Final Fantasy 16 has a Limit Break feature like many games in the franchise before it, and it turns Clive into an absolute powerhouse. Using the Limit Break can make combat go much quicker, and the Limit Break Gauge actually charges fairly quickly in this game, making it an ability that players can and should be using often. That said, players will need to know how to activate the Limit Break and how to get the most out of it, as there are some key moments when using a Limit Break is incredibly effective.
Limit Breaks have been a feature in Final Fantasy games since Final Fantasy 7, although the system itself has roots in Final Fantasy 6. Since then, it's become a sort of tradition that Final Fantasy characters are able to occasionally break their limits and unleash devastating attacks or gain new forms to help them in combat. It's no surprise that Final Fantasy 16 included this feature, but it's still exciting to see.
Filling the Limit Break Gauge and Activating Limit Break
In order to use a Limit Break, Clive first needs to fill his Limit Break Gauge. This is the yellow bar underneath Clive's HP bar, and it fills up gradually as Clive takes and deals damage. Certain abilities, such as the Eikonic Feat Titanic Block, will help to fill the gauge faster, but it doesn't take too long. Once at least one gauge is full, players can enter their Limit Break state by pressing L3 and R3 simultaneously (press in both sticks on the DualSense controller).
What Does Limit Break Do?
Final Fantasy 16 calls Clive's Limit Break form "Semi-Prime," and it sees both he and his sword burst into flames. Clive also gets some demonic-looking features that look really great in Final Fantasy 16's photo mode and greatly enhanced combat abilities. The player's attack combos are all enhanced and lengthened, and Clive will do far more damage than usual. This only lasts for a short time, but using Limit Break with more than one full bar of Limit Break Gauge will extend the duration. Players can press L3 and R3 again to end the effect early, but this does not save any unused Limit Break Gauge.
One of the best times to use the Limit Break is right after breaking the Will of a boss enemy in Final Fantasy 16. This will leave the boss staggered, causing successive hits to do more and more damage as the combo strings on. Pair this with the lengthy and powerful Limit Break combos and it is possible to do a lot of damage to bosses in a short amount of time.
Final Fantasy 16 will be released on June 21 on PS5.
