Amarant is a hand-to-hand fighter who prefers to get the job done himself. His claw weapons deal massive damage and usually inflict status ailments. They also give him the chance to learn Counter, further enhancing his battle prowess.

Zidane is a thief by nature, and he needs a weapon that he can easily conceal. His initial weaponry consists of relatively low-powered daggers, but he can use them with a skill and dexterity that heavy fighters can't. In serious combat situations, dual-bladed thief swords provide much-needed slaying power.

Eiko's weakest weaponry is made up of musical instruments. Not known for their incredible destructive power, she instead puts them to best use in casting powerful magic spells. The more powerful rackets may be used to attack physically at long range.

The way of the gourmand isn't an easy one, and the Qu travel with special combat cutlery. These weapons are very strong but highly unreliable; The damage they deal varies wildly.

Garnet's standard weaponry is the relatively weak rod. Designed for magic and not for attack, they are of little use taking into a melee. What they lack in damage skills, they more than make up for in their ability to teach white magic. Rackets offer a reasonable long-range attack in addition to their magical abilities.

As a dragon knight, Freya excels in the use of spear-class weapons and other pointy sticks. Her training has taught her to impale and parry with the deadly speed and accuracy that these pole weapons can offer.

The black mage's equivalent of the rod, staves are weak in battle. Vivi can instead harness the energies held within the equipment to cast powerful black magics while staying away from the heart of the battle.

The classic weapon of choice among many, it's hard to find fault with the sword. Steiner's initial arsenal is made up of them, and his knight's training means he can put them to good use. Knight Swords have much heavier blades and deal considerable damage, but are rarely seen due to their difficulty to use.

In battle, it is vital to protect yourself from the blows of your enemy. Up to three pieces of armour may be worn at once, one on each part of the body. However, it is important to note that not all equipment is suitable for everyone.

Add-ons are a special type of equipment that grant little in the way of direct protection. Instead, they may be used to boost abilities or to teach important new skills. Although most add-ons may be worn by everyone, not all will benefit from their use.