Final Fantasy 16 features a brand-new gameplay style for the franchise. Protagonist Clive battles in a fully fledged action RPG combat system that sees him utilizing the powers of the Eikons combined with his natural prowess to carve his way through foes in the world of Valisthea.
A familiar stagger system has been re-designed for Final Fantasy 16. As Clive deals Eikon induced damage through their respective abilities, the enemy’s stagger bar is depleted. Once it is emptied, the player has a chance to deal 50,000 damage or more to the staggered enemy, completing an impressive battle feat and unlocking the 'It’s Over 50,000' trophy.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on July 5, 2023: Another strategy was added that includes a video detailing the exact sequence of attacks to achieve 50,000 stagger damage.
How Does Stagger Work
If players played or completed the demo, Clive's time in combat should be fresh and familiar. Staggering enemies is an important tactical approach to combat, particularly against tough foes. In order to successfully stagger an enemy, Clive will need to deal damage via his Eikon abilities. As damage is dealt, the golden yellow stagger bar will be chipped away at. Once the bar is completely demolished, Clive can unleash massive damage to the enemy.
It is at this point where Clive can potentially deal 50,000 or more stagger damage. This must be done to the stunned enemy while staggered, before the stagger bar fully replenishes. Doing so will also dispatch a majority of weaker creatures and combatants, so properly wiping a stagger bar and inflicting as much stagger damage as possible will always benefit Clive in his numerous battles.
Tips For Dealing 50,000 Stagger Damage
There are a couple of options to complete this task before reaching the finale of the game.
Shiva/Phoenix/Titan Strategy
- Most effective from Level 37 onwards
- Start by using Shiva's Mesmerize ability, followed by her Ice Age ability
- Quickly shift to Phoenix and use Scarlet Cyclone followed by Rising Flames
- Then, switch to Titan and use Upheaval and then Windup
Zantetsuken Gigaflare Strategy
- Utilize Odin’s Zantetsuken at level 5.
- Next, use Clive’s limit break by pressing L3 and R3 before switching to Bahamut’s Eikon abilities.
- Unleash Gigaflare, and inflict as much damage to the enemy as possible while staggered.
If executed properly, Clive will have dealt 50,000 or more damage during a single stagger.
It is possible for Clive to deal 50,000 damage without this strategy by throwing every attack and Eikon ability at the enemy, but Clive will likely not be strong enough to deal 50,000 damage in the time frame that most enemies are staggered until he is vastly powered up.
New Game Plus Strategy
If the player is unable to strike for 50,000 damage during the initial playthrough, Final Fantasy 16 does offer a new game plus mode and free play after story completion. In new game+, players will almost certainly deal 50,000 or significantly more damage in a single stagger naturally. Still, this is an approach that should be practiced in battle, as dealing as much damage as possible to each foe in every skirmish should be a priority to maximize combat efficiency.
The player should also be aware that the 'It’s Over 50,000' trophy will not be unlocked by dealing this damage as Ifrit in Eikon specific battles, so there should be no confusion if Ifrit deals massive damage without reward.
Clive, in his human form, needs to be the one to dole out the 50,000 stagger damage in order to successfully achieve this feat.