Early Game guide for beginners in Final Fantasy 16 (FF16 ). This guide includes early game tips & tricks, best abilities, recommended accessories, weapon, gears and other elements.
Table of Contents
Early Game Walkthrough Tips
Make The Setting Suitable For You
You can adjust various aspects of the game, including controls, brightness, mode and camera sensitivity, to suit your personal preferences. Since the settings can be changed at any time it's not a problem to start with the default settings.
| Related Articles | |
| Best Settings Guide | Difficulty Levels |
| Brightness Setting | Battle & Combat System Controls |
Progress The Story During The Early Stages
During Clive's childhood, the story primarily follows a linear path with tutorial-like elements. There are few elements of leveling up, development and item collection, so the main focus should be on progressing through the story.
| Main Story | ||
| 1. A Flame Summoned | 2. To Kill A Dominant | 3. Pride |
| 4. Sunrise, Sunset | 5. Lost in a Fog | 6. Flight of the Fledgling |
Main Quests List - Story Walkthrough
Press And Hold The Left Stick When You Are Stuck
If you ever get lost and unsure where to go next in the main story, you can press and hold the L3 button to be guided to the next objective.
Tips For Boss Fights & Hard Battles
| How To Ease Difficulty | Countermeasures |
| Change Difficulty Settings | ・Make the game difficulty to Story Focused |
| Equip Accessories With Auto Function | [Equip For Medium Difficulty] ・Timely Focus ・Timely Healing [Equip For High Difficulty] ・ Timely Strikes ・ Timely Evasion |
| Battle & Combat System | ・Learn How To Evade & Precision Dodge ・Learn Melee Attacks |
| Check Boss Fight Guide | ・Gigas ・Morbol ・Knight of the Blinding Dawn ・Eikon of Fire |
When dealing with difficult battles, there are generally two main approaches: lowering the game difficulty or honing player skills. If the difficulty becomes too challenging, equipping auto accessories allows for a significant ease in performing action commands.
Best Weapons & Gear For Early Game
What To Do As A Beginner
Progress The Story Until Cid's Hideaway
After entering Clive's childhood in the story and making some progress in the main quests, you will reach a hideout called Cid's Hideaway. In the Hideaway, you will have access to features such as weapon crafting, enhancement, and side quests.
Cid's Hideaway - Features & What To Do
What To Do In Cid's Hideaway
| Feature | Uses |
| Forge | 【Priority】★★★ ＜Facility＞The Black Hammer ・You can create and enhance equipment. ・You will visit multiple times to strengthen Clive. ・Check before making purchases at the shop. |
| Quest | 【Priority】★★★ ＜Facility＞None → Receive orders from people ・You can get money and materials in the rewards. ・In the beginning, it's easy, so just go ahead and do it. ・The later in the day, the more valuable the item. |
| Shop | 【Priority】★★☆ ＜Facility＞Charon's Toll ・If there are weapons stronger than those in the Forge, purchase them. ・You can also buy healing items like potions. ・The assortment of items expands as the story progresses. |
| Training | 【Priority】★☆☆ ＜Facility＞Arete Stone ・Practice battles with enemies fought in the past ・More can be done in the story progression |
| The Thousand Tomes | 【Priority】☆☆☆ ＜Facility＞Harpocrates' The Thousand Tomes ・You can view of character information and terms explanations. |
| Change BGM | 【Priority】☆☆☆ ＜Facility＞Orchestrion ・Possible to change background music in The Hideaway ・More background music when "Orchestrion Roll" is obtained |
The options available at The Hideaway expand as the story progresses. It is generally recommended to make use of the Forge and Shop while also considering accepting quests if they are available.
Notorious Marks Is Unlocked As The Story Progresses
Mob Hunts are a crucial element in FF16, requiring players to defeat formidable foes across different locations to create the strongest equipment. The Hunt Board, where players can undertake Notorious Marks, becomes accessible during the progress of Chapter 25. The Gathering Storm.
Other Additional Elements
| Feature | Uses |
| The State of the Realm | Can check the grand cast and situation map |
| Alliant Reports | You can check the list of unaccepted quests |
| The Patron’s Whisper | Receive support items with Renown |
| The Wall of Memories | You can check curiosities |
| Reading Table | Check and read letters |
Final Fantasy Mode Guide & Tips
Recommended Early Game Gear & Equipment
Recommended Early Game Weapons
| Weapon | ATK | How To Get |
 Braveheart | 130 | Obtained in the pre-order bonus rewards |
 Stormcry | 135 | Craft it at the Forge after completing Chapter 14. Awakening |
If you want to level up fast, it is recommended to equip the Lucky Charm and Scholar's Spectacles obtained in the rewards bonus, and for the rest, choose equipment that can further enhance Clive. If you find the combat battles are quite difficult, prioritize equipping auto-attack accessories.
