Protects you from various attacks.
Description
The Defense Gloves, also known as Defence Gloves in the European English localization, are mid to late game gauntlets in Final Fantasy IX for Steiner and Freya. They have the best balance between Evasion and Magic Evasion of any gauntlet, and halve damage from Fire, Ice, and Thunder, making them suitable for the endgame content. The Defense Gloves teach HP+20%.
Obtain[]
The Defense Gloves are bought for 6000 gil from Daguerreo and Bran Bal. When the player gains access to Hilda Garde III, it is worth making a detour to Daguerreo to check out the new wares there and to get a pair or two of Defense Gloves for Steiner and Freya.
Mechanics[]
The Defense Gloves provide 25 physical Evasion and 20 Magic Evasion, improving the wearer's chance to avoid damage. The gloves also give a point to Defense and Magic Defense and halve damage from Fire, Ice, and Thunder to the wearer. If the character also wears a Reflect Ring that weakens them to these elements, the character will take ~75% damage from that element.
Use[]
The Defense Gloves can be endgame equipment, though other good options are also available. The Defense Glove is good for being readily available without Chocobo Hot and Cold or synthesis, and even before the point of no return. The Genji Gloves have more physical Evasion but less Magic Evasion and also come with a level up bonus, though to Magic which is not a priority for Steiner and Freya. The Gauntlets also halve elemental damage and also have a level up bonus, but mainly offer physical Evasion at the expense of Magic Evasion. The Venetia Shield has the best level up bonuses and the most Magic Evasion, but less physical Evasion and no elemental resistance. Steiner and Freya can equip Distract to avoid enemies' physical damage and so do not necessarily need a high Evasion stat from equipment. High physical evasion is a meaningful consideration if they equip Cover. As bosses forgo EXP, level up bonuses from gear are not a consideration for these battles.
Steiner and Freya may have already mastered HP+20% from add-ons, but it is a useful passive ability to have available and equip if they have any Magic Stones left over from their "must have" abilities. The element-halving effect is good against the boss of Ipsen's Castle and the content from thereon, including the final boss; for superbosses, however, this trait is not a priority as they do not use these elements in their attacks. However, the balanced physical and magical evasion from the Defense Gloves is still useful for any encounter.
Beatrix can also wear the Defense Gloves, but the player cannot see this in a normal playthrough.