Alert

In *Final Fantasy VIII*, "Alert" or "けいかい" is a crucial support ability. Its primary function is to prevent back attacks during random encounters, ensuring that the player's party won't be ambushed from behind. Moreover, a character equipped with "Alert" has a higher chance of initiating surprise attacks against enemies, granting an advantage in turn-based combat. This ability is learned by the Guardian Force Cerberus, costing 200 Ability Points (AP). Players can obtain it by either recruiting Cerberus after the boss battle during the Battle of the Gardens or by drawing it from Gargantua in the final dungeon. Importantly, once removed with Amnesia Greens, "Alert" cannot be regained. While "Alert" is effective against back attacks, in difficult areas like the Islands Closest to Heaven and Hell, the preemptive advantage might not fully offset enemy strength. For those merely seeking to avoid random encounters, the "Enc-None" ability may be more suitable. In boss fights and other fixed battles, the effects of "Alert" are less significant.