Return Magic (Final Fantasy IX)

Return Magic is a support ability in Final Fantasy IX for Vivi and Amarant. When the user is hit by an enemy's spell, they retaliate by casting the same spell onto the enemy with no MP cost. Return Magic takes 9 Magic Stones to equip. It is one of the most useful support abilities against enemies that use spells compatible with it.
==Obtained==
Return Magic is learned from Coronet and Brigandine; Vivi learns it for 90 AP while Amarant needs 170 AP.
The earliest the player can get the ability is for Amarant from the Brigandine, found in the bottom of the Iifa Tree and stolen from Soulcage. Coronet for both is first bought from Daguerreo, though the player can also find one for free in Terra. 
==Mechanics==
When hit by an enemy's magic spell, Vivi and/or Amarant counters by casting the same spell onto the enemy. Return Magic uses no MP and the caster does not need to know the spell. The returned spell will be non-elemental if Vivi equips Mag Elem Null. Returned spells may be boosted with Elem-Atk equipment.
Spells that work with Return Magic:
*All White Magic spells (though enemies do not use most of them, at least onto the player party)
*All Black Magic spells
*Earth Shake
*Limit Glove
*Freeze
*LV4 Holy
*LV5 Death
*Matra Magic
*Doom
*Aqua Breath
*1000 Needles
*Twister
*Vanish	
*Mustard Bomb
*Mighty Guard
*Goblin Punch
*White Wind (though no enemy will cast it onto the player party)
*Pumpkin Head
*Magic Hammer
*Bad Breath
*Night
*Waterga
*Aero
*Aera
*Behemoth's Meteor Counter
==Use==
With Return Magic, the character gets an "extra turn" to deal damage to the enemy. This can backfire if the enemy absorbs their own spells; this can be counteracted with Mag Elem Null. As Auto-Regen ticks during animations, Return Magic also gives the party a moment to replenish any health lost to the enemy's spell. Return Magic is valuable and worth prioritizing Magic Stones for, especially for Vivi, whereas Amarant also has a physical Counter.
Bringing both Vivi and Amarant to the battle against Ozma can be highly beneficial if the player completed the friendly monsters quest first and the party is wearing Shadow-absorbing gear; whenever Ozma uses Doomsday, both Vivi and Amarant will retaliate while hurting Ozma and healing the party without using up a turn.
Alternative would be to use Reflect, however, not all spells can be reflected while still working with Return Magic. Notably, Blu Mags cannot be reflected, but many can be retaliated with Return Magic. The benefit of Reflect is that the character is not damaged by the enemy's spell.
Category:Support abilities in Final Fantasy IX