Amber Armlet is an accessory in Final Fantasy XII that increases physical damage dealt while empty-handed. The amount increased is calculated as [(Strength + Level)/2]), and is the same as the Brawler augment on the License Board; after unlocking Brawler, equipping the Amber Armlet is redundant. In the Zodiac versions, the armlet also gives +3 Defense and +2 Speed.
Obtain[]
Original[]
In the original PlayStation 2 versions, the Amber Armlet can be bought for 6,600 gil from Dyce in Ogir-Yensa Sandsea and Nam-Yensa Sandsea and Tomb of Raithwall, as well as from the salesmoogle in Eruyt Village. It is found in a treasure in Nam-Yensa Sandsea's Simoon Bluff (there is an oil rig to the west of the entrance; at the very end there are two treasures that can have the Cypress Pole and Amber Armlet ).
The armlet can also be made in the bazaar in the "Brawler's Fetish" set by selling two Gimble Stalks (obtain from Alraune King).
Zodiac[]
In the updated Zodiac versions, the Amber Armlet is not sold in shops, but sells for 2,500 gil. It is found in a treasure in Golmore Jungle's The Parting Glade (the only treasure in the area), Giruvegan's Gate of Fire (always appears), and Pharos - Subterra's Umbra - North (70% chance to appear, 80% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is Amber Armlet without the Diamond Armlet), as well as in the Trial Mode Stage 37 with the Diamond Armlet equipped. It can be stolen from Master Joe (55%) in Trial Mode Stage 66.
It can still be made in the bazaar as the "Brawler's Fetish" set with the same requirements as before.
Amber Armlet is the reward for the "Little Love on the Big Plains" hunt for the Cluckatrice.
Use[]
Amber Armlet significantly increases the effectiveness of unarmed attacks.
Without Amber Armlet, a character's barehanded attack power is as follows:
With the armlet equipped, power increases to:
Even with the lowest possible level and strength stats, damage would be slightly higher with Amber Armlet for every character except Penelo at level 1. At higher levels, the power increases greatly as (Lv + Str) / 2 can equal up to 99, as opposed to the original formula, where the multiplier is only 11.
Equipping a shield negates the effect, even if the character is still attacking bare-handed.
The effect is the same as the Brawler license, and after the player unlocks Brawler on the License Board, equipping Amber Armlet is redundant. In the original version, every character can unlock it, but in the Zodiac versions, Brawler is on the Monk, Shikari and Bushi boards. Amber Armlet can be used to give the effect to other jobs, but in The Zodiac Age, the player can choose two License Board for each, and so other jobs can get the license by pairing them with Monk/Shikari/Bushi.
However, it is usually better to use a weapon than to fight barehanded, making Amber Armlet a niche accessory to use; if the party has a weapon whose attack stat exceeds the character's Strength and Level average, then it is better use the weapon. There is only one battle where the player must fight unarmed: against the Daguza in the Nalbina Dungeons. Basch also fights barehanded before he finds himself a sword while he is in the party as a guest.
Etymology[]
Amber is fossilized tree resin which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times as a gemstone. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry.