Ribbon is an accessory in Final Fantasy XII that makes the wearer immune to status ailments bar Instant Death, X-Zone, and Stone (however, as it prevents Petrify, the character wearing a Ribbon will not turn to stone regardless). In the Zodiac versions, Ribbon also offers +1 to Defense and Magick Resist, and gives permanent Regen and Libra. It is one of the best accessories to equip, but is exceedingly rare.
Obtain[]
Original[]
In the original PlayStation 2 versions, Ribbon is a treasure in Henne Mines' Special Charter Shaft (55% chance to appear, 60% chance for gil, 50% chance the item treasure is a Ribbon without the Diamond Armlet equipped ), Cerobi Steppe's Crossfield (50% chance to appear, 70% chance for gil, 10% chance the item treasure is a Ribbon with the Diamond Armlet ) and Subterra's Abyssal - North (50% chance to appear, is Ribbon without the Diamond Armlet ).
The easiest place to obtain a Ribbon is on the Cerobi Steppe while equipping the Diamond Armlet. Starting at the Cerobi Steppe save crystal, the player should head north one screen, and as soon as they enter, they can see a big rock a little to the right. Beyond that, even more to the right, there is another big rock with a treasure right behind it. The coffer has a 50% chance to spawn, and a small chance to contain a Ribbon. The player can get more than one Ribbon by repeatedly trying the coffer.
Ribbon also drops from Lv.99 Red Chocobo (100%) and Vishno (1%).
Zodiac[]
In the updated Zodiac versions, Ribbon is found in Henne Mines' Special Charter Shaft (down a hidden passage; 15% chance to appear, is always a Ribbon), and Subterra's Abyssal - North (northwest room; 10% chance to appear, is always a Ribbon), as well as in the Trial Mode Stage 100 with the Diamond Armlet equipped; it is not possible to bring spoils from the Stage 100 battle to the main game even in The Zodiac Age version.
Ribbon still drops from Lv.99 Red Chocobo (100%) and Vishno (1%), and is now also the rare steal from Hashmal in the Trial Mode Stage 49, and the Lv.99 Red Chocobo in Stage 93, and the uncommon steal from Omega Mark XII (10%) in Stage 99. The player can farm Ribbons in the Trial Mode by repeating Stage 49 and stealing from Hashmal.
Ribbon is now a possible reward in the Hunt Club sidequest on the Phon Coast by giving Stok ≥16 Rare Game trophies; after relinquishing all 30 trophies, Ribbon will appear at the Shifty-Eyed Merchant's store.
Use[]
The Ribbon is great against enemies that inflict myriad status ailments, like Cúchulainn, Gilgamesh, and Carrot. It will also prevent Lure (in the original version), but not Berserk, which should be taken into account. The additional Libra and Regen effects in the Zodiac versions enhance its usefulness, allowing the wearer to gradually regain HP and reveal enemies' stats and traps.
The usefulness of the Ribbon is somewhat hampered by its rarity. In the Zodiac versions, stealing one from Hashmal in Trial Mode is likely the easiest and the earliest way to obtain one.
Equipping a Ribbon on a character who can then cleanse the rest of the team of ailments with Esunaga or Remedies can prove effective. This allows the other characters to equip other accessories, such as Bubble Belt for durability or Genji Gloves for damage output.