Final Fantasy XVI abilities preview video explains skill trees in the demo

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XVI gives protagonist, Clive Rosfield, a whole heap of abilities and a full skill tree to plow through. While information is limited, here’s a look at the confirmed features ahead of the game’s release.

Final Fantasy XVI is on track to become one of the biggest video game launches of 2023. Ahead of its June 22, 2023, debut on the PlayStation 5, Square Enix has teased several aspects of the JRPG. For example, a State of Play even announced the name of Clive’s Chocobo.

In addition to the protagonist’s companion, Final Fantasy XVI has also informed prospective players how to unlock and upgrade Clive’s abilities. Here’s everything that Square Enix has covered so far about his abilities and the in-game skill tree.

Square Enix

Every Final Fantasy XVI ability in skill tree so far

Final Fantasy XVI’s official Twitter account posted a one-minute clip on May 7, 2023, featuring Clive’s Eikon-focused skill tree. For example, the Phoenix grants Clive the “Heatwave” skill – which launches a fire shockwave into an enemy for 120 ability points.

The video also showed the difference in power between upgraded abilities. Specific attacks can also be unlearned if players are uninterested in the skill. The ability points will then be refunded to players – allowing them to try various Eikons.

While we only know a relatively small handful of abilities in the grand scheme of things, here’s a look at some of the game abilities and what they do:

• Heatwave: Summon a projectile-dispelling wall of liquid flame before launching several deadly shockwaves. Wave force is amplified upon dispelling magic.
• Rising Flames: Summon a fiery wing that deals damage and can launch lighter enemies into the air.

Unlike previous Final Fantasy entries, FFXVI will have an action-oriented battle system. In a past interview,  producer Naoki Yoshida discussed changing the combat for a younger audience.

“For the past decade or so, I’ve seen quite a number of opinions saying, ‘I don’t understand the attraction of selecting commands in video games,'” Yoshida said. “This opinion is only increasing, particularly with younger audiences who do not typically play RPGs.”

That’s everything we know about Final Fantasy XVI and its skills and abilities so far. For more on the game, check out some other guides we’ve whipped up:

Timely Accessories in Final Fantasy XVI | Final Fantasy XVI: Who is Benedikta Harman? | Final Fantasy XVI: Who is Clive Rosfield? | Final Fantasy XVI voice cast | Is Final Fantasy XVI coming to Xbox or PC? | Final Fantasy XVI Arcade Mode explained | Is Final Fantasy XVI coming to Steam Deck? | Does Final Fantasy XVI have a New Game Plus mode? | Is Final Fantasy XVI open world? | Final Fantasy XVI editions & pre-order bonuses