Scoop Art (Final Fantasy IX)

Scoop Art is a Dyne ability in Final Fantasy IX used by Zidane while in Trance. It deals physical damage to an enemy for a cost of 14 MP.
==Obtained==
Scoop Art is available when Zidane has access to What's That!?. What's That!? is learned for 40 AP from the Butterfly Sword, which is synthesized from a Dagger and a Mage Masher for 300 gil in Lindblum and Treno (before going to the Outer Continent) and in the Black Mage Village.
==Mechanics== 
Scoop Art deals 200% the damage of Zidane's normal attack to one enemy as physical damage; his power is already enhanced by being in Trance.
Damage is calculated as follows:
:Base = [(Attack * 20) / 10] - Enemy Defense
:Bonus = Strength + Rnd MOD ([(Level + Strength) / 8] + 1)
:Damage = Base * [Bonus * 1.5]
Bonus is halved by target's Protect, and is reduced to 1 while Zidane has Mini.
==Use==
Scoop Art is worth using for its fairly low MP cost over Zidane's normal Attack while in Trance, as it is stronger even if Zidane equips a Killer ability. When Zidane uses Scoop Art, purple beams of energy strike the target, and writing that resembles Terran script appears around the enemy. After Zidane learns Shift Break, it is superior to Scoop Art against groups, but Scoop Art remains the better one against single targets for its match in attack power but lower MP cost. Once Zidane learns Stellar Circle 5, Scoop Art is outclassed altogether. However, as the damage cap is 9999, Zidane may already reach it with his earlier Trance abilities, including Scoop Art.
The downside of all Trance abilities is that timing them for a battle where Trance would be most beneficial, like a boss battle, is difficult/impossible, as a Trance state cannot be saved up, and its building does not depend on the amount of damage sustained from enemy attacks, only the number of enemy attacks taken. The only ways to expedite Trance are to use High Tide and Protect Girls for Zidane to intercept attacks directed toward some of his allies. As Zidane may enter Trance in practically any battle, it is the luck of the draw whether his improved physical prowess is a bonus for that particular encounter or not.
Category:Dyne in Final Fantasy IX