Community Archive
Latent and Hidden Effects
Introduction
Many item descriptions do not fully describe their effects. This article is designed to help you become acquainted with such items and how to use them.
- Latent Effects
- Item attributes that are triggered under certain, unstated circumstances.
- Hidden Effects
- Item attributes that are not reflected in the item description at all.
Some effects are both latent and hidden.
HP-triggered Effects
The following weapons' damage ratings vary depending on the wielder's current HP.
| Item | Hidden Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Amanojaku (Katana) | DMG rating increases as HP decreases. | See Amanojaku page for details. |
| Valiant Knife (Dagger) | DMG rating increases as HP decreases. | See Valiant Knife page for details. |
The following weapons' accuracy ratings vary depending on the wielder's current HP.
| Item | Hidden Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Avengers (Hand to Hand) | Accuracy rating increases as HP decreases. | See Avengers page for details. |
The following items' latent effects are triggered at certain levels of HP.
| Item | Latent Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Amakura | Store TP +10 | HP ≤ 50% (orange) |
| Bedivere's Hose | Increases Accuracy and Attack | HP ≤ 25% (red) |
| Berserker's Torque | Adds Regain Effect (1 TP/tick) | Drawn weapon (drains 50 HP/tick) |
| Carapace Gauntlets/Carapace Gauntlets +1 | Attack +8/9 DEF +16/17 | HP ≤ 75% (yellow) |
| Carapace Helm/Carapace Helm +1 | Attack +10/11 DEF +23/24 | HP ≤ 50% (orange) |
| Carapace Breastplate/Carapace Breastplate +1 | Attack +12/13 DEF +44/45 | HP ≤ 25% (red) |
| Hercules' Ring | Adds Regen Effect (3 HP/tick) Adds Refresh Effect (1 MP/tick) |
HP ≤ 50% (orange) |
| Horrent Mace | Accuracy +10 Attack +10 | HP ≤ 25% (red) |
| Kerykeion | Adds Regen Effect (3 HP/tick) | Base HP < 51% |
| Muscle Belt/Muscle Belt +1 | Adds Regen Effect (1/2 HP/tick) Counter +1/2 |
HP ≤ 50% (orange) |
| Parade Gorget | Adds Refresh Effect (1 MP/tick) | HP > 85% (white) |
| Rasetsu Jinpachi | Counter +1 | Low HP (percentage unknown) |
| Rasetsu Samue | Counter +1 | Low HP (percentage unknown) |
| Rasetsu Tekko | Counter +1 | Low HP (percentage unknown) |
| Rasetsu Hakama | Counter +1 | Low HP (percentage unknown) |
| Rasetsu Sune-Ate | Counter +1 | Low HP (percentage unknown) |
| Unicorn Cap/Unicorn Cap +1 | STR+4/5 | HP > 70% |
| Unicorn Harness/Unicorn Harness +1 | VIT+6/7 | HP > 71% |
| Unicorn Mittens/Unicorn Mittens +1 | Attack +7/8 | HP > 75% (white) |
| Unicorn Subligar/Unicorn Subligar +1 | Evasion +3/4 | HP > 75% (white) |
| Unicorn Leggings/Unicorn Leggings +1 | Haste +3%/4% | HP > 75% (white) |
| Zareehkl Jambiya | DMG: 36 | HP ≤ 75% (yellow) |
| Zareehkl Scythe | Increases rate of Triple Attack | HP ≤ 25% (red) |
HP-and-TP-triggered Effects
The following job-specific rings and earrings have latent effects that are only active when the following two conditions are met: your HP is low and your TP is below 100%. When only one of these two conditions are met, the effects are not active.
Note that when the table says "HP ≤ 75%" that means that <hpp> should expand to 75% or less, which means current HP is anything under 76% of current maximum HP. If you have 1001 maximum HP, 76% of that is 760.76, so the latent will be active at 760 HP.
