Optimal Stats Guide

Few things i wanna mention that FFIX includes that not all people are aware of.
Took me some time to figure few of these out:

Optimal stats through equipment leveling (Im just gonna tread very lightly there and explain few of the basics, there are heavy in-depth guides out there that i recommend more but i do wanna point to this, because it makes the game a whole lot more fun and most people bypass this awesomeness.
For example Zidane's leveling weapons are 2, called Orichalcon (Spd +1) and Masamune (Mag +2).
Steiner has 1 leveling weapon called Defender (Spr +3), which is amazing, it makes Steiner easily reach max Spr which is 50.

Simply put, the wearer gains a permanent stat boost when he levels, take off the weapon/armor and its stat remains.
Its only a fraction added but overall you can increase permanent stats by quiet a bit. Bandana for example is really good most of the game because it constantly adds to the Speed of the character. Without bandana you only get normal speed stat increase with leveling but with bandana for lets say 50 levels, you will have maybe 5 stats extra speed increase, only from that item.
Just make sure everyone's setups are good leveling armors for maximum efficiency.


I made a list with few equips that i tend to use alot while leveling:

-Bandana (Spd +1, Spr +1)
-Green Beret (Spd +1, Str +1)
-Thief Hat (Spd +2)
-Power Wrist (Str +2)
-Magic Armlet (Mag +2)
-Magician Robe (Mag +2)
-Dark Gear (Spr +3)
-Dark Matter (Str +3, Mag +2)
-Ribbon (Str +1, Magic +3, Spr +1)
-Glass Buckle (Str +1, Magic +1, Spr +2)
-Power Belt (Str +3)


There are many more but i DO recommend checking the full in-depth guides online to get more understanding.
What im doing is only raising awareness.
I've tried this myself while finishing the game on lv1 playthrough and it was so much fun.
I always thought Vivi could only be max 64 in Mag, turns out he (as well as the other mages), can go over 90 in magic stats.
(99 being the max, probably unatainable.)

Explanation of stats:

There are 4 types of stats: Spd,Str,Mag and Spr.
-For example Str raises HP and Strength, Magic raises Magic and MP
-Spr raises stealing rate, character's attack and defence, Counter and Critical Damage.
Also depicts how long status effects last and how fast trance gauge raises.
Spr also raises the speed of Regen that makes you so OP.
Having 50 Spr makes you insanely powerful.
-Spd is self explanatory.

Note you dont need the permanent extra stat changes, the game is pretty easy already, but personally i think its fun to have extra spirit and speed, it gives more chance to land critical attacks etc and makes the battle go faster. Also fun to strategize in a new way, especially with mods that increase difficulty, let alone having low-end armors because of leveling, makes it harder as well.

So lets say you want a great challenge, being bored with the difficulty, there are multiple ways to make the game extremely hard yet rewarding:

1. Optimal stat leveling
2. Lv1 playthrough
3. Difficulty mod like AF.

Its crazy challenging but you will have the best stats end-game and enjoying the game in new ways.

[burgstel]

Well damn, never knew any of this ..... hehe gonna have to do another FF9 play through now ;)

[Sephiroth]

spr and spd is always good