The Iron Armor is a low ranked heavy armor in Final Fantasy XII that boosts the wearer's Defense by 11 and Strength by 3. It is metallic for the purposes of the Magnetize debuff present in the boss battles against Vinuskar and Ultima.
Obtain[]
Original[]
In the original PlayStation 2 version, the Iron Armor is sold for 1400 gil in Rabanastre and Bhujerba after Leviathan, and by Dyce outside Tomb of Raithwall.
It is found as a treasure in Ogir-Yensa Sandsea's Primary Tank Complex (75% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is Iron Armor without the Diamond Armlet equipped ), and in Nam-Yensa Sandsea's Demesne of the Sandqueen (dead-end; 60% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Iron Armor without the Diamond Armlet equipped ).
Zodiac[]
In the updated Zodiac versions, the Iron Armor is sold for 1300 gil in Rabanastre and Bhujerba after fighting Ba'Gamnan, and aboard Dreadnought Leviathan. It is found as a treasure in Leviathan's Starboard Section (75% chance to appear, 40% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Iron Armor without the Diamond Armlet equipped), as well as in Trial Mode Stage 26 with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
Use[]
Iron Armor is a low level helm giving 11 Defense and 3 Strength. The strength bonuses make heavy armor ideal for frontline fighters, though the HP boost from light armor can be valuable in the beginning of the game. Iron Armor 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 original version, Basch and Ashe start with the license to equip the Iron Armor, Heavy Armor 2. In the Zodiac versions, Uhlan, Knight, Time Battlemage, and Foebreaker can equip it, and so it is only useful to buy if the player has chosen these License Boards as a party member's first job.