Weapons and Armor in Final Fantasy IX
The weapons and armor of Final Fantasy IX have both similarities and differences to the previous Final Fantasy games. Like the original Final Fantasy, certain types of equipment can only be equipped by certain character depending on their class. For example, Final Fantasy IX's mages will most likely be unable to equip swords and metallic armor, just as a White Mage from the original Final Fantasy could not do so.
The most noticeable difference in the weapon system of FF IX and the previous games is that the magic that you can use is determined by whatever weapons/armor you have equipped. This restriction is in place in addition to a limited amout of MP.