The Pirate Hat is a mid-ranked light armor headgear in Final Fantasy XII that boosts the wearer's magickal defense by 25 (Zodiac) or 23 (original), and HP by 230.
Obtain[]
Original[]
In the original PlayStation 2 versions, the Pirate Hat is sold for 4,000 gil in Rabanastre and Nalbina Fortress after defeating Judge Bergan, and in Mt Bur-Omisace. It is found in a treasure in Stilshrine of Miriam's Walk of Reason (southeast corner; 55% chance to appear, 33% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Pirate Hat without the Diamond Armlet ), and Mosphoran Highwaste's Northern Skirts (northernmost treasure; 50% chance to appear, 40% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is the Pirate Hat without the Diamond Armlet equipped ).
It is rarely stolen from the Facer.
Zodiac[]
In the updated Zodiac versions, the Pirate Hat is sold for 4,000 gil in Mt Bur-Omisace after defeating Vinuskar, and in the Mosphoran Highwaste after defeating Judge Bergan. It is found in a treasure in the Trial Mode Stage 81 with the Diamond Armlet equipped.
It is still rarely stolen from the Facer, and now also uncommonly stolen from the Ring Wyrm in Trial Mode Stage 18.
Use[]
The Pirate Hat is a mid-ranked light armor hat, giving 23 or 25 magick resist depending on version, and 230 HP. It is useful to equip over any inferior equipment the party may have. However, in the original version where everyone can wear any equipment piece, the more expensive heavy armor helms, Close Helmet or Bone Helm, or the mystic hat Black Cowl, may be preferable purchases if the player can stretch their funds to them, as the HP boost from light armor is not usually worth prioritizing over heavy armor that boosts Strength for physical attackers, or mystic armor that boosts Magick Power for spellcasters.
In the Zodiac versions, Machinist, Monk, Archer, and Shikari can equip the Pirate Hat, and so it is only useful to buy if the player has chosen these License Boards for their party. The Strength boost from the previous light armor hat, Headband, may be preferable to keep over upgrading to the Pirate Hat just yet for these jobs, though the Strength boost does not matter for a gun-wielder. In The Zodiac Age, after fighting Belias, the player can choose two License Boards per party member, and so more party members can choose from the potentially more useful heavy and mystic armor sets.