Helm worn by soldier trainees.
Description
The Rubber Helm is the weakest helmet in Final Fantasy IX for Steiner and Freya. It teaches Minus Strike that lets Steiner do fixed damage based on the difference between his current and maximum HP. It can be used in synthesis and halves Thunder damage to the wearer.
Obtain[]
The Rubber Helm is found on the theater ship crash site in Evil Forest. It is in the back corner of the cargo room, near to the stairs leading up.
Later on, the helm is sold for 250 gil in Dali and the Summit Station.
Mechanics[]
The Rubber Helm provides 5 Magic Defense, minorly mitigating damage from magic attacks. It halves Thunder damage. If the character also wears an equipment piece that makes them weak to Thunder (Chain Plate or Reflect Ring), they take ~75% damage from Thunder attacks.
Use[]
The Rubber Helm is starter gear the player can equip onto Steiner before the excursion into the Evil Forest. It is his best helmet until the Iron Helm can be stolen from the Plant Brain boss in the forest. The Rubber Helm may be useful after more defensive gear become available for its Thunder-halving trait, such as against the Black Waltzes. Though Freya can also equip it, there is no particular need to ever give it to her as she will not learn any abilities from it.
Steiner learns Minus Strike from the helm. It is worth mastering before the battle against Tantarian if the player wants to do this optional boss at the earlier opportunity.
The Rubber Helm can be used in synthesis to make the Cachusha. The earliest the player can do this is when they are in Treno with Princess Garnet.
Beatrix can also equip the helm for the brief time she is a guest during the Battle of Alexandria, but there is little point in equipping it to her.