In the enthralling universe of Final Fantasy 16, Clive’s vast array of best weapons & non-Eikonic abilities is the beating heart of the combat. These skills, each boasting unique mechanics and strategic implications, form the foundation for combat encounters and your character’s progression. Mastering Clive’s best abilities in Final Fantasy 16 not only enhances the player’s prowess but also increases the understanding and nuance of these abilities. That is why I have listed the 9 best Clive abilities you should master in FF16 from the get-go.
- Clive’s best abilities in Final Fantasy 16 are diverse and crucial for different combat scenarios.
- The 15 different abilities range from defensive skills like Swift Recovery, which helps Clive regain composure quickly, to offensive abilities like Burning Blade, which can break an enemy’s guard.
- Depending on your preferred gameplay, you can focus on ranged attacks, close combat, or a balance of both.
- Many of Clive’s abilities can be further improved or mastered by investing in Ability Points (AP).
- Certain abilities like Limit Break can turn the tide of a battle system.
- Combining different abilities can result in powerful combos.
- Author’s Note: With more than dozens of hours of experience in FF16, I feel more than obliged to provide you with hands-on experience on the topic below.
My Picks For The Best Among Clive’s Abilities In FF16
Here is an overview of all the non-Eikon best abilities of Clive in Final Fantasy 16:
| Serial No. | Abilities | Unlock AP Cost | Master AP Cost | Best Usage of This Skill | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | Burning Blade | 25 AP | 180 AP | Breaking enemy guard and parrying incoming attacks | The Best Innate Ability For Breaking Guards |
| 6. | Stomp | 15 AP | 170 AP | Powerful attack from an aerial position | The Best Skill For Gaining Height |
| 7. | Taunt | 40 AP | 0 AP | Crowd control and manipulation of enemy movement | The Best Skill For Separating Crowds |
| 8. | Lunge | 20 AP | 200 AP | Rapid strike at a distant enemy | The Best Core Ability For Closing Distances |
| 9. | Limit Break | Default (0 AP) | 1000 AP (Upgrade), 2000 AP (Mastery) | Boost damage and healing when HP is low or enemy is staggered | The Best Ability For Transformation |
Here is a quick run down on the best Clive abilities you should get first in FF16:
5. Burning Blade
- Why I Chose This: Burning Blade is very practical in breaking enemies’ guard and parrying with it offers many benefits.
Clive’s Burning Blade ability in FF16 is reminiscent of Nero’s moves in Devil May Cry 5, charging the blade and delivering three fiery swings. To unlock this ability, invest 25 AP. For maximum effectiveness, I suggest you to unlock the Mastery version by spending 180 AP, reducing the time required to charge the sword.
You can use Burning Blade in two ways: on the ground or from the air. It’s particularly useful for breaking enemy guards, a challenging task before obtaining this ability. Additionally, the Burning Blade can naturally parry some incoming attacks when timed correctly, making it valuable in boss fights. Practice and master this parry mechanic for improved combat performance.
- Easy to acquire and can be used mid-air.
- Can parry enemy attacks if timed properly.
- The time required to charge is high if not upgraded.
- The timing for parrying is slightly tougher.
4. Stomp
- Why I Chose This: Stomp is very useful for aerial combat as it extends your jump height and duration.
Unlock Clive’s Stomp ability in FF16 by investing 15 AP to purchase the base version. To take it to the next level, you need to spend 170 AP to unlock the Mastery version, allowing Clive to execute two kicks.
Press X while airborne to make Clive kick a nearby enemy, adjusting the kick’s direction with the Left Stick on your controller. This move also enhances Clive’s jump height and duration. For maximum combat damage, you can combine the Stomp ability with Downthrust, which, I think is particularly effective when attacking from a higher aerial position.
- Can be used to extend aerial combo.
- Pairs great with abilities like Downthrust.
- Doen’t deal any dmg to stomped enemy.
- The upgraded version doesn’t make that much difference.
3. Taunt
- Why I Chose This: Taunt can be used for separating crowds and luring enemies into your advantage.