Some of these items ignore the effects of Convert HP to MP gear on your maximum HP, so the latent can be active much higher than 76% of your actual maximum HP. Two such are Sorcerer's Ring and Conjurer's Ring. However, Minstrel's Ring and Medicine Ring do not work this way, they just use your maximum HP.
| Item | Latent Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Caitiff's Socks | Flee | HP ≤ 25% and TP < 100% Activates randomly when an enemy attacks wielder. |
| Soldier's Ring (WAR) | Double Attack +2% | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Soldier's Earring (WAR) | DEF+20% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Kampfer Ring (MNK) | Counter +2 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Kampfer Earring (MNK) | Counter +5 | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Medicine Ring (WHM) | Cure Potency +10% | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Medicine Earring (WHM) | Damage Taken -30% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Sorcerer's Ring (BLM) | Magic Attack Bonus +10 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Sorcerer's Earring (BLM) | Damage Taken -30% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Fencer's Ring (RDM) | Sword Enhancement Spell Damage +5 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Fencer's Earring (RDM) | Magic Damage Taken -30% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Rogue's Ring (THF) | Steal +3 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Rogue's Earring (THF) | Evasion +15 | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Guardian's Ring (PLD) | Shield Bash +10 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Guardian Earring (PLD) | Spell Interruption Rate -30% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Slayer's Ring (DRK) | Weapon Bash +10 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Slayer's Earring (DRK) | Physical Damage Taken -20% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Tamer's Ring (BST) | Killer Effects +3 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Tamer's Earring (BST) | Increases Tame Success Rate | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Minstrel's Ring (BRD) | Song Spellcasting Time -25% | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Minstrel's Earring (BRD) | Physical Damage Taken -30% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Tracker's Ring (RNG) | Enmity -2 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Tracker's Earring (RNG) | Physical Damage Taken -30% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Ronin Ring (SAM) | Accuracy +5 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Ronin Earring (SAM) | Magic Damage Taken -20% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Shinobi Ring (NIN) | Haste +4% | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Shinobi Earring (NIN) | Haste +20% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Drake Ring (DRG) | Enhances Jump Effect | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Drake Earring (DRG) | Double Attack +5% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Conjurer's Ring (SMN) | Avatar Perpetuation Cost -1 | HP ≤ 75% and TP ≤ 100% |
| Conjurer's Earring (SMN) | Damage Taken -20% | HP ≤ 25% and TP ≤ 100% |
MP-triggered Effects
The following armor pieces have latent effects that are only active when MP drops below a certain threshold.
| Item | Latent Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Desperado Ring | Attack +5 | MP ≤ 5% |
| Gaudy Harness | Adds Refresh Effect | MP < 49 |
| Uggalepih Pendant | Magic Attack Bonus +8 | MP ≤ 51% (or casting a spell which will bring your MP under 51%) |
Subjob-triggered Effects
The various Latent Effects on the following series of Level 30 earrings, mantles, belts, and shields are triggered simply by having the appropriate subjob.
Atypical Damage Type Weapons
Most weapons of a certain category deal the same type of damage. The following weapons are exceptions. Despite having an uncharacteristic damage type when meleeing, these weapons still use normal damage types during weapon skills.
| Item | Hidden Effect |
|---|---|
| Bourdonasse (Polearm) | Blunt damage |
| Crude Sword (Great Sword) | Blunt damage |
| Honebami (Great Katana) | Blunt damage |
| Vampiric Claws (Hand-to-Hand) | Slashing damage |
| Birdbanes (Hand-to-Hand) | Piercing damage |
| Chiroptera Dagger (Dagger) | Slashing damage |
| Mensur Epee (Sword) | Piercing damage (first introduced as Slashing type) |
| Joyeuse (Sword) | Piercing damage |
| Sylphid Epee (Sword) | Piercing damage |
Elemental Staves
The Level 51 Elemental Staves have very potent hidden effects which make them useful to various jobs. These effects conform to the standard elemental strengths and weaknesses.
Weapon Skill Point Effects
The following weapons have latent effects that are governed by a system that keeps track of how many Weapon Skill Points you have accrued using them on Easy Prey or harder enemies. Single-handed weapons need to be equipped in the main slot in order to advance this counter.
