Black Hood (Final Fantasy IX)

The Black Hood is a light armor headgear in Final Fantasy IX. It is mid tier hat for Zidane, Vivi, Dagger, Quina, and Eiko. It teaches the passive ability Accuracy+, which allows Zidane not miss with his Attack; Death, which Vivi to attempt to dispatch an enemy outright; and Locomotion, which inoculates against Stop, one of the more hazardous ailments. It halves damage from Fire, Thunder, and Water. The Black Hood is missable, and if not obtained, Vivi can never learn Death.
==Obtain==
The Black Hood is found in Desert Palace's Shadow Chamber when the player lights the candles. It is also bought for 2,550 gil from Esto Gaza after the events in Desert Palace. Both locations become inaccessible when the player enters the Shimmering Island portal, and the Black Hood is the only equipment piece to teach Death. However, it is unlikely the player will miss it as interacting with the candles in Desert Palace is mandatory to proceed.
==Mechanics==
The Black Hood provides 27 Magic Defense, mitigating damage from magic attacks. It halves damage from three elements: Fire, Thunder, and Water. If worn concurrently with an equipment piece that makes the wearer weak to an element, the character will take ~75% damage from the element. Robes make wearers weak to Fire, Chain Plate makes its wearer weak to Thunder, and Desert Boots make the wearer weak to Water. Reflect Ring makes the wearer weak to numerous elements.
==Use==
The Black Hood is mid game gear that is useful for its abilities as well as its Elem-Def property. Accuracy+ is useful to always keep equipped to Zidane unless he never uses his Attack. Death is not particularly useful for Vivi as it misses so commonly, though could be useful against Yans for a lucky win. Locomotion is great to equip against enemies that use Stop, as it does not run out on its own.
The hood mitigates three elements, making it a generally good equipment piece to equip. The guests from Tantalus can also wear it but the player cannot see this in a normal playthrough.
Category:Armor in Final Fantasy IX