Recommended Early Game Abilities
Phoenix Abilities
| Abilities | Recommended Use |
 Flames of Rebirth | [Priority]★★★ ・Learn with 1695 AP ・Wide AoE & HP gauge recovery ┗ Has a break effect with its High offensive and defensive synergy ・Slow learning curve due to high AP gain. |
 Rising Flames | [Priority]★★★ ・Can be learned at the start ・Launch lighter enemies into the air ・May be used frequently due to its short cooldown ┗ Easy to follow up on melee attacks combos ・Prioritize using it during boss battles |
 Scarlet Cyclone | [Priority]★★★ ・Can be learned at the start ・An area attack that easily depletes the Will Gauge. ・ Its power is strengthened while being attacked ┗ Increase firepower and reduced cooldown time. ・Recommended to use against normal enemies |
 Heatwave | [Priority]★★☆ ・Learn with 120 AP ・Emits a nearby shockwave while creating a wall of flame ・Wave force is amplified upon dispelling magic. ┗ May be quite difficult to master to some |
At the start, it is recommended to use the default abilities of Rising Flames and Scarlet Cyclone. As more Eikons are obtained and as your AP increases, a wider range of options becomes available later on. Adjust your choices according to your preferences as you advance through the game.
Other Abilities
| Ability | Recommended Use |
 Swift Recovery | [Priority]★★★ ・Learn with 10 AP ・You can quickly reposition in battle ・Prioritize learning |
 Burning Blade | [Priority]★★★ ・Learn with 25 AP ・Charged melee attack can break guards. ・Can evade while charging |
 Charged Magic | [Priority]★★★ ・Learn with 20 AP ・Deal long-distance attack that can break enemy guard ・Can evade while charging |
 Lunge | [Priority]★★☆ ・Learn with 25 AP ・A follow-up move used after a melee attack in the air |
 Downthrust | [Priority]★★☆ ・Learn with 30 AP ・Airborne attack that hits while descending. |
 Stomp | [Priority]★★☆ ・Learn with 15 AP ・Aerial moves can be connected to melee attacks |
 Taunt | [Priority]★☆☆ ・Learn with 40 AP ・Draw enemies in before performing an area attack. |
Learn Swift Recovery First
Swift Recovery is an excellent ability that allows you to perform what is commonly known as a "recovery" move. Since it requires only 10 AP to learn, it is recommended to learn it first before any of the abilities.
Swift Recovery - How To Get Passive & Use
Also Try To Get Abilities That You Can Use In Battle
For those who struggle with the combat battles, it can be challenging to handle complex controls when attempting to use various abilities. Learn only the abilities that you can use and reset the abilities that you can't to get your AP back.
Best Abilities - Recommend Priority To Learn
Early Game Leveling & Farming
Recommended Quests To Do Frequently
By engaging in quests, it is possible to efficiently progress in both leveling up and earning Gil. There are no extraordinary shortcuts for quickly accumulating resources, so it is recommended to steadily accumulate quest rewards over time.
All Side Quests List - Locations & Reward
Defeat Enemies Along The Way In The Story
It is possible to pass by some of the enemies encountered along the way, but defeating them instead allows for gradual accumulation of rewards especially money. Defeated enemies respawn when re-entering an area, so it is also possible to repeatedly defeat the same enemies in the same location.
How To Punish Enemies And Knock Them Down
Proceed If You Can Beat The Enemy In The Area
As you progress the story, more elements such as quests and Notorious Marks become available to earn Experience Points and Gil. It is recommended to advance the main story until you reach the challenging parts rather than continuously farming in the same location.
| Related Articles | |
| EXP Farming Guide | How To Earn Money Fast? |
FF16 Related Articles
▶Back To HomeCombat System
▶Combat System GuideOther Helpful Related Guides
| For Beginners | |
|---|---|
| How To Progress Early Game | Best Weapons & Gear For Early Game |
| Difficulty Levels | Best Settings Guide |
| Eikon Abilities | Points of No Return |
| Death Penalty Guide | How To Skip Cutscenes |
| Level Up & Farming Related Articles | |
| Level Up Guide | Ability Point Farm Guide |
| Gil Farm Guide | |
| Hideaway Related Articles | |
| Cid's Hideaway Guide | How To Craft & Upgrade Gear Guide |
| The Thousand Tomes Guide | Vivian Reports |
| Arete Stone Guide | Replay Mode Guide |
| Arcade Mode Guide | Training Mode Guide |
| Shop Guide | |
| Other Content Related Articles | |
| Last Patch Updates | DLC Plans |
| Active Time Lore Guide | Chocobo Guide |
| Camera Guide | The Wall of Memories |
| How To Use Shards | Treasure Map Guide |
| Mini Map Guide | Story Explained |
| Post Game Content Related Articles | |
| Post Game Content | Final Fantasy Mode Guide |
| 2nd Playthrough Guide | Trophy List |
| Chronolith Trial Guide | Renown Guide |
| Multiple Endings | Secret Boss |
| How To Upgrade Accessories | |
Will There Be a PS4 or PC Version?
Online & Multiplayer Elements
Voice Casts List
Download Size
