FF16: 6 BEST Vambraces [Expert’s Opinion + Experience]

From Steel Crowns, Platinum Cannons to The Sons of Ouroboros. Discover the FF16 best vambraces!

Vambraces, or bracers or armguards, are protective arm pieces worn by characters in Final Fantasy 16. They typically provide defense and sometimes additional stat bonuses to the wearer. In Final Fantasy 16, the best vambraces offer high defense stats and often come with additional bonuses such as increased HP or special abilities. 

Key Takeaways
  • There are 17 Vambraces in Final Fantasy 16.
  • The advantage of vambraces arm guards in Final Fantasy 16 is in providing defense for Clive’s forearms.
  • By visiting Blacksmiths, Clive can also have new vambraces forged.
  • The vambraces increase Clive’s HP and defensive ability.

Final Fantasy 16 Best Vambraces And Comparison

Vambraces ff16 best
Vambraces.

Here is an overview of all the FF16 best vambraces I found during my playthrough of Final Fantasy 16:

SERIAL NOVAMBRACE NAMEDEFENSEHPHOW TO GET ITBEST FOR
1Steel Crowns300 Steel Crowns become available before reaching the "Headwind" main story mission's conclusion.N/A
2Battlechains350During the main story mission titled "The Hunter and the Hunted," players will gain access to the Battlechains.N/A
3Platinum Cannons490At the onset of the "After the Storm" main story mission, players will acquire the Platinum Cannons.The Best Early-Game Vambrace In FF16
4Hunter's Armcloths560Reaching "Out of the Shadow" main story mission, players will gain access to the Hunter's Armcloths,N/A
5Diamond Armlets650After successfully defeating the White Dragon in the "Fire in the Sky" main story mission, players will unlock the Diamond Armlets.N/A
6Rune Crescents7623Right from beginning of the "A Song of Hope" main quest, players can find the Diamond Armlets readily available for purchase at Charon's Toll.The Best Vambrace For Mid-Game In FF16

1. Steel Crowns

Steel Crowns FF16
Steel Crowns Via: eXputer
  • Why I Chose This: Steel Crowns might be the first vambrace that you come across and provides good defenses in early-game.

Before reaching the conclusion of the “Headwind” main story mission, you will have access to the Steel Crowns. One option to obtain the Steel Crowns is by purchasing them from the vendor at Charon’s Toll. Keep in mind that the availability of this item may depend on the progress of the storyline and specific quest requirements.

If you already possess the Steel Crowns and wish to further upgrade them, I suggest you to follow the upgrade path outlined below:

Upgrade Path Materials Required
Steel Crowns -> Steel Crowns +1 Steel Crowns (1), Wyrrite (9), Dragon Talon (1)
Steel Crowns +1 -> Steel Crowns +2 Steel Crowns +1 (1), Meteorite (1), Magicked Ash (18)
  • Obtained fairly early in the game.
  • Can be reinforced to increase stats.
  • Def is pretty low, needs to be upgraded.
  • Quickly outclassed after obtaining other vambraces.

2. Battlechains

FF16 Battlechains
Battlechains Via: eXputer
  • Why I Chose This: Battlechains have more defensive capabilities than other early-game vambraces.

The Battlechains become accessible during the “The Hunter and the Hunted” main story mission. This mission marks a crucial point in Final Fantasy 16 ‘s progression. One option to obtain the Battlechains is by purchasing them from the vendor at Charon’s Toll. Keep in mind that the availability of this item may be influenced by the progress of the storyline and specific quest requirements.

Upgrade Path Materials Required
Battlechains -> Battlechains +1 Battlechains (1), Imperial Link (1), Wyrrite (13)
Battlechains +1 -> Battlechains +2 Battlechains +1 (1), Meteorite (2), Valley Madder (3)
  • Is cheap to buy and can be obtained early.
  • Provides better overal results than Steel Crowns.
  • Has no HP boost without upgrades.

3. Platinum Cannons

The Best Early-Game Vambrace In FF16.

Platinium-Cannons FF16
Platinium Cannons Via: eXputer
  • Why I Chose This: Platinum cannons have increased defense than other early-game vambraces and can be bought at a low price.

The Platinum Cannons are initially made accessible at the start of the “After the Storm” major narrative objective.

One option to obtain the Platinum Cannons is by purchasing them from the vendor at Charon’s Toll. They are available for a price of 1,800 Gil. It’s important to note that the availability of this item may be influenced by the progress of the storyline and specific quest requirements.

Upgrade Path Materials Required
Platinum Cannons -> Platinum Cannons +1 Platinum Cannons (1), Bloody Hide (30), Sharp Fang (96), Briar Clam Shell (12)
Platinum Cannons +1 -> Platinum Cannons +2 Platinum Cannons +1 (1), Meteorite (3), Bloody Hide (36)
  • Have substantial increase in defense as compared to others.
  • Upgrades can greatly increase its stats.
  • Requires progression of main story to unlock.
  • Little HP and no Attack boost provided.

