Staff used by black mages.
Description
The Mage Staff is Vivi's initial staff in Final Fantasy IX. It is a basic wooden staff that teaches him the Fire spell, which lets him do Fire damage to one or all targets in a group.
Though localized as "Mage Staff", Vivi's staff is the recurring "Wizard's Staff" from the Final Fantasy series; the name localization choice was likely because Vivi's tribe is known as simply "black mages" in Final Fantasy IX. The other mages are not depicted wielding the Mage Staff, however.
Obtain[]
Mage Staff in Ipsen's Castle.
Vivi starts the game with a Mage Staff equipped. The player can also buy Mage Staves from Dali and Black Mage Village for 320 gil, and find it in Ipsen's Castle, on top of the "chandelier" in the big room at the start where the Mogshop is.
Mechanics[]
The Mage Staff's damage dealt with a normal Attack is determined as follows everywhere but within Ipsen's Castle:
- Base = 12 - Enemy's Defense
- Bonus = Strength + A random value 0 ... [(Level + Strength) / 8]
- Damage = Base * Bonus
The damage is then modified by variables like Vivi's row position and the enemy's Protect. Under Mini, his Bonus would be 1. If Vivi equips Healer, damage is converted to healing.
When in Ipsen's Castle, the stronger weapons do less damage than weaker weapons, and the Base part of the damage formula is altered to:
- Base = 48 - Enemy's Defense
The Mage Staff is one the stronger weapons to use for attacking while within Ipsen's Castle. However, it is still hindered by Vivi's low Strength and lack of support abilities that enhance Attack.
Use[]
The Mage Staff is Vivi's starting weapon, teaching him the Fire spell that remains useful for the whole game. The next weapon he can get is the Ice Staff, stolen from Gizamaluke, giving Vivi plenty of time to master his Fire spell through Evil Forest, Ice Cavern, Dali, and world map exploration after Lindblum.
It is worth keeping the Mage Staff even after better weapons become available, as it can later be used in synthesis to make the Magician Robe. It can also be useful for Ipsen's Castle, where it is also found in a treasure, but Vivi can also use his spells in Ipsen's Castle without damage penalty.
As staves only offer Attack power and have no effect on Vivi's spellcasting ability, his weapon stats are less relevant to him than their elemental properties or what abilities they teach. It is hardly worth using Vivi's Attack command in battle, unless to deliberately to deal minor damage, such as to weaken enemies for Quina to eat.
Merchandise[]
Vivi has a Play Arts action figure, released in 2009 with a Mage Staff, extra hands, and display stand as bonuses. Two Coca-Cola bottle cap figurines for Vivi also exist, one fully colored and a "red crystal" version. Vivi also has the Mage Staff in his Bring Arts figure.
Other appearances[]
Being Vivi's starting weapon, it is often also seen on him in spin-off appearances. The Final Fantasy XI version of the recurring weapon is also fashioned after Vivi's Mage Staff with a bandaged part and a curved end.
