Headband (Final Fantasy XII)

The Headband is a mid-ranked light armor headgear in Final Fantasy XII that boosts the wearer's magickal defense by 22 (Zodiac) or 20 (original), HP by 170, and—uniquely for a light armor headgear—Strength by 2. It is thus a good headgear for any physically-attacking character, especially in the Zodiac versions for License Boards that can't unlock heavy armor.
Though localized as the "Headband", it is actually the recurring Twist Headband equipment from the Final Fantasy series, and not the Headband, another recurring piece.
==Obtain==
===Original===
In the original PlayStation 2 versions, the Headband is sold for 3,200 gil in Rabanastre after defeating Judge Bergan, and in Mt Bur-Omisace. It is found as a treasure in Mosphoran Highwaste's Trail of Sky-flung Stone (southern edge; 60% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Headband without the Diamond Armlet equipped ).
The Headband is rarely stolen from the Slaven Warder. It is made in the bazaar set "Monk's Garb" by selling four Coeurl Pelts (from the Coeurls), two Tyrant Hides (from tyrant enemies, e.g. Diresaur), and four Ice Magicites (from enemies on the Paramina Rift).
===Zodiac===
In the updated Zodiac versions, the Headband is sold for 3,200 gil in Mt Bur-Omisace, and is found in a treasure in Barheim Passage's Special Op Sector 5 (90% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Headband without the Diamond Armlet equipped), and Paramina Rift's Icebound Flow (75% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Headband without the Diamond Armlet equipped), as well as in the Trial Mode Stage 71 with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
It is still a rare steal from the Slaven Warder and made in the bazaar set "Monk's Garb" with the same items as before.
==Use==
The Headband is a mid-ranked light armor hat, giving 20 or 22 magick resist depending on version, and 170 HP, as well as 2 Strength. It is useful to equip over any inferior equipment the party may have. However, in the original version where everyone can wear any equipment piece, the more expensive heavy armor helm, Close Helmet or Bone Helm, or the mystic hat Black Cowl, may be preferable purchases if the player can stretch their funds to them, 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. However, unusually for a light armor headgear, the Headband does also boost the wearer's Strength, though not as much as a heavy armor helm.
In the Zodiac versions, Machinist, Monk, Archer, and Shikari can equip the Headband, and so it is only useful to buy if the player has chosen these License Boards for their party. The Strength boost from the Headband does not matter for a gun-wielder, but would be beneficial for the other jobs. 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. 
Category:Armor in Final Fantasy XII