Minus Strike (Final Fantasy IX)

Minus Strike is a Swd Art in Final Fantasy IX used by Steiner to target one enemy with fixed damage at the cost of 8 MP. It is essentially the same ability as Quina's Pumpkin Head, but with greater potential as Steiner has higher maximum HP.
==Obtained==
Minus Strike is learned for 35 AP from the Iron Sword, Rubber Helm, and Excalibur II. Iron Sword and Rubber Helm are early-game equipment pieces, the sword stolen from Baku and the helm found in the Evil Forest; both are afterward bought from Dali and other shops. Excalibur II, meanwhile, is Steiner's secret ultimate weapon rewarded for a challenge run where the player reaches a part of the final dungeon in under 12 hours of playtime.
==Mechanics== 
Minus Strike does the difference between Steiner's current HP and his maximum HP as fixed damage to one enemy. Fixed damage cannot be avoided or mitigated in any way.
==Use==
Minus Strike is good for dealing precise damage. This can be exploited for the Tantarian battle during the time the party is rescuing Princess Garnet, to ensure it opens after every time Steiner acts.
Minus Strike does more damage the lower Steiner's health is. It is more useful in the early game as damage from his later abilities will surpass his own health. If Steiner is at low health, the player can use Minus Strike instead of his normal Attack until he regains his health. The player can forgo healing him specifically to empower Minus Strike, and then revive him with a Phoenix Down to keep him low. He can use Darkside to bring his health down deliberately. He can equip his HP+ support abilities to raise his maximum HP.
Minus Strike can be a good move after an enemy uses an attack that brings him or the whole party down to critical health, like Ark. Minus Strike can be used in Ipsen's Castle if the player does not want to equip Steiner with a low-powered weapon.
However, Steiner's normal Attack is so strong than it deals superior damage to Minus Strike most of the time, unless the enemy specifically resists damage, like the aforementioned closed Tantarian. Attack can be further enhanced with Killer abilities and MP Attack. 
Category:Sword Arts in Final Fantasy IX