Initiative (Final Fantasy IX)

Initiative
(先制攻撃率アップ, Sensei Kōgeki-ritsu Appu?, lit. Preemptive Attack Rate Up)
Icon(s)
Availability
Obtained	Obelisk, Battle Boots
Required	5 Magic Stones
Character(s)	Freya (95 AP)
Classification
Type	Support ability
Effect	Makes pre-emptive attacks more frequent
Related pages
Recurring appearance	First Strike (ability)

Raises the chance of first strike.

Description

Initiative is a support ability in Final Fantasy IX for Freya that makes pre-emptive battles (party acts first, enemies are facing away) more frequent for a cost of 5 Magic Stones.

Obtained

Initiative is learned from Obelisk and Battle Boots for 95 AP. Wearing both masters the ability at double the pace. Both are obtained from Daguerreo, Obelisk from the weapon shop before going through Shimmering Island, and the boots from the synthesis shop. The boots can also be won from the frog catching minigame for catching 45 frogs and stolen from Garland and Hades.

Mechanics

Initiative improves the chance of a battle starting as a pre-emptive strike from 16/256 (6.25%) to 85/256 (33%). It has no effect on set battles, such as boss battles.

Use

Initiative makes traversing areas with random encounters a little safer and faster, but it is not a crucial ability to equip. It complements the other physical attackers' Alert, which prevents back attacks. The player can make use of Initiative if Freya has some extra Magic Stones left over from other abilities.