Two-Handed Weapons — Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age eGuide

While two-handed weapons do not allow the use of a shield, they compensate for it by consistently inflicting more damage than one-handed weapons. Only axes and hammers approach the damage potential of two-handed weapons, albeit inconsistently. Although it would seem natural that larger weapons would attack less quickly, this is not the case. In fact, most two-handed weapons attack just as quickly, and occasionally more quickly, than their one-handed counterparts.

Greatswords

Greatswords don't start appearing until later in the game, but they are worth the wait. As the most consistently powerful weapons in FFXII, these swords are at home in any primary damage-dealing character's hands. Greatsword damage is calculated based on your character's strength, the greatsword's attack rating, and the enemy's defense.

Sword of Kings

Treaty-Blade

Claymore

Defender

Save the Queen

Ragnarok

Ultima Blade

Excalibur

Tournesol

Wyrmhero Blade

Excalipur

Katana

While katana tend to have lower attack ratings than greatswords, they more than hold their own in damage potential thanks to frequent combo attacks. Katana score two or more hits per combat round far more often than any other weapon type (only ninja swords and poles are close). To further take advantage of this, equip the Genji Gloves (which increases the rate of combo attacks). Katana damage is affected by a character’s strength and magick power, the katana’s attack rating, and the opponent’s defense. Magick power as a factor for a highly powerful weapon adds an interesting twist, allowing a support character geared for magick power to also contribute as a heavy frontline damage dealer.

Kotetsu

Osafune

Kogarasumaru

Magoroku

Murasame

Kiku-ichimonji

Yakei

Ame-no-Murakumo

Muramasa

Masamune

Kumbha (1H)

Ninja Swords

A less frequently seen partner to katana, ninja swords are almost as prone to combo attack as katana, which makes them terrific options for damage dealers. Ninja sword damage is calculated based on your character’s strength and speed, the ninja sword’s attack rating, and the enemy’s defense. As with katana, Genji Gloves serve to make ninja swords far more potent.

Ashura

Sakura-saezuri

Kagenui

Koga Blade

Iga Blade

Orochi

Yagyu Darkblade

Mesa

Spears

The brute force weapon of Final Fantasy XII. Spears factor in your character’s strength, the spear’s attack rating, and the enemy’s defense when calculating damage dealt. Most spears add +8 to Evasion.

Javelin

Spear

Partisan

Heavy Lance

Storm Spear

Obelisk

Halberd

Trident

Holy Lance

Gungnir

Dragon Whisker

Zodiac Spear

Vrsabha

Poles

Like katana and ninja swords, it’s easy to combo attack with poles on a frequent basis. Pole damage is calculated based on your character’s strength and the pole’s attack rating, like most weapons, but instead of checking these factors against an enemy’s defense, they are checked against the enemy’s magick defense!

Throw high attack ratings and frequent combo attacks on top of this to create a weapon class that completely decimates opponents without Shell or a strong magick defense. All poles add 30 to Evasion as well—not a bad figure for a two-handed weapon. As with katana and ninja swords, accessories that enhance combo attacks or speed are preferred.

Oaken Pole

Cypress Pole

Battle Bamboo

Musk Stick

Iron Pole

Six-fluted Pole

Gokuu Pole

Zephyr Pole

Ivory Pole

Sweep

Eight-fluted Pole

Whale Whisker

Kanya

Rods

Rods are similar to maces in that they are ideal for support/magick-oriented characters. They differ, however, in that their strength does not lie in actually striking the enemy; rods add magick power and extra MP to characters equipped with them. A few of them also add beneficial status effects on contact. All rods add 6 to Evasion. If you do choose to hit an opponent with a rod, your character’s strength, the rod’s attack rating, and the enemy’s defense are used to determine the damage dealt.

Rod

Serpent Rod

Healing Rod

Gaia Rod

Power Rod

Empyrean Rod

Holy Rod

Rod of Faith

Staves

Staves augment magick users as well, but in a different way. Many staves actually power up certain elements. For example, the spell Blizzaga will cause far more damage when cast with an Ice Staff than without it. When used during melee combat, staves take into account character strength and magick power, staff attack, and enemy defense to determine damage. All staves add 8 to Evasion.