Each weapon skill you perform using these weapons on Easy Prey or tougher enemies grants you a number of points as follows:
- 1 point for a weapon skill that does not produce a skillchain effect
- 2 points for a weapon skill that produces a level 1 skillchain effect
- 3 points for a weapon skill that produces a level 2 skillchain effect
- 5 points for a weapon skill that produces a level 3 skillchain effect
Weapons "of trials" are involved in obtaining quested weapon skills. The holder of the weapon must accrue 300 weapon skill points to deactivate the latent and then return it to the quest giver before continuing in the quest.
Weapons from the various 30-Kindred's Seal BCNMs require the holder to accrue 500 weapon skill points to activate the latent high damage rating (and on most, critical hit rate). Note that the critical hit rate modifier does apply to all attacks while that unlocked weapon is equipped.
| Item | Latent Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Knuckles of Trials (Hand-to-Hand) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Dagger of Trials (Dagger) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Sapara of Trials (Sword) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Sword of Trials (Great Sword) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Pick of Trials (Axe) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Axe of Trials (Great Axe) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Scythe of Trials (Scythe) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Spear of Trials (Polearm) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Kodachi of Trials (Katana) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Tachi of Trials (Great Katana) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Club of Trials (Club) | HP+10 MP+10 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Pole of Trials (Staff) | HP+10 MP+10 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Bow of Trials (Ranged) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Gun of Trials (Ranged) | HP+20 |
Weapon Skill Points < 300 |
| Destroyers (Hand-to-Hand) | DMG:+18 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Heart Snatcher (Dagger) | DMG:30 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Dissector (Sword) | DMG:36 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Subduer (Great Sword) | DMG:85 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Retributor (Axe) | DMG:46 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Rampager (Great Axe) | DMG:87 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Gravedigger (Scythe) | DMG:87 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Gondo-Shizunori (Polearm) | DMG:85 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Senjuinrikio (Katana) | DMG:38 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Michishiba (Great Katana) | DMG:78 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Morgenstern (Club) | DMG:40 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Thyrsusstab (Staff) | DMG:65 Critical Hit Rate +6% | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Expunger (Ranged) | DMG:39 Ranged Accuracy +9 | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
| Coffinmaker (Ranged) | DMG:40 Ranged Accuracy +9 | Weapon Skill Points ≥ 500 |
Crafts Items
These weapons and armor grant bonus synthesis skills for aspiring crafters.
| Item | Latent/Hidden Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee Axe | Woodworking skill +1 | Woodworking skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
| Trainee Burin | Goldsmithing skill +1 | Goldsmithing skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
| Trainee Gloves | Bonecraft skill +1 | Bonecraft skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
| Trainee Hammer | Smithing skill +1 | Smithing skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
| Trainee Knife | Cooking skill +1 | Cooking skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
| Trainee's Needle | Leathercraft skill +1 | Leathercraft skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
| Trainee Sword | Alchemy skill +1 | Alchemy skill under 40 and no synthesis support |
Relic Weapons
In addition to its other unique characteristics, each fully-upgraded relic weapon can occasionally double or triple their base damage.
During this effect, the base damage formula becomes : floor( (D+ (aD) + fSTR(2)) * n)
where n is the hidden n-fold damage multiplier of a particular weapon.
- This increased base damage cannot be activated during weapon skills.
- Although it is possible for the 3x damage effect of Mandau to occur during Sneak Attack and Trick Attack when Thief is set as the main job or sub job.
| Item | Hidden Effect |
|---|---|
| Aegis (Shield) | Increased blocking rate |
| Amanomurakumo (Great Katana) | Occasional 2.5-fold damage |
| Annihilator (Gun) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
| Apocalypse (Scythe) | Occasional 2-fold damage |
| Bravura (Great Axe) | Occasional 2-fold damage |
| Claustrum (Staff) | Occasional 2.5-fold damage |
| Excalibur (Sword) | Occasional 2.5-fold damage |
| Gungnir (Polearm) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
| Guttler (Axe) | Occasional 2.5-fold damage |
| Kikoku (Katana) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
| Mandau (Dagger) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
| Mjollnir (Club) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
| Ragnarok (Great Sword) | Occasional 2.5-fold damage |
| Spharai (Hand-to-Hand) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
| Yoichinoyumi (Bow) | Occasional 3-fold damage |
Elemental Gorgets
Elemental Gorgets are rewards of the quest In the Name of Science. These gorgets improve both Weapon Skill accuracy (by unknown amount) and TP Modifier by 25/256 (0.0976...). To trigger the effects, the player must use a Weapon Skill with the same Skillchain property as the gorget name.
