Best Abilities in Final Fantasy 16

The abilities you choose in Final Fantasy 16 can make or break a game. Some deal irreparable damage that drastically drains the enemies’ health bars. Others make even the toughest bosses stun you until you land that critical hit. Still, some have high potential when dealt as a combo. 

While a few remaining ones aren’t as interesting or useful. It’s all a trial-and-error process when starting the game. Which only grows more complex when you unlock more abilities and gain enough ability points to upgrade the ones you have. However, it doesn’t have to be as complicated. With these best abilities in Final Fantasy 16, you can easily rise up the ranks to truly enjoy all the game has to offer.

5. Lunge

Firstly, we have Lunge, a pretty versatile ability that doesn’t cost too much. It allows you to push forward toward an enemy, closing the gap between the two of you. You can do so when you want to deal damage, perhaps landing a string of combos the enemy didn’t see coming. Or lunge toward another enemy or an empty area to distract the one you’re fighting. For 25 AP, Lunge can give you a head start mid-fight or close in and take the fight to a distant enemy. And when you reach 200 AP, you can master Lunge to extend the distance you can travel and increase the strength you use, closing in on an enemy from a greater distance.

4. Precision Dodge

For 500 Ability Points (AP), you can make the most of the Precision Dodge ability. The cost is a little on the high end. However, it pays off handsomely once you unlock it. Precision Dodge is a non-Eikon ability. As the name suggests, it allows you to evade incoming enemy attacks. Except that it doesn’t just allow you to evade but also to do so with precision. It’s great for players who are just learning the ropes of Final Fantasy’s action combat. Using it can give you a breather when you feel overwhelmed and want to take a pause during battle. 

Precision Dodge works by slowing down incoming enemy attacks, giving you enough time to dodge them. You can activate it by pressing the precision dodge button, which is “R1” by default, at the right moment. Timing is the most tricky part of using this skill. You need to study your opponent’s moves, then press R1 right when you’re about to get hit. To confirm that you’ve done it correctly, you should see “Precision Dodge” to the right of your screen. Thereafter, follow it up with a Precision Strike (default “□”) or Precision Shot (default “△”) for a counterattack that deals more damage than a regular one.

Now, this is just Precision Dodge’s ability at its basic level. In fact, it should be immediately accessible to you from the moment you access your Abilities menu. To make the most of it, though, make sure to accumulate up to 500 AP. This allows you to reach the “Mastery” level, where you can extend Precision Dodge’s trigger window. Extending the trigger window will increase the time it takes to pull off a Precision Dodge move followed by a counter Precision Strike or Shot attack.

3. Flames of Rebirth

At 1695 AP, you can attain the ultimate power of the Flames of Rebirth ability. It serves you two gold mine combat moves: dealing extensive damage while healing Clive. As you probably have pictured it, Flames of Rebirth instigates a vicious, swirling pillar of fire around Clive. The pillar extends out from him, scorching all enemies nearby. Meanwhile, using it partially helps to restore Clive’s HP, so why not kill two birds with one stone?

I'm sold if you can take out more than one enemy near you. The partial healing perk only adds icing on top of the cake. But Final Fantasy 16 knows fully well the value Flames of Rebirth has to offer. Which is why it has a pretty hefty price of 1695 AP to unlock it. If you want to upgrade or master the skill, it will cost a lot more. Specifically, 2390 AP to upgrade and 4250 AP to master. Whoop.

Do note, though, that despite Flames of Rebirth being a perfect crowd-control option, it can take forever to recharge. So, definitely, stock alternative abilities you can use in high-risk situations.

2. Swift Recovery

There’s no going to battle without properly stocking recovery abilities. And the best one in Final Fantasy 16 is Swift Recovery, which, thank the heavens, only costs 10 AP. Unlike regular recovery, Swift Recovery allows you to heal much quicker. This can come in handy when you’re in the middle of a battle, and the enemy has the upper hand in landing follow-up attacks or attacks from other enemies nearby. Instead, you can activate Swift Recovery to heal rapidly mid-fight, so you can get back in shape and jump back into the thick of things. It’s not the fanciest ability you’ll find in Final Fantasy 16. However, it’s certainly one of the most valuable ones you cannot do without.

1. Burning Blade 

Burning Blade is the perfect ability for players who want to go on the offensive in close quarters and deal destructive damage to enemies they’ll find hard to come back from. The ability ignites your blade, drenching it in scorching flames. Considering that Clive’s sword is already powerful, adding flames to it only makes it much more fearsome. One full swing at the enemy, and they succumb to irreparable damage. Plus, you won’t have to break the bank. Only needing 25 AP to use it. And 180 AP to reach the “Mastery” level, which reduces the charge time.

You’ll want to make sure to charge the Burning Blade before heading into a fight. That way, you can avoid the cooldowns in between high-stakes battles. Though, even if you run out, the cooldown time is relatively manageable, too.

So, what’s your take? Do you agree with our best abilities in Final Fantasy 16? Are there more abilities we should know about? Let us know over on our socials here.