Avoid

From Golden Sun Universe
Avoid can be useful for a high-level party that does not want to run into as many monsters.

Avoid (プルーフ, Proof) is a Mercury-based Utility Psynergy featured throughout the Golden Sun series. The Sacred Feather, a one-time use item, can be used to emulate Avoid's effect.

Basic Characteristics

Avoid is a non-damaging Psynergy that can be used in dungeons, the overworld, or on the world map.

Avoid
Avoid.gifAvoidDD.gif
Star mercury.gif Mercury 5 PP
Range 1.gif
"Encounter fewer monsters." (GS-present) Temporarily reduces the random encounter rate.


When used, Avoid features golden rings appearing around the current playable character. The character will then glow for a moment, and a message will appear noting the reduction in the random encounter rate.

Mechanics

Avoid is unique amongst Psynergy in that it is the only Psynergy capable of reducing random monster encounters. It does not completely eliminate encounters, and thus the number of encounters can vary greatly during Avoid's use. Avoid will wear off after an unspecified period of time.

Availability

Avoid being used in Dark Dawn.

In all games, Avoid is available to Venus, Mars, and Mercury Adepts. It should be noted that the majority of classes require that the Adept has the required Djinn to have reached the second stage of the class, the exception being the Dragoon class. Thus, Avoid is available to the following classes:

In The Lost Age, Avoid can also be accessed by any Adept, including Jupiter Adepts, that has equipped the Mysterious Card, which allows access to the Pierrot class series. Regardless of class, Avoid is learned at Level 6.

Analysis

Avoid is an extremely useful tool to have, but when overused it can lead to catastrophic results. It is most helpful when the player's party is in dire straits, since it helps the party get to an inn before it is too late. It is also especially useful for players who are visiting areas where the enemies are too weak to be worth fighting, since it saves the annoyance of random combat.

The drawback, however, is that it is impossible to collect experience points for battles not fought; excessive dependence on Avoid can lead to the player being unprepared when a boss comes around.

Utility Psynergy in Golden Sun and The Lost Age
Golden Sun AvoidCarryCatchCloakDouseForceFrostGale/WhirlwindGrowthHaltLiftMind ReadMoveRetreatReveal
The Lost Age BlazeBurstCycloneGrindHoverLashParchPoundSandScoopTeleportTremor
Restorative Aura seriesCure PoisonCure seriesPly seriesReviveWish series
Utility Psynergy in Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Field effect Arid HeatAvoidCold SnapCrushDouseFireballGale/WhirlwindGripGrowthInsightMoveRetreatSearchSlapSpirit SenseThermalTrack
Restorative Boon seriesCure PoisonCure seriesFresh Breeze seriesPly seriesReviveWish series
Mercury Psynergy in Golden Sun and The Lost Age
Elemental Base Damage Blue DragonCool seriesDouse seriesFrost seriesFrost CardFroth seriesIce seriesPrism series
Elemental Phys. Attack Call ZombieCutting Edge / Plume EdgeDiamond Dust / Diamond Berg
Support BreakCure PoisonElder Wood setPixie setPly seriesRestoreSuccubusWish series
Utility AvoidCloakDouseFrostLiftParch
Mercury Psynergy in Dark Dawn
Elemental Base Damage Cold Snap seriesCool seriesDouse seriesFroth seriesIce seriesPrism series
Elemental Phys. Attack Cutting Edge / Plume EdgeDiamond Dust / Diamond Berg
Support BreakCure PoisonPly seriesRestoreWish series
Utility AvoidCold SnapDouseInsight