Vitality

Abbreviation: VIT
Vitality is generally cast as the "defensive" stat for jobs that get hit. Unfortunately, the melee damage calculations are unkind to it at higher levels.

Its most important roll is in the melee damage calculations, particularly in the Damage Formula variable: fSTR. fSTR is a base damage bonus/penalty that depends upon the comparison between attacker STR and target VIT. Thus, maintaining high VIT allows you to negate some base damage of your enemy, to the tune of 1 base damage per 4 VIT. Though this mechanism does reduce damage somewhat, many high level enemies have base damage well over 200, so the -10 that can be knocked off by stacking 40 VIT doesn't amount to much. This is generally what people should be referring to when they say "Vitality is Broken."

Apart from this, Vitality gives a direct defense bonus of 1 point defense per 2 points of Vitality. Though it is something to consider, stacking Vitality is generally not a very efficient way to gain defense.

VIT is associated with the Element: Earth as can be seen on most VIT rings, ie: Stamina Ring.

Other Roles

• As of the June 2011 patch, Vitality is supposed to have a role in reducing monster critical hit damage, though the mechanism remains untested.
• Sufficient Vitality will increase the duration of Cover up to a maximum of 15 seconds, as long as it is worn the whole time.
• Rampart's Magic Shield effect will absorb VIT{{math}times}}2 worth of damage.
• The target's Vitality is one of the two player stats that determines Waltz strength.
• Vitality is used to determine Jump base damage, with the formula:
  • Jump base damage = ( Base Damage + fSTR )×( 1 + VIT÷256 )
• Caster's Vitality has a role in determining Healing Power for the Cure Formula, at the rate of 1 Healing Power per 3 Vitality
• Chakra's HP restored is Vitality×2.