An ancient text bound with slabs of a priceless mineral ore.
Range: 3

Description in The Ivalice Chronicles

The papyrus codex, also known as Papyrus Plate on the PlayStation, is the second strongest book in Final Fantasy Tactics. Books have a horizontal range of exactly three, and targets closer or further cannot be targeted. Books have infinite vertical range and can be equipped by the arithmetician, the mystic, and the onion knight.

Obtained[]

The player can buy the papyrus codex for 10,000 gil in trade city outfitters after the events in the Monastery Vaults in chapter 3, "The Valiant". The trade cities are Dorter, Warjilis, and Sal Ghidos.

A papyrus codex can also be found as a rare item through the chemist's Treasure Hunter movement ability in Bervenia (5,7 ); this is a one-time battle.

A papyrus codex can also be caught with the Sticky Fingers ability from a level 90–94 enemy ninja that knows "Throw Books".

Level 34 and above enemy mystics and arithmeticians may spawn with the papyrus codex as their weapon, from whom the player can steal it or nab it from their treasure chest when they perish. Enemies' levels in random encounters are based on Ramza's company's level. Arithmeticians in random battles are rare: a rare random battle against five of them may trigger when the player enters Lenalian Plateau from Gariland. This battle is the only one where arithmeticians appear as enemies.

Mechanics[]

The papyrus codex deals damage based on the following formula when used with the Attack command:

The papyrus codex has a 15% chance to activate with Parry when attacked from the front or sides.

The papyrus codex can be used in the ninja's Throw, provided that the unit has learned the "Throw Books" ability. The damage formula for Throw is:

The papyrus codex is incompatible with the samurai's Doublehand and the ninja's Dual Wield.

Books have unique attack range with a horizontal range of three and infinite vertical range. This means books will not counter physical attacks from most units, as they would only activate if the attacker was exactly three tiles away,

Use[]

The papyrus codex is a niche weapon as it has a quirky attack range and no bonus effects. Mystics are likely better off wielding poles, and arithmeticians are better off using their Arithmeticks than attacking physically. To make most of books' damage, the unit equipping one can raise either physical or magickal attack power; a unit with both stats at a high level would fair the best.