In the realms of Valisthea, the fates of kingdoms rest upon the shoulders of Dominants – special individuals who harbor terrifying demigods within their flesh. These beings are Eikons, ancient elemental spirits of catastrophic power. By bonding with Dominants, Eikons can unleash their strength in the human world.
As Clive Rosfield in FF16, you must contend with these forces to save your brother Joshua. Along the way, you will convince other Dominants to share their Eikons‘ might to aid your quest.
To master FF16’s complex action combat, you must understand how to utilize these Primordials. This guide explains everything you need to know about Eikons – from their history to battle strategy. I will also share hard-won experience from the perspective of a seasoned FF16 player.
A Primer on Eikons
Eikons are elemental demigods that have existed since time immemorial in Valisthea’s mythology. Though few written records exist, they are thought to have originated as servants of the Mothercrystals – colossal crystals infused with Astral energy that give life to the world. Each mighty, volatile Eikon is aligned with a particular element and displays an affinity for certain Dominants.
These tempestuous spirits yearn to unleash their power into the mortal world. By bonding with human vessels known as Dominants, Eikons can channel a portion of their magic into the physical realm.
In gameplay terms, Eikons serve both narrative and mechanical roles in FF16. They drive the realm-spanning war for control in Valisthea’s plot. In battle, Eikons act as unlockable limit breaks that transform Clive into an elementally-charged juggernaut.
Each bonded Eikon has a variety of special abilities linked to their innate element. By collecting multiple Eikons across your journey, you effectively expand Clive’s toolkit to deal with diverse challenges. Learning these skills takes time and practice, but the sheer devastation Eikons bring cannot be overstated. Their wrath can level armies or sunder castles in an instant!
Now that you understand the role of Eikons in FF16’s world and systems, let us examine these beings more closely.
Ifrit – The Infernal
Description: An infernal humanoid wreathed in flames with curled horns and bestial features. Ifrit is the Eikon of Fire – his blistering heat reduces all to ash.
History: Ifrit is thought one of the eldest Eikons predating recorded history due to his primal nature. His dominion over the core element of Fire makes him greatly feared and coveted for use in war.
Playstyle: Offers damaging fire attacks effective against groups at close range. Skills focus on aggressive striking, grapples, and area denial through flame walls.
Unlock: Bonded to Clive Rosfield automatically in early story events.
Abilities:
| Name | Effect | MP Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hellfire | Slams ground with fiery punch, rupturing terrain with molten fissures | 3 |
| Inferno | Cloaks self in 1500°F flames, combusting nearby enemies | 4 |
| Purgatory | Wreaths self in protective flame barrier reducing damage by 35% | 2 |
Shiva – The Glacian
Description: An icy cloaked woman with light blue skin and piercing cyan eyes. Can morph her body into skates and weapons made of permafrost.
History: Legends tell Shiva was born from a queen who perished in an icy mountain pass. Her grief forever preserved as the embodiment of winter’s bitterness.
Playstyle: Specializes in deadly precise melee attacks and afflicting statuses through her bitter cold. Can disable groups by freezing them solid.
Unlock: Aid the mountain villagers of Skandiva from oppressive forces in the Alps Cathedral area.
Abilities:
| Name | Effect | MP Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Dust | Blasts enemies with volley of frozen crystal shards, dealing 800 damage | 3 |
| Flash Freeze | Encases enemies in icy prisons, immobilizing them for 7 seconds | 2 |
| Arctic Vortex | Whips up relentless frozen hurricane around self inflicting Chilled status to nearby foes (50% reduced movement) | 4 |
Ramuh – The Fulminant
Description: A sage elder with a long white beard dressed in loose robes. He carries a gnarled wooden staff through which he channels storms.
History: Ramuh is said to have once been a historian of the early Astral Era. His zeal to record truth made him a target, so the heavens granted him dominion over lightning to smite deceivers.
Playstyle: Focuses on ranged pressure and area denial through storm attacks. Can juggle airborne targets with lightning and shock entire battlefields.
Unlock: Complete the Scholar’s Archive sidequests by returning missing tomes to the Royal Bibliotheca in Waloed City.
Abilities:
| Name | Effect | MP Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Judgment Bolt | Summons massive pillar of lightning from the heavens, dealing area damage | 4 |
| Storm Cloud | Envelops an area in a paralyzing storm, randomly striking enemies inside for electrical damage over time | 2 |
| Plasma Rain | Blasts airborne enemies with homing orbs of sizzling electrical energy | 3 |
Gameplay Systems: Unleashing Eikons
Now that you understand the narrative context of Eikons in FF16, let us discuss the gameplay mechanics for utilizing them in combat.
Though Clive can only transform into his bonded Eikon Ifrit, he can channel the magic of others he befriends into special attacks. By filling your Action Gauge through combos, parries, and well-timed dodges, you can enter Trance state.
While in Trance, you can unleash devastating Eikon attacks keyed to your currently equipped Eikon. After striking this mighty blow, you revert to playing solely as Clive.
