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The Genji Helm is a top-tier heavy armor helm in Final Fantasy XII that boosts the wearer's magickal defense by 46 (Zodiac) or 37 (original), Strength by 9 and—unusually for a heavy armor helm—Magick Power by 4. In the Zodiac versions it additionally enables the wearer to counter enemy attacks.

Genji Helm is a missable piece of equipment, obtained by stealing from Gilgamesh at the right time. The Genji Helm is metallic for the purposes of the magnetize debuff present during the Vinuskar (though Gilgamesh is only available after this boss) and Ultima boss battles.

Obtain[]

In all versions, the Genji Helm is stolen from the elite mark Gilgamesh during the second encounter in the deepest part of the Lhusu Mines after he takes enough damage and switches his weapon twice. Whenever he draws out a new blade, there is a cut scene, and afterward, he has a new item to steal; if the player does not steal the equipment off him then, it will be missed in the main game. A good strategy is to activate Foe:Steal gambit on everyone above the attack gambits after every cutscene, and then turn the gambit off once someone succeeds at the steal.

In the Zodiac versions, the player gets another chance to procure a Genji Helm from the Trial Mode, and in The Zodiac Age Trial Mode spoils can be brought to the main game, so the player can potentially have multiple pieces and equip them simultaneously. Genji Helm can be commonly stolen from Enkidu in Trial Mode Stage 94.

Use[]

Genji Helm is a top notch helm giving 46 or 37 Magick Resist depending on version, 9 Strength and 4 Magick Power, the latter useful for a katana-user whose weapon takes the user's Magick Power into account for damage calculation. The strength bonuses make heavy armor ideal for frontline fighters, and the Genji Helm is a good helm to equip over any inferior equipment the player may have on anyone who attacks physically, although a gun-wielder does not benefit from the strength-boost.

In the Zodiac versions, Knight, Foebreaker and Bushi can use it. Genji Helm is only useful to obtain if the player has chosen these License Boards for the party. In The Zodiac Age versions, after fighting Belias the player can choose two License Boards per party member and so more characters can benefit from heavy armor, as it is usually a good idea to match jobs that use different types of armor to bolster light armor jobs' strength, and to give more durability to spellcasters.

In the Zodiac versions, Genji Helm also provides the ability to counter, and is thus a great gear option for the endgame. Genji Armor boosts the chance to counter, but does not grant counter on its own, meaning for best results, the same character should wear both. The chance to counter an attack is determined by the character's speed,[1] meaning the Germinas Boots is a great accompanying accessory, although a katana-user will likely benefit even more from the combo-boosting Genji Gloves.

Counter chance with Genji Armor:

Counter only triggers when the character:

  1. is in the Charge Stage.
  2. is not running or walking.
  3. is not being knocked back.
  4. receives a "regular melee" attack (not ranged, tech or spells).
  • Counter is 1-hit only. It does not combo.
  • Any weapon can be used to counter.
  • Counter may happen each time while being hit. A hit combo may be countered multiple times.
  • Counter may happen even if the attack missed / is blocked.
  • Counter acts like regular melee attacks. Added effect on the weapon may trigger.

Etymology[]

The surname of Genji refers to the onyomi reading of the Minamoto Clan. Minamoto was a surname commonly bestowed on the children of the Emperor who were not eligible for the throne. According to history and legend, they were most active in the days of the late Heian era, and were samurai who became known as the fighters of evil and keepers of peace. The time was said to have been fraught with disorder and anarchy. Many future samurai claim lineage from the clan, including Miyamoto Musashi and Tokugawa Ieyasu who were subject of literary discourse from The Tale of Genji, which follows royal figures, to The Tale of the Heike, focusing on the major figures and the events of the Genpei War.

Genji is also a short period in Japanese history, lasting only a single year from 1864–1865.

References[]

  1. maltzan (n.d.) . Game Mechanics FAQ by maltzan. Neoseeker. Archived from the original on 31 March, 2021.
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