Best Builds for Clive

This guide will cover the best builds for Clive in Final Fantasy 16 (FF16). Read on to learn Clive's overpowered build, strongest build overall, and the best builds to use against mobs and bosses.

Overpowered Build: Strongest Build Overall

High Damage and Counter Build

Eikon and Ability Setup

Eikon	Ability	Ability Points
Odin	Arm of Darkness	5,000 (Mastered)
	Lightning Rod	1,645 (Mastered)
	Dancing Steel	4,265 (Upgraded)
Garuda	Deadly Embrace	450 (Mastered)
	Gigaflare	11,980 (Mastered)
	Rook's Gambit	780 (Upgraded)
Shiva	Cold Snap	3,000 (Mastered)
	Raging Fists	1,720 (Mastered)
	Windup	1,660 (Mastered)
Total Ability Points		30,500

Equipped Accessories

Equipped Accessories
Genji Gloves	The Favor of Light (Gigaflare)	The Pull of Darkness (Dancing Steel)

Build Merits and Notes

This is one of the strongest builds you can use overall, as it can output a high amount of damage while having options to counter enemy attacks. Cold Snap can freeze enemies when dodging, while you can counter attacks with Rook's Gambit and Raging Fists.

It's also possible to deal massive damage with this build by using Zantetsuken twice and finishing off with Gigaflare. This can be achieved by building up a Lv. 5 Zantetsuken before staggering an enemy. Once the enemy is staggered, use Lightning Rod and release the Zantetsuken. Charge up the 2nd Zantetsuken with Dancing Steel and make sure to hit the Lightning Rod, as it helps build the gauge faster. Maximize the damage dealt while they're still staggered by using Windup and Gigaflare.

Best Builds Against Mobs

Best Builds Against Mobs
AoE Damage Build AoE Focus Build

AoE Damage Build

Eikon and Ability Setup

Eikon	Ability	Ability Points
Shiva	Cold Snap	3,000 (Mastered)
	Ignition	1,645 (Mastered)
	Aerial Blast	7,545 (Mastered)
Phoenix	Phoenix Shift	375 (Mastered)
	Mesmerize	1,525 (Mastered)
	Scarlet Cyclone	475 (Upgraded)
Titan	Titanic Block	800 (Mastered)
	Raging Fists	720 (Upgraded)
	Judgment Bolt	10,940 (Mastered)
Total Ability Points		27,025

Equipped Accessories

Equipped Accessories
Ring of Timely Evasion	The Breath of Fire (Scarlet Cyclone)	The Breath of Lightning (Judgment Bolt)

Build Merits and Notes

These abilities are specifically arranged so that combos are easily accessible when cycling through Eikons. Ignition is a good ability to use against mobs because it allows you to clump enemies together. Mesmerize and Scarlet Cyclone synergize together very well since mobs can be drawn in and then damaged with a wide attack.

This build can also deal with mobs that have stronger enemies. Aerial Blast can ensnare enemies and give you space while you focus on a single target. Raging Fists and Judgment Bolt are both good single-target abilities that can deal heavy damage to these foes.

The Ring of Timely Evasion's automatic blocks work well with Titanic Block as you can combo to Raging Fists. The automatic evades can also benefit Cold Snap by freezing enemies when dodging.

AoE Focus Build

Eikon and Ability Setup

Eikon	Ability	Ability Points
Phoenix	Phoenix Shift	375 (Mastered)
	Ignition	1,645 (Mastered)
	Flare Breath	1,600 (Mastered)
Shiva	Cold Snap	3,000 (Mastered)
	Pile Drive	1,660 (Mastered)
	Judgment Bolt	10,940 (Mastered)
Titan	Titanic Block	800 (Mastered)
	Raging Fists	720 (Upgraded)
	Earthen Fury	4,420 (Upgraded)
Total Ability Points		25,160

Equipped Accessories

Equipped Accessories
Ring of Timely Evasion	The Breath of Earth (Earthen Fury)	The Breath of Lightning (Judgment Bolt)

Build Merits and Notes

These abilities are specifically arranged for easy combinations when cycling through Eikons. Unlike the AoE damage build, these combos are easier to pull off.

Ignition's ability to clump enemies together can combo well with Flare Breath's continuous damage against multiple enemies, locking them in place. Earthen Fury can be used as a high-damage AoE ultimate that can also knock down enemies.

This build can also deal with mobs that have stronger enemies. Use Pile Drive to push out weaker foes when they get too close to you and then unleash Judgment Bolt and Raging Fists against single targets.

The Ring of Timely Evasion's automatic blocks work well with Titanic Block as you can combo to Raging Fists. The automatic evades can also benefit Cold Snap by freezing enemies when dodging. Phoenix Shift also works well for closing the distance between enemies.

Best Builds Against Bosses

Best Builds Against Bosses
Single Target Build Double Zantetsuken Combo Build

Single Target Build

Eikon and Ability Setup

Eikon	Ability	Ability Points
Phoenix	Phoenix Shift	375 (Mastered)
	Raging Fists	1,720 (Mastered)
	Impulse	1,450 (Mastered)
Garuda	Deadly Embrace	0 (Base)
	Aerial Blast	3,545 (Upgraded)
	Diamond Dust	9,015 (Mastered)
Odin	Arm of Darkness	5,000 (Mastered)
	Dancing Steel	4,265 (Upgraded)
	Heaven’s Cloud	575 (Upgraded)
Total Ability Points		25,945

Equipped Accessories

Equipped Accessories
Genji Gloves	Ring of Timely Evasion	The Breath of Wind (Aerial Blast)

Build Merits and Notes

This build uses a combination of powerful stagger and damage abilities that can quickly drain the will gauge and health of bosses. Phoenix Shift can make sure you'll have an option to close in on the boss, while Raging Fists and Impulse deal good damage overall.

Use Garuda with Aerial Blast and Diamond Dust to quickly stagger bosses or raise the multiplier to 1.50x. Fill the Zantetsuken gauge by using both Dancing Steel and Heaven's Cloud and release it when the enemy is staggered with a high enough multiplier.

Double Zantetsuken Combo Build

Eikon and Ability Setup

Eikon	Ability	Ability Points
Garuda	Deadly Embrace	0 (Base)
	Rook's Gambit	780 (Upgraded)
	Lightning Rod	1,645 (Mastered)
Titan	Titanic Block	800 (Mastered)
	Raging Fists	720 (Upgraded)
	Windup	660 (Upgraded)
Odin	Arm of Darkness	5,000 (Mastered)
	Dancing Steel	4,265 (Upgraded)
	Rising Flames	1,500 (Mastered)
Total Ability Points		15,370

Equipped Accessories

Equipped Accessories
Genji Gloves	The Favor of Earth (Windup)	The Pull of Darkness (Dancing Steel)

Build Merits and Notes

This build doesn't take as much AP to master compared to the other builds. However, it's best to have the Pull of Darkness (Dancing Steel), which only becomes available very late into the game as it's needed to charge up the Zantetsuken Gauge quickly.

To maximize damage, build up a Lv. 5 Zantetsuken before staggering an enemy. Once your target is staggered, use Lightning Rod first to build up additional hits, then release the Zantetsuken. Afterward, use Dancing Steel to build it up again. You can then finish off with Windup, another Zantetsuken, and Rising Flames before the enemy recovers.

Double Zantetsuken Combo

Final Fantasy 16 (FF16) Related Guides

Tips and Tricks: A Beginner's Guide to FF16

All Tips and Tricks