Zombie is an enemy-exclusive status in Final Fantasy IX. Aside from healing items and magic causing harm to the afflicted, Zombie also depletes the Trance gauge and prevents it from building while the status is in effect. The Death spell will fully heal a party member inflicted with the Zombie status instead of instantly killing them.
The Zombie status prevents the afflicted character from being revived until cured unless with Auto-Life status, and from earning Experience and Ability Points. The only way to heal zombified characters is with Ores and other jewels and Tents. Characters afflicted with Zombie turn a brownish hue when in battle.
Mechanics[]
Zombie status essentially makes the afflicted character an undead-type: healing spells, potions, and Regen are reversed, causing damage. Zombie persists on KO'd characters and disables the effects of Phoenix Downs and Life spells and Revive and Phoenix; the only way to revive a Zombified party member is to use Auto-Life. Zombie members' Trance gauges become depleted and cannot fill, and if the status persists at the end of battle, the afflicted will not gain any EXP or AP.
Zombified targets can still be healed with jewels mid-battle, such as Ore, and Death and Doom restore them to full health. Outside of battle, their HP can be replenished with Tents, but this does not cure their Zombie status.
Abilities[]
The player does not get access to Zombie.
Enemy abilities[]
| Ability | Description | Enemy |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Cross | Inflicts Berserk, Doom, Petrify, Stop, Freeze, Heat, Confuse, Poison, Trouble, Silence, Zombie, Darkness, Instant Death, Mini, Sleep, and HP is reduce to 1-10. Each one of them has a 1/8 chance of being inflicted. | Necron |
| Zombie Breath | Inflicts non-elemental damage and Zombie to one target. | Dracozombie |
| Zombie Powder | Inflicts Zombie to one target. | Whale Zombie |
Protection[]
The player cannot protect against Zombie.
Healing[]
| Item | Magic Tag |
|---|
Staying at an inn fully restores the party as well.
Enemies[]
The following enemies are immune to Zombie. However, though these enemies have immunity the player has no way to inflict the status to any non-immune enemies either.
- All friendly monsters
- All bosses except Red Dragon
- Core & Sand Golem
- Epitaph
- Gargoyle
- Mover
- Ragtime Mouse & True & False
- Tonberry
- Zaghnol (Festival)
Use[]
Zombie is hazardous as it renders the player unable to heal by most healing methods and also makes the affected unable to be revived until Zombie is removed. The player is best keeping some Magic Tags on hand, as though Zombie is a rare status it is best removed the soonest. The final boss's use of it is especially harmful, as the player is likely using Auto-Regen to heal, which will quickly kill the player's party if they contract Zombie.
Etymology[]
A zombie is an animated corpse resurrected by mystical means, such as necromancy. Since the late 19th century, zombies have acquired popularity in North American and European folklore.