Pumice (Final Fantasy IX)

The Pumice is an endgame add-on in Final Fantasy IX that everyone can equip. It is obtained by defeating a superboss, either from Ozma or from Hades's synthesis shop. It teaches Ark, Dagger's best summon. The Pumice gives a bonus to the wearer's Spirit when they level up with it equipped.
==Obtain==
The Pumice drops from Ozma, the superboss hiding in Chocobo's Air Garden and generally considered the toughest opponent in the game. It is also made in the Legendary Synthesis Shop that opens after defeating Hades in the final dungeon; the player will need 50,000 gil and two Pumice Pieces. The player can get two Pumice Pieces fairly easily during casual gameplay from the Outer Island 2 chocograph treasure and the boss in Oeilvert.
==Mechanics==
The Pumice gives Defense +1 and Magic Defense +2. It gives a +1 bonus to the wearer's Speed and Magic when they level with it equipped. When enough "bonuses" upon level up from gear have been accrued, the character gains a permanent stat increase. Speed is a fairly pointless stat as it barely affects ATB fill speed and has even less of an effect on turn order, but Magic is a useful stat, affecting the outcomes of spells and the character's MP growth.
==Use==
The Pumice is mainly good for Dagger to learn Ark. Ark easily does strong damage and can be boosted with Elem-Atk: Shadow, but takes much longer to summon than other eidolons, and Dagger may already reach the damage cap with Odin or Atomos, which are faster and cost less MP. Ark could be good during Dagger's Trance.
The level up bonuses fall short of other endgame add-ons, but level grinding and min-maxing are unnecessary for a normal playthrough even when preparing for superboss encounters; the player can view any extra stats as simply a nice bonus.
The Pumice is made from two Pumice Pieces, but it itself can be used in synthesis to make it back into a Pumice Piece alongside 25,000 gil and a Hammer. The player is better off not doing this; if they are going to use up the one-of-a-kind Hammer, it should be for making the Tin Armor.
==Other appearances==
===Final Fantasy Brave Exvius===
==Etymology and origin==
Pumice is a type of light, porous volcanic rock formed when gas-rich lava cools rapidly. In cosmetics and hygiene, it has a notable use as an exfoliant and is thus marketed in high-strength soaps and scrubs.
The item is called "Floating Stone" in Japanese as an allusion to the stone that activates the airship in the original Final Fantasy.
Category:Add-ons in Final Fantasy IX