Baldur’s Gate 3 is a terrifically simple game that categorises players and NPCs by classes from the onset. Final Fantasy XVI is slightly different because it doesn’t mention each of its character’s classes. However, there are enough hints in the game for reviewers at Player.com to notice a pattern. Some characters prefer attacks that are powered by dark energy, while others prefer swords. Their preferences made it easy for us to break down the best classes in Final Fantasy XVI. Sure, the game is missing classes like Time Mage and Geomancer, but we’ve discovered many others, like Paladins and Monks. Final Fantasy XIV is set in mediaeval times, so you can expect a lot of sword-based jobs. That’s right, the best classes in Final Fantasy XIV are called jobs.
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The 6 Best Classes in Final Fantasy XVI
The 6 best classes in Final Fantasy XVI are Paladin, Dark Knight, Dragoon, Mystic Knight, Red Mage, Black Mage, and Sword Saint. This is a list that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of these classes. Our personal favourite is the Dark Knight, which opens up many dark-energy-based attacks. However, we’re sure you might disagree after going through them below. Fortunately, the characters in Final Fantasy XVI can mix skills from different jobs. For one, Clive Rosefield combines the skills of a Paladin with those of a Blue Mage.
#1: Paladin
Paladins are one of the 6 best classes in Final Fantasy XVI for a reason. This job requires attributes like strength, agility, stamina, and endurance because it’s sword-based. That doesn’t mean that Clive isn’t a magic user since he has received the Phoenix’s Blessing. However, Paladins rely on their brute strength to crush enemies. As Clive, you don’t even need to strike opponents many times before they’re staggered.
Also, there are many healing spells at a Paladin’s disposal because they’re frontline fighters at heart. So, they can take many hits and still rise up for another challenge. You’ll find many knight swords and greatswords in a Paladin’s collection. Finally, they’re also equipped with light-based energy attacks and other defensive spells like Sentinel, which reduce the damage that Paladins sustain from enemies.
The major weakness that Paladins have is dark magic, which Barnabas Tharmr is fully capable of casting. A minor weakness is their lack of speed due to wielding heavy armor, swords, and other gears. However, their weapons are always the most powerful (They can wield holy swords, according to the lore). This easily makes the Paladin the most terrifying job in Final Fantasy XVI.
#2: Dark Knight
Barnabas Tharmr comes to mind when we think of Dark Knights because of his affinity for darkness. Heck, he’s always dressed in all-black outfits. He’s known as the King of Waloed or Dominant of Odin, and his most impressive feat is splitting the ocean in half with a stroke of his blade. Moving forward, their physical attributes are always abnormally high, except for their protective gear.
Read More: The Real Reason Final Fantasy XVI Is Rated M
Typically, a Dark Knight wields darkness or dark magic, which counters a Paladin’s light magic. They’re also proficient in casting blood-magic spells that allow them to absorb HP and MP from opponents. Beyond all these powers, though, is the Dark Knight’s iconic sword, the Deathbringer which can kill specific enemies with a single hit. An alternative version of Dark Knights is Warmage, which has popped up in several instalments already.
Nevertheless, the process that characters undergo to become Dark Knights is deadly. For example, any trainee that fails to master the dark sword will lose his or her mind to the corrosive powers of the sword. Memorable Dark Knights are Cecil Harvey, King of Baron, and Graham.
Also Read: The Unforgettable Trait That Makes Final Fantasy XVI’s Clive a Legendary Protagonist
#3: Dragoon
Dion Lesage is a capable warrior in the Dragoon class. He’s known for wielding a spear or lance that’s far-reaching, so one can say that the Dragoon class is full of strong fighters. Dragoons are part of the best classes in Final Fantasy XVI for their potent powers. For one, members ride wyverns to travel long distances. If the situation calls for it, they can leap down from their mount for a falling stab. Their outfits are reminiscent of a dragon, with helmets that look like a dragon’s head.
Additionally, Dragoons keep dragons as pets, battle companions, or both. Luckily, they’re protectors instead of villains, and for that, they use their signature weapon, Kain’s Lance. To spot a character from this class, just check out his or her surname. If a character’s last name is Highwind, then he or she is a Dragoon. Likewise, members of this class are known for their incredible jumping ability to make up for their lack of flight. In fact, Dragoons can jump twice in the air to launch devastating aerial attacks.
