Oh, shut up and help me remodel the Battle theme page!
Most Final Fantasy titles in the series have a regular battle theme, most often affiliated with a generic random encounter.
A recurring feature in the earlier titles is that each battle theme starts almost identically, with the same two measures of eighth notes repeated in the bass clef twice before the main melody of the piece joins it in the treble clef in its third measure.
Appearances[]
Final Fantasy[]
The normal battle theme is simply called "Battle". In the original Famicom release, this battle theme is played in every battle, with subsequent remakes and ports using remixes of this theme for boss battles.
Final Fantasy II[]
The battle theme is called "Battle Theme 1". In the original Famicom release, this battle theme is also played in some boss battles.
Final Fantasy III[]
"Battle 1" is the main battle theme. Electric guitar sections are added in the Pixel Remaster release.
Final Fantasy IV[]
For the second time in the series, the main battle theme is named "Battle 1".
Final Fantasy IV -Interlude-[]
The same battle theme from Final Fantasy IV is used for battles.
Final Fantasy IV: The After Years[]
Like Interlude, the same battle theme as the original Final Fantasy IV is used.
Final Fantasy V[]
The battle theme is "Battle 1", also known as "The Battle".
It plays in most random encounters throughout the game. It also plays in the superboss encounter against Omega.
Final Fantasy VI[]
The battle theme is called "Battle".
Final Fantasy VII[]
The battle theme is known as "Let the Battles Begin!" and is the first battle theme with a distinct introduction compared to previous titles.
Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII-[]
"Survive" is used as the normal battle theme for the game.
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-[]
"Encounter" (エンカウント, Enkaunto?) is the most prominent random encounter battle theme. "Conflict" (コンフリクト, Konfurikuto?) plays during the battles in Junon. "Timely Ambush (from FFVII 'Let the Battles Begin!')" (間隙の急襲（FFVII『闘う者達』より）, Kangeki no Kyūshū (FFVII "Tatakau Monotachi" yori)?, lit. Assault in the Gap (from FFVII "Those Who Fight")) is an arrangement of "Let the Battles Begin!" and plays during some battles in Midgar.
"Combat" (コンバット, Konbatto?) plays during some battles. "Howling Abominations" (集いし異形の咆哮, Tsudoishi Igyō no Hōkō?, lit. Howl of the Gathered Abominations) is the battle theme of the final dungeon, Banora Underground.
All of the tracks are released on the Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Original Soundtrack, and most themes except for "Combat" and "Howling Abominations" were rearranged for Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Reunion.
Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-[]
"Fight Tune: Arms of Shinra" as as both the main battle theme and boss theme. A version featuring a shorter introduction is the theme used for lesser encounters.
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis[]
A rearrangement of "Let the Battles Begin!", composed by Nobuo Uematsu, plays during normal encounters in the Final Fantasy VII story, with the original version of "Encounter" playing during encounters in the Crisis Core story, composed by Takeharu Ishimoto.
"THE FIRST SOLDIER: Battle Theme" (ファーストソルジャー：バトルテーマ, Fāsuto Sorujā: Batoru Tēma?) is the normal battle theme in the first episode of the Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier story, composed and arranged by Ryo Furukawa. A shortened variation released on the Square Enix Music Sampler CD Vol.18. When controlling Sephiroth as the head of the party after chapter 4, an untitled theme plays during normal battle. For Episode II, a new untitled theme is used for normal battles during the new chapter of the story.
Final Fantasy VII Remake[]
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth[]
Final Fantasy VIII[]
The battle theme is known as "Don't Be Afraid", and is one of the few themes written for any Final Fantasy title in the 5/4 time signature. This theme also has an extended version used for the battle against the X-ATM092.
This theme is replaced by "The Man with the Machine Gun" during the dream sequences involving Laguna and his friends, Kiros and Ward.
Final Fantasy IX[]
The battle theme is known as "Battle 1". The introduction hearkens back to that of the battle themes of the first six installments of the series.
Final Fantasy X[]
The battle theme is known as "Battle Theme".
Final Fantasy X-2[]
The main battle theme is called "YuRiPa, Fight! No.3".
Final Fantasy XI[]
"Battle Theme" is the theme played whenever the player does battle in the field. It is composed by Naoshi Mizuta.
Final Fantasy XII[]
Because all battles are held in the field, there is no official battle theme. However, "Flash of Steel" was intended to be before it was then relegated to being a theme for fixed battle stages.
Final Fantasy XIII[]
The battle theme is called "Blinded By Light". It is the first battle theme to feature the intro rhythm common to at least one battle theme in each of the mainline games that originated during the HD game console era. "Defiers of Fate" is a remix of "Blinded by Light" that is featured on the opening full-motion video and as a background track during the raid on the Palamecia. An extended version of "Blinded By Light" plays during the second phase of the first fight against the Manasvin Warmech.
Final Fantasy XIII-2[]
There are two main battle themes in the game that seem to have connections to the main characters. "Paradigm Shift" is the standard battle theme for most areas in the game, and "The Last Hunter" plays as the main battle theme for other notable areas. While Serah isn't granted a traditional battle theme like Noel, "Etro's Champion" is labeled as Serah's battle theme in the game files, the same way Noel's battle theme is marked.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]
"Lightning Returns" is the battle theme for random encounters during the introductory mission in Yusnaan and during battles between 6 PM and 6 AM in all regions. "Crimson Blitz" (an arrangement of "Blinded By Light") is the daytime battle theme of Luxerion, "Savior of Souls" is the daytime battle theme in the Wildlands, and "High Voltage" is the daytime battle theme of Yusnaan. "Overclock" plays whenever Lightning uses Overclock in battle. The Dead Dunes doesn't have a unique battle theme, as it takes themes from Final Fantasy XIII-2, such as "Limit Break!".
