Key Insights
- The combat system in Final Fantasy 16 is fast-paced and highly customizable through Eikon abilities.
- New game+ mode provides all Eikons unlocked along with powerful abilities, simplifying gameplay.
- Players can test various end-game configurations using accessories and Eikon arrangements for different situations.
Final Fantasy 16’s dynamic combat is often hailed as the pinnacle of action-oriented gameplay in the series. The Eikon abilities system allows players to tailor their approach, whether they lean towards controlling large groups with magic or delivering heavy counterattacks as melee fighters.
In new games+, players gain immediate access to all Eikons and sufficient AP to master top Eikon abilities, enabling them to combine these powers creatively with core Eikon features. This generates a variety of strong build combinations that make tackling Final Fantasy mode significantly more manageable.
This guide will emphasize accessories and Eikon configurations, as players should always choose weapons, belts, and vambraces based on the highest available crafting stats. With the freedom to change accessories and perform free skill respects, players have every reason to explore and discover the most effective endgame.
Crowd Control
Effortlessly Clear Out Mobs on Any Battlefield
For those pursuing 100% completion, this build excels in clearing side missions by annihilating any lesser foes. The gear choices are pretty straightforward; Adamantite Gloves enhance health, Genji Gloves boost damage, and Badge of Mettle increases defense. Survival typically isn’t a concern in these skirmishes, so feel free to swap them out for farming gear like the Cait Sith Charm.
The skill rotation is straightforward; initiate with Ignition to cluster enemies together, followed by Mesmerize and Scarlet Cyclone to inflict significant damage on large groups of smaller foes. When tougher mobs and mini-bosses appear, Aerial Blast delivers high damage to staggering enemies, complemented by Garuda’s Eikonic feat. Following this, Judgment Bolt and Earthen Fury unleash tremendous damage on staggered targets while taking care of any lingering smaller enemies.
Players who own the Rising Tides DLC can enhance this build with the new Eikon, Leviathan. Swapping Ignition and Scarlet Cyclone for Cross Swell and Tsunami will achieve the same effects with increased DPS. Additionally, the Echoes of the Fallen DLC items, Escapement Bit and Assailment Bit, are powerful additions to this setup.
Counter Attacker
Flawless Block Followed By Devastating Counters
Neutralize even the toughest adversaries with impeccable blocks and counterattacks. Titan’s Eikonic ability enables flawless blocks paired with counter punches that inflict substantial retaliation damage. Rook’s Gambit and Raging Fists provide additional options for reactive counterattacks that deliver impressive damage.
When enemies are staggered, employ Lightning Rod and Dancing Steel to enhance your Zantetsuken gauge while inflicting damage, then execute the level 5 move. Gigaflare and Earthen Fury maintain high damage-per-second (DPS) output afterward.
For this build’s accessories, focus on lowering the cooldown of Gigaflare (Favor of Light) and boosting the Zantetsuken gauge accumulation (Pull of Darkness). This strategy will optimize DPS during enemy stagger moments. Consequently, the DLC item Assailment Bit will outperform the Genji Gloves due to the enhanced stagger damage multiplier, provided players have access to them.
Artful Dodger
Master the Perfect Dodge to Freeze Your Foes
Hone your skills in perfect dodging to freeze opponents and execute powerful counterattacks. With Shiva’s Eikonic ability, players can immobilize even the fiercest enemies through flawless dodges. When paired with the Aerial Blast and Diamond Dust skills, players can effortlessly shatter enemy stagger bars while remaining unharmed.
Once you’ve mastered this technique, unleash your potential with the Dancing Steel and Lightning Rod combo to charge the Zantetsuken gauge and release it at its peak power. Utilizing Phoenix’s Eikonic ability allows you to swiftly engage bosses. With Rising Flames and Impulse, your ability cooldowns will be quick enough to maintain consistent damage output throughout every combat stage.
Equipping the Berserker Ring amplifies the DPS of this setup, granting regular attacks the same boost as a limit break when perfect dodges are executed successfully. Alternatively, you can opt for the DLC item Escapement Bit, or the Genji Gloves for enhanced healing and cooldown reduction following a perfect
Elemental Master
Versatile Stagger and Damage Capabilities
This well-rounded build is effective in any encounter in Final Fantasy 16. Equipping Shiva, Titan, and Phoenix as Eikonic feats provides players with the adaptability to execute perfect dodges, perfect blocks, and close gaps as necessary.
While mastering the various abilities does require some AP investment, it grants players the power to manipulate elemental forces, resulting in exceptional stagger and damage creation. Utilizing Breath of Earth and Breath of Lightning enhances consistent damage delivery through Judgment Bolt and Earthen Fury.
These can be replaced with Breath of Wind and Breath of Ice for those seeking more frequent.
Stagger Sovereign
Immobolize Foes for Maximum Damage with Little Resistance
This build features Diamond Dust, Aerial Blast, and Gouge to inflict substantial damage, leaving enemies unable to react. Paired with Garuda’s Deadly Embrace Feat, this strategy can effectively deplete the stagger bars of powerful bosses and formidable single targets.
Once stagger is reached, utilizing the Dancing Steel and Lightning Rod combination for Zantetsuken, along with Gigaflare, results in significant damage output. This is particularly advantageous since these combos further amplify the stagger damage multiplier.
The key drawbacks lie in the lengthy cooldowns of Diamond Dust, Gigaflare, and Aerial Blast. Thus, Breath of Ice is a recommended accessory—while Breath of Wind could also come in handy. Additionally, employing the DLC item Assailment Bit will enhance the stagger damage multiplier and should replace the Genji Gloves if they are accessible.
Double Zantetsuken
Maximize Damage with Quick Zantetsuken Charge
This high-skill build requires players to efficiently accumulate the Zantetsuken meter consistently. It’s heavily dependent on DLC items from The Rising Tides and Echoes of the Fallen to fully harness its potential.
The strategy focuses on maintaining your powerful abilities ready for execution thanks to the cooldown reduction from Escapement Bit. Abilities like Diamond Dust, Judgment Bolt, and Tsunami can deal massive damage, whether you’re attacking or at the stagger phase, when deployed freely.
Players must practice generating the Zantetsuken meter right before reaching a stagger, ensuring precise timing to unleash two max-level Zantetsuken during a single stagger phase. Therefore, The Pull of Darkness has become a crucial accessory, enhancing the rate at which the Zantetsuken Gauge
