Equipment are a vital part of any unit's growth. In fact, they tend to account for about half of a unit's attributes, as well as covering various resistances.

Every job defines what equipment it uses, consisting of 6 pieces per job level. In order for a job to level up, it must equip all 6 pieces, at which point the equipment is absorbed and a new job level is available.

Note: Equipment is not the same thing as gear. Equipment is permanently applied (and is permanently used up), whereas gear can be moved between units to add additional stats (and is not permanently bound to a unit).