Final Fantasy XIV[]
The version 1.0 version uses different battle themes for each territory in the game; "Nail of the Heavens" for La Noscea, "The Forest's Pulse" for the Black Shroud, "Quicksand" for Thanalan, "Pennons Aloft" for Coerthas, and "Phantoms on the Lake" for Mor Dhona.
In A Realm Reborn, the regional battle themes now have the same tune with the instruments varying. "The Land Breathes" is used for battles in La Noscea, "The Land Bends" in the Black Shroud, "The Land Burns" in Thanalan, "The Land Breaks" in Coerthas, and "The Land Bleeds" in Mor Dhona.
In Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward, all the new areas except Azys Lla, which plays no separate battle theme, have a new battle theme called "Melt".
In Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood, all new areas have a battle theme called "Looping in the Deepest Fringes".
In Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, all new areas with the exception of the Tempest, which, like Azys Lla has no battle theme, have a battle theme called "Rencounter".
In Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, all new areas except Living Memory have a battle theme called "Blade's Exaltation".
Final Fantasy XV[]
There are many battle themes that play depending on the area and enemies. For normal enemies, "Stand Your Ground", an arrangement of "Careening Into Danger" (the battle theme for Platinum Demo – Final Fantasy XV) plays when fighting enemies from the Leide region. "The Fight Is On!" plays when fighting enemies from the Duscae region, and "Up for the Challenge" plays when fighting enemies from the Cleigne region.
Daemons and Niflheim enemies have their own battle themes. "Daemons" plays when encountering the former during most of the game, with "Neverending Nightmare" replacing it later on. Battles with Niflheim enemies play "Veiled in Black" (which also played when fighting daemons in Final Fantasy XV Episode Duscae), while battles with them in Niflheim territories play "Veiled in Black (Arrangement)" instead.
In the Royal Edition and Windows Edition, Gralea and Insomnia also have their own battle themes, which play regardless of the enemy type fought. These themes are "Daemons - Heart of Evil" and "Daemons - Eternal Darkness", respectively. When battling in Insomnia during the finale, "Veiled in Black (Insomnia Arrangement)" plays.
For the DLC episodes, Episode Gladiolus uses "The Spirits Converge" as its main battle theme for encounters.
During Episode Prompto, there are two distinct themes for random encounters; "Trigger", which plays when battling random enemies, and "Face the Music" which plays when Aranea Highwind joins the party.
In Episode Ignis, there are once again two themes considered as random encounter themes; "The Bladed Tactician", which plays for random encounters, and "A United Front", which plays when battling alongside Ravus Nox Fleuret.
For Episode Ardyn, "Conditioned to Hate" is considered the main battle theme, which plays during Ardyn's rampage through Insomnia.
Final Fantasy XVI[]
"Sixteen Bells" is the main battle theme, used for random encounters and most storyline battles. "Color and Crackle" is used during storyline battles and quests.
Certain areas, like Caer Norvent and Castle Dazbog have their own battle themes, which play regardless of the enemy type fought.
Final Fantasy Type-0[]
The game features several battle themes, with "War: Warrior Worth a Thousand" and "War: Breaking Through" serving as the main battle themes for random encounters on the overworld map.
Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light[]
The normal battle theme is "Battle with Demons". It is track number 7 on the original soundtrack.
Final Fantasy Dimensions[]
"Shining Sword", known in Japan as "The Blade Releases Its Light", is the battle theme while player commands the Warriors of Light, while "The Sword That Cleaves Darkness" acts as the battle theme for Warriors of Darkness.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius[]
"DUEL!!" is the battle theme for most regular enemies and battle stages during season one and two. A variation known as "Parallel Star" also plays for regular battles throughout the second season. For season three, "The Girl with the Blue Mask" acts as the regular battle theme, with season four using "Blood and Belief" as it's battle theme.
World of Final Fantasy[]
"World of Battle" is the battle theme for most of the early dungeons normal battles, changing to "Another World of Battle" for the later dungeons.
Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin[]
The normal battle theme is "Battle: The Warrior", which plays during most normal enemy encounters.
In the first area of the Chaos Shrine and during fights taken place in Cornelia, "Battle: The Warrior in the Darkness" and "Battle: The Valiant" play respectively.
Other versions[]
Piano Opera Final Fantasy I/II/III[]
A piano arranged medley of the battles themes from the first three Final Fantasy games appears on this album.
Distant Worlds III: more music from Final Fantasy[]
A concert recording titled "Battle & Victory Theme Medley" from the Final Fantasy series appears on this album.
Final Fantasy Orchestra Album[]
A orchestral recording titled "Battle Medley 2012 (Final Fantasy I – XIV)" from the Final Fantasy series appears on this album. After a brief Prelude intro, it features sections of about one minute of several battle and boss themes. Regarding the battle themes, "Battle" from Final Fantasy, "Battle Theme 1" from Final Fantasy II, "Let the Battles Begin!" from Final Fantasy VII, "Force Your Way" from Final Fantasy VIII, "Battle 1" from Final Fantasy IX, and "Blinded By Light" from Final Fantasy XIII are featured.