The primary reason why Clive is the protagonist of Final Fantasy 16 is because he is the prophesized Mythos – the one who will reshape the world one day. Therefore, he can absorb the power of other Eikons, an ancient race of immortal, godly beings. However, learning them all is challenging, so you need this Final Fantasy 16 strategy guide.
Throughout the game, apart from hunting down the killer of you, Joshua, your primary task is to hunt down all the Eikons and absorb the power, becoming the Mythos Destiny wants you to be.
Therefore, read this Final Fantasy 16 strategy guide to learn what Eikonic abilities you unlock in this game and what they do.
Final Fantasy 16 Strategy Guide: Mastering The Eikons
As a dominant, you can cycle between all your Eikons by pressing the L2 button on your PS5 DualSense controller. Each Eikon has one Eikonic feat (primary ability) and four other Eikonic abilities.
You can use the Eikonic Feat ability in battle by pressing the Circle button. However, you can only equip two Eikonic skills in battle, which you can use by pressing R2+Triangle and R2+Square.
Therefore, it makes sense that you will find a Final Fantasy 16 strategy guide for mastering the abilities of all Eikons here!
Moreover, you can use AP (Ability Points) to master Eikonic abilities, letting you equip one Eikon’s ability with a different Eikon’s ability. Therefore, this creates the potential for unlimited Eikonic builds!
Therefore, keep on reading to find out what their powers do!
1. Ifrit
You are the dominant of the Infernal Eikon Ifrit. Created as a counterpart of the other Eikon of fire Phoenix, you can equip its abilities simultaneously with Phoenix’s abilities.
You unlock Ifrit’s abilities much later (it’s the third Eikon you add to your arsenal). However, Ifrit has only two skills and an ultimate, unlike the other Eikons, who have two extra abilities (how ironic).
Ifrit has two primary abilities and an ultimate which you can use as Clive, which are:
I. Ignition
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Ignition is the dash ability of Clive. This ability lets you dash straight ahead, damaging and knocking back all enemies.
II. Will-o’-the-Wykes
| Damage | 1 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Will-o’-the-Wykes is the second Eikonic ability of Ifrit. This allows you to summon a storm of fireballs around Clive. These fireballs damage all enemies near Clive and absorb damage from enemy attacks.
III. Limit Break
| Damage | – |
| Stagger | – |
Limit Break is Ifrit’s ultimate Eikonic ability. Once you equip Ifrit, a unique gauge, known as the Limit Break gauge, appears on the screen. You can fill out this gauge by dealing with and receiving damage.
However, once it’s complete, you must press L3+L2 together to engulf Clive in flames. In this state, Clive deals additional damage, takes less damage, and dodges faster!
2. Phoenix
Phoenix is the aspect of Fire present inside Clive’s younger Joshua. After you complete the Final Fantasy 16 prologue quests, you get to equip Phoenix, making it the first Eikon you acquire.
I. Eikonic Feat: Phoenix Shift
Phoenix Shift is like a blink-dash ability. By pressing Circle, you can quickly teleport dash to your locked-on target. Therefore, it closes the gap between you and enemies – primarily after they use AOE (Area of Effect) attacks!
II. Rising Flame
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Rising Flame lets you summon Phoenix’s wings to attack enemies, dealing fire damage. In addition, it also launches smaller, lighter enemies airborne, letting you jump and take the fight above ground!
III. Scarlet Cyclone
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Scarlet Cyclone is a melee spin attack that lets you spin once, hitting all enemies around you. Moreover, it also burns enemies and continually damages them for the next few seconds!
IV. Heatwave
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Heatwave summons a firewall before you that blocks all enemy projectile attacks. In addition, it launches two fiery slashes towards the enemy after blocking projectiles. Therefore, use this as the perfect counterattack against projectile-shooting enemies!
V. Flames of Rebirth
Flames of Rebirth is Phoenix’s ultimate Eikonic ability. It summons a massive pillar of fire before Clive, damaging all enemies. In addition, it also restores Clive’s HP depending on the amount of damage dealt! Therefore, use this to sculpt down hordes of enemies or deal massive damage to a single enemy!
3. Garuda
Garuda is the aspect of Wind present inside Benedikta Harman. You get its abilities after you defeat her during the main story quest, Headwind.
Its Eikonic abilities are:
I. Eikonic Feat: Deadly Embrace
Deadly Embrace lets you grab one faraway enemy at a distance and pull it towards you. Therefore, it’s the opposite of Phoenix’s Phoenix Shift ability.
However, you cannot “embrace” heavier and bigger enemies. Instead, it will pull Clive towards them, making it like Phoenix Shift.
