Hit the Ground Running: Final Fantasy IX Hints

It has been 17 years since Final Fantasy IX first came out; but despite pushing close to two decades, not everyone who’s finished this masterpiece has mastered it. In fact, lots of gamers glossed over the gameplay and other side content and just wanted to get to play it for the story. Now, you don’t wish to go that route, right? After all, that’s why the title led you here. So without further ado, here are some Final Fantasy IX tips that will make your journey with Zidane and friends easier.

Getting the “Killer” Abilities

In Final Fantasy IX, you have access to passive skills called “Abilities.” Skills require a certain amount of Magic Stone for them to take effect.

From granting you buffs to bypassing certain metagame limitations, there are different abilities meant to make combat easier. Speaking of combat, it helps to make every battle as short as possible. It helps to up your damage, and one good way to do that is to activate “Killer” abilities.

Every enemy has a type: bird, beast, demi-human (just to name a few). For every type, there is a “Killer” ability. To hit many types of enemies harder, get as many abilities of this kind as possible.

With the Synthesis in Mind

In RPGs, players usually sell equipment once they find something better. It’s only common sense to do so since it’s better to turn it into gold rather than let it sit in the inventory and eat a slot. Players usually buy one piece of gear at a time because there’s no point to buy another piece of the same gear since you won’t be using it.

However, the two rules of thumb shouldn’t be applied in the game. Why? Well, two words: synthesis shops, which are specialty shops that for a bit of Final Fantasy IX Gil, fuses two pieces of gear into one strong gear. For example, with Zidane, you’ll be able to synthesize a Butterfly Sword out of a Dagger and a Mage Masher. Although you can always buy either in a shop, it would save you time and gil if you just kept both. There’s also The Ogre, which requires two Mage Mashers. If you already bought two in the first place, then you wouldn’t have to go out of your way to buy another.

Sidelined by Sidequests

Steal in every opportunity you get (trust us on this). It may seem impractical and unrighteous, as it’s not a guaranteed success, and it eats a turn that could’ve been spent on dealing damage. Do it anyway! Yes, it gives you a chance to get free items, even gear, so there’s a payoff. Plus, later on, Zidane will learn Thievery, a skill that deals huge damage if Zidane has many successful steals.

Make sure to explore. The world of Gaia has lots of secrets that you wouldn’t discover if you just stick around with the main story.  Daguerreo, for example, is a gothic library, which is an optional and secret location on an island south of the Forgotten Continent. Here, you can get quality gear and synthesis shop items. Also, it’s the starting point for the side quest that will give you Excalibur.

There are also other secret places like Daguerreo, so it’s best that you pay those a visit. Just ride that airship and search Gaia for any curious place because you’re likely to find something interesting.

Final Fantasy IX is one of the richest RPGs of its time. So, if you’re going to play it, then it’s a must that you make the most out of it. With these simple tips, you will.