Final Fantasy 16: How to Unlock and Use Limit Breaks

The Final Fantasy 16 Limit Break mechanic turns Clive into an absolute wrecking machine. By filling up the meter / gauge, you can unleash even more devastating attacks. Our FF16 Limit Breaks guide discusses when you unlock this feature, how you’ll use it, and its effects. Likewise, please note that this article contains spoilers.

How to Unlock and Use Limit Breaks in Final Fantasy 16

Limit Break Unlock and Gauge

The FF16 Limit Break mechanic is unlocked at the end of the Buried Memories main quest, just a few hours into the campaign. During the Infernal Shadow boss fight, Clive will awaken his dormant powers, semi-priming into Ifrit.

Past this point, you’ll see the Limit Break gauge underneath Clive’s own HP bar. By default, you’ll have two meters. The meter itself is gradually charged via the following actions:

• Offensive moves, such as attacks, combos, and spellcasts.
• Defensive maneuvers, such as parries and dodges.
• Taking damage also adds a small amount.

Limit Break Activation, Effects, and Upgrades

You can activate your Final Fantasy 16 Limit Break by pressing L3 and R3 simultaneously once at least one meter is filled. Alternatively, you can wait until more gauges are charged as that entails a longer duration.

Once activated, Clive semi-primes into Ifrit, which confers powerful boons:

• Attacks are stronger and faster.
• Your melee strikes will break guard effects.
• You gradually recover lost HP.

As such, this becomes a tool that can truly help you reach your character’s full potential in combat. I try to make the most out of it by activating whenever I’m surrounded by numerous tough enemies, or once a boss has been staggered. The HP regeneration also kept my character alive.

Last but not least, you can check the Abilities menu to upgrade your Limit Break. The successive upgrades cost 1,000 and 2,000 points, which net you a total of four bars/gauges for use in combat.

In any case, that’s all you need to know about how to unlock and use Limit Breaks in Final Fantasy 16. For more tips and strategies, you can visit our FF16 guides hub.