Moreover, if you partially stagger heavier enemies, you can use this ability to stagger them immediately and topple them to the ground! This is known as a Deadly Takedown!
Therefore, use this ability to deal with projectile-throwing backline enemies (and healers) and flying enemies!
II. Gouge
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 4 |
Gouge equips Clive’s hands with Garuda’s claws, letting you claw all nearby enemies. In addition, you can use it midair as well! Use this ability to stagger enemies quickly!
III. Wicked Wheel
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Wicked Wheel lets you lift all smaller enemies in front of you and damage them. Moreover, it also staggers them massively!
IV. Rook’s Gambit
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Rook’s Gambit makes Clive jump backward and then deal a counterattack. However, if you evade an attack by jumping backward, your counterattack will deal double damage!
V. Aerial Blast
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 5 |
Aerial Blast summons a tornado before you, which lifts all enemies airborne. Additionally, the tornado damages and staggers them!
4. Ramuh
Ramuh is the Eikon of Lightning, present inside Cidolfus “Cid” Telamon. This is the fourth Eikon you acquire in the game after you complete the main story quest, “The Crystal’s Curse.”
Ramuh’s Eikonic abilities are:
I. Eikonic Feat: Blind Justice
Blind Justice lets you target all enemies in front of you and barrage them with lightning strikes. The more enemies you target, the lesser damage it does to them individually.
II. Pile Drive
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 3 |
When you use Pile Drive, Clive stabs the ground with Ramuh’s staff, electrifying and staggering all enemies in a radius around you.
III. Thunderstorm
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 2 |
This ability lets you strike one enemy with multiple massive bolts of lightning.
IV. Lightning Rod
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 3 |
This ability lets you summon a floating ball of lightning in front of you that zaps enemies when they get close to it.
V. Judgement Bolt
| Damage | 4 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Ramuh’s ultimate lets you lightning-strike one enemy and deal massive damage.
5. Titan
Titan is the Eikon of Earth (ground). He is under the control of its dominant, Hugo Kupka, one of the main antagonists of Final Fantasy 16. You get this Eikon after you defeat him during the quest “Bolts in the Blue.”
I. Eikonic Feat: Titan Block
Titan’s Eikonic Feat is Titan Block. This ability lets you block enemy attacks (you could only dodge so far). Moreover, if you parry your enemy (block when the enemy attacks you), you can press Square (attack button) to land three consecutive counterattacks!
II. Windup
| Damage | 4 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Titan’s Windup lets you land a devastating punch on an enemy, knocking back lighter enemies. Moreover, you can hold down the button to charge it, allowing you to land punches farther away!
III. Upheaval
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Titan’s Upheaval lets you smash the ground with your fists, letting you deal massive damage to all enemies in a radius around you. Moreover, you can charge this ability to increase your effect radius!
IV. Raging Fists
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Titan’s Raging Fists lets you step forward and throw a barrage of punches. Moreover, if you step forward simultaneously when an enemy attacks you, you automatically block the attack and deal more damage with each punch!
V. Earthen Fury
| Damage | 4 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Titan’s ultimate Earthen Fury lets you slam both your palms on the ground, dealing massive damage to enemies in a radius around you and knocking them airborne.
6. Bahamut
Bahamut, the King of Dragons, is the Eikon of Light. It’s under the control of its dominant, Dion Lesage, the prince of Sanbreque. Therefore, you get this Eikon once you defeat him during the main quest, “Fire in the Sky.”
Bahamut’s Eikonic abilities are:
I. Eikonic Feat: Wings of Light
Bahamut’s Eikonic Feat is Wings of Light. This is one of the best Eikonic abilities in Final Fantasy 16, letting you cast Megaflare. It’s a beam of light (think of Goku’s Kamehameha attack) that damages all enemies before you.
II. Impulse
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Bahamut’s Impulse lets you summon multiple floating orbs of light that stun any enemy that goes near it. Moreover, it deals continuous damage to them!
III. Flare Breath
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Bahamut’s Flare Breath is a miniature version of Megalflare. However, it has a shorter range and deals less damage.
IV. Satellite
| Damage | 1 |
| Stagger | 3 |
Bahamut’s Satellite summons various “light clones” of you that attack enemies you cast magic on. Each clone strikes once and fades away.
V. Gigaflare
| Damage | 5 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Bahamut’s ultimate Gigaflare is the most potent Eikonic ability in Final Fantasy 16. It’s the same as Megaflare, with more range and damage.
7. Shiva
Shiva is the Eikon of Ice, controlled by its dominant and your childhood best friend, Jill Warrick. She is the seventh and penultimate Eikon you acquire in the base game of Final Fantasy 16. You unlock this Eikon during the “Through the Maelstrom” main quest.