Managing this unique limit break system alongside FF16’s grueling real-time fisticuffs against brutal enemies requires mastery. As you befriend more Dominants, effectively switching between Eikons mid-fight to counter shifting threats becomes critical to survival.
Let us walk through strategies for integrating each Primordial’s powers into your personal playstyle.
Integrating Ifrit
As the Infernal bonded directly to Clive Rosfield, Ifrit offers straightforward aggression. His abilities mesh naturally with Clive’s hard-hitting attacks for direct melee pressure. Leading foes around the battlefield with combos before blindsiding them with Hellfire or savaging groups with Inferno allows swift deletions.
Yet do not rely solely on rage. Between Eikon attacks, be sure to parry attacks and study enemy movements for openings. Utilize Ifrit’s resilience with Purgatory to withstand damage when surrounded before countering with brutal counters. Through properly balancing aggression and defense, you can crush those who oppose you.
Controlling the Flow with Shiva
In contrast to Ifrit’s relentless assault, The Glacian provides sharp control over skirmishes. Freeze challenging foes solid with Flash Freeze and leverage their immobilization to batter them relentlessly or flee to regroup. Alternatively, punish entire crowds with the piercing shards of Diamond Dust before closing into melee.
Shiva’s skills enable dividing and demolishing formidable groups. Isolate the strongest enemies by imprisoning them in ice away from their reinforcements. This allows dismantling rival champions lacking backup quickly through focused fire. Similarly, freezing melee champions while killing ranged support units from afar stops enemies synergizing attacks.
Wield the twin blades of winter’s wrath and precision tactics in concert to become unstoppable. Enemies frozen by fear in your presence shall be shattered like brittle ice before your onslaught. Those who somehow survive will wish the mercy of a quick death.
Ruling Skies with Ramuh
While Ifrit and Shiva excel at short-range engagements, the Fulminant governs the aerial battlefield. His gathering storm attacks deny enemies safe harbor across entire city districts. Smite annoying flying foes through Judgment Bolt’s heavenly pillar as divine retribution for their cowardly attacks from range.
Alternatively, corral grounded enemies inside the Storm Cloud to help allies quickly build combos from repeated lightning strikes. The unpredictable arcing between random targets panics groups into breaking formations for easy isolation and elimination after they disperse. Should any attempt fleeing your wrath through the air, Plasma Rain’s homing spheres will decimate them in seconds.
With Ramuh at your command, nowhere is safe from your wrath. Domain over land, sea, and sky belongs to you alone. All shall cower and beg for forgiveness before your storms leave naught but smoke and ash in their wake!
Patient and Immovable Earth with Titan
In stark contrast to Ifrit, Shiva, and Ramuh’s overt destructive displays stands Titan. Embodying the resilience of stone, the Seismos exemplifies staunch defense and measured retaliation. When surrounded, raise your Megalith to shield from enemy strikes while knocking them back. Maintaining control is critical – with the chaos of battle, disaster looms from a single misstep.
After repelling the enemy‘s fruitless barrage, seize the initiative with methodical counteroffensives. Trigger localized seismic Upheavals to generate openings for allies before closing to isolate shaken targets. Many underestimate earth’s steady, quiet power ― a fatal mistake. For you shall grind all arrogant enough to stand before you into dust beneath your heels.
Through the enduring, unyielding might of Titan, enemies shall break against you like water upon rock. None can match the towering mountain of your defiance!
Additional Eikons
Numerous other Eikons exist in Final Fantasy 16’s world of Valisthea with their unique advantages. Odin allows reaping souls at range with dark magic to fuel vampiric attacks. Bahamut unlocks colossal beams of light magic like the infamous Gigaflare to obliterate groups. Support Eikons like Carbuncle offer healing and defensive magic to protect allies.
As you progress through FF16’s story, you will bond with the residents of Valisthea to unlock access to their Eikons. With over a dozen options available, tailoring Clive’s abilities to your preferred playstyle is crucial. Fortunately, swapping accessible Eikons mid-battle means you can adapt to any trial. Each new Eikon makes you more versatile and dangerous!
I hope this guide gives you insight into mastering Final Fantasy 16’s Eikons. Their mythic lineage and apocalyptic powers have decided the fates of Valisthea’s realms for eons through blessings bestowed upon their Dominant hosts. By bonding with these mighty elemental demigods across your quest and integrating their unique strengths into your combat tactics, utter domination awaits!
Yet never grow overconfident and reliant on raw power alone. Mastery of sword and sorcery comes through practice and discipline. A cunning strategist will exploit any opening in your defense driven by arrogance. Stand firm like an immovable bastion – let desperate enemies shatter themselves against your bulwark. With wisdom and patience, you shall topple even so-called gods who dare stand in your way!
Now go forth and reave ruin among those who oppose you! But take care even the greatest warriors forget the cost of wielding such absolute power in the endless wars for Valisthea’s fate. Fight ever for justice and hope rather than mere conquest. This is the Eikon’s greatest lesson – bound by mortal flesh, we can aspire to nobility rather than horrors haunting history’s blood-drenched pages.
Heed this wisdom and unlock power akin to the old gods themselves. For Eikons bow only to the worthy seated upon destiny’s throne!
