Final Fantasy XII - Resource - Armor

Overview: Below is a list of all the Armor available in Final Fantasy XII. Bazaar sets with multiple pieces are listed under the body armor. There are a few Armor strategies out there, and sadly everyone seems to agree that Light Armor doesn't play a part in any of them. The sad reality is that the HP bonuses of the Light Armor pale in comparison to the increased Def values, Str bonuses, and Magick Power bonuses of Heavy and Mystic Armor. The most common late-game strategy is to equip your mage in all Mystic Armor, your two physical attackers in Heavy Body Armor, and Mystic Armor Headgear, so that you can get both a Strength and Magick Power increase on your physical attackers to help round them out.

Shields

Shields should always be equipped with single handed weapons, because most single handed weapons have terrible Evasion. Any shield is better than no shield, and some have very helpful elemental effects.

Heavy Armor

Heavy Armor is great for your physical attackers, and each piece increases the Strength value of the wearer. And, later in the game, the increased defensive capabilities win out over the HP bonuses of Light Armor.

Light Armor

Light Armor is great for the first third of the game, when the extra HP values can really make an impact, however the lack of other useful bonuses makes it hard to justify, unless you need the Elemental Resistance of the Viking Coat, Windbreaker, Adamant Vest, or Rubber Suit.

Mystic Armor

The de-facto mage armor, it has welcome increases to Magick Power and occasionally MP, making your mage even better at healing and damage dealing, and can mesh interestingly with the weapons that are effected by magic power.

Genji Armor

This set of armor, all four pieces, must be stolen from Gilgamesh in the two battles you have with him in the Lhusu Mines. It's a difficult task, but the reward is great, as every part of the set has highly desirable attributes, the most famous of which is the Genji Glove/Masamune combination.