This job’s entire fighting style is derived from two characters, Reis Duelar and Cid Highwind. They introduced many moves such as Dragon Dive, Breath attacks, Boost Jump, and Highwind which are all powerful attacks. They can also absorb enemies’ HP and MP using Lancet. The hometown of the Dragoons is Deist and sure enough, you’ll find an army of fighters there.
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#4: Mystic Knight
Mystic Knights are also known as Rune Fencer, Sorcerer Spellblade, or Spell Fencer. They’re skilled in both swordplay and spellcasting, making them potent fighters on the battlefield. In short, they combine both practices into Spellblade, which makes them fully resistant to magic. Mystic Knights are also known to destroy the frontlines with elemental magic.
Let’s also talk about their debuffs, which can weaken their enemies’ strengths. This ability solidifies the Mystic Knight’s position as the best class in Final Fantasy XVI for magic users. The cherry on top is that they can use debuffs to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. Sometimes, a Mystic Knight is capable of using Black Mage and Dark Knight abilities. Ultimately, the techniques from the other two classes are a combination of damaging and status-inducing spells.
#5: Sword Saint
The Sword Saint is similar to the Paladin because they’re some of the best classes in Final Fantasy XVI for swordplay. The most iconic Sword Saint is Cidolfus Telamon, who’s also known as the Thunder God. This job is also hard to obtain because the experience necessary to become a Sword Saint is deadly. For one, you must always seek a fight, even if you’re not in the mood for one.
If not for the grind required to become a Sword Saint, this class should be ranked first. For example, a member can use powerful spells from other classes such as Dark Knights, Holy Knights, and Divine Knights. Sword Saints also have spells that can restore HP and MP, so they can fight for extended periods of time.
However, it’s a Sword Saint’s physical strength that makes them formidable. They can break enemy equipment, such as armors and swords, with a single blow. Likewise, they prefer greatswords because those weapons are durable enough for their stats. That said, the worst part about being a Sword Saint is that reaching the maximum level is hard. You’ll have to grind like there’s no tomorrow to reach level 20.
#6: Black Mage
Jill Warrick is a capable Black Mage, who effortlessly executes the several techniques of this class. A Black Mage is one of the best classes in Final Fantasy XVI because they manipulate the latent aether in their body to cast magic spells. However, they need a medium, in the form of a staff or sceptre to execute spells. So, to beat a Black Mage, you only need to separate them from their staff, and they’ll mostly be powerless. A Black Mage with his or her staff has power over death, life, and beyond, so their spells are terrifyingly powerful.
Nevertheless, members of this class are known for their ice, fire, and lightning spells. So, it’s not uncommon to encounter a Black Mage capable of performing all three types of spells. Even if fire and ice perfectly counter each other. Their most powerful spells are the status effects, Astral Fire and Umbral Ice. A capable Black Mage can stack up the effects of these spells up to three times.
Final Say on the Best Classes in Final Fantasy XVI: Pick the Sword Saint
As we mentioned, Sword Saints can use the abilities of several classes, and their strength is phenomenal. They’re also as durable as Paladin and as nifty as a Dark Knight. So, on the surface, it seems like they don’t have any weaknesses. However, a Sword Saint’s greatest weakness is the dark nature of their job. Members of this class need to battle many types of opponents to level up. Thus, one can say the learning curve of a Sword Saint is steep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is the Strongest Eikon in Final Fantasy XVI?
Titan and Odin are probably the most overpowered Eikons in Final Fantasy XVI. The Titan class can stop time without any contact with their foes and even counter enemy attacks, inflicting huge stagger damage. On the other hand, the Odin Eikon class offers agile and devastating attacks. Also, it has the ability to stop time, though it needs to make contact with opponents first.
What Are the Best Abilities in Final Fantasy XVI?
There are certainly many cool powers spread across the best classes in Final Fantasy XVI. However, the ones we enjoyed using are:
- Impulse
- Gigaflare.
- Heatwave.
- Raging Fists.
- Titanic Block.
- Dancing Steel.
- Diamond Dust.
- Heavens Cloud.
What’s the Hardest Weapon to Obtain in Final Fantasy XVI?
The hardest weapon to obtain in Final Fantasy is the Ultima Weapon. Part of the reason why it’s so difficult to get is because it can only be crafted in New Game+. Yes, you also have to grind for the crafting materials too.