Minerva Bustier (Final Fantasy XII)

The Minerva Bustier is a high-ranked light armor in Final Fantasy XII that boosts the wearer's defense by 50 (Zodiac) or 40 (original), and HP by 610. Unlike its preceding light armor, the Minerva Bustier does not boost any other stat. However, it does excel in the light armor stats in giving a good amount of defense and HP.
==Obtain==
===Original===
In the original PlayStation 2 versions, the Minerva Bustier is sold for 12,400 gil in Balfonheim Port once the Sky Fortress Bahamut appears. It very rarely drops from Foobars in the Nabreus Deadlands, and can be rarely stolen from them in the Garamsythe Waterway. It is also a possible reward in the Hunt Club sidequest on the Phon Coast by giving Atak, Blok and Stok 10 Rare Game trophies each, making the Minerva Bustier available through the Shifty-Eyed Merchant's store nearby for 41,100 gil.
===Zodiac===
In the updated Zodiac versions, the Minerva Bustier is not sold in normal shops, but sells for 6,200 gil. It is found in a treasure in Cerobi Steppe's North Liavell Hills (20% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 5% chance the item treasure is the Minerva Bustier with the Diamond Armlet equipped), and Pharos - Second Ascent's Station of Banishment (always appears). It still rarely drops from the Foobars in the Nabreus Deadlands and is the rare steal from the Foobars in Garamsythe Waterway, and now also the common steal from Pallicant in Trial Mode Stage 43.
The Minerva Bustier is now the hunt reward for Lindwyrm, and is obtained through the Hunt Club by giving Blok 5 Rare Game trophies, and then purchasing from the Shifty-Eyed Merchant's Store for 11,160 gil.
==Use==
The Minerva Bustier is a high-ranked light armor, giving 50 or 40 defense depending on version, and 610 HP. In the original version, the superior Rubber Suit and Mirage Vest are available at the shops at the same time as the Minerva Bustier, making Minerva Bustier redundant as even if low on funds, it is better to save up to get the top tier gear if the player is still opting to equip for light armor. In the original version everyone can wear any equipment piece, and thus the heavy and mystic armor may be preferable as the HP boost from light armor is not usually worth prioritizing over heavy armor that boosts Strength for physical attackers, or mystic armor that boosts Magick Power for spellcasters, especially as the Minerva Bustier does not boost any secondary stats unlike some other light armor.
In the Zodiac versions, Machinist, Monk, Archer, and Shikari can equip the Minerva Bustier, and so it is only useful to look for if the player has chosen these License Boards for their party. In The Zodiac Age, after fighting Belias, the player can choose two License Boards per party member, and so more party members can choose from the potentially more useful heavy and mystic armor sets. However, it is available much earlier and easier in the Zodiac versions, from the hunt reward for Lindwyrm.
==Etymology==
Category:Armor in Final Fantasy XII