In Final Fantasy 16, unlock the Taunt ability for 40 AP. This skill lets Clive draw the attention of an enemy, simplifying battlefield control. Activate it with the R2 + touchpad command to lure foes, making them more predictable and easier to deal with.
I must say, Taunt shines in FF16 when combined with the Precision Dodge and parry system. After taunting an enemy, you can bait them into an attack, setting up an opportunity to swiftly dodge or parry and counter with a powerful strike.
While Taunt can be used at any time during combat, it won’t work on some powerful enemies or bosses and is ineffective when you are recovering from damage. Therefore, it requires tactical timing to maximize its effectiveness. The best use of Taunt is in crowd control and manipulating enemy movement, especially when facing multiple opponents. By singling out one enemy from a group, Clive reduces the risk of being overwhelmed.
- Effective for separating enemies from crowds.
- Can be used to lure foes into different traps.
- Doesn’t work on any elite or boss opponent.
- Leaves you vulnerable for a set amount of time.
2. Lunge
- Why I Chose This: Lunge is very effective for dealing with ranged enemies and can be used defensively as it can parry attacks.
Activate the Lunge ability by pressing the X + Square button, allowing Clive to quickly close in and strike distant enemies. Unlock this ability for 20 AP, and invest 200 AP to enhance its range and power.
Lunge plays a crucial role in maintaining offensive pressure on enemies, especially ranged opponents. It can catch unaware enemies off-guard at the start of a battle, allowing you to initiate combos. As the lunge distance increases with mastery, it becomes useful for reaching distant enemies and escaping crowded situations.
Another best use of Lunge that I think is its parry capability when timed accurately. It can counter incoming attacks, reducing damage and allowing you to retaliate immediately, serving as both an offensive and defensive tool. Remember, Lunge isn’t just for offense; it can also be used defensively to parry incoming attacks and maintain an edge in battle.
- Very useful for dealing with ranged enemies.
- A parry can be executed at the right time with this skill.
- Needs to be mastered for increased range.
- The Phoenix Shift provides better output.
1. Limit Break
- Why I Chose This: Limit Break increases every kind of dmg and extends your combo. It can also prevents you from getting knocked-out and restores your HP.
You can activate the Limit Break ability by pressing L3 + R3 when the gauge is full or semi-full. It significantly boosts Clive’s battle performance for a short time and has two key features. Firstly, defeating an enemy while semi-primed unlocks Semi-Prime Finish. Secondly, even if Clive’s HP reaches zero, he won’t be KO’d during this phase.
You acquire Limit Break during the quest “The Meaning of Life” when Clive gains Ifrit’s power. There’s no initial AP cost, but it can be upgraded. The first upgrade adds a second Limit Break gauge for 1000 AP, while the Mastery upgrade adds a third gauge for 2000 AP.
I recommend you to use Limit Break when an enemy is staggered or your HP is low to maximize its effectiveness. It significantly boosts damage against staggered foes and slowly heals Clive when his health is low, making it a survival tool.
- Can significantly buff atk and stagger dmg.
- Extends your normal combo and provides interuption resistance.
- Has considerable delay between uses.
- Requires further upgrades to increase uptime.
My Thoughts
I have ended Final Fantasy 16 twice, and both times, I realized how good both precision dodge and swift recovery are. Especially in Final Fantasy difficulty, these skills allowed me to counterattack and dodge deadly attacks additionally.
Also, Limit Break is definitely the best skill Clive can use, and you should put all of your ability points into mastering it as soon as you unlock it. Even in your first playthrough, you’ll get enough points to at least unlock all of the skills for Clive as well. But you should at least master the Limit Break and Precision Dodge skills first.
Understanding and mastering Clive’s abilities in FF16 enhances your combat prowess and immersion in the game’s world. Each skill has its unique uses in various situations, providing an edge in battle and enriching the gaming experience.
With this, I wrap up my FF16 Best Clive Abilities guide. I recommend you also read Final Fantasy 16: Joshua Rosfield, and How To save Tips For Beginners.
Next:
- Final Fantasy 16 Torgal
- Final Fantasy 16: Voice Actors
- Final Fantasy 16 Plot & Story
- Final Fantasy 16: All Dominants
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