The combat in Final Fantasy 16 has garnered perhaps just as much positive reception as some of the franchise’s most famed entries. It has a lot to do with the various enemies present to challenge, the smoother gameplay, and the different modes on offer (read Action mode and New Game+’s Final Fantasy mode). And yet, the eight Eikons and their Eikonic abilities play what just may be the most crucial part.
Players unlock eight Eikons as they progress through the story, with each offering five abilities (except Ifrit). They can have three Eikons and three abilities each (two standard and one core/feat) at all times. Among them, Odin, the Eikon of Darkness, gets unlocked when gamers complete the Last King Quest. While the abilities offered do provide a variety in playstyle to an extent, they also add certain limitations that can be dealbreakers.
5 Gungnir
With this ability, players summon the legendary spear and go on an attack spree in Final Fantasy 16. Once acquired, they can spend 625 Ability Points (AB) to upgrade it and increase the subsequent attacks' speed, and then 1,000 AB to master it, making it available for other Eikons as well.
The primary drawback is that using this Eikonic ability doesn’t contribute to the Limit Break bar, which can be a big dealbreaker for many. It also comes with 1 point in Attack and 2 in Stagger, which explains why this particular move from Odin is not as preferred. Although the per-hit damage is low, Gungnir can make a difference since the number hits is a decent chunk. Further, the flurry of attacks allows for an enemy to be locked in place. It builds up the Zantetsuken level too, but at a relatively slower pace.
4 Arm of Darkness
Despite being Odin’s core Eikonic ability, Arm of Darkness fails to land the mark of being the most useful out of the total five present. It has 4 points in Attack and 1 in Stagger, and calls upon the Eikon of Darkness’ blade to replace Clive’s when activated. The drawback is that the overall attack itself deals very little damage, which makes it difficult to be recommended. Since it cannot be used with Limit Break, it is another negative point that players will have to consider before choosing it in Final Fantasy 16.
Since there is no middle-ground upgrade present, they can directly go for a mastery over this ability and add the fifth Zantetsuken level — naturally the most damaging. This costs 5,000 AB, which is quite a significant amount to chalk up, even though it will be towards the late-game phase when gamers unlock Odin.
3 Heaven’s Cloud
Heaven’s Cloud is a move that allows Clive to move through the battlefield at a rapid pace. It allows him to cause quite a bit of damage in a short span of time, while being too fast to get attacked. Although the per-hit damage is quite low, with there being 1 point in Attack and 2 in Stagger, this Eikonic ability easily makes up for it. Landing multiple hits becomes quite easy when surrounded by monsters, which is very convenient as each hit fills up the Zantetsuken level by a good amount.
Since the ability can continue for a good length of time if players keep landing hits, it is easily one of the best crowd-control moves from Odin in Final Fantasy 16. However, those who are not very action-oriented may find maximizing its potential a bit tricky, as it can get a bit challenging to land each hit. Players can upgrade this Eikonic ability by spending 575 AB, increasing the length of the attack chain. They can then spend 1,000 AB to master it and make it available to other Eikons as well.
2 Rift Slip
Rift Slip is an Eikonic ability from Odin that doesn’t cause damage on its own, just like Eikon of Fire Ifrit’s Limit Break. Similarly, it enhances players’ combat overall experience instead. Essentially, it allows them to cancel the animation of any move they’ve initiated if they want to, which can come in clutch as some are quite long and leave Clive vulnerable in Final Fantasy 16.
The most important benefit Rift Slip provides is that it temporarily slows down time when triggered, allowing players to make an effective start on their next combo chain without missing a beat. When upgraded with 700 AB points, the slowdown’s duration is increased and a 50% reduction to the ability’s cooldown time is added. This makes it even more effective in fights, becoming available more frequently as well. While it takes quite a bit of skill to pull off this move to its maximum potential, the impact cannot be ignored. Once acquired for 100 AB and upgraded for 700 AB, the mastery costs 1,000 AB and makes it available for other Eikons as well.
1 Dancing Steel
This Eikonic ability is arguably the best that Odin has to offer in Final Fantasy 16. Its clear competitor is Rift Slip, since it allows skilled players to string combos along better. However, making use of the Zantetsuken is what makes having this Eikon worth being equipped, and all the abilities mentioned cater to filling it rather than the Limit Break.
When activated, Dancing Steel summons a second blade and triggers Clive into a rampage. Each hit lands a good chunk of damage and allows players to stick to one enemy or easily move between multiple. The best part is that it fills up the Zantetsuken's level very quickly. This Odin-exclusive move deals a phenomenal amount of damage with each level, the max being 5. As such, the ability that builds up its bar the quickest, while adding great damage of its own, can easily be considered top tier.
It is important to note that Dancing Steel is beyond the core Eikonic ability Arm of Darkness in terms of Ability Points’ purchase. The base unlock itself costs 1,845 AB, with the upgrade coming in at a whopping 2,420 AB. Although it increases the number of subsequent hits by a very good chunk, the cost can be a trifle bit difficult to deal with. This is emphasized when the mastery comes in at 4,250 AB, which unlocks it for other Eikons in Final Fantasy 16.
Final Fantasy 16 is available exclusively for the PS5.