4. Hunter’s Armcloths

FF16 Hunters Armcloths
Hunters Armcloths Via: eXputer
  • Why I Chose This: This is one of the first vambrace that you can find at the start of mid-game and provides decent defenses to support you through these stages.

Next I have The Hunter’s Armcloths, they become available at the start of the “Out of the Shadow” main story mission. One option to obtain the Hunter’s Armcloths is by purchasing them from the vendor at Charon’s Toll. Keep in mind that the availability of this item may be influenced by the progress of the storyline and specific quest requirements.

If you already possess the Hunter’s Armcloths and wish to enhance them further, you can follow the upgrade process outlined below:

Upgrade Path Materials Required
Hunter’s Armcloths -> Hunter’s Armcloths +1 Hunter’s Armcloths (1), Earthen Fury (1), Sharp Fang (129), Bloody Hide (42)
Hunter’s Armcloths +1 -> Hunter’s Armcloths +2 Hunter’s Armcloths +1 (1), Meteorite (3), Sharp Fang (48)
  • Has decent defenses and remains effective in mid-game.
  • A HP stat can be obtained at the first upgrade.
  • Needs to be upgraded for maximum potential.
  • The materials required to reinforce, involves defeating a boss.

5. Diamond Armlets

Diamond-Armlets FF16
Diamond Armlets Via: eXputer
  • Why I Chose This: Diamond Armlets have considerably more defense than other vambraces. Can also additionaly provide HP boosts upon upgrades.

The Diamond Armlets become accessible after successfully defeating the White Dragon during the mission, “Fire in the Sky.” This accomplishment signifies a significant milestone in Final Fantasy 16’s storyline and progression. One option to obtain the Diamond Armlets is purchasing them from the vendor at Goetz’s Toll. Keep in mind that the availability of this item may be subject to the completion of specific quests or storyline events.

If you already possess the Diamond Armlets and wish to enhance them further, you can follow the upgrade process outlined below:

Upgrade Path Materials Required
Diamond Armlets -> Diamond Armlets +1 Diamond Armlets (1), Wyrrite (142), Whitewyrm Bone (1), Sharp Fang (47)
Diamond Armlets +1 -> Diamond Armlets +2 Diamond Armlets +1 (1), Meteorite (3), Desert Rose (10), Sharp Fang (60)
  • Has higher defense and also gains an HP stat with upgrades.
  • Requires defeating a boss to obtain.
  • The upgrade materials are difficult to obatin.

6. Rune Crescents

The Best Vambrace For Mid-Game In FF16.

FF16 Rune Crescents
Rune Crescents Via: eXputer
  • Why I Chose This: Rune Crescents is found in mid-game and provides decent defenses along with an HP boost for those encounters.

I consider it one of the best vambraces! To acquire the Rune Crescents in Final Fantasy 16, follow these methods:

The Rune Crescents +1 can be crafted by combining the following materials:

  • Sanguine Insignia (1)
  • Desert Rose (20)
  • Steelsilk (399)
  • Magicked Ash (133)

Utilize the crafting facilities available in Final Fantasy 16, such as The Black Hammer or other appropriate locations, to combine these materials and create the Rune Crescents +1.

  • Provides good defenses and small health boost.
  • Found in mid-late game.
  • The crafting materials can be a bit tedious to farm.
  • Easily outclassed by Regal Armguards.

What I Think Are The Best Vambraces

After my initial run through FF16, its pretty obvious that one of the vambraces I prefer the Sons of Ouroboros due to their endgame level stats which are pretty much the highest you can achieve until heading over to NG+ in Final Fantasy Mode. Though I would say this gear would hardly matter in an action-fcoused game such as FF16 where the ‘defense’ stats of Vambraces add little to no difference at all, at least in my opinion.

That’s it from my side! I found Gears of Ouroboros and the Founder’s Grasp as the best FF16 vambraces. Also, do check out Final Fantasy 16: Scarleitite and Final Fantasy 16: Phoenix Skills & Abilities!

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Usama Mehmood is a Games Specialist, and writer on eXputer who's either hunting for the richest loot in Destiny 2 or endlessly playing his favorite games such as Yakuza or Final Fantasy. Usama has been gaming for 15+ years during which he has accumulated 4000+ hours on Destiny 1 & 2. His constant adoration for video games has allowed him to pursue eXputer as a platform to showcase his striving talents in writing helpful articles. Get familiar with Usama's extensive gaming library on his Steam, PSN, and Xbox profiles.

Experience: 2+ Years || Mainly Covers Reviews And Guides || Education: Bachelors in Physiotherapy.

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