Shiva’s Eikonic abilities are:
I. Eikonic Feat: Cold Snap
Shiva’s Eikonic Feat lets you slide across the ground in any direction. Additionally, any enemies you attack while sliding will freeze. This is useful for escaping from hordes of enemies!
II. Ice Age
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 1 |
This Eikonic ability lets you shoot a barrage of icicles before you, knocking back and damaging all enemies you hit.
III. Mesmerize
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Mesmerize lets you shoot icicles before you, allowing you to draw lighter enemies towards you. Additionally, you can use this ability while airborne.
IV. Rime
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 2 |
This ability summons a giant ice crystal from the sky. Any enemy that gets encased in the ice crystal takes continuous damage.
V. Diamond Dust
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 5 |
Shiva’s ultimate Eikonic ability lets you summon a storm that freezes and damages all enemies. Moreover, the storm also knocks back all enemies once it subsides.
8. Odin
Odin is the Eikon of Darkness. This dark knight riding a spectral steed is currently under the control of Barnabas Tharmr, the King of Waloed. To get this Eikon, you must defeat him during “The Last King” main quest. Therefore, he is the last Eikon you unlock in the bade version of Final Fantasy 16.
Odin’s Eikonic abilities are:
I. Eikonic Feat: Arm of Darkness
Odin’s Eikonic Feat is Arm of Darkness, temporarily replacing your sword with Odin’s Zantetsuken. When you activate this ability, a unique Zantetsuken gauge appears on the screen. When you fill-up the gauge by landing hits with Odin’s blade, you get to execute Zantetsuken, a special attack that decimates enemies!
II. Gungnir
| Damage | 1 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Odin’s Gungnir lets you use the legendary spear Gungnir, replacing your primary weapon temporarily. Each hit you land with Gungnir fills up the Zatetsuken gauge.
III. Heaven’s Cloud
| Damage | 1 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Odin’s Heaven’s Cloud lets you surge forward and strike the enemy. If you successfully land a strike, you can use this ability again. Moreover, each strike also fills up the Zantesuken gauge.
IV. Rift Slip
| Damage | – |
| Stagger | – |
Odin’s Rift Slip lets you recover from any ability or action, canceling them midway.
V. Dancing Steel
| Damage | 1 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Odin’s ultimate Dancing Steel lets you summon a second sword temporarily, allowing you to wield two swords simultaneously. Therefore, you let out a flurry of slashes whenever you attack, wielding two swords. Moreover, each strike significantly fills up the Zantesuken gauge.
9. Leviathan
Leviathan is the Eikon of Water, introduced in the Final Fantasy 16 DLC – The Rising Tide. You unlock this water serpent’s powers during The Rising Tide DLC main quest, “Cross the Cape Nepto.” Therefore, you get Leviathan’s abilities before you face off against him at the end of The Rising Tide DLC!
I. Eikonic Feat: Serpent’s Cry
Leviathan’s Eikonic Feat is Serpent’s Cry. This ability lets you transform Clive’s left arm into Leviathan’s head.
Therefore, when you attack, you will shoot a water bullet! Moreover, if you use magic (Triangle button), you get to shoot a barrage of water bullets spread in a cone in front of you that hits multiple enemies!
However, you can’t shoot unlimited water bullets since each bullet depletes your Tidal gauge. When you empty this gauge, you can press the reload button.
In addition, you get a short window to press the reload button again, letting you reload instantly and temporarily, making the Tidal gauge un-depletable!
II. Deluge
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 4 |
Leviathan’s Deluge lets you spit a water missile (like the Pokémon Squirtle). It damages all enemies it hits, knocking back all enemies!
III. Cross Swell
| Damage | 2 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Leviathan’s Cross Swell lets you create two watery waves from left and right that pull in all enemies as they converge at the center and damage them.
IV. Abyssal Tear
| Damage | 3 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Leviathan’s Abyssal Tear creates a watery whirlpool on the ground that catches all enemies and damages them continuously. Moreover, you also summon an abyssal storm on top of it, damaging enemies more!
V. Tsunami
| Damage | 4 |
| Stagger | 2 |
Leviathan’s ultimate Tsunami lets you do exactly what it says – hurl a Tsunami wave towards all enemies in front. In addition to dealing massive damage, it also sweeps enemies backward!
Conclusion: Arise, Dormant Dominant!
Now that you have read this Final Fantasy 16 strategy guide, you know what Eikonic abilities you will unlock and when to hunt them down and become an Eikonic master!
Thanks for reading this Final Fantasy 16 strategy guide for mastering all Eikons! If you have any questions, please comment below!
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