtained in the third stage.
Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy[]
Carbuncle returns as a summonstone|summonstone, with the same functions. Its auto version is now found near the end of Chapter Three: Clues of Scenario 012, while the manual version can be purchased from certain Moogle Shops for 50 KP.
Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia[]
Alphinaud summons his Moonstone and Obsidian Carbuncles using his Summon Moonstone and Obsidian Combination abilities. Each Carbuncle will join him for a set amount of turns and changes the function of his other abilities while active.
Pictlogica Final Fantasy[]
Carbuncle from Final Fantasy V appears as a summon.
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]
Carbuncle appears as a Light-elemental esper, obtained by defeating it in battle. When summoned, Carbuncle casts Meteorite.
Final Fantasy Record Keeper[]
Carbuncle from Final Fantasy V appears as both a boss and Summoning ability. When summoned, it grants Reflect to all members of the party.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
Carbuncle appears as an Esper obtained by defeating it in a boss battle in the Carbuncle Grove. While it has some offensive capabilities, it is primarily a support-oriented summon.
War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
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Mobius Final Fantasy[]
Carbuncle appears as a life-elemental Support ability card, grating the Regen ability.
World of Final Fantasy[]
Carbuncle appears as a Mirage encountered in various parts of the story accompanying a Masked Woman who helps guide the twins. It is later revealed that the woman was merely an illusion produced and maintained by the Carbuncle under the orders of Brandelis. Originally accompanying Hauyn, the esper was fused with one of the Exnine Knights, but due to its weakness, it could not take a human form and was forced to retain the carbuncle's appearance.
Carbuncle is encountered as a boss in several battles through Castle Exnine; defeating all the Carbuncles in the castle rewards the Carbuncle Memento, allowing Carbuncle to be transfigured with the Skull Eater or Topaz Carbuncle. It can also be encountereda as a regular enemy in the Coliseum, and Tometown of the Ancients, and can be imprismed using a Mu Prism.
Chocobo Racing[]
Carbuncle from Final Fantasy VIII appears in the background of the Fantasia track.
Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon[]
This section in Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Chocobo's Dungeon 2[]
This section in Chocobo's Dungeon 2 is empty or needs to be expanded. You can help the Final Fantasy Wiki by expanding it.Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales[]
Carbuncle appears as a group of light element cards, granting the Shining Star, Quickstomp, Ruby Light, Ruby Light+, Holy Guard, and Blessed Song abilities. The player must locate Carbuncle six times to get of its cards.
Final Fantasy Trading Card Game[]
The Carbuncles from Final Fantasy IX, XI, Tactics, Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, and Mobius appear as Earth- and Light-elemental Summon cards.
Final Fantasy Portal App[]
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The Carbuncles from Final Fantasy IX and Brave Exvius appear as Triple Triad cards.
Non-Final Fantasy appearances[]
Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable[]
Carbuncle appears a chance card that increases Pearl value by 20% on a random street.
Knights of the Crystals[]
Carbuncle appears as an ultimate card.
Puzzle & Dragons[]
The Carbuncle from Crystal Defenders appears alongside the Moogle as part of a crossover event.
Antique Carnevale[]
Carbuncle appears as a summoned beast.
Etymology[]
Carbuncle was a mythical creature reportedly sighted in the Americas by Spanish conquistadors. It is described as a small creature, either a bird or a mammal, that has a gem in its forehead crystallized from the brain of a dead dragon. According to myth, it is good luck to catch a carbuncle. A carbuncle is also an archaic name given to any red cabochon cut gemstone. The name applied particularly to red garnet.