Magic Comb (Final Fantasy VII)

Magic Comb
(マジックコーム, Majikku Kōmu?)
Availability
Obtained	junon (after Highwind), Fort Condor
Character users	Red XIII
Value	2,000 gil
Classification
Type	Headdress
Range	Melee
Element	Hit
Specifications
Attack	37
Magic atk	4
Attack%	100
Materia slots	x3

The Magic Comb is a weapon for Red XIII in Final Fantasy VII. It is has only three Materia slots and fairly low stats, but provides double AP growth for all equipped Materia.

Like all Red XIII's weapons, Magic Comb is not rendered or visible in-game, and also cannot be thrown.

Obtained

The Magic Comb can be obtained in Fort Condor, and is a prize for the first battle of the Condor War minigame. The player can get it as soon as they leave the Mythril Mines the first time in "Going After Sephiroth".

After the player has the Highwind, the Magic Comb can be purchased for 2,000 gil from Junon.

Mechanics

As the Magic Comb has a base Attack stat bonus of 37, the base damage for physical attacks when the Magic Comb is equipped is in the following formula:

$\text{Base Damage} = \text{(37 + Strength)} + \frac{\text{(37 + Strength)} + \text{Level}}{32} \times \frac{\text{(37 + Strength)} \times \text{Level}}{32}$

where "Level" is Red XIII's current level and "Strength" is his Strength stat. The Magic Comb also has an Attack% (Accuracy) of 100%, and grants a +4 bonus to Red XIII's Magic stat.

Use

The Magic Comb has fairly low stats, with the lowest Magic boost of any of Red XIII's weapons, and an Attack boost just below that of the Silver Barrette. However, its double AP growth can be useful for grinding. This means that, if acquired before the Plus Barrette, Magic Comb can be worth equipping.

The Magic Comb has three Materia slots, none of which are linked (meaning none may benefit from Support Materia). All of these slots should be given to Materia that the player is trying to level up by equipping the weapon. This limitation can be detrimental to Red XIII, who is best suited to spellcasting, as the lack of All Materia can hinder his ability to clear waves of enemies. It is therefore best to bring along a character with the Enemy Skill Materia, which can use abilities such as Matra Magic or Aqualung to clear waves while farming. This can also be equipped on Red XIII, but should be attached to his armor instead of take up a Magic Comb slot, as it cannot gain AP.

The Magic Comb is entirely outclassed by Red XIII's Plus Barrette, which has an additional double AP Materia slot and greater stats. As Plus Barrette can be obtained in Junon at the same time as Magic Comb, it is best to skip the Magic Comb if the player is obtaining it this way. The Plus Barrette is also acquired at Mt. Nibel, meaning the Magic Comb is redundant if the player skipped Fort Condor entirely.