Final Fantasy 16 takes another step in the series' real-time combat. Clive will fight with a one-handed sword, leaving his off-hand open to use magic and other powerful Eikon abilities learned throughout the game. Despite his lack of weapon variety, Clive has an easy-to-learn but difficult-to-master combat style.
As you progress through the main story, you'll gain access to different Eikon abilities that you can switch between during combat. You'll also learn more abilities than further flesh out the usefulness of each Eikon's attacks and give Clive a wide array of options with which to chain impressive combos.
10 Dodge & Parry
Despite being trained as a 'Shield,' Clive doesn't actually use one in combat. While you eventually learn an ability that lets you block, your main response to enemy attacks will be dodging or parrying. While parrying is possible to line up with enemy attacks, dodging will always be your best option.
Getting a perfect dodge will not only remove any chance of receiving damage but will also set you up to counter your enemy with a powerful attack. Spellcasting enemies will also utilize wider area of effect attacks that can't be parried and will require good timing and direction with your dodging.
9 Fireball!
Final Fantasy 16 takes a unique step away from the series' norms by removing any sort of MP bar from Clive. While you have access to magic and powerful abilities, there isn't a resource limiting your use of these options in combat, which is most evident with your ranged simple spell.
The early game's simple fireball only does a small amount of damage, but it can be spammed to your heart's content and done from a safe distance away from your enemies. While you'll often find yourself repositioning yourself on a battlefield, it will never hurt to be throwing magical attacks to slowly whittle down your enemy as you line up the next big strike.
8 Good Boy Torgal
Another heartwarming addition to Final Fantasy 16 is your loyal dog, Torgal. While Torgal usually operates as an NPC companion that targets enemies at random, you can issue him direct commands between which enemy to target and when to use abilities.
One of Torgal's most useful abilities is his heal, which may not be incredibly effective at first but can quickly add up over continuous uses. Torgal also has his own unique menu to utilize in combat, making him the most versatile and useful companion, on top of being Clive's loyal dog.
7 Maximize Your Score
While fighting, players will be rewarded with a score based on how well they perform using the game's mechanics. While simply using your basic attack will catch you an okay score, the game will greatly reward those who chain together long combos and release devastating Eikon abilities at the right moment.
Targeting staggered enemies that take additional damage and maximizing the damage they receive during that time is another simple way to boost your score in a fight. Depending on how well players perform, their score will reward them with additional rewards for completing the battle.
6 Staying Locked On
Battles can quickly become hectic and hard to to keep track of. With multiple AI companions fighting many enemies in a battlefield full of magical particle effects, it's important to know where you're swinging your sword.
Locking on is as simple as tapping the left bumper, and you can tap it again whenever you need to break away from that particular enemy. While locked on, Clive will direct his movements based on that enemy's location and is most effective in singling out enemies in a group.
5 Expand Your Combos
At the start of the game, Clive's basic attack will deliver a simple four-swing combo. While this basic attack can take out weaker monsters, you'll need to expand your arsenal of abilities and create your own combos that go well beyond four simple hits.
With so many abilities at your disposal, mix and match different ones to see which work best together and that fit your play style. Long and powerful combos give you great scores while also devastating your enemies.
4 Stagger Your Enemies
Breaking your enemy's stagger bar is the most effective way to take them down. Staggered enemies are left motionless for a short time and receive increased damage on top of providing a score multiplier.
Enemies are staggered simply by damaging them, with Eikon abilities having a much greater effect. You only have a limited number of Eikon abilities, so be sure to save your most powerful ones until after the stagger bar has been broken, allowing them to deal incredible amounts of damage to any boss.
3 Keep Moving
Many bosses and some enemies have large AOE attacks that will sometimes cover a greater area than your dodge can cover. In any fight, mobility is key so as not to get surrounded or be caught in a powerful attack. Thanks to the lack of MP, take a few seconds to reposition and cast fireballs to give you a safe distance from dangerous enemies.
When you do decide to jump into the fray, use different abilities or even your dodge to close the gap between you and your next foes quickly. Abilities that allow you to move are even more efficient as they can continue powerful combos between enemies.
2 Use Your Abilities Often
Like your simple ranged spell, your Eikon abilities are only limited by their cooldowns. Use them as often as they recover, since they are your best source of damage, and not using them will only hinder you — unless you are planning a barrage of abilities once your enemy is staggered.
Your limit breaker ability is also recharged as you land hits, helping it recover quickly. Once all of its bars are full, additional energy is wasted, so use it as soon as you get it.
1 Fight Cinematically
Final Fantasy 16 was said to have a larger focus on the narrative side of the game compared to its recent predecessor of Final Fantasy 15. This is shown in more than just the story but also in the Cinematic Strikes and Dodges utilized throughout major fights.
Cinematic moments in battles are often simple quick-time events but can be a spectacle to see. Not only are these moments like cutscenes, but they also lead to real effects in the battle, often leaving your enemy staggered or taking a ton of damage. These moments are both incredible to see and also set you up for further success in the fight.