Each Eikon in Final Fantasy 16 holds value in its own unique way. While individual preferences may lead to different utilization approaches, I have personally dedicated around 60 hours to playing FF16. During my gameplay experience, I found myself utilizing certain abilities more frequently than others, and based on that, I have compiled the following ranking. It's important to recognize that this ranking is subjective and reflects my personal opinion. I considered factors such as the overall strength of the Eikon and its abilities, as well as their usefulness in enhancing my gameplay.
However, it's crucial to understand that even if an Eikon is ranked lower in my assessment, it does not imply that they are completely useless or should be disregarded. Many of them possess one or two essential powers that are indispensable for combos or maximizing damage output.
S-Tier Eikons
Bahamut
Bahamut, the Eikon associated with Prince Dion, indisputably holds the title of the most powerful Eikon. It possesses a set of abilities that are all formidable in their own right. One ability, in particular, stands out as it unleashes destructive forces upon the battlefield during combat. This ability is known as Wings of Light, which charges up the devastating Megaflare attack. Additionally, Bahamut's arsenal includes Impulse, which inflicts continuous damage on an enemy upon activation.
Flare Breath emits a steady stream of fire damage in a cone shape, while Satellite summons fragments that launch attacks whenever magic is used, making it especially appealing for magic-oriented builds. However, the ultimate standout ability is Gigaflare, which serves as one of the game's most powerful finishing moves in combination with other abilities. Bahamut undeniably reigns as the strongest Eikon in Final Fantasy 16, with only one other Eikon coming close to matching its might.
Odin
Odin, the Eikon of darkness, stands as another formidable force in the S-Tier category within Final Fantasy 16. Once you gain control over Odin from Barnabas Tharmr, you will possess all the available powers in the game, except for Leviathan, which, as of the current writing, does not seem to be present.
Odin's unique ability allows you to transform your blade into Odin's Blade. Inflicting damage with this empowered weapon and utilizing Odin's abilities contributes to filling the Zantetsuken Meter. Gungnir, one of Odin's abilities, delivers powerful and devastating strikes. Heaven's Cloud propels him swiftly forward and can be repeatedly employed.
Furthermore, Odin possesses the advantageous Rift Slip ability, enabling instant recovery. For those seeking additional melee attacks, Dancing Steel is the recommended choice, as it allows for rapid strikes by employing a second sword. Overall, Odin embodies an unstoppable whirlwind of continuous melee assaults.
A-Tier Eikons
Garuda
There is a case to be made for raising the ranking of both of these Eikons. Personally, I don't utilize Garuda as frequently, but Deadly Embrace stands out as one of the game's finest abilities. The ability to draw enemies in and launch a savage assault upon them is highly effective.
While I have a fondness for Garuda, I find some of the attack angles to be less appealing, particularly when leaping into the air for strikes without a knock-up option. Nevertheless, Garuda remains a potent Eikon with strong abilities that contribute to some impressive combos.
Titan
Titan's greatest attribute is arguably its exceptional defensive capabilities. Additionally, it possesses powerful punches reminiscent of those seen in Jojo, which can parry incoming attacks and deliver additional hits and damage.
Even though I consider Titan to be somewhat limiting, I consistently rely on Upheaval to round up a group of enemies and follow up with Gigaflare in Bahamut's moveset. Even if I don't have Titan equipped, I usually have that particular move in my skill repertoire.
B-Tier Eikons
Phoenix/Ifrit
The initial Eikon ability set in Final Fantasy 16 consists of Phoenix/Ifrit, and it is decent overall. It offers several useful abilities, but personally, I primarily rely on one move, Ignition. This move allows me to charge at and gather a group of enemies before unleashing Upheaval. However, the primary movement ability, Phoenix Shift, can be interrupted, which is quite disappointing.
Flames of Rebirth, while powerful, only heals a portion of HP instead of providing further assistance. It presents a solid array of abilities, but it falls short of greatness. I find it most effective when engaging in close-range combat.
Ramuh
Cid Telamon, one of the notable characters in Final Fantasy 16, is undeniably cool, and so are his abilities. However, I personally do not find his powers appealing enough to continue using them, except for the area-of-effect Pile Drive.
His thunder abilities have the potential to deal significant damage if properly set up. However, the requirement for such setup becomes a drawback for me, as I prefer a more straightforward approach when fighting in Final Fantasy 16.
Shiva
Among the Eikons available in Final Fantasy 16, Shiva is the one I utilized the least. Although Jill Warrick may be a great character, her abilities are generally considered the weakest in the game. If you are looking for powerful movement abilities and the ability to reposition yourself effectively, Shiva excels in that regard.
However, I feel that other characters perform these tasks better. Additionally, Shiva's powers lack significant impact in terms of damage output. By the time you acquire her abilities, the need for increased damage becomes more pressing. She remains a solid option, but she lacks individual power. Her abilities are best utilized when combined with another Eikon ability set.
>>> Read more: The Best & Worst Things In Final Fantasy 16