The Maduin Gear is a mid-ranked mystic armor in Final Fantasy XII that boosts the wearer's Defense by 41 (Zodiac) or 31 (original), and Magick Power by 8. In the Zodiac versions, it also offers 46 MP and 1 Strength.
Obtain[]
Original[]
In the original PlayStation 2 version, the Maduin Gear is sold for 7,000 gil Phon Coast and Archades. It is found as a treasure in Tchita Uplands' Realm of the Elder Dream (straight to north from the southeast exit, right at the edge of the map; 10% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Maduin Gear without the Diamond Armlet equipped ).
The Maduin Gear is rarely stolen from the Ahriman, and rarely poached from the Imp.
Zodiac[]
In the updated Zodiac versions, the Maduin Gear is sold for 7,000 gil in in Archades and Balfonheim Port. It is a treasure in Tchita Uplands' Lost Way (20% chance to appear, 70% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Maduin Gear without the Diamond Armlet equipped), and in Nabreus Deadlands' The Slumbermead (75% chance to appear, 50% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Maduin Gear without the Diamond Armlet equipped). It is still rarely stolen from the Ahriman, and now also from the Mindflayer in Stage 17 of Trial Mode. It is still rarely poached from the Imp.
Use[]
Maduin Gear is a mid-ranked mystic armor, giving 41 or 31 Defense depending on version, and 8 Magick Power. In the Zodiac versions, it also gives 46 MP and 1 Strength. Strength is not relevant for pure magick-users, but would be useful for a katana-user. Mystic armor offer magick-related bonuses that affect all types of magickal actions, from casting black magick to damage an enemy, to casting white magick to heal the party. Magick Power is also a factor when determining damage dealt by katana, staves, and maces.
In the Zodiac versions, White Mage, Red Battlemage, Black Mage, and Bushi can equip it, and so the Maduin Gear is only useful to buy if the player has chosen any of these License Boards for their party. In The Zodiac Age versions, after fighting Belias the player can choose two License Boards per party member; it is usually a good idea to pair jobs that use two different types of armor for versatility.
The player could get Maduin Gear early from the Trial Mode in The Zodiac Age versions, though it is only a rare steal. The next mystic armor to give Strength is the ultimate robe, Lordly Robes, but Red Battlemage and Bushi, who can use greatswords and katana, respectively, also unlock some heavy armor, which would be more beneficial for physical attackers.
Etymology[]
Maduin is an esper from Final Fantasy VI. The name Maduin was created at the time by Square's translator Ted Woolsey for the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System version. The name has remained consistent in all future releases of Final Fantasy VI.
Maduin's name in Japanese has no known origin. However, the summon's name can be translated as "Madin" when going off the Japanese katakana (マディン, Madin?). This has led to the summon's name often being confused with a similarly named summon, Madeen, which has the Japanese katakana of (マディーン, Madīn?).
A common fan interpretation of the Japanese name has been "Máel Dúin", based on the protagonist of Immram Maele Dúin (The Voyage of Máel Dúin), a tale of a sea voyage written in Old Irish. However, it does not match with the katakana of Máel Dúin (マイル デューン, Mairu Dyūn?) when based on the original Irish pronunciation.