In Final Fantasy (IV-IX) ATB controls when each character's turn goes on cooldown and the speed stat shortens the cooldown. (Spells share a cooldown with Item, change row, etc.)
ATB gauge is a turn cooldown, not a skill cooldown. In most FF games they do NOT use the ATB to limit your ability to use skills. They use mana/MP, which can only be recharged using items, or via resting at a save point.
FFVIII was an oddball one which used a "draw" system instead of mana. I love FFVIII, but its magic system was broken.
Originally Posted by DragonSnooz
In Divinity 2 cooldowns move each turn instead of real time and spells don't have a mana cost (although some spells require the player to spend source).
True. Source could be decribed as a form of mana mechanic. This was pretty limited though.
