Final Fantasy XVI is a strong departure for the series due to its real-time action combat, which inadvertently lends itself to the availability of various weapons and armor for players to find and craft throughout the game. There are countless weapons for players to obtain during a normal playthrough of the game and even more during a New Game + playthrough on the more challenging but rewarding Final Fantasy Mode difficulty. However, there is one weapon that effortlessly rises above the rest: the Ultima Weapon.
The Ultima Weapon is without a doubt the best weapon in Final Fantasy XVI. Not only does its starry blue design make it the best-looking weapon in the game, but its 700 damage and stagger power make it unmatched in raw power, even against the Gotterdammerung. Unfortunately, it doesn't become available until players near the end of a New Game + in Final Fantasy Mode. This means players will need to play through the entire game almost twice before they can craft it. While the method for acquiring it may seem fairly straightforward, players may wish to know the quickest route to obtaining it. Here's how to craft the best weapon in Final Fantasy XVI, the Ultima Weapon.
How to Craft the Ultima Weapon
You'll be able to view the Ultima Weapon craft screen from your first visit to Blackthorne during a Final Fantasy Mode playthrough. However, all but one ingredient will be hidden and won't be revealed until you've discovered them. That being said, to craft the Ultima Weapon, you'll need the Essence of Creation, which you'll obtain at the end of a normal playthrough, the Everdark Reforged, and the Gotterdammerung Reforged.
The Everdark Reforged is a weapon that becomes available very late in a Final Fantasy Mode playthrough, and you should be able to obtain all of its ingredients by simply playing the game and completing every main and side quest. To craft the Everdark Reforged, you'll need one Flawless Dark Shard, which you'll receive after defeating Barnabus, the Icebrand Reforged, 8 Flawless Meteorites, and 800 Sharp Fangs.
Essentially, the Everdark Reforged is a craftable weapon that is at the end of a long line of reforged weapons that you'll want to craft as you progress through the story in Final Fantasy Mode. In order, these weapons are Stormcry Reforged, Flametongue Reforged, Levinbolt Reforged, Grindstone Reforged, Brightburn Reforged, then Icebrand Reforged, which will be used as the base weapon for Everdark Reforged's crafting recipe. Return to Blackthorne regularly as you make your way through the narrative in Final Fantasy Mode, and craft each of these weapons when you are able. Once you've acquired the necessary ingredients for Everdark Reforged, craft it, then begin pursuing Gotterdammerung Reforged.
To craft Gotterdammerung Reforged, you'll need Ragnarok Reforged, which you can obtain by completing every "Blacksmith's Blues" side quest, three Orichalcum, two Flawless Darksteel, and one Flawless Battlehorn. All of these ingredients can be obtained by defeating Notorious Marks, but there are other ways as well.
There are several ways you can go about acquiring Orichalcum. You can obtain one Orichalcum for defeating each of the Notorious Marks The Breaker of Worlds (Atlas), The Tricephalic Terror (Gorgimera), and The Masterless Marauder (Behemoth King). Atlas is located in the small, circular area on the east side of Cressida, east of the Martha's Rest obelisk and north of the Three Reeds obelisk. You can find Gorgimera in the southwestern corner of the Velkroy Desert. Finally, the Behemoth King can be found just southwest of the Vidargraes obelisk once you've completed the "Nobody's Tool" side quest. Additionally, you can obtain Orichalcum by completing the "Under New Management II" side quest for Isabelle in Northreach and the "Duty Undying II" side quest for Cyril in Tabor.
Flawless Darksteel can only be obtained by defeating two specific Notorious Marks: Thanatos and the Prince of Death. You'll find Thanatos in the middle of the main path in Titan's Wake, between the Kretove obelisk and the Gilded Path obelisk. He spawns out of the ground, so just keep walking the path until he appears. The Prince of Death, on the other hand, can be found in the fields on the far western side of the Royal Meadows north of Northreach, just northeast of Westwatch.
The last ingredient you'll need for Gotterdammerung Reforged is a Flawless Battlehorn. This item can be obtained by defeating Gobermouch, who you will find in Eistla, in the small open area southwest of the Maudlin Mason. Once you've obtained all the ingredients for Gotterdammerung Reforged, head back to Blackthorne and craft it. You should now have every ingredient you'll need to craft the Ultima Weapon.