It is not at all unlike Final Fantasy to include a variety of ways for players to upgrade their characters, whether it be by their weapons, armor, or other special items. Final Fantasy XVI is no different, as it comes packed with gear and items to collect, including weapons, armor, collectibles, and plenty of accessories that benefit Clive in a variety of ways.
Players can have up to three accessories equipped at any given time in Final Fantasy XVI. As there are countless accessories to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow down which are best suited for certain playstyles and situations. Here are three of the best accessory builds in Final Fantasy XVI, each one granting unique bonuses to Clive.
The Berserker Is the Best Offensive Build in Final Fantasy XVI
The "Berserker" build makes Clive an unconquerable force to be reckoned with. This build not only specializes in survivability but also in the ability to dominate foes with high attack power and proficiency. You'll want to use this build to clear out groups of enemies quickly and keep formidable foes on their toes. The Berserker build can even effectively take down enemies of a much higher level, so it's worth acquiring as soon as possible. The three accessories in the "Berserker" build are the Genji Gloves, the Berserker Ring, and the Ring of Timely Focus.
The Genji Gloves provide the build's damage bonus by increasing all damage dealt to enemies by 5%. You can acquire the gloves once you've reached 2365 Renown and retrieved them from The Patron's Whisper in the Hideaway. Unfortunately, you won't be able to reach this level of Renown until very late in the game, as the only way to earn Renown is by completing quests and hunts. Until you're able to obtain the Genji Gloves, however, simply swap them out for a Badge of Might.
The "Berserker" build wouldn't be complete without a namesake, and that's where the Berserker Ring comes in. This powerful accessory temporarily increases attack proficiency with each precision dodge. By dodging an enemy's attack at the very last second, you'll execute a precision dodge and Clive will temporarily attack much faster and deal more damage than he did before.
Finally, the Ring of Timely Focus is where this build shines, as it temporarily slows time during an evadable attack. What makes this accessory so beneficial, however, is the fact that almost every dodge performed while time is slowed will be a precision dodge, which will, as a result, trigger the Berserker Ring's effect. Final Fantasy XVI's combat can get very messy at times, so utilizing the Ring of Timely Focus to perform precision dodges is almost a must. Still, if you're confident in your ability to execute precision dodges, replace the Ring of Timely Focus with the Dire Wolf Jess to increase your combo damage by 5%.
The Bulwark Is the Best Defensive Build in Final Fantasy XVI
The "Bulwark" accessory build equips Clive with some of the best defensive accessories in the game, making him all but unstoppable. This build prioritizes defense and HP, while also increasing the potency of certain healing items to keep Clive alive when it matters most. You'll want to utilize this build for Final Fantasy XVI's toughest battles, especially in the game's more challenging Final Fantasy mode. The three accessories in the "Bulwark" build are the Badge of Mettle, the Adamantite Gauntlets, and the High Cleric's Medallion.
The Badge of Mettle is one of FFXVI's most basic accessories, as it simply increases Defense. However, it is not to be underestimated. Every basic accessory in the game can be upgraded by completing specific side quests or defeating certain enemies, and they can be upgraded even further during a New Game + playthrough. You'll acquire a Badge of Mettle fairly early on in your first playthrough of the game, and you'll be given opportunities to get an upgraded version of it at a later point.
The Adamantite Gauntlets is one of the best accessories in the game, boasting an increase of 500 to Clive's maximum HP. While this may not seem like much, Clive's HP will be around 3,000 with the best defensive armor equipped at Level 50, so increasing that by 500 more is nearly a 17% increase. The Adamantite Gauntlets can be found in a treasure coffer on a short path leading west of the path to The Edge of Infinity obelisk. Unfortunately, you won't reach this location until you're nearing the end of the game, but a great temporary replacement is the Ring of Timely Healing, which will cause Clive to automatically use a potion once his health drops below a certain point.
The last accessory in the "Bulwark" build is the High Cleric's Medallion, which increases the healing potency of high potions by 25%. You can acquire this valuable accessory by earning 715 Renown and then retrieving it from the Patron's Whisper in the Hideaway. Until you're able to earn the amount of Renown required to obtain it, however, simply use a regular Cleric's Medallion, which increases the healing potency of potions.
The Farmer Is the Best Farming Build in Final Fantasy XVI
The "Farmer" build is the best accessory build for farming the three most important forms of currency in Final Fantasy XVI: Gil, EXP, and Ability Points. Gil is used for purchasing items like gear and potions from vendors, EXP is earned to increase Clive's level, thereby earning him improved stats in the process, and Ability Points are used for unlocking and upgrading the many new skills and abilities available in the game. The three accessories in the "Farmer" build are The Golden Testament, On Fortune and the Heavens, and The Wages of Warcraft.
The Golden Testament accessory increases Gil earned by 35% and can be purchased from Charon for 5,000 Gil at her shop in the Hideaway. On Fortune and the Heavens increases EXP earned by 15% and can also be purchased from Charon, but for 5,500 Gil. Finally, The Wages of Warcraft can be purchased from Charon for 15,000 Gil, and it increases Ability Points earned in normal encounters by 20%.
Equipping all three of these accessories and then heading out into the wilds of Valisthea to pick a fight with its monsters will inevitably make your time well spent. The best early-game farming spot is the swamps surrounding Martha's Rest in Rosaria, the best mid-game farming location is in the Royal Meadows north of Northreach in Sanbreque, and the best late-game farming area is in the Fields of Corava southeast of the Dalamil Inn in Dhalmekia.