Final Fantasy IX

Combat

The random battles appear again, as well as the Active Time Battles and, of course, the use of magic. However, Final Fantasy IX returns to using four characters in battle again, allowing for a faster combat, and making the game more exciting. Magic Points (MP) have also returned to the battles and Square has rid the game of Drawing and Junctioning. Instead, you use Magic Stones to equip Active Abilities.

Once you have mastered the ability (by gaining the required amount of AP during battle) you can unequip the weapon or armor that you are wearing and equip another piece. Don't worry! The mastered ability will still stay in your ability equip screen so that you can equip it when you need to. Some items give Zidane the ability to steal better items, or maybe even give him the ability to nullify attacks that cause poison! Status Abilities are permanent, as long as they are mastered. They are pretty much the same thing, but do not require the Magic Stones to be able to use them in battle.