Feather Boots (Final Fantasy IX)

The Feather Boots are an add-on in Final Fantasy IX that everyone can equip. They teach Auto-Float, which makes Earth attacks miss the character; Float, which bestows the Float status temporarily; and Mini, which shrinks a target, making them weak and vulnerable. The Feather Boots absorb Earth-elemental damage. The boots are made via synthesis and are themselves used to make a different pair of footwear.
Like many equipment pieces in Final Fantasy IX, the Feather Boots allude to the equipment piece from Final Fantasy Tactics.
==Obtain==
The Feather Boots are synthesized after the party returns from the Outer Continent in Alexandria, Treno, and Lindblum, as well as in Daguerreo, for 4,000 gil, the Magician Shoes, and a Phoenix Pinion. The Magician Shoes are also synthesized in these locations if the player does not have a pair in their inventory.
The Feather Boots also appear in the Treno Auction House from the second storyline visit there onwards if the player does not have any in their inventory; they cost ~15,000 gil.
The Feather Boots are also found in the Abandoned Lagoon chocograph, reachable after the player has the Blue Narciss and they progress in the Chocobo Hot and Cold quest. The player should land their boat on the southern part of the Outer Continent past the Iifa Tree, summon Choco, and head to the beach to the west to a tiny cove. The boots are also found in Oeilvert, in the upper area of the "battleship display" room.
The Feather Boots are also stolen from Tiamat.
==Mechanics==
The Feather Boots give +3 to physical Evasion and absorb Earth damage to the wearer, meaning the character does not need to equip the associated Auto-Float or use the Float spell if they wear the boots. If the character also wears a Golden Skullcap or Gauntlets or Chain Mail, they absorb half damage from Earth.
==Use==
The Feather Boots are not among the most useful add-ons, but it is still worth to get them to synthesize Battle Boots later, and the Earth-absorption can be good against some enemies. Auto-Float is not useful to equip and there are not many good uses for the Float spell either, as though enemies seem to respond to it in such a way (i.e. Jabberwock and Yan), it does not actually increase Wind damage to the affected. Absorbing or mitigating Earth damage is sufficient when the player comes across enemies that use Earth attacks, rather than taking up Magic Stones for Auto-Float or a turn in battle to cast Float that soon lapses. Some tough enemies are affected by Mini, but the superior infliction method would be Zidane's Soul Blade.
The Earth-absorbing effect could be good against Earth Guardian and its upgrade Lich, Adamantoise, Catoblepas, Shell Dragon, and Jabberwock.
Category:Add-ons in Final Fantasy IX