Final Fantasy 16 (FF16)

Best Builds for Clive

Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) Walkthrough Team

Last updated on: July 11, 2023 09:37 PM

FF16 - 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.

List of Contents

Strongest Build Overall
Best Builds Against Mobs
Best Builds Against Bosses
Related Guides

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

FF16 - Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks: A Beginner's Guide to FF16

All Tips and Tricks

All Tips and Tricks
All Stats Explained	Crafting Recipes and Upgrades
Timely Accessories Guide	How to Fast Travel
How Long to Beat FF16?	Active Time Lore Guide
Quick Time Events Guide	List of Trophies
Is There a Mini Map?	How to Exit Training Mode
How to Use Photo Mode	How to Redeem Pre-Order Bonuses
How to Get a Chocobo Mount	How to Sprint and Move Faster
Arcade Mode and Stage Replay Explained	Missables and One-Time Events
How to Respec Abilities	All Six Signboard Locations
Unlockables and Hidden Content	Medal of Valor Guide
How to Unlock Alliant Reports	How to Upgrade Inventory Slots
How to Upgrade Potion Potency	List of Guest Party Members
Farming Guides
EXP Farming Guide	AP Farming Guide
Gil Farming Guide	-
Best Guides
Best Abilities to Learn	Best Side Quests
Best Weapons	Best Combos
Best Accessories	Best Armor
Best Builds	-
Combat and Gameplay Guides
How to Use Eikonic Feats	How to Parry Attacks
How to Limit Break	How to Stagger Enemies
How to Use Precision Dodge	Combat Basics Guide
How to Change Lock On Targets	How to Use Shift Strikes and Shift Shots
How to Punish Enemies	Should You Choose Story or Action Focused?
How to Command Torgal	How to Do Precision Sics
Battle System Mechanics Explained	Death Penalty Guide
How to Decrease Enemy Will Gauge	How to Use Item Shortcuts
How to Heal	Level Cap Guide
Post-Game Guides
New Game Plus Guide	Post Game Content and 100% Guide
Final Fantasy Mode Guide
All Cid's Hideaway Features
Arete Stone (Training & Arcade)	The Black Hammer (Blacksmith)
Charon's Toll (Shop)	Thousand Tomes (Loresman)
Orchestrion (Jukebox)	Patron's Whisper (Renown)
State of the Realm (Story Overview)	Hunt Board (Moogle Quests)
All Hideaway Guides
How to Open Letters at the Reading Table	How to Get All Wall of Memory Items
Should You Buy a Round for the Hall?	-
Controls and Settings
Language Settings	How to Save
Graphics or Framerate Mode?	How to Skip Cutscenes
Difficulty Level Differences	How to Adjust Screen Brightness
How to Turn Off Motion Blur	Controls and Best Settings
FAQs
Romance Guide: Are There Romance Options?	-
Demo Guides
How to Transfer Demo Progress	Eikonic Challenge Mode

Comment

2

Anonymous 2 months

Where are the builds throughout the game so people can have strong ones as they go? These are pretty much endgame/new game+ builds.

1

wAke over 1 year

Hello, two dlc have been released, please update the manuals, preferably with builds and combos

Post (2 Comments)

Author

Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) Walkthrough Team

This article was created by Game8's elite team of writers and gamers.

Leave feedback(Login required)

Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Tips & Tricks
Best Builds for Clive

Please participate in our site
improvement survey
12/2025

Would you assist in
improving Game8's site?

×

This survey will take about 1 minute.
Your answers will help us to improve our website.

We are listening to our users' valuable opinions and discussing how to act on them.

The information collected through this survey will be used for the purpose of improving our services. In addition, the information will only be disclosed a part of a statistic in a format that will not allow identification of personal information.

Begin Survey

Not Now

×

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Advertisements.

Amount of Ads

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Placement of Ads

Timing of Ad Display

Ad Loading Speed

Safeness of Ads

Content of Ads

×

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Quality of Articles.

Amount of information

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Frequency of updates

Speed of new information

Accuracy of articles

Understandibility of articles

Readability of sentences

×

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Usability of the Site.

Ease of finding information

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Loading Speed

Use of Color

Font Size

Visibility of Images

Easy to Understand Layout

×

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Message Boards, Comments.

Ease of Writing

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Readability

Ease in Finding Information

Comment Quality

Comment Quantity

Admin Response

×

Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Site's new design.

Please rate our site's new design

Very Dissatisfied

Somewhat Dissatisfied

Fine

Somewhat Satisfied

Highly Satisfied

Do you think that the website's design change makes the site easier to use?

Has the new design made it easier for you to find information on the site?

Has the new design improved the overall visual appeal of the site?

How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the new design of the site?

×

How likely are you to recommend Game8 to someone you know?

Very Unlikely

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Very Likely

If you have other opinions regarding potential improvement to the website, please share them with us. We would appreciate your honest opinion.

Note: This is a free response section, so you can proceed without entering anything.
Note: Please be sure not to enter any kind of personal information into your response.

×

Thank You

×

Thank you for participating in our survey! Your answers will help us to improve the quality of our website and services.
We hope you continue to make use of Game8.

Close

For other opinions or comments, go here.

Rankings

Popular Articles

We could not find the message board you were looking for.

Gaming News

Best PS5 RPGs (December 2025)

Best PS5 RPGs (December 2025)

Popular Games

Recommended Games

All rights reserved

© 2023 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.

Final Fantasy XVI (FF16)

Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

Quick Access