The Chromed Leathers is a light armor in Final Fantasy XII that slightly boosts the wearer's defense and HP. It is the second weakest light armor and basic equipment, Balthier and Fran starting out with it already equipped.
Obtain[]
Original[]
The Chromed Leathers is sold for 200 gil in Rabanastre after obtaining the Sunstone and Penelo leaves the party, and in Barheim Passage before obtaining the Treaty-Blade. It is initially equipped on Balthier and Fran when they join in Garamsythe Waterway.
The Chromed Leathers is found as a treasure in Nalbina Dungeons' The Black Watch (nearest to the Confiscatory; 90% chance to appear, 50% chance the item treasure is Chromed Leathers ). It is the rare poach from the Cockatrice.
The Chromed Leathers is made in the bazaar set "Unassuming Surcoat" by selling two Wolf Pelts (from wolves and hyenas) and one Earth Stone (from various enemies, e.g. Cactites).
Zodiac[]
The Chromed Leathers is sold for 200 gil in Rabanastre, Giza Plains - The Dry, Nalbina Fortress after Barheim Passage, and the Barheim Passage. It is found as a treasure in Garamsythe Waterway's flooded No. 11 Channel (75% chance to appear, 40% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Chromed Leathers without the Diamond Armlet equipped).
It is still the rare poach from Cockatrice, and is made in the bazaar set "Unassuming Surcoat" with the same items as before. Balthier and Fran still join the party with Chromed Leathers equipped.
Use[]
The Chromed Leathers is the second weakest light armor, giving minimal defense and 20 HP, and falls off in usefulness soon when the Leather Breastplate becomes available.
In the original version, Balthier and Fran start with the license for it, Light Armor 2, and join with Chromed Leathers equipped. In the Zodiac versions, Machinist, Monk, Archer, and Shikari can equip it, and Balthier and Fran still start with the license for it and so can wear it no matter the job. There is no need to buy one from the shops for how quickly the Chromed Leathers can be replaced, though Vaan starts with the inferior Leather Clothing.
The items for it in the bazaar are easy to procure, and Vaan could do it before heading to the Royal Palace of Rabanastre, but there is no need to aim for it specifically.