Cures Petrify and Gradual Petrify.
Description
The Soft is a status healing item in Final Fantasy IX used to remove Petrify and Gradual Petrify, status abnormalities that disable a target entirely, flagging them as defeated. It is a common treasure in Chocobo Hot and Cold. It can also be used in synthesis for three different items.
The Soft item is similar to the Stona spell, having the same battle animation. However, using a Soft on a stone-type enemy defeats them instantly, whereas Stona does not have this property.
Obtain[]
Softs are sold in shops for 100 gil apiece from Lindblum onward. They are also a common find while playing Chocobo Hot and Cold; if the player partakes in this quest, they likely never need to buy any Softs. Two Softs are found in Burmecia residence and one is found in Stiltzkin's item pack here as well.
Abandoned Lagoon chocograph.
The player can find six Softs in the Abandoned Lagoon chocograph. After the player has Blue Narciss, they can dig it up from Chocobo's Lagoon.
Softs can drop from Armstrong, Basilisk, Catoblepas, Ironite, and Zombie, and can also be stolen from Agares, Amarant (Mirror), Basilisk, Catoblepas, Dagger (Mirror), Eiko (Mirror), Epitaph, Freya (Mirror), Ironite, Quina (Mirror), Steiner (Mirror), Stroper, Vivi (Mirror), and Zidane (Mirror).
Use[]
Softs are used to remove Petrify and Gradual Petrify statuses, but their more useful function is to defeat stone-type enemies instantly. However, there are only three stone enemies: Stroper, Epitaph, and Gargoyle. Softs may also be used as a status healing item in these same battles, as well as against Basilisk and the final boss.
An Soft can be used in synthesis to produce a Fairy Earrings, Gold Choker, and Peridot.
All "Stone" type enemies can be killed instantly by using a Soft on them, displaying the message "became too soft to live" before vanishing. No EXP will be awarded for an enemy killed in this manner, but AP will still be given.
Etymology[]
Soft is called "Gold Needle" in Japanese. The concept for this item could originate from acupuncture (needle therapy). However, the original intent as shown by the early artwork is clearly a sewing needle, rather than an acupuncture needle. Gold-plated needles intended for cloth are reputed to have a smooth glide both through the cloth and when threading, which may be intended as a means of piercing the stone.