- For example:
- Sidewinder has the skillchain properties of Detonation, Reverberation, and Transfixion; therefore, the Breeze Gorget, Aqua Gorget, or the Light Gorget would all enhance Sidewinder equally when equipped.
- Arching Arrow only has the skillchain property of Fusion; however, since Fusion is a combination of Transfixion and Liquefaction, either the Light Gorget or Flame Gorget will enhance Arching Arrow.
Relic Weapon skills have the ability to continue level 3 skillchain (Light/Darkness) once, but the Light/Darkness attribute does not contribute to elemental attribute of the following gorgets
- For example:
- Tachi: Kaiten has "Light and Fragmentation" properties, but the gorgets that will affect Tachi: Kaiten accuracy and damage are the Breeze Gorget and Thunder Gorgets (due to its Fragmentation property); while Light Gorget will also enhance Tachi: Kaiten, Flame Gorget (a sub element of the Light skillchain; eg: Light-Fire-Lightning-Wind) will not enhance Tachi: Kaiten.
| Item | Latent Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Aqua Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Reverberation |
| Breeze Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Detonation |
| Flame Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Liquefaction |
| Light Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Transfixion |
| Shadow Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Compression |
| Snow Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Induration |
| Soil Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Scission |
| Thunder Gorget | Increases Weapon Skill Accuracy and Damage | Weapon Skill attribute contains Impaction |
Other Effects
| Item | Hidden Effect |
|---|---|
| Antarctic Wind | When landed on Genbu, its Additional Effect: Water is Dispelled and deals damage |
| Arctic Wind | When landed on Suzaku, its Additional Effect: Fire is Dispelled and deals damage |
| East Wind | When landed on Byakko, its Additional Effect: Light is Dispelled and deals damage |
| Zephyr | When landed on Seiryu, its Additional Effect: Wind is Dispelled and deals damage |
| Carbuncle Mitts | Carbuncle Avatar Perpetuation Cost reduced to 50% (rounded down) |
| Y's Scythe |
Dark Magic Potency +10% |
| Dune Boots | Increases Kick Attack damage |
| Wulong Shoes/Wulong Shoes +1 | |
| Kung Fu Shoes | |
| Hacchonenbutsu Dangozashi | Double Attack +2.5% |
| Patroclus's Helm | Enhances Arcana Killer effect |
| Sylphid Epee | Windsday: Attack +10 |
| Toreador's Cape | Enemy Critical Hit Rate +75% |
Unknown Latent Effect Triggers
The following items have latent effects whose triggers have not been fully documented. If you come into possession of any of these items and determine how to activate their latent effects, please feel free to update this page and the item page.
| Item | Latent Effect | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Z's Trident | STR+12 | Unknown |
| Ace's Locket | Counter +5 | Unknown |
| Sadhu Bracelets | Double Attack +2% Haste +1% | Latent active when no food effect is present. |
| Wootz Amood/Wootz Amood +1 | DMG:57/58 Occasionally attacks twice | Unknown |
| Foolkiller | STR: +8 | Unknown |
| Prester | Increases weapon skill accuracy and damage | Active when using any Weapon Skill with a Skillchain attribute of Detonation (and, by extension, Fragmentation). |
| Seismic Axe | Increases weapon skill accuracy and damage | Active when using any Weapon Skill with a Skillchain attribute of Scission (and, by extension, Gravitation). |
| Aizenkunitoshi | Increases weapon skill damage |
Source entry: Latent and Hidden Effects. Cached on this server